Search — Theology Explorer

James James 1 Mark 9 James James 1 Mark 9

Permissible Doubts vs. Double-mindedness: Can you explain the difference between the man in Mark 9: 24 and the double-minded man talked about in James 1:5-8? I find myself relating to the former a lot, but I also fear being double-minded.

Q&A question: Permissible Doubts vs. Double-mindedness

Choosing a Denomination: Important?: Do you think it's important to choose a denomination? I have people pressuring me to choose one, but I don't feel ready to do that (I'm new) and I’m wondering if it's important at all.

Q&A question: Choosing a Denomination: Important?

Romans 7 salvation sanctification Romans 7

Is Progressive Sanctification Biblical?: While I know sanctification is real and biblical, if we are dead to sin after salvation as mentioned in Romans 7, why do we need progressive sanctification?

Q&A question: Is Progressive Sanctification Biblical?

Witnessing to an LGBTQ+ Family Member: My aunt is gay but claims to be a Christian. I have never talked with her about this, but I feel I am doing her a disservice by not lovingly sharing the truth with her. How can I go about this?

Q&A question: Witnessing to an LGBTQ+ Family Member

homosexuality

Tourism or Idolatry?: I’m planning a trip to Japan and would like to visit some of the shrines for the tourism aspect, but I don’t want to sin against God or put my family at risk of demonic exposure. Is this acceptable?

Q&A question: Tourism or Idolatry?

demons

Believing & Receiving Biblically: How do I pray for something and believe I’ve received it (Mark 11: 24) such as healing or peace, if I don't know how God is using the illness or anxiety in my life or someone else's life?

Q&A question: Believing & Receiving Biblically

Mark 11 healing Mark 11

Is All Sin the Same?: Is it biblical to say that all sin is the same, and is equally bad?

Q&A question: Is All Sin the Same?

1 Corinthians 12 Ephesians 4 prophecy Apostles 1 Corinthians 12

Prophets Today?: Should the Church appoint/recognize official prophets, or is this something similar to apostles (only the original 12 + Paul)? See 1 Corinthians 12: 28, Ephesians 4: 11. Is it an office, a gift, or some mixture of the two?

Q&A question: Prophets Today?

Why Would God Allow a Pope?: Why would Christ allow someone to be appointed as His vicar on Earth? If the authority of the pope is illegitimate, how is that not the worst manifestation of blasphemy? How is it allowed by God?

Q&A question: Why Would God Allow a Pope?

blasphemy papacy

Resentful of the Father but Not the Son?: After a long and HARD life, I sometimes feel almost resentful of GOD the Father whom I’ve never seen, heard, or felt. But every day I love JESUS more and more. Is this normal?

Q&A question: Resentful of the Father but Not the Son?

Why Doesn’t God Save Everyone?: My brother is an atheist and says he wouldn’t follow a God that he knows is real, who knowingly creates people who will reject Him and go to Hell, despite having power to save everyone. It’s hard to reason. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Why Doesn’t God Save Everyone?

atheism hell

Jesus’ Spirit Separate from HS?: Does Jesus have a distinct Spirit apart from the Holy Spirit? It seems that Jesus has His own Spirit (Luke 23: 46) that is distinct from the Holy Spirit.

Q&A question: Jesus’ Spirit Separate from HS?

Luke 23 Jesus Luke 23

Questioning our Pastors?: My pastor said that since God called him to shepherd, unless he is teaching false doctrine, you don't question your pastor even if you don't agree with something or they do something wrong. Is this right?

Q&A question: Questioning our Pastors?

pastoral ministry

Advice for a Discouraged Pastor: I’m feeling discouraged in my new job as a youth pastor. I don’t know if I’m making an impact or if I’m meant to do this. Any advice?

Q&A question: Advice for a Discouraged Pastor

pastoral ministry

Transitioning from Cult to Christianity!: I’m in the process of leaving the LDS church for real Christianity (thank you for your videos!!). Do you have any advice or resources for the deconstructing and reconstructing of faith after leaving?

Q&A question: Transitioning from Cult to Christianity!

Mormonism

revelation Jesus revelation

Where is Jesus “Seated”?: What does Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father mean when it’s also said that Jesus was seated on the throne in Revelation?

Q&A question: Where is Jesus “Seated”?

2 Thess. 2 = Sola Scriptura?: Does 2 Thessalonians 2 teach Sola Scriptura?

Q&A question: 2 Thess. 2 = Sola Scriptura?

Reformation theology

Titus Titus 2 Titus Jesus Titus 2

Jesus’ Deity: Why isn’t the NT Clearer?: In Titus 2: 13, Is Paul explicitly saying Jesus is God and Savior? Why do New Testament authors often not address Jesus as God and appear to place Jesus outside of the Godhead (e.g. 2 John 1:3)?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Deity: Why isn’t the NT Clearer?

James elder qualifications James

Biblical Recipe for Anointing Oil?: The book of James tells us that if any are sick they should call for the elders and get anointed. Shouldn’t we be using the anointing oil recipe in Exodus 30: 23-25 instead of just olive oil like most people use?

Q&A question: Biblical Recipe for Anointing Oil?

Personalities in Heaven: I believe that we will still have our personality in Heaven, but what about unborn babies? Will they walk around in Heaven like non-player characters since they haven't formed their own personality yet?

Q&A question: Personalities in Heaven

heaven

“Buried with Him in Baptism”: Can you help me understand Colossians 2: 12? Is this water baptism? Which baptism is it?

Q&A question: “Buried with Him in Baptism”

baptism

Genesis Genesis 1 Genesis Genesis 1 angels

Where Was God Before Genesis?: Where was God before Genesis 1? If space, matter, and time was created, what was before it? Heaven and the angels already existed, so where was the “nothing” where God created everything in Genesis 1?

Q&A question: Where Was God Before Genesis?

About Jesus’ Omnipresence: I have a question about God’s nature. Since the Godhead hold all of their being in one indivisible present, in theory, could Jesus have been on Earth and in Heaven concurrently?

Q&A question: About Jesus’ Omnipresence

The Atonement: The Importance of Jesus’ Deity: Why did Jesus have to be God to be the acceptable sacrifice? If it was Jesus’ humanity that died on the cross and not His divine nature, why did Jesus have to be fully God?

Q&A question: The Atonement: The Importance of Jesus’ Deity

Jesus atonement

Can Christians Benefit from Secular Therapy?: What are your thoughts on secular therapy for a Christian? Self-help and self-idealization seem antithetical to the Bible. Why isn't the counsel of Scripture and other believers enough?

Q&A question: Can Christians Benefit from Secular Therapy?

tithing

Jesus resurrection submission in marriage

Must Jesus be Lord of Our Lives?: Does receiving Christ begin with you trusting in His death and resurrection, or is there more to do, such as submitting to His lordship and then we are saved?

Q&A question: Must Jesus be Lord of Our Lives?

Bonus Q! What are your 3 favorite books of the Bible, and why? No cop-outs! Thanks so much for your ministry, Mike, it's such a blessing.

Q&A question

James James 4 James 4:7 James James 4 Satan

Temptation Increasing vs. Satan Fleeing?: The Bible says when we resist the devil, he will flee (James 4:7). So why does it often feel like spiritual warfare INCREASES when we try to buckle down and resist sins of the flesh, addictions, etc.? When I resist, it doesn't feel like the devil flees - it feels like he tries even harder to get me to fall. Why is this?

Q&A question: Temptation Increasing vs. Satan Fleeing?

What is Blasphemy?: What is the biblical understanding of blasphemy? A Catholic online was complaining about how Protestants blaspheme Mary. How do we biblically define blasphemy, and what verses support this?

Q&A question: What is Blasphemy?

Roman Catholicism

Paul vs. Barnabas: What are your thoughts on the dispute between Paul and Barnabas over Mark in Acts 15: 37-40? Were either of them at fault? What can we take from it?

Q&A question: Paul vs. Barnabas

Acts 15 Barnabas Acts 15

Romans 1 creation Romans 1

Seeing God in Creation: Despite Romans 1: 20, I do not inherently see God in His creation. I choose to believe in God, but I feel like an ant lacking the capacity to contemplate my surroundings, let alone a creator.

Q&A question: Seeing God in Creation

church leadership Hillsong

How to Share Concerns w/Leadership: Can you share some advice on how to approach church leadership with concerns regarding what appears to be false theology creeping into my church? Specifically: a lot of Hillsong/Elevation songs, TPT references, etc.

Q&A question: How to Share Concerns w/Leadership

When AI Grows Too Much: If AI (Artificial Intelligence} keeps developing to where society at large starts to call it sentient, would we as Christians have to stand in opposition to that?

Q&A question: When AI Grows Too Much

1 Chronicles 20 Samuel 1 Chronicles 20

Resolving 2 Challenging Passages: 1 Chronicles 20:5 and 2 Samuel 21: 19 seem to disagree with each other. How should we think biblically about these two passages?

Q&A question: Resolving 2 Challenging Passages

Protection from Legalism: How do you keep yourself from legalism? I’m breaking an addiction right now, and it feels like I’m doing it to be saved instead of because I am saved. It’s also been hard to rely on God lately.

Q&A question: Protection from Legalism

addiction

Is MMA OK for Christians?: Is participating in MMA wrong? I'm a new Christian and I'm conflicted and want to do right. I've just signed with a big promotion but now I don't know what would please God. Please Help!

Q&A question: Is MMA OK for Christians?

The Role of Physical Attraction: What role should perceived physical attractiveness play in choosing a partner?

Q&A question: The Role of Physical Attraction

Bonus Q!.How many funny shirts does Mike Winger own?

Q&A question

Mike Winger

Would They Abort Jesus?: What are four Bible verses to learn, to support the pro-live position? Would they have aborted Jesus back in history, based on current cultural reasoning we hear?

Q&A question: Would They Abort Jesus?

Sins Against Us or Just God?: If someone commits a sin against you (abuse, etc.), are you also owed justice? Can Jesus forgive the justice you are owed, or was the sin committed only against God and not you (the sinner is now saved)?

Q&A question: Sins Against Us or Just God?

elder qualifications Calvinism

Choosing Between Two Churches: What would you do if you had to choose between a Calvinist leaning church and a church that believed women could be elders? Both churches are otherwise healthy and doctrinally sound.

Q&A question: Choosing Between Two Churches

Interpreting the “High Places”: How should we understand the "high places"? 2 Chronicles 15: 17 and other passages condemn the kings for not tearing them down, but in 1 Samuel 9: 12, Samuel attends and blesses a sacrifice at a high place.

Q&A question: Interpreting the “High Places”

Samuel

Processing Past Relationship Issues: My wife had several partners before our marriage. I wasn’t around, but I feel like I have to forgive the men. Am I being weird? How do I bring this to God, because I'm still losing sleep 10 years later?

Q&A question: Processing Past Relationship Issues

marriage

Different Translations = Different Meanings?: Why does 1 Samuel 13:1 have different meanings in different translations (like the NKJV and NIV)?

Q&A question: Different Translations = Different Meanings?

Samuel

Matthew 24 Matthew Trinity Matthew 24 Matthew

Is the Holy Spirit All-Knowing?: Does Matthew 24: 36 imply that the Holy Spirit doesn't know everything? How does that work if the Holy Spirit is God? I've been struggling with the Trinity lately.

Q&A question: Is the Holy Spirit All-Knowing?

Colossians 3:18 Ephesians 5:22 1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Winger says Eph 5:22 and Col 3:18 apply regardless of whether the husband is a Christian — the qualifier is 'your husband,' not 'your Christian husband.' Submission is not 100% in every possible thing, and exceptions exist for abuse, but the exception shouldn't be used to invalidate the rule.

Q: How should a newly Christian woman apply Eph 5:22 and Col 3:18 when her husband hasn't come to Christ and isn't supportive?

Galatians: The Meaning of “Quickly”: When the Galatians quickly deserted the Gospel (Galatians 1:6), did "quickly" refer to the time after Paul left to when they heard false teaching, or how easily they turned once they heard false teaching?

Q&A question: Galatians: The Meaning of “Quickly”

Galatians 1 Galatians 1

Historical Data: Biblical Christianity: Is there any historical data on biblical Christianity outside the Catholic Church before the Reformation?

Q&A question: Historical Data: Biblical Christianity

Roman Catholicism