Search — Theology Explorer

Did David Not Understand Heaven?: In Psalm 6:5 David asks God to spare his life because "For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?" Does David not have a belief or understanding of Heaven at this point in his life?

Q&A question: Did David Not Understand Heaven?

Psalm 6 David Psalm 6

Raising Children with an Unbelieving Spouse: My husband doesn't believe in God and our 6 year old has started to notice and is asking why daddy doesn't believe. How should I approach this in a way that's helpful and honors my husband and God?

Q&A question: Raising Children with an Unbelieving Spouse

marriage

When a Spouse Refuses to Follow Scripture: Can you help a brotha out on what to do if your wife says she will never be a biblical wife for her husband? She is a believer.

Q&A question: When a Spouse Refuses to Follow Scripture

marriage

John 6 Romans 3 Jesus Calvinism John 6

Does John 6 Teach Faith as a Work?: I recently watched your Calvinism series and you didn't address John 6: 28-29 where Jesus calls belief "work.” I don't think it defeats Romans 3: 27. What do you think?

Q&A question: Does John 6 Teach Faith as a Work?

About Freemasonry: Can you explain why Christians shouldn't be affiliated with Freemasonry? I have family members who are Freemasons and believe you can be a Christian AND be a member of a Masonic lodge. YIKES.

Q&A question: About Freemasonry

What is Biblical “Meekness”?: Do you believe the current oxford definition of meek or meekness is biblically correct? It's being quiet, gentle, and submissive – but I’ve heard it's being powerful under control. I’d Love to hear your thoughts!

Q&A question: What is Biblical “Meekness”?

Is Evolution Contrary to Belief in God?: I've noticed many people don't believe in God because of evolution. Is evolution contrary to God? Could God really have created the earth in 6 literal days? Can God “speed up” the creation process?

Q&A question: Is Evolution Contrary to Belief in God?

creation evolution

Witnessing Opportunity vs. Spiritual Trap!: I met some Muslims who were evangelizing, and I went up to them to challenge their beliefs. They invited me to a Ramadan dinner at a mosque. Should I go, or would that be a spiritual trap?

Q&A question: Witnessing Opportunity vs. Spiritual Trap!

Islam angels

Can a True Christian Deny Jesus’ Deity?: If a person believes in the Gospel, that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead, but they don't believe that Jesus was God (just a "higher spiritual being"), are they a Christian?

Q&A question: Can a True Christian Deny Jesus’ Deity?

Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-06

Obeying vs. Honoring Parents: I am a legal adult and I currently still live in my parents’ home. I am looking at moving out in the near future, but my parents believe that young women shouldn’t leave the home until they’re married. Where do you draw the line between personal convictions and the command to honor your parents?

Q&A question: Obeying vs. Honoring Parents

Responding to Others about Divorce: How do you handle Christians who don’t believe that your divorce was biblical? He was a narcissist/sociopath who convinced them before he died that I was the problem, and my children won’t speak to me.

Q&A question: Responding to Others about Divorce

divorce

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-06

Bearing with One Another’s Conscience: The Bible says to bear with brethren of weaker faith. If instrumental music is a liberty, shouldn’t we bear with those who believe a cappella is the right way and not use instruments?

Q&A question: Bearing with One Another’s Conscience

faith and science

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-06

True Believer but No Life Change?: Is it possible to believe in Jesus yet never have a change of life? My father has cheated and lived with his mistress. he said he believed in Jesus, yet he never came back home to live with his family.

Q&A question: True Believer but No Life Change?

Jesus

Do we Need Religion to have Morals?: How would you respond to this statement?: “You don’t need religion to have morals. If you can’t determine right from wrong, then you lack empathy, not religion.”

Q&A question: Do we Need Religion to have Morals?

Comments on Reincarnation/Simpsons’ Prophecies?: Do you have any suggestions to help a believer of reincarnation? Ex: Ryan Hammons has 55 verified statements about having a past life. Also, Bible prophecies mean nothing since The Simpsons have predicted the future many times.

Q&A question: Comments on Reincarnation/Simpsons’ Prophecies?

prophecy

Do we “Just Believe” to be Saved?: To be saved, all we need to do is believe? Like how I believed that Santa was real when I was younger? Or is there more to this belief?

Q&A question: Do we “Just Believe” to be Saved?

Is a Belief in God an Attempt to Personalize the Impersonal?: An atheist claims: “Belief in God is what happens when social brains try to explain an impersonal universe. Personal explanations for impersonal events fail to deal with logic of uncertainty.” Any help?

Q&A question: Is a Belief in God an Attempt to Personalize the Impersonal?

atheism

Why Christianity vs. Other Religions?: Why should a person be Christian over another monotheistic religion which claims to be the truth, such as Islam?

Q&A question: Why Christianity vs. Other Religions?

Islam

Matthew Jesus miracles Matthew

Why Didn’t God Show Sodom Miracles?: In Matthew 11: 23-24, Jesus says that Sodom would have been saved if they had seen His miracles. Why, then, didn’t God perform miracles so that they would believe? Doesn’t He want everyone to be saved?

Q&A question: Why Didn’t God Show Sodom Miracles?

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-20

Is Evangelism Harmful?: If a conscientious person who never heard the Gospel can still be saved, but a skeptic of the Gospel is damned, doesn't evangelism damn more people than it saves? Wouldn't humanism be our best bet?

Q&A question: Is Evangelism Harmful?

angels

Conviction vs. Condemnation: Can you help me process the difference between “conviction” and “condemnation”? I know it’s right to feel sorry when I sin, but where’s the fine line between that feeling and allowing my guilt to cripple me and make me feel like a failure who is unclean before God?

Q&A question: Conviction vs. Condemnation

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-20

Wisdom in Applying for Ministry Jobs: I'm pursuing a degree in religion, and considering looking for ministry jobs. Is it right of me to apply for ministry jobs I might not be qualified for and trust the church to make a good decision?

Q&A question: Wisdom in Applying for Ministry Jobs

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-20

Does God Only Speak through Scripture?: Does God still speak to us? I have heard it said that if you want to hear God speak, read your Bible; and if you want to hear Him speak audibly, read the Bible out loud. I believe God does still speak, but I’m conflicted.

Q&A question: Does God Only Speak through Scripture?

Is it Helpful to Offer “Thoughts & Prayers”?: Following a tragedy, people will often say, “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are affected,” which is often followed by angry or mocking non-believer comments such as, “Your prayers clearly aren’t working. Do something that will actually help like changing the laws.” What are some proper, biblical ways to respond to that sort of position?

Q&A question: Is it Helpful to Offer “Thoughts & Prayers”?

prayer

Discerning God’s Will and Calling: How do I know if I’m called to preach? My family depends on my income, and I don’t want to unwisely step into anything against God’s will, but I feel I must evangelize much more than I can now.

Q&A question: Discerning God’s Will and Calling

angels

Genesis Genesis Adam and Eve

Did Adam & Eve’s Offspring Commit Incest?: Does Genesis lead us to believe that if every person came from Adam, then there was incest between Adam and Eve's offspring to create mankind?

Q&A question: Did Adam & Eve’s Offspring Commit Incest?

Can we Only Have Belief through the Spirit?: “Only by the Spirit can one believe” … Can this be considered gaslighting unbelievers and a way of compensating for a lack of enough evidence? Please help my pain, I'm struggling.

Q&A question: Can we Only Have Belief through the Spirit?

evangelism apologetics

Why does Satan Tempt Believers?: Why does the devil bother to tempt people to sin if they are already saved? What's the gain for him?

Q&A question: Why does Satan Tempt Believers?

Satan

Mike Winger idea 2022-06-17

Does Infant Salvation Conflict w/Original Sin?: How can we believe in the doctrine of Original Sin and also believe that if a child dies they go to Heaven? Inheriting Original Sin from Adam makes every child that dies unredeemed.

Q&A question: Does Infant Salvation Conflict w/Original Sin?

salvation

Can Christians ever Sue Christians?: Does 1 Corinthians 6 prohibit believers from ever taking other believers to court? Is there ever an appropriate time to take a brother “before unbelievers”?

Q&A question: Can Christians ever Sue Christians?

1 Corinthians 6 1 Corinthians 6

Mike Winger idea 2022-06-17

Anxiety about Hell: I've become anxious about the thought of eternal torment in Hell. If that's the punishment for our sins, wouldn't it have been best for unbelievers never to be born?

Q&A question: Anxiety about Hell

hell

Mike Winger idea 2022-06-17

Volunteering vs. Getting a Paying Job?: I'm 31, living with my unbelieving parents. They're pushing me to get a real job, but I feel I should continue volunteering to keep a Foundation alive that's barely holding on. Any biblical advice?

Q&A question: Volunteering vs. Getting a Paying Job?

evangelism

Why Don’t the Jews Believe?: What is your understanding as to why the Jews don’t believe in Jesus and are waiting on someone else to come?

Q&A question: Why Don’t the Jews Believe?

Jesus

About Receiving the Spirit: If we are to believe that you receive the Holy Spirit when you believe, why does there seem to be a separation from believing and receiving in Acts 19:1-2?

Q&A question: About Receiving the Spirit

Acts 19 Acts 19

2 Kings 2 Elisha 2 Kings 2

About Elisha & the Bears: How can we explain 2 Kings 2: 23-24 in context? it involves Elisha and a group of young mockers who then get killed by 2 bears.

Q&A question: About Elisha & the Bears

Was Elihu in Job Correct?: In Job 32:7-9, the Lord tells Job’s 3 friends to sacrifice burnt offerings because they haven’t spoken truth, but the Lord didn’t mention Elihu. Does that mean Elihu was correct in his speech?

Q&A question: Was Elihu in Job Correct?

Elihu

salvation Mormonism heresy

Saved while Believing Heresy?: Can someone be saved without affirming certain correct propositions? If someone holds a believe that is heretical (to believe it would prevent salvation) but they are ignorant, are they saved?

Q&A question: Saved while Believing Heresy?

People we Shouldn’t Pray For?: My father believes that there are people we do not (or should not) pray for. He backs it up with John 17:9, saying that it may even be a sin to pray for people we shouldn’t pray for. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Q&A question: People we Shouldn’t Pray For?

Spiritual vs. Political Progressivism: Isn't Progressive Christianity simply the outcome of forcing progressive/leftist ideology onto Christianity? Should we even make the distinction between politically & religiously progressive beliefs?

Q&A question: Spiritual vs. Political Progressivism

progressive Christianity

Witnessing to a Dying Loved One: My grandpa is dying, and doesn't have long. He has dementia/Alzheimer’s now and has never been a Christian. Is it too late to share the Gospel with him? If not, how do I do it effectively?

Q&A question: Witnessing to a Dying Loved One

evangelism

Are Illusionists’ Tricks Sinful?: Is there anything wrong with learning sleight of hand magic or using it in evangelism?

Q&A question: Are Illusionists’ Tricks Sinful?

angels

Guiding a Wayward Teen: How do I respond to my 17 year old daughter who is persistent in being with her boyfriend who is an unbeliever and has fallen into sexual immorality?

Q&A question: Guiding a Wayward Teen

Persis

Spiritual but Not Religious?: How should we respond when someone says, “I’m not religious, I’m spiritual”?

Q&A question: Spiritual but Not Religious?

About Anglo/British Israelism: What are your thoughts on Anglo-Israelism or British Israelism? It is the belief that America and the British commonwealth are physical descendants of Israel.

Q&A question: About Anglo/British Israelism

Israel

Bible translations textual criticism

About the Geneva Bible: In your study of Bible translations, have you ever looked at the Geneva Bible that I believe the pilgrims used? What is its textual basis? Do you think Christians should read it?

Q&A question: About the Geneva Bible