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Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: Would God ever order a killing (like the Canaanites)? Yes. God has the moral right to give and take life as Creator. The death penalty in the OT shows justified killing. When God commands killing, it's on his authority — normally it would be murder, but divine command transforms the moral status. The burden is on those who claim God could never do this under any circumstances.

Q&A — God commanding killing in the OT

divine command death penalty Canaanite conquest
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: Is speaking in tongues real today? Yes, probably, but it's easily faked. Churches practicing it should follow 1 Corinthians 14's restrictions. Three categories: (1) biblical understanding of tongues, (2) personal experience, (3) discerning others' practice — #3 isn't really your job unless it violates 1 Cor 14.

Q&A — speaking in tongues today

1 Corinthians 14 1 Corinthians 14 1 Corinthians 14 speaking in tongues 1 Corinthians 14
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Pillar verses (1 Samuel 2:8, Job 26:10, Psalm 75:3) are all in poetic contexts. In 1 Samuel 2:8, "pillars of the earth" are leaders whom God exalts — the context is about God raising the poor to sit with princes. In Psalm 75:3, pillars are leaders God supports during upheaval. "Pillars of heaven" (Job 26) may just refer to mountains poetically.

Pillars of the earth — leaders, not literal supports

1 Samuel 2:8 1 Samuel 2:8 pillars of the earth poetic language in scripture
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Job 38:4-10 (foundations, cornerstone, bases) is a poem comparing creation to a building project. If taken literally, you must also believe God used a literal measuring line, that oceans have literal bars and doors, and that the earth has a literal cornerstone. These are obviously poetic — God made the earth secure. That's the point.

Job 38 foundations and cornerstone — building poem

Job 38:4-10 Job 38:4-10 poetic language in scripture wooden literalism
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Q&A: Who should we direct prayers to? Generally to the Father (Matthew 6:6), but praying to Jesus or the Holy Spirit is acceptable. "In Jesus' name" is not a required phrase — you pray through Christ whether you say it or not because he is your mediator.

Q&A — directing prayer

Matthew 6:6 prayer direction Matthew 6:6
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-18

Q: Does the Bible say anything about other planets and alien life? No biblical text suggests aliens on other planets. God made stars and planets to display his glory. The only extraterrestrial beings in scripture are God and angels. Mormonism's planet Kolob is the one religion that addresses this — and it's false.

Q&A — aliens and other planets

Mormonism Kolob Mormonism
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-18

Q: New church member sharing New Age content. Options: approach the person gently, or approach leadership. Example: Doreen Virtue (former New Age guru) became Christian but retained New Age practices — no Christians helped correct her, they just condemned her. New believers need patient discipleship, not condemnation.

Q&A — New Age content in church

New Age Doreen Virtue
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-18

Q: Does annihilationism follow from eternal life being dependent on salvation? No — eternal life in Scripture means more than mere existence. People physically alive are called "dead" (spiritually); believers have "eternal life" now while still mortal. Life and death are more than existence and non-existence.

Q&A — annihilationism

hell annihilationism hell
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-18

Q: Was Paul a false apostle (Revelation 2:2)? No — Revelation 2:2 actually proves Paul IS a true apostle. The Ephesians could identify false apostles AND they received Paul warmly (Ephesians letter, Acts 20). Peter calls Paul's writings "Scripture" (2 Peter 3:16). Paul-denial movements strip the NT to smuggle in cult theology.

Q&A — Paul as false apostle (Revelation 2:2)

2 Peter 3:16 Revelation 2:2 2 Peter 3:16 Paul false apostle claim Revelation 2:2
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-08

Teaching kids about judging: Matthew 7:1 ("do not judge") is about hypocritical judgment, not prohibition of all discernment. Read the full passage — Jesus says remove the log from your own eye FIRST, then help your brother. John 7:24: "judge with right judgment." Discernment between right/wrong is essential. Irony: saying "don't judge" is itself a judgment.

Teaching kids about judging — Matthew 7 in context

Matthew 7:1 John 7:24 Matthew 7:1 dont judge hypocritical judgment
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-15

Mike on women in ministry: he's complementarian — the highest leadership/preaching/governing role is reserved for men God has called. But he struggles with how to apply this to the wide variety of modern ministry situations. Women can teach; the question is in what contexts. He encourages women to study Scripture carefully and let it guide their choices.

Women in ministry — complementarian but cautious on application

1 Timothy 2:12 women in ministry complementarianism complementarianism
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-15

Sex before marriage: Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:2 — the solution to sexual immorality is marriage, which means sex outside marriage IS sexual immorality. If premarital sex were acceptable, marriage wouldn't be needed to avoid sexual immorality. Marrying outside the faith: 1 Corinthians 7:39 — free to remarry "only in the Lord." 2 Corinthians 6:14 — unequally yoked.

Sex before marriage and interfaith marriage

1 Corinthians 7:2-4 1 Corinthians 7:39 unequally yoked 1 Corinthians 7:2-4 sex before marriage
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-19

Points 1-2: (1) A sacrificial lamb — Jesus is the lamb offered for us (Hebrews 9:12-14, 10:1-14). OT sacrifices were shadows; Jesus is the reality. He offered himself ONCE vs yearly repetition. (2) Purpose: avoiding punishment for sin — Passover was explicitly a judgment (Exodus 12:12). Israel needed the lamb too because they were also guilty of idolatry (Ezekiel 20:7). The cross saves us from God's wrath.

Points 1-2 — sacrificial lamb and dealing with sin

Exodus 12 Hebrews 9:12-14 Hebrews 10:1-14 wrath of God substitutionary atonement wrath of God
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-19

Points 8-12: (8) Lamb substituted for the firstborn — Jesus is God's firstborn/only-begotten (John 3:16, Col 1:15, Heb 1:6). (9) No bones broken — Exodus 12:46, fulfilled in John 19:33-36 when soldiers didn't break Jesus's legs. (10) Offered for the household/family — Jesus creates a new family of God (John 1:12). (11) Lamb had to be slain/die — the death was required, not optional; Jesus said he MUST be killed (Mark 8:31). (12) Had to be at Jerusalem — Deuteronomy 16:5-6; Jesus crucified in Jerusalem.

Points 8-12 — firstborn, bones, household, death, location

John 1:12 Mark 8:31 Colossians 1:15 firstborn John 1:12 children of God
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-29

Mike announces his "passion project": hiring 5+ well-respected scholars (Craig Blomberg, Mark Strauss, Darrell Bock, Tremper Longman, Nijay Gupta) to each evaluate different books of the Passion Translation by Brian Simmons, producing free 5-page papers and video interviews. Goal: provide definitive scholarly assessment showing pervasive (not just isolated) problems with the translation.

Passion Translation scholarly project announcement

Mark Strauss Craig Blomberg Brian Simmons Passion Translation
Mike Winger idea 2020-06-03

How to find a good church: (1) Sound biblical teaching is #1 priority — does the pastor handle Scripture correctly? (2) Genuine community — not just Sunday performance. (3) Don't expect perfection — you'll bring your own imperfections too. (4) Be willing to serve, not just consume. (5) Size doesn't determine quality. Visit several, ask questions, look for fruit.

Finding a good church

expository preaching expository preaching finding a good church
Mike Winger idea 2020-06-19

Can someone who unjustly divorced, repented, but whose ex has remarried, now marry someone else? Yes — the previous marriage is clearly over both legally and morally once the ex has remarried. The wrongly-divorcing party has repented. The alternatives (permanent singleness as unforgivable punishment, or pretending the marriage still exists) don't make biblical sense.

Unjust divorce + ex remarried = free to remarry after repentance

repentance repentance unjust divorce and remarriage
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-07

Calvinism and free will: Mike isn't a Calvinist. He believes in genuine human free will while also affirming God's sovereignty. The key issue: does God determine every single human decision (Calvinist compatibilism) or do humans have genuine libertarian choice? Mike believes libertarian free will better fits Scripture and makes better sense of God's commands, judgments, and the problem of evil.

Calvinism and free will — Mike's position

Calvinism free will Calvinism
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-12

Four things to know before historical investigation of Jesus: (1) Historical investigation is limited — historians intentionally bracket inspiration of Scripture. (2) Failure to confirm ≠ denial it happened. (3) History is probabilistic — the best verdict is "extremely likely," never 100%%. (4) Scholars are people with biases — Bart Ehrman rejects miracles by methodology, not evidence ("as a historian you're not allowed to posit miracles").

Framework for historical investigation of Jesus

Bart Ehrman Mike Licona Bart Ehrman
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-14

On Steven Furtick: Mike has seen a handful of his messages, finds his preaching style reckless with Scripture. Concerned about the level of allegiance/submission required around him — sounds like pastoral abuse from what he's heard. Furtick doesn't deal carefully with Scripture in context, prioritizing encouragement over accuracy. Similar critique to Joel Osteen.

Steven Furtick critique — reckless with Scripture

Steven Furtick Elevation Church pastoral abuse
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-31

The Triumphal Entry is better understood as the "Ironic Entry" — the central contrast is between the crowd's expectations of a political liberator and Jesus' actual mission of humble sacrifice.

Introduction to Mark 11:1-11 verse-by-verse study

Mark 11:1-11 Mark series Triumphal Entry Mark 11:1-11 irony in Scripture
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-31

Psalm 118 is the key text the crowd quotes — it prophesies the rejected cornerstone (Messiah rejected by Israel's leaders) whom God establishes anyway. Jesus quotes it about himself in Mark 12.

Detailed exposition of Psalm 118 and its messianic significance

Acts 7 Psalm 118 Psalm 118:22 typology typology Acts 7
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-21

Biblical confirmation: Genesis 1:26-27 (made in God's image as immaterial minds), 2 Corinthians 5:8 (we exist apart from body), Galatians 5:13 (called to live in libertarian freedom to choose love over sin).

Scriptural support for the philosophical conclusions

Genesis 1:26-27 2 Corinthians 5:8 Galatians 5:13 image of God Genesis 1:26-27 2 Corinthians 5:8
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-05

The Sanhedrin's three authority claims (succession from Moses, Moses's seat, oral tradition) are structurally identical to the Catholic magisterium's claims (apostolic succession, chair of Peter, sacred tradition).

Detailed parallel between Sanhedrin and Roman Catholic authority claims

Matthew 23 Mark 7:8-9 Roman Catholicism oral tradition papacy
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-05

Jesus's response pattern gives us a template: acknowledge the legitimate role (responsibility to teach) while rejecting the authority claims. The papacy has responsibility to teach God's Word but not the authority to determine truth.

How Jesus's response to the Sanhedrin applies to modern Catholic claims

Roman Catholicism sola scriptura papacy
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-05

Christians must have spines — courage of conviction — when facing cultural pressure. Not angry Christians, but Christians who speak truth clearly and wisely. The persecuted church's lesson: when you know you're following God's revealed Word, you don't need man's permission.

Application on Christian courage in the face of authority and cultural pressure

Christian courage people-pleasing
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-19

Mark 12:13-17 ("Render to Caesar") is one of the most political NT passages — the Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus with a question about the poll tax, and Jesus's answer gives principles for Christian politics.

Introduction to Mark Series pt 47 on the tribute to Caesar

Mark 12:13-17 Mark series render to Caesar Mark 12:13-17 render to Caesar
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-22

Positive evidence FOR gospel reliability: consistent personality of Jesus across Gospels, unexplained allusions (John 7 — Jesus quotes a scripture nobody can identify), unnecessary realistic details, and the absence of realistic fiction as a genre in the first century.

McGrew's positive case for the reportage model

John 7 undesigned coincidences Lydia McGrew John 7
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-26

The Mirror Bible by François Du Toit is the worst Bible translation Winger has ever seen — not just inaccurate but anti-gospel, inverting Scripture to teach that humans are already divine and don't need to be born again.

Introduction to review of the Mirror Bible translation

Bible translations Mirror Bible Mirror Bible
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-26

The Mirror Bible is endorsed by John Crowder ("toking the holy ghost") and William Paul Young (author of The Shack, later a universalist). It's part of a broader movement: progressive Christianity, hyper-charismatic theology, and universal salvation all pushing the same direction.

Endorsers and broader context of the Mirror Bible

John Crowder Mirror Bible Mirror Bible John Crowder
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-29

Overview: Interview with Neil Shenvi on Critical Race Theory. The culture has real racism problems, but CRT distorts the problem and offers solutions that create more injustice. The goal is to think biblically, not politically.

Introduction to CRT discussion with Neil Shenvi

biblical justice Neil Shenvi Christian politics
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-29

Biblical framework: impartiality in judgment (no favoritism for rich or poor), all humans of one blood in God's image, individual sin/accountability, Scripture as the authority over lived experience. CRT is incompatible with Christianity on every core tenet.

The biblical response to CRT

Leviticus 19:15 image of God image of God biblical justice
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-02

The death penalty is clearly supported by Scripture. Genesis 9:5-6 — given to ALL humanity (not just Israel) — establishes capital punishment for murder based on the image of God: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed."

The foundational biblical case for the death penalty from Genesis 9

Genesis 9:5-6 image of God image of God capital punishment
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-16

Jesus identifies TWO problems with the Sadducees: they don't know the Scriptures AND they don't know the power of God. He then proves resurrection FROM the Pentateuch — their own strongest ground — using Exodus 3:6 ("I am the God of Abraham").

Jesus's response: two rebukes and the burning bush argument for resurrection

Mark 12:18-27 Exodus 3:6 resurrection resurrection marriage in heaven
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-16

Using Scripture against Scripture is the Sadducee/progressive playbook: Obama used the Sermon on the Mount to dismiss Romans on same-sex marriage; Rob Bell used "God is love" to dismiss hell. The only safe position is believing ALL of Scripture.

The progressive pattern of pitting Scripture against Scripture

Rob Bell Barack Obama progressive Christianity
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-16

Jesus agreed with the Pharisees on 4 points (supernatural worldview, resurrection, Scripture authority, messianic focus of OT) but disagreed on 3 (traditions as doctrine, authority claims, works-righteousness). Jesus agreed with the Sadducees on NOTHING.

Summary: Jesus vs. Pharisees vs. Sadducees mapped to modern groups

Roman Catholicism sola scriptura resurrection
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-04

In Mark 12:35-37, Jesus asks a riddle about Psalm 110:1 — if the Messiah is David's son, why does David call him "Lord"? Jesus is challenging the LIMITED christology that the Messiah is merely a human descendant of David.

Mark Series pt 50: Jesus's question about Christ and David from Psalm 110

Psalm 110:1 Mark 12:35-37 Mark series deity of Christ Psalm 110:1 Mark 12:35-37
Mike Winger idea 2021-06-04

About Cohabitation Before Marriage: What Scripture shows that 2 heterosexual Christians who love each other and intend to marry can’t cohabitate if they are celibate?

Q&A question: About Cohabitation Before Marriage

marriage
Mike Winger idea 2021-06-04

Defense of the Trinity: Hi Mike! I fully believe in the Trinity due to ALL of Scripture. But 1 Corinthians 8:6 is a bit problematic and seems Unitarian. What do you make of it?

Q&A question: Defense of the Trinity

1 Corinthians 8 Trinity 1 Corinthians 8
Mike Winger idea 2021-06-11

How do we Meditate on Scripture?: I was wondering: how do you remember Scripture? I will read in the morning, and by the time night/the next day comes, I forget what I read. I know we’re to meditate on it, but how do we do this?

Q&A question: How do we Meditate on Scripture?

meditation and contemplation
Mike Winger idea 2021-06-11

In Defense of Sola Scriptura: What is your understanding of 2 Thessalonians 2: 15, as many Orthodox Christians point to this as evidence of the legitimacy of traditions that are not explicitly written in Scripture?

Q&A question: In Defense of Sola Scriptura

apologetics Reformation theology
Mike Winger idea 2021-06-25

Is All of Scripture Inspired?: When Paul says, "I say, not the Lord but I..." in 1 Corinthians 7: 12, does that mean that portion of Scripture was not inspired?

Q&A question: Is All of Scripture Inspired?

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-16

Should Repetitive Bible Passages Concern Us?: I'm very confused about why Psalms 14 & 53 are almost identical. Is this an error in Scripture? Are any other pairs of psalms also duplicate? This is causing me to worry about the reliability of Scripture. Please help me understand this!

Q&A question: Should Repetitive Bible Passages Concern Us?

biblical reliability
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-23

Is Biblical Numerology Really Biblical?: What are your thoughts about “biblical numerology”? Are certain numbers in Scripture intended by God to carry hidden theological significance for us to find, or is this a man-made and potentially dangerous thing to look for while studying?

Q&A question: Is Biblical Numerology Really Biblical?
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-23

If our Sins are Forgiven, Why Ask for Forgiveness?: If Jesus paid for all of our sins once and for all, why are we still called throughout Scripture to continually ask for forgiveness (ex: The Lord's Prayer)?

Q&A question: If our Sins are Forgiven, Why Ask for Forgiveness?

Jesus prayer forgiveness
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-23

About the Doxology in Scripture: How should we make sense of the Doxology at the end of The Lord's Prayer in some English Bibles when it doesn't occur in earlier manuscripts? Should we not use it?

Q&A question: About the Doxology in Scripture

prayer
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-30

About “Rhema” (Sword of the Spirit): Can you explain the Greek word Rhema in Ephesians 6 when it talks about the “sword of the Spirit is the Word of God?” Is it Scripture, or like a word of wisdom, knowledge, or prophecy?

Q&A question: About “Rhema” (Sword of the Spirit)

Ephesians 6 prophecy Ephesians 6
Mike Winger idea 2021-08-06

Did Jesus Consider the OT to be Scripture?: You said in a past Q&A session that Jude references Enoch, and your best explanation is that it's just to make a point, not to say that Enoch is canon or inerrant. But that's also my conclusion about when Jesus refers to the Old Testament. Isn’t it the same for when Jesus refers to the Old Testament?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Consider the OT to be Scripture?

Jesus Enoch
Mike Winger idea 2021-08-06

If I Don’t Read Scripture, am I Still Accountable?: Romans 1:8-2: 16…Responsibility? I'm afraid to read/not read the Scriptures. So I read/don't read, sometimes feeling physically ill/deeply anxious/even empty. Is it normal to feel like this?

Q&A question: If I Don’t Read Scripture, am I Still Accountable?

Romans 1 Romans 1
Mike Winger idea 2021-08-13

About Paul and a Time Gap in Scripture: Why didn’t Luke mention the time gap that took place during Acts 9: 20-26, that Paul mentioned in Galatians 1: 17-18?

Q&A question: About Paul and a Time Gap in Scripture

Galatians 1 Acts 9 Galatians 1 Acts 9
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