Search — Theology Explorer

Galatians 2 Paul Peter Galatians 2

Paul rebuked Peter publicly in Galatians 2 because his behavior impacted the whole community

Mike shows a biblical precedent for public confrontation of a leader

James John Matthew 16:28 Peter James John

Matthew 16:28 "some standing here will not taste death" is fulfilled by the Transfiguration, not the Second Coming

Responding to a question from Lucas Callahan about Matthew 16:28 and the failed apocalyptic prophet charge

Acts 6 Acts 2 John 20 Acts 6 Acts 2 Holy Spirit

All believers are indwelt by the Spirit at salvation, but degrees of Spirit-filling differ among believers

Responding to a question from Sarah P about whether salvation and Spirit baptism are the same event

Luke 23:34 2 Peter 3:9 Numbers typology cities of refuge high priest

Luke 23:34 'Father forgive them' likely refers to delayed judgment / forgiveness offered, not full salvific pardon

Responding to Reid's question about whether unbelievers are forgiven to some degree, referencing Luke 23:34

1 John 1 John 2:1 Peter 1 John perseverance

Habitual sin and salvation: honest uncertainty, but the answer is always to press toward Christ rather than despair

Responding to Adriano's question about whether living in habitual sin from addiction while truly wanting to stop means he is unsaved

Mike Winger idea 2018-09-26

Can a Christian be demonized or possessed? — No, the Spirit-indwelt believer cannot be internally possessed

A viewer asks if a Christian can be demonized and if Mike has ever cast out a demon.

Matthew 4 1 Peter 5:8 Ephesians 6:12 spiritual warfare Holy Spirit indwelling exorcism

Mike Winger idea 2018-09-26

Nephilim in Genesis — Mike directs viewers to his 1 Peter Bible study for treatment

A viewer asks what Mike thinks about the Nephilim mentioned in Genesis.

1 Peter Genesis 6 1 Peter Genesis 6 Nephilim

Mike Winger idea 2020-11-20

2 Peter 2:5-6 does not settle the annihilationism debate

Question about whether 2 Peter 2:6 implies annihilation on final judgment day.

2 Peter 2:5-6 Sodom and Gomorrah hell annihilationism

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Q16: Bart Ehrman's claim that John 3 "born again" wordplay couldn't have occurred in Aramaic — Jesus spoke Greek

Response to viewer citing Bart Ehrman's argument about John 3 and language

John 3:3-8 Peter Williams Bart Ehrman Nicodemus

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Evidence Jesus spoke Greek: Nazareth as Roman construction site, Greek inscription found there, multilingual Galilee

Continuing Q16 on Jesus speaking Greek

Acts 6:1 Peter Williams Acts 6:1 Jesus' languages

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Q18: Did the apostles teach imminence of Christ's return? Balancing readiness with long-term planning

Response to question on the doctrine of imminence in eschatology

2 Peter 3:9 Matthew 24:36 1 Thessalonians 4-5 Peter eschatology second coming

John 18:36 Peter kingdom of God Christian political engagement

Christians should not use political grievances as justification for storming government or causing violence

Closing thought on political question, referencing the January 6, 2021 Capitol events contextually

John 18:36 Christian political engagement John 18:36 civil government

Government paganism does not nullify Christian obligation to submit to civil authority

Continuing response to the Congress prayer question

1 Peter 3:1 submission 1 Peter 3:1 marriage

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 Sarah Abraham

1 Peter 3:1 says a wife's godly conduct MAY win her husband — not that it WILL — preserving his moral agency

Careful reading of 1 Peter 3:1 regarding wives with unbelieving or disobedient husbands

1 Peter 3:1 1 Peter 3:1 marriage conversion

Real-life example: a wife's Christ-like conduct broke through her angry husband's defenses and led to his conversion

Illustrative story supporting 1 Peter 3:1 and the "may" interpretation

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

The shorter Septuagint Jeremiah vs. the longer Hebrew Masoretic Jeremiah — reasons to trust the longer canonical form

Question from Leor about which version of Jeremiah is correct.

Jeremiah Peter Williams Jeremiah Old Testament canon

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 2018-10-31

Mike wrestles with whether the American Revolution violated Romans 13 (submission to government), concluding he cannot make a confident judgment but personally sympathizes with the revolutionaries and affirms his current submission to the established American government.

Response to viewer question about the American Revolution and Romans 13

1 Peter Romans 13 1 Peter just war Romans 13

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 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

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

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Psychological profile of apostles: they were not prone to hallucinations or delusion; even Anthony Flew called Paul a first-rate philosopher.

Fourth distinction: the mental/psychological credibility of the witnesses.

Acts 12 Paul the Apostle Hallucination theory Peter the Apostle

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Divine discipline in Hebrews 12: suffering is God's loving discipline and can be broad — including consequences of sin or trials for character formation.

Question from Jacob Duncan about how God disciplines believers per Hebrews 12.

1 Peter Hebrews 12:3-6 Proverbs on discipline 1 Peter Hebrews 12:3-6 Divine discipline

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

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

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).

Luke Matthew Mark synoptic problem Luke Matthew

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Shield of Faith — confident trust that quenches fiery darts

Fourth piece of armor: faith as shield against fiery trials and spiritual attacks.

1 Peter Ephesians 6:16 1 Peter Ephesians 6:16 armor of God

Mike Winger idea 2020-12-04

The Message Bible is a very loose paraphrase — idiomatic, interpretive, and potentially misleading, but not heretical; inadvisable as a primary study Bible.

Question from Jeanette Perry about the Message Bible and Nicky Gumbel/Alpha.

Psalm 1 The Message Bible Eugene Peterson Paraphrase vs. translation

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 2021-03-05

Satan is not omniscient; he did not know God's plan of salvation and that is why he crucified Christ

Responding to whether the hidden mystery of salvation implies Satan's omniscience since Jesus had to rebuke Peter

1 Corinthians 2:8 Mark 1:24 Matthew 16:23 omniscience Satan crucifixion

Mike Winger idea 2021-03-05

The empty tomb was verifiable: women as witnesses (embarrassing to early church = authentic), the women are named (eyewitness identification per Bauckham), Roman guards monitored it

Responding to how anyone could be sure the right tomb was checked if Jesus was beaten unrecognizably

Mark's Gospel Matthew 27:62-66 Richard Bauckham resurrection apologetics

Philippians 4:8 John 13:2 Ephesians 6 Peter Philippians 4:8 Satan

Intrusive/unwanted thoughts: possible demonic origin and the Philippians 4:8 remedy

Question from Turka Orenzova about horrifying thoughts that pop into her head unbidden.

1 Peter 1:3 R.C. Sproul Arminianism Regeneration

1 Peter 1:3 and the rejection of total depravity — God causes regeneration, but faith is not causal

Question from Joshua Stuckey about how Winger reads 1 Peter 1:3 given his rejection of total depravity.

Mark 8:33 Peter Satan Judas Iscariot

Get Behind Me Satan (Mark 8:33): was Satan working through Peter, or is Jesus using "satan" metaphorically?

Question from Elijah Roman about Mark 8:33 vs. Satan entering Judas — was Satan divided against himself?