Search — Theology Explorer

Jonah pastoral ministry Jonah

Are Job and Jonah Historical?: My pastor says Job and Jonah are probably not historical events, but more poetic lessons. How do I decide true stories from parables in the Old Testament without questioning everything?

Q&A question: Are Job and Jonah Historical?

Does Regeneration Precede Faith?: Is it first that you are born again and by that you confess Jesus as Lord and get Salvation, or you confess Jesus as your Lord first, and by that you get born again and will be granted Salvation?

Q&A question: Does Regeneration Precede Faith?

Jesus salvation

About Aggressive Countries/Leaders: Can you please explain what the Bible says we should do about an aggressor like Putin, and should other countries intervene to help Ukraine?

Q&A question: About Aggressive Countries/Leaders

Trinity pastoral ministry

Pastor Mike’s Favorite Attributes of God: What is your personal favorite aspect/quality of each member of the Trinity?

Q&A question: Pastor Mike’s Favorite Attributes of God

Help for a Tough Marital Situation: What do you do when your spouse, who claims to be a Christian, has separated/said they want a divorce when they don’t have biblical grounds, and the church that married you won’t confront them?

Q&A question: Help for a Tough Marital Situation

divorce

Should we Desire to Read Scripture Daily?: Shouldn't a truly born-again believer desire to read the Scriptures regularly (even daily)? How should I approach and encourage a "Christian" who doesn't?

Q&A question: Should we Desire to Read Scripture Daily?

How to “Carry our Cross”: How should we carry our cross in a practical sense?

Q&A question: How to “Carry our Cross”

revelation Ezekiel 28 Ezekiel prophecy revelation Ezekiel 28

About Gog & Magog: I thought Gog & Magog in Revelation 20:8, and the Gog & Magog war in Ezekiel 28:2 were talking about the same event. I heard a Bible prophecy teacher say it was 2 separate events. Your thoughts?

Q&A question: About Gog & Magog

Is the Trinity Clearly Taught in the OT?: Is there a reason why a doctrine as important as the Trinity isn't EXPLICITLY declared in the Old Testament, especially the Torah, seeing as belief in the second person is paramount for salvation?

Q&A question: Is the Trinity Clearly Taught in the OT?

Trinity salvation

Mark 13 Mark 13 rapture tribulation

About the Elect & The Tribulation: Can you be saved but not elect? I’m confused by Mark 13: 20. Will the elect be taken by the rapture, or will they suffer during the Tribulation?

Q&A question: About the Elect & The Tribulation

Genesis Deuteronomy 25 Genesis Deuteronomy 25

Is Contraception Sinful?: Why do people say there is no biblical basis against contraception when God kills Onan for it (Genesis 38: 8-10)? And the punishment for that is not death according to Deuteronomy 25:7-10.

Q&A question: Is Contraception Sinful?

About Parachurch Ministries / CRU: What do you think of parachurch organizations like Cru? They don't seem biblical to me because they assume the duties of a local church. I would love to know what you think.

Q&A question: About Parachurch Ministries / CRU

Did Moses Write in Hebrew or Hieroglyphics?: I am curious about the theory that Moses wrote in Egyptian Hieroglyphics, not Hebrew. Arguing for an oral tradition, not a written text. I had never heard this before, and I'm a little baffled.

Q&A question: Did Moses Write in Hebrew or Hieroglyphics?

Moses

heresy charismatic movement

Scriptural Support for Continuationism: Is there Scripture that supports being a Continuationist? I am a "soft-charismatic," but personal experience is not convincing to a Cessasionist claiming I'm being unbiblical, or even heretical.

Q&A question: Scriptural Support for Continuationism

Could a Gentile Become a Jew in the OT?: In the Old Testament, God worked with the Israelites. Could a Gentile become a Jew in the Old Testament and be saved?

Q&A question: Could a Gentile Become a Jew in the OT?

Israel

About the Fall of Satan: How could the devil fall, being perfect (moral excellence), knowing the full comprehension of God? How could he even think evil thoughts?

Q&A question: About the Fall of Satan

Satan

Theism vs. Biblical Christianity: I’m a theist, but I am not a Christian. What are some attributes of God? And how does Jesus exhibit them in specific situations in the Bible? Could you please pray that God gives me confirmation in my mind of the deity of Jesus? Or at least whether or not Jesus rose from the dead. No matter the evidence, I can’t tell. I want the truth.

Q&A question: Theism vs. Biblical Christianity

Jesus

How to Honor our Leaders: How do we actually honor leaders that we find personally dishonorable? Some find President Trump dishonorable, and some find President Biden dishonorable. What does honoring them actually entail?

Q&A question: How to Honor our Leaders

1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Winger says NO — do not follow your husband to a cult. The Bible never gives husbands spiritual authority to dictate their wife's worship. Wives have a relationship with God independent of their husbands. He also rejects the 'husband as priest of his house' teaching as unbiblical. Uses 1 Peter 3:1-6 extensively.

Q&A: Husband joined a cult teaching women go to hell for wearing makeup/trousers. Should wife submit and follow him there?

Can Pagan Traditions be Redeemed?: Are things with proven or supposed Pagan origins (such as wedding rings or birthday candles) to be avoided, according to Scripture? Or are they able to be redeemed?

Q&A question: Can Pagan Traditions be Redeemed?

How Much to Confess Past Sins: I have some past sins that are pretty bad and very shameful. Do I need to confess these sins to my family and friends? I've confessed them to God and a personal pastor.

Q&A question: How Much to Confess Past Sins

pastoral ministry

Encouragement for a Progressive Friend: My friend has always been a strong Christian and is now struggling with same-sex attraction. He has adopted progressive thoughts on the Bible. How can I encourage him otherwise?

Q&A question: Encouragement for a Progressive Friend

Can We Hear the “Still Small Voice” Today?: Pastors have preached about this “still small voice” that approached Elijah when he was distressed in the caves. Is this something we are supposed to be waiting and staying still to listen to today?

Q&A question: Can We Hear the “Still Small Voice” Today?

Elijah pastoral ministry

How to Be Content While Suffering: God has blessed my life and I know it could be worse, but I'm severely disabled and sometimes I feel so trapped in my body that I want to die, but know that I can't. How do I learn to be content?

Q&A question: How to Be Content While Suffering

suffering

Understanding Jesus’ Atonement: Is it more accurate to say that Jesus' death was sufficient for all rather than that He paid for all? Otherwise, wouldn't there be people in Hell right now for sins that Jesus already paid for?

Q&A question: Understanding Jesus’ Atonement

Jesus atonement hell

About YEC & “Mockers”: How do you interpret 2 Peter 3:4 (in context)?I’ve heard Young Earth Creationists compare the mockers to people who say rates like erosion or radioactive decay are unchanging and deny the biblical creation account.

Q&A question: About YEC & “Mockers”

Peter creation

Should We Separate from Spiritually Unsafe Friends?: My friend of 15 years started practicing witchcraft. I ended our friendship because I felt unsafe. Was I wrong to do that? Can I still be close friends with her? What Scripture can I take to her?

Q&A question: Should We Separate from Spiritually Unsafe Friends?

occult

About the Parable of the Prodigal Son: Can you please teach us about the Parable of the Prodigal Son, specifically focusing on the obedient son who stays in his father's house and ends up resenting his prodigal brother? It seems like there's no real benefit to being the obedient son in that situation. Am I missing cultural context that would enhance my understanding of this parable?

Q&A question: About the Parable of the Prodigal Son

hermeneutics

Did David Not Understand Heaven?: In Psalm 6:5 David asks God to spare his life because "For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?" Does David not have a belief or understanding of Heaven at this point in his life?

Q&A question: Did David Not Understand Heaven?

Psalm 6 David Psalm 6

Raising Children with an Unbelieving Spouse: My husband doesn't believe in God and our 6 year old has started to notice and is asking why daddy doesn't believe. How should I approach this in a way that's helpful and honors my husband and God?

Q&A question: Raising Children with an Unbelieving Spouse

marriage

Drawing Near to God on Spiritual Holidays: First Easter being saved! Do you have any suggestions for some God honoring ways to spend Good Friday and Holy Saturday? I’m so excited and want to do whatever is in my power to feel especially close to Christ.

Q&A question: Drawing Near to God on Spiritual Holidays

Handling Local Church Concerns: I’m afraid our church is being unknowingly influenced by progressivism. Ex: People love the podcast “the bible for normal people” with Pete Enns. Should we be worried? How do I share my concerns?

Q&A question: Handling Local Church Concerns

Should We Bring Back Crusades?: Do you think that churches should bring back Gospel crusades? As I was saved at one in the 70s. These days, no one wants to preach the Gospel, but rather, do community works.

Q&A question: Should We Bring Back Crusades?

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7 marriage

Does Scripture Teach Familial Marriage?: 1 Corinthians 7: 36-38 seems like Paul is saying someone can marry their own daughter. The translations usually say fiancée but when I looked at the Greek the word used means virgin daughter.

Q&A question: Does Scripture Teach Familial Marriage?

Was the Manner of Jesus’ Death Significant?: Was there significance in the exact manner Jesus died, or was it just circumstantial because of the culture/location/era in which He lived? Are there other ways Jesus could have been killed? Would the Gospel be unchanged if perhaps Jesus was thrown off a mountain by the Pharisees or thrown in the Colosseum or something?

Q&A question: Was the Manner of Jesus’ Death Significant?

Jesus Pharisees

Learning to Desire our Study Time: How do I develop a craving for solid biblical teaching? I really enjoy your content, but I become bored easily. It’s easy for me to get distracted in my free time.

Q&A question: Learning to Desire our Study Time

Is Evolution Contrary to Belief in God?: I've noticed many people don't believe in God because of evolution. Is evolution contrary to God? Could God really have created the earth in 6 literal days? Can God “speed up” the creation process?

Q&A question: Is Evolution Contrary to Belief in God?

creation evolution

Ezekiel Exodus 34 Ezekiel Exodus 34

Resolving a “Contradiction”: About generational sin: Exodus 34:7 vs Ezekiel 18: 20…can you please explain how we should understand this apparent contradiction?

Q&A question: Resolving a “Contradiction”

Witnessing Opportunity vs. Spiritual Trap!: I met some Muslims who were evangelizing, and I went up to them to challenge their beliefs. They invited me to a Ramadan dinner at a mosque. Should I go, or would that be a spiritual trap?

Q&A question: Witnessing Opportunity vs. Spiritual Trap!

Islam angels

Obeying vs. Honoring Parents: I am a legal adult and I currently still live in my parents’ home. I am looking at moving out in the near future, but my parents believe that young women shouldn’t leave the home until they’re married. Where do you draw the line between personal convictions and the command to honor your parents?

Q&A question: Obeying vs. Honoring Parents

Mark 16 Acts 3:6 miracles Mark 16 Apostles

Should we Command People to be Healed?: Should we command for someone to be healed, or ask God for someone to be healed (Acts 3:6)? Do we have the very same authority of the Apostles to perform miracles (Mark 16: 17-18)?

Q&A question: Should we Command People to be Healed?

Are the Beatitudes Eschatological?: Can it be said that the Beatitudes are eschatological? I've heard that the word “blessed” can be better translated as “blissful” in them.

Q&A question: Are the Beatitudes Eschatological?

eschatology

About Pastors Purchasing Sermons: What are your thoughts about pastors purchasing sermons and not acknowledging the original author, basically plagiarizing another pastor? It has been a huge problem at our former church.

Q&A question: About Pastors Purchasing Sermons

pastoral ministry

Is it Sometimes Biblical to Pray for Death?: Is there ever a biblical case to pray for someone to die? Didn't Paul pray for the destruction of some peoples’ flesh for the spirit to be saved in the day of judgment?

Q&A question: Is it Sometimes Biblical to Pray for Death?

death and afterlife

About Medical Marijuana Use: I have an incurable sleep disorder that my Doctor has authorized the use of Marijuana for as it is one of the few things that helps. Should I pray for healing or keep taking this drug that I hate?

Q&A question: About Medical Marijuana Use

healing

Symbolism Between the Wine & Jesus?: Was Jesus’ miracle of turning water to wine at Cana meant to be a symbol of how Jesus does not use water to wash us, but uses His blood (wine)?

Q&A question: Symbolism Between the Wine & Jesus?

Jesus miracles

Do we Need Religion to have Morals?: How would you respond to this statement?: “You don’t need religion to have morals. If you can’t determine right from wrong, then you lack empathy, not religion.”

Q&A question: Do we Need Religion to have Morals?

Was I Really Saved in the Past?: Was I ever really saved and had a relationship with Christ if I left heterosexuality and embraced my same sex attraction and married my wife?

Q&A question: Was I Really Saved in the Past?

marriage

Joshua 7 Ezekiel Samuel Achan Joshua 7

Resolving a “Contradiction”: Does Ezekiel 18: 20 contradict the stoning of Achan and his family in Joshua 7: 24-26 (the idea of original sin passed down through Adam) and 2 Samuel 12: 13-15?

Q&A question: Resolving a “Contradiction”