Search — Theology Explorer

Deceased Loved Ones & Necromancy?: Is going to the cemetery and talking to loved ones necromancy?

Q&A question: Deceased Loved Ones & Necromancy?

Jeremiah Jeremiah 1:5 Jeremiah 1 Jeremiah marriage creation

Our Choices & God’s Sovereign Will: Do we have any true control over life entering the world, or is it only based on God's sovereignty? I think if it’s God's plan for me to have a child, I'll get pregnant even if on birth control. But my husband thinks we control conception through birth control. If Jeremiah 1:5 applies to all people, wouldn't that mean God's plan overrides our plan for procreation?

Q&A question: Our Choices & God’s Sovereign Will

Jesus’ Death: Physical but Not Spiritual?: If Jesus' humanity and divinity are inseparable, then how could He experience bodily death on the cross without His deity dying, as well?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Death: Physical but Not Spiritual?

1 John 1 forgiveness 1 John 1

Do Christians Continue to Need Forgiveness?: 1 John 1:9 perplexes me. I am a Christian. In what sense does my daily confession apply "forgiveness" to me? What happens if I die with “unforgiven” sin?

Q&A question: Do Christians Continue to Need Forgiveness?

apologetics doubt and faith

Why Doesn’t God Just Satisfy Skeptics’ Doubts?: How would you answer someone who says, “If there is a God, He knows what evidence I would need to believe and has not given it to me” and seems to genuinely mean it, not mocking/scoffing?

Q&A question: Why Doesn’t God Just Satisfy Skeptics’ Doubts?

Romans 8 Romans 8 resurrection

Metaphorical, Spiritual, or Physical Resurrection?: Is Romans 8: 11 referring to a metaphorical, spiritual, or physical resurrection later to come? I thought it was spiritual, but the term "mortal bodies" has me thinking differently.

Q&A question: Metaphorical, Spiritual, or Physical Resurrection?

Too Much Theology & Doctrine?: My pastor says that theology is “just someone’s opinion” and that “we shouldn’t get hooked on theology and doctrine.” How would you respond?

Q&A question: Too Much Theology & Doctrine?

pastoral ministry

Did Peter & Other Disciples Quit?: Did Peter and the others "quit the ministry" when they went fishing in John 21:3? It seems that Peter had already seen the risen Christ 2 or 3 times before this event.

Q&A question: Did Peter & Other Disciples Quit?

John 21 Peter John 21

Stewarding Friendships with Unbelievers: How do you navigate having worldly friends? At times I enjoy their company and the conversation is good, but at other times they are unbearable to be around, making crude jokes.

Q&A question: Stewarding Friendships with Unbelievers

evangelism

God Conceals a Matter?: In Proverbs 25:2, in what sense is the author saying that God conceals a matter? It's clearly not an absolute (i.e., He does reveal things).

Q&A question: God Conceals a Matter?

Jesus Supporting Violence?: Why does Jesus tell the disciples to buy swords? Is this Jesus supporting violence in self-defense?

Q&A question: Jesus Supporting Violence?

Overcome by Strong Delusion?: In 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12, when the antichrist is revealed, God will send a strong delusion to those who refused to be saved. Will everyone who has heard the Gospel but not repented be overcome by it?

Q&A question: Overcome by Strong Delusion?

repentance antichrist

Ephesians 4 homosexuality Ephesians 4

What is “Coarse Joking”?: How do we know what coarse joking is (Ephesians 4: 29, 5: 20)? My teen's Christian friends often joke about being LGBTQ and getting high or drunk. Is this a freedom issue, or is this sinful? How should a teen respond?

Q&A question: What is “Coarse Joking”?

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

The Unrighteous Entering the Millennium?: In the Premillennial view, who are the unrighteous (not saved) that enter into the Millennium? During the sheep/goats judgment, it seems like all the goats get sent to their eternity in Hell.

Q&A question: The Unrighteous Entering the Millennium?

millennium hell

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

Will We Remember “The Bad” in Eternity?: Can you go into detail as to what Isaiah 65: 17 means by “not remembered” and the “nor come to mind” part? I was told it meant literal memory loss and that scares me. I want to remember even the bad.

Q&A question: Will We Remember “The Bad” in Eternity?

Isaiah Isaiah

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

Standing Firm for Christ at Work: My work environment is very vulgar and toxic. It's "easier" for me to blend in and not honor Christ with my language and attitude. How can I have more confidence and not give in?

Q&A question: Standing Firm for Christ at Work

Is All Pain Bad?: BONUS Q!.My 8 year old, Ben wants to know: If there is no pain in Heaven, will there be hot sauce? Sounds funny, but makes you think.

Q&A question: Is All Pain Bad?

heaven

What Makes a Cult?: What makes a cult? I grew up in a church that took many hard stances on issues that led our elders to act in unbiblical ways. Most would say it was a cult. Where is the line drawn?

Q&A question: What Makes a Cult?

elder qualifications

1 Timothy 3:1-7 1 Timothy 2:12 women in ministry complementarianism headship

Winger rejects the 'covering' argument that a senior male pastor can authorize female elders/pastors under his headship. A husband is the head of his wife — an elder is NOT the head of other elders. 1 Timothy 2 says 'I don't allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man,' period — not 'without a male head.'

Q&A: advice for a member of a church with a male lead elder pastoring alongside ordained female elders who often teach on Sundays.

Does God Overlook Ignorance?: In Acts 17: 30, what does Paul mean by God overlooking the times of ignorance? Was He more lenient toward idolatry before the time of Christ? Or did He stop trying to save the idolaters of that time?

Q&A question: Does God Overlook Ignorance?

Acts 17 Acts 17

marriage salvation angels

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

Does God Operate Outside of Time?: Can you talk about your views on God’s relationship to time? Personally, I find the timeless God view incoherent and unbiblical. It seems He operates within time.

Q&A question: Does God Operate Outside of Time?

What if Election Isn’t about Salvation?: What are your thoughts on election being about service and blessing rather than salvation (i.e., Judas was chosen by Jesus to serve Him but obviously wasn't saved)?

Q&A question: What if Election Isn’t about Salvation?

Jesus salvation Judas

Mark of the Beast: Literal or Symbolic?: Could the Mark of the Beast being on the forehead or right hand symbolize something that dominates the mind or actions of those who submit to it instead of a literal mark on the body as many assume?

Q&A question: Mark of the Beast: Literal or Symbolic?

submission in marriage

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

Christ Ascending & Descending: What is Paul talking about in Romans 10:6-7 when he’s speaking of Christ descending and ascending? The way he phrases things seems like it should be the other way around.

Q&A question: Christ Ascending & Descending

Romans 10 Romans 10

Making True Disciples: According to Scripture, if the disciple you make doesn't make a disciple, have you really made a disciple?

Q&A question: Making True Disciples

John 3 Jesus baptism Mormonism

Did Jesus Baptize?: Considering John 3: 22 and 4:2, did Jesus Himself baptize others, or not? A Mormon brought this up to me, and the only thing I could think of was that John 3: 22 wasn’t actually saying Jesus baptized, perhaps only that He oversaw the baptisms. Any insight?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Baptize?

Did Jesus’ Deity Die?: Did Jesus' deity die on the cross, and if not, then how could He be an atoning sacrifice for sin? If it died, then how could He be God without affirming the kenotic heresy?

Q&A question: Did Jesus’ Deity Die?

Jesus heresy

Jeremiah David Jeremiah Jesus

God’s Eternal Covenant: I see in Jeremiah 33 that God extends His eternal covenant not only to the house of David as kings, but also Levi as priests (Jeremiah 33: 17-22). Who fulfills this promise? Does Jesus?

Q&A question: God’s Eternal Covenant

Matthew 10 Matthew Jesus salvation Matthew 10

Not Worthy = Not Saved?: Do Jesus' words in Matthew 10: 37-39 give the impression that if we don't put Him first in everything, we're not saved? Does the phrase "not worthy of Me" not refer to salvation?

Q&A question: Not Worthy = Not Saved?

2 Corinthians 4:4 Romans 11 John 12 2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan Romans 11

Does God Veil/Blind Understanding?: Why do we assume that 2 Corinthians 4:4 is not about God, but presumably about Satan? In the context of chapters 3 and 4, and also in other verses, we learn that God veils/blinds eyes (ex: John 12: 40, Romans 11:8).

Q&A question: Does God Veil/Blind Understanding?

Luke 22 Jesus angels Luke 22

How Could God Need Strengthening?: Can you explain how an angel could have strengthened Jesus since He is God (Luke 22: 43)?

Q&A question: How Could God Need Strengthening?

Translation Discrepancies?: Mark 1: 41 in the NIV says Jesus was indignant, but other translations don't. What’s up with that?

Q&A question: Translation Discrepancies?

“Real Presence” in Communion?: Do you think “Real Presence” in the Lord's Supper could be true? The fact that the disciples say "this is a hard teaching" and many of them leave makes me think it was more than symbolic.

Q&A question: “Real Presence” in Communion?

communion

Responding Biblically to Idols: Was it biblical for the man in Iowa to destroy the Satanic Temple display at the state capitol last December? How should Christians respond to the public display of literal idols in our society?

Q&A question: Responding Biblically to Idols

Satan

How to Walk by the Spirit: Can we as Christians really truly live an upright and blameless life?

Q&A question: How to Walk by the Spirit

Is Doomsday Prepping Biblical?: Should we as Christians be stockpiling food and supplies for some future global catastrophe? Some of my Bible study sisters are constantly talking about this and have started preparing for impending doom. Scripture tells us, “Do not worry about tomorrow” and "Be anxious for nothing.” But at the same time, I don't want to be caught off guard. Should Christians be stockpiling just in case?

Q&A question: Is Doomsday Prepping Biblical?

Bible study

Genesis Genesis 9 Samuel Genesis Genesis 9

Navigating Difficult Pregnancies: What are your thoughts on terminating a pregnancy due to a “lethal” condition like anencephaly? This seems like euthanasia. Applicable passages might be Genesis 9:4-6 and 2 Samuel 1:1-16.

Q&A question: Navigating Difficult Pregnancies

Praying for the Sins of Others: Do we in any way need to (or can we) pray for the sins of another person, such as a family member? This topic was a recent one in some chats I am in. The verse cited was Leviticus 26: 40.

Q&A question: Praying for the Sins of Others

Was Mary Asking Jesus for a Miracle?: When Mary told Jesus that the wedding was out of wine, was she asking Him to do a miracle, or a more prosaic fix? I was taught that she asked for a miracle, but I wonder due to her other actions.

Q&A question: Was Mary Asking Jesus for a Miracle?

Jesus miracles

dating and relationships anxiety and mental health

Thinking Biblically about Dating: I’m a late 20s Christian man struggling with anxiety in dating. As things progress, I tend to overanalyze everything to determine if I can marry the girl, and things end about 3 months in. Any scriptural advice?

Q&A question: Thinking Biblically about Dating

Blasphemy in the Sermon on the Mount?: In The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus refers to God as the audience’s Father. How was this not blasphemous in the way that Jesus claiming to be the Son of God was a big deal in the Passion narrative?

Q&A question: Blasphemy in the Sermon on the Mount?