Search — Theology Explorer

Could God Exist but Not be Perfectly Good?: Atheist here. What stops a supernatural but not perfectly good being from being the author of the miracles in the Bible, especially when you already accept the existence of supernatural beings?

Q&A question: Could God Exist but Not be Perfectly Good?

miracles atheism

Is a Belief in God an Attempt to Personalize the Impersonal?: An atheist claims: “Belief in God is what happens when social brains try to explain an impersonal universe. Personal explanations for impersonal events fail to deal with logic of uncertainty.” Any help?

Q&A question: Is a Belief in God an Attempt to Personalize the Impersonal?

atheism

Should Mormons Celebrate Christmas and Easter?: As a Mormon, since you'd consider us non-Christian, should we be allowed to celebrate Christmas or Easter?

Q&A question: Should Mormons Celebrate Christmas and Easter?

Mormonism

Matthew Jesus miracles Matthew

Why Didn’t God Show Sodom Miracles?: In Matthew 11: 23-24, Jesus says that Sodom would have been saved if they had seen His miracles. Why, then, didn’t God perform miracles so that they would believe? Doesn’t He want everyone to be saved?

Q&A question: Why Didn’t God Show Sodom Miracles?

Thoughts about IVF: What are your thoughts about IVF? I’ve been battling infertility for a few years, but I’m concerned about whether IVF is biblically acceptable, especially about discarding the extra embryos. Is it equal to abortion to discard the embryos even if we can't guarantee they will grow if planted in the womb?

Q&A question: Thoughts about IVF

abortion

Are Ministry Raffles & Lotteries Biblical?: What does the Bible say about ministries that raise money using raffles, lotteries, or giveaways? Would you give money to them? They appeal to my (and presumably others’) carnality. Is this sinful?

Q&A question: Are Ministry Raffles & Lotteries Biblical?

Is it Biblical to Spank Children?: Is it biblical for parents to spank their children? Does it model Christian character? Any advice for parents on how to biblically discipline their children, especially young children (around 2 years old)?

Q&A question: Is it Biblical to Spank Children?

parenting

Genesis 3 Genesis Genesis 3 Genesis

Clarifying a Confusing Verse: What’s your opinion on Genesis 3: 16? ESV says “contrary to” and other translations say “for.” It can’t be both, can it? I’m so confused by it.

Q&A question: Clarifying a Confusing Verse

Why is Transgender Surgery Wrong?: If Christian work is restorative: healing the sick, clothing the naked, etc. to create "foretastes" of Heaven, then why is transgender surgery wrong? Isn't that also restorative/fixing disorder?

Q&A question: Why is Transgender Surgery Wrong?

healing

Loving our Enemies when it’s Difficult: How must we love enemies according to the Bible in extreme scenarios, such as loving murderers and rapists? In which way should we love them?

Q&A question: Loving our Enemies when it’s Difficult

Should Pastors Preach Using Commentaries?: We just got a new pastor, and he preaches from commentaries in addition to the Bible. Is this something that we should be cautious about? Is there a line where it can become too much?

Q&A question: Should Pastors Preach Using Commentaries?

pastoral ministry

Is it Helpful to Offer “Thoughts & Prayers”?: Following a tragedy, people will often say, “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are affected,” which is often followed by angry or mocking non-believer comments such as, “Your prayers clearly aren’t working. Do something that will actually help like changing the laws.” What are some proper, biblical ways to respond to that sort of position?

Q&A question: Is it Helpful to Offer “Thoughts & Prayers”?

prayer

tithing pastoral ministry

Can Legalism be Spiritually Abusive?: Our pastor and denomination as a whole requires that any women serving (even volunteers) must only wear skirts, and that only the KJV is God's Word (every other version is a "perversion") and requires tithing. Are these things spiritual abuse?

Q&A question: Can Legalism be Spiritually Abusive?

Hebrews 11 Deborah Barak Hebrews 11

Why is Deborah not Mentioned in Hebrews 11?: I’ve appreciated your Women in Ministry series so much. Regarding Deborah, why do you suppose her name is not mentioned with the other 4 Judges in Hebrews 11: 32, but Barak is mentioned?

Q&A question: Why is Deborah not Mentioned in Hebrews 11?

dating and relationships anxiety and mental health

How to Biblically Choose Who to Date?: How should mental health issues affect dating for Christians (both one's own issues and a spouse candidate's potential issues)? Overall, what things should be considered when choosing to start dating?

Q&A question: How to Biblically Choose Who to Date?

second coming rapture tribulation

Rapture vs. Second Coming?: Do you think the rapture and the second coming could be different events? I have heard some Christians suggest this, explaining how the rapture will come before the tribulation.

Q&A question: Rapture vs. Second Coming?

Should We Close Our Eyes & Bow While Praying?: I was wondering, is it biblical to close your eyes and bow your head while you pray, or is that a tradition that has been made up over time?

Q&A question: Should We Close Our Eyes & Bow While Praying?

Matthew 10 Matthew Matthew 10 Matthew

Are Secret Churches “Denying God Before Men?”: Do secret churches in countries where Christianity is illegal contradict Matthew 10: 32-33?

Q&A question: Are Secret Churches “Denying God Before Men?”

Is Rapture Theology Biblical?: Is it true that rapture theology didn't exist before the 19th century and that it’s a relatively modern interpretation?

Q&A question: Is Rapture Theology Biblical?

rapture

Is Eternal Subordinationism Biblical?: I read recently that the idea that God the Son has been eternally submissive to God the Father is heresy (Arianism). Is that true? Was Jesus only temporarily submissive to God the Father while on Earth?

Q&A question: Is Eternal Subordinationism Biblical?

Jesus heresy

Prayer for a Struggling Marriage: Would you please pray for my wife and I? I know it's a vague request without much detail, but we are struggling in our marriage and prayers are much needed.

Q&A question: Prayer for a Struggling Marriage

marriage prayer

Balancing Duties as a Young Leader: I am a full time high school/youth pastor whose role involves a lot of leadership and administrative duties. As a young person, I find it challenging and catch myself trying to overcompensate. Advice?

Q&A question: Balancing Duties as a Young Leader

pastoral ministry

When Israel is Mentioned in Scripture: In the Bible, when Israel is mentioned in the context, is it referring more to the people or to the land (country)? (Ex: Romans 11:26)

Q&A question: When Israel is Mentioned in Scripture

Romans 11 Romans 11

When Science Cannot Answer: As a new Christian who was raised to follow science first, how can we extract the most knowledge out of the parts of the Old Testament that we cannot fathom/science cannot yet answer?

Q&A question: When Science Cannot Answer

faith and science

The “What is a Woman?” Bandwagon: Do you think that the now famous question "What is a Woman?" is a relevant area of focus for biblical Christians? Doesn't the Gospel naturally address these issues we face today?

Q&A question: The “What is a Woman?” Bandwagon

Helping Friends be Biblical: Most of my friends claim to be Christians, but they support “pride month.” It depresses me that they encourage gay marriage which the Bible clearly says is a sin. How do I talk to them about this?

Q&A question: Helping Friends be Biblical

marriage homosexuality

1 Corinthians 10 1 Corinthians 10 forgiveness

Are there Sins we Really Can’t Help Doing?: How can I reconcile 1 Corinthians 10: 13 after decades of struggling with sloth, bad work ethic, sin at work, etc.? I’m praying for forgiveness, but was recently diagnosed with ADHD. I now see I can’t help it without meds.

Q&A question: Are there Sins we Really Can’t Help Doing?

Was the Bible Written w/Chapters & Verses?: Since the Bible wasn't written with chapters and verses, how should that impact our reading of the current translations?

Q&A question: Was the Bible Written w/Chapters & Verses?

Bible translations

About Receiving the Spirit: If we are to believe that you receive the Holy Spirit when you believe, why does there seem to be a separation from believing and receiving in Acts 19:1-2?

Q&A question: About Receiving the Spirit

Acts 19 Acts 19

Loving God vs. Fearing Punishment: I find that I fear Hell rather than love God. Prayer and Bible reading feel like selfishly avoiding Hell more than devotedly pursuing God. How do I stop my fear from getting in the way of my relationship with God?

Q&A question: Loving God vs. Fearing Punishment

prayer hell

Should Immoral Things Be Illegal?: Should biblically immoral mean illegal? Surely if sin harms the community, then all legal sin harms society and should be against the law.

Q&A question: Should Immoral Things Be Illegal?

salvation Mormonism heresy

Saved while Believing Heresy?: Can someone be saved without affirming certain correct propositions? If someone holds a believe that is heretical (to believe it would prevent salvation) but they are ignorant, are they saved?

Q&A question: Saved while Believing Heresy?

People we Shouldn’t Pray For?: My father believes that there are people we do not (or should not) pray for. He backs it up with John 17:9, saying that it may even be a sin to pray for people we shouldn’t pray for. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Q&A question: People we Shouldn’t Pray For?

Truth in Love when Family is in Sin: My fiancé's sibling is transgender. I'm scared our future children will think it is a good thing and that it’s right. His family accepts this lifestyle unquestionably. I don't want to cut them out of our lives, but I don't know what else to do to protect our family. How can I be obedient to God and still be loving to his sibling and the rest of the family?

Q&A question: Truth in Love when Family is in Sin

parenting

Witnessing to a Dying Loved One: My grandpa is dying, and doesn't have long. He has dementia/Alzheimer’s now and has never been a Christian. Is it too late to share the Gospel with him? If not, how do I do it effectively?

Q&A question: Witnessing to a Dying Loved One

evangelism

About House Churches: What do you think of the house church movement (Francis Chan)?

Q&A question: About House Churches

About Levirate Marriages: Why did God endorse levirate marriage? Isn’t it wrong to pressure a man to marry someone he doesn’t want to? And since marriage will supposedly end in Heaven, is love not a factor for God?

Q&A question: About Levirate Marriages

marriage

1 Timothy 3:2 1 Timothy 3 Timothy 1 Timothy 3:2 marriage

Must Pastors be Married?: Does 1 Timothy 3:2 mean that I must have a wife to be a pastor? What about a man who doesn’t have a wife?

Q&A question: Must Pastors be Married?

Matthew marriage Jesus Matthew

About Marriage in Heaven: In Matthew 22: 23-29, Jesus rebukes the Sadducees for trying to trap Him, saying they don’t know the Scriptures. Where in the Scriptures is this topic of marriage in Heaven mentioned?

Q&A question: About Marriage in Heaven

About the Census: Luke 2: Is there any extrabiblical evidence for the census in Luke 2? I heard it would be a pretty dumb idea to send people to their place of birth if you later want them to pay taxes from their current home.

Q&A question: About the Census: Luke 2

Luke 2 Luke 2

Ideas for What to Pray About: I have issues praying every day because I feel like I don’t have anything to pray about. What would you suggest, to help with this?

Q&A question: Ideas for What to Pray About

Genesis 22 Genesis Abraham salvation Genesis 22

Is Islam an “Abrahamic Faith” that Saves?: How do I defend the Christian faith with my family when they always bring up Genesis 22: 18, arguing that Islam can also lead to salvation because it's an Abrahamic faith?

Q&A question: Is Islam an “Abrahamic Faith” that Saves?

Guiding a Wayward Teen: How do I respond to my 17 year old daughter who is persistent in being with her boyfriend who is an unbeliever and has fallen into sexual immorality?

Q&A question: Guiding a Wayward Teen

Persis

marriage pastoral ministry

Can Fathers “Veto” Who their Daughters Marry?: We moved and are visiting a new church. The Pastor is teaching on marriage. He used 2 Corinthians 11:2 (KJV) to say that fathers can “veto” who their daughters marry. Is this a biblical view?

Q&A question: Can Fathers “Veto” Who their Daughters Marry?

Was Jesus ever Naughty as a Child?: Maybe a bit of a silly question, but do you think Jesus was an average naughty child or was He perfect as a child, too?

Q&A question: Was Jesus ever Naughty as a Child?

Jesus

Holy Spirit doubt and faith

Should Ungodly Behavior Cause Doubt?: If I were to doubt Christianity (I don't), it would be because of a lack of holiness. Christians seem to be jerks at the same rate as the world, or more. Why is this, if we have the Holy Spirit?

Q&A question: Should Ungodly Behavior Cause Doubt?

About Anglo/British Israelism: What are your thoughts on Anglo-Israelism or British Israelism? It is the belief that America and the British commonwealth are physical descendants of Israel.

Q&A question: About Anglo/British Israelism

Israel

Discerning True vs. False Prophecies: How do you test WOF prophecy when it sounds more like insights/encouragements, not foretelling future events? What SHOULD modern prophecy sound like?

Q&A question: Discerning True vs. False Prophecies

prophecy

Is Fear of Hell a Valid Motivator?: Would a death bed conversion work if the main driving factor is the fear of Hell rather than choosing to trust God?

Q&A question: Is Fear of Hell a Valid Motivator?

hell