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Mark 12:13-17 Mark series render to Caesar Mark 12:13-17 render to Caesar

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 Acts 5:37 Proverbs 29:5 Josephus Josephus Sanhedrin

The trap: Pharisees and Herodians (sent by the Sanhedrin) use flattery to pressure Jesus into a direct yes/no answer. They want either criminal charges (sedition) or depopularization (alienating zealot followers).

Analysis of the trap question setup in Mark 12:13-16

Proverbs 15:28 image of God image of God papacy

Jesus answers with a PRINCIPLE rather than yes/no: the coin bears Caesar's image (give it back), but YOU bear God's image (give yourself to God). This is a rabbinic "greater to lesser" argument that deflates their trap.

Analysis of "Render to Caesar" as a principled answer

image of God image of God render to Caesar

Jesus redirects from taxes to the image of God — you bear God's image, so you belong to God. For the Christian, there is no separation between religion and politics; being a Christian IS the lens through which you engage all of life.

The image of God as the foundational political principle

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-29

CRT redefines racism as "prejudice plus power" — meaning only the dominant group (whites) can be racist, and systemic racism is the only real racism. This enables dismissing any concern from majority groups while making all disparities evidence of racism.

CRT's redefinition of racism and its consequences

Proverbs 18:13 Robin DiAngelo Ibram X. Kendi prejudice plus power

Mike Winger idea 2020-11-02

Objections answered: (1) Jesus's "turn the other cheek" refutes personal vengeance, not governmental justice; (2) David's pardon is a divine exception, not a rule; (3) John 8 (woman in adultery) was a mob, not a court — and the passage is textually questionable.

Responding to objections against the death penalty

John 8 woman adultery Matthew 5 eye for eye death penalty John 8 woman adultery Matthew 5 eye for eye

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-04

Jesus will not allow a limited Christology — the Messiah is not just the son of David but God Himself. Mark supports this throughout: Isaiah 40:3 applied to Jesus (Yahweh's coming), Jesus walking on water (quoting Job where God walks on water), the demoniac telling what "the Lord/Jesus" did.

Building the case for the deity of Christ from Mark 12:35-37 and the broader Gospel of Mark

Psalm 110:1 Isaiah 9:1-2 deity of Christ Psalm 110:1 Isaiah 9:1-2

Mike Winger idea 2021-05-14

Where was Daniel when the three were thrown into the fire? Unknown — possibly on a trip, ill, or exempt from the order for some reason. The text simply doesn't say.

Q11: Where was Daniel during the fiery furnace?

Daniel Daniel NAR

Mike Winger idea 2021-05-14

Would Jesus have died of old age if not crucified? Probably yes — physical death entered through the Fall affecting all humanity, not just individual sinners. But Winger acknowledges he hasn't fully worked this out.

Q18: Would sinless Jesus have died of old age?

Romans 5 Romans 5:12 Romans 5 Jesus Romans 5:12

Mike Winger idea 2021-06-11

Winger walks through 1 Timothy 3 elder qualifications, acknowledging real-life churches (especially small ones) struggle to find people who meet all criteria. Lists: blameless, husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, hospitable, able to teach, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy, gentle, not quarrelsome, rules his own house well, not a novice.

Q&A: How literally should we follow the qualifications for pastors/elders in 1 Timothy and Titus?

1 Timothy 3 1 Timothy 3 elder qualifications 1 Timothy 3 elder qualifications

Mike Winger idea 2021-06-11

Encouragement when we feel Empty: I struggle with emotional emptiness, abandonment issues, & having low self-worth. This makes my walk hard because my cup is always empty. God won’t answer my prayers. Any advice?

Q&A question: Encouragement when we feel Empty

Mike Winger idea 2021-06-25

Assurance of God’s Love & Salvation: Does God really love me, and am I really saved? I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but I am still sinful and I struggle with sin. However, it seems that God answers my prayers. Am I really saved?

Q&A question: Assurance of God’s Love & Salvation

Jesus salvation prayer

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-06

Was Jesus Created? Answering JWs: How would you respond to a JW who says that Revelation 3: 14 proves that Jesus was created when it says He is the “beginning of Creation”?

Q&A question: Was Jesus Created? Answering JWs

Revelation 3 revelation Jesus creation Revelation 3

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-13

Refuting Catholic “Queenship” of Mary: How would you answer a Catholic who uses Revelation 12 to argue Mary's queenship?

Q&A question: Refuting Catholic “Queenship” of Mary

revelation Roman Catholicism revelation

Mike Winger idea 2021-05-07

Should we Ask Qs while Reading Scripture?: Does God want us to ask Him questions and look for the answers in Scripture, even if the Bible does not specifically deal with the question?

Q&A question: Should we Ask Qs while Reading Scripture?

Mike Winger idea 2021-09-10

Responding to Mormon Arguments: What is your best answer to a Mormon responding to "There is only ONE God" by saying "Yes, only one God for US. Only one God we are to worship & that’s OUR Heavenly Father but there are others elsewhere"?

Q&A question: Responding to Mormon Arguments

worship Mormonism

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-29

About the Curse in 2 Kings: How should we explain 2 Kings 2: 23-25? I had somebody bring it up to me and was unsure of how to answer them. On the surface, it seems problematic. What can I say to them?

Q&A question: About the Curse in 2 Kings

2 Kings 2 2 Kings 2

Mike Winger idea 2021-11-05

Is Baptism Required?: Why does the Bible sound like baptism is required for salvation in some places (eg. Mark 16: 16)? Does Acts 1:5 answer what KIND of baptism IS required (Holy Spirit baptism)? And what did Jesus mean by “to fulfill righteousness”?

Q&A question: Is Baptism Required?

Mark 16 Acts 1 Jesus salvation baptism

Mike Winger idea 2021-11-05

About Doubt, Truth, & Bias: My friend is doubting his faith and reality because he claims there's no way to discern truth objectively without some sort of bias. How would you answer him?

Q&A question: About Doubt, Truth, & Bias

doubt and faith

Was the Temple Ever Cleaned?: Blood was sprinkled around the altar in the Tabernacle and Temple. Did the priests ever clean up all the blood splatter? Or just let it accumulate? I cannot find the answer in Scripture.

Q&A question: Was the Temple Ever Cleaned?

NAR

Genesis Genesis 1 Jesus Genesis Genesis 1

What is the Light in Gen. 1?: What is the light in Genesis 1:3? Some say the light is a spiritual force, Jesus, stars, the Big Bang, etc. I know it’s not Jesus, but I’m getting a lot of feedback in a group without any real solid answers.

Q&A question: What is the Light in Gen. 1?

Should We Pray Once or Repeatedly?: I’ve heard several teachings about prayer and I’m a bit confused. Are we to pray once, believe we have it, and walk in faith? Or should we pray repeatedly until God gives us an answer?

Q&A question: Should We Pray Once or Repeatedly?

Mike Winger idea 2021-12-10

Can We Trust the Lord Through Unanswered Prayer?: Jesus promises to give us what we ask in His name/His will, if we believe it. He also says to “let your yes be yes and your no be no.” Can we really say that God keeps His promises when this doesn't always happen?

Q&A question: Can We Trust the Lord Through Unanswered Prayer?

Jesus prayer

Theology Books for Teens/College Age: My 17 yr. old son is into theology. Do you have any theology books you’d recommend for teens/college students that aren’t weighty reads, but offer good, biblical answers to Christian questions? Something that will interest a teenager without getting lost into a huge textbook.

Q&A question: Theology Books for Teens/College Age

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-04

Encouragement for New Bible Teachers: I'm a recent MDiv graduate who gets questions from friends and family about the Bible. I do a study and answer them, and they respond with "that's what I thought." Any encouragement to keep trying?

Q&A question: Encouragement for New Bible Teachers

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

About Jesus’ Suffering: Did Jesus need to have suffered the most pain ever for Him to be worthy to save us? How should we answer the objection that some people have supposedly suffered worse pain, i.e. from torture or the Holocaust?

Q&A question: About Jesus’ Suffering

Jesus suffering

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

Can we Roll Dice to Hear from God?: In Proverbs 16: 33, the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. Does this mean we can roll dice to get answers from God?

Q&A question: Can we Roll Dice to Hear from God?

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-18

Is Marriage Required after Kissing or Sex?: Some say that because my ex-boyfriend and I French kissed, we must marry. We broke up 2 years ago and he didn't answer when I asked to talk. I want to be free to marry someone else, but I'm scared to sin against God. Help. How can I know I am free?

Q&A question: Is Marriage Required after Kissing or Sex?

marriage

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-13

Can we be Pro-Life and Against Same-Sex Adoption?: How do we respond to people who say “You Christians are so pro-life yet you don’t want gay people to adopt”? What’s the path to answering that question?

Q&A question: Can we be Pro-Life and Against Same-Sex Adoption?

abortion homosexuality

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-20

The Trinity: Can We Ever be 100% Certain?: I've been fighting doubts and "what ifs" about the Trinity lately, and though I'm confident in the answers I've gotten, I fear I'll never be certain about it again. Any advice?

Q&A question: The Trinity: Can We Ever be 100% Certain?

Trinity

Mike Winger idea 2022-06-17

When Science Cannot Answer: As a new Christian who was raised to follow science first, how can we extract the most knowledge out of the parts of the Old Testament that we cannot fathom/science cannot yet answer?

Q&A question: When Science Cannot Answer

faith and science

Mike Winger idea 2022-06-24

Should Christians be Organ Donors?: I am wondering how Christians should think about organ donation? Is there a clear answer in Scripture?

Q&A question: Should Christians be Organ Donors?

Mike Winger idea 2022-08-05

Why did Jesus call the Father His God?: I've been wrestling with this passage for a couple of months, and I haven't found a solid answer yet. It's in John 20: 17. I can't seem to understand why Jesus calls the Father His God.

Q&A question: Why did Jesus call the Father His God?

John 20 Jesus John 20

Mike Winger idea 2022-09-02

Trusting God when He Seems Silent: What practical steps do you do to trust in the Lord? I frequently have difficulty trusting Him during difficult times, especially when He doesn’t seem to be answering prayer.

Q&A question: Trusting God when He Seems Silent

Mike Winger idea 2022-12-02

Will We Remember Unbelievers in Eternity?: After a believer dies, will they remember their loved ones who were unbelievers? I understand "perfect peace," but that doesn’t answer the question.

Q&A question: Will We Remember Unbelievers in Eternity?

evangelism

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Trinitarian Clarity: How is the Holy Spirit not the Son or Father (Matthew 10: 20, Philippians 1: 19)? These verses confuse me when I’m trying to answer this question.

Q&A question: Trinitarian Clarity

Matthew 10 Matthew Philippians 1 Trinity Matthew 10 Philip

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-05

Why Is There Still Evil on Earth?: My 10-year-old wants to know, if Satan was defeated, then why is there still evil on the planet? I couldn’t think of a good way to answer her. Help?

Q&A question: Why Is There Still Evil on Earth?

Satan

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Is Every Good Thing an Answered Prayer?: Why are some people so quick to celebrate when God answers “small” prayers, but they overlook the fact that He didn’t answer “bigger” prayers like healing someone of cancer?

Q&A question: Is Every Good Thing an Answered Prayer?

prayer healing

Mike Winger idea 2023-06-09

Must we Share our Faith in Every Circumstance?: Looking at 1 Peter 3: 15-17, what would you say to anyone who would ask you about "the hope you have in you"? And are there times or certain people who you wouldn't bother providing that answer to (e.g., someone you know isn't really interested in the answer and just seeks to make fun of you)?

Q&A question: Must we Share our Faith in Every Circumstance?

1 Peter 3 Peter 1 Peter 3

Mike Winger idea 2023-06-09

Do Heavenly Rewards Support LDS Doctrine?: Every time you answer a question about rewards in Heaven, I can't help but think of the LDS levels of Heaven. How do I debate with them when they use rewards as the basis for their belief about there being different levels of Heaven?

Q&A question: Do Heavenly Rewards Support LDS Doctrine?

Mormonism

Mike Winger idea 2023-08-18

When Other Faiths Pray for Us: When people of other religions pray for us and we see these prayers answered, how do we reconcile that with Christianity? Does that mean all faiths are good?

Q&A question: When Other Faiths Pray for Us

Mike Winger idea 2023-09-01

Is Jesus Presently King?: Is Jesus presently on the throne or at the right hand of the throne? Is He King today? In what sense is He King? Proof text? How does the answer impact premillennial eschatology?

Q&A question: Is Jesus Presently King?

Jesus eschatology

Mike Winger idea 2023-09-29

Committed Relationships as Good as Marriage?: How would you answer claims that “committed sexual relationships” have everything good that a marriage has? What’s the essence of marriage that withstands infertility/impotence/distance, etc.?

Q&A question: Committed Relationships as Good as Marriage?

marriage

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-01

Are we Equal with God in Heaven?: My wife had a question I did not know how to answer: If we are perfected at the end of time and perfect in God's presence, how are we not then equal with God? We realize that we will not be greater than God, but I am not sure how to explain this subject.

Q&A question: Are we Equal with God in Heaven?

marriage

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-03

Why Doesn’t God Just Satisfy Skeptics’ Doubts?: How would you answer someone who says, “If there is a God, He knows what evidence I would need to believe and has not given it to me” and seems to genuinely mean it, not mocking/scoffing?

Q&A question: Why Doesn’t God Just Satisfy Skeptics’ Doubts?

apologetics doubt and faith

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-12

Bible = Pure Fiction?: As a Christian, what is an appropriate answer to an atheist claiming that the Bible is pure fiction?

Q&A question: Bible = Pure Fiction?

atheism

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-23

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?