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. HÁ 2 DIAS

    Why Do We Call God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit The Trinity? (RERELEASE)

    The word “Trinity” never appears in the Bible… so why do Christians believe it? In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Michael Easley answers a thoughtful question about the Trinity, early church history, and whether Christians should describe God more “mysteriously” rather than as three persons in one God. Dr. Easley explains why the doctrine of the Trinity matters, why common analogies often fail, and how Scripture consistently reveals the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working together as one God. Using passages like Matthew 3 and 1 Corinthians 12, this conversation explores how the Trinity is taught throughout the Bible even if the specific word itself is not used. Dr. Easley also explains why rejecting the Trinity leads to major theological problems—including modalism and polytheism—and why the doctrine is essential to understanding salvation itself. If you’ve ever struggled to explain the Trinity, questioned whether it’s biblical, or wanted a clearer understanding of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, this episode will help ground you in Scripture and strengthen your confidence in Christian doctrine. Key Topics Mentioned -Why the word “Trinity” is not found in Scripture -What the Trinity actually means -Why common Trinity analogies fail -Modalism explained -One God in three persons -Matthew 3 and Jesus’ baptism -1 Corinthians 12 and the work of the Spirit -The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in salvation -Early church debates about the Trinity -Monotheism and Christian doctrine -Why the Trinity matters for believers today Chapters 00:00 — “I Only Do What Pleases the Father” 00:19 — Why Isn’t the Word “Trinity” in the Bible? 01:05 — Why Analogies Like Water and Ice Fall Short 01:43 — A Biblical Definition of the Trinity 02:16 — Understanding the Trinity Diagram 02:48 — 1 Corinthians 12 and the Father, Son, and Spirit 03:36 — Why the Trinity Matters for Salvation 04:01 — Matthew 3 and Jesus’ Baptism 04:38 — The Father Sends the Son and Spirit 05:09 — One God, Not Three Gods 05:44 — A Conversation with a Rabbi About the Trinity 06:16 — God Is One in Essence, Three in Persons 07:10 — Distinct Roles Within the Trinity 07:30 — Jesus and Submission to the Father 08:02 — Explaining the Trinity to Children 08:30 — Final Thoughts on the Trinity Links Mentioned: The Moody Handbook of Theology by 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.

    11 min
  2. 14 DE MAI.

    Why Did God Command Violence in the Old Testament?

    What do you do with the hardest passages in the Bible? In this episode, Dr. E responds to a listener wrestling with one of the biggest objections people have about Christianity: Why did God command the destruction of entire nations in the Old Testament? Dr. Easley walks through passages in Joshua, Deuteronomy, 1 Samuel, and 2 Kings while explaining the historical, theological, and spiritual context behind God’s judgment against the Canaanites and other nations. This conversation explores God’s sovereignty, justice, mercy, evil, idolatry, and why these passages still feel deeply difficult for believers today. Rather than avoiding the tension, this episode honestly addresses it—pointing listeners back to the holiness of God and ultimately to Jesus Christ, where justice and mercy meet at the cross. If you’ve ever struggled with difficult Bible passages or wondered how to answer skeptics who call God cruel or inconsistent, this episode is for you. Chapters 00:00 – Why These Passages Are So Difficult 01:52 – Understanding God’s Judgment in the Old Testament 05:09 – The Wickedness of the Canaanites 08:02 – Does God Take Pleasure in Judgment? 10:18 – Justice, Mercy, and the Cross of Christ 13:15 – Wrestling With God’s Sovereignty Key Topics Covered Why God commanded war in the Old Testament God’s justice and sovereignty The wickedness of the Canaanites Mercy, holiness, and judgment Difficult Bible passages explained Spiritual warfare in Scripture Romans 9 and the sovereignty of God How the cross fulfills justice and mercy Answering skeptical objections to Christianity Wrestling honestly with difficult theology Links Mentioned: Is God a Moral Monster? by Paul Copan 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.

    18 min
  3. 7 DE MAI.

    How Could Angels Rebel Against God?

    What really happened when Satan fell—and how could angels rebel against God in the first place? In this episode, Dr. E answers a deep theological question about heaven, angels, and the nature of evil. If heaven is perfect and without sin, how could rebellion ever exist? Dr. Easley explains the difference between the final, sinless heaven and the broader spiritual realms described in Scripture. He also explores what angels are (and aren’t), why their rebellion was rooted in pride, and what that means for believers today. This episode will help you better understand spiritual warfare, the unseen realm, and why Scripture calls us to stand firm—not fight—against spiritual forces. Chapters 00:00 – The Question: How Could Angels Rebel? 01:20 – Misunderstanding Heaven vs. Spiritual Realms 03:00 – What Is “Paradise” (Paradiso)? 05:00 – The Intermediate State Explained 07:30 – Awareness, Grief, and Hope in Paradise 09:00 – The Structure of the Angelic Realm 11:30 – What Angels Can and Cannot Do 13:30 – Satan’s Rebellion and the Root of Pride 15:00 – Why Angels Cannot Be Redeemed 16:30 – Spiritual Warfare: Stand Firm, Don’t Fight 17:30 – Final Thoughts Key Topics Covered -The difference between heaven, paradise, and the spiritual realms -Whether angels are omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent -Why Satan and other angels chose to rebel -The role of pride in both angelic and human fall -What happens after death before the final resurrection -Biblical descriptions of spiritual powers and authorities -How Christians should approach spiritual warfare -Why angels cannot experience redemption like humans 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.

    19 min
  4. 30 DE ABR.

    Does Ezekiel 33 Teach You Can Lose Salvation?

    Does Ezekiel 33 teach that you can lose your salvation? In this episode, Dr. E walks through a difficult Old Testament passage that often confuses both believers and skeptics. At first glance, it sounds like a righteous person can lose everything by sinning—or that a wicked person can earn their way back through good behavior. But is that really what Scripture is saying? Dr. Easley explains how this passage fits within the broader story of the Bible and why it doesn’t contradict the gospel of grace. You’ll see how both the Old and New Testaments consistently point to one truth: we are not saved by our works, but by God’s mercy alone. If you’ve ever struggled with questions about eternal security, felt like you had to “balance the scales” with God, or wondered how to explain salvation to a non-believer, this episode brings clarity and confidence straight from Scripture. Chapters 00:00 – We’re All Sinners: The Core Truth 00:18 – The Question from Ezekiel 33 00:36 – Why This Passage Feels Confusing 02:01 – What Ezekiel Is (and Isn’t) Saying 03:30 – The Bigger Biblical Picture 04:25 – No One Is Righteous (Romans 3) 05:00 – Saved by Grace, Not Works (Titus 3:5) 06:10 – God’s Purpose, Not Our Performance (2 Timothy 1:9) 07:00 – Can You Lose Salvation? (John 10) 07:40 – The Assurance of Eternal Life (1 John 5:13) 08:30 – Breaking the “Scales” Mentality 09:00 – Final Answer: What Really Saves You Key Topics Covered -Ezekiel 33 explained in context -Can a righteous person lose salvation? -Are we saved by works or grace? -What the Bible says about eternal security -Why “balancing good and bad deeds” is a myth -Old Testament law vs New Testament grace -Assurance of salvation in Christ -How to explain salvation to a non-believer 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.

    12 min
  5. 23 DE ABR.

    How Should Women Biblically Respond to Prejudice?

    Should women vote? A viral video makes bold claims about women, leadership, and politics—but what does the Bible actually say? In this episode, Dr. E responds to a controversial perspective that blurs the lines between cultural opinion and biblical truth. He unpacks commonly misused passages, addresses the role of women in Scripture, and explains why Christians must be careful not to fuse political ideologies with their faith. From Eve and Proverbs 31 to Ephesians 5 and 1 Peter 3, this conversation brings clarity to what the Bible really teaches about men, women, and leadership—while pointing us back to what matters most: Christ’s unchanging authority over a chaotic world. No matter how loud the culture gets, believers are called to think critically, live faithfully, and rest in the sovereignty of Jesus. Chapters 00:00 Viral Video Reaction: “Women Shouldn’t Vote?” 00:56 Initial Response & Cultural Frustration 02:33 Eve, Adam, and Responsibility in the Fall 03:28 Proverbs 31: Wisdom, Not a Checklist 04:20 Strong Women Throughout Scripture 05:31 Ephesians 5: Roles or Responses? 06:32 Marriage, Submission, and Misunderstandings 07:40 Misleading Statistics & Cultural Narratives 08:30 Women, Influence, and Church History 09:40 Biblical Manhood & Womanhood Resources 10:05 1 Timothy 4 and Deception 11:01 Culture vs Scripture: Don’t Confuse the Two 12:09 Faith, Politics, and Discernment 13:36 Christian Nationalism & Cultural Tension 14:00 Jesus Is Still King Key Topics Covered -Can Christians mix politics and biblical truth? -Are women more “emotional” decision-makers? -What does the Bible actually say about women and leadership? -Is Proverbs 31 describing a literal woman or wisdom? -What do Ephesians 5 and 1 Peter 3 really teach about marriage? -How should Christians respond to extreme or misleading cultural claims? -Why discernment—not control—is the Church’s true influence -Resting in Christ’s sovereignty in a chaotic culture Links Mentioned The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth by Wayne Grudem 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.

    16 min
  6. 16 DE ABR.

    Why Aren't Catholics Encouraged to Read Their Bible?

    Why don’t many Catholics read the Bible—and are they actually discouraged from it? In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Dr. Michael Easley answers a thoughtful question from a listener who grew up Catholic and now wonders why Scripture often feels unfamiliar or inaccessible within that tradition. Dr. Easley walks through church history, including the impact of the Council of Trent, and explains how authority over biblical interpretation has traditionally been handled in the Catholic Church. Dr. Easley and Hanna discuss why every believer needs to engage Scripture personally, how the Protestant Reformation reshaped access to the Bible, and why studying God’s Word should happen in three key ways: individually, in community, and with trusted teachers. If you’ve ever wondered: Why don’t Catholics read the Bible as much? Who has the authority to interpret Scripture? Can I understand the Bible on my own? How should Christians study God’s Word today? This episode will help you think biblically and practically about the role of Scripture in your life. 👉 The bottom line: God gave us His Word to be read, understood, and lived. Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:22 Listener Question: Why Don’t Catholics Read the Bible? 01:26 Dr. Easley’s Catholic Background 02:30 The Role of the Mass and Scripture Readings 03:10 The Council of Trent Explained 04:30 Authority and Interpretation of Scripture 05:35 Protestant Reformation and Justification by Faith 06:45 The Priesthood of All Believers 08:00 Personal Story: Being Told Not to Interpret the Bible 09:30 The Role of the Church Today 10:40 How Christians Should Study the Bible 11:30 Final Encouragement: Read Your Bible Key Topics Covered Catholic vs Protestant views of Scripture The Council of Trent and church authority Biblical interpretation and the role of the Church The priesthood of all believers Justification by faith vs works and sacraments How to study the Bible personally and in community Avoiding misinterpretation while growing in faith 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.

    14 min
  7. 9 DE ABR.

    What Does “Woman Is the Glory of Man” Actually Mean?

    What does 1 Corinthians 11:7 mean when it says, “man is the glory of God, but woman is the glory of man”? And how does that fit with Genesis 1:27, where both male and female are created in the image of God? In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Dr. Michael Easley answers a thoughtful question about one of the Bible’s most debated passages on men, women, creation, worship, and God’s design. He explains why this verse is often misunderstood and why Paul’s words are not about inferiority, but about context, order, and reflecting God’s glory. Dr. Easley also unpacks the meaning of the word helper (ezer) in Genesis, why that word is not demeaning, and how passages about submission, leadership, marriage, and worship should be understood carefully and biblically. Chapters 00:00 The question: What does 1 Corinthians 11:7 mean? 01:27 Why context is everything in 1 Corinthians 02:12 Paul’s concern: order, decorum, and worship 03:20 What does “glory” mean in this passage? 03:43 Why “helper” is not a lesser role 05:00 “Image” vs. “glory” explained 05:57 Does a woman reflect her husband’s glory or God’s? 07:06 What does ezer mean in Genesis? 07:45 Is “helper” only about marriage? 08:27 Leadership, submission, and biblical roles 09:33 Why is Adam blamed for sin instead of Eve? 11:30 Why don’t women wear head coverings today? 12:52 Final thoughts and resources Key Topics Covered 1 Corinthians 11 explained Genesis 1:27 and the image of God What it means that woman is the glory of man The biblical meaning of helper / ezer Men and women in God’s design Marriage, leadership, and submission Head coverings in the Bible Why context matters in difficult passages Biblical manhood and womanhood Understanding Paul’s corrective teaching in Corinth 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.

    16 min
  8. 2 DE ABR.

    Is Using The Word ‘Lent’ Against Biblical Teaching?

    Is Lent biblical? Should Christians observe it? And how should believers think about spiritual practices leading up to Easter? In this episode, Dr. E answers a question about Lent, church tradition, Easter preparation, and the finished work of Christ. While many Christians use Lent as a season of reflection before Resurrection Sunday, Dr. Easley explains why the Bible does not command Lent and why believers should be cautious when tradition begins to blur the line between grace and religious performance. Dr. E walks through the history of Lent, its connection to the early church and baptismal preparation, and how it later became associated with penance and ritual. He also addresses an important theological issue: if Jesus fully paid for our sins, what role—if any—should practices like fasting, giving something up, or special seasons of repentance play in the Christian life? Chapters 00:00 Why Lent raises important theological questions 00:19 Today’s listener question: Is using the word Lent unbiblical? 01:06 Is Lent prescribed anywhere in the Bible? 01:09 The historical origin of Lent in the early church 02:00 How Lent became connected to penance and tradition 02:43 The deeper theological concern behind Lent 03:29 Repentance, forgiveness, and the role of the church 04:11 Why penance and purgatory matter in this conversation 04:47 Why many Protestants still observe Lent 05:30 If Christ fully paid for sin, what’s left to do? 06:21 Can intentional Easter preparation still be helpful? 08:18 Ritual, remembrance, and preparing for holy moments 09:28 Why spiritual benchmarks can still be meaningful Key Topics Covered -Is Lent biblical? -What the Bible says about Lent -The history and origin of Lent -Lent in the early church -Lent and Catholic tradition -Penance vs. grace -The sufficiency of Christ’s atonement -Should Protestants observe Lent? -Spiritual disciplines before Easter -How to prepare your heart for Resurrection Sunday -Ritual, remembrance, and the Christian life -Easter traditions for Christian families 🎧 Listen to full episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at michaelincontext.com 👍 Like this video, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. 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.

    13 min
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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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