Search — Theology Explorer

Singular vs. Plural Pronouns for God?: Why is it improper to refer to God as "they" instead of "He," since He is three persons? Example of the problem: "He spoke to Job out of the storm" tends to make us think the Father alone is speaking.

Q&A question: Singular vs. Plural Pronouns for God?

1 Timothy 3:2 1 Timothy 3 Timothy 1 Timothy 3:2 elder qualifications

Can Past Sins Disqualify a Man from Leadership?: If a man’s pre-salvation life is especially disgraceful, could he ever truly be “above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:2)? Could old sin, then, even if confessed, disqualify him from being a pastor or elder?

Q&A question: Can Past Sins Disqualify a Man from Leadership?

Bible translations textual criticism

About the Geneva Bible: In your study of Bible translations, have you ever looked at the Geneva Bible that I believe the pilgrims used? What is its textual basis? Do you think Christians should read it?

Q&A question: About the Geneva Bible

Is there Room in Christianity for Psychedelics?: Given the resurgence of psychedelics for recreation and therapeutic use in Western society, is there room for it in Christianity, or should its use stay separate from spiritual practice?

Q&A question: Is there Room in Christianity for Psychedelics?

creation

Should Prayer be a Dialogue or Monologue?: Should prayer be a dialogue or monologue? How should we determine if instances of humans having a dialogue with God in the Bible are to be taken as normative?

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

prayer

abortion pastoral ministry

Are All Pastors Pro-Life?: What is your view on the many progressive "pastors" coming out against the overturning of Roe v. Wade?

Q&A question: Are All Pastors Pro-Life?

1 Thessalonians 4 1 Thessalonians 4

How do the Dead in Christ Rise if they’re in Heaven?: If believers are taken directly to Heaven when they die, then why does 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 say the dead in Christ rise at His return? Doesn't that suggest they are in their graves?

Q&A question: How do the Dead in Christ Rise if they’re in Heaven?

Should Incarcerated Parents be Involved?: My 2-year-old adopted son’s birth mom is in prison for 15 years for using/selling meth. Biblically, should we let her be involved in his life? My wife thinks they should have an active relationship.

Q&A question: Should Incarcerated Parents be Involved?

marriage

About OT Prophet Credibility: Why were many of the prophets who wrote books included in the Old Testament if they didn't perform miracles and their prophecies didn't come true until the New Testament? What made them stand out from false prophets?

Q&A question: About OT Prophet Credibility

prophecy miracles

Romans 4 Abraham Romans 4 Enoch

Why is Abraham our Spiritual Father?: Why is Abraham our spiritual father (Romans 4: 16-25) if people before him also had faith in God: Abel, Enoch, Noah, etc.? Were they not "counted righteous" through faith the same way Abraham was?

Q&A question: Why is Abraham our Spiritual Father?

Does God Get Angry When We Sin?: Does God ever get angry with believers when we sin? If not, why did God get so angry with the Israelites when they sinned?

Q&A question: Does God Get Angry When We Sin?

Israel

Matthew 5 Matthew Ephesians 2 Jesus Matthew 5 Matthew

Did Jesus Come to Abolish the Law?: Does Ephesians 2: 15 contradict Matthew 5: 17? In Matthew, Jesus says that He did not come to abolish the law, but it looks like Paul in Ephesians says the opposite.

Q&A question: Did Jesus Come to Abolish the Law?

Did People Evangelize in the OT?: Why wasn’t evangelism a focus in the Old Covenant? How were Gentiles far away from Israel supposed to learn about Yahweh, and what opportunities for salvation did they have?

Q&A question: Did People Evangelize in the OT?

salvation angels

Is “Inner Healing Prayer” Biblical?: Is “inner healing prayer” as a form of trauma relief biblical? This practice involves a prayer leader asking the patient to picture vivid images and hear direct statements from Jesus.

Q&A question: Is “Inner Healing Prayer” Biblical?

Jesus prayer healing

Matthew Matthew 4 Jesus second coming rapture

About Eschatology/The Second Coming: In Matthew 4: 42 Jesus warns believers to be ready for a second coming. Does this point to a partial rapture of only those actively practicing their faith, with others having to endure tribulation?

Q&A question: About Eschatology/The Second Coming

Genesis 2 Genesis Genesis 2 Genesis

Does Breath Determine Life?: I've heard people quote Genesis 2:7 (usually from the KJV) to show that a soul can't live or exist without both body and breath. Is this an accurate understanding, and if not, why?

Q&A question: Does Breath Determine Life?

Is Jesus in Human Form in Heaven?: My question is about the incarnation of Christ. Since He was bodily raised from the dead, does that mean He is still the incarnation in Heaven?

Q&A question: Is Jesus in Human Form in Heaven?

Jesus

Should we be Baptized while Having Doubts?: People encourage me to get baptized ASAP (Acts 22: 16), but I struggle with serious psychological doubts. Should I disregard my doubts and get baptized? Can I take more time?

Q&A question: Should we be Baptized while Having Doubts?

baptism

Evaluating our Spiritual Traditions: I'm an ex-Muslim follower of Christ from Afghanistan. Some Islamic traditions felt really spiritual and comforting such as praying on an Islamic rug, etc. Is it okay if I keep some of those traditions?

Q&A question: Evaluating our Spiritual Traditions

Islam

Distinguishing Obedience from Legalism: How can we walk in obedience to Christ without falling into a “works-based salvation” frame of mind?

Q&A question: Distinguishing Obedience from Legalism

salvation

Matthew Matthew 19 Matthew Matthew 19

Are Retirement Savings Sinful?: Based off of the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12: 16-21) and the story in Matthew 19: 21, do you think it is sinful to save up for retirement?

Q&A question: Are Retirement Savings Sinful?

John 19 Jesus communion John 19

Communion Elements/Did Jesus Drink Wine?: My family and I attend a church that is in fellowship with an organization that uses water during communion instead of wine or grape juice. They attempt to use John 19: 34 to justify this, and they also believe Jesus never consumed wine. Is this biblical?

Q&A question: Communion Elements/Did Jesus Drink Wine?

1 Corinthians 6 2 Corinthians 13:5 Jesus 1 Corinthians 6 2 Corinthians 13:5

Does Jesus Live in Us?: Would it be accurate after reading 1 Corinthians 6: 19 & 2 Corinthians 13:5 to state that both the Holy Spirit and Jesus live in the believer?

Q&A question: Does Jesus Live in Us?

Are “God-Given Rights” Biblical?: Does the Bible say anything about "God Given Rights,” at least the way many Americans use the phrase?

Q&A question: Are “God-Given Rights” Biblical?

How does Our Will Intertwine with God’s?: In Genesis 20:4-6, Abimelech seems to think he didn’t touch Sarah out of his own will, but God says HE didn’t allow it. Any insight on the intersection between our will and God’s hand making stuff happen?

Q&A question: How does Our Will Intertwine with God’s?

Genesis Sarah Genesis

Acts 13 Mormonism Acts 13

Should False Teachers be Shown Less Grace?: I've been told that when witnessing to groups such as the LDS (Mormons), a rebuke is better than a conversation because of Acts 13:8-10. Should false teachers be shown less grace than non-believers?

Q&A question: Should False Teachers be Shown Less Grace?

Should we Pray for those who Pass Away?: I just lost a friend to an overdose. I don't think she was a believer. Should I pray for her mercy or is there no point after death?

Q&A question: Should we Pray for those who Pass Away?

death and afterlife

Does God Tempt?: God tests/tempts Israel and Abraham. But James says God doesn't test/tempt. How can we make sense of this?

Q&A question: Does God Tempt?

James James Abraham

Health/Prayer Update: Pastor Mike, can you give us an update on your personal health and sleep troubles?

Q&A question: Health/Prayer Update

prayer pastoral ministry

eschatology Bethel Church heresy

About Kenosis Theology: Is Bethel style Kenosis theology from Philippians 2:5-11 heretical (where Christ is said to have lost His divinity to live instead as a human)? Or is that a secondary issue like sacraments and eschatology?

Q&A question: About Kenosis Theology

When People Justify Bad Behavior w/Scripture: When strong Christians suddenly start to justify sinful treatment of others (rage, control, insults, blaming) through Scripture twisting, could this be due to a shipwrecked faith or mental illness?

Q&A question: When People Justify Bad Behavior w/Scripture

Should we Pray in Public Before Meals?: I grew up praying before every meal, even in restaurants. I want to know how often I should do this, since I don’t want to be like the Pharisees praying publicly to be seen by others.

Q&A question: Should we Pray in Public Before Meals?

Pharisees

Empathizing with Victims of Tragic Events: How should I view the pain I feel for victims of the Holocaust, Nanking Massacre, etc. when these groups were mostly un-elect vessels of wrath who will receive no comfort?

Q&A question: Empathizing with Victims of Tragic Events

Is Psychology Satanic?: I’ve heard some people say that psychology belongs to Satan and that Christians should stray from studying it. What is your opinion on that, and is there any biblical basis for avoiding it?

Q&A question: Is Psychology Satanic?

Satan

How Might Fathers Exasperate their Children?: What does “Fathers, do not exasperate your children” in Colossians 3: 21 mean? Is this meant to be a general guidance to raising children, or discipling them?

Q&A question: How Might Fathers Exasperate their Children?

parenting

Why was Tamar a “Disgraced Woman”?: Why was Tamar in 2 Samuel considered “a disgraced woman” after being raped by her half-brother, Amnon?

Q&A question: Why was Tamar a “Disgraced Woman”?

Samuel Amnon Tamar

Why does Jesus need to Pray in Heaven?: Why does Jesus pray for us in Heaven when He could just directly ask God, since He is seated at the right hand of God?

Q&A question: Why does Jesus need to Pray in Heaven?

Jesus

Matthew Matthew 19 Jesus Matthew Matthew 19

Why 6 Commandments Rather Than 10?: In Matthew 19: 18-19, why doesn’t Jesus tell the man to follow all 10 commandments instead of the 6 he listed when the man questioned him about having eternal life?

Q&A question: Why 6 Commandments Rather Than 10?

Was Early Church Worship the Same?: Do we know if the early Church worshiped in a similar way to how we have corporate worship today?

Q&A question: Was Early Church Worship the Same?

worship

How to Draw Near to God when we Feel Far: I’m far from the Lord in this moment and not very genuine. What could I do to improve my relationship with God and to be as honest as I can, be obedient to Him, and listen to His word?

Q&A question: How to Draw Near to God when we Feel Far

Matthew 6:1-4 Matthew 5 Matthew Jesus Matthew 6:1-4 Matthew 5

Did Jesus Contradict Himself?: Why would Jesus instruct us to let our good works be seen by others (Matthew 5: 16) if He also instructed us to do our good works in secret (Matthew 6:1-4)? Am I misunderstanding something?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Contradict Himself?

Romans 5 Acts 4 Romans 5 Acts 4

Do Some People Get More Grace?: Romans 5:2 says we stand on grace. In Acts 4: 33, it says great grace was upon them all. Does that mean some people have more grace? I’ve heard you say we don't get grace little by little.

Q&A question: Do Some People Get More Grace?

Trusting God when He Seems Silent: What practical steps do you do to trust in the Lord? I frequently have difficulty trusting Him during difficult times, especially when He doesn’t seem to be answering prayer.

Q&A question: Trusting God when He Seems Silent

prayer

Genesis Genesis 12 Abraham Jacob Genesis

Why did God Send Jacob to Egypt?: In Genesis 12: 10, Abraham goes to Egypt. That decision is considered by many as disobedience to God. If going to Egypt is related to a bad decision, why is it that later, God sent Jacob to Egypt?

Q&A question: Why did God Send Jacob to Egypt?

Traditional Preferences over Biblical Theology?: I’m an ex-Catholic, but I’m getting pulled back in. I don’t know why, but I just like praying in Latin, the Rosary, praying to saints, and using scripted prayers because I don’t know how to pray on my own.

Q&A question: Traditional Preferences over Biblical Theology?

Roman Catholicism prayer

How to Understand the Bible: What is your general advice on understanding Bible verses that we don't understand?

Q&A question: How to Understand the Bible

Communion: How Frequent?: My dad thinks that the Lord's Supper should only be observed on Passover because when Jesus said "do this in remembrance of Me,” He meant Passover. Any evidence in Scripture for weekly communion?

Q&A question: Communion: How Frequent?

Jesus communion

Corporate vs. Individual Election: What are your thoughts on the idea of corporate election, as opposed to individual election?

Q&A question: Corporate vs. Individual Election