Ask Dr. E

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].

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].

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].