Search — Theology Explorer

James White Mormonism theodicy James White

Mike comments on Jeff Durbin of Apologia Radio, praising him for having a solid gospel and effective outreach to cults but disagreeing with his strong Calvinism; he also notes controversy around a debate Durbin and James White did against a Mormon.

Response to viewer question about Jeff Durbin

evangelism Jehovah's Witnesses gospel witness

Mike advises Christians to witness to Jehovah's Witnesses as they would to anyone, noting the advantage that JWs already want to talk about God, and encourages boldness in gospel witness with all people.

Response to viewer question about engaging Jehovah's Witnesses

1 Corinthians Galatians 1 Galatians 1:6-10 biblical authority Paul 1 Corinthians

Mike articulates a Sola Scriptura position by arguing from Galatians 1 that the Apostles themselves placed their written gospel above any future authority — including apostles or angels — making all church fathers mere commentators with no binding theological authority.

Response to viewer question about the authority of early church fathers

2 John 1:11 salvation false gospel works-based salvation

Mike examines 2 John 1:11 in context, explaining it refers to hosting traveling teachers and not to general social contact with heretics, then defends William Lane Craig's nuanced view on Catholics — acknowledging a false Catholic gospel while allowing that some Catholics may be genuinely saved.

Response to viewer question about whether to separate from William Lane Craig over his statements about Catholics

Hebrews youth ministry evangelism spiritual maturity

Mike advises a youth pastor that discipleship of willing students produces more fruit than constant outreach programming, drawing on his own early ministry failure when he focused on students who did not care.

Response to youth pastor viewer about ministry focus

Eastern Orthodoxy gospel Sola Scriptura

Mike declines to comment on Coptic/Oriental Orthodox theology due to insufficient knowledge, but raises concerns about Eastern Orthodox extra-biblical tradition and recounts a personal experience of a woman who left his church for an Eastern Orthodox group and could no longer articulate the gospel.

Response to viewer question about Coptic/Oriental Orthodox theology

Mark 14:51-52 Mark the Evangelist Peter Mark 14:51-52 Gospel of Mark

Mike identifies the naked young man fleeing in Mark 14:51-52 as likely the author Mark himself, explaining this was a common ancient biographical convention of embedding the author’s presence discreetly in the narrative.

Response to viewer question about the identity of the young man in Mark 14:51-52

Holy Spirit apologetics gospel

Mike shares his personal testimony: he came to faith at age 12 through the 10 Commandments convicting him of sin, then heard the gospel at a youth group he attended to get out of the house, believed immediately, and later pursued apologetics to verify his faith.

Response to viewer asking about Mike’s testimony

Hebrews Paul Apollos Barnabas

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

Brian Simmons Passion Translation Anti-supernatural bias

Framing the question: Does one fraudulent religious figure (Brian Simmons) justify skepticism about all religious authors, including the Gospel writers?

Question from Robert asks whether Brian Simmons being a "nut" should make us skeptical of Paul and the Gospel authors the same way.

Kenneth Copeland Kenneth Hagin Word of Faith movement

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."

Matthew 8:4 Matthew 9:30 Matthew 12:16 Bartimaeus Triumphal Entry Messianic Secret

The Messianic Secret in the Gospels: Jesus's commands to silence were temporary, strategic, and progressively lifted as the crucifixion approached.

Question from Justin Harcharik about why Jesus told people not to speak about him (Matthew 8:4; 9:30; 12:16).

James 2 James 2 Christian essentials Salvation theology

Who is a brother or sister in Christ? Core doctrines required: the identity and saving work of Jesus — his real existence, death, resurrection, and forgiveness of sins through faith.

Question from Rosie A. about the minimum beliefs required to consider someone a fellow Christian.

Calvinism God's glory American Gospel (film)

American Gospel 2 — mixed review: strong on exposing progressive Christianity, but overstates Calvinism as the solution and was harder to follow structurally.

Question from Derek Beeler about the final 10 minutes of American Gospel 2 and the claim that God's purpose is solely his own glory with humans as incidental.

John 20:23 Apostolic authority John 20:23 Forgiveness of sins

John 20:23 — the authority to forgive or retain sins: the disciples are declaring what heaven has already determined, not independently granting forgiveness.

Question from Thomas Brownlee about interpreting John 20:23.

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q2: Do we have free will? Mike asserts strong yes — biblically, intuitively, and philosophically supported

Viewer Lace Buck Corny asks about free will, sovereignty, and whether punishment is just if we lack free will.

James 1 Genesis 4 James 1 Calvinism free will

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q4: Christian advice on overcoming the fear of death — Hebrews 2:15 says Jesus came to deliver us from that bondage

Viewer Letty Fernet asks for Christian counsel on anxiety about death.

Hebrews 2:15 Christian hope fear of death Hebrews 2:15

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

God's timing for the Incarnation was strategically optimal — Jesus came when manuscript distribution, roads, and population growth maximized gospel spread

Mike continues the Matthew 11 answer by addressing why Jesus did not go to Sodom in the past.

Matthew 11:22-24 manuscript evidence apologetics Providence

Gospels demonic activity first-century context

Why far more demonic activity in the NT than OT — quantity and intentionality

Even granting OT demonic activity, the sheer volume of exorcisms in the Gospels and Acts is historically anomalous and must be explained theologically.

Gerasene demoniac Satan spiritual warfare

Demonic activity in first century as messianic confirmation and spiritual battleground

Jesus's authority over demons served as a sign to the Jews confirming his messianic identity; the concentration of demonic opposition is explained by Satan's forces mobilizing against the Son of God.

Luke Matthew Mark synoptic problem Luke Matthew

Question: Synoptic differences — disciples called before/after healing Peter's mother-in-law; Luke heals by rebuking the fever

Viewer Stephen Wilson asks about the differences between Matthew/Mark (disciples called before healing) and Luke (called after; heals by rebuking the fever).

church unity Calvary Chapel secondary issues

Question: Thoughts on the ecumenical movement — should I leave a church that is part of it?

Viewer in Finland asks about ecumenism, since most Finnish churches are officially part of the ecumenical movement.

Galatians 1 repentance false gospel church discipline

Lines Mike will not cross for ecumenism: false gospel and sexual ethics compromise

Where qualified ecumenism ends — the gospel and moral compromise that hinders repentance.

Ephesians 6:15 evangelism witness armor of God

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace — evangelism as spiritual protection

Third piece of armor: footwear as readiness to go with the gospel.

Ephesians 6:17 identity in Christ assurance of salvation armor of God

Helmet of Salvation — remembering your identity in Christ as foundational protection

Fifth piece of armor. Helmet protects the head; salvation protects the believer's identity and eternal standing.

Ephesians 6:17-18 prayer armor of God Ephesians 6:17-18

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.

Mike Winger idea 2020-12-04

Matthew 5:42 ('give to him who asks') must be applied with wisdom — naive application would mean giving to every fraudster.

Continued discussion of Matthew 5:42 on generosity.

Matthew 5:42 Kenneth Copeland Prosperity gospel Matthew 5:42

Mike Winger idea 2020-12-04

Accepting Jesus is the only way to heaven, but those who never heard the gospel may be saved through faithful response to lesser revelation — analogous to Abraham.

Question from Jack Bradley about salvation for those who never heard or only heard harmful versions of the gospel.

Abraham Old Testament saints Salvation exclusivism

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Sharing the gospel with resistant loved ones: grace, strategy, and the book Tactics

Hannah/Henry Belvall asked for advice on humbly sharing Jesus with struggling loved ones who become defensive.

evangelism Greg Koukl apologetics

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Ministry in strip clubs: evangelism principles and personal holiness

Carmen described joining a ministry that goes into strip clubs to spend time with women there and received family backlash.

evangelism repentance personal holiness

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-26

Paradise in Paul's vision, the thief on the cross, and Lazarus — same place?

David's Kinion Memoirs asks whether paradise in Paul's third-heaven vision, Jesus's promise to the thief, and the Lazarus/Abraham account are the same place.

Luke 23:43 1 Peter 3:19 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 intermediate state Luke 23:43 Hades

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-26

Matthew 10:23 — 'before the Son of Man comes' refers to Christ's first-coming arrival, not the Second Coming

Kelly Book asks about Matthew 10:23 and why Mark's parallel account does not include the phrase 'before the Son of Man comes.'

Matthew 10:23 Matthew 10 Mark 6 eschatology Matthew 10:23 Son of Man

Luke 16:9 parable interpretation gospel proclamation stewardship

Luke 16:9 — "make friends by means of unrighteous wealth" may refer parabolically to using all earthly resources for gospel proclamation

Interpreting the command to "make friends by means of unrighteous wealth" so they receive you into eternal dwellings

Galatians 2:10 1 Corinthians 1:26-28 early church care for the poor church responsibility

Western churches may not give adequate attention to caring for the poor

Discussing the almsgiving interpretation of Luke 16:9

Richard Bauckham apologetics William Lane Craig

Apologetics resources: use general resources (Got Questions) to start, then targeted in-depth resources (books) for specific issues

Recommending starting points for apologetics study