Ask Dr. E

Michael Easley

Dr. Michael Easley answers your biblical and theological questions each week. Call or text us at 615-281-9694 or email us at question@michaelincontext.com with your question.

  1. 18 小時前

    Does God Command Christians to Have Children?

    Does God command every Christian couple to have children? What happens when infertility makes biological children impossible? Is adoption the biblical answer? And where does IVF fit into a Christian understanding of family, faith, and God’s sovereignty?In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Michael Easley works through a listener’s difficult questions about infertility, adoption, IVF, embryos, surrogacy, and whether Christians are obligated to pursue having children.Dr. E explains why the command to “multiply and fill the earth” should be understood in its biblical context rather than automatically applied as a universal requirement for every Christian couple. He also discusses how infertility fits within a fallen world, why adoption should not be treated as an automatic obligation, and why IVF presents ethical questions Christians should carefully consider.The conversation ultimately points couples toward grace, wisdom, stewardship, prayer, and good counsel rather than simplistic formulas.Key topics covered:-Is having children a command for Christians?-Biblical context of Genesis 1-Infertility and God’s sovereignty-Adoption and infertility-IVF and Christian ethics-Embryos and “snowflake babies”-Donor conception-Surrogacy-Wise counsel for couples facing infertility-Family, stewardship, and graceChapters:00:00 – Is having children a command?01:28 – The Genesis command to multiply02:23 – God’s sovereignty and infertility03:37 – Infertility in Scripture04:45 – IVF and ethical questions06:33 – Donor conception and unintended consequences08:29 – Adoption, IVF, and wise counsel09:40 – When infertility leads to adoption10:00 – Biological children aren’t guaranteed either11:15 – Family size and stewardship11:52 – Family as a gift from God12:16 – Further resources on IVF ethicsLinks Mentioned:Jim Denison IVF Article: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/denisonforum/2024/06/in-vitro-fertilization-southern-baptists-and-moral-relativism/If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at question@michaelincontext.com.

  2. 9月24日

    What Does it Mean to be Filled With The Holy Spirit?

    What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Does it mean receiving more of the Spirit, or does Scripture mean something deeper? In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Dr. Michael Easley explains what Scripture teaches about the Holy Spirit and His work in the life of a believer. Starting with Ephesians 5:18, Dr. E explains that being filled with the Spirit means being controlled by the Spirit. He then gives a memorable framework for understanding five aspects of the Spirit’s work: baptizing, indwelling, sealing, gifting, and filling. The conversation also explores the fruit of the Spirit, what it means to quench or stifle the Spirit, the unforgivable sin, the Trinity, spiritual gifts, and why salvation depends upon the work of the Triune God. Chapters: 00:00 — Ask Dr. E: Understanding the Holy Spirit 01:03 — Why We Need a Biblical Framework 01:46 — What Does “Filled With the Spirit” Mean? 02:30 — The Holy Spirit Indwells the Believer 03:21 — The Fruit of the Spirit vs. the Flesh 04:40 — “B Figs”: Five Aspects of the Spirit’s Work 05:40 — The Spirit Seals the Believer 06:44 — What Does It Mean to Quench the Spirit? 07:30 — Understanding Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit 08:50 — The Trinity and Salvation 10:18 — Why the Trinity Is Difficult to Explain 10:57 — Spiritual Gifts and the Trinity 11:46 — A Trinitarian Insight from 1 Corinthians 12 11:55 — Submit Your Question to Dr. E Key Topics Covered: • Being filled with the Holy Spirit • The indwelling of the Holy Spirit • The sealing of the believer • Spiritual gifts • The fruit of the Spirit • Quenching or stifling the Spirit • Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit • The Trinity • Salvation and the Triune God • 1 Corinthians 12 and spiritual gifts Links Mentioned: The Moody Handbook of Theology by Dr. Paul Enns Find more episodes of Ask Dr. E here. If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at question@michaelincontext.com.

  3. 9月17日

    Considering Catholicism? The Biblical Case For Christ Alone

    What should you say when someone you love is considering Catholicism? In this episode, Dr. E responds to a listener whose young friend is seriously considering the Catholic Church and has carefully researched answers to common Protestant objections. Dr. Easley explains why Christian apologetics must begin with relationship and then points to two foundational biblical truths: Jesus Christ is the one mediator between God and humanity, and His sacrifice is completely sufficient. He also discusses why people can be drawn to Catholicism, the importance of examining what a church actually teaches, and the responsibility evangelical churches have to teach theology and Scripture deeply. The goal isn't simply to win an argument. Christians are called to love people, speak truth with kindness, know Scripture, and continually point people back to Christ. Key Topics Covered -How to talk with someone considering Catholicism -Relational apologetics -Jesus as the one mediator -The sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice -Hebrews 10 and Christ's once-for-all sacrifice -Scripture and church authority -Why people may be attracted to Catholicism -The need for deeper theological teaching in evangelical churches -How Christians can respond with both truth and love Chapters 00:00 Read the Council of Trent 01:10 A friend considering Catholicism 01:56 How do you respond? 02:02 Apologetics and relational capital 03:23 Two key biblical truths 03:38 One mediator: Jesus Christ 04:00 The sufficiency of Christ 05:44 Why people are attracted to Catholicism 06:30 The need for theological teaching 07:29 Dr. Easley’s own journey 08:48 The danger of confusing theology 09:23 Purgatory, indulgences, and justification 11:47 Examining church history and doctrine 12:03 Pray for your friend Links Mentioned: Dr. Chris Castaldo on inContext Why Protestants Convert by Dr. Chris Castaldo If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at question@michaelincontext.com.

  4. 9月10日

    Was David Really an Illegitimate Son?

    Was David an illegitimate son of Jesse? In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Michael Easley explores a fascinating interpretation of David’s family history and the clues found throughout the Old Testament. Psalm 51:5 says, “In sin my mother conceived me.” Could David’s words simply describe humanity’s sinful condition, or could they point to something unusual about his own birth? Dr. E examines David’s absence when Samuel visits Jesse, the tension between David and his brothers, Psalm 51, and the broader pattern of God choosing unexpected people throughout the biblical story. The discussion also connects David’s story with Ruth and Rahab and ultimately points toward the messianic lineage of Jesus Christ. Key Topics Covered -Was David an illegitimate son of Jesse? -The meaning of Psalm 51:5 -Why David was absent when Samuel visited Jesse -David’s relationship with his brothers -Ruth, Rahab, and the messianic lineage -Why God chooses people differently than man does -David as a man after God’s own heart -The importance of repentance Chapters 00:00 Was David possibly illegitimate? 00:57 The question about David’s family history 01:45 Why was David absent from Jesse’s sons? 02:42 David’s conflict with his brothers 03:09 What does Psalm 51:5 mean? 03:42 Ruth and the unexpected messianic lineage 04:35 What “firstborn” means in Scripture 05:52 Could David have been born outside marriage? 06:42 Psalm 51 and David’s mother 07:24 David’s failures and repentance 08:05 Final thoughts on David’s possible illegitimacy If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at question@michaelincontext.com.

  5. 9月3日

    Is it Possible to Sin Against Wisdom?

    What does it mean to “sin against wisdom”? In Proverbs 8:35–36, Solomon says that whoever finds wisdom finds life, but whoever sins against wisdom injures himself. Dr. E explains what that means and why biblical wisdom is something we cannot afford to miss. The conversation also takes a closer look at Proverbs 31. Rather than presenting an impossible standard for women, Proverbs 31 gives us a picture of what a life shaped by wisdom looks like. And what does wisdom ultimately teach us about the future? We can smile at the future because we know who is in control. In This Episode: -What it means to “sin against wisdom” -The Hebrew meaning behind “sin” or “miss the mark” -Why Proverbs presents two ways of living -How Proverbs 31 personifies wisdom -What Proverbs 31 really teaches about a wise woman -How wisdom shapes work, marriage, family, and speech -Why wisdom allows us to face the future with confidence Chapters: 00:00 — Why We Can Smile at the Future 00:38 — Can You Sin Against Wisdom? 00:57 — Proverbs 8: Finding Wisdom and Finding Life 01:30 — What “Sin” Means: Missing the Mark 02:32 — When We Miss Wisdom, We Hurt Ourselves 03:19 — What Proverbs 31 Really Means 04:13 — Wisdom Is More Than a Checklist 05:16 — What Happens When We Pursue Wisdom 05:36 — Smiling at the Future 06:06 — Don’t Miss Wisdom If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at question@michaelincontext.com.

  6. 8月20日

    Are We Body, Soul, and Spirit?

    Are we made up of body, soul, and spirit—or simply body and soul? In this episode, Dr. E explores one of the longstanding questions in Christian theology: the nature of man. Dr. Easley examines biblical passages that seem to support both a tripartite view and a bipartite view of humanity. He discusses 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 4:12, Genesis 2:7, and Matthew 10:28, while explaining how the biblical words for “soul” and “spirit” can overlap. He also considers what happens when we leave this earthly body and look toward the resurrection and eternal life. Ultimately, Dr. Easley explains why he is comfortable with either position and why this distinction is more an issue of theological anthropology than essential Christian doctrine. Topics Covered: -Body, soul, and spirit -Body and soul -Trichotomy vs. dichotomy -The meaning of “soul” and “spirit” -The resurrection body -What happens after death Chapters: 00:00 — Are we body, soul, and spirit? 00:53 — Trichotomy vs. dichotomy 01:29 — Biblical arguments for three parts 02:30 — Genesis 2:7 and the creation of man 03:15 — Soul and spirit in the New Testament 04:00 — What happens after death? 05:02 — Does the distinction matter? 06:20 — Body, soul, and spirit in eternity 07:09 — Why Scripture gives arguments for both views 08:08 — Final thoughts If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at question@michaelincontext.com.

  7. 8月13日

    What Is the Most Important Word in the New Testament?

    In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Dr. Michael Easley explores the biblical relationship between grace and faith and explains why he ultimately leans toward grace as the most important theological term in the New Testament. Dr. Easley also explains the Hebrew word chesed, which he considers one of the most important words in the Old Testament, and connects God’s covenantal lovingkindness with His gracious work in salvation. Drawing from Ephesians 2:8–10, Dr. Easley explains the distinction between grace and faith and why saving faith cannot be separated from God’s grace. He also challenges the phrase “cheap grace,” arguing that grace is anything but cheap because it is undeserved favor in the face of deserved wrath. Chapters 00:00 — Grace and faith 00:30 — What is the most important word in the New Testament? 00:50 — Why chesed matters in the Old Testament 02:18 — Grace, faith, and salvation 03:50 — Are people really seeking God? 04:00 — What does grace actually mean? 04:45 — Grace is not cheap 05:10 — The ground is level at Calvary 05:20 — Grace and the Greek word charis 06:15 — Is grace the answer? Key Topics Covered -Grace and faith -Salvation by grace through faith -The meaning of chesed -Covenant love and God’s faithfulness -The Greek word charis -“Cheap grace” -Sin, wrath, and salvation -The cross and Christ’s sacrifice -Why the ground is level at Calvary If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at question@michaelincontext.com.

簡介

Dr. Michael Easley answers your biblical and theological questions each week. Call or text us at 615-281-9694 or email us at question@michaelincontext.com with your question.

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