Ask Dr. E

Is the Trinity actually taught in the Bible?

In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Michael Easley answers a question about whether God could simply be one being who appears in different forms throughout Scripture. Dr. E identifies this view as modalism and explains why it fails to account for the distinct nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Rather than beginning with theological labels, Dr. E walks through Scripture and examines what the Bible reveals about God.

Key Topics Covered

-Modalism and why it is problematic

-The distinction between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

-Whether the Trinity contradicts monotheism

-Isaiah 48 and Isaiah 61

-Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3

-The Father, Son, and Spirit in salvation

-The Holy Spirit’s role in the believer

-1 Corinthians 12 and the Trinity

-Why Scripture—not our assumptions—must remain our authority

Chapters

00:00 — The problem with denying the distinction

01:31 — What is modalism?

02:23 — Father, Son, and Spirit are distinct

03:49 — Biblical evidence for the Trinity

05:14 — Jesus’ baptism and the Trinity

06:14 — Who is Jesus praying to?

06:47 — Finding the Trinity throughout Scripture

08:45 — Let Scripture be the authority

If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Are we made up of body, soul, and spirit—or simply body and soul?

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 [email protected].

Can a church trace its authority all the way back to the apostles? And does that determine whether it's the "true church"?

In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Dr. Michael Easley answers a thoughtful question about apostolic succession and whether the Bible teaches that church authority is passed through an unbroken line of leaders. Along the way, he explains Matthew 16, Peter's role in the early church, the qualifications of apostles and elders, and why Scripture must remain the Christian's ultimate authority.

If you've ever wondered about Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism, or what makes a church biblically faithful, this episode provides a gracious, Scripture-centered perspective.

Chapters
00:00 — The question: What is apostolic succession?
01:30 — Peter, Matthew 16, and the foundation of the church
05:10 — Do the apostles establish a line of successors?
06:45 — The biblical qualifications of an apostle
08:15 — Elders, overseers, and church leadership
10:35 — Why churches must teach biblical ecclesiology
14:00 — Tradition, beauty, and the appeal of historic churches
17:20 — Scripture's sufficiency over church tradition
19:30 — Final encouragement

Key Topics Covered
• Apostolic succession explained
• Matthew 16 and Peter
• Biblical church leadership
• Elders vs. apostles
• The sufficiency of Scripture
• Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant perspectives
• Salvation and the universal church

If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Why do sincere Christians who love God's Word arrive at different theological conclusions?

In this episode, Dr. E answers a listener's question about denominational differences, Protestantism, Catholicism, and why faithful believers disagree on issues like baptism, Calvinism, spiritual gifts, and church authority.

Drawing from Scripture and church history, Dr. Easley explains the difference between essential doctrines and secondary issues, why church hierarchy cannot eliminate human sin, and how believers can hold firm convictions while maintaining biblical unity. Most importantly, he reminds us that Jesus never commanded us to build impressive institutions—He commanded us to make disciples while He builds His Church.

Whether you've struggled with church differences or simply want to better understand Christian unity, this episode offers practical wisdom rooted in Scripture.

Key Topics Covered

Chapters

0:00 Why do faithful Christians disagree?

2:37 "In essentials, unity" explained

5:50 Liberty, love, and Christian maturity

7:20 MacArthur, Sproul, and charitable disagreement

8:15 What are the essential doctrines?

9:45 Catholic authority and doctrinal consistency

14:05 The universal Church vs. the local church

16:47 When should Christians draw doctrinal lines?

17:45 Jesus' command: Make disciples

22:34 What perfect unity will look like in eternity

Links Mentioned:

Article by Mark Ross on Church unity

The Nicene Creed by Phillip Cary

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 [email protected].

How could Jesus be fully God and fully man while living among sinful people?

It's one of Christianity's most important doctrines—and one of the most misunderstood.

In this episode, Dr. E answers a listener's question about the incarnation and explains why Jesus' divine and human nature was essential for our salvation. Drawing from passages like 2 Corinthians 5, 1 Peter 2–3, Colossians 2, Galatians 4, and John 1, Dr. Easley shows that Christ's perfect humanity, complete deity, and sinless life uniquely qualified Him to redeem sinful humanity.

Along the way, he discusses why Jesus could interact with sinners without becoming defiled, why theology matters in everyday Christian life, and practical resources for studying biblical doctrine more deeply.

If you've ever struggled to explain who Jesus is—or why the incarnation matters—this episode provides a clear, biblical foundation.

Key Topics Covered

-Why Jesus had to be fully God and fully man

-How Christ lived among sinners without sin

-The purpose of the incarnation

-What happened on the cross

-Why Jesus' righteousness matters for our salvation

-Biblical passages that explain Christ's two natures

-Recommended resources for studying theology

Chapters

0:00 How could Jesus be fully God and fully man?

1:15 Why understanding theology matters

2:00 Christ bore our sin without becoming sinful

3:15 Why Jesus had to become human

4:20 John Stott's powerful explanation of the incarnation

5:25 Jesus touched sinners without being defiled

6:20 What happened spiritually at the cross

8:20 Recommended passages to study

9:45 Helpful theology resources for deeper study

Links Mentioned:

Logos Bible Software

Bible.org

The Moody Handbook of Theology by Dr. Pauls 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 [email protected].

Should Christians read the Book of Enoch? What is pseudepigrapha, and why wasn't Enoch included in the Bible?

In this episode, Dr. E answers a listener's question about the Book of Enoch and explains how Christians should think about extra-biblical literature. He distinguishes the Book of Enoch from the Apocrypha, discusses other early writings like the Didache and the Shepherd of Hermas, and explains why the biblical canon remains the Christian's final authority.

While books like Enoch can offer historical or literary value, Dr. Easley encourages believers to spend far more time in Scripture than pursuing speculative theories or biblical mysteries. God's Word provides everything necessary for knowing Him and living a faithful life.

Whether you've heard conversations about the Nephilim, giants, or ancient manuscripts, this episode offers a balanced, biblical perspective rooted in the sufficiency of Scripture.

Chapters

00:00 – Should Christians Read the Book of Enoch?

01:22 – What Is Pseudepigrapha?

02:03 – Enoch vs. the Apocrypha

02:30 – Why People Are Fascinated by Enoch

03:17 – How the Biblical Canon Was Recognized

03:46 – Paul's Warning About False Letters

05:25 – The Didache & Shepherd of Hermas

06:56 – Historical Writings vs. Inspired Scripture

08:10 – Why Scripture Is Sufficient

09:14 – Submit Your Question

Key Topics Covered

* The Book of Enoch explained

* What is pseudepigrapha?

* Enoch vs. the Apocrypha

* Why Enoch is not in the Bible

* How the biblical canon was recognized

* Paul's authentication of his letters

* The Didache and Shepherd of Hermas

* Extra-biblical literature

* The Nephilim and biblical speculation

* The sufficiency of Scripture

If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Can someone genuinely be saved without showing lasting spiritual fruit?

In this episode, Dr. E tackles one of the most debated questions in Christian theology: What is the relationship between salvation, fruit, and sanctification? If salvation is by grace through faith alone, what role do good works play? And should Christians expect evidence of transformation in every believer's life?

Dr. Easley explains the biblical distinction between justification, sanctification, and spiritual fruit, while cautioning against becoming "fruit inspectors" who attempt to determine another person's salvation based solely on outward behavior. Through passages like Ephesians 2, Romans 6, 1 Thessalonians 4, John 15, and Matthew 7, he offers practical wisdom for balancing grace, holiness, discipleship, and biblical discernment.

Whether you've questioned your own salvation, struggled with legalism, or wondered how to lovingly respond to a believer living in sin, this conversation provides biblical clarity and encouragement.

Key Topics Covered

What salvation, fruit, and sanctification each mean

Are Christians saved by faith alone or faith plus works?

Can a genuine believer show little or no spiritual fruit?

What Ephesians 2:8–10 teaches about good works

Why Christians shouldn't become "fruit inspectors"

How to lovingly confront a believer living in sin

The difference between judging fruit and exercising biblical discernment

The role of discipleship in spiritual transformation

Legalism, liberty, and the weaker/stronger brother

Why only God ultimately knows the human heart

Chapters

00:00 – Should Christians Follow Paul's Example?

00:22 – The Question: Salvation, Fruit & Sanctification

01:00 – Defining Salvation, Fruit & Sanctification

01:49 – Ephesians 2:8–10 Explained

03:30 – Can a Christian Be Fruitless?

05:05 – What Is Sanctification?

07:10 – Can Someone Live in Ongoing Sin and Be Saved?

10:58 – What Does the Bible Mean by "Fruit"?

12:02 – Can We Know if Someone Is Truly Saved?

15:22 – Following Christ Instead of Legalism

17:15 – God's Word, God's Spirit & God's People

18:20 – Why Discipleship Matters More Than Judgment

21:10 – Final Encouragement: Pursue Relationship, Not Fruit Inspection

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 [email protected].

Is it sinful for Christians to choose not to have children?
In this episode, Dr. E tackles a question many Christian couples quietly wrestle with: Does God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" apply to every believer today?
Together they explore what Genesis teaches about God's design for marriage and family, how the New Testament shapes our understanding of singleness and parenting, and whether choosing not to have children is a matter of sin, wisdom, calling, or personal conviction.
Dr. Easley also shares why children are one of God's most powerful tools for sanctification, how parenting reveals our need for grace, and why many Christians trust God with eternity while struggling to trust Him with everyday life.
Whether you're considering having children, navigating infertility, wrestling with family challenges, or simply seeking a biblical perspective on marriage and parenting, this conversation offers wisdom, encouragement, and practical insight.
Key Topics Covered
-Is it sinful for Christians to choose not to have children?
-What "be fruitful and multiply" means today
-God's design for marriage and family
-The blessing and challenge of parenthood
-Infertility, adoption, and foster care
-The gift of singleness in Scripture
-How children shape our spiritual growth
-Trusting God with your future and your family
-Parenting as a tool for sanctification
-Christian freedom and wise decision-making
Chapters
00:00 Why We Trust God With Eternity But Not Everyday Life
00:28 Is It Sinful for Christians Not to Have Children?
01:19 God's Design for Marriage and Family
02:12 Are Children a Blessing or a Requirement?
02:52 Does "Be Fruitful and Multiply" Apply Today?
03:13 What the Apostle Paul Says About Singleness
04:12 Why Dr. Easley Would Ask "Why?"
05:00 Sin, Wisdom, and Life Choices
05:31 How Children Sanctify Parents
06:07 Looking Back on the Blessing of Family
07:20 God's Design for Most Marriages
08:03 What Parenting Teaches Us About God's Love
09:13 Command or Principle? Interpreting Genesis
09:58 When Family History Makes Parenting Hard
10:44 Can Children Help Heal Family Relationships?
12:26 Trusting God With Your Children's Future
13:36 Why Trust Grows With Time
14:00 Final Thoughts on Choosing Not to Have Children

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 [email protected].

Are modern-day Jews still God's chosen people if they don't believe Jesus is the Messiah?

In this episode, Dr. E tackles one of the most common—and often misunderstood—questions in Christian theology. Looking carefully at Romans 9–11 and the Abrahamic covenant, he explains how God's covenant promises to Israel relate to salvation through Jesus Christ.

Dr. Easley discusses the biblical origins of the terms Hebrew, Israel, and Jew, the difference between ethnic identity and saving faith, and why Christians can affirm both God's ongoing faithfulness to Israel and the necessity of trusting Christ for salvation.

Whether you've wondered about replacement theology, the modern nation of Israel, or how to understand God's promises in Scripture, this episode offers a thoughtful, biblically grounded perspective.

Chapters

00:00 Can Israel still be God's chosen people?

00:44 The listener's question

01:07 Hebrew, Israel, and Jew: What's the difference?

03:28 Romans 9 and God's covenant promises

05:12 The modern nation of Israel and 1948

06:46 Chosen people vs. personal salvation

07:50 Why rejecting Jesus matters

09:24 Jewish identity, faith, and culture

11:12 Pray for the peace of Israel

Key Topics

-Are the Jewish people still God's chosen people?

-Romans 9–11 explained

-God's covenant with Abraham

-Salvation through Jesus Christ alone

-Replacement theology

-Modern Israel and biblical prophecy

-Hebrew vs. Israel vs. Jew

-God's faithfulness to His promises

-The Messiah in Scripture

-Praying for the peace of Israel

Links Mentioned:

Dr. Michael Rydelnik on inContext

How Should Christians Think About Israel by Dr. Michael Rydelnik

If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].