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All (83) Mike Winger (83)

Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Q&A (off-topic): Divorced woman who was cheated on and physically abused asks if remarrying would be adultery after her ex-husband has now married his fifth wife.

Viewer question from 'Truth Watch' about remarriage after divorce involving infidelity and abuse.

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7 divorce and remarriage adultery

Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Q&A: Most Mormons are not convinced by intellectual arguments — they are committed emotionally through 'testimony,' an emotionally validated belief experience.

Viewer question: 'What would Mike suggest to say to a Mormon to convince them that Christianity is truth?'

epistemology Mormon testimony burning in the bosom

Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

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.

epistemology burning in the bosom Mormon evangelism

Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Strategy for reaching Mormons: question the reliability of the 'burning in the bosom' as a source of truth, then lead them toward evidence-based epistemology.

Mike describes his personal approach to engaging Mormons who are emotionally committed to their 'testimony.'

Joseph Smith evidence-based faith epistemology

Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

The core obstacle in reaching Mormons is emotional commitment, not intellectual disagreement — the question 'Would you leave if it were false?' is the key diagnostic.

Mike names the deepest barrier to Mormon conversion: not lack of information but prior emotional/social investment.

epistemology Mormon apologetics truth-seeking vs. emotional commitment

Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Christian cults always remove salvation by grace — Mike attributes this pattern to demonic influence, citing the book of Galatians.

Viewer question from 'Douglas Dobbins': 'Have you ever noticed that Christian cults always throw out salvation by grace?'

sola gratia works-based salvation cults and false gospels

Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Philosophical Q&A: Why is infinite regression of gods illogical but an infinite God is not? — because infinite regression refers to an infinite series of events, not to God's nature.

Viewer question: 'Why is infinite regression illogical but an infinite God is not?'

Mormon cosmology infinite regression divine infinity

Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Hilbert's Hotel: a philosophical thought experiment demonstrating the impossibility of an actual infinite series — recommended as a resource.

Mike points viewers to Hilbert's Hotel as a philosophical demonstration of why infinite regression is impossible.

infinite regression Hilbert's Hotel philosophy of religion

Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

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?

LDS doctrinal evolution LDS polygamy LDS and race

Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

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.

Pearl of Great Price Book of Mormon Doctrine and Covenants

Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

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.

eternal progression LDS doctrinal evolution as man is God once was

Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

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.

liberal theology LDS membership decline Mormon splinter groups

Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Practical advice for engaging Mormons: don't mock, don't assume what they know, ask what they believe rather than lecturing them about their own doctrine.

Mike closes the teaching section with pastoral and apologetic advice on how to use this information in real conversations.

apologetics Christian-Mormon dialogue pastoral ethics

Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Closing prayer: asking God for love and compassion toward Mormons, wisdom in conversation, and for Mormons to find the true grace of Christ.

Mike leads a closing prayer for Mormon people, including those watching the video who may be doubting their faith.

evangelism pastoral ethics prayer for Mormons

Mike Winger idea 2018-03-14

James 2 is 'radically abused' by false groups to twist the gospel — knowing it is necessary for apologetics

Summary statement on the misuse of James 2

James 2 apologetics James 2 works as symptom of faith

Mike Winger idea 2018-03-14

Groups that use James 2 substitute their own list of required works (sacraments, tongues, church membership) for James's actual examples (tongue, helping poor)

Ironic observation about how misusers of James 2 actually apply it

James 2 hermeneutics Mormonism Jehovah's Witnesses

Mike Winger idea 2018-03-21

Pattern of false teaching: take a doctrine, find a Bible passage with similar vocabulary, read the doctrine into the passage

Hermeneutical critique applied more broadly

Ezekiel 2 Corinthians 12 hermeneutics eisegesis false teaching

Mike Winger idea 2018-04-11

Reason 3 refuted: The '41,000 interpretations' claim is a sourcing error; difficulty of some passages ≠ general cryptic nature

The skeptic claims the Bible is cryptic and subject to 41,000 different interpretations, citing a Wikipedia article.

inspiration tests 41000 denominations Christian denominations

Mike Winger idea 2018-10-17

Interfaith prayer can be acceptable when praying for or with someone of another religion, but becomes wrong when the act affirms their belief system as true or acceptable to God.

Q&A section: a viewer asks whether it is wrong to pray with Mormons, Muslims, or pagans.

Christian witness Q&A interfaith prayer

Mike Winger idea 2018-12-19

James White's point: false religions deny the sufficiency of grace, not the necessity of grace

Mike credits James White for a key apologetic insight

James White Mormonism Jehovah's Witnesses James White

Mike Winger idea 2019-02-13

Strategy for protecting college students from JWs and the Mother God cult (World Mission Society Church of God): inoculate, don't isolate

Viewer on a college campus encountering JWs and World Mission Society Church of God

Mormonism evangelism Jehovah's Witnesses

Mike Winger idea 2019-04-24

J. Warner Wallace's youth ministry lesson: teaching content vs. training for engagement — and the failure of candles-and-experience ministry

McDowell recounts how J. Warner Wallace transformed his youth ministry approach

youth ministry apologetics J. Warner Wallace

Mike Winger idea 2020-01-29

The Mormon burning-in-the-bosom claim does not undermine the Christian's witness of the Spirit

Responding to the classic objection that the Spirit's witness is unreliable because others claim the same for false religions

Mormonism Book of Mormon epistemology

Mike Winger idea 2020-11-06

Socratic approach for witnessing to Mormons about pre-mortal existence: let them make their case first

Responding to Alexander Duncan's question about addressing Mormon belief in pre-mortal existence

Mormonism apologetics pre-mortal existence

Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

Joseph Smith was a demonstrably false prophet; modern Mormonism is a victim of his fraud.

Question 19 from Evelyn Ellsworth (a Latter-day Saint) about the priesthood of all believers and Mike's denial of fellowship to Mormons.

1 Peter Genesis 50 priesthood of all believers Mormonism 1 Peter

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-22

The literary devices view has serious apologetic consequences: it eliminates resurrection appearances, undermines doubting Thomas, weakens the case for Jesus's deity from John's "I AM" sayings, and gives ammunition to cults and skeptics.

Apologetic implications of accepting literary devices in the Gospels

deity of Christ resurrection appearances resurrection appearances

Mike Winger idea 2021-05-14

The Gospel of Thomas is a mid-2nd century Gnostic forgery, not a legitimate alternate gospel. It's a sayings collection borrowing from Matthew/Luke with added Greek philosophical content inconsistent with a 1st-century Jewish teacher.

Q1: Thoughts on the Gospel of Thomas?

Matthew Philo salvation Thomas

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

About False Prophets: How should we interpret Deuteronomy 13:6-9? Part of chapter is often used on Mormons for Joseph Smith being a false prophet...but if rejecting a false prophet is required, would it follow that this is required, too? This chapter - all or nothing?

Q&A question: About False Prophets

Joseph Joseph Smith prophecy

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

About Cult Shunning/Shaming: How can we differentiate the instructions given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 5: 11 & by Jesus in Matthew 18: 15-17 with the shunning/shaming practices of certain cults like Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, etc.?

Q&A question: About Cult Shunning/Shaming

1 Corinthians 5 Matthew 18 Matthew 1 Corinthians 5 Jesus Matthew 18

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-13

Should Mormons Celebrate Christmas and Easter?: As a Mormon, since you'd consider us non-Christian, should we be allowed to celebrate Christmas or Easter?

Q&A question: Should Mormons Celebrate Christmas and Easter?

Mormonism

Mike Winger idea 2022-08-13

Should False Teachers be Shown Less Grace?: I've been told that when witnessing to groups such as the LDS (Mormons), a rebuke is better than a conversation because of Acts 13:8-10. Should false teachers be shown less grace than non-believers?

Q&A question: Should False Teachers be Shown Less Grace?

Acts 13 Mormonism Acts 13

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Warnings about False Teachings: Do warnings to Churches and believers in verses such as Jude 1:3-4 or other Epistles regarding false/heretical doctrines apply to Mormons who want a relationship with God/Jesus but are just deceived?

Q&A question: Warnings about False Teachings

Jesus Mormonism heresy

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Why Aren’t Mormons Christians?: Ex-Mormon here. Surely all Christians believe things about God that are incorrect, but they're still saved. What makes the LDS different? How are my misconceptions acceptable when theirs aren't?

Q&A question: Why Aren’t Mormons Christians?

Mormonism

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Q&A (off-topic): Divorced woman who was cheated on and physically abused asks if remarrying would be adultery after her ex-husband has now married his fifth wife.

Q&A: Most Mormons are not convinced by intellectual arguments — they are committed emotionally through 'testimony,' an emotionally validated belief experience.

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.

Strategy for reaching Mormons: question the reliability of the 'burning in the bosom' as a source of truth, then lead them toward evidence-based epistemology.

The core obstacle in reaching Mormons is emotional commitment, not intellectual disagreement — the question 'Would you leave if it were false?' is the key diagnostic.

Christian cults always remove salvation by grace — Mike attributes this pattern to demonic influence, citing the book of Galatians.

Philosophical Q&A: Why is infinite regression of gods illogical but an infinite God is not? — because infinite regression refers to an infinite series of events, not to God's nature.

Hilbert's Hotel: a philosophical thought experiment demonstrating the impossibility of an actual infinite series — recommended as a resource.

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.

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

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.

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

Practical advice for engaging Mormons: don't mock, don't assume what they know, ask what they believe rather than lecturing them about their own doctrine.

Closing prayer: asking God for love and compassion toward Mormons, wisdom in conversation, and for Mormons to find the true grace of Christ.

James 2 is 'radically abused' by false groups to twist the gospel — knowing it is necessary for apologetics

Groups that use James 2 substitute their own list of required works (sacraments, tongues, church membership) for James's actual examples (tongue, helping poor)

Pattern of false teaching: take a doctrine, find a Bible passage with similar vocabulary, read the doctrine into the passage

Reason 3 refuted: The '41,000 interpretations' claim is a sourcing error; difficulty of some passages ≠ general cryptic nature

Interfaith prayer can be acceptable when praying for or with someone of another religion, but becomes wrong when the act affirms their belief system as true or acceptable to God.

James White's point: false religions deny the sufficiency of grace, not the necessity of grace

Strategy for protecting college students from JWs and the Mother God cult (World Mission Society Church of God): inoculate, don't isolate

J. Warner Wallace's youth ministry lesson: teaching content vs. training for engagement — and the failure of candles-and-experience ministry

The Mormon burning-in-the-bosom claim does not undermine the Christian's witness of the Spirit

Socratic approach for witnessing to Mormons about pre-mortal existence: let them make their case first

Joseph Smith was a demonstrably false prophet; modern Mormonism is a victim of his fraud.

The literary devices view has serious apologetic consequences: it eliminates resurrection appearances, undermines doubting Thomas, weakens the case for Jesus's deity from John's "I AM" sayings, and gives ammunition to cults and skeptics.

The Gospel of Thomas is a mid-2nd century Gnostic forgery, not a legitimate alternate gospel. It's a sayings collection borrowing from Matthew/Luke with added Greek philosophical content inconsistent with a 1st-century Jewish teacher.

About False Prophets: How should we interpret Deuteronomy 13:6-9? Part of chapter is often used on Mormons for Joseph Smith being a false prophet...but if rejecting a false prophet is required, would it follow that this is required, too? This chapter - all or nothing?

About Cult Shunning/Shaming: How can we differentiate the instructions given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 5: 11 & by Jesus in Matthew 18: 15-17 with the shunning/shaming practices of certain cults like Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, etc.?

Should Mormons Celebrate Christmas and Easter?: As a Mormon, since you'd consider us non-Christian, should we be allowed to celebrate Christmas or Easter?

Should False Teachers be Shown Less Grace?: I've been told that when witnessing to groups such as the LDS (Mormons), a rebuke is better than a conversation because of Acts 13:8-10. Should false teachers be shown less grace than non-believers?

Warnings about False Teachings: Do warnings to Churches and believers in verses such as Jude 1:3-4 or other Epistles regarding false/heretical doctrines apply to Mormons who want a relationship with God/Jesus but are just deceived?

Why Aren’t Mormons Christians?: Ex-Mormon here. Surely all Christians believe things about God that are incorrect, but they're still saved. What makes the LDS different? How are my misconceptions acceptable when theirs aren't?

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