Search — Theology Explorer

AI – Image of the Beast?: What are your thoughts on Chat GPT (and AI in general)? As Christians, should we be concerned about this type of technology? Is it OK to experiment with, or should we "steer clear"?

Q&A question: AI – Image of the Beast?

The Biblical Way to Get Married: Why do we have to have an ordained pastor to get married? Is there Scripture to back this up? If two people make a commitment to each other and God, is that enough?

Q&A question: The Biblical Way to Get Married

pastoral ministry

What Makes “Drag” Wrong?: Drag queen culture is championed by the LGBTQ movement, and therefore feels immoral by association, but I find it hard to put a finger on why drag by itself is biblically wrong. Any thoughts?

Q&A question: What Makes “Drag” Wrong?

homosexuality

Using Cannabis Before Quiet Time?: I take mild cannabis edibles for my ADHD. On them I have wonderful quiet times in prayer and Bible study. Would it be rightly dividing Scripture to say this is how I personally am being “sober-minded”?

Q&A question: Using Cannabis Before Quiet Time?

prayer

John 15 – Will I be “Taken Away”?: What are your thoughts on John 15:2 and the Greek word for "takes away"? I've heard that it would be more accurately translated as "raise up." This word seems to change the meaning of the verse.

Q&A question: John 15 – Will I be “Taken Away”?

John 15 John 15

Do God & Satan Talk?: Is the devil talking to God in today’s generation like in the book of Job? If angels are warring with demons, can we assume there is communication?

Q&A question: Do God & Satan Talk?

Satan angels demons

Leading Others to Biblical Teachings: My family member LOVES Joel Osteen. What are some thoughtful questions I could ask that would naturally lead them to a more biblical, Christ-centered understanding of the Gospel?

Q&A question: Leading Others to Biblical Teachings

Joel Osteen Joel Osteen

1 John 2 1 John 2:2 atonement Calvinism 1 John 2

1 Jn. 2:2 & Limited Atonement: Doesn't 1 John 2:2 blow the Calvinist doctrine of Limited Atonement straight out of the water?

Q&A question: 1 Jn. 2:2 & Limited Atonement

How did the Thief on the Cross Know?: The thief on the cross believed Jesus would come into His kingdom, despite knowing that Jesus was going to die. How might that be, since even the disciples didn’t grasp this until the resurrection?

Q&A question: How did the Thief on the Cross Know?

Jesus resurrection

2 Samuel 7 2 Samuel 7 Samuel Jesus

Understanding Parallel Prophecies: Is there a process you go through to understand parallel prophecies? For example, 2 Samuel 7: 14 seems to be about Jesus, but clearly not completely because he doesn’t commit iniquity.

Q&A question: Understanding Parallel Prophecies

Should We Still Forgive when Not Asked?: Do we still need to forgive others if they don’t ask for forgiveness? My grandma believes that as Christians, we don’t forgive unless the other person repents and asks for forgiveness.

Q&A question: Should We Still Forgive when Not Asked?

forgiveness

Christian Creators: Make This Content!: As a YouTube pastor, do you have any suggestions for content you would like to see Christians make? I'm in seminary and I’m thinking about making videos, but I wonder what I should create (if I did).

Q&A question: Christian Creators: Make This Content!

pastoral ministry

pornography sexual ethics

Being Open about Sexual Sin: Do you have any advice on how to come out (for lack of a better word) to my Christian parents about being same-sex attracted and addicted to pornography? I know Christianity is true.

Q&A question: Being Open about Sexual Sin

Titus Titus 3:5 Titus Calvinism Titus 3:5

Does Titus 3:5 Teach Calvinism?: What is a non-Calvinist way of understanding regeneration in Titus 3:5?

Q&A question: Does Titus 3:5 Teach Calvinism?

Roman Catholicism miracles communion

About Catholic Claims: Eucharistic Miracle: Have you ever heard of the apparent eucharistic miracle that Catholics point to? How would you respond to it and how they claim that the apparent miracle has been scientifically verified?

Q&A question: About Catholic Claims: Eucharistic Miracle

Avoid the Appearance of Evil?: You recently said, "Scripture says: avoid the appearance of evil." I was wondering, if 1 Thessalonians 5: 22 is the verse you were thinking of, isn't that verse referring to staying away from partaking in evil, not abstaining from things that look like you're partaking in evil to others?

Q&A question: Avoid the Appearance of Evil?

Is Repentance a Change of Mind?: If repentance (metanoia) literally means “change of mind,” then why do we say repentance means changing our mind/attitude about sin? Why isn't it changing our minds from unbelief to belief?

Q&A question: Is Repentance a Change of Mind?

repentance

Matthew Matthew 28 Matthew Matthew 28 Theon

Theocracy & Theonomy: Could Christ's commission to disciple the nations in Matthew 28: 19 mean the Christianization of countries and nation-states, or does it apply only to individual people?

Q&A question: Theocracy & Theonomy

Matthew 24 Matthew 5 Matthew Matthew 24 Matthew 5 eschatology

The Purpose of Scripture in Eternity: Matthew 5: 18 seems to say some Scripture will pass away at the end times, but Matthew 24: 35 appears to contradict this. What use might we have for Scripture in the next life where there is no temptation to sin?

Q&A question: The Purpose of Scripture in Eternity

The Serious Sin of Blasphemy: Why do so many Christians take the Lord’s name in vain? I know several Christians (even two pastors) who do this often. Should we tell them they’re in sin?

Q&A question: The Serious Sin of Blasphemy

pastoral ministry

The Law of Agency: How do you respond to non-trinitarians who use the "Law of Agency" to dismiss the scriptural evidence for the Trinity in regard to Jesus, etc. claiming He is not God, but simply God's agent?

Q&A question: The Law of Agency

Trinity Jesus

The Sin of Sodom: What Was the Sin of Sodom & Gomorrah?

Q&A question: The Sin of Sodom

Proper Posture for Prayer: Does God really care about our physical position while we pray or praise and worship? Does He care whether we are standing, sitting, bowing, etc.?

Q&A question: Proper Posture for Prayer

prayer worship

Roman Catholicism miracles

How to Explain Perceived Miracles: How can I respond with Scripture to my Catholic friend who says, “I’ve seen Mary & saints do miracles when my dad was in the ICU. That’s why it’s hard to leave the catholic religion: I’ve seen It”?

Q&A question: How to Explain Perceived Miracles

Is a Lack of Structure & Liturgy Problematic?: What do you think about tradition and church liturgy? Is it not a problem that contemporary churches lack beauty and tradition in their doctrine?

Q&A question: Is a Lack of Structure & Liturgy Problematic?

Matthew 24 Matthew Jesus Matthew 24 Matthew

Will the Gospel Reach All Nations Soon?: It seems that Jesus, in Matthew 24: 14, indicates that His return will come once the Gospel is preached to all nations. Can we assume this will happen sooner rather than much later?

Q&A question: Will the Gospel Reach All Nations Soon?

Jesus prayer pastoral ministry

Jesus = Michael the Archangel?: Is Michael the Archangel Jesus? I once heard a pastor give praises and prayers to Michael on the pulpit, and when I asked him about it, he referenced a few Scriptures but I’m just not fully convinced.

Q&A question: Jesus = Michael the Archangel?

Luke 8 Jesus Luke 8 healing

Healing: By Faith or By God?: In Luke 8: 43-48, Jesus says, “Your faith has made you well.” He didn’t say God did it, but her faith. How is this different than the Law of Attraction as told by New Agers?

Q&A question: Healing: By Faith or By God?

apologetics doubt and faith

The Doctrine of Inspiration: What evidence and encouragement can you offer a believer who is struggling to trust the doctrine of inspiration? I know that it’s true, but I struggle with doubt.

Q&A question: The Doctrine of Inspiration

Avoiding the Appearance of Evil?: You recently said, "Scripture says: avoid the appearance of evil." I was wondering, if 1 Thessalonians 5: 22 is the verse you were thinking of, isn't that Scripture referring to staying away from partaking in evil, not abstaining from things that look like you're partaking in evil to others?

Q&A question: Avoiding the Appearance of Evil?

Negative Words = Neg. Consequences?: In WOF (Word of Faith) circles, 2 Kings 4:8-37 is an example of why you shouldn’t speak or pray negatively about your situation. What is the actual idea of this passage?

Q&A question: Negative Words = Neg. Consequences?

word of faith

Matthew 18 Matthew Matthew 18 pastoral ministry Matthew

Clarifying a Difficult Passage: A local UMC pastor preached on Matthew 18: 21-35. She said scholars say that Matthew added verses 34-35 and that the master does not represent God. I've never heard this take and it sounds concerning. Any insight?

Q&A question: Clarifying a Difficult Passage

complementarianism headship complementarianism

Winger explains headship means the husband has a higher position of authority (not the only authority) — when they disagree, the deciding vote goes to the husband. But Jesus commands this be exercised with grace, love, and self-sacrifice, never 'lording it over' the wife.

Q&A question: What does a husband being the head of the wife actually mean he does? Does he boss her around or just be a good man?

Genesis Genesis 1 Philo creation Genesis

Thoughts on Genesis 1/Creation: I've recently seen Inspiring Philosophy's video on Genesis 1. He says that it's most likely mirroring the near East tradition of assigning purpose rather than actual creation. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Thoughts on Genesis 1/Creation

Can Same-Sex Attractions Change?: I'm a Christian, converted this year. I've felt the Holy Spirit inspire me to live a better life in many ways. But I still struggle with one thing. I'm gay and I struggle to see how my attraction could change.

Q&A question: Can Same-Sex Attractions Change?

homosexuality

DND, Harry Potter, etc.: The Bible is clear about its stance on sorcery and witchcraft. My husband and I play DND and some people were having an issue with this and potentially also with books containing magic. What are your thoughts?

Q&A question: DND, Harry Potter, etc.

marriage

Godly Dating Practices: What is the best way to date for marriage as a Christian? Is there a good way to sift through people to find someone equally yoked?

Q&A question: Godly Dating Practices

marriage

Faith = Just a Family Tradition?: My husband believes that faith comes about by family tradition, and that someone's faith is just an expression of what their family has taught them rather than actual faith in God. What does the bible say about this?

Q&A question: Faith = Just a Family Tradition?

marriage

Should We Pray to Mary?: How can I respond with Scripture to a Catholic friend who says, “Mary is the mother of Jesus, so why wouldn’t you seek help from her? Jesus wouldn’t like you disrespecting His mom in any way”?

Q&A question: Should We Pray to Mary?

Roman Catholicism Jesus

Are Our Souls Truly Immortal?: I was raised in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and they say that the belief in an immortal/immaterial soul is Pagan in origin and has no basis in the Bible. Is this true?

Q&A question: Are Our Souls Truly Immortal?

Will God Give Up on Repetitive Sinners?: I suffer from same-sex attraction. I fight it, but sometimes I give in. Will God give up on me at some point if I give in?

Q&A question: Will God Give Up on Repetitive Sinners?

When Other Faiths Pray for Us: When people of other religions pray for us and we see these prayers answered, how do we reconcile that with Christianity? Does that mean all faiths are good?

Q&A question: When Other Faiths Pray for Us

prayer

OCD-Like Prayers: Any thoughts on struggles with OCD-like prayers? Ex: feeling the need to pray for protection over family members every day in fear that something bad will happen to them if I don’t.

Q&A question: OCD-Like Prayers

prayer

God Didn’t Reveal Himself?: What do you tell an atheist who says he looked for God and God didn't reveal Himself to him? And in general, what do you make of the argument of nonresistant non-believers?

Q&A question: God Didn’t Reveal Himself?

atheism

Why did God Change OT Names?: Why does God change the name of Abram to Abraham, Saul to Paul, and Sarai to Sarah? Is there a meaning behind this?

Q&A question: Why did God Change OT Names?

Sarah Abraham

ARRGH! The Pirate Bible!: Have you heard of The Pirate Bible? Apparently, it has been translated from the KJV into "pirate vernacular" using AI. It seems like a joke to me, but what are your thoughts?

Q&A question: ARRGH! The Pirate Bible!

NAR

Does Video Auto-Play Lead to Sin?: Is it a sin to use a social media service that often displays ungodly messages and music? Short-form video services such as TikTok display videos directly on your feed rather than suggesting them to you. I will still often see ungodly videos even though I don't want to.

Q&A question: Does Video Auto-Play Lead to Sin?

Leviticus – Burnt Offerings: In Leviticus 1:9, why were only the legs and entrails washed before burning? Cultural?

Q&A question: Leviticus – Burnt Offerings

tithing