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Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Matthew 19:12 -- Three categories of eunuchs: from birth, made by men, and self-made for the kingdom

Question from 'dat boy' about whether eunuchs from birth in Matthew 19:12 includes intersex people, and whether the verse advises eunuchs not to marry.

Matthew 19:12 marriage divorce celibacy
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Eunuchs from birth likely refers to those physically unable to procreate; intersex persons who cannot have intercourse fit this category

Continued analysis of Matthew 19:12 eunuchs from birth.

Matthew 19:12 Matthew 19:12 eunuch intersex
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Jesus and Paul do not permit divorce for infertility, demonstrating marriage has value beyond procreation

Extension of the Matthew 19:12 discussion, connecting to Jesus's divorce teaching.

Matthew 19 Roman law marriage divorce
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Ruth 4:5-6 -- Kinsman-redeemer typology: Boaz as Christ, the unnamed redeemer as a failed Adam-figure

Question from 'yo man' about whether Ruth 4:5-6 is typologically connected to Galatians 3:23-25.

Ruth 4:5-6 typology Adam Ruth 4:5-6
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Galatians 3:23-25 -- The Law as paidagogos (guardian/tutor) leading to Christ; distinct from kinsman-redeemer language

Mike evaluates whether Galatians 3:23-25 connects to the Ruth kinsman-redeemer passage.

Galatians 3:23-25 typology justification by faith paidagogos
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

Announcement: upcoming survey of eschatological views including premillennial, amillennial, postmillennial, and preterist perspectives

Brief mid-stream announcement about upcoming Monday content.

eschatology preterism premillennialism
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Book of Life: names blotted out -- the phrase is too non-specific to resolve the eternal security debate

Question from Paul Redding about how one is written into or blotted out of the Book of Life.

Revelation Hebrews warning passages Revelation once saved always saved eternal security
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

Leaven of Herod (Mark 8:15) -- ungodly ambition, desire for worldly approval, and yielding to wickedness

Question from Mark H about the leaven of Herod in Mark 8:15, and why it is named separately from the leaven of the Pharisees.

Mark 8:15 1 Corinthians 5:8 Herod Mark 8:15 1 Corinthians 5:8
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

New age practices on TikTok (astral projection): equip youth by understanding what the practices are before addressing them

Question from Deanna about youth leaders dealing with students exploring new age practices like astral projection found on TikTok.

youth ministry discernment spiritual warfare
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Why care about false doctrine (prosperity gospel, word of faith)? Because doctrinal error has real-world spiritual consequences

Question from Tony about why false doctrine matters if it does not compromise salvation.

discernment prosperity gospel apostasy
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Romans 8:34 and 1 John 2:1-2 -- Christ's intercession is not ongoing pleading but his perpetual existence as our propitiation

Question from Sephora Ba about why Jesus still intercedes for the elect if they are already saved (Romans 8:34).

Romans 8:34 1 John 2:1-2 salvation eternal security propitiation
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Was Solomon saved? Ecclesiastes may imply a late-life repentance and return to God despite idolatrous period

Question from Darcy 777 about whether Solomon died worshiping false gods and whether he was saved.

Ecclesiastes 1 Kings 11 repentance salvation apostasy
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Preaching with a stutter: accept your limitations, resist performing, and trust God to use you or redirect you

Question from Hudson Hancock, who preaches with a stutter and finds it discouraging.

Jeremiah Exodus 4:10 Jeremiah 1:6 Paul Moses Jeremiah
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

Discipleship readiness: everyone can encourage immediately; formal leadership is about raising others up, not establishing authority

Second part of Bree Herb's question: how do you know when you are ready to disciple others?

discipleship spiritual leadership mentoring
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Forgiveness vs. salvation: forgiveness is one component; salvation is the full package including adoption, the Spirit, and eternal life

Question from Olivia Heartland asking for clarification on the difference between forgiveness and salvation.

salvation forgiveness soteriology
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

How to test a prophecy before it is fulfilled: track record matters more than individual accuracy; errors are disqualifying

Question from Omar Barr about testing prophecy before it is fulfilled, including the 2020 Trump prophecies.

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

1 Corinthians 10:13 -- No temptation is beyond your ability; sinning is a choice, not compulsion; God provides a way of escape

Question from Bob Satellite who says he cannot stop sinning and feels his heart is too cold to change.

1 Corinthians 10:13 sanctification temptation sin
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Hosea's family as prophetic type; Ezekiel as the strongest Christ-type prophet who bears Israel's iniquity bodily

Question from Drifter 2003 about whether Hosea's children having names like 'Not Loved' is a type of Christ bearing others' burdens.

Hosea Ezekiel Ezekiel 4 typology Hosea Ezekiel
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Lust and pornography as stress relief: the sin creates more stress than it relieves; Romans 7-8 and walking in the Spirit

Question from Adriano about being tempted by lust online and watching pornography to deal with stress.

Romans 7-8 Matthew 4:3 sanctification temptation lust
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 2021-02-05

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.

Brian Simmons Passion Translation Anti-supernatural bias
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Private vs. public religious experience: Brian Simmons's experiences are private; Jesus's resurrection appearances were witnessed by many simultaneously.

First major distinction between Brian Simmons and the apostles in the credibility comparison.

James (brother of Jesus) Brian Simmons Paul the Apostle James (brother of Jesus)
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Endorsement circle comparison: Simmons is endorsed only within hyper-charismatic circles; the resurrection was affirmed even by hostile witnesses like Paul.

Second distinction in the Simmons-vs-apostles credibility argument.

Empty tomb Paul the Apostle Enemy attestation
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Verifiability: Simmons's claims are provably false by checking the Greek text; the apostolic claims are historically robust.

Third distinction: the content of the claims can be tested.

Romans 1 Brian Simmons William Lane Craig Gary Habermas
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

Proper epistemology: compare the quality of evidence for each religious claim rather than treating all religious claims equally.

Conclusion of the Brian Simmons / apostles comparison section.

Mormonism Joseph Smith Comparative religious epistemology
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Background to Exodus 4:24 — circumcision as covenant sign and Moses's failure to circumcise his son.

Question from Dave Baran about why God sought to kill Moses in Exodus 4:24 and what Zipporah meant by "bloody husband."

Exodus 4:24 Moses Exodus 4:24 Circumcision
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Exodus 4:24 interpreted: God's threat on Moses's life is a warning to leaders who are hypocrites — faithful in ministry but unfaithful in personal obedience.

Interpretation of why God sought to kill Moses before he led Israel out of Egypt.

Exodus 4:24 Moses Exodus 4:24 Circumcision
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Application from Exodus 4:24: ministry success does not substitute for personal sanctification; leaders must take heed to themselves.

Personal application of the Exodus 4:24 passage for ministry leaders.

Exodus 4:24 Exodus 4:24 Sanctification Leadership accountability
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Holy Spirit in the Old vs. New Testament: Old Testament experiences were primarily empowerment for service; New Testament introduces indwelling.

Question from Elizabeth about the distinction between the Holy Spirit coming "upon" versus being "in" a person.

Ezekiel 29 Elijah Holy Spirit empowerment Holy Spirit indwelling
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Ephesians 1:13 — the sealing of the Spirit as the New Testament's distinctive: permanent relational indwelling as guarantee of inheritance.

Scriptural basis for the New Testament indwelling distinction.

Romans 8 Ephesians 1:13 Abba Father Romans 8 Pentecost
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

The "upon" experience continues in the New Testament alongside indwelling: Acts 4 prayer for boldness as a second coming of the Spirit upon believers already indwelt.

Reconciling Old Testament "upon" empowerment with New Testament reality.

Acts 4 Acts 4 Holy Spirit empowerment Holy Spirit filling
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

Are angels immortal? Tentative view: angels appear to be immortal but the debate involves what state they are in rather than whether they cease to exist.

Question from Ricardo Sierra about whether angels are immortal and whether demons could defeat them.

Psalm 82 Psalm 82 Angels Angelology
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

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).

Matthew 8:4 Matthew 9:30 Matthew 12:16 Bartimaeus Triumphal Entry Messianic Secret
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

The blindness of Israel as a theological theme: Israel had the Messiah in their midst and did not recognize him.

Additional layer of meaning in the Messianic Secret passages.

Christology Messianic Secret Israel's blindness
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Satan's rebellion and God's will: God wills that creatures have genuine free will, which entails the possibility of rebellion.

Question from Casey Mills about whether Satan's rebellion was God's will if God's will is always done in heaven.

Isaiah 14 Free will Isaiah 14 Satan's rebellion
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 2021-02-05

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.

James 2 James 2 Christian essentials Salvation theology
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Matthew 13:44-46 (Pearl of Great Price / Treasure in the Field): interpretation debate — is the person Jesus or the believer? Mike leans toward Jesus as the buyer.

Question from C. Bates about Matthew 13:44-45.

Hebrews 12:2 Matthew 13:44 Matthew 13:45-46 Atonement Hebrews 12:2 Matthew 13:44
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

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.

Calvinism God's glory American Gospel (film)
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Adam and Eve as historical people: consistency as a Christian requires affirming their historicity, but salvation does not depend on this doctrine.

Question from Loretta Taylor about whether Christian faith requires Adam and Eve to be literal historical people.

Genesis Romans 5 Genesis Romans 5 Adam and Eve
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

God's jealousy and anger are not sinful because jealousy and anger are not inherently sinful — only their corrupt expressions in fallen humans are.

Question from A.D. Chan about how God can be jealous or angry if these are listed as sins of the flesh in Galatians 5.

James 1 Galatians 5 Ephesians 4:26 James 1 Galatians 5 God's wrath
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

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.

John 20:23 Apostolic authority John 20:23 Forgiveness of sins
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 2021-02-05

Praying for the salvation of the deceased: not immoral as described, but lacks biblical authorization and is questionable in effect.

Question from "Nothing Much" about retroactive prayer for someone who has already died.

Prayer for the dead Purgatory God's relationship to time
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