Ask Dr. E

By Michael EasleyReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Ask Dr. E episodes

April 09What 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 [email protected].
16 min
April 02 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
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If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].
13 min
March 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 [email protected].
19 min
March 19Did 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 [email protected].
13 min
March 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 [email protected].

11 min
March 05 What Happens When Someone Walks Away from Faith?
What happens when someone who once professed faith in Christ later renounces it and calls themselves an atheist?
In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Michael Easley answers one of the most difficult questions Christians face: Can you lose your salvation?
Dr. Easley walks through key passages like Ephesians 1:13, John 3:16, John 10:27–28, and Romans 8 to explain the doctrine of eternal security. He also addresses the theological divide influenced by Jacob Arminius and how different Christian traditions understand perseverance.
If you’re praying for someone who has walked away from the faith, this conversation will ground you in Scripture and give you practical clarity.
Salvation rests on Christ’s finished work — not our fluctuating faithfulness.
Chapters
00:00 – The Question: What If Someone Walks Away?
01:45 – Sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)
03:05 – “No One Can Snatch Them” (John 10)
04:30 – Can You Remove Yourself from God’s Hand?
05:20 – Romans 8 and the Golden Chain of Salvation
06:45 – Apathy, Sin, or Never Truly Saved?
08:00 – What Should We Do for a Prodigal Friend?
09:00 – Pray Boldly and Speak Truth
Key Topics Discussed
-Eternal security vs. losing salvation
-The sealing of the Holy Spirit
-Once saved, always saved — what it really means
-Arminian vs. Reformed perspectives
-The “golden chain” of salvation in Romans 8
-How to respond when someone renounces their faith
-Praying for prodigals
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].
12 min
February 26 Should We Use The Legacy Standard Bible?
What is the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB), and how does it compare to the NASB?

In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Dr. Michael Easley answers a listener’s question about the LSB translation, explaining its connection to the New American Standard Bible and the translation philosophy behind it. He discusses formal equivalency, why certain wording choices were updated, and how readers should think about choosing a Bible translation.

Dr. Easley also reminds listeners that while English speakers have access to dozens of translations, many languages around the world only have one — making the most important step simply reading Scripture consistently.

If you’ve ever wondered which Bible translation to use for study or daily reading, this episode will help you think wisely and practically about the options available.

Chapters
0:00 Intro to Ask Dr. E
0:22 Question about the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)
1:05 Background of the NASB and LSB
2:17 Why reading the Bible’s introduction matters
3:14 Translation changes in the LSB (Yahweh, doulos, etc.)
5:22 The MacArthur Study Bible and translation history
6:27 Formal vs. dynamic equivalency explained
7:20 Choosing a translation for study vs. reading
7:58 Final encouragement to read Scripture consistently

Key Topics Covered
-Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) overview
-NASB translation history
-Formal equivalency vs dynamic equivalency
-Translating Yahweh in the Old Testament
-The meaning of doulos (“slave” vs “bondservant”)
-Choosing a Bible translation for study
-Why consistency in Bible reading matters

Links Mentioned
Abner Chou on inContext
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].
10 min
February 19How Do You Explain The Gospel to Young Children?
How do you explain salvation to a toddler without oversimplifying the gospel — or pressuring them into a decision they don’t understand?
In this episode, Dr. E answers a parenting question about helping young children understand faith, sin, and salvation. He explains why children can grasp concepts like trust, belief, and faith, even before they fully understand theology, and encourages parents to focus on consistent discipleship instead of a single “decision moment.”
Drawing from Deuteronomy 6, the Gospels, and key passages like Ephesians 2:8–9 and Romans 10:9, Dr. Easley shows how everyday conversations and simple gospel explanations can shape a child’s understanding over time.
Parents don’t have to carry the burden of saving their children — God loves them even more than we do. Our role is to teach faithfully, pray consistently, and trust God’s work.
If you’re a parent, grandparent, or ministry leader wondering how to talk about salvation with children, this episode will encourage and equip you.

Chapters
00:00 — Can children understand faith?
00:34 — A parent’s question about explaining salvation
01:41 — Should parents avoid “decision pressure”?
03:32 — Salvation vs. sanctification in a child’s life
03:48 — Why “ask Jesus into your heart” can confuse kids
04:53 — Deuteronomy 6 and everyday discipleship
07:27 — Explaining faith using simple illustrations
08:28 — Jesus’ teaching about childlike faith
10:33 — Teachable moments in parenting
12:06 — Explaining the gospel with four key verses
14:26 — Trusting God with your children’s faith

Key Topics Discussed
Teaching the gospel to toddlers and young children

Faith, trust, and belief in early childhood

Parenting without fear-based salvation decisions

Deuteronomy 6 and family discipleship

Avoiding confusing salvation language with kids

The difference between salvation and sanctification

Using simple gospel illustrations for children

Trusting God with your child’s spiritual growth

Links Mentioned:
Dr. Larry Fowler of The Legacy Coalition on inContext
Board books for toddlers
Tales That Tell The Truth Series
Big Truths About Our Big God Series
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].
18 min
February 12 Why Are People Converting From Evangelical Christianity to Roman Catholicism?
Why don’t Jews still offer animal sacrifices if the Old Testament law still applies? In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Dr. Michael Easley answers a thoughtful listener question by walking through Jewish history, Scripture, and the book of Hebrews.
Dr. Easley explains the differences within modern Judaism, why the sacrificial system requires very specific biblical conditions, and how the destruction of the temple in AD 70 made sacrifices impossible under the law. He also explores the significance of the red heifer, the role of the priesthood, and why the author of Hebrews points to Jesus as the once-for-all sacrifice who fulfilled the entire system.
This episode is a helpful guide for anyone trying to understand Judaism, the Old Testament sacrificial system, and why Christians believe Jesus is fully sufficient—no temple required.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Sacrificial System
00:48 Understanding Jewish Sects and Their Practices
02:24 The Historical Context of Sacrifices
05:24 Modern Implications: The Red Heifer and the Temple Institute
08:03 Theological Reflections on Sacrifices and Christ
Key Topics Covered
-Why Jews no longer offer animal sacrifices
-The destruction of the temple in AD 70
-Orthodox vs. Conservative vs. Reformed Judaism
-The red heifer and ritual purification
-Hebrews 9 and Jesus as the final sacrifice
-Do Christians need a future temple?

Links Mentioned:
Reasoning From The Scriptures with Catholics by Dr. Ron Rhodes
Why Do Protestants Convert? By Chris Castaldo
Chris Castaldo on inContext
10 Most Important Things You Can Say to a Catholic By Dr. Ron Rhodes
If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].
17 min
February 05 Why Do The Jews No Longer Offer Sacrifices?
Why don’t Jews still offer animal sacrifices if the Old Testament law still applies? In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Dr. Michael Easley answers a thoughtful listener question by walking through Jewish history, Scripture, and the book of Hebrews.

Dr. Easley explains the differences within modern Judaism, why the sacrificial system requires very specific biblical conditions, and how the destruction of the temple in AD 70 made sacrifices impossible under the law. He also explores the significance of the red heifer, the role of the priesthood, and why the author of Hebrews points to Jesus as the once-for-all sacrifice who fulfilled the entire system.

This episode is a helpful guide for anyone trying to understand Judaism, the Old Testament sacrificial system, and why Christians believe Jesus is fully sufficient—no temple required.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Sacrificial System
00:48 Understanding Jewish Sects and Their Practices
02:24 The Historical Context of Sacrifices
05:24 Modern Implications: The Red Heifer and the Temple Institute
08:03 Theological Reflections on Sacrifices and Christ

Key Topics Covered
-Why Jews no longer offer animal sacrifices
-The destruction of the temple in AD 70
-Orthodox vs. Conservative vs. Reformed Judaism
-The red heifer and ritual purification
-Hebrews 9 and Jesus as the final sacrifice
-Do Christians need a future temple?

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