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Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

Using frequency of tongues-speaking as a spiritual credential is spiritually abusive; Mike refuses to disclose personal charismatic experiences in that context.

Spiritual abuse in hyper-charismatic circles around tongues-speaking

1 Corinthians 12 tongues charismatic theology gifts of the Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

The flood narrative: "destroy all flesh" is a sweeping statement not meant to be woodenly literal - fish dying would be an example of over-literalism.

Question about fish surviving the flood if God said he would destroy all flesh

Genesis flood Genesis 6-9 hermeneutics Genesis flood Genesis 6-9
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach's claim that the NT contains anti-Semitic propaganda and forged passages is theologically foolish — it substitutes his personal agenda for textual criticism and makes him the effective authority over Scripture.

Q: What do you think of Shmuley Boteach's claim that the NT has anti-Semitic propaganda Christians should reject as forgeries?

Romans 9-11 Shmuley Boteach Anti-Semitism and the New Testament Romans 9-11
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

Angels could fall but redeemed humans in eternity will not — Scripture promises 'with him forever'; the mechanisms likely include: prior choice already made, maximum Holy Spirit indwelling, perfected environment, and crucially the removal of the sin nature.

Q: If angels were not 100% safe in heaven because they could be seduced by Satan, how can we be certain we will be safe in eternity with God?

1 Corinthians 15:53 — Incorruption Eschatology Eternal Security in Heaven Fallen Angels / Satan
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

Church fathers have historical value — especially the earliest second-century writers — but should not be granted extra theological authority; they are windows into early church history, not infallible teachers.

Q: How much utility should we find in the church fathers? Should we view them with extra credibility?

Justin Martyr Polycarp Church Fathers
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Hebrews 11:4: Abel's sacrifice was better because it was offered by faith

Resolving the Cain/Abel question using Hebrews 11

Hebrews 11:4 faith worship sacrifice
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Galatians 6: distinction between living in sin vs. occasional sin

Continuing Q5 on Christian sin frequency

Galatians 6:1 sin habitual sin humility
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Gift of singleness: a choice, not only a sovereign assignment

Continuing Q9 on singleness

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7 singleness free will
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Q10: Dangers of treating positivity/negativity as moral categories — New Age/New Thought origins

Response to question about "happy church" culture where positivity = moral good

Philippians 4:8 Brian Simmons prosperity gospel Philippians 4:8
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Eschatology as the field most prone to overconfident errors; lessons from misapplied messianic expectation

Continuing Q12 on fear of theological error

Matthew 24 hermeneutics eschatology second coming
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Q14: "Don't lean on your own understanding" (Prov 3:5) — using understanding vs. leaning on it

Response to question about how to know truth when you can't trust your own understanding or tradition

Proverbs 3:5 Trinity epistemology faith and reason
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Many ways to interpret the Bible — but the most important truths are plainly clear

Continuing Q14 on Bible interpretation and despair

1 Corinthians 11 John 14:6 John 1:1-14 hermeneutics Craig Blomberg Douglas Moo
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Calibrated theological humility: hold beliefs with appropriate confidence, expect some error, keep learning

Continuing Q14 on following heart vs. conscience vs. Scripture

epistemology theological error intellectual humility
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Does God love those who go to hell? Yes — but love stopped by rejection; holiness demands judgment

Continuing Q15 — part about God's love for the damned

Luke 23:34 Ezekiel 18:23 Matthew 23:37 judgment God's love Luke 23:34
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Wives submit vs. children obey — different words, different authority structures; discipline is for children not wives

Continuing Q19 on husband-wife authority vs. parent-child authority

Ephesians 6:1 Ephesians 5:22 Ephesians 6:4 submission hupotasso marriage
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

When reading Scripture, consult a second translation when you genuinely do not understand a passage

First question / tip of the stream: when to reference secondary Bible translations

Bible translation Bible study methods New Living Translation
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

Whether a Christian can work for the CIA or NSA involves the question of whether all deception is always wrong

Question from Mick Making Oreo1113 about whether Christians can work in intelligence agencies where lying is part of the job

Joshua Rahab Christian ethics deception
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

The claim that a wife's submission will cause her husband to repent is not biblical — each person is accountable for their own behavior

Rebuttal of a specific style of marriage counseling

1 Peter 3:1 submission 1 Peter 3:1 marriage
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

The Lord's Prayer is an excellent structured guide for prayer when used as a launch pad, not as a rote formula to repeat

Positive application of the Lord's Prayer and recommendation for daily devotional practice

prayer Bible study methods Lord's Prayer
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

Re-baptism is not prescribed in Scripture but can be appropriate when the original baptism lacked genuine understanding

Question from Andrew Green about whether re-baptisms are biblical

2 Corinthians 2 baptism grace re-baptism
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

"Drunk in the Spirit" is not supported by Acts 2 — the mockers said they were drunk because they couldn't understand the foreign languages

Bonus note during Acts 2 discussion on the misuse of Acts 2:13 to justify charismatic "drunk in the Spirit" practices.

Acts 2:13 Tongues / glossolalia Acts 2:13 Drunk in the Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

There is no biblical confirmation that Satan can read human thoughts, but he can place thoughts in the heart

Question from Juliet Isil about whether there is biblical basis for Satan not hearing silent prayers.

John 13:2 Ephesians 6:16 John 13:2 Prayer Satan / demonic activity
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

Paul's conversion is credible because it was Apostolically ratified and his gospel was identical to the Twelve's — Joseph Smith fails both tests

Question from Summer Monsoon about apologetics for Paul's conversion vs. Joseph Smith's claimed vision.

Galatians 2 2 Peter 3:16 Galatians 2 Mormonism Joseph Smith
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Charismatic conundrum of 2020: mass false prophecy and its root cause in lack of checks and balances

First pre-selected topic before viewer questions. Mike addresses widespread false prophecies in charismatic circles regarding Trump re-election and COVID-19.

charismatic movement false prophecy prophecy testing
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

False signs and wonders: miracles do not authenticate a religion; Satan has real but limited supernatural power

Question from 'spazzy jazzy' about a Japanese friend who believes a false religion because of a miraculous healing her mother received.

Exodus 7 Mark 13:22 discernment evangelism Exodus 7
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Releasing healing into the atmosphere -- unbiblical charismatic terminology rooted in crowd control rather than Scripture

Question from John Richardson about the biblical basis for Christians releasing healing into the atmosphere.

Luke 5:17 discernment Benny Hinn charismatic movement
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Visiting moments in Scripture: creation of Adam and Eve (OT); Road to Emmaus Christological exposition (NT)

Hypothetical question from Bree Herb about which biblical moment Mike would most want to witness.

Luke 24:13-35 creation Adam and Eve Luke 24:13-35
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Advice for online youth pastor: engage real youth in person; use apologetics and comparative theology to reach skeptical students

Final question from Dragon Fist 900, a biblical studies major pursuing online youth ministry.

youth ministry evangelism apologetics
Mike Winger idea 2018-10-31

Mike discusses Old Earth Creationism and whether it is biblical, arguing that the age of the earth is not clearly specified in Scripture and that he holds a flexible position, though he finds an ancient Adam and Eve much harder to reconcile biblically.

Response to viewer question about Old Earth Creationism

Genesis 1 Genesis 1 Adam and Eve creation
Mike Winger idea 2018-10-31

Mike argues that killing in self-defense is clearly permitted by Scripture, citing Old Testament law which imposed no penalty for legitimate self-defense, and Jesus’ instruction to the disciples to carry swords the night of his betrayal.

Response to viewer question about whether killing in self-defense is wrong in God’s eyes

Luke 22 Christian ethics just war Old Testament law
Mike Winger idea 2018-10-31

Mike argues that the best approach to the question of hell is not direct empirical evidence but rather a two-step argument: establish the trustworthiness of Jesus through the resurrection and fulfilled prophecy, then accept his teaching on hell as credible.

Response to viewer demanding evidence for hell

apologetics resurrection of Jesus hell
Mike Winger idea 2018-10-31

Mike addresses the canonicity of Hebrews despite unknown authorship, arguing that inspiration does not require apostolic pen but apostolic teaching, and that the New Testament canon formed organically as first-century texts with apostolic content were recognized by the early church.

Response to viewer question about how Hebrews can be inspired if we do not know who wrote it

Hebrews Paul Apollos Barnabas
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Kenneth Hagin and Word of Faith: extra-biblical systematizing of healing and glory produces a "cartoon image" of Christianity.

Question from Jordan Filler about Kenneth Hagin's "The Authority of the Believer."

Kenneth Copeland Kenneth Hagin Word of Faith movement
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

How to see God as a loving father: filter feelings about God through Scripture, especially Romans 5:8 — God loved us while we were sinners.

Question from Kaisu (Finland) about feeling that God is indifferent or impatient with her.

Romans 5:8 Ephesians 1 Hebrews 4 God's love Romans 5:8 Ephesians 1
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Books on courting and marriage: tentative recommendation of "Love and Respect" based on its grounding in biblical commands to husbands and wives.

Question from Nathaniel about books for those preparing for marriage.

Ephesians 5 Ephesians 5 Love and Respect (book) Marriage theology
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Free will is biblically assumed throughout Scripture — humans are treated as responsible agents making real choices

Continuing the free will answer, Mike argues that the assumption of free choice and moral responsibility permeates the entire biblical narrative.

atheism free will moral responsibility
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Christians must stop following those who prophesied falsely about 2020; those prophets should repent and abandon their prophetic status

Mike gives practical counsel on what to do in response to the false prophecies.

sola scriptura repentance false prophecy
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q11: Who can perform baptism? Scripture gives no explicit rule but establishes community precedent; a parent can baptize a child

Viewer 'Skirt Bobcat' asks who is authorized to perform baptism and whether a parent can baptize their children.

Paul the Apostle church authority baptism
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q15: Matthew 11:22-24 — If Sodom would have repented at Jesus's miracles, why didn't Jesus go to Sodom? Christians need not have an answer to every question

Viewer Lawrence H asks why Jesus did not perform miracles in Sodom to prevent its destruction, given Jesus's statement in Matthew 11.

Matthew 11:22-24 apologetics divine judgment Sodom and Gomorrah
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Closing: Ravi Zacharias scandal — no excuse to defend him; faith rests in Christ not in people; wheat and tares are expected

Mike closes the livestream by returning to the Ravi Zacharias announcement.

discernment Ravi Zacharias wolves among sheep
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Christ's human nature died; his divine nature explains the resurrection

The two-natures framework resolves the death/deity tension: humanity accounts for his death, deity makes his resurrection inevitable.

Acts 2:24 resurrection hypostatic union death of Christ
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Sword of the Spirit (Word of God) — the only offensive weapon; prayer as the capstone

Sixth and final piece of armor: the one offensive weapon in the full armor. Paul adds prayer outside the armor list.

Ephesians 6:17-18 prayer armor of God Ephesians 6:17-18
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Question: Is it okay to sit quietly and write down what you hear from God (journaling/listening prayer)?

Viewer Mackenzie McEwan asks about the practice of trying to hear God and writing down what comes.

spiritual disciplines confirmation bias listening prayer
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Question: How do you interpret Genesis 1-2 given the evidence for evolution?

Viewer Johnny Quick cites the scientific consensus for evolution and asks how Mike interprets Genesis 1-2.

Genesis 1-2 Genesis 1-2 hermeneutics evolution
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Interpretation of Genesis must be driven by hermeneutics, not science

Mike's methodological conclusion on the Genesis-evolution question.

Genesis 1-2 Genesis 1-2 hermeneutics young earth creationism
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-04

Listening prayer is not condemned in Scripture but formulizing the Holy Spirit's work is dangerous and can produce fabrications.

Question from Susan Krieg about whether the Bible endorses listening prayer.

Bethel Church Holy Spirit Listening prayer
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-04

The biblical canon is a human list identifying inspired books; God's inspiration and providence guarantee we have the right books, with the OT ratified by Jesus himself.

Question from Ninja For Hire about whether canonization was itself inspired and whether inspired texts beyond the Bible could exist.

Biblical canon Canonization Inspiration of Scripture
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-04

Baptism of the Holy Spirit as a post-salvation experience with mandatory tongues is not supported by Scripture; authentic gifts are preferred over formulaic fake ones.

Question from Lauren Breon about whether the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a separate experience with prayer language is scriptural.

1 Corinthians 12 Cessationism Baptism of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 12
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Two senses of righteousness: relational/situational versus standing before God

Bella asked how David can claim righteousness in Psalm 18:20-24 when Scripture says no one is righteous.

Psalm 18:20-24 Psalm 51 Romans 3 David justification by faith Abraham
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Dinosaurs and the age of the earth: three intra-Christian views summarized

Madison Torres asked how dinosaur fossils fit with Adam and Eve and the biblical timeline.

Genesis 1 Job 40-41 Genesis 1 young earth creationism age of the earth