Search — Theology Explorer

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-31

Responding Biblically to Idols: Was it biblical for the man in Iowa to destroy the Satanic Temple display at the state capitol last December? How should Christians respond to the public display of literal idols in our society?

Q&A question: Responding Biblically to Idols

Satan

Praying for the Sins of Others: Do we in any way need to (or can we) pray for the sins of another person, such as a family member? This topic was a recent one in some chats I am in. The verse cited was Leviticus 26: 40.

Q&A question: Praying for the Sins of Others

Was Mary Asking Jesus for a Miracle?: When Mary told Jesus that the wedding was out of wine, was she asking Him to do a miracle, or a more prosaic fix? I was taught that she asked for a miracle, but I wonder due to her other actions.

Q&A question: Was Mary Asking Jesus for a Miracle?

Jesus miracles

dating and relationships anxiety and mental health

Thinking Biblically about Dating: I’m a late 20s Christian man struggling with anxiety in dating. As things progress, I tend to overanalyze everything to determine if I can marry the girl, and things end about 3 months in. Any scriptural advice?

Q&A question: Thinking Biblically about Dating

Blasphemy in the Sermon on the Mount?: In The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus refers to God as the audience’s Father. How was this not blasphemous in the way that Jesus claiming to be the Son of God was a big deal in the Passion narrative?

Q&A question: Blasphemy in the Sermon on the Mount?

Should I Really be Held Accountable?: How can a just God hold people accountable for their beliefs if those beliefs are influenced by cultural, social, and psychological factors beyond their control?

Q&A question: Should I Really be Held Accountable?

Is Hell Just the Absence of God?: Is it accurate when people say, "Hell is simply the absence of God"? For Example, Jesus is the water of life so there's no water in Hell, or we rest in Christ so there's no rest in Hell.

Q&A question: Is Hell Just the Absence of God?

Jesus hell

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7 marriage prayer

Does Refusal of Sex Justify Divorce?: Does 1 Corinthians 7 really mean we can never say no to sex except for a season of fasting and prayer? My pastor told my husband that if I deny him for too long then he has biblical grounds for divorce.

Q&A question: Does Refusal of Sex Justify Divorce?

Did Jesus Teach on the Rapture?: A friend doesn’t believe in the Rapture because “Jesus never taught it” and he doesn’t consider Paul (or his writings) to be authoritative. How would you approach something like that?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Teach on the Rapture?

Jesus rapture

Defining Inerrancy: How can we biblically define inerrancy? Even the writers of the Chicago Statement seem to hold slightly different views on harmonization (according to Mike Licona).

Q&A question: Defining Inerrancy

Mike Licona

How were Private Events Recorded?: Do you know how biblical authors recorded events, conversations, and moments that transpired despite being in private or in a one-man scenario, perhaps like Judas' death?

Q&A question: How were Private Events Recorded?

Judas

When did the Old Covenant End?: When did the Old Covenant officially end? Christ's birth? Death (Temple veil torn in 2)? Resurrection? Pentecost? 70 A.D. (destruction of the Temple)? Or was it a gradual "end" similar to U.S. slavery?

Q&A question: When did the Old Covenant End?

resurrection

Hebrews 2:2 Acts 7 Galatians 3 Moses Hebrews 2:2 Acts 7

Did God or an Angel Give Moses the Tablets?: How do we reconcile Exodus 31: 18 with Acts 7: 38, Galatians 3: 19, and Hebrews 2:2? I’m unconvinced that Scripture contradicts itself, but this lives in my head rent free and I need a resolution.

Q&A question: Did God or an Angel Give Moses the Tablets?

Daniel Jesus prayer Daniel

Why Pray for Others?: If Jesus is our final intercessor, why should we intercede for or pray over other believers' needs? Is this related to the spiritual realm and prayer delays, like in Daniel 10: 12-14?

Q&A question: Why Pray for Others?

1 Timothy 2:12 women in ministry complementarianism egalitarianism

Winger says a wife co-teaching an adult Sunday school Bible study IS an elder-type role and would be wrong under his complementarian view. However, co-teaching a topical class (like parenting) is NOT eldership and he'd be fine with it. He warns against creating Pharisaic rules but draws the line at verse-by-verse Bible teaching.

Bonus Q after viewer watched WIM series: Is a woman helping her husband teach a co-ed adult Sunday school class an elder-type role?

Taking On an Atheist’s Challenge: Can you please respond to Holy Koolaid’s video alleging various Bible contradictions and problems with Christianity? Did Jesus Himself undermine Christianity?

Q&A question: Taking On an Atheist’s Challenge

Jesus atheism

Preston Sprinkle & “Side B” Christianity: What's your take on Preston Sprinkle? Some Christians like him, but others call him a heretic or "side B Christian.” The issue seems to be about him not thinking same-sex attraction is a sin when not meditated/acted on.

Q&A question: Preston Sprinkle & “Side B” Christianity

heresy

Can we still Glean from Reckless Charismatism?: I learned that Bethel's prophecy teachings and those of Storms, Wimber, Deere, Randolph, etc. trace back to scandalous Kansas City prophets. Should all be ignored, or can the chaff be separated?

Q&A question: Can we still Glean from Reckless Charismatism?

prophecy Bethel Church

pastoral ministry healing

Healing = the Children’s Bread?: "Healing is the children's bread" is taught by a pastor friend when he prays for the sick. He uses Mark 7: 24-30 as the proof text. What is the “bread” in v. 27?

Q&A question: Healing = the Children’s Bread?

Discussing Biblical “Contradictions”!: Can you please discuss some different Bible passages that appear to be contradictory?

Q&A question: Discussing Biblical “Contradictions”!

biblical reliability

Unnecessary Body Parts = Evolution?: I have a coworker that is an atheist. He said that there are parts of our bodies that are not necessary and that might prove evolution rather than a Creator. Any thoughts?

Q&A question: Unnecessary Body Parts = Evolution?

atheism evolution

Is Salvation Sometimes Unfair?: One of my biggest issues is that you NEED to believe in Jesus to be saved. If someone is born in a Muslim country, they would have to sacrifice way more than the average westerner. How is that fair?

Q&A question: Is Salvation Sometimes Unfair?

Jesus salvation Islam

Would a Good God make a Terrible Hell?: When Jesus said that for the person who would betray Him it would be better not to be born, I assume Hell is worse than non-existence. How does this match with a good God?

Q&A question: Would a Good God make a Terrible Hell?

Jesus hell

Hypostatic Union – Contradictory?: Is Jesus being God and Man a contradiction? The Bible says that the Son doesn’t know the day or the hour of His coming. Can Jesus know (as God) and not know (as Man) at the same time?

Q&A question: Hypostatic Union – Contradictory?

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-19

The Bible Doesn’t Exist?: Can you please respond to Abraham Piper’s claim that the Bible doesn’t even exist?

Q&A question: The Bible Doesn’t Exist?

Abraham

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-19

Are Natural Disasters from God?: We recently had a tornado touch down here in upstate New York. How does one explain to a non-believer that the tornado was not from God? Was it man-made?

Q&A question: Are Natural Disasters from God?

creation pastoral ministry

Chuck Missler & the Hologram Theory: Have you heard of Pastor Chuck Missler and his endorsement of the Hologram Theory (the idea that there is no gravity beyond our solar system, a holographic representation of God’s Creation)?

Q&A question: Chuck Missler & the Hologram Theory

Meaning of “To Live Is Christ”: What does it mean when Paul says "For me to live is Christ”? I've never heard someone use a phrase where an action or state of being IS a person.

Q&A question: Meaning of “To Live Is Christ”

The Sonship of Jesus: A local church believes Jesus was literally the Son of God before the incarnation who "proceeded out of the Father" just like Eve from Adam. Can you help me understand the Sonship of Jesus?

Q&A question: The Sonship of Jesus

Prayer Request: Bonus.Will you pray for my mom, Kelly? She was diagnosed with breast cancer and has started chemo, but they found a mass on her liver. Not sure if it's cancer but it has grown in the last month. Through this she has been saved! We pray God's will is for her to be healed, but most importantly, for her testimony to live!

Q&A question: Prayer Request

prayer

Trump’s Christianity: Is Trump's Christianity real Christianity? Here are some of my concerns about the rise of cultural Christianity.

Q&A question: Trump’s Christianity

1 Corinthians 5 elder qualifications 1 Corinthians 5 communion

Open vs. Closed Communion: What is your opinion on open vs. closed communion? Should the pastors or elders check who is taking the communion? 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 may support closed communion.

Q&A question: Open vs. Closed Communion

Courage & Self-Control on Social Media: Do you think God expects us to post about controversial issues on our social media accounts? I don’t want to start needless arguments online, but I also sometimes worry that I’m being cowardly.

Q&A question: Courage & Self-Control on Social Media

Is Love God’s Chief Trait?: Is love God’s chief trait, or just one of them? Is it right to call all He does (i.e., punishing sin) an act of love, or are some things done in keeping with His holiness, justice, etc.?

Q&A question: Is Love God’s Chief Trait?

Recorded Sermons & Prayers – Biblical?: What are your thoughts on listening to recorded sermons, specifically “praying along” with recorded prayers? How exactly does that work? I listen to you mostly after the fact, so it feels odd.

Q&A question: Recorded Sermons & Prayers – Biblical?

prayer

The Changing Morality of the Bible?: Why does God seem more wrathful in the Old Testament and more forgiving and loving in the New Testament? Does the Bible have changing morals?

Q&A question: The Changing Morality of the Bible?

generosity

1 Corinthians 3 1 Corinthians 3

Burned Works = Unsaved Soul?: Regarding 1 Corinthians 3: 15, how can someone be saved if their work is burned up? Wouldn’t the frailty of their work suggest that their faith wasn’t true in the first place?

Q&A question: Burned Works = Unsaved Soul?

Who is Asherah?: Who is Asherah? I saw a video that claims she’s God’s forbidden wife. Who is she, from a biblical perspective?

Q&A question: Who is Asherah?

marriage

When & How Much to Give to Others?: My wife’s nephew is transgender, is here illegally (USA), and recently got married to a man. He asked my wife if she could help pay for his immigration paperwork. Am I wrong for saying no?

Q&A question: When & How Much to Give to Others?

marriage

Strengthening our “Study Muscles”: What are some ways to make reading the Bible easier? I’m not saying I want the Scriptures deluded or anything, but I’m not a very good reader and I just end up getting frustrated and quitting.

Q&A question: Strengthening our “Study Muscles”

Bonus Q for Fun!.Why do you and so many other pastors like the LOTR so much?

Q&A question

pastoral ministry

Is God Ignoring Your Prayers?: If prayer is effective, why do so many prayers seem to go unanswered, especially in desperate situations?

Q&A question: Is God Ignoring Your Prayers?

prayer

Having our Roots Deep in Christ: I recently read Mark 4 (the Parable of the Sower) and was convicted about not having my roots deep enough in Christ. What are some practical ways of achieving this?

Q&A question: Having our Roots Deep in Christ

Evangelism for the Ineloquent: Everyone seems to have their way of sharing the Gospel: street-preaching, pastoring, etc. How do I know how God has called me to share the Gospel? I'm not good socially, but I want to reach people.

Q&A question: Evangelism for the Ineloquent

pastoral ministry angels