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All (846) Scripture Commentary (483) Theology (45) Mike Winger (317) Pulpit (1)
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-28

Hebrews is not attributed to Paul by Mike; all other epistles he considers genuinely Pauline

Mike's personal view on Hebrews authorship within the Pauline authorship discussion

Hebrews authorship Hebrews New Testament Paul the Apostle Hebrews authorship
Mike Winger idea 2018-04-11

Q&A: 1 Corinthians 7:12 — is Paul's 'I, not the Lord' statement inspired Scripture?

Viewer question: Should we consider 1 Corinthians 7:12 inspired since Paul explicitly says it is his opinion, not the Lord's?

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7 marriage apostolic authority
Mike Winger idea 2018-04-11

Q&A: How did Paul know so much about Jesus if he did not personally follow him?

Viewer question about the source of Paul's detailed knowledge of Jesus's teaching and gospel.

revelation Galatians 1 oral tradition Paul apostolic tradition
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Introduction of the skeptical objection: Paul didn't know much about Jesus

Mike opens by framing the topic as a response to a common skeptical objection he hears when doing Christian apologetics.

apologetics Paul the Apostle historicity of Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Debate preparation with Matt Dillahunty context

Mike explains this video is part of his preparation for a debate on the resurrection of Jesus with atheist Matt Dillahunty on April 11th on the Capturing Christianity YouTube channel.

apologetics Matt Dillahunty Capturing Christianity
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Epistles are not biographies — they don't need to quote Jesus extensively

Before diving into scripture, Mike explains why Paul's letters don't contain extensive biography of Jesus and why that doesn't undermine their historical value.

Paul the Apostle epistles genre of epistles vs. gospels
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Craig Blomberg cited: Epistles of John contain no quotations of Jesus despite being written after the Gospel of John

Mike uses this scholarly observation as evidence that the absence of Jesus-quotations in epistles is normal and expected, not a red flag.

Craig Blomberg Gospel of John genre of epistles vs. gospels
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Matt Dillahunty's claim: Paul only gives us death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus

Mike cites a specific claim by Matt Dillahunty (paraphrased) that Paul's writings tell us virtually nothing about the historical Jesus other than death, burial, and resurrection.

Paul the Apostle Matt Dillahunty historicity of Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Galatians 4:4 — Paul affirms Jesus was a human being born of a woman, born under the Law (i.e., Jewish)

First in a series of scriptures Mike walks through to show what Paul knew about the historical Jesus.

Galatians 4:4 Galatians 4:4 incarnation Paul the Apostle
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Romans 15:8 — Christ as servant of the circumcised fulfilling OT promises

Paired with Galatians 4:4 to further establish Jesus's Jewish identity and Messianic role.

Romans 15:8 Romans 15:8 circumcision Jesus as Jewish
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

2 Corinthians 5:21 — Paul affirms Jesus was sinless

Continuing the list of what Paul knew about the historical Jesus — his moral character.

2 Corinthians 5:21 historical Jesus 2 Corinthians 5:21 sinlessness of Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Romans 1:3 — Jesus was a physical descendant of David

Continuing the list of what Paul knew — Jesus's Davidic lineage.

Romans 1:3 incarnation Messiah/Christ Romans 1:3
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Galatians 3:16 — Jesus as descendant of Abraham, fulfilling Abrahamic promises

Extending the genealogical claims Paul makes about Jesus to include Abrahamic descent.

Galatians 3:16 Abrahamic covenant Messiah/Christ Old Testament fulfillment
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

1 Corinthians 15:5 — Paul knows Jesus had twelve special disciples, including Peter (Cephas)

Paul's knowledge of Jesus's inner circle of disciples establishes biographical familiarity.

1 Corinthians 15:5 post-resurrection appearances 1 Corinthians 15:5 the twelve disciples
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 — the resurrection creed: appearances to Peter, the twelve, 500+, James, all apostles, and Paul

The full resurrection appearance list in 1 Corinthians 15 as evidence Paul knew the historical Jesus and the witnesses to his resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 James (brother of Jesus) Paul the Apostle post-resurrection appearances resurrection creed
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Paul's letters predate the Gospels — his knowledge of Jesus is independent from them

Key methodological point: Paul's testimony cannot be derived from the Gospels since he wrote earlier.

Paul the Apostle historical reliability independent attestation
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Philippians 2:6-8 — Jesus lived a humble, godly life and died by crucifixion

Continuing the biographical details about Jesus that Paul records.

Philippians 2:6-8 kenosis incarnation Philippians 2:6-8
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Galatians 1:19 and 1 Corinthians 9:5 — Jesus had brothers, specifically James

Paul's knowledge of Jesus's family members as evidence of biographical familiarity with the historical Jesus.

1 Corinthians 9:5 James (brother of Jesus) Galatians 1:19 1 Corinthians 9:5 James (brother of Jesus) Galatians 1:19
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

1 Corinthians 11:23-25 — Paul 'received from the Lord' the Last Supper tradition, predating the Gospels

Paul's detailed knowledge of the Last Supper is one of the strongest demonstrations that he knew specific events from Jesus's life.

1 Corinthians 11:23-25 Passover Last Supper 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Last Supper account in Paul matches the Synoptic order — too many coincidences to be unrelated

Mike compares Paul's sequence in 1 Corinthians 11 with the Synoptic Gospels to argue they are describing the same event.

1 Corinthians 11:23-25 Mark 14:22 Matthew 26:26 Last Supper independent attestation 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

1 Thessalonians 2:14-15 — Paul identifies the Jews who killed Jesus as the same people persecuting the early church

Paul's reference to Jesus's killers as earthly, identifiable people further anchors Jesus in physical history.

1 Thessalonians 2:14-15 historicity of Jesus 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15 death of Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

1 Timothy 6:13 — Paul references Jesus's testimony before Pontius Pilate

Paul's specific mention of Pontius Pilate ties Jesus's death to a named Roman governor, confirming his historical existence.

1 Timothy 6:13 historicity of Jesus crucifixion of Jesus 1 Timothy 6:13
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

1 Corinthians 7:10 — Paul distinguishes Jesus's teaching from his own on divorce

Paul's explicit attribution of a teaching to 'the Lord' rather than himself demonstrates his awareness of Jesus's specific teachings.

1 Corinthians 7:10 divorce 1 Corinthians 7:10 Jesus's teaching on divorce
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Romans 12:14 echoes Luke 6:27-28 — bless those who persecute you

Paul's ethical instructions parallel Jesus's teachings in the Sermon on the Plain, suggesting he is drawing from Jesus's tradition.

Romans 12:14 Luke 6:27-28 Romans 12:14 Luke 6:27-28 love of enemies
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Romans 12:17 echoes Matthew 5:39 — do not repay evil for evil / turn the other cheek

Another parallel between Paul's ethical instructions and the Sermon on the Mount.

Romans 12:17 Matthew 5:39 Romans 12:17 Paul echoing Jesus's teaching Matthew 5:39
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Romans 13:7 echoes the 'Render to Caesar' teaching of Jesus (Mark 12:14-17)

Paul's instruction to pay taxes parallels Jesus's teaching about taxes to Caesar, which was a highly contested political/religious issue.

Romans 13:7 Mark 12:14-17 Paul echoing Jesus's teaching Romans 13:7 Mark 12:14-17
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Romans 14:14 — Paul says he is persuaded 'in the Lord Jesus' that nothing is unclean in itself, echoing Mark 7:19 and Luke 11:41

Paul explicitly attributes a specific conviction to Jesus's authority, pointing to his awareness of Jesus's actual teachings.

Romans 14:14 Mark 7:18-19 Luke 11:41 Romans 14:14 Paul echoing Jesus's teaching Mark 7:18-19
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

1 Corinthians 9:14 — Paul says 'the Lord commanded' that gospel workers be supported financially

Paul explicitly attributes a specific command to Jesus regarding financial support for those who proclaim the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:14 Luke 10:7 Paul attributing teaching to Jesus 1 Corinthians 9:14 Luke 10:7
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

1 Timothy 5:18 quotes Luke 10:7 alongside Deuteronomy 25:4 and calls both 'Scripture'

The author of 1 Timothy introduces two quotations with 'the Scripture says' — one from the OT and one from Luke 10:7 — implying canonical status for Gospel material in the first century.

Deuteronomy 25:4 Luke 10:7 1 Timothy 5:18 Deuteronomy 25:4 Luke 10:7 laborer deserves wages
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Detailed Synoptic comparison of Last Supper: Paul, Mark, Matthew, and Luke all describe the same sequence

Mike does a detailed side-by-side comparison of the Last Supper accounts across Paul and the three Synoptic Gospels.

1 Corinthians 11:23-25 Mark 14:22 Matthew 26:26 Last Supper independent attestation 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Paul was a Pharisee trained in Jerusalem under Gamaliel and likely encountered Jesus personally

Mike addresses the claim that Paul never met Jesus, arguing circumstantial evidence strongly suggests they crossed paths.

Gamaliel Paul the Apostle Pharisees
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Paul's apostolic authority confirmed by Peter and James; 2 Peter calls Paul's writings Scripture

Q&A: question about how Paul went from persecutor to authoritative apostle.

Galatians 1 James (brother of Jesus) 2 Peter Galatians 1 Peter (Cephas) James (brother of Jesus)
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Isaiah 7:14 — 'alma' means young maiden; the context of Isaiah 7-9 supports the virgin birth interpretation

Q&A: question about whether Isaiah 7:14 refers to a young woman or a virgin, and whether it was a sign to Ahaz.

Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 7-9 Matthew 1 virgin birth Isaiah 7:14 Old Testament fulfillment
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Matthew 10:23 — 'Son of Man comes' refers to Jesus's first coming during the disciples' mission trip, not the Second Coming

Q&A: question about a verse that appears to predict Jesus would return before the disciples finished preaching in Israel.

Matthew 10:23 Acts 1:8 Second Coming eschatology Matthew 10:23
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Sodom and Gomorrah judgment comparison for towns rejecting Jesus's envoys

Part of the Matthew 10 discussion — Jesus says it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah than for towns that reject the disciples.

Matthew 10 judgment Bethsaida sending of the twelve
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Galatians 4:4 'born under the law' consistently refers to Jews in Paul's usage

Q&A follow-up: clarification on whether 'born under the law' in Galatians 4:4 implies Jewish identity.

Galatians 4:4 Galatians 4:4 Jesus as Jewish born under the law
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Repentance restores relationship with God, not salvific status; analogy of marriage reconciliation

Q&A: question about whether believers must live sinlessly or must continually repent.

salvation repentance sanctification
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Empty tomb: majority scholarly agreement exists, but Mike doesn't know a compelling argument against it

Q&A: question about why the empty tomb is only majority (not unanimous) scholarly agreement.

empty tomb resurrection of Jesus historical reliability
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Acts 21:17-26 — Paul participates in a Nazirite vow to demonstrate continued Torah observance as a Jewish believer

Q&A: question about Paul's behavior in Acts 21 and what it tells us about his relationship to Torah.

Romans 14 James (brother of Jesus) Acts 21:17-26 circumcision Nazirite vow Romans 14
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Jesus overturning tables in the Temple — anger is not inherently sinful, but it creates temptation to sin

Q&A: question about whether Jesus's table-turning in the Temple constitutes sinful anger.

Christian ethics sinlessness of Jesus Temple cleansing
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-16

Thomas's rebuke was for ignoring available evidence, not for demanding evidence — modern believers have the same pre-appearance evidence

Mike draws the application of the Thomas story to contemporary Christian faith.

John 20:24-29 resurrection Thomas Matt Dillahunty
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-30

Hebrew Roots Movement is not monolithic — four distinct subgroups identified along a spectrum from optional Torah-keeping to rejecting Jesus entirely

Mike breaks down the internal diversity within the movement to caution against a single label.

Torah observance Hebrew Roots Movement Salvation by works
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-30

Paul's legitimacy as an apostle — Mike answers a claim that Paul was not a true Jew and therefore untrustworthy

Q&A: a viewer's sister and brother-in-law argue that Paul was not a true Jew and deceived his audience; they use this to reject his letters.

Acts 13 Paul Peter Paul rejection
Mike Winger idea 2019-02-07

Generational curses: Mike does not believe in them as commonly taught

Q&A on whether generational curses are biblical.

New Testament generational curses deliverance ministry
Mike Winger idea 2019-02-13

Nicene and Apostles' Creed: Mike affirms them but would add content on repentance

Viewer asking about the Nicene and Apostles' Creed

repentance Nicene Creed Apostles' Creed
Mike Winger idea 2019-02-13

Books like Job belong in the canon because Jesus accepted the Old Testament, and apostles were commissioned to teach

Viewer asking why books like Job are in the Bible if we don't know the author

Job apostolic authority biblical canon Job
Mike Winger idea 2019-02-20

Four categories of worthy sources in Papias's framework

Mike breaks down what Papias considered authoritative sources for Jesus tradition.

Richard Bauckham Papias eyewitness hierarchy
Mike Winger idea 2019-02-20

"From the beginning" (ap archēs) eyewitnesses in Luke 1:2 defined by Acts 1:21-22

What Luke means by "from the beginning eyewitnesses."

Luke 1:2 Acts 1:21-22 eyewitness testimony Luke 1:2 Acts 1:21-22
Mike Winger idea 2019-02-20

John 15: Jesus's own definition of apostolic witness "from the beginning"

Third Gospel parallel to Luke's and Acts's "from the beginning" language.

John 15 Luke 1:2 Acts 1:21 eyewitness testimony John 15 Luke 1:2
Mike Winger idea 2019-04-03

Introduction: purpose of the video is to examine whether the original resurrection eyewitnesses genuinely believed their claims about Jesus rising from the dead

Opening segment; Mike establishes the core question for the livestream

resurrection apostle sincerity conspiracy hypothesis