Ask Dr. E

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?

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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?

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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].