Search — Theology Explorer

apologetics atheism moral argument

Mike rebuts a viewer's accusation that Christians believe only because of family pressure or weakness, sharing his own testimony of coming to faith alone in a non-Christian home and listing multiple philosophical reasons he holds for God's existence.

Response to skeptical viewer claiming Christians believe due to social conditioning

prayer sanctification pastoral counsel

Mike offers pastoral advice on controlling anger in traffic, recommending a practice of redirecting the impulse to complain into prayer, focusing on controlling one’s own reactions rather than others’ behavior.

Response to viewer asking for counsel on road rage/anger

Eastern Orthodoxy gospel Sola Scriptura

Mike declines to comment on Coptic/Oriental Orthodox theology due to insufficient knowledge, but raises concerns about Eastern Orthodox extra-biblical tradition and recounts a personal experience of a woman who left his church for an Eastern Orthodox group and could no longer articulate the gospel.

Response to viewer question about Coptic/Oriental Orthodox theology

Luke 22 Christian ethics just war Old Testament law

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

apologetics resurrection of Jesus hell

Mike argues that the best approach to the question of hell is not direct empirical evidence but rather a two-step argument: establish the trustworthiness of Jesus through the resurrection and fulfilled prophecy, then accept his teaching on hell as credible.

Response to viewer demanding evidence for hell

judgment divine justice hell

Mike objects to using the word "torture" for hell because it implies morally wrong treatment; he argues hell is perfectly just measured punishment that varies according to each person’s sins and revelatory opportunities, citing Jesus’ own statements about different degrees of judgment.

Continuation of discussion on hell and how to explain it

Colossians 1:13 Luke 17:21 John 18 eschatology second coming premillennialism

Mike reconciles Colossians 1:13's statement that Christians have been transferred into Christ's kingdom with premillennial teaching by distinguishing between the kingdom as an internal present reality (God reigning in the heart) and the future global, political kingdom established at the second coming.

Response to viewer question about how premillennialism handles Colossians 1:13

Mike dismisses the claim that Jesus was a socialist, arguing that caring for the poor is universal and the political question is how to do so, not whether to; he says Jesus' kingdom is a theocracy that no human government can imitate.

Response to viewer question about whether Jesus was a socialist

theocracy poverty Jesus

1 Corinthians 11 Galatians 3:28 Ephesians 5 headship head coverings Trinity

Mike gives an extended reading and defense of 1 Corinthians 11 on head coverings, arguing the text is about role differentiation within a framework of equal personal value, not about female inferiority, and that charging God with sexism reflects moral overreach toward the Creator.

Response to viewer asking about 1 Corinthians 11 and the charge that the Bible is sexist

Holy Spirit apologetics gospel

Mike shares his personal testimony: he came to faith at age 12 through the 10 Commandments convicting him of sin, then heard the gospel at a youth group he attended to get out of the house, believed immediately, and later pursued apologetics to verify his faith.

Response to viewer asking about Mike’s testimony

apologetics atheism moral argument

Mike argues it is philosophically irrational to charge God with immorality because God’s character is the very grounding of moral goodness, making the question of whether God could do something immoral logically incoherent, analogous to asking if a circle could be a square.

Response to non-believer asking whether there is anything God could do that would lead Mike to consider him immoral

Hebrews Paul Apollos Barnabas

Mike addresses the canonicity of Hebrews despite unknown authorship, arguing that inspiration does not require apostolic pen but apostolic teaching, and that the New Testament canon formed organically as first-century texts with apostolic content were recognized by the early church.

Response to viewer question about how Hebrews can be inspired if we do not know who wrote it

Empty tomb Paul the Apostle Enemy attestation

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.

Romans 1 Brian Simmons William Lane Craig Gary Habermas

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.

Acts 12 Paul the Apostle Hallucination theory Peter the Apostle

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.

Ezekiel 29 Elijah Holy Spirit empowerment Holy Spirit indwelling

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.

Romans 8 Ephesians 1:13 Abba Father Romans 8 Pentecost

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.

Acts 4 Acts 4 Holy Spirit empowerment Holy Spirit filling

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.

Kenneth Copeland Kenneth Hagin Word of Faith movement

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."

Psalm 82 Psalm 82 Angels Angelology

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.

Matthew 8:4 Matthew 9:30 Matthew 12:16 Bartimaeus Triumphal Entry Messianic Secret

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).

Christology Messianic Secret Israel's blindness

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.

Isaiah 14 Free will Isaiah 14 Satan's rebellion

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.

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

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.

Hebrews 12:2 Matthew 13:44 Matthew 13:45-46 Atonement Hebrews 12:2 Matthew 13:44

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.

Calvinism God's glory American Gospel (film)

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.

Genesis Romans 5 Genesis Romans 5 Adam and Eve

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.

Ephesians 5 Ephesians 5 Love and Respect (book) Marriage theology

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.

Exodus 12:12 Exodus 12:12 Ten Plagues of Egypt Egyptian gods

The gods of Egypt in Exodus 12:12: the plagues systematically judge the deified forces Egypt worshipped, demonstrating Israel's God controls all creation.

Question from Essoptron about the identity of the "gods of Egypt" in Exodus 12:12.

Galatians 5 Galatians 5 Passion Translation Hyper-charismatic movement

Advice to someone whose church is becoming hyper-charismatic: leave, if you must, without bitterness, motivated only by principle and love.

Question from Jay Parker about whether to leave a church moving toward hyper-charismaticism after elders dismissed critique of the Passion Translation as nitpicking.

1 Corinthians 5 1 Corinthians 5 Lifestyle sin Church discipline

Church discipline for a professed believer in a gay marriage: the local body should practice separation/excommunication; individual relationship may continue with pastoral intent.

Question from JTro Man about what biblical separation looks like with a professed believer in a gay marriage.

Ravi Zacharias Christian celebrity scandal wolves among sheep

Opening announcement about Ravi Zacharias scandal — video promises a detailed Monday response

Mike opens the Q&A livestream by noting he woke up at 4:20 AM thinking about the Ravi Zacharias report. He announces a dedicated video on Monday at 1 PM to address the scandal in depth.

Revelation Revelation dating eschatology Revelation preterism

Q1: Why does Revelation not mention the destruction of Jerusalem if written around 70 AD?

Viewer Doug Bush asks why John would ignore such a major prophetic fulfillment as the destruction of Jerusalem if Revelation was written around 70 AD, as preterists claim.

Revelation Revelation dating John the Apostle Revelation burden of proof preterism

John wrote Revelation as a vision, not personal reflection — explains silence on Temple destruction; late dating supported by majority of scholars

Mike responds to why Revelation does not mention the Temple destruction.

James 1 Genesis 4 James 1 Calvinism free will

Q2: Do we have free will? Mike asserts strong yes — biblically, intuitively, and philosophically supported

Viewer Lace Buck Corny asks about free will, sovereignty, and whether punishment is just if we lack free will.

atheism free will moral responsibility

Free will is biblically assumed throughout Scripture — humans are treated as responsible agents making real choices

Continuing the free will answer, Mike argues that the assumption of free choice and moral responsibility permeates the entire biblical narrative.

free will divine sovereignty compatibilism

Free will and divine sovereignty are compatible — sovereignty means ultimate control, not micromanagement of every choice

Mike addresses how free will coexists with divine sovereignty.

free will moral responsibility divine judgment

Without free will, punishment is morally problematic but stopping evil agents still makes sense

Mike addresses the hypothetical: if no free will, is punishment just?

Christian liberty music and spirituality entertainment culture

Q3: Is it wrong for a Christian to enjoy New Age music? Genre itself is not inherently sinful; lyrics and spiritual content matter

Viewer Linda Caswell asks whether listening to relaxing New Age piano music is wrong for a conservative Christian.

Hebrews 2:15 Christian hope fear of death Hebrews 2:15

Q4: Christian advice on overcoming the fear of death — Hebrews 2:15 says Jesus came to deliver us from that bondage

Viewer Letty Fernet asks for Christian counsel on anxiety about death.

2 Corinthians 5:8 John 11 Paul the Apostle resurrection 2 Corinthians 5:8

Belief in Christ's resurrection transforms the believer's relationship to death — to die is to pass into God's presence

Mike continues his counsel on fear of death, drawing on the resurrection and Paul's teaching.

1 John 4:18 assurance of salvation God's love fear of judgment

1 John 4:18 — perfect love casts out fear; fear of punishment stems from insufficient awareness of God's love

Mike addresses the secondary fear connected to death — fear of divine judgment and punishment.

1 John 3:20-21 assurance of salvation fear of judgment 1 John 3:20-21

1 John 3:20-21 — God is greater than our condemning heart; confidence before God is the mature Christian posture

Mike continues the fear-of-death answer, noting many Christians are condemned not by actual rebellion but by vague fear.

testing prophecy charismatic movement false prophecy

Q5: How to view false Trump prophecies — identified as wrong, traced to pride, competitive prophetic culture, and spiritual dysfunction

Viewer Crystal Peck asks about Christians who falsely prophesied Trump's 2020 electoral victory.

sola scriptura repentance false prophecy

Christians must stop following those who prophesied falsely about 2020; those prophets should repent and abandon their prophetic status

Mike gives practical counsel on what to do in response to the false prophecies.

Revelation eschatology Revelation futurism

Q6: In a futurist view, which country best represents Babylon? Possibly Rome, a future world government, or Iraq

Viewer Randy Loxley asks Mike's thoughts on a modern-day Babylon in futurist eschatology.

intellectual humility ministry platform theological training

Q7: Advice for a young adult starting a theology ministry platform without formal training

Viewer Nathan Johnson asks how to start a ministry platform similar to Mike's without seminary training.

1 Timothy 5:23 Numbers 6:1-4 Timothy Samson Christian liberty

Q9: Why did Paul permit Timothy to drink wine (1 Tim 5:23) if Timothy was under a Nazirite vow? Mike doubts Timothy was under such a vow

Viewer 'Christian Metal Head' asks about the apparent tension between Paul's instruction to drink wine and the Nazirite vow restrictions.

1 Timothy 5:23 Christian liberty drunkenness 1 Timothy 5:23

Drinking alcohol is not inherently sinful; drunkenness is sinful — attempts to argue 1 Tim 5:23 wine is non-alcoholic are dismissed

Mike closes the wine/vow question by addressing broader debates about alcohol in Christianity.