20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 62)

My Fault if Someone’s Not Saved?: I know God is in control, but since prayer and fasting makes a difference, is it my fault if someone is not saved because I didn’t pray or fast enough for them? I feel responsible when I eat or forget to pray.

Q&A question: My Fault if Someone’s Not Saved?

About the 2 Witnesses / Rapture?: It seems like the 2 witnesses in Zechariah 4 and Revelation 11 are like two peoples instead of individuals, as Romans 11: 17-21 speaks of olive trees/branches being Jews/Gentiles. If so, would the rapture be the "calling up" of them?

Q&A question: About the 2 Witnesses / Rapture?

Does Romans Teach Works for Salvation?: Does Romans 6: 22 preach salvation by works? John Piper claims that this verse suggests that at final salvation, our works coming from sanctification result in eternal life.

Q&A question: Does Romans Teach Works for Salvation?

Does God Grant People Faith? / Calvinism: How would you interpret the end of Matthew 11 in a non-Calvinist way, since it seems at a quick read to me that God grants people faith?

Q&A question: Does God Grant People Faith? / Calvinism

Thinking Biblically about Trends: There is a trend in many young male Christians where they are wearing earrings, painting nails, fixing eyebrows, and putting on makeup. Help me think biblically about this, as it's a bit shocking.

Q&A question: Thinking Biblically about Trends

Advice for being a Godly Man: I just turned 18 today, and for the past few months, I've been struggling with the transition into adulthood. Got any advice for someone trying to become the man God wants them to be?

Q&A question: Advice for being a Godly Man

Does Blindness Cover Sin?: In John 9: 41, Jesus says, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin..." What does it mean to be "blind" in this context? Does this blindness also cover sin?

Q&A question: Does Blindness Cover Sin?

Discerning Extrabiblical Prophecies: When should extrabiblical prophecy be accepted or rejected? I don’t know how to discern or “test the spirits,” and I don’t want to be overly dismissive, even if the claims seem astonishing.

Q&A question: Discerning Extrabiblical Prophecies

Winger affirms husband-wife roles are equal in value but different in role, calling this 'irrefutably taught' in the NT. He rejects the word 'rule' as misleading in modern English but affirms husbands have a higher position of authority.

Q&A question asking why submission is taught as God-ordained in the NT if the husband's rule was a curse of the fall.

Right and Wrong Public Worship/Prayer: In Matthew 6:5, Jesus says not to pray like people in public who try to get attention. Would that include praying and worshiping in church?

Q&A question: Right and Wrong Public Worship/Prayer

Interpreting the Psalms: In Psalm 2: 12, What does the psalmist mean by this verse in its non-messianic context?

Q&A question: Interpreting the Psalms

Judging & Correcting Non-Believers: Are we supposed to judge those outside of the Church, and do we have any right to control/direct what they do (Romans 1: 32; 1 Corinthians 5: 12)?

Q&A question: Judging & Correcting Non-Believers

Theological Differences while Dating: I've just discovered my long-term girlfriend does not believe homosexuality is a sin, and I'm really struggling with anxiety regarding this. Is it wrong to break up over this, and how should I approach this?

Q&A question: Theological Differences while Dating

How Does the HS Guide Us?: I'm a new born-again Christian and I'd like to know, how does the Holy Spirit guide us?

Q&A question: How Does the HS Guide Us?

Resources for Seniors: Are there any good sources for ministering to seniors you can recommend?

Q&A question: Resources for Seniors

Is Sheol/Hades the Same as Hell?: Are the biblical references to Sheol/Hades necessarily Hell? Some Christian traditions have it as the underworld, with Hell only being something after the resurrection.

Q&A question: Is Sheol/Hades the Same as Hell?

Abortion OK - Babies will Go to Heaven?: What would you say to a vicar who says that abortion isn't the biggest issue or problem for God as the babies will end up in Heaven anyway?

Q&A question: Abortion OK - Babies will Go to Heaven?

Did Jesus Come to Abolish the Law?: Why does Paul say in Ephesians 2: 15 “…by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances…” when Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the law in Matthew 5: 17?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Come to Abolish the Law?

Book of Ecclesiastes – Enjoying Life?: When the teacher in Ecclesiastes says to enjoy life, in the context of the book, is it being said like "Enjoy it 'cause it is a gift from God," or "Enjoy your lot since everything is meaningless”?

Q&A question: Book of Ecclesiastes – Enjoying Life?

Could Only God Atone for our Sins?: What role did the divinity of Christ play in His ability to atone for the sins of the world? i.e., could Adam, before the fall, have chosen to die for the sins of all (hypothetically)?

Q&A question: Could Only God Atone for our Sins?