Search — Theology Explorer

Led by the Spirit vs. our Own Feelings: My mom changed her name recently. She felt God was giving her a new name. She often feels led by the Spirit where I don't agree. Any advice for those times, and should I introduce her by new name?

Q&A question: Led by the Spirit vs. our Own Feelings

generosity

God Taking someone to Avoid Apostasy?: Is there any precedent for God taking home a believer before he might fall away? I Kings 14: 13 says some good was found in Jeroboam’s son.

Q&A question: God Taking someone to Avoid Apostasy?

apostasy

The Most Pressing Issue for Deconstructionists: What do you believe is the most pressing issue for deconstructionists?

Q&A question: The Most Pressing Issue for Deconstructionists

deconstruction

1 Kings 19 Elijah 1 Kings 19

Advice for When We’re Exhausted: Do you have any advice for someone who is spiritually and physically exhausted (like Elijah in 1 Kings 19)?

Q&A question: Advice for When We’re Exhausted

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-24

Evangelizing the Apathetic: My wife and I are having difficulty ministering to her father who doesn’t seem to care about the topic of God at all. How do you help someone realize the importance of salvation?

Q&A question: Evangelizing the Apathetic

marriage salvation angels

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-24

Ancient Israel & The Trinity: Did ancient Israelites believe in the concept of a "multi-personal God"? By multi-personal God, I mean a concept similar to the Trinity, where there is one God made up of multiple Persons.

Q&A question: Ancient Israel & The Trinity

Trinity

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-07

Salvation before the Reformation: Were people saved before the Reformation? It is hard to believe everyone went to Hell during that time, so I've heard people use this to argue in favor of Catholicism. Is this a valid argument?

Q&A question: Salvation before the Reformation

Roman Catholicism salvation hell

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-21

Should I Really be Held Accountable?: How can a just God hold people accountable for their beliefs if those beliefs are influenced by cultural, social, and psychological factors beyond their control?

Q&A question: Should I Really be Held Accountable?

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-21

Did Jesus Teach on the Rapture?: A friend doesn’t believe in the Rapture because “Jesus never taught it” and he doesn’t consider Paul (or his writings) to be authoritative. How would you approach something like that?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Teach on the Rapture?

Jesus rapture

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-28

Why Pray for Others?: If Jesus is our final intercessor, why should we intercede for or pray over other believers' needs? Is this related to the spiritual realm and prayer delays, like in Daniel 10: 12-14?

Q&A question: Why Pray for Others?

Daniel Jesus prayer Daniel

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-05

Are All of Paul’s Writings Inspired?: What should we make of Paul saying "I, not the Lord" as if he's just giving his own opinion, while also believing that all Scripture (which includes that statement) is Holy Spirit inspired (1 Corinthians 7)?

Q&A question: Are All of Paul’s Writings Inspired?

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7

Discussing Biblical “Contradictions”!: Can you please discuss some different Bible passages that appear to be contradictory?

Q&A question: Discussing Biblical “Contradictions”!

biblical reliability

Is Salvation Sometimes Unfair?: One of my biggest issues is that you NEED to believe in Jesus to be saved. If someone is born in a Muslim country, they would have to sacrifice way more than the average westerner. How is that fair?

Q&A question: Is Salvation Sometimes Unfair?

Jesus salvation Islam

Historical Jesus & Manuscripts: How can we believe in a historical Jesus if the oldest manuscripts we have are from the second or third century?

Q&A question: Historical Jesus & Manuscripts

Jesus

Is Christianity the True Religion?: How do I know Christianity is right/true compared to other world religions?

Q&A question: Is Christianity the True Religion?

Does Trusting First Invalidate our Faith?: If you have to believe first in order to experience the reality of Christianity, if the "proof" only comes alive when one chooses to trust it, isn't that "truth" make-believe?

Q&A question: Does Trusting First Invalidate our Faith?

Jesus salvation homosexuality

Unrepentant Heart – Still Saved by Faith?: If I believe in my heart that Jesus rose from the dead and trust in Him alone for salvation, why would God then send me to Hell for being actively gay? Am I not saved by my faith instead of my works?

Q&A question: Unrepentant Heart – Still Saved by Faith?

Salvation in the OT: How were people saved in the Old Testament before Jesus? And if they were saved without believing in Jesus, then why did it change?

Q&A question: Salvation in the OT

Jesus salvation

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-19

How to Trust in Christ: I’m a Bible believing non-Christian that hurt himself by absorbing bad Charismatic teachings. I have always had trouble trusting and accepting Christ. How would one begin to as a skeptic?

Q&A question: How to Trust in Christ

charismatic movement

Are Natural Disasters from God?: We recently had a tornado touch down here in upstate New York. How does one explain to a non-believer that the tornado was not from God? Was it man-made?

Q&A question: Are Natural Disasters from God?

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-19

Modalism & Oneness – Truly Saved?: Are people who believe in Modalism or Oneness doctrines truly saved? Should I allow my kids to participate in events at churches that believe in Modalism?

Q&A question: Modalism & Oneness – Truly Saved?

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-26

Delivering Someone Over to Satan?: What does the Bible mean when it says to "deliver such a one over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh"?

Q&A question: Delivering Someone Over to Satan?

Satan

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-26

The Sonship of Jesus: A local church believes Jesus was literally the Son of God before the incarnation who "proceeded out of the Father" just like Eve from Adam. Can you help me understand the Sonship of Jesus?

Q&A question: The Sonship of Jesus

Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-16

Was Jesus Silent?: In Mark and Matthew, Jesus remains silent which amazes Pilate, but in John, He delivers explanations. What are your thoughts on this subject, and how would you handle it when presented?

Q&A question: Was Jesus Silent?

Matthew Jesus Matthew Pilate

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-23

“God Bless You” to Non-Believers?: Is it appropriate to say to a non-believer, “May God bless you,” e.g., in a greeting card or in a new endeavor? It could be perceived as “May God give you good stuff.”

Q&A question: “God Bless You” to Non-Believers?

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-23

Evangelism for the Ineloquent: Everyone seems to have their way of sharing the Gospel: street-preaching, pastoring, etc. How do I know how God has called me to share the Gospel? I'm not good socially, but I want to reach people.

Q&A question: Evangelism for the Ineloquent

pastoral ministry angels

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-30

More Than One Interpretation?: Can Scripture have more than one correct interpretation? I know Psalm 22 can, but Catholics believe this is so with Peter as the rock in Matthew 16: 18 or Mary in Revelation 12. Is there a good method to test Scripture for this?

Q&A question: More Than One Interpretation?

Matthew 16 Psalm 22 revelation Peter Roman Catholicism Matthew 16

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-06

WHY is Cussing Wrong?: I know I'm "supposed to" believe cuss words are bad to use as a Christian, but can you help me REALLY understand why? Most of them don't "feel" wrong to say in casual settings, especially if I'm by MYSELF (home alone and I trip or something).

Q&A question: WHY is Cussing Wrong?

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-06

Marriage in God’s Eyes: What does it take for someone to be considered married in the eyes of God? A ceremony? A presiding religious leader? Religious words spoken? Having a legal certificate? Intimate acts?

Q&A question: Marriage in God’s Eyes

marriage

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-14

Are Believers “Priests”?: What are the implications of believers being called to be "A Holy Priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5)? Does this mean we need to view ourselves as priests?

Q&A question: Are Believers “Priests”?

1 Peter 2:5 Peter 1 Peter 2:5

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-14

Why Evangelize?: Why should we evangelize, other than because God tells us to? If it would be God's will for someone to hear about Him, wouldn't God's will happen anyway? And based on Matthew 10: 14-15, wouldn’t they be worse off?

Q&A question: Why Evangelize?

Matthew 10 Matthew Matthew 10 Matthew angels

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-04

The Multiple Beings of Polytheistic Religions: If God is one being and three persons (one “WHAT” and three “WHOs,” what would two beings of gods look like in false religions? How would those beings be differentiated in a way that the Trinity is not?

Q&A question: The Multiple Beings of Polytheistic Religions

Trinity

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-04

Jesus Calling Out for Elijah?: On the cross, why did the Jewish people think Jesus was calling out for Elijah (Matthew 27: 47)?

Q&A question: Jesus Calling Out for Elijah?

Matthew Matthew 27 Jesus Elijah Matthew

The Destruction of Jerusalem: Do you believe that in Luke 21: 20 Jesus is talking about the destruction of Jerusalem for today's time?

Q&A question: The Destruction of Jerusalem

Luke 21 Jesus Luke 21

Philippians 1 Philip Philippi Philippians 1

Does God Grant Our Belief?: What does Philippians 1: 29 mean when it says that God "grants" us belief in Him? Is this deterministic?

Q&A question: Does God Grant Our Belief?

Anger at God’s Word?: Do you have any specific advice on how to deal with emotions while reading the Bible? Recently, I can’t even get through a few verses without feeling overwhelmed with anger or frustration!

Q&A question: Anger at God’s Word?

Mike Winger idea 2024-11-08

The Purpose of The Church: What is the biblical purpose of the church, and do you believe modern Christianity is fulfilling that purpose today?

Q&A question: The Purpose of The Church

Confessing Your Faith when Difficult: I'm a 30 y/o woman in SoCal, financially dependent on my Muslim parents. I've studied for years and I’m now feeling called to Christ. I fear being kicked out. Any advice on how to tell them I'm Christian?

Q&A question: Confessing Your Faith when Difficult

Islam

Mike Winger idea 2024-11-08

When Discipline turns to Drudgery: William Booth says, “We ought not consult feelings but do our duty.” How does that not then become drudgery? How do we be disciplined like Daniel, yet not mechanical?

Q&A question: When Discipline turns to Drudgery

Daniel Daniel

Mike Winger idea 2024-11-15

Jesus’ Ministry – Which Nature?: Do you believe Jesus did His ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing out of His divinity, or out of His humanity empowered by the Holy Spirit, in light of Matthew 3: 16-17, etc.? What about us?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Ministry – Which Nature?

Matthew Jesus Matthew healing

Mike Winger idea 2024-12-13

Malachi 4, Elijah & The End Times: Does the last verse of Malachi 4 suggest that Elijah will be one of the two witnesses in Revelation?

Q&A question: Malachi 4, Elijah & The End Times

revelation Malachi Elijah eschatology revelation

Mike Winger idea 2024-12-20

No PSA = OK?: Is it possible to not believe in Penal Substitutionary Atonement without being a Progressive?

Q&A question: No PSA = OK?

atonement

Exodus 32 Moses Exodus 32

Israel – God’s People or Moses’ People?: What’s the significance of God calling the Israelites Moses’ people in the golden calf story, and then Moses calling them God’s people? I can’t help but think it sounds like two parents of the same child saying “That’s your kid” as the child misbehaves (Exodus 32:1-14, specifically verses 7 and 11).

Q&A question: Israel – God’s People or Moses’ People?

Are our Souls Immortal?: Seventh-day Adventism claims that belief in an immortal soul comes from Paganism and leads to occult spiritualism (like necromancy and belief in ghosts). Is this biblical?

Q&A question: Are our Souls Immortal?

occult

Can we Feel the Spirit Move?: Is “feeling the Spirit moving” biblical?

Q&A question: Can we Feel the Spirit Move?