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. 5D AGO

    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
  2. APR 23

    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
  3. APR 16

    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
  4. APR 9

    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
  5. APR 2

    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
  6. MAR 26

    How Can Two Inerrant Scriptures Differ Over a Common Historical Fact?

    In this episode, Dr. E answers a challenging question about the timeline of Jesus’ crucifixion. From the “sign of Jonah” to the apparent differences between the Synoptic Gospels and John, Dr. Easley walks through how to understand these passages in their proper historical and cultural context. What about the “three days and three nights”? Did Jesus celebrate Passover before or after His arrest? And if the accounts don’t line up perfectly, can we still trust the Bible? Dr. Easley explains how ancient Jewish idioms, feast practices, and eyewitness perspectives help resolve these tensions. Rather than weakening Scripture, these differences actually strengthen its credibility and reliability. If you’ve ever wrestled with questions about Gospel contradictions, biblical inerrancy, or the accuracy of Jesus’ resurrection timeline, this episode will give you clarity and confidence in God’s Word. Key Topics Covered -The “sign of Jonah” and what Jesus meant by three days and three nights -Why a 72-hour timeline isn’t required for the resurrection -Differences between the Synoptic Gospels and John -The Passover timeline and Jesus’ final meal -Jewish idioms and how they affect biblical interpretation -What biblical inerrancy really means -Why Gospel differences strengthen, not weaken, credibility -How oral tradition preserved the accounts of Jesus Chapters 00:00 What About Gospel Contradictions? 01:05 The “Sign of Jonah” Explained 02:30 Do Three Days Mean 72 Hours? 04:00 Understanding Jewish Time Language 05:40 The Passover Timeline Problem 07:00 Synoptic Gospels vs. John 08:30 Did Jesus Eat the Passover Meal? 10:00 Why the Accounts Differ 11:30 What Is Biblical Inerrancy? 13:00 Do Differences Undermine Scripture? 14:30 Why the Bible Is Still Reliable 16:00 Final Thoughts & Encouragement Links Mentioned: The Diary of a CEO 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.

    19 min
  7. MAR 19

    Did Adam and Eve Have Access to the Whole Earth?

    Did the Garden of Eden have boundaries? Was it a small, defined location—or did Adam and Eve have access to the whole earth? In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Dr. Michael Easley walks through Genesis 2 to explore what Scripture actually says about Eden, its rivers, its geography, and what changed after the fall. Becky and her husband are debating whether the Garden was a specific locale with borders or part of a fully accessible world. Dr. Easley explains what we can know, what we can reasonably infer, and where we must admit Scripture is silent. He also discusses the pre-flood world, the naming of the Tigris and Euphrates, the curse on the ground, and whether Adam and Eve may have been in the Garden for a surprisingly short time. Curiosity is good. Speculation is tempting. But God has given us exactly what we need. If you’ve ever wondered where Eden was—or how long Adam and Eve were there—this episode is for you. Chapters 00:00 The Question About Eden 01:40 What Genesis 2 Actually Says 03:30 The Pre-Flood World Explained 06:45 Did the Garden Have Boundaries? 08:30 How Long Were They in Eden? 10:15 What We Really Need to Know Key Topics Discussed: Genesis 2 and the rivers of Eden Pre-flood geography and the reshaping of the earth The curse on the serpent and the ground The possibility of a localized Garden How quickly the fall may have happened Why Scripture leaves some details unexplained Links Mentioned Answers in Genesis  Answers in Genesis for kids The Answers Books For Kids by Ken Ham, Bodie Hodge, Cindy Malott 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
  8. MAR 12

    How Do We Rectify That God Wants All Saved but Most Will Not Be?

    In this episode, Dr. E answers a question about universalism, free will, and predestination. Scripture says God desires all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4). But Jesus also says many take the wide path to destruction. So how do we reconcile those truths? Does God’s will fail? Are we given the option to accept or reject salvation? If God is omnipotent, why doesn’t He save everyone? Does He desire salvation for all but prioritize something else — like justice or glory? Dr. Easley explains the difference between God’s sovereign will and the universal call to salvation. He walks through key passages like Ephesians 1, John 6, and Romans 9 and addresses the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Rather than forcing a philosophical solution, Dr. Easley encourages believers to hold both biblical truths faithfully. From our limited perspective, we see tension. From God’s eternal perspective, His will is perfect. If you’ve wrestled with election, predestination, Calvinism, Arminianism, or the question “Why aren’t all saved?” — this episode is for you. Chapters 00:00 – The Question: If God Wants All Saved, Why Aren’t All Saved? 01:30 – What Does “Rectify” Mean? 02:00 – Election in Ephesians 1 03:00 – God Desires All to Repent (2 Peter 3; 1 Timothy 2) 04:00 – The Will of the Father (John 6:40) 05:00 – Sovereignty, Free Will, and Tension 06:00 – Romans 9 and the Character of God 08:00 – Why This Doctrine Applies to Believers Key Topics Discussed -Election and predestination in Scripture (Ephesians 1:4–5) -God’s desire that all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4) -Why most will not be saved (the wide vs. narrow path) -The difference between universal salvation and the universal call to salvation -God’s sovereign will vs. human responsibility -The meaning of “antinomy” — holding two true tensions in Scripture -John 6:40 and the will of the Father -Romans 9 and careful interpretation of hard passages -Unlimited atonement vs. limited atonement -Why election applies to believers, not unbelievers -The character of God — not capricious, but holy, just, and merciful -Why some theological tensions cannot be fully resolved from a human perspective 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
4.8
out of 5
72 Ratings

About

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.

You Might Also Like