Search — Theology Explorer

Matthew David Abraham Jesus

Jesus’ Genealogy/Lineage: How historically plausible is it that the Jesus‘ genealogies in Matthew and Luke authentically trace back to the Exile, Kind David, Abraham, and so on?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Genealogy/Lineage

About Same-Sex Attraction: As a Side B/Celibate same-sex attracted Christian, do you believe God can change my attraction to eventually desire to marry a woman?

Q&A question: About Same-Sex Attraction

Encouragement through Chronic Illness: I’m newly diagnosed with a very debilitating chronic illness. How do I continue to serve the Lord in my role as a wife and mother and serve the body of Christ? I’m very discouraged.

Q&A question: Encouragement through Chronic Illness

marriage

Are Concentration Meds o.k.?: What do you think about taking medications like Adderall?

Q&A question: Are Concentration Meds o.k.?

Adam Buried Beneath where Jesus Crucified?: I heard on a program by the National Geographic that there’s a belief out there that Adam was buried beneath where Jesus was crucified. They say when Jesus died, His blood flowed down into the ground and through some cracks inside a tomb where Adam was buried, and Adam was resurrected from that. I am trying to find out where this belief even started, why it was started, and if there is any Biblical or Historical evidence to suggest that this ever happened. Have you ever heard of this, and do you know of any resources on this subject that might help me?

Q&A question: Adam Buried Beneath where Jesus Crucified?

Jesus

Calvinism pastoral ministry submission in marriage

Should I Attend a Calvinist Church?: The church that I currently attend is in search of a new pastor, and the one that will be voted in is a Calvinist. I don't agree with Calvinism and question if I can submit to his authority/teaching. What do I do? Stay? Go? I don't want to be divisive but want to stand on God's truth in love.

Q&A question: Should I Attend a Calvinist Church?

James James 2 Romans 4 James James 2 Romans 4

Faith vs. Works Contradiction?: I’m confused on two verses, Romans 4:3 and James 2: 21. I don’t believe the Bible has any contradictions, can you please clear up my confusion on this?

Q&A question: Faith vs. Works Contradiction?

Should Pro-Life = Immigration Support?: Do you think that being pro-life means that I should also support immigration/refugee resettlement due to the pro-life belief that children should be taken care of regardless of circumstances?

Q&A question: Should Pro-Life = Immigration Support?

abortion

Should our Shortcomings Discourage our Callings?: I believe I am called to be a pastor, but I have sin & inconsistencies in my life. Do you think this could mean I’m not called, or do I just need to work on these things before being used in that area?

Q&A question: Should our Shortcomings Discourage our Callings?

pastoral ministry

About our Prayers and Troubling Thoughts: When does God hear my prayers? I am asking you this because my thoughts are barely controllable nowadays, and those thoughts are causing me to pray very weird things and think about things I don’t want to think about.

Q&A question: About our Prayers and Troubling Thoughts

prayer

Witnessing to Mormon Family Members: I'm a Christian who is married to a non-practicing Mormon who still bases his beliefs on LDS doctrine. I think I want to go into apologetics (largely inspired by you), but I don't think my husband will approve. I also feel called to evangelize my Mormon in-laws, but I struggle to get past their feelings-based testimony and their beliefs about who Jesus is and salvation. Any advice on my apologetic aspirations in my specific circumstances, and on the best way to surmount these LDS hurdles?

Q&A question: Witnessing to Mormon Family Members

marriage Jesus salvation

How to Pray for our Leaders: I find it very difficult to pray for the current administration. I know they need it desperately. How do I overcome this struggle?

Q&A question: How to Pray for our Leaders

Is “Deliverance” for Today?: Is deliverance for today? Should we be praying for each other to be set free from demonic bondage in our lives, along with seeking medical assistance and counseling where needed?

Q&A question: Is “Deliverance” for Today?

demons

1 Timothy 3 1 Timothy 3 elder qualifications 1 Timothy 3 elder qualifications

Winger walks through 1 Timothy 3 elder qualifications, acknowledging real-life churches (especially small ones) struggle to find people who meet all criteria. Lists: blameless, husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, hospitable, able to teach, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy, gentle, not quarrelsome, rules his own house well, not a novice.

Q&A: How literally should we follow the qualifications for pastors/elders in 1 Timothy and Titus?

Will God Understand if I Hide my Faith?: I’m an ex-Muslim who became a Christian in 2020 and I have secretly been Christian but I still have to do Muslim practices. Will God understand that I have to keep it a secret?

Q&A question: Will God Understand if I Hide my Faith?

Islam

Can we Truly Feel God’s Presence?: Todd Friel (Wretched Radio) said “The Bible doesn’t teach that we can feel God’s presence” and the “warm fuzzies” are only an emotional response when our minds receive biblical truth. Is this true?

Q&A question: Can we Truly Feel God’s Presence?

What did Paul Do before his Missionary Work?: 11 years went by from the time Paul was saved ‘til his first missionary journey - I always thought it was only a few months. What did Paul do during those 11 years other than fasting and praying?

Q&A question: What did Paul Do before his Missionary Work?

fasting

Are a Person’s Days Determined?: Job 14:5 says a person's days are determined, yet in Isaiah 38, God extends Hezekiah’s life. It almost seems that with enough prayer & faith, we can persuade God to change His mind. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Are a Person’s Days Determined?

Isaiah Isaiah prayer

Encouragement when we feel Empty: I struggle with emotional emptiness, abandonment issues, & having low self-worth. This makes my walk hard because my cup is always empty. God won’t answer my prayers. Any advice?

Q&A question: Encouragement when we feel Empty

prayer

apologetics Reformation theology

In Defense of Sola Scriptura: What is your understanding of 2 Thessalonians 2: 15, as many Orthodox Christians point to this as evidence of the legitimacy of traditions that are not explicitly written in Scripture?

Q&A question: In Defense of Sola Scriptura

prophecy pastoral ministry Apostles

About the “5-Fold Ministry”: Have you heard of the "5-Fold Ministry" way of thinking about apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers exercising those gifts today? And if so, what are your thoughts about it?

Q&A question: About the “5-Fold Ministry”

Using the Morality Argument: If using the morality argument, how would you respond to an unbeliever that uses the objection that morality is subjective and there is no real objective right or wrong?

Q&A question: Using the Morality Argument

evangelism

About John 15 – Bearing Fruit: What do you think of the view that states that in John 15, Jesus actually said in Greek that those who don't bear fruit are lifted up instead of cut off? Is this us practicing bad Greek?

Q&A question: About John 15 – Bearing Fruit

John 15 Jesus John 15

About Gratitude in the Midst of Hardship: When I was an atheist, I got depressed and actually planned to end my life to escape all its struggles. I now know God exists, but I can’t be grateful for being created. How do I repent from that?

Q&A question: About Gratitude in the Midst of Hardship

atheism

Should Prayer be a Dialogue or Monologue?: About prayer, I’ve heard many people say that praying to God should be more of a dialogue than a monologue. Isn’t the Lord’s Prayer spoken by Jesus a monologue? How should we pray then?

Q&A question: Should Prayer be a Dialogue or Monologue?

Jesus prayer

About 1 Kings 13: In 1 Kings 13, what are we supposed to learn from this passage? It seems as though the prophet lied to the man of God, tricking him so that he wouldn’t stay the course. Why lead him into this trap?

Q&A question: About 1 Kings 13

prophecy

Matthew Matthew 27 Matthew Matthew 27

About Matthew 27 – Holy People Raised: Can you please explain Matthew 27: 51-53? Hoping to get some clarity about the holy people raised to life. Where did they go? Did they die again?

Q&A question: About Matthew 27 – Holy People Raised

About being Used by God in our Lives: I see others being used by God, and I want to be used too. Because of this, I often struggle with envy, jealousy, & comparison. How would you encourage & help me grow past this sin?

Q&A question: About being Used by God in our Lives

About Orthodox Beliefs: What do Orthodox Christians believe vs. Protestants? Is their doctrine as problematic as Catholic doctrine? (I heard Hank Hanegraaf converted to it.)

Q&A question: About Orthodox Beliefs

Roman Catholicism

About the Greek in Bible Translations: Pastors often say, "what the Greek REALLY says is…" Why don't translators use the Greek that pastors cite in sermons then? (Like how Peter is akin to pebble but is translated as rock.)

Q&A question: About the Greek in Bible Translations

Peter pastoral ministry

Explanation of Ezekiel 14 – Prophets: In Ezekiel 14:9 it says if a prophet is deceived, it’s the Lord who deceived him. Could you offer some explanation to this verse, as it seems out of character for God?

Q&A question: Explanation of Ezekiel 14 – Prophets

Ezekiel prophecy Ezekiel

Romans 4 Abraham Romans 4

About Saving Faith in the OT: Romans 4 tells us that Abraham was saved because of his faith. He believed in God. How can we say that just because he was saved that way, everyone else in the OT was saved that way? Also, if they were saved that way, why did they have to sacrifice lambs? And if people were always saved by just believing in God, why was it necessary for Christ to come?

Q&A question: About Saving Faith in the OT

Assurance of God’s Love & Salvation: Does God really love me, and am I really saved? I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but I am still sinful and I struggle with sin. However, it seems that God answers my prayers. Am I really saved?

Q&A question: Assurance of God’s Love & Salvation

Jesus salvation prayer

Has Mankind always only had One Spirit?: What are your views that God only created one spirit and gave it to Adam which was then passed through generations? This explains how God doesn’t create an impure spirit at birth, or generational curse.

Q&A question: Has Mankind always only had One Spirit?

James James 2 James James 2

“Free Grace” Theology, Faith, & Works: Free grace theology says that "save" in James 2: 14 means from physical death or harm. All uses of the word “save” in James 2: 14 are in the context of physical harm, so why is this different for you in 2: 14?

Q&A question: “Free Grace” Theology, Faith, & Works

How to Connect Deeply with God: I struggle deeply with feeling the presence of a relationship with God. I believe I am saved, but I had wandered far and often during my youth. To this day, I try to "imagine" my relationship with God, but I still feel estranged (mostly I think because of sinfulness). I am desperate for that deep, living connection to the Father. What can I do to get connected in relationship with Him?

Q&A question: How to Connect Deeply with God

Jesus miracles word of faith

More Miracles than Jesus?: Often, John 14:12-14 is used by “word of faith” preachers that I used to listen to. Their claim is that we are to do the same and more of the miracles that Jesus did. How should I see these verses?

Q&A question: More Miracles than Jesus?

Is Common Sense an Argument for God?: Some weeks ago you said you believed common sense is the best argument for God. Can you elaborate?

Q&A question: Is Common Sense an Argument for God?

What is a Biblical Perspective on Anointing for Today?: Can you explain “anointing” in the Bible and what the NT application is for believers? I've heard phrases like "That song/speaker is anointed" or "the anointing is in the room." Is this correct?

Q&A question: What is a Biblical Perspective on Anointing for Today?

John 3:13 John 3 Elijah John 3:13 Enoch

About Elijah & Enoch: About John 3:13 KJV - Where did Elijah & Enoch go? Elijah appeared at the mountain of transfiguration…where did he come from?

Q&A question: About Elijah & Enoch

Matthew Matthew 7 Matthew Matthew 7

Can Non-Believers Bear Fruit?: Can a non-believer bear the fruit of the Spirit? (Matthew 7:17) How can this be, and is it an argument in favor of secular morality?

Q&A question: Can Non-Believers Bear Fruit?

Is Covid God’s Plan, or From the Enemy?: Some pastors say the Coronavirus is God's plan. Others say it's a scourge of the Enemy. How do we rationalize these two views when both come from pastors you trust and admire?

Q&A question: Is Covid God’s Plan, or From the Enemy?

pastoral ministry

If our Sins are Forgiven, Why Ask for Forgiveness?: If Jesus paid for all of our sins once and for all, why are we still called throughout Scripture to continually ask for forgiveness (ex: The Lord's Prayer)?

Q&A question: If our Sins are Forgiven, Why Ask for Forgiveness?

Jesus prayer forgiveness

About the Enneagram: What is your view on the Enneagram? I recently had a lot of problems within my church about this.

Q&A question: About the Enneagram

About Freedom from the Law: When Paul says we're saved by grace apart from the works of the law, is he referring only to the Law of Moses, or the moral law, as well?

Q&A question: About Freedom from the Law

Moses

About Gematria & Numerology: In light of today’s first question, how do you account for more subtle/compelling examples of Gematria such as JESUS (IESOUS in Greek) calculating to "888"? Contrast with "666.” 8=new life, etc.

Q&A question: About Gematria & Numerology

Jesus

About the Doxology in Scripture: How should we make sense of the Doxology at the end of The Lord's Prayer in some English Bibles when it doesn't occur in earlier manuscripts? Should we not use it?

Q&A question: About the Doxology in Scripture

prayer

What does it Mean that God has a Plan?: I always hear "God has a plan for your life." What does this mean? Is this about salvation, gifting/calling, or about God's overall will for believers? Is this specific or general?

Q&A question: What does it Mean that God has a Plan?

salvation

Exodus 20 Exodus 20:4 Jesus Exodus 20 Exodus 20:4

About Graven Images & Biblical Actors: Could you explain Exodus 20:4? Is God stating we shouldn’t have any images at all, like the images we see of Jesus in churches? And what about the people who portray Jesus in biblical movies?

Q&A question: About Graven Images & Biblical Actors