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Mike Winger idea 2022-12-09

Does 2 Kings 2 Challenge God’s Goodness?: My brother brought up 2 Kings 2: 23-25 to challenge the goodness of God. He saw an imbalance of justice when bears came to maul 40 boys for making fun of Elisha. How would you respond to this?

Q&A question: Does 2 Kings 2 Challenge God’s Goodness?

2 Kings 2 Elisha 2 Kings 2

Mike Winger idea 2023-01-27

Cowardice in the Book of Jonah?: Were the mariners and shipmaster selfish cowards and Pagans in Jonah 1:5-15? Even with drowning in a stormy sea, I sense hesitation to discard Jonah to save their own lives.

Q&A question: Cowardice in the Book of Jonah?

Jonah Jonah

Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Why Physical vs. Spiritual Blessings?: What is the significance of God promising physical blessings to nations (thinking particularly of the promise to Ishmael), when, in light of eternity, physical blessings are nearly insignificant?

Q&A question: Why Physical vs. Spiritual Blessings?

Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Was Aaron Punished for the Golden Calf?: Why didn't Aaron get punished for making the golden calf in Exodus 32?

Q&A question: Was Aaron Punished for the Golden Calf?

Exodus 32 Aaron Exodus 32

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Is My Daughter’s Cancer a Punishment?: When I got pregnant from an ungodly relationship, I turned to God and know He forgave all my sins. But my daughter was born with cancer. Is this a punishment from God?

Q&A question: Is My Daughter’s Cancer a Punishment?

suffering

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-21

Understanding a Difficult Passage: I'm struggling to interpret Judges 19:2, 25 on why the concubine suffered abuse. Some have said God was punishing her for adultery. How do I understand this without reading into the text?

Q&A question: Understanding a Difficult Passage

Judges 19 Judges 19

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-05

Why was Achan’s Household Punished?: Ezekiel 18: 20 says that the son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father. How do you explain the story of Achan in Joshua 7: 25 where he and his household were stoned and burned because of his sin?

Q&A question: Why was Achan’s Household Punished?

Joshua 7 Ezekiel Achan Joshua 7 Ezekiel

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Infinite Punishment for Finite Crimes?: Why does God give infinite punishment for finite crimes? Even from a biblical point of view, not every crime is prescribed the same punishment. So why, then, can a person never serve the entirety of their punishment in Hell?

Q&A question: Infinite Punishment for Finite Crimes?

hell

Mike Winger idea 2023-06-23

Cursing & Blessing in the OT: When prophets such as Elisha cursed or blessed people, was it God who put it in their minds to do that, or did they have a Spirit-given ability to do such things without having to consult Him?

Q&A question: Cursing & Blessing in the OT

prophecy Elisha

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-07

Casting Out = Abolishing?: How do you reconcile Galatians 4: 28-31 with Jesus saying He didn’t come to abolish the Law? Casting them out kind of seems like abolishing.

Q&A question: Casting Out = Abolishing?

Galatians 4 Galatians 4 Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2023-09-15

Should We Avoid Semi-Pelagianism?: I'm a Calvinist, and recently I have been noticing Semi-Pelagian theology in Arminian churches. Can you distinguish between the two and explain why we should avoid Semi-Pelagianism?

Q&A question: Should We Avoid Semi-Pelagianism?

Calvinism

Mike Winger idea 2023-09-29

{Are Non-Believers Always Wrong?{ Some Christians act like non-believers are inherently untrustworthy or dishonest, like they shouldn't be taken seriously. This feels really wrong. Can you please help me find biblical teaching on this?

Q&A question

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-01

Responding to “Oneness” Teachings: How would you respond to a Oneness believer who denies the distinct Personhood of the Father, Son, and Spirit, even after showing them clear verses that distinguish the Father from the Son, etc.?

Q&A question: Responding to “Oneness” Teachings

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-01

Honoring God & Each Other in Marital Intimacy: Does a wife have to do everything her husband wishes in the bedroom? I feel so uncomfortable doing oral acts, but he says it’s the only thing that satisfies him. I feel guilty. We both are believers.

Q&A question: Honoring God & Each Other in Marital Intimacy

marriage

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-29

Punished for Adam’s Sin?: Are we guilty of the sin of Adam and Eve? If so, isn’t it unjust for God hold us accountable for something we had no part of (Ezekiel 18, Romans 5: 12)?

Q&A question: Punished for Adam’s Sin?

Romans 5 Ezekiel Romans 5 Adam and Eve Ezekiel

Mike Winger idea 2024-02-09

How Did John have Materials to Write?: Were papyrus and writing supplies expensive? How did John, banished to the Island of Patmos, have all the necessary items to write down his Revelation?

Q&A question: How Did John have Materials to Write?

revelation revelation

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-08

About the Queen James Bible: What are your thoughts about the Queen James Bible, also known as the “Gay Bible”? Is this a blasphemous translation to be avoided, or did the QJV publishers have any linguistically valid reason to remove negative references to homosexuality from the Bible? Also, can the Holy Spirit still speak through heretical Bible translations?

Q&A question: About the Queen James Bible

James James heresy homosexuality

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-08

Navigating a Difficult Marital Situation: Am I dishonoring God if I initiate separation? I’ve been married for over 12 years, always rocky. I've begged for counseling, but my husband (professing believer) said he'd pick divorce first. He says he no longer loves me.

Q&A question: Navigating a Difficult Marital Situation

marriage divorce

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-15

About Saul’s Motives: Was Saul's hostility toward the Jewish Christians based on his biblical beliefs, or was he really on a mission to achieve status considering his age prior to conversion and extreme actions?

Q&A question: About Saul’s Motives

Judaism

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-15

Winger defends his call for egalitarians to repent, distinguishing it from Calvinism disagreements because egalitarianism directly harms marriages and church leadership structure. He also calls patriarchalists to repent for teaching women are inherently more easily deceived.

Q&A question from someone who agrees egalitarians should repent but asks if the same applies to Calvinism as a secondary issue.

women in ministry complementarianism egalitarianism

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-05

Why was David’s Family Punished?: In 2 Samuel 12: 10, why was the sword to never depart from David’s house if our sins aren’t supposed to carry over? Why was his family punished for his sin, and not just his son with Bathsheba but Ammon, etc.?

Q&A question: Why was David’s Family Punished?

David Samuel Bathsheba

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-19

Discerning the Spirit’s Voice: Is the confirmation of the Holy Spirit distinguishable from an evil demon or psychological self-deception?

Q&A question: Discerning the Spirit’s Voice

demons

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-03

Did Peter & Other Disciples Quit?: Did Peter and the others "quit the ministry" when they went fishing in John 21:3? It seems that Peter had already seen the risen Christ 2 or 3 times before this event.

Q&A question: Did Peter & Other Disciples Quit?

John 21 Peter John 21

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-24

Winger rejects the 'covering' argument that a senior male pastor can authorize female elders/pastors under his headship. A husband is the head of his wife — an elder is NOT the head of other elders. 1 Timothy 2 says 'I don't allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man,' period — not 'without a male head.'

Q&A: advice for a member of a church with a male lead elder pastoring alongside ordained female elders who often teach on Sundays.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 1 Timothy 2:12 women in ministry complementarianism headship

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-07

Asking Others for Help When Needed: I have an illness that leaves me physically and mentally fatigued. My wife and I need a lot of help but struggle with asking. How do I ask for help in a way that is God-honoring and not selfish?

Q&A question: Asking Others for Help When Needed

marriage

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-21

Do Only Good Things Come from God?: Is the concept of only good things coming from God biblical? I hear this a LOT in CCM and I am just not sure, given how our culture defines "good.” Is God not finished if your story isn't "good”?

Q&A question: Do Only Good Things Come from God?

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-05

Is Family Planning Sinful?: My church teaches that a couple must continuously have as many children as they're able, and it's seen as selfish and a sin resulting in church discipline if they use any form of family planning to stop. Many have 12-18 children as a result. Leadership says God wouldn't give more children than a couple can handle. Is this biblical? We already have 5 children.

Q&A question: Is Family Planning Sinful?

parenting

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-05

Household Responsibilities in Marriage: Does God care who does the dishes and cooks the food? Is the wife called to manage the household? What if both the husband and wife work similar full-time jobs (Proverbs 31: 15,21,27; Titus 2:5)?

Q&A question: Household Responsibilities in Marriage

Titus 2:5 Titus Proverbs 31 Titus 2:5 Titus Proverbs 31

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-09

Is Love God’s Chief Trait?: Is love God’s chief trait, or just one of them? Is it right to call all He does (i.e., punishing sin) an act of love, or are some things done in keeping with His holiness, justice, etc.?

Q&A question: Is Love God’s Chief Trait?

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-30

Did Jonah Actually Die?: Did Jonah die? I was introduced to this theory by social media and was surprised to see a lot of people think he died and was risen based off of Jonah 2:1-6, Jewish tradition, and The Sign of Jonah.

Q&A question: Did Jonah Actually Die?

Jonah Jonah

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-06

Proof of Annihilationism?: Does Isaiah 66: 24 prove annihilationism? The only counter verse seems to be Revelation 14: 10-11 and most of the Bible talks about Sheol, perishing, or the wages being death.

Q&A question: Proof of Annihilationism?

Isaiah revelation Isaiah revelation annihilationism

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-20

Is Calvinism Heresy?: Why isn’t Calvinism more strongly condemned among non-Calvinists? The doctrine essentially teaches that God will punish people for something completely out of their control, which makes God seem unjust.

Q&A question: Is Calvinism Heresy?

Calvinism heresy

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-04

Jesus Calling Out for Elijah?: On the cross, why did the Jewish people think Jesus was calling out for Elijah (Matthew 27: 47)?

Q&A question: Jesus Calling Out for Elijah?

Matthew Matthew 27 Jesus Elijah Matthew

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-11

Our Motive for Good Deeds: Is it good to do good deeds purely to get heavenly rewards, since you have such great faith in the reward? Or is it bad because your motives are selfish/reward-centered and not centered around love for others?

Q&A question: Our Motive for Good Deeds

heaven

Mike Winger idea 2024-12-13

Avoiding Anger while Guiding Others: I see a lot of New Age-ish things (energy, manifesting, vibes) creeping into Christ followers’ lives around me. I’ve gotten blow-back trying to correct people in love. Do you have any advice about how to continue the conversation without angering them?

Q&A question: Avoiding Anger while Guiding Others

new age

Mike Winger idea 2025-01-17

Corporal Punishment: More Harm than Good?: I’m a new parent doing research. I’ve heard that the Bible supports corporal punishment, but also that scientific studies say corporal punishment has negative outcomes. How do you reconcile these two things?

Q&A question: Corporal Punishment: More Harm than Good?

Mike Winger idea 2025-02-07

Is God Selfish?: Do you believe that God is selfish in everything He does? It seems even His "selfless" acts are done for His own sake (Psalm 106:8, dying on the cross for His own glory, etc.). Would that motivation be wrong?

Q&A question: Is God Selfish?

Mike Winger idea 2025-02-21

How to be a “Fisher of Men”: What does it mean to be “fishers of men”? A leader at my seeker church said it meant to use bait to get them in. Not sure if this is what Jesus meant.

Q&A question: How to be a “Fisher of Men”

Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2025-03-21

Winger says there is no biblical requirement for an ordained person to officiate a wedding — marriage is a public covenant between a man and woman, and the authority to marry doesn't reside in a pastor, government, or anyone else. He wrestles with whether to recommend a woman officiate for non-believing family.

Q from a female believer: brother (non-believer) asked her to officiate his wedding; only option is online ordination, which feels like mocking God.

women in ministry elder qualifications elder qualifications

Mike Winger idea 2025-03-28

My Sin Blocks My Prayers?: Psalm 66:18 says, "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." Does this mean God will ignore a person's prayers if they have active, ongoing sin in their life? How should we understand this verse in context and alongside other Scriptures about God hearing prayers?

Q&A question: My Sin Blocks My Prayers?

prayer

Mike Winger idea 2025-04-11

Faithful Believers in Unbiblical Offices?: What do you think about genuine Christians who have served in offices that aren't biblical, like bishops, priests, monks, etc.? Does God use faithful believers serving in unbiblical offices?

Q&A question: Faithful Believers in Unbiblical Offices?

Mike Winger idea 2025-07-04

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?

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

Mike Winger idea 2025-07-18

Praying for Personal Blessings: Selfish?: Can you share your insight on how to get over the feeling that it’s somehow wrong to pray for personal blessings? Objectively, I know it’s not, but the feeling often creeps in, as if it’s selfish.

Q&A question: Praying for Personal Blessings: Selfish?

Mike Winger idea 2025-07-18

The Importance of Jesus’ Lineage: Why was it so important for Jesus to be born from Seth vs. Cain, Isaac vs. Ishmael, etc., since He came to save all mankind?

Q&A question: The Importance of Jesus’ Lineage

Isaac Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2025-08-08

Hats: Disrespectful or Stylish?: My mother-in-law is "old-fashioned." What's your opinion about wearing hats in church? How about pastors preaching in them?

Q&A question: Hats: Disrespectful or Stylish?

pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2025-09-19

Baptismal Regeneration: False Gospel?: Would you consider the teaching that baptism is necessary for salvation to be a "different gospel” (Galatians 1:6)? If not, how would you distinguish it from the Circumcision Party's false teachings?

Q&A question: Baptismal Regeneration: False Gospel?

Galatians 1 salvation baptism Galatians 1

Mike Winger idea 2025-09-26

Enoch & Elisha – In Heaven?: Enoch and Elisha are said to be in Heaven in the Old Testament. Why did Jesus say in John 3: 13 that no one has gone to Heaven except Him?

Q&A question: Enoch & Elisha – In Heaven?

John 3 Jesus Elisha Enoch

Mike Winger idea 2025-10-24

Is Diwali Demonic?: Can you tell us a bit about Diwali? And is it OK to wish others a “Happy Diwali”? How should Christians view the holiday?

Q&A question: Is Diwali Demonic?