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All (127) Scripture Commentary (23) Theology (3) Mike Winger (101)

Mike Winger idea 2020-09-28

The claim "it's always God's will to heal sickness" is arbitrary — the apostles themselves suffered illness (Timothy's stomach issues, Trophimus left sick, Epaphroditus nearly died) while doing miracles.

Refuting the Word of Faith claim that sickness is never God's will

2 Timothy 4:20 1 Timothy 5:23 1 Peter 4:19 thorn in the flesh 2 Timothy 4:20 Word of Faith

Mike Winger idea 2020-09-28

Faith for miracles is different from saving faith — it's initiated by God (a spiritual gift), not fabricated by the believer. Jesus had a responsive ministry to the Father, not initiatory. You respond to what the Spirit reveals.

Theological framework: miracle-faith as God-initiated response, not self-generated belief

1 Corinthians 12:8-11 John 5:19 1 John 5:14 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 John 5:19 1 John 5:14

Mike Winger idea 2020-09-28

Conclusion: Mark 11 teaches new-covenant prayer through Christ, accessed by faith (not works). Real faith believes both for miracles AND in suffering when God says no. The harder path of faith is trusting God's "no."

Summary of the full teaching on prayer from Mark 11 and 14

Mark 11:22-25 Mark 14:35-36 Kenneth Copeland Word of Faith Kenneth Copeland

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-05

The chief priests, scribes, and elders = a delegation from the Sanhedrin (Jewish supreme court, ~70 members). This is a significant escalation — Jesus is now on their turf in Jerusalem, confronting the highest authority in Israel.

Identifying the Sanhedrin delegation in Mark 11:27-28

John 18:31 Mark 11:27-33 Sanhedrin Sanhedrin temple cleansing

Mike Winger idea 2020-11-16

Jesus agreed with the Pharisees on 4 points (supernatural worldview, resurrection, Scripture authority, messianic focus of OT) but disagreed on 3 (traditions as doctrine, authority claims, works-righteousness). Jesus agreed with the Sadducees on NOTHING.

Summary: Jesus vs. Pharisees vs. Sadducees mapped to modern groups

Roman Catholicism sola scriptura resurrection

Mike Winger idea 2021-07-16

More Miracles than Jesus?: Often, John 14:12-14 is used by “word of faith” preachers that I used to listen to. Their claim is that we are to do the same and more of the miracles that Jesus did. How should I see these verses?

Q&A question: More Miracles than Jesus?

Jesus miracles word of faith

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-13

What is a Miracle?: What is a miracle? If it can be explained, is it still a miracle?

Q&A question: What is a Miracle?

miracles

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-27

About Miracles & False Religions: You've said miracles in other religions are false signs from Satan. Why would other religions have reason to think these signs are from Satan? Couldn't a Muslim say the same thing to a Christian?

Q&A question: About Miracles & False Religions

Satan miracles Islam

Mike Winger idea 2021-09-03

What do Miracles/Healing Depend On?: If one were to pray over someone for a miracle or for healing, what would the chances of it working depend on? Jesus said that it depends on faith. Does it also depend on being a relatively righteous person?

Q&A question: What do Miracles/Healing Depend On?

Jesus miracles healing

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-08

How to Recognize the Spirit vs. Enemy: How do we know when we feel the Holy Spirit that it isn't a trick from Satan making us think that it’s God? And how do you know Jesus’s resurrection wasn’t a false miracle/wonder by Satan?

Q&A question: How to Recognize the Spirit vs. Enemy

Jesus resurrection Satan

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-21

Did Jesus Not Know Who Touched Him?: In Luke 8: 45, Jesus asks who touched His garment while in a crowd. Did Jesus really not know who had touched Him, nor that this miracle would take place?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Not Know Who Touched Him?

Luke 8 Jesus miracles Luke 8

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-04

Is the Resurrection Proof of Jesus’ Deity?: What should I say to someone who isn’t impressed with the resurrection of Jesus proving that He is God? I don’t think there is a better miracle explaining who God is and what He does.

Q&A question: Is the Resurrection Proof of Jesus’ Deity?

Jesus resurrection miracles

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-06

Should we Command People to be Healed?: Should we command for someone to be healed, or ask God for someone to be healed (Acts 3:6)? Do we have the very same authority of the Apostles to perform miracles (Mark 16: 17-18)?

Q&A question: Should we Command People to be Healed?

Mark 16 Acts 3:6 miracles Mark 16 Apostles

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-06

Symbolism Between the Wine & Jesus?: Was Jesus’ miracle of turning water to wine at Cana meant to be a symbol of how Jesus does not use water to wash us, but uses His blood (wine)?

Q&A question: Symbolism Between the Wine & Jesus?

Jesus miracles

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-13

How are Miracles Proof if Satan Can Also Do Them?: One of the proofs you've put forward that the Bible is from God is miracles and prophecy. If we see that Satan is also able to do miracles, like Pharaoh's magicians, then why are those things proof it’s from God?

Q&A question: How are Miracles Proof if Satan Can Also Do Them?

Satan prophecy miracles

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-13

Could God Exist but Not be Perfectly Good?: Atheist here. What stops a supernatural but not perfectly good being from being the author of the miracles in the Bible, especially when you already accept the existence of supernatural beings?

Q&A question: Could God Exist but Not be Perfectly Good?

miracles atheism

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-13

Why Didn’t God Show Sodom Miracles?: In Matthew 11: 23-24, Jesus says that Sodom would have been saved if they had seen His miracles. Why, then, didn’t God perform miracles so that they would believe? Doesn’t He want everyone to be saved?

Q&A question: Why Didn’t God Show Sodom Miracles?

Matthew Jesus miracles Matthew

Mike Winger idea 2022-07-22

About OT Prophet Credibility: Why were many of the prophets who wrote books included in the Old Testament if they didn't perform miracles and their prophecies didn't come true until the New Testament? What made them stand out from false prophets?

Q&A question: About OT Prophet Credibility

prophecy miracles

Mike Winger idea 2022-09-16

Should We Require a Sign from God Before Belief?: How would you respond if someone you love said something like, "I won't believe in any God unless He performs a supernatural miracle right in from of me”?

Q&A question: Should We Require a Sign from God Before Belief?

miracles

Mike Winger idea 2022-12-02

Meaning of the Leftover Miracle Food: What is the meaning of the 12 and 7 baskets left over from the feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000?

Q&A question: Meaning of the Leftover Miracle Food

miracles

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Are Miracles Unreliable?: If Satan and his workers can perform miracles to mislead people, why should I believe Christians when they tell me to look at miracles, or when Jesus says to look at His miracles?

Q&A question: Are Miracles Unreliable?

Jesus Satan miracles

Mike Winger idea 2023-06-09

About Catholic Claims: Eucharistic Miracle: Have you ever heard of the apparent eucharistic miracle that Catholics point to? How would you respond to it and how they claim that the apparent miracle has been scientifically verified?

Q&A question: About Catholic Claims: Eucharistic Miracle

Roman Catholicism miracles communion

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-07

How to Explain Perceived Miracles: How can I respond with Scripture to my Catholic friend who says, “I’ve seen Mary & saints do miracles when my dad was in the ICU. That’s why it’s hard to leave the catholic religion: I’ve seen It”?

Q&A question: How to Explain Perceived Miracles

Roman Catholicism miracles

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-07

Was Mary Asking Jesus for a Miracle?: When Mary told Jesus that the wedding was out of wine, was she asking Him to do a miracle, or a more prosaic fix? I was taught that she asked for a miracle, but I wonder due to her other actions.

Q&A question: Was Mary Asking Jesus for a Miracle?

Jesus miracles

Mike Winger idea 2025-10-03

Street Healings: Are They Real?: Are street healings real? Christians pray for strangers who report relief from pain and various illnesses. But atheist Derren Brown has produced similar results. Are these miracles or psychological effects?

Q&A question: Street Healings: Are They Real?

Derren Brown miracles atheism

Mike Winger idea 2026-03-20

Miraculous Fakery: How do we Not Discard All Miracles?: I have found myself despising the miraculous due to the number of fakers out there. How do you guard against this as you have been working through exposing the fakery of the hyper-Charismatic church?

Q&A question: Miraculous Fakery: How do we Not Discard All Miracles?

miracles charismatic movement

Mike Winger idea 2025-10-01

David Hume's objection — that miracles are by definition the least plausible explanation because they go against uniform experience — is circular: it uses the rarity of miracles to discount all testimony to miracles, then cites the lack of accepted testimony to miracles as proof they don't happen. Paley's response: if God raises Jesus specifically to vindicate his messianic claim, we would not expect that resurrection to be a repeatable event — so non-repetition is not evidence against it.

Hume's objection to miracles and Paley's response; the circularity in Hume's argument

David Jesus resurrection

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The claim "it's always God's will to heal sickness" is arbitrary — the apostles themselves suffered illness (Timothy's stomach issues, Trophimus left sick, Epaphroditus nearly died) while doing miracles.

Faith for miracles is different from saving faith — it's initiated by God (a spiritual gift), not fabricated by the believer. Jesus had a responsive ministry to the Father, not initiatory. You respond to what the Spirit reveals.

Conclusion: Mark 11 teaches new-covenant prayer through Christ, accessed by faith (not works). Real faith believes both for miracles AND in suffering when God says no. The harder path of faith is trusting God's "no."

The chief priests, scribes, and elders = a delegation from the Sanhedrin (Jewish supreme court, ~70 members). This is a significant escalation — Jesus is now on their turf in Jerusalem, confronting the highest authority in Israel.

Jesus agreed with the Pharisees on 4 points (supernatural worldview, resurrection, Scripture authority, messianic focus of OT) but disagreed on 3 (traditions as doctrine, authority claims, works-righteousness). Jesus agreed with the Sadducees on NOTHING.

More Miracles than Jesus?: Often, John 14:12-14 is used by “word of faith” preachers that I used to listen to. Their claim is that we are to do the same and more of the miracles that Jesus did. How should I see these verses?

What is a Miracle?: What is a miracle? If it can be explained, is it still a miracle?

About Miracles & False Religions: You've said miracles in other religions are false signs from Satan. Why would other religions have reason to think these signs are from Satan? Couldn't a Muslim say the same thing to a Christian?

What do Miracles/Healing Depend On?: If one were to pray over someone for a miracle or for healing, what would the chances of it working depend on? Jesus said that it depends on faith. Does it also depend on being a relatively righteous person?

How to Recognize the Spirit vs. Enemy: How do we know when we feel the Holy Spirit that it isn't a trick from Satan making us think that it’s God? And how do you know Jesus’s resurrection wasn’t a false miracle/wonder by Satan?

Did Jesus Not Know Who Touched Him?: In Luke 8: 45, Jesus asks who touched His garment while in a crowd. Did Jesus really not know who had touched Him, nor that this miracle would take place?

Is the Resurrection Proof of Jesus’ Deity?: What should I say to someone who isn’t impressed with the resurrection of Jesus proving that He is God? I don’t think there is a better miracle explaining who God is and what He does.

Should we Command People to be Healed?: Should we command for someone to be healed, or ask God for someone to be healed (Acts 3:6)? Do we have the very same authority of the Apostles to perform miracles (Mark 16: 17-18)?

Symbolism Between the Wine & Jesus?: Was Jesus’ miracle of turning water to wine at Cana meant to be a symbol of how Jesus does not use water to wash us, but uses His blood (wine)?

How are Miracles Proof if Satan Can Also Do Them?: One of the proofs you've put forward that the Bible is from God is miracles and prophecy. If we see that Satan is also able to do miracles, like Pharaoh's magicians, then why are those things proof it’s from God?

Could God Exist but Not be Perfectly Good?: Atheist here. What stops a supernatural but not perfectly good being from being the author of the miracles in the Bible, especially when you already accept the existence of supernatural beings?

Why Didn’t God Show Sodom Miracles?: In Matthew 11: 23-24, Jesus says that Sodom would have been saved if they had seen His miracles. Why, then, didn’t God perform miracles so that they would believe? Doesn’t He want everyone to be saved?

About OT Prophet Credibility: Why were many of the prophets who wrote books included in the Old Testament if they didn't perform miracles and their prophecies didn't come true until the New Testament? What made them stand out from false prophets?

Should We Require a Sign from God Before Belief?: How would you respond if someone you love said something like, "I won't believe in any God unless He performs a supernatural miracle right in from of me”?

Meaning of the Leftover Miracle Food: What is the meaning of the 12 and 7 baskets left over from the feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000?

Are Miracles Unreliable?: If Satan and his workers can perform miracles to mislead people, why should I believe Christians when they tell me to look at miracles, or when Jesus says to look at His miracles?

About Catholic Claims: Eucharistic Miracle: Have you ever heard of the apparent eucharistic miracle that Catholics point to? How would you respond to it and how they claim that the apparent miracle has been scientifically verified?

How to Explain Perceived Miracles: How can I respond with Scripture to my Catholic friend who says, “I’ve seen Mary & saints do miracles when my dad was in the ICU. That’s why it’s hard to leave the catholic religion: I’ve seen It”?

Was Mary Asking Jesus for a Miracle?: When Mary told Jesus that the wedding was out of wine, was she asking Him to do a miracle, or a more prosaic fix? I was taught that she asked for a miracle, but I wonder due to her other actions.

Street Healings: Are They Real?: Are street healings real? Christians pray for strangers who report relief from pain and various illnesses. But atheist Derren Brown has produced similar results. Are these miracles or psychological effects?

Miraculous Fakery: How do we Not Discard All Miracles?: I have found myself despising the miraculous due to the number of fakers out there. How do you guard against this as you have been working through exposing the fakery of the hyper-Charismatic church?

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