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Are Catholics Christians? Dr. Michael Easley draws on his Catholic background and the teaching of Scripture to address this important question. Rather than focusing on denominational labels, he challenges us to examine what we believe about salvation and who we trust to save us. In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Dr. Easley explains the difference between trusting Christ alone and trusting in Christ plus our own works. He unpacks Ephesians 2:8–10, shares a personal story about his mother’s understanding of salvation, and discusses why spiritual growth and biblical teaching matter. The conversation also examines the responsibility of churches to disciple believers, teach sound theology, and help people understand not only what they believe, but why. Chapters 00:00 – Are Catholics Christians?02:08 – Does Church Membership Make You a Christian?02:50 – Grace, Faith, and the Five Solas03:20 – Works, Christ Plus Works, or Christ Alone?04:32 – A Personal Story About Salvation05:00 – What the Catholic Church Teaches About Works06:08 – How Do You Define Salvation?06:50 – Good Works and the Christian Life07:30 – Why Spiritual Growth Matters08:10 – What Happens When We Begin Studying Scripture?09:30 – Religious Works Versus Genuine Faith10:45 – Can Catholics Trust Christ Alone?11:45 – Why Biblical Teaching and Discipleship Matter14:55 – The Importance of Theological Education16:35 – The Future of the Church and the Next Generation17:25 – The Hope of the Church Key topics covered Are Catholics Christians? Salvation by grace through faith Christ alone versus Christ plus works Ephesians 2:8–10 and the role of good works Catholicism and the Protestant Reformation Spiritual growth and biblical literacy The importance of discipleship and theological education Why church attendance alone does not establish saving 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 [email protected].

What did Jesus mean when He said, “Do this in remembrance of me”? In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Michael Easley explains the biblical meaning of remembrance and why understanding Passover helps us understand the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper points us back to Christ’s sacrifice, the new covenant, and the redemption He accomplished through His death. Dr. E also explains Paul’s statement that whenever believers eat the bread and drink the cup, they proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. This conversation will help you see Communion not simply as a church ritual, but as a powerful biblical memorial designed to help us remember Christ and what He has done. Topics Covered: - What Jesus meant by “Do this in remembrance of me” - The connection between Passover and the Lord’s Supper - The meaning of the bread and cup - The four major views of Communion - Christ’s death and the new covenant - Why Scripture repeatedly commands us to remember - Proclaiming Christ’s death until He comes Chapters: 00:00 — What does “remember me” mean? 00:17 — Chad’s question about the Lord’s Supper 00:51 — Luke 22 and Jesus’ command 01:15 — Four views of the Lord’s Supper 02:39 — Why remembrance matters 03:00 — The Passover connection 05:06 — Paul’s account of the Lord’s Supper 06:00 — “Proclaim the Lord’s death” 06:18 — Why we need memorials 07:44 — What should we remember? 08:54 — Remembering Christ and His sacrifice 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].

If God is sovereign over our lives, how much responsibility do we have for our health and daily choices? In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Michael Easley tackles the tension between God’s sovereignty, personal responsibility, health, longevity, and Christian liberty. The conversation explores what happens when taking care of ourselves becomes an obsession—and what happens when “God is in control” becomes an excuse for careless living. Dr. E explains why the goal isn't simply “balance.” Instead, he points believers toward maturity: knowing we have freedom without feeling obligated to exercise every freedom, caring for our bodies without making health an idol, and considering how our choices affect others. He also explores the biblical distinction between legalism, license, and liberty, drawing from Ecclesiastes and 1 Corinthians. Key Topics Covered: • God’s sovereignty and personal responsibility • Health, exercise, and longevity • Legalism vs. license vs. liberty • Christian maturity • Stewardship of the body • Conscience and Christian freedom • Causing another believer to stumble • Enjoying God’s gifts with moderation Chapters: 00:00 — God’s Sovereignty and Personal Responsibility 01:28 — Why “Balance” May Not Be the Right Word 02:32 — Health, Longevity, and Quality of Life 03:54 — Enjoying the Gifts God Gives Us 06:13 — Stewarding the Body 06:52 — Legalism, License, and Liberty 08:39 — Christian Maturity and Conscience 10:58 — Bearing With the Weak 12:10 — “I Have the Right, But I Don’t Have to” 13:02 — Liberty and Stewardship 14:31 — When Healthy Habits Go Too Far 16:52 — Moderation and Enjoying Life 17:16 — Trusting God Without Living Haphazardly 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 would Ezekiel describe animal sacrifices during the millennial reign if Jesus already offered the once-for-all sacrifice for sin? In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Michael Easley tackles a difficult question about Ezekiel 40–48 and the prophetic temple. What purpose could sacrifices possibly serve after Christ has completed His work? Dr. E explores the relationship between Ezekiel’s temple, Old Testament sacrifices, Christ’s finished work, ceremonial purification, and the millennial kingdom. He also discusses how dispensational and Reformed approaches can differ when interpreting prophetic passages. Drawing from Jerry Hullinger’s work on Ezekiel’s temple, Dr. E considers whether these sacrifices could serve a ceremonial or purgation function rather than providing eternal salvation. The conversation also explores why Ezekiel’s specific language matters, what Hebrews 10 teaches about Christ’s sacrifice, the role of the Levitical priesthood, and how God’s glory relates to the future temple. Key Topics -Ezekiel 40–48 -The millennial temple -Animal sacrifices after Christ -Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice -Hebrews 10 -Ceremonial purification -Dispensationalism and Reformed theology -The Levitical priesthood -Yahweh’s glory -Biblical prophecy Chapters 00:00 — The question: Why sacrifices after Christ? 01:16 — Why Ezekiel 40–48 is difficult 02:30 — The millennial kingdom and prophetic interpretation 03:32 — Jerry Hullinger’s work on Ezekiel 04:00 — Christ’s sacrifice once for all 05:00 — Memorial sacrifices or something more? 06:07 — Ceremonial cleanliness and temple purification 08:32 — Why Dr. E finds the purgation view compelling 09:21 — Does Ezekiel’s language determine the meaning? 09:44 — How word usage helps interpret Scripture 10:30 — Hebrews 10 and the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice 11:29 — The purpose of sacrifices in the millennial temple 12:05 — Ezekiel’s detailed temple description 14:31 — Dispensationalism and prophetic literature 15:03 — Oral tradition and what ancient believers knew 16:27 — Final thoughts Links Mentioned: Hullinger, Jerry M. 1995. “The Problem of Animal Sacrifices in Ezekiel 40–48.” Bibliotheca Sacra 152. The Longevity Project: Surprising Discoveries for Health and Long Life from the Landmark Eight-Decade Study by Howard S. Friedman and Leslie R. MartinRon Rhodes "Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses" If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Does God command every Christian couple to have children? What happens when infertility makes biological children impossible? Is adoption the biblical answer? And where does IVF fit into a Christian understanding of family, faith, and God’s sovereignty?In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Michael Easley works through a listener’s difficult questions about infertility, adoption, IVF, embryos, surrogacy, and whether Christians are obligated to pursue having children.Dr. E explains why the command to “multiply and fill the earth” should be understood in its biblical context rather than automatically applied as a universal requirement for every Christian couple. He also discusses how infertility fits within a fallen world, why adoption should not be treated as an automatic obligation, and why IVF presents ethical questions Christians should carefully consider.The conversation ultimately points couples toward grace, wisdom, stewardship, prayer, and good counsel rather than simplistic formulas.Key topics covered:-Is having children a command for Christians?-Biblical context of Genesis 1-Infertility and God’s sovereignty-Adoption and infertility-IVF and Christian ethics-Embryos and “snowflake babies”-Donor conception-Surrogacy-Wise counsel for couples facing infertility-Family, stewardship, and graceChapters:00:00 – Is having children a command?01:28 – The Genesis command to multiply02:23 – God’s sovereignty and infertility03:37 – Infertility in Scripture04:45 – IVF and ethical questions06:33 – Donor conception and unintended consequences08:29 – Adoption, IVF, and wise counsel09:40 – When infertility leads to adoption10:00 – Biological children aren’t guaranteed either11:15 – Family size and stewardship11:52 – Family as a gift from God12:16 – Further resources on IVF ethicsLinks Mentioned:Jim Denison IVF Article: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/denisonforum/2024/06/in-vitro-fertilization-southern-baptists-and-moral-relativism/If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Does it mean receiving more of the Spirit, or does Scripture mean something deeper? In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Dr. Michael Easley explains what Scripture teaches about the Holy Spirit and His work in the life of a believer. Starting with Ephesians 5:18, Dr. E explains that being filled with the Spirit means being controlled by the Spirit. He then gives a memorable framework for understanding five aspects of the Spirit’s work: baptizing, indwelling, sealing, gifting, and filling. The conversation also explores the fruit of the Spirit, what it means to quench or stifle the Spirit, the unforgivable sin, the Trinity, spiritual gifts, and why salvation depends upon the work of the Triune God. Chapters: 00:00 — Ask Dr. E: Understanding the Holy Spirit 01:03 — Why We Need a Biblical Framework 01:46 — What Does “Filled With the Spirit” Mean? 02:30 — The Holy Spirit Indwells the Believer 03:21 — The Fruit of the Spirit vs. the Flesh 04:40 — “B Figs”: Five Aspects of the Spirit’s Work 05:40 — The Spirit Seals the Believer 06:44 — What Does It Mean to Quench the Spirit? 07:30 — Understanding Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit 08:50 — The Trinity and Salvation 10:18 — Why the Trinity Is Difficult to Explain 10:57 — Spiritual Gifts and the Trinity 11:46 — A Trinitarian Insight from 1 Corinthians 12 11:55 — Submit Your Question to Dr. E Key Topics Covered: • Being filled with the Holy Spirit • The indwelling of the Holy Spirit • The sealing of the believer • Spiritual gifts • The fruit of the Spirit • Quenching or stifling the Spirit • Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit • The Trinity • Salvation and the Triune God • 1 Corinthians 12 and spiritual gifts Links Mentioned: The Moody Handbook of Theology by Dr. 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 [email protected].

What should you say when someone you love is considering Catholicism? In this episode, Dr. E responds to a listener whose young friend is seriously considering the Catholic Church and has carefully researched answers to common Protestant objections. Dr. Easley explains why Christian apologetics must begin with relationship and then points to two foundational biblical truths: Jesus Christ is the one mediator between God and humanity, and His sacrifice is completely sufficient. He also discusses why people can be drawn to Catholicism, the importance of examining what a church actually teaches, and the responsibility evangelical churches have to teach theology and Scripture deeply. The goal isn't simply to win an argument. Christians are called to love people, speak truth with kindness, know Scripture, and continually point people back to Christ. Key Topics Covered -How to talk with someone considering Catholicism -Relational apologetics -Jesus as the one mediator -The sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice -Hebrews 10 and Christ's once-for-all sacrifice -Scripture and church authority -Why people may be attracted to Catholicism -The need for deeper theological teaching in evangelical churches -How Christians can respond with both truth and love Chapters 00:00 Read the Council of Trent 01:10 A friend considering Catholicism 01:56 How do you respond? 02:02 Apologetics and relational capital 03:23 Two key biblical truths 03:38 One mediator: Jesus Christ 04:00 The sufficiency of Christ 05:44 Why people are attracted to Catholicism 06:30 The need for theological teaching 07:29 Dr. Easley’s own journey 08:48 The danger of confusing theology 09:23 Purgatory, indulgences, and justification 11:47 Examining church history and doctrine 12:03 Pray for your friend Links Mentioned: Dr. Chris Castaldo on inContext Why Protestants Convert by Dr. Chris Castaldo If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

Was David an illegitimate son of Jesse? In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Michael Easley explores a fascinating interpretation of David’s family history and the clues found throughout the Old Testament. Psalm 51:5 says, “In sin my mother conceived me.” Could David’s words simply describe humanity’s sinful condition, or could they point to something unusual about his own birth? Dr. E examines David’s absence when Samuel visits Jesse, the tension between David and his brothers, Psalm 51, and the broader pattern of God choosing unexpected people throughout the biblical story. The discussion also connects David’s story with Ruth and Rahab and ultimately points toward the messianic lineage of Jesus Christ. Key Topics Covered -Was David an illegitimate son of Jesse? -The meaning of Psalm 51:5 -Why David was absent when Samuel visited Jesse -David’s relationship with his brothers -Ruth, Rahab, and the messianic lineage -Why God chooses people differently than man does -David as a man after God’s own heart -The importance of repentance Chapters 00:00 Was David possibly illegitimate? 00:57 The question about David’s family history 01:45 Why was David absent from Jesse’s sons? 02:42 David’s conflict with his brothers 03:09 What does Psalm 51:5 mean? 03:42 Ruth and the unexpected messianic lineage 04:35 What “firstborn” means in Scripture 05:52 Could David have been born outside marriage? 06:42 Psalm 51 and David’s mother 07:24 David’s failures and repentance 08:05 Final thoughts on David’s possible illegitimacy If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

What does it mean to “sin against wisdom”? In Proverbs 8:35–36, Solomon says that whoever finds wisdom finds life, but whoever sins against wisdom injures himself. Dr. E explains what that means and why biblical wisdom is something we cannot afford to miss. The conversation also takes a closer look at Proverbs 31. Rather than presenting an impossible standard for women, Proverbs 31 gives us a picture of what a life shaped by wisdom looks like. And what does wisdom ultimately teach us about the future? We can smile at the future because we know who is in control. In This Episode: -What it means to “sin against wisdom” -The Hebrew meaning behind “sin” or “miss the mark” -Why Proverbs presents two ways of living -How Proverbs 31 personifies wisdom -What Proverbs 31 really teaches about a wise woman -How wisdom shapes work, marriage, family, and speech -Why wisdom allows us to face the future with confidence Chapters: 00:00 — Why We Can Smile at the Future 00:38 — Can You Sin Against Wisdom? 00:57 — Proverbs 8: Finding Wisdom and Finding Life 01:30 — What “Sin” Means: Missing the Mark 02:32 — When We Miss Wisdom, We Hurt Ourselves 03:19 — What Proverbs 31 Really Means 04:13 — Wisdom Is More Than a Checklist 05:16 — What Happens When We Pursue Wisdom 05:36 — Smiling at the Future 06:06 — Don’t Miss Wisdom 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 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, Dr. E explores one of the longstanding questions in Christian theology: the nature of man. Dr. Easley examines biblical passages that seem to support both a tripartite view and a bipartite view of humanity. He discusses 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 4:12, Genesis 2:7, and Matthew 10:28, while explaining how the biblical words for “soul” and “spirit” can overlap. He also considers what happens when we leave this earthly body and look toward the resurrection and eternal life. Ultimately, Dr. Easley explains why he is comfortable with either position and why this distinction is more an issue of theological anthropology than essential Christian doctrine. Topics Covered: -Body, soul, and spirit -Body and soul -Trichotomy vs. dichotomy -The meaning of “soul” and “spirit” -The resurrection body -What happens after death Chapters: 00:00 — Are we body, soul, and spirit? 00:53 — Trichotomy vs. dichotomy 01:29 — Biblical arguments for three parts 02:30 — Genesis 2:7 and the creation of man 03:15 — Soul and spirit in the New Testament 04:00 — What happens after death? 05:02 — Does the distinction matter? 06:20 — Body, soul, and spirit in eternity 07:09 — Why Scripture gives arguments for both views 08:08 — Final thoughts If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at [email protected].

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. Chapters00:00 — The question: What is apostolic succession?01:30 — Peter, Matthew 16, and the foundation of the church05:10 — Do the apostles establish a line of successors?06:45 — The biblical qualifications of an apostle08:15 — Elders, overseers, and church leadership10:35 — Why churches must teach biblical ecclesiology14:00 — Tradition, beauty, and the appeal of historic churches17:20 — Scripture's sufficiency over church tradition19:30 — 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 Why Christians disagree on doctrine Essentials vs. non-essential beliefs Protestant and Catholic views of authority Unity without compromising truth Church history and theological diversity Why disciple-making is the Church's primary mission Loving believers who hold different convictions 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].