Ask Dr. E

Latest Episodes:

Why Do We Call God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit The Trinity? (RERELEASE) May 21, 2026

Show notes

The word “Trinity” never appears in the Bible… so why do Christians believe it?

In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Michael Easley answers a thoughtful question about the Trinity, early church history, and whether Christians should describe God more “mysteriously” rather than as three persons in one God. Dr. Easley explains why the doctrine of the Trinity matters, why common analogies often fail, and how Scripture consistently reveals the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working together as one God.

Using passages like Matthew 3 and 1 Corinthians 12, this conversation explores how the Trinity is taught throughout the Bible even if the specific word itself is not used. Dr. Easley also explains why rejecting the Trinity leads to major theological problems—including modalism and polytheism—and why the doctrine is essential to understanding salvation itself.

If you’ve ever struggled to explain the Trinity, questioned whether it’s biblical, or wanted a clearer understanding of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, this episode will help ground you in Scripture and strengthen your confidence in Christian doctrine.

Key Topics Mentioned

-Why the word “Trinity” is not found in Scripture

-What the Trinity actually means

-Why common Trinity analogies fail

-Modalism explained

-One God in three persons

-Matthew 3 and Jesus’ baptism

-1 Corinthians 12 and the work of the Spirit

-The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in salvation

-Early church debates about the Trinity

-Monotheism and Christian doctrine

-Why the Trinity matters for believers today

Chapters

00:00 — “I Only Do What Pleases the Father”

00:19 — Why Isn’t the Word “Trinity” in the Bible?

01:05 — Why Analogies Like Water and Ice Fall Short

01:43 — A Biblical Definition of the Trinity

02:16 — Understanding the Trinity Diagram

02:48 — 1 Corinthians 12 and the Father, Son, and Spirit

03:36 — Why the Trinity Matters for Salvation

04:01 — Matthew 3 and Jesus’ Baptism

04:38 — The Father Sends the Son and Spirit

05:09 — One God, Not Three Gods

05:44 — A Conversation with a Rabbi About the Trinity

06:16 — God Is One in Essence, Three in Persons

07:10 — Distinct Roles Within the Trinity

07:30 — Jesus and Submission to the Father

08:02 — Explaining the Trinity to Children

08:30 — Final Thoughts on the Trinity

Links Mentioned:

The Moody Handbook of Theology by 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 question@michaelincontext.com.

Why Did God Command Violence in the Old Testament? May 14, 2026

Show notes

What do you do with the hardest passages in the Bible?

In this episode, Dr. E responds to a listener wrestling with one of the biggest objections people have about Christianity: Why did God command the destruction of entire nations in the Old Testament?

Dr. Easley walks through passages in Joshua, Deuteronomy, 1 Samuel, and 2 Kings while explaining the historical, theological, and spiritual context behind God’s judgment against the Canaanites and other nations. This conversation explores God’s sovereignty, justice, mercy, evil, idolatry, and why these passages still feel deeply difficult for believers today.

Rather than avoiding the tension, this episode honestly addresses it—pointing listeners back to the holiness of God and ultimately to Jesus Christ, where justice and mercy meet at the cross.

If you’ve ever struggled with difficult Bible passages or wondered how to answer skeptics who call God cruel or inconsistent, this episode is for you.

Chapters

00:00 – Why These Passages Are So Difficult

01:52 – Understanding God’s Judgment in the Old Testament

05:09 – The Wickedness of the Canaanites

08:02 – Does God Take Pleasure in Judgment?

10:18 – Justice, Mercy, and the Cross of Christ

13:15 – Wrestling With God’s Sovereignty

Key Topics Covered

Why God commanded war in the Old Testament
God’s justice and sovereignty
The wickedness of the Canaanites
Mercy, holiness, and judgment
Difficult Bible passages explained
Spiritual warfare in Scripture
Romans 9 and the sovereignty of God
How the cross fulfills justice and mercy
Answering skeptical objections to Christianity
Wrestling honestly with difficult theology

Links Mentioned:

Is God a Moral Monster? by Paul Copan

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.

How Could Angels Rebel Against God? May 07, 2026

Show notes

What really happened when Satan fell—and how could angels rebel against God in the first place?

In this episode, Dr. E answers a deep theological question about heaven, angels, and the nature of evil. If heaven is perfect and without sin, how could rebellion ever exist?

Dr. Easley explains the difference between the final, sinless heaven and the broader spiritual realms described in Scripture. He also explores what angels are (and aren’t), why their rebellion was rooted in pride, and what that means for believers today.

This episode will help you better understand spiritual warfare, the unseen realm, and why Scripture calls us to stand firm—not fight—against spiritual forces.

Chapters

00:00 – The Question: How Could Angels Rebel?

01:20 – Misunderstanding Heaven vs. Spiritual Realms

03:00 – What Is “Paradise” (Paradiso)?

05:00 – The Intermediate State Explained

07:30 – Awareness, Grief, and Hope in Paradise

09:00 – The Structure of the Angelic Realm

11:30 – What Angels Can and Cannot Do

13:30 – Satan’s Rebellion and the Root of Pride

15:00 – Why Angels Cannot Be Redeemed

16:30 – Spiritual Warfare: Stand Firm, Don’t Fight

17:30 – Final Thoughts

Key Topics Covered

-The difference between heaven, paradise, and the spiritual realms

-Whether angels are omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent

-Why Satan and other angels chose to rebel

-The role of pride in both angelic and human fall

-What happens after death before the final resurrection

-Biblical descriptions of spiritual powers and authorities

-How Christians should approach spiritual warfare

-Why angels cannot experience redemption like humans

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.

Does Ezekiel 33 Teach You Can Lose Salvation? Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

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.

How Should Women Biblically Respond to Prejudice? Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

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.

Why Aren't Catholics Encouraged to Read Their Bible? Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

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.

What Does “Woman Is the Glory of Man” Actually Mean? Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

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.

Is Using The Word ‘Lent’ Against Biblical Teaching? Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

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.

How Can Two Inerrant Scriptures Differ Over a Common Historical Fact? Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

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.

Did Adam and Eve Have Access to the Whole Earth? Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

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: