Search — Theology Explorer

Titus Titus 1 1 Timothy 3:4-5 Timothy Titus elder qualifications

Do Unbelieving Children Disqualify an Elder?: 1 Timothy 3:4-5 and Titus 1:6 seem to indicate if someone desires to be an elder they are disqualified by unbelieving children. Does this include adult children? The wife? What do these verses mean?

Q&A question: Do Unbelieving Children Disqualify an Elder?

1 Corinthians 5 1 Corinthians 5

Interacting with Fallen Believers & Cult Members: How are we to relate to fallen brothers in terms of fellowship, and to cult members with hospitality according to 1 Corinthians 5: 11 and 2 John 1: 10?

Q&A question: Interacting with Fallen Believers & Cult Members

Does Gospel Rejection = Stop Hanging Out?: If I have a friend who is not saved and I have tried to evangelize them and have only been met with resistance, do I need to stop hanging out with them?

Q&A question: Does Gospel Rejection = Stop Hanging Out?

angels

1 Corinthians 14 1 Corinthians 14 tongues

Biblical Guidelines – Speaking in Tongues: 1 Corinthians 14: 27-28 says that someone should not speak in tongues unless there is an interpreter, but how are they supposed to know if there is an interpreter present?

Q&A question: Biblical Guidelines – Speaking in Tongues

Isaiah Isaiah second coming

Unclean Meats & the Second Coming: If all meats were made clean, then how do Christians interpret Isaiah 66: 15-18, as that passage, I believe, refers to Christ’s second coming, and in it He “destroys” those who eat unclean meats?

Q&A question: Unclean Meats & the Second Coming

The Right Age to Evangelize?: When is the right age to evangelize? I'm 15 and I used to evangelize and many believed, but I also got into trouble with the police and at my school. My pastor told me to wait until I’m more mature and I’ve learned more of God’s Word.

Q&A question: The Right Age to Evangelize?

pastoral ministry angels

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Religion = Control? / Where’s God During Abuse?: How do I help my dad (an unbeliever) who thinks religion is used to control us? He also says, “If God exists, where was He when my father was beating my mother and I, and I cried out to Him?”

Q&A question: Religion = Control? / Where’s God During Abuse?

evangelism

How to Pray for Unbelievers: I don’t believe Calvinism is biblical, but I find that my prayers for unbelievers often sound Calvinistic: “Change their hearts, bring them to You,” etc. How should we pray for unbelievers' salvation?

Q&A question: How to Pray for Unbelievers

salvation prayer Calvinism

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Warnings about False Teachings: Do warnings to Churches and believers in verses such as Jude 1:3-4 or other Epistles regarding false/heretical doctrines apply to Mormons who want a relationship with God/Jesus but are just deceived?

Q&A question: Warnings about False Teachings

Jesus Mormonism heresy

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Encouragement Amid Physical Limitations: What counsel would you give a discouraged believer with a debilitating chronic illness who carries a lot of guilt for not being able to serve in the ways they want to be able to?

Q&A question: Encouragement Amid Physical Limitations

suffering

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-07

Witnessing to Muslims: I'm 15, and my best friend at school is a Muslim. Do you have any advice for trying to evangelize Muslims who are intelligent and rational but very set in their ways?

Q&A question: Witnessing to Muslims

Islam angels

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-07

If God Seems Silent, Does He Still Care?: My sister walked away from God because she begged for direction in her life and she says she heard nothing from God. This led her to believe God doesn’t care about her. How do I respond to this?

Q&A question: If God Seems Silent, Does He Still Care?

Evolved from Monkeys?: From a biblical standpoint, is there any reason that Christians believe we evolved from monkeys? I'm confused why some Christians believe that, and I’m curious if it’s purely a worldview standpoint?

Q&A question: Evolved from Monkeys?

Romans 8 Peter Romans 8 angels

Should our Main Focus be Evangelism?: John Wesley says, “You have one business on this earth: to save souls.” Is Christlikeness or spiritual maturity chiefly a means to an end – of bringing people to Christ (Romans 8: 29, 2 Corinthians 3: 18, 2 Peter 3: 18)?

Q&A question: Should our Main Focus be Evangelism?

Is Nepotism Sinful?: Is nepotism a sin? My church was founded by my grandpa, my dad is the senior pastor, and my brother is a youth leader. I do believe they legitimately earned these roles, but others at my church don’t.

Q&A question: Is Nepotism Sinful?

pastoral ministry

suffering death and afterlife

How to Biblically Process Grief: How do we deal with grief in the right & biblical way? I lost my dad months ago by sudden death. I feel worried, I’m angry, and I cry. I’m so tired of the rollercoaster feelings.

Q&A question: How to Biblically Process Grief

Witnessing to Strangers: What’s your favorite way to witness to strangers?

Q&A question: Witnessing to Strangers

evangelism

Can Non-Believers bear the Fruit of the Spirit?: Can someone who is not a Christian show the fruit of the Spirit?

Q&A question: Can Non-Believers bear the Fruit of the Spirit?

How Do We “Abstain from Blood” Today?: How, as 21st century Christians, should we understand the decree for gentile believers to abstain from blood (Acts 15: 20, 28, 29)?

Q&A question: How Do We “Abstain from Blood” Today?

Acts 15 Acts 15

Does Sincerity = Salvation?: I have a Muslim friend that I speak with regularly about God. I am a firm Christian, but I question how other God-fearing people who have been indoctrinated into a specific religion are not saved.

Q&A question: Does Sincerity = Salvation?

salvation Islam

Missing Verses? Is My Bible Reliable?: I've just learned that some Bibles are missing passages. How should we approach the Bible knowing some verses have been left out?

Q&A question: Missing Verses? Is My Bible Reliable?

Has Christianity Changed Over Time?: How do you know the Christianity you believe is the same they were practicing in the early Church if history says Constantine and the Greeks changed things?

Q&A question: Has Christianity Changed Over Time?

Constantine

Why Won’t Christians Marry Non-Christians?: A woman stopped dating me because of worldview differences. I believe in a higher power and wouldn’t have pulled her away from her faith. It hurt badly. Why do some Christians do that? She seems indoctrinated (“can’t marry a non-Christian”).

Q&A question: Why Won’t Christians Marry Non-Christians?

dating and relationships

Why Aren’t Mormons Christians?: Ex-Mormon here. Surely all Christians believe things about God that are incorrect, but they're still saved. What makes the LDS different? How are my misconceptions acceptable when theirs aren't?

Q&A question: Why Aren’t Mormons Christians?

Mormonism

Are Miracles Unreliable?: If Satan and his workers can perform miracles to mislead people, why should I believe Christians when they tell me to look at miracles, or when Jesus says to look at His miracles?

Q&A question: Are Miracles Unreliable?

Jesus Satan miracles

Can Non-Believers Come to Church to Observe?: Are there any good rules of thumb for atheists attending a church service for the purposes of learning? Assuming they have no intention of conversion, is this considered rude or invasive?

Q&A question: Can Non-Believers Come to Church to Observe?

atheism

Is the Bible Just a Storybook?: How can you believe in a storybook (referring to the Bible)? This was actually a question I faced several times when I stayed in Germany for a while.

Q&A question: Is the Bible Just a Storybook?

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-26

Stumbled by Theological Doctrines?: The different theologies like cessationism & continuationism can be a stumbling block for unbelievers and cause confusion. How can this be explained to them?

Q&A question: Stumbled by Theological Doctrines?

cessationism

Which Faith is True?: How can I know I have the right faith? I've been watching many apologetics videos since I first found your videos over four years ago, and many Catholics, reformed believers, and evangelicals all have convincing arguments.

Q&A question: Which Faith is True?

Roman Catholicism apologetics angels

How did the Thief on the Cross Know?: The thief on the cross believed Jesus would come into His kingdom, despite knowing that Jesus was going to die. How might that be, since even the disciples didn’t grasp this until the resurrection?

Q&A question: How did the Thief on the Cross Know?

Jesus resurrection

How to Reach a Wiccan: What can or should I say to a Wiccan relative who wants to have seances to reach her dead son? She’s not a believer, so should I just hold my tongue?

Q&A question: How to Reach a Wiccan

The Man in Mark 14: Who was the man in Mark 14: 51-52? Could it be that this was somehow Jesus Himself escaping? As an unbeliever, how should I approach my readings? Any questions I should keep in mind?

Q&A question: The Man in Mark 14

Mark 14 Jesus Mark 14

Do Heavenly Rewards Support LDS Doctrine?: Every time you answer a question about rewards in Heaven, I can't help but think of the LDS levels of Heaven. How do I debate with them when they use rewards as the basis for their belief about there being different levels of Heaven?

Q&A question: Do Heavenly Rewards Support LDS Doctrine?

Mormonism

Should We Still Forgive when Not Asked?: Do we still need to forgive others if they don’t ask for forgiveness? My grandma believes that as Christians, we don’t forgive unless the other person repents and asks for forgiveness.

Q&A question: Should We Still Forgive when Not Asked?

forgiveness

Baptized Believer, but Not Indwelled?: Acts 8: 16 says that believers in Samaria were baptized but hadn’t yet received the Spirit. Can one believe and be baptized without receiving the Spirit?

Q&A question: Baptized Believer, but Not Indwelled?

Acts 8 Acts 8 baptism

evangelism progressive Christianity anxiety and mental health

Overcoming Anxiety while Witnessing: I always get anxiety and my heart starts beating fast whenever I try to speak up about social or biblical Issues to my family (mainly my dad who is a Progressive Christian). How can I overcome this?

Q&A question: Overcoming Anxiety while Witnessing

Mike Winger idea 2023-06-23

Evangelism Required for Salvation?: Is our salvation based not only on being saved and accepting Jesus into our life and believing in Him, but also on a need to be spreading the Word of God (the Bible)?

Q&A question: Evangelism Required for Salvation?

Jesus salvation angels

Mike Winger idea 2023-06-23

Is Repentance a Change of Mind?: If repentance (metanoia) literally means “change of mind,” then why do we say repentance means changing our mind/attitude about sin? Why isn't it changing our minds from unbelief to belief?

Q&A question: Is Repentance a Change of Mind?

repentance

Mike Winger idea 2023-06-23

Cursing & Blessing in the OT: When prophets such as Elisha cursed or blessed people, was it God who put it in their minds to do that, or did they have a Spirit-given ability to do such things without having to consult Him?

Q&A question: Cursing & Blessing in the OT

prophecy Elisha

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-07

How to Explain Perceived Miracles: How can I respond with Scripture to my Catholic friend who says, “I’ve seen Mary & saints do miracles when my dad was in the ICU. That’s why it’s hard to leave the catholic religion: I’ve seen It”?

Q&A question: How to Explain Perceived Miracles

Roman Catholicism miracles

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-07

When Believers Disagree: Can you give me any advice on living in unity with other brothers and sisters in Christ? I always try to keep secondary issues secondary, but I’ve heard “Well, your secondary issues are someone else’s primary issues.”

Q&A question: When Believers Disagree

Mary (mother of Jesus)

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-07

The Doctrine of Inspiration: What evidence and encouragement can you offer a believer who is struggling to trust the doctrine of inspiration? I know that it’s true, but I struggle with doubt.

Q&A question: The Doctrine of Inspiration

apologetics doubt and faith

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-21

Brotherly Support vs. Enabling Legalism: How do we balance being careful not to stumble a fellow believer, while also not catering to someone's legalism?

Q&A question: Brotherly Support vs. Enabling Legalism

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-21

Do Not Evangelize to Some People?: Are there situations or groups of people for whom we shouldn't share the Gospel? Acts 16:6-7 seems to say so, but I'd love to hear your insight on the topic and your interpretation of this passage.

Q&A question: Do Not Evangelize to Some People?

angels

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-21

Song of Solomon = Christ & Church?: I am currently studying Song of Solomon, and I was wondering, do you believe that it represents Christ and the Church? I have an issue with that, as the book describes a sexual relationship.

Q&A question: Song of Solomon = Christ & Church?

Solomon

Faith = Just a Family Tradition?: My husband believes that faith comes about by family tradition, and that someone's faith is just an expression of what their family has taught them rather than actual faith in God. What does the bible say about this?

Q&A question: Faith = Just a Family Tradition?

marriage

James James 1 Mark 9 James James 1 Mark 9

Is Doubting OK?: I love Mark 9: 24 - “I believe, help my unbelief.” But how do we understand that along with James 1:6-8 which says to ask in faith with no doubting, as the one who doubts will not receive anything from the Lord?

Q&A question: Is Doubting OK?

Are Our Souls Truly Immortal?: I was raised in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and they say that the belief in an immortal/immaterial soul is Pagan in origin and has no basis in the Bible. Is this true?

Q&A question: Are Our Souls Truly Immortal?

When Other Faiths Pray for Us: When people of other religions pray for us and we see these prayers answered, how do we reconcile that with Christianity? Does that mean all faiths are good?

Q&A question: When Other Faiths Pray for Us

prayer