Search — Theology Explorer

Can We Resist Sin Without the Spirit?: How were the disciples able to follow Jesus and resist sin without the Spirit indwelling them? Is it possible to be a Christian without the Spirit?

Q&A question: Can We Resist Sin Without the Spirit?

Jesus

Help with the Hiddenness of God: The hiddenness (and silence) of God is causing me doubts. Is there any advice or help you can offer (such as that God is silent now because revelation has been completed with the New Testament)?

Q&A question: Help with the Hiddenness of God

revelation revelation

Are Batchelor Parties Always Sinful?: I am attending a bachelor party and I have a Christian co-worker who said "Christians shouldn't go to bachelor parties." How would you response to this? All at the party profess to be Christians.

Q&A question: Are Batchelor Parties Always Sinful?

Overcoming Addictions: I struggle with an addiction to nicotine and caffeine. There are no rehab centers for these. What do I do? I know its sinful, but I need help to overcome. I can’t be a slave to two masters.

Q&A question: Overcoming Addictions

addiction

Matthew Matthew 6 Matthew Matthew 6

Will the Father Not Forgive Us?: Matthew 6: 14-15 says we should forgive others of their trespasses or our Father will not forgive us of ours. But the Bible also says that all of our sins have been atoned for on the cross. Can you explain?

Q&A question: Will the Father Not Forgive Us?

Should We Date Unbelievers for Evangelism?: My cousin is dating someone who is not a Christian in the hopes that they will get saved. Is this okay to do?

Q&A question: Should We Date Unbelievers for Evangelism?

angels

Pastors Teaching Dream Interpretation?: What is your take on Christian pastors practicing and teaching dream interpretation using dream dictionaries, Google, and their own reasoning to interpret?

Q&A question: Pastors Teaching Dream Interpretation?

Is Monarchy Unbiblical?: I’ve been thinking about this question a lot since Queen Elizabeth died last month, but I’ve had it for a while. Does 1 Samuel 8:6-7 teach that monarchy is unbiblical?

Q&A question: Is Monarchy Unbiblical?

Samuel

Overcoming Difficult & Serious Sins: Do believers eventually overcome big sins like lust? What if we don't before we die? Does that mean we were never saved?

Q&A question: Overcoming Difficult & Serious Sins

sexual ethics

Overcoming a Fear of the Dark: How can I overcome a fear of the dark? Ever since I was young until now (I’m 25 years old), it’s hard for me to fall asleep every night because I’m scared that there might be something evil watching me sleeping.

Q&A question: Overcoming a Fear of the Dark

Our Reign With Christ & Purpose of Authority in Eternity: What does it mean that we will reign with Christ in Heaven? What use will there be for any kind of authority in a sinless universe where our righteousness and wisdom are perfect?

Q&A question: Our Reign With Christ & Purpose of Authority in Eternity

heaven

About Boycotting Businesses: Should Christians boycott businesses paying for abortion travel?

Q&A question: About Boycotting Businesses

abortion

Choosing Biblical Homeschooling Resources: We homeschool, and one of the most popular "Christian" curricula happens to be from a Mormon. I keep going back and forth over if I should use it because it's very solid academically. Advice?

Q&A question: Choosing Biblical Homeschooling Resources

Mormonism

Handling our Emotions Biblically: What's the difference between suppressing our emotions vs. having self-control over our emotions? I struggle to show positive/negative emotions to God/others, and I seem to distrust God/others with my emotions.

Q&A question: Handling our Emotions Biblically

Honoring God Regardless of Feelings: When I feel "good" I find myself doubting less, being more loving, and sinning less. How do I know if I'm growing in the spirit or if it's just my antidepressants making me nicer?

Q&A question: Honoring God Regardless of Feelings

doubt and faith

Witnessing to Muslims: How do you convince a Muslim that Jesus is more than just a prophet?

Q&A question: Witnessing to Muslims

Jesus prophecy Islam

Why did Some Men in the Bible Have Multiple Wives?: Most of the men in Bible had multiple wives. Can’t you then say they lived in sin their entire lives? Many people say that continual sin doesn’t equate to being a true Christian.

Q&A question: Why did Some Men in the Bible Have Multiple Wives?

Respectfully & Effectively Witnessing to a Boss: My boss is a leader in the LDS church. He is a good and friendly boss but calls himself a Christian. Do I have a responsibility to confront him, and if so, how do I do this respectfully since he is my boss?

Q&A question: Respectfully & Effectively Witnessing to a Boss

Mormonism

Matthew Matthew 6 John 20 Matthew Matthew 6 John 20

Is Absolution or Absolving of Sins Biblical?: Does John 20: 23 and Matthew 6: 14 indicate that absolution (the act of forgiving someone for having done something wrong or sinful) is biblical?

Q&A question: Is Absolution or Absolving of Sins Biblical?

Is Changing our Appearance Sinful?: Would changing our appearance in any way be a sin since God has created us in His image? For example, if we wear makeup, is that covering our natural beauty? And if we shave our body, is that destroying the beauty God has given us?

Q&A question: Is Changing our Appearance Sinful?

Matthew 10 Matthew Matthew 10 Matthew healing

Raising Dead & Healing for Today?: Raising the Dead: Should we practice Matthew 10:8 today, or has the command to heal, cast out demons, and raise the dead ceased?

Q&A question: Raising Dead & Healing for Today?

Discerning God’s Voice: How can I tell when the Holy Spirit is talking to me? Ever since hearing a sermon about a pastor's conviction to spend more time with God, I think I’m hearing God ask for more time when I close my Bible.

Q&A question: Discerning God’s Voice

Matthew 10 Matthew Matthew 10 Matthew

Witnessing to Stubborn Family Members: Does “shaking the dust off your feet” (Matthew 10: 14) ever apply to family? Or are we to always endure in witnessing to family, despite continual rejection?

Q&A question: Witnessing to Stubborn Family Members

Romans 14 worship Romans 14

Yoga Pants & Ripped Jeans?: Ladies on the worship team sometimes wear yoga pants and ripped jeans. I think that goes against the Romans 14 principle of not causing a brother to stumble. What do you think?

Q&A question: Yoga Pants & Ripped Jeans?

Wayne Grudem Jesus salvation

Did Jesus’ Atonement Require His Divinity?: Why was it necessary for Jesus to be fully divine in regard to our salvation? Wayne Grudem states, “Only someone who is the infinite God could bear the full penalty for all the sins of all those who would believe in Him..." Do you agree, and are there any other reasons stated in Scripture?

Q&A question: Did Jesus’ Atonement Require His Divinity?

Genesis Genesis 1 Genesis Genesis 1

Are Drugs OK if they’re Grown Naturally?: Is Genesis 1: 29 allowing us to smoke weed and to eat magic mushrooms because they’re found naturally? Hasn’t sin surely had a big impact after the fall, on vegetation?

Q&A question: Are Drugs OK if they’re Grown Naturally?

Did God Die / Is Mary God’s Mother?: Can we say God died since Jesus died? And can we say Mary is the mother of God?

Q&A question: Did God Die / Is Mary God’s Mother?

Jesus

Is Reading the Bible Better than Listening?: I have difficulty reading the Bible, and I think that listening to the Bible (like an audio Bible) might be helpful, but I feel like I'm missing something by not reading it. Any thoughts?

Q&A question: Is Reading the Bible Better than Listening?

Should Pastors Discuss Politics?: Should pastors avoid discussing current political issues with their congregation?

Q&A question: Should Pastors Discuss Politics?

Are Believers Still “Sinners”?: I was wondering, when we get saved, are we still “sinners”? I know that after being saved we sometimes sin. But does that still label us as sinners? I thought we were new creations.

Q&A question: Are Believers Still “Sinners”?

creation

Can Coffee be Addictive?: Does proverbs 25: 28 apply to coffee? A lot of people are addicted to coffee, and without drinking coffee they get headaches and other problems. Does that mean it is sinful?

Q&A question: Can Coffee be Addictive?

alcohol

1 Corinthians 5 1 Corinthians 5

Living Together if a Couple Abstains?: Is living together without being married while abstaining living in sin? I don't know how to deal with so many Christians that think it's OK, in light of 1 Corinthians 5:9-13.

Q&A question: Living Together if a Couple Abstains?

Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Unhealthy Associations w/Gratitude: Growing up, I had people expect me to show gratitude as a way to ignore abuse. Now, I want to be thankful for blessings in my life, but I associate gratitude with abuse. How do I separate that?

Q&A question: Unhealthy Associations w/Gratitude

Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Why Physical vs. Spiritual Blessings?: What is the significance of God promising physical blessings to nations (thinking particularly of the promise to Ishmael), when, in light of eternity, physical blessings are nearly insignificant?

Q&A question: Why Physical vs. Spiritual Blessings?

Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Can Killing a Leader be Justified At Times?: We know that self-defense is biblical, but what about assassinations like Project Valkyrie (Hitler) or times when killing a leader might save other lives? Are we still bound to their authority?

Q&A question: Can Killing a Leader be Justified At Times?

Hitler

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-03

My Efforts & God’s Sovereignty: How much do my efforts influence situations when God is sovereign and in control? For example, my hard work vs. God blessing my business, improving my health to "extend" my life vs. God setting the number of my days, etc.

Q&A question: My Efforts & God’s Sovereignty

sovereignty of God

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Advice for Raising Kids in the Faith: I want to raise my two kids aged 7 and 9 in the faith. I don’t want to push too hard. Any advice? My ex-wife has left the faith, so I feel like it’s up to me (and God).

Q&A question: Advice for Raising Kids in the Faith

marriage

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Is My Daughter’s Cancer a Punishment?: When I got pregnant from an ungodly relationship, I turned to God and know He forgave all my sins. But my daughter was born with cancer. Is this a punishment from God?

Q&A question: Is My Daughter’s Cancer a Punishment?

suffering

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Should We Call Out Others’ Sins?: Should we call out sin in the lives of other Christian friends? I had a conversation with my pastor about this in regard to cussing, and he told me if we don't have a mutual edification then it might not be my place.

Q&A question: Should We Call Out Others’ Sins?

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

Slave to Sin?: In Romans 7: 14, is Paul describing his experience before or after he became a Christian? He’s just shifted to the present tense, but says he is sold as a slave to sin. Does this differ from Romans 8?

Q&A question: Slave to Sin?

Romans 8 Romans 7 Romans 8 Romans 7

Do Animals Sin?: Are animals able to sin? They kill for food and sometimes it appears this may be likened to murder, but what does the Bible say about this?

Q&A question: Do Animals Sin?

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?

Who Sinned First?: I have been asked, "Was Adam's sin the first sin?" Something along the lines of: “Wasn't Satan the first one that sinned?” Thoughts?

Q&A question: Who Sinned First?

Satan

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?

How Could Satan Stand in God’s Presence?: If sin cannot enter God's presence, how could Satan present himself before God in the book of Job?

Q&A question: How Could Satan Stand in God’s Presence?

Satan