Ask Dr. E

Short Summary: What does the TULIP acrostic mean, how does it relate to John Calvin/Calvinism, and what is the history behind it all? To read the full show notes, click here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full Q: Reformed theology seems to be creeping into many churches and denominations. I’ve always associated “old earth”/nonliteral 6 days of creation, limited atonement, amillennialism, infant baptism and replacement theology to be tenets of reformed doctrine but since these positions are not widely accepted by some of the so-called reformed churches, I’m not clear now on what is meant when someone says they are reformed. So, what is reformed theology? Links Mentioned: Heidelberg Catechism To read the full show notes, click here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Hello Dr. Easley, I'm trying to understand the term, "experiential worship”. Can you help me understand? To read the full show notes, click here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Question: Why do exorcisms seem to be predominantly in the domain of the Catholic Church? Do Protestants in general not believe possession can happen anymore, and if we do, are the Catholic methods the best practices? This may be too big of a question for the "Ask Dr. E" podcast but it's been on my mind and heart a lot lately. Links Mentioned: Angels Elect and Evil by C. Fred Dickason To read the full show notes, click here.

Full Q: If we are IN Christ is there a way that demonic activity can still be “brought into” our lives? Or is it just sin, not necessarily demonic activity? I see a lot of things with this lingo and it never sits right with me but I'm curious about your thoughts. Also naming all the spirits “suicide, addiction” etc isn’t it all just either from the devil or from God? Not all these different spirits? Links Mentioned: Angels Elect and Evil by C. Fred Dickason The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis To read the full show notes, click here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full Question: What does the Bible say about death and dying, and how it applies Do Not Resuscitate orders? I am an ICU nurse and I deal with death on a regular basis, and lately I've been having conversations with God about it and wanted to see your thoughts. I was thinking and praying about families who hold on to their loved ones with very poor prognosis and they want aggressive treatment, and how it's almost "un-Christian" to be a DNR, akin to even murder. I was talking to God and I thought about how in the Bible, it talks a lot about dying and how it can happen at any moment, and that it is finishing the race, fighting the good fight, and not to cling to our life on this earth. But it’s really heartbreaking for me to see families that profess the faith and go through this dilemma and I wanted some more Godly insight on the subject. Links Mentioned: Bible.org Bio Basics: Suicide and Euthenasia To read the full show notes, click here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full Question: I have been attending a church with my family for several years now, and they teach that you are not truly saved unless you have been baptized by the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I was raised in church, and have been a member of multiple denominations and hadn’t heard this before. I don’t doubt my own salvation having the foundation I have, but I do struggle with inviting unbelieving friends to church when I disagree with this belief, and my family doesn’t understand why. I attend my church out of respect and obligation to my family, and because we do have friends we adore there, and I drink up all of your sermons, teachings, and series, and am also enjoying Warren Weirsbe’s books of the Bible series, but am also wondering if that’s enough or if I should consider finding a church home elsewhere. Links Mentioned: Michael Easley inContext Youtube Books of The Bible Commentaries by Warren Wiersbe To read the full shows notes, click here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full Q: How did we come by 66 books instead of 73? I know you said it is written through man by God so why do we not follow and read all 73 books? Love your podcasts, all 3 of them. They have helped me learn and come closer to God. They have also helped me figure out what I like to hear in a church. Links Mentioned: Michael Easley inContext Youtube To read the full shows notes, click here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full Question: Is God’s presence in hell? Revelation 20:10 says, “and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Who torments the devil and the beasts forever?… God? I would love to be enlightened but I always thought hell was the total absence of God. Links Mentioned: Revelation of Jesus Christ by John Walvoord Tom Constable’s Notes Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem To read the full show notes, click here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full question: We tend to evangelize only to those who don't know Jesus at all. I think I am just curious how important it is to evangelize to Catholics, or those who aren't exactly believing everything theologically "correct". I understand Mormons believe very different things about God and Jesus and can see why we would need to spread the gospel to them. But what about people who are believing Mary was sinless or that we have to work for our faith? How do we go about this? Links Mentioned: Reasoning From The Scriptures With The Catholics by Ron Rhodes To read the full show notes, click here.

Full Question: I wanted to see what you thought about the perpetual virginity and sinlessness of Mary. I grew up never having talked about this but a friend of mine has been explaining this church doctrine to me. In my research, I found that apostles and church leaders, including ones that evangelicals look up to like Martin Luther and Zwingili, believed and didn’t question this doctrine. I’m torn on the issue but want to know your thoughts and the implications of believing or not this doctrine and whether it is sound theology. To read the full show notes, click here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full Q: How do you know Christ is in you? I look back on my words and don't see a very nice person. I have asked Him to change me, and I keep repeating the same things. Links Mentioned: The Testimony of The Evangelists by Simon Greenleaf Keep in Step With The Spirit by J. I. Packer To read the full show notes, click here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full question: I’m curious about Exodus 7:10-11, and really this whole part of the Exodus story, where pharaoh’s magicians were repeatedly able to duplicate the miracles Moses and Aaron performed. How were they able to do this, and does this mean that there’s more to the idea of magic than we think? To read the full show notes, click here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full Question: Is there any Biblical support that there will be chips and queso in heaven? I’ve heard some say the streets of gold might actually be cheese. Do you think there is any validity here? To read the full show notes, click here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full Question: My Fiancé and I are getting married in December and are moving to Bowling Green, Kentucky. We’ve both gone to the same church our entire lives and will be starting the process of looking for a church home. I just wanted to ask you for some guidance in how to find the right church and how to separate necessities (non-negotiables) from preference? As well as overcoming pride and the expectations of what we’ve already experienced in a church our whole lives and being disappointed when a church isn’t exactly that? To read the full show notes, click here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full Q: I've got a good one that came up in a small group tonight! In Proverbs (and probably many other places) why is wisdom a woman? It's obviously referring to Jesus in many ways. But regardless, why female? Related Resources Proverbs 31 Woman Ask Dr. E Michael Easley Sermons Proverbs Series To read the full show notes, click here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full Q: We are studying Romans. We were in chapter 2:1-16 today. The person leading today made an interesting comment. She said there are “degrees” of sin. Many tried to ask her to explain and a few tried to point out that the consequences are different but sin is sin in God’s eyes. She was using scripture but it was very confusing. What does God’s Word say about this and could you give me specific scriptures to study? To read the full show notes, click here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full Q: I would love to know your thoughts about how we should take the series, The Chosen? So many Christians, we know, are watching it and there have been over 400 million views worldwide. We love the idea of Jesus and the Disciples going viral, but have a few problems with our kids seeing some of the creative additions, such as: Jesus appearing to practice, to get his words right, before having a sermon (he’s God right?) and Mary Magdalene being called Lilith. We’d like to support it, but also have reservations. Read the full show notes here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full Q: I’ve heard a lot of people say “let Jesus take the wheel,” meaning Jesus takes control of your life and “steers” it where he wants. I have also heard someone compare it to Jesus being in the passenger seat. He tells you where to go, and you can either obey him or go your own way. I kind of feel like “Jesus take the wheel” isn’t realistic because you aren’t forced to obey him. What do you think? Which view is more realistic? Read the full show notes here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full Q: I’m having a hard time with responding as to why I can’t attend a gay wedding… I have a friend that’s gay, she’s getting married and she’s invited me. I’ve declined, but she would like to know why I cannot attend… she’s not a believer. I stumble upon my words because I see from a worldly perspective how it can be interpreted as judgmental and non loving. I’m really struggling…she’s expressed to others that she’s hurt by the lack of support she’s receiving. I do not want to reflect anything other than Christ's love and I don’t feel peaceful with not addressing, any biblical guidance would greatly help! What are we called as Christian’s to do in these circumstances? How is her sin any different than the sins we commit daily? Read the full show notes here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full Q: What are some good resources for understanding the culture and society of the Old Testament times and the New Testament times? Links mentioned: Life and Times of Jesus The Messiah by Alfred Edersheim Dr. Tom Constable's Notes Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey Talk Thru The Bible by Kenneth Boa and Bruce Wilkinson The Words and Works of Jesus Christ by J. Dwight Pentecost Read the full show notes here.

Full Q: Are we able to see any of the stones of remembrance that the Bible talks about? I’ve always wondered if they have found piles of stones in the Holy Land that might be stones of remembrance. Read the full show notes here.

Full Q: Is There a Possibility That God Created Life on Other Planets? And if so, would salvation look the same or would the life on that planet even receive salvation? Read the full blog post here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Question: "No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning". "No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him". What does it mean when we repent from a sin (repeatedly) but just cannot seem to “shake it“, in light of these verses? Read the full blog post here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

I was conflicted recently hearing that "forgiveness is conditional"; that we are to forgive like God forgives, giving the scripture 1 John 1:9; that it would be unfair to Christ to forgive without the offending person repenting. Is forgiveness conditional? Read the full blog post here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full Q: To expand on the question “Can our loved ones see us from heaven” will we see our loved ones when we get to heaven? Will the relationships still be the same? Will we remember our lives on earth with each other? Will we still love them or will all our love be redirected to only Christ? I have breast cancer and my grandmother died of breast cancer when I was two. I have no memory of her but I know she was a Christian. I really want to meet her and find out what her life was like. From your answer to the other question she probably has no idea what my life has been like since we can’t see down from heaven. But does the light dim so much she won’t know who I am? Links Mentioned: Can Our Loved Ones See us From Heaven? Heaven by Randy Alcorn Read the full blog post here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Full Q: Why does Jesus tell the man to do something (wash the mud off his eyes) when in other places like Matthew 9:30, He just heals people without them doing anything? Read the full blog post here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: My husband and I were driving and passed by a church where the sign said the church was led by "Apostle So-and-so." It made us wonder, are there still apostles today? Read the full blog post here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: When we are faced with decisions and seeking the Lord through prayer and His word, how often should something be prayed about? Resources Mentioned: Barbara Brand inContext episode Cindy Easley inContext episode Robert Morgan inContext episode Kenneth Boa - Handbook to Prayer Kenneth Boa inContext episode Arthur G. Bennett - The Valley of Vision Read the full blog post here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

I have a question specifically about the verse Proverbs 13:22 which reads a good man leaves his inheritance for his children’s children. This verse is haunting to us as we are in the middle of restructuring our living will here in Tennessee and our grown son is not wise with money and has no wherewithal or interest. Basically, we are leaving our legacy to the church. How do we grapple with this verse? Our son is not married and has no inclination toward getting married anytime soon with the way his lifestyle is. Help! Find the full blog post here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Question: I’ve always been fascinated with biblical archaeology. Is it a waste of time to speculate over such things? Resources Mentioned J. Randall Price and H. Wayne House - Zondervan Handbook of Biblical Archaeology The Bible and Spade Magazine Biblical Archaeologist Read the full blog post here.

Q: If Satan was cast out of Heaven, can we (being believers after death and during our eternal lives in heaven) also be cast out of Heaven? If we struggle with pride, selfishness, and greed now, what’s to say we are or aren’t going to be capable of falling like Satan? Read the full blog post here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Could you explain the concept of "testing God with your offerings"? Does God "return favors" to us? Where is the line with the prosperity gospel in regards to offerings? Resources Mentioned: Joyce Baldwin- Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi Lewis Sperry Chafer- Systematic Theology Craig A. Blaising, “Malachi,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures Read the full episode blog post here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

I’ve often heard churches and pastors tell believers that the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is binding on all believers. It is often the explicit or functional mission statement of churches. That all seems good. But I have wondered… If this is the case, why is it so difficult to find any Epistles clearly repeating this command or commanding Christians to evangelize and baptize disciples directly? We see passages like 1 Peter 3:15 calling for a life of faithfulness that provokes outsiders - and to be prepared to defend our hope. But in my reading, it is difficult to find one verse from Paul or Peter compelling people to evangelize to make disciples actively. Instead, most of what I read focuses the believers on loving one another and living and suffering well in the world. Maybe I’m missing something, but I’ve wondered if the Great Commission is incumbent upon all believers in every local church - why didn’t Paul and the other writers clearly command us? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected]. Read the full blog post here.

Q: I don’t see anywhere in the Bible where after the description of Jesus sharing bread and wine during the Passover meals that it says that this should become a ritual… As in something that you do in church or at a gathering. I’ve often wondered why we don’t just do this at home every day. It’s like when we break bread at suppertime and have our drink why don’t we just say it and remember that Christ died for us broke his body and shed his blood for us. Does it have to be something that we do in church? When did communion and church become a thing? And how do the Scriptures support what we do? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected]. Read the full blog post here.

Q: You always say we must take the word at its word. We don’t add or take away. You say not to worry about what we “think” it means, but what it does mean. A few weeks ago you mentioned that the Proverbs 31 woman was not really about what a woman should want to be but was about wisdom. This was a little surprising to me because since I’ve read it as a little girl it seems very cut and dry. It’s a lot less ambiguous than some of the verses and books of the Bible. I never looked at this passage as a burden. I always loved the fact that God took time to show us this amazing reflection of what I believe so many women do and are. The ‘woman’ is used as a personification throughout wisdom literature. Solomon is using this personification of wisdom to teach his son, and us, what it looks like to choose wisdom or wickedness. It would not be a negative thing for a woman to dedicate herself to living out Proverbs 31, but this is simply using wisdom. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected]. Read the full blog post here.

Question: What do you think of Christians using pronouns for themselves and others who demand we address them with their preferred pronouns? I feel like by using pronouns for myself and others; I'm conforming to the culture and, in turn, humoring those individuals that identify as they/them and other opposing pronouns that don't line up with their biological sex. I don't want to make them feel disrespected, but at the same time, I don't want to conform to their false truth. I want to tell them the truth in love. Read the full blog here. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Before the fall, God invented sex as a form of intimacy to be a blessing within marriage. Therefore, we have always been sexual beings. It is important to know that within God’s purpose, it is not sin, but outside of this purpose, it is sin. Sexual intimacy is a gift of God to a husband and wife, and it is a wonderful blessing. Check out the blog post here. Resources Mentioned: Ed Wheat- Intended For Pleasure Sandra Glan and Bill Cutrer- Sexual Intimacy In Marriage Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: If everything happens for a reason, and things are predestined to happen, then why do we pray? How does prayer change things? I struggle with this area in my Christian life, and I think partly because I don’t understand and don’t know if my prayer makes a difference. Resources Mentioned: The Handbook To Prayer By Ken Boa Andrew Murray- With Christ in the School of Prayer Arthur G. Bennett- The Valley of Vision Michael J. Easley- Interludes Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected]. Check out the blog post.

Q: How Do I Know if I Am Actually Growing? Resources Mentioned: The Handbook To Prayer By Ken Boa Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected]. Read the Blog Post

What does it mean to “lift up your horn” like in 1 Samuel 2:1a: “Hannah prayed: My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is lifted up by the Lord.”? Resources mentioned are all in our Show Notes. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: After listening to your episode on women in pastoral leadership (which I completely agreed with), I was wondering if you could answer another question from the same passage… Scripture seems a little unclear on the service position of a deacon, at least compared to the office of an overseer/elder. So, were deacons an actual “office" in the first church, or were they simply servants/volunteers as the word denotes? Does verse 11 actually mean “women“ instead of “their wives“? If it does mean “their wives," why would elders’ wives not have any parameters also? Find resources &. more in our Show Notes. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: I have a question about Heaven. I have a desire to have a home near water. It doesn’t matter if it is an ocean, river, or mountain lake. I would also like it to be big enough to host people for dinner or as a retreat. My dad had a desire to have a big home where the whole family could gather and we would have plenty of room for everyone. He went to Heaven before he was able to have that house. My question is do you think our home in heaven will be our dream home? I know we’ll be completely satisfied with Jesus, but I just wonder if our longings on earth will be fulfilled in Heaven. Visit our Show Notes for resources mentioned in this episode. Have a Biblical or theological question? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Today's question is a follow-up to our recent episode about infant baptism. Based on comments Hanna and Michael both made during that episode, the question: Health, cultural or traditional reasons aside, should Christian parents have their sons circumcised for religious or theological reasons? Do you have a biblical or theological question? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Regarding the "lost sheep" and our Good Shepherd Who goes after even one: is that referring to unbelievers, or to someone who has strayed from the flock, and do they both "know His voice"? A great question! Do you have a biblical or theological question? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Why are censuses usually considered a sin in the OT? For example, 2 Samuel 24:9-10 says, “Joab gave the king the total of the registration of the troops. There were eight hundred thousand valiant armed men from Israel and five hundred thousand men from Judah. David’s conscience troubled him after he had taken a census of the troops. He said to the Lord, 'I have sinned greatly in what I’ve done. Now, Lord, because I’ve been very foolish, please take away your servant’s guilt.'" Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

“Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Matthew 16:28 This week's question: Can you please put into context the meaning of Jesus’s comment found in Matthew 16:28: “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” This is also found in Luke 9:27 and Mark 9:1, so must have been pretty significant to those that heard it. Find resources mentioned at michaelincontext.com. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

"And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come." Matthew 11:14 Q: Wait a minute, was John the Baptist Elijah? A question more than a few careful students of scripture have pondered. Hear Dr. E's answer in this episode. Do you have a biblical or theological question? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Why did God create people who would reject Him? A complicated question with an answer that's perhaps simpler than you'd think. "If we say that God created man to destroy him, we make God capricious and malevolent. If we say man has complete free will, we brush up against the doctrine of election/predestination..." Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Today's question: Is There a Biblical Argument for Christians to use Self-Defense? Find resources mentioned at michaelincontext.com. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].