Search — Theology Explorer

Will Psychopaths be Judged the Same?: It has recently been scientifically proven that many psychopaths have a physical brain alteration that doesn't allow their synapses to receive the neuron chemicals for emotions such as sympathy. Oftentimes, they become violent criminals or even murderers. Will they be judged by God the same as any other person, even though they have something physiologically wrong with them?

Q&A question: Will Psychopaths be Judged the Same?

What do Miracles/Healing Depend On?: If one were to pray over someone for a miracle or for healing, what would the chances of it working depend on? Jesus said that it depends on faith. Does it also depend on being a relatively righteous person?

Q&A question: What do Miracles/Healing Depend On?

Jesus miracles healing

About Glorified Bodies/Resurrection: If our bodies are glorified at the rapture, what happens to those people who are saved post-rapture? Is there a second resurrection?

Q&A question: About Glorified Bodies/Resurrection

resurrection rapture

agnosticism homosexuality

About the Moral Argument: My brother has a very biblical worldview despite being an agnostic (in terms of homosexuality and celibacy, etc.) based on science. How do I prove that morality comes from God?

Q&A question: About the Moral Argument

Matthew Matthew 7 Matthew Paul Washer Matthew 7

Is Everyone Claiming to be Saved Really Saved?: Paul Washer said that Matthew 7: 13-14 is not about Christians and non-Christians, but rather, real Christians and Christians who think they’re saved. He says many who think they are saved aren’t really saved. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Is Everyone Claiming to be Saved Really Saved?

Honesty vs. Kindness?: Where do you draw the line between honest communication about things that bother you about something someone does, and “dying to self” if the person is a very close friend/loved one/spouse?

Q&A question: Honesty vs. Kindness?

About the Sun Standing Still – Josh. 10: What do you think really happened during "the long day" in Joshua 10 during the battle between Israel and the armies of the 5 kings when "the sun stood still, and the moon stopped"?

Q&A question: About the Sun Standing Still – Josh. 10

Israel

About the OT Law & Sacrifices vs. Faith: Why was the old covenant law set up to require animal sacrifice, since we see Abraham was atoned for by his faith in the promise to come of what was Jesus (dimly perceived)?

Q&A question: About the OT Law & Sacrifices vs. Faith

Abraham Jesus

About the Dead Jesus Raised: Where did all the people that Jesus and the disciples raised from the dead go while they were dead? I would hate to think they were in Paradise somewhere, then had to come back.

Q&A question: About the Dead Jesus Raised

Jesus

Jesus’ Deity & His Title of “Son of God”: If Jesus is God, then why do Paul and the Gospels often speak of them separately? What is the significant about the phrase "Son of God" being used for Jesus, since it is used for others, too?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Deity & His Title of “Son of God”

Jesus

“Hearing” God in Prayer/His Guidance in Life: When we pray, how do we "hear" God's reply? How can someone differentiate between hearing the voice of God and hearing their own thoughts? When I pray, I feel like it's just me. How can I make decisions if I don't know what God wants of me?

Q&A question: “Hearing” God in Prayer/His Guidance in Life

prayer

About the Satanic Temple’s 7 Tenets: The Satanic Temple has been gaining popularity online due to their “7 tenets” they believe people should live by. Many people see these tenets as positive and morally good, and are being drawn into their organization as a result. What are your thoughts about this?

Q&A question: About the Satanic Temple’s 7 Tenets

Satan

Bible translations creation and science doubt and faith

About the Fear of God and Dinosaurs: Does the "fear" of the Lord mean "scared"? If not, why is "fear” still used in today’s Bibles? Translation problem? Confused here! And were dinosaur bones/fossils created by the devil to cast doubt?

Q&A question: About the Fear of God and Dinosaurs

Why did God Allow our Sin Nature?: Frank Turek said (paraphrasing) that in Heaven we will have free will, but we won't sin because we won't have a sin nature. If that's the case, why didn't God just make us like that on Earth?

Q&A question: Why did God Allow our Sin Nature?

Frank Turek free will

Learning about Biblical Heroes: Some biblical characters are heroes in the faith, but not mentioned much in the Bible (people like Enoch and Melchizedek). How can I find out more about what was so special about their relationship with God?

Q&A question: Learning about Biblical Heroes

Melchizedek Enoch

John 15 Jesus salvation John 15

About the Vine & Branches, Eternal Security: Just wanted clarity on John 15:1-8. Is Jesus talking about people losing their salvation? Or people walking away from Him and the faith?

Q&A question: About the Vine & Branches, Eternal Security

About the LE of Mark: You've said that we should leave in the longer ending of Mark's Gospel because removing it could upset some Christians. If this is so, then should we be including things like the Comma Johanneum because removing that has upset some Christians? Where do you believe we should draw the line, and why?

Q&A question: About the LE of Mark

How to Support a Recovering Spouse: My husband is a recovering alcoholic, now beginning to attend AA meetings. As a wife, what are the most practical ways I can support him while encouraging him to begin leading our home in a biblical way without overwhelming him?

Q&A question: How to Support a Recovering Spouse

marriage

Where did Lazarus Temporarily Go?: Where were people who died and later got resurrected located in that period? Do they go to Heaven or Hell and get snatched back to Earth after they’re resurrected (e.g., Lazarus, Dorcas, Eutychus etc.)?

Q&A question: Where did Lazarus Temporarily Go?

Lazarus hell

Holy Spirit anxiety and mental health

Our Own Thoughts vs. the Holy Spirit: In something like pursuing a relationship, or even in general, how do you tell the difference between the Holy Spirit and your own anxiety telling you not to do something?

Q&A question: Our Own Thoughts vs. the Holy Spirit

Are All of God’s Actions Infallible?: How do I approach a conversation with someone who doesn't believe God is infallible? He believes in the God of the Bible, but he doesn't think all of God's actions are "good," like in the book of Job.

Q&A question: Are All of God’s Actions Infallible?

biblical inerrancy

Identifying & Rejecting False Teaching: What's up with all the bad hermeneutics out there? How can those of us without formal training avoid bad interpretation/application of Scripture by ourselves and be able to spot them in sermons, etc.?

Q&A question: Identifying & Rejecting False Teaching

hermeneutics

1 Corinthians 14 1 Corinthians 14 tongues

About “Unknown”/ Tongues in 1 Cor.: What do you make of the added word “unknown” in 1 Corinthians 14:2-3, which is not in the original Greek? Could it mean that it is not a different sort of tongues, rather, that no one understands them?

Q&A question: About “Unknown”/ Tongues in 1 Cor.

What to Do When a Church Member is Out of Line: What should I do if a member of my fellowship with some mental issues has been making several false prophecies every day, saying literally "hear me for the lord speaks”?

Q&A question: What to Do When a Church Member is Out of Line

prophecy

How the Jewish Bible is Different: Why aren't there Bibles with the Hebrew order of the Old Testament? Some say the Hebrew order helps to show additional context and beauty of the Prophets and writings within Israel’s history. Any reason to stick to the English order? If either is fine, why aren’t there options?

Q&A question: How the Jewish Bible is Different

prophecy

marriage justification divorce

Advice - Tough Marriage/Divorce Situation: Regarding divorce, you mentioned that verbal/emotional abuse is only a valid justification when it is extreme. How do we think biblically about what God would consider to be extreme? I'm finding it hard not to doubt my own perceptions, but my husband is in complete denial. Also, where the husband has essentially separated from the wife within the marriage, is it still not permissible to remarry?

Q&A question: Advice - Tough Marriage/Divorce Situation

Are there Really “Accidents”?: Are there really accidents? For example, a freak car accident? How do we square God’s will with what might seem like a totally random event or “accident”?

Q&A question: Are there Really “Accidents”?

About the Natural Condition of Man: I've heard you say that you don't agree with any of the points in TULIP. What do you believe about the natural condition of man?

Q&A question: About the Natural Condition of Man

James elder qualifications James healing

Does James Teach Guaranteed Healing?: Does James 5: 14-15 say that a sick person should ask elders to pray for him and he will be always healed? The text seems to be quite straight forward on this.

Q&A question: Does James Teach Guaranteed Healing?

John 6 Mark 6 John 6 Mark 6

Is There a Contradiction?: The Synoptics seem to indicate that the Feeding of 5,000 took place on the Sea of Galilee's West side (Mark 6:30-56), but it seems to take place on the East side in John 6. How do we resolve this?

Q&A question: Is There a Contradiction?

Protecting Children from Bad Teaching: My Hubby was raised Mormon. He still believes it all but isn't active. His family takes my son to church if he stays with them & they've started teaching him LDS doctrine. I want to not let him go anymore w/out hurting them. Advice?

Q&A question: Protecting Children from Bad Teaching

Mormonism

Can Megachurches be Effective?: From a biblical and practical standpoint, is there a maximum number of people that can or should make up a local church? Assuming their doctrine is biblical, can a megachurch with multiple satellite sites or campuses be an effective church?

Q&A question: Can Megachurches be Effective?

Does Jesus Mean “Hail Zeus”?: What do you say to people who claim that the name Jesus really means “hail Zeus”? They say one is unknowingly doing witchcraft by using the name Jesus. Why didn’t His name just continue as Yeshua?

Q&A question: Does Jesus Mean “Hail Zeus”?

Jesus

Is John 15 Works-Based?: Is John 15 works-based? v.10 says, “IF you keep my commandments, THEN you will abide in my love.” That sounds like obedience earns God's love, contrary to the Gospel. What does a life of "abiding" look like daily?

Q&A question: Is John 15 Works-Based?

John 15 John 15

Jeremiah Matthew Jeremiah worship Matthew

Did God Ordain Animal Sacrifices?: Does Jeremiah 7: 22 & Matthew 9: 13 indicate God never ordained animal sacrifices? To me it seems God has gradually moved mankind away from sacrifices & idol worship and into His ideal form of religion.

Q&A question: Did God Ordain Animal Sacrifices?

Matthew 2 Matthew Joseph Matthew 2 Matthew

Is there a Contradiction?: In Matthew 2: 19-22, was Joseph’s second dream (vs. 22) from God? God says all who mean to kill you are dead, but God warns him again. Some translations of vs. 22 leave out “God.” Is this a contradiction?

Q&A question: Is there a Contradiction?

How Many People are in Heaven?: It's estimated that 60% of natural conceptions fail to implant in the uterus and that at least 50 billion people lived until now. Does that mean there are around 75 billion people in Heaven?

Q&A question: How Many People are in Heaven?

heaven

How to Recognize the Spirit vs. Enemy: How do we know when we feel the Holy Spirit that it isn't a trick from Satan making us think that it’s God? And how do you know Jesus’s resurrection wasn’t a false miracle/wonder by Satan?

Q&A question: How to Recognize the Spirit vs. Enemy

Jesus resurrection Satan

How to Glorify God as an Artist: I like to draw and write fiction in my spare time, and I want to glorify God as best I can doing this. Is there anything I should do or avoid doing as a Christian artist?

Q&A question: How to Glorify God as an Artist

Does Forgiveness Challenge Responsibility?: My grandma rejects Christianity because she claims relying on the forgiveness of a savior teaches us that we don’t have to be responsible for our own actions. How can I help her untangle that belief?

Q&A question: Does Forgiveness Challenge Responsibility?

forgiveness

About the “Day of the Lord”: What must come first, per 2 Thessalonians 2:3? Does “apostasia” mean a spiritual falling away/rebellion, or a physical departure, as in the rapture?

Q&A question: About the “Day of the Lord”

rapture

About Liberal & Conservative Christians: It seems like conservative Christians are biblical with respect to personal morality, to the exclusion of societal justice - and liberal ones vice versa. Why? Is one more important? How do we reconcile the extremes?

Q&A question: About Liberal & Conservative Christians

Forming a Biblical Self-Image: How do I overcome self hate? Whenever I look at myself, I see a sinner and a failure and it's hard to see God as a loving Father when all I can see Him as is a judge, and I'm afraid of Him at times.

Q&A question: Forming a Biblical Self-Image

Does Scripture Promote Evil Things?: I’ve been challenged with the accusation that the Bible “promotes killing, rape, and slavery,” quoting Numbers 31: 15-18. I don’t want to simply prove them wrong; that doesn’t address this person’s heart. Would you please help?

Q&A question: Does Scripture Promote Evil Things?

Why Didn’t God Rewrite Difficult Passages?: Can you explain the Holy Spirit Inspiration Doctrine? I struggle with understanding why God did not rewrite controversial Bible passages. I know I am only a man, and I seek to understand.

Q&A question: Why Didn’t God Rewrite Difficult Passages?

Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7 marriage

Advice for an Unequally Yoked Marriage: My wife is an unbeliever. The more I attend church, the more strain it puts on our marriage. Is it right to continue going to church, or should I stop? (1 Corinthians 7: 14) I pray for her every day.

Q&A question: Advice for an Unequally Yoked Marriage

Is “Deliverance” / Demon Casting Biblical?: I'm wondering about your thoughts on deliverance. Would you consider calling and identifying demons biblical, or is it not?

Q&A question: Is “Deliverance” / Demon Casting Biblical?

demons

Romans 10 1 Corinthians 3 Matthew sanctification Romans 10 1 Corinthians 3

Reconciling 2 Important Verses/Worldly Christians?: Can you explain Matthew 7: 21 vs. Romans 10: 13? Also, how do you spot worldly Christians (1 Corinthians 3:1) from those who are unsaved but have good works (Matthew 7: 22-23)? Shouldn't we have grace for sanctification?

Q&A question: Reconciling 2 Important Verses/Worldly Christians?