Ask Dr. E

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].

A great question prompting a candid discussion about performative prayer, gossip, and the Biblical instruction to bear one another's burdens. Q: My question has to do with the idea of asking others to pray for whatever. I follow several Christian social media groups, for example. I find myself overwhelmed by the requests for prayer, often for “Unspoken needs” as “God knows.” I have been dealing with a serious cancer for 5 years and I know the prayers of many have been pivotal. On the other hand, I find myself wondering why we ask others to pray when we are able to pray for our concerns ourselves.

Q: The Bible says we will have an accounting for everything on the day of Judgement. If we are saved aren’t we spared from all the sins we’ve committed with Jesus standing by our side stating HE took our sins? Or are we still given an account of our life both good and sinful? Along with this is- what about all the horrible sins committed by Christians while they were Christians- ie slavery, treating or mistreating others? Is there no accountability? What if a Christian insisted you do something you did not want to do, for example, a sin like abortion?

A number of terms become part of our vernacular as believers. We use these terms freely among fellow believers, non-believers, seasoned Christians, and those new to the faith. But we seldom stop to define these terms, which is why we love today's question: What is Sanctification? Do you have a question for Dr. E? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

We've got a lot of new Ask Dr. E's listeners around these parts and we thought we'd give Michael 10 minutes to tell you a little bit more about himself and how he came to know the Lord. Do you have a question for Dr. E? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: My question is about the L in TULIP - limited Atonement. I have had trouble wrapping my mind around this and reconciling it with some of scripture. RC Sproul's term definite atonement has helped me and I think it is probably a more accurate term. But would like to hear what Dr. E has to say about this doctrine and scripture to support it. Head to our show notes for all of the resources mentioned in Dr. E's answer. Do you have a biblical or theological question for Dr. E? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Jesus breathes on the disciples (John 20:22) and they receive the the Holy Spirit. Seems like creation account when He breathed life into Adam. It seems like a picture of we’re dead in our sins but when forgiven because of the cross, we receive new life, abundant and eternal life and the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Why does John 20:23 seem to imply Jesus also conferring power to forgive sins to the disciples. Only God can forgive and Jesus spends first 17 chapters building the narrative of His oneness with the Father in all the I AM statements. What is the point of conferring power to forgive in v23? This seems out of place giving all Jesus does to secure our forgiveness by dying on the cross and being resurrected. How should we think about this?

Q: In light of Elon Musk's twitter purchase, Shane Claiborne posted, "If people of faith practiced the biblical Jubilee, there would be no billionaires. Every generation was to forgive debts, free slaved, and redistribute property. (Leviticus 25) It was God's Way of systematically dismantling inequality." Is this for real?

Q: "Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them and they shall possess it." (Deuteronomy 1:39) Is "no knowledge of good or evil" a call back to the tree of knowledge of good & evil in Eden? This seems like language that would've brought that to an Israelite's mind immediately. I'm very curious about what Moses may have been telling them by using it, which may not be immediately obvious to us. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Why would God tell Moses that none of Aaron's descendants who had physical defects could come near to present offerings to the Lord (Lev. 21:16-24) but Jesus would later interact with, heal, and even touch the lame, blind, and crippled? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Why do some Christian denominations practice infant baptism while others only practice believer baptism? What do practitioners believe infant baptism does/does not mean or accomplish?

Dr. E answers: How do you reconcile moments when you lack faith or don't trust God? We can't overstate that we are fallen creatures in a fallen condition. We're going to doubt. I don't want to say it's normal and we should be okay with it, but I will say it's normal and it's okay. He loves you and me when we fail. God can handle our doubtful prayers. Faithfulness is the objective, not success.

Q: What's so wrong with the instruction to "ask Jesus into your heart?" Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Are (or why are) issues like homosexuality and transgenderism "hills worth dying on" for believers? Can't we agree to disagree with, for example, the Episcopalians, over differing interpretations of Scripture? Don't let the culture define your identity in Christ. I'm going to defend the scripture. Christians are afraid to say, "I'm not mad at you, I don't hate you, but that's not what the Scripture says." Be loving and kind to your friends but don't back down. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Part 2 of Dr. E's answer: Q: I'm looking to buy a new Bible. What do you recommend? Let's talk about translations, cross-references, footnotes, and other features within a Bible: what's best? What's helpful for personal study, and what might be extraneous?

Q: I'm looking to buy a new Bible. What do you recommend? Have you ever wondered what the difference is between all of the options for binding styles or materials used in available Bibles? Does it make a difference? What makes a Bible last longer, or makes it easier to use? Dr. E shares practical tips for what and where to look for a new Bible.

This week's question comes from a caller wondering about legalism, separatism, earning God's approval, being judgmental. Dr. E offers advice on how to reframe the Christian life from living by a set of rules to living by the discipline and leading of God's Word, God's Spirit, and God's People. Q: I grew up in a legalistic Baptist church... My question is about separation—[the church I grew up in] taught separation: you should stay away from the wrong people, wrong habits, wrong places, a list of do's and don't's. Of course, they used Scripture to back it up, but I just always battled and am re-thinking everything I believe. I don't want to be legalistic and judgmental, I want to quit earning God's approval. I'm having a hard time recalibrating my thinking, I don't want to live by a list of do's and don't's. Do you have a biblical or theological question? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: I’ve always thought community happens when you embrace the people God has put in your life and you choose to do life together with them. Some insist that you should join a “community group” with your church to properly do life with fellow believers. I find it difficult to join a group of people you don’t have anything in common with when you have people in your life already that you don’t see enough. I’d love your thoughts on this! Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Does spiritual warfare take place here on earth? Or in a spiritual realm? Or both? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: What are your thoughts on Young Life and its role in collaboration with local churches? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: My question centers around the Holy Spirit. Given the diversity of conflicting views, what is the correct view. Is the baptism of the Holy Spirit separate from regeneration? When the word says "be ye filled" is this one filling of possibly many? What can we expect of the Holy Spirit as comforter? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: What does the scripture say about children that die without making a decision to follow Christ? i.e. a 4-6 year old? Is there an age of innocence? When does volition occur? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: I am confused about Matthew 24:28 regarding vulture/carcass. Does it have anything to do with the Revelations and the great feast where all the birds are called? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: If one is an apostate, using the textbook definition of that, can that person still get saved? I have been told by someone very educated in apologetics that there is no return from that. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Where was Jesus (both God and man) during the time after His death and before His resurrection? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Who were the Nephilim (first in Genesis 6) and what role did they play in the Old Testament? It also references lowercase sons of God. How is this differentiated from Jesus, the one and only Son of God? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Could you please offer any advice or wisdom you might have on what to say to a friend who is deep into a "christian" cult. I feel good about defending, explaining and preaching what the Bible and the Gospel actually say. And I also feel pretty good on explaining what I find very problematic on his beliefs. So I am mostly interested in any general tips on interaction. How do I navigate a meeting with a former Christian acquaintance who is fully in a cult? We have talked a bit on and off lately on the phone wanting to catch up in person. When that happens I know it may be a bit of a friendly Bible/theology shootout. I want to tell him in love that he is in a very dangerous spot and that its not just about my side being right. If you can share any similar experiences and tips, I would deeply appreciate! Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: My question is what is your interpretation as to what the Bible says about women leading in the church? My almost 11 year old daughter has a relationship, understanding and hunger for God and His word that is incredible. I have felt/ believed for many years that there is a special calling and anointing on her life. She, in the last year, has declared that she “wants to be a preacher” - A few Sundays ago she visited a Baptist church with a friend and in that sermon heard that “women should not be preachers” based on 1 Timothy - I have researched, we have talked about it but agreed we (her and I) would “dig in” and figure it out. I want to lead her in the right way and I don’t want to allow doubt to be planted that could confuse her or keep her from Gods will in her life. What are your thoughts on this matter? Lastly, I found this article yesterday as I look for insight and understanding. I have attached the article. https://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/yes-women-are-called-to-lead/ Resource mentioned: https://cbmw.org Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Can you speak on the topic of Angels? Are they amongst us / Do they take on human form? People say they encountered an angel...is that true? Or are we unaware when we interact with them? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: My father recently died very unexpectedly and quickly from a brain tumor following his brain surgery. We rejoice that he is completely healed. I'm wondering if my father can see earthly happenings. I received several sympathy cards that said he could. I'm still trying to understand and find truth in this. My son was married in my parent's backyard before my father died. We are having the wedding reception this weekend. Will my father be able to see this from heaven? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: How will rewards and leadership work in heaven? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Who were the saints that were raised in Matthew? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: It said in Genesis Cain took a wife from the Land of Nod. How did the people in Nod come into existence when God only created Adam and Eve who bore Cain and Abel at that time. Did they all come from Adam and Eve since they were the first creation? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

I believe that Jesus Christ died for all men. I don't believe that we are predestined–that He selected a few and died for the few. That would be like being on the cross and saying, “oh wait, i’m not dying for you. I'm just dying for these folks over here.” So i have a hard time with that concept. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: Why did God give Israel so many weird, specific laws like not to boil a young goat in its mother's milk? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

When Jesus was on earth, could He only do what the Father asked Him to do? Since He was fully God and fully man, was He able to do miracles on His own? Was He able to look at the heart of man on His own or was it always through the power of the Holy Spirit or His Father who would communicate with Him because of their special connection? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: I began my eldership at Central Bible Church in Fort Worth on Jan 1, 2021. We are studying the qualification of "one-woman man" for eldership. The topic I am studying is "an elder can never have been divorced" Can you give me your thoughts on this? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: What are Michael's thoughts regarding Old Earth vs. New Earth? This is a question I’ve had for some time, being someone who has traveled and seen the Grand Canyon and other places that are supposed to be millions or billions of years old, and yet Scripture seams to teach the earth is more like thousands of years old. Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: How do you reconcile judging right from wrong without being judgmental? How do you speak the truth in love without condoning what is so biblically wrong? I feel like a bad witness for Jesus Christ because I am looked down upon by those in and outside the church. If my position is judged the moment some meet me, how am I going to be that example for who I truly am in Christ and in Him alone? Why does my flesh need approval and acceptance by others in the Church? Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Call or text us at 615-281-9694 or email [email protected] with your question for Dr. E.

Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Q: I’VE BEEN READING A LOT ABOUT THE ISRAELITES LATELY AND I WAS CURIOUS IF THERE WAS SALVATION FOR ANY OF THE OTHER PEOPLE GROUPS THAT WERE ALIVE DURING THAT TIME, OR IF ALL OF THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT WERE ALIVE DURING THE ISRAELITES TIME WEREN’T SAVED BECAUSE THEY WEREN’T PART OF THAT GROUP?

Q: Battles loom large over the definitions of inerrancy and infallibility. What do these terms really mean when it comes to specific verses? For instances, some will say it’s an error when the Bible uses round numbers for how many are in a tribe, or for the number of people killed in a battle. When the text uses specific numbers in other places, or when one gospel account has Jesus calling for a single donkey to be brought to Him and He says, “bring it to me” – versus calling for a donkey and the foal of a donkey – “bring them to me.” Or they’ll cite the last two verses of 2 Chronicles, which duplicates the opening verses of Ezra exactly but cuts off the command of Cyrus mid-sentence, losing the gist of his command. Obviously God didn’t inspire the writer of chronicles to do that, there was an error of transmission over the centuries, and part of Ezra was copied into Chronicles. I’ve heard good theologians say, and I tend to agree, that scripture is accurate and dependable enough for the purpose for which its intended, but to insist that every word, every description, every story is perfect down to the molecular level leads to unnecessary controversies.

Q: I was listening back to an episode of Ask Dr. E and you were talking about oppression, or demonic or evil spirits, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit not allowing that. I was wondering if there was a differentiation between the old covenant and the new covenant. We seem to see evidence that the devil was given permission with Job and with Peter, “Satan has asked to sift you like wheat but I have prayed for you,” is what Jesus had told Peter, so I was wondering – is there that differentiation between the Testaments or the covenants, and the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit?

Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].