Search — Theology Explorer

Abraham Book of Abraham Pearl of Great Price

Dr. Stephen E. Thompson (PhD in Egyptology) confirms the papyri were not written by Abraham's own hand

Final scholarly citation on the Book of Abraham papyri

Joseph Smith Book of Abraham Joseph Smith diary

LDS apologist claim that Smith received direct revelation (not translation) is refuted by his own diary

Responding to a viewer question about the LDS apologetic counter-argument

Mormonism prophetic accountability LDS Church

Mike urges Mormons in positions of authority to speak out about the fraud even if it costs them relationships and community

Pastoral/ethical challenge to Mormons who know the truth

Jeremiah 31 Mormonism Islam Book of Abraham

Canonical closure argument: the New Testament closes the canon — there is no room for a new book of scripture

Theological argument against the LDS claim to new scripture

Joseph Smith LDS Church Book of Abraham

The Joseph Smith Papers project published the Egyptian Grammar and Alphabet documents, exposing them to scholarly scrutiny

Recent LDS document releases and their apologetic implications

Book of Abraham Great Chicago Fire Metropolitan Museum of Art

LDS apologist argument #1: the 'Short Scroll Theory' — the recovered fragments are only part of a longer scroll

Review of LDS apologetic responses to the papyri problem

Joseph Smith Book of Abraham facsimiles Joseph Smith Papyri

Refutation of Short Scroll Theory: the facsimile images themselves, which Smith specifically interpreted, ARE on the surviving fragments

Mike's counter to the Short Scroll Theory

Book of Abraham Great Chicago Fire Joseph Smith Papyri

LDS apologist argument #2: the 'Long Scroll Theory' — a different, longer, lost scroll within the same collection contained the real Book of Abraham source

Second main LDS apologetic response

Joseph Smith Book of Abraham inspired translation

LDS apologist argument #3: Smith did not 'translate' in the conventional sense — he was receiving spiritual impressions triggered by the images

Third main LDS apologetic counter-argument

Abraham Joseph Smith Book of Abraham

Refutation of the 'spiritual impression' translation argument: Smith's own documents say it was written by Abraham's own hand — not a spiritual trigger

Mike's counter to the spiritual impression theory

Joseph Smith Book of Abraham Egyptology

LDS apologist argument #4: we don't know enough about Egyptology yet — future discoveries might vindicate Smith

Fourth main LDS apologetic response

Holy Spirit LDS Church standard works

Argument from the Mormon authority hierarchy: when the Bible, LDS standard works, and the Holy Spirit contradict each other, which do Mormons follow?

Epistemological challenge to Mormon missionaries

Mike Winger idea 2018-02-07

Second video: Tom Fischer performs a leg-lengthening healing. Mike distinguishes this as likely not deliberate fraud but rather sincere self-deception.

Transition to the second example — Tom Fischer's leg-lengthening video.

Tom Fischer healing fraud leg lengthening

Mike Winger idea 2018-04-18

David Mead's use of 'generation' and the founding of Israel (1948) as a prophetic countdown trigger

Mike briefly addresses Mead's broader eschatological system, which ties generation-counting to 1948.

eschatology David Mead numerology

Mike Winger idea 2018-04-18

Q&A: Pre-trib vs. post-trib rapture — Mike's personal uncertainty and call not to divide over it

Question from 'Detective in Christ' about the timing of the rapture.

Calvary Chapel eschatology rapture

Mike Winger idea 2018-04-18

Q&A: 666 and the mark of the beast — why any name can be made to equal 666 using flexible math; and why barcodes and microchips are not the mark

Question from 'Bible History Science' about whether 666 is itself numerological.

Revelation 13 mark of the beast numerology 666 mark of the beast Revelation 13

Joseph Smith King Follett Sermon prophetic inspiration

The King Follett Sermon: delivered April 7, 1844 at a funeral with ~20,000 present; Joseph Smith claimed to speak under inspiration to 'all ye ends of the earth.'

Mike introduces the King Follett Sermon as the primary documentary source for Mormon theology about the nature of God.

Joseph Smith God was once a man King Follett Sermon

King Follett Sermon quote: 'God himself was once as we are now and is an exalted man' — Joseph Smith teaches that God's pre-divine humanity is the 'great secret.'

Direct quotation from the King Follett Sermon establishing the Mormon doctrine that God was once a mortal man.

Joseph Smith God was once a man King Follett Sermon

Joseph Smith teaches that God lived on another earth, was born, lived, died, and was resurrected — just like Jesus — before becoming God.

Continuation of the King Follett Sermon quote, extending the doctrine that God was once a man by drawing an explicit parallel with the life of Jesus.

Mormon Christology pre-existence spirit children

Mormon definition of Jesus: born in the pre-existence as a spirit child of Heavenly Father and his wife, one of many spirit children — and Satan's brother.

The Mormon Jesus was not eternally pre-existent as God but was the first spirit-born child of the physical Heavenly Father and Mother.

LDS.org tritheism Mormon Trinity / Godhead

Mormon definition of the Trinity: three separate, distinct beings who are one only in purpose and doctrine — effectively polytheism.

Contrast between the Christian Trinity and the Mormon 'Godhead' — the Mormon version is tritheism, not Trinitarianism.

Christian-Mormon dialogue monotheism Mormon polytheism

Christian monotheism: 'there is only one God' — meant literally. Mormon missionaries and teachers claim to affirm this, but use a different definition.

Fourth vocabulary comparison: the phrase 'only one God.' Mike recounts personal conversations with Mormon missionaries and seminary teachers in Utah.

eternal progression Mormon polytheism infinite regression of gods

Mormon theology contains more gods than any other religion in history — an infinite, eternal regression of gods with no beginning.

Mike stresses the full scope of Mormon polytheism: not just three gods but an infinite cosmological chain of deities.

infinite regression of gods If You Could Hie to Kolob Kolob

Mormon hymn 'If You Could Hie to Kolob' (hymn #284) teaches the doctrine of infinite regression of gods.

Mike cites an official Mormon hymn as further evidence for the polytheistic infinite regression doctrine, making it liturgically embedded in the faith.

Joseph Smith Book of Abraham Pearl of Great Price

Book of Abraham (Pearl of Great Price), chapter 4: creation is described as 'the gods' organizing matter — explicitly polytheistic and not ex nihilo.

Mike reads from official Mormon scripture to demonstrate the polytheistic view of creation embedded in LDS canonical texts.

polytheism McConkie Mormon worship practices

Recent LDS leader McConkie argued Mormons should not worship Jesus, only the Father — revealing internal tension over polytheistic implications.

Mike notes an internal LDS controversy where a leader tried to resolve the polytheism problem by restricting worship to the Father alone.

creation ex nihilo doctrine of creation Christian cosmology

Christian view: God created all things ex nihilo — out of nothing. God created not just objects but matter, space, energy, and time themselves.

Fifth vocabulary comparison: the phrase 'God created all things.' Mike explains the Christian doctrine of creation ex nihilo before contrasting it with the Mormon view.

Book of Abraham creation by organization ex nihilo creation

Mormon view: matter is eternal; God only organized pre-existing matter. The Book of Abraham uses 'organized' rather than 'created.'

The Mormon doctrine of creation directly contradicts ex nihilo — in LDS theology, God is not the source of matter itself.

Joseph Smith King Follett Sermon creation ex nihilo

King Follett Sermon quote: Joseph Smith mocks orthodox scholars for teaching creation ex nihilo, claiming special knowledge via the Holy Ghost.

Direct quotation from the King Follett Sermon on creation, where Smith attacks the ex nihilo doctrine and claims superior knowledge.

Mormon afterlife telestial kingdom LDS soteriology

Mormon telestial kingdom: lowest level, for the wicked who may burn off sin in hell before arriving; no access to God the Father or Jesus, only the Holy Spirit visits.

Details of the lowest tier of the Mormon afterlife.

Mormon afterlife terrestrial kingdom LDS soteriology

Mormon terrestrial kingdom: middle level for 'lukewarm Mormons'; Jesus and Holy Spirit present, but no access to God the Father.

Details of the middle tier of the Mormon afterlife.

celestial kingdom LDS soteriology Mormon exaltation

Mormon celestial kingdom: highest level, where one may become a god. Leads into the concept of Mormon exaltation.

Overview of the highest tier of the Mormon afterlife, previewing the exaltation concept discussed in more detail later.

Mormon soteriology LDS grace universal resurrection (LDS)

Mormon view of 'saved by grace': Jesus earns your resurrection (basic bodily resurrection), but full salvation requires burning off sin and earning one's way upward.

The Mormon concept of grace is limited to resurrection — much less than what Christians mean by grace.

eternal progression spirit children LDS soteriology

Mormon definition of exaltation: becoming a god, populating your own world with spirit children, and perpetuating the cycle of eternal progression infinitely.

The Mormon concept of exaltation goes far beyond Christian glorification — it involves deification and cosmic reproduction.

Joseph Smith King Follett Sermon eternal progression

King Follett Sermon quote: 'you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves... from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation' — eternal life is progressive deification.

Joseph Smith's direct teaching on exaltation from the King Follett Sermon, framing godhood as the telos of Mormon salvation.

LDS.org works-based salvation LDS exaltation requirements

LDS.org lists requirements for exaltation: obey all commands of God, be baptized, be an LDS member, become a Melchizedek priest, receive temple endowment, marry for time and eternity, and more.

Mike reads the official LDS list of exaltation requirements to show the burden placed on Mormon believers.

Ephesians 2:8-9 Ephesians 2:8-9 LDS soteriology works-based salvation

The exaltation requirement to 'love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and neighbor as yourself' means no one meets it — creating either despair or self-deception.

Mike focuses on one specific exaltation requirement (the Great Commandment) to show that the Mormon salvific bar is humanly unachievable.

Pharisaism Joseph Smith works-based salvation

Mormon definition of the gospel: a complex set of new teachings restored by Joseph Smith that must be learned and performed — not 'good news' but a difficult path.

The Mormon gospel adds a body of doctrine and performance requirements that make it not 'good news' in any conventional sense.

apologetics Mormonism vs. Christianity interfaith categories

Conclusion: Mormonism and Christianity use the same vocabulary but are completely opposed in meaning — Mormonism is a false Christianity that fails historically, biblically, and rationally.

Mike summarizes the entire vocabulary comparison section and delivers his conclusion about the categorical incompatibility of the two faiths.

Mormon missions Mormon doctrinal awareness social reinforcement

After encountering doctrinal challenges, Mormon missionaries are isolated with older Mormons who reinforce their beliefs — a process Mike calls 'brainwashing.'

Mike describes the social reinforcement mechanism that keeps Mormon missionaries from processing the doctrinal challenges they encounter.

epistemology burning in the bosom Mormon evangelism

Mormon evangelism relies entirely on emotional experience (pray and feel a burning) rather than evidence — because there is no manuscript, archaeological, or doctrinal evidence for Mormonism.

Mike explains why Mormon evangelism is feelings-based: it has no evidentiary basis.

LDS doctrinal evolution LDS polygamy LDS and race

Q&A: The LDS church is already beginning to change its doctrine — prioritizing organizational health over theological integrity, which started with polygamy and race issues.

Viewer question from 'Rob Donahue': Will the Utah LDS church change its doctrine due to the information age?

Pearl of Great Price Book of Mormon Doctrine and Covenants

The LDS church is quietly distancing itself from past presidential statements and Journal of Discourses rather than formally changing doctrine — 'plausible deniability.'

Mike explains the mechanism by which Mormonism is changing: not reforming doctrine but retreating from its sources.

eternal progression LDS doctrinal evolution as man is God once was

Classic Mormon saying: 'As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become' — recently soft-pedaled by LDS leadership claiming not to understand it.

Mike cites the traditional Mormon aphorism summarizing eternal progression and notes that recent LDS leadership has tried to distance itself from it.

liberal theology LDS membership decline Mormon splinter groups

Liberal theology movements die — Mormonism's doctrinal retreat is likely to cause continued fragmentation, declining membership, and organizational decline.

Mike predicts the long-term consequences of Mormonism's theological liberalization.

Mike Winger idea 2018-03-14

Abraham as the paradigmatic prototype of saving faith in Romans 4 and Galatians — changes how you read both books

Elaboration on Abraham's role as prototype

Romans 4 Galatians justification by faith Abraham Romans 4

hermeneutics eisegesis sola scriptura

Eisegesis defined: reading a pre-existing doctrine into a text rather than letting the text speak for itself

Hermeneutical summary of the Catholic approach to both passages

2 Corinthians 5:8 death soul sleep intermediate state

Q&A: Do we 'soul sleep' or go directly to heaven at death?

Viewer question on the state of the dead, related to purgatory discussion

1 Corinthians 15 Revelation 1 Corinthians 15 eschatology Revelation

Q&A — New bodies and the New Earth: souls wait, bodies come later at the resurrection

Eschatology question on timing of resurrection bodies