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Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

John 20:23 — the authority to forgive or retain sins: the disciples are declaring what heaven has already determined, not independently granting forgiveness.

Question from Thomas Brownlee about interpreting John 20:23.

John 20:23 Apostolic authority John 20:23 Forgiveness of sins

Mike Winger idea 2020-05-06

The actual historical evidence for specific apostolic martyrdoms: strong for Peter, Paul, James son of Zebedee, James brother of Jesus (early, multiple sources). Possible for Thomas (some 2nd century evidence). For the rest (Bartholomew, Matthew, Matthias etc.) — 3rd-5th century accounts that are contradictory and likely fictional. McDowell and Moss agree on the later accounts being unreliable.

Evidence tiers for apostolic martyrdoms

James brother of Jesus James son of Zebedee James brother of Jesus Sean McDowell James son of Zebedee

Mike Winger idea 2020-05-21

Names in the gospels match the known name distribution of 1st-century Palestine (research by Tal Ilan, Richard Bauckham). The most common names (Simon, Joseph, Mary) are disambiguated with extra identifiers (Simon Peter, Simon of Cyrene, Simon the Zealot) while less common names (Thomas, Thaddeus) stand alone — exactly as you'd expect from authentic records. Names are the first thing lost in retelling; getting them right indicates early, close-to-source transmission.

Onomastic (name) evidence — statistical match

Richard Bauckham Tal Ilan gospel reliability

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 2021-07-23

About our Future Glorified Bodies: Will we still have scars and such in our new bodies? Like when Jesus was resurrected, He still had His crucifixion marks. Was that just for God’s purposes (Thomas) or is it a sneak-peek of what our new bodies will be like?

Q&A question: About our Future Glorified Bodies

Jesus Thomas

Mike Winger idea 2021-07-02

About Aquinas’ Summa Theologica: Have you ever read or studied the work by St. Thomas Aquinas called "Summa Theologica," and if so, what are your thoughts?

Q&A question: About Aquinas’ Summa Theologica

Thomas

Mike Winger idea 2026-03-20

James Talarico & the Gospel of Thomas: Can you offer your thoughts on James Talarico and his teaching relating to the Gospel of Thomas?

Q&A question: James Talarico & the Gospel of Thomas

James James Thomas

Mike Winger idea 2026-03-20

Converting from Judaism: I’m a 19 year old Jewish believer. I want to get baptized and go to church, but my rabbinic/secular family is against it and some don’t know about my faith yet. How can I wisely share my faith without messing up?

Q&A question: Converting from Judaism

baptism

Mike Winger idea 2026-03-20

How to Walk by The Spirit: Regarding Romans 8:4-6, how do we walk according to the Spirit and set our minds on the Spirit?

Q&A question: How to Walk by The Spirit

Romans 8 Romans 8

Mike Winger idea 2026-03-20

Denomination Boards = Eldership?: I’m wondering if elders are solely a local church function/office/role. Is a woman who is serving on a district or national denomination board biblically considered an elder?

Q&A question: Denomination Boards = Eldership?

elder qualifications

Mike Winger idea 2026-03-20

Biblical Justification: Works Based?: I’m struggling DEEPLY with James 2: 24 vs. Romans 3: 28. Your best argument in the video you did on this 7 years ago was the definition of "justified." But my NIV Bible says "considered righteous."

Q&A question: Biblical Justification: Works Based?

James James 2 Romans 3 James James 2 justification

Mike Winger idea 2026-03-20

God’s Calling, My Desires & My Fear: I feel drawn to teaching God's Word, but I’m also afraid. How can I tell if it's truly a calling from God and not just my own desire? I understand the responsibility and that scares me. Any guidance?

Q&A question: God’s Calling, My Desires & My Fear

Mike Winger idea 2026-03-20

Serving, Selfishness & Complaining: I am really bad at serving without complaining. I resist change even when I know I’m going to get on board in a day or two. May I have counsel to let my selfish guard down?

Q&A question: Serving, Selfishness & Complaining

Mike Winger idea 2026-03-20

“God’s Not Done…”?: Do you think there is anything wrong with the phrase “God isn’t done with you yet”? Can something like suicide diminish the amount that God would have used us?

Q&A question: “God’s Not Done…”?

anxiety and mental health

Mike Winger idea 2026-03-20

“Purity Culture”: Too Far?: What is a biblical perspective of “Purity Culture”? Is it actually something that goes too far? I'm not just talking about abstinence before marriage, but the idea of purity rings, no dating, etc.

Q&A question: “Purity Culture”: Too Far?

marriage

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

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John 20:23 — the authority to forgive or retain sins: the disciples are declaring what heaven has already determined, not independently granting forgiveness.

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 our Future Glorified Bodies: Will we still have scars and such in our new bodies? Like when Jesus was resurrected, He still had His crucifixion marks. Was that just for God’s purposes (Thomas) or is it a sneak-peek of what our new bodies will be like?

About Aquinas’ Summa Theologica: Have you ever read or studied the work by St. Thomas Aquinas called "Summa Theologica," and if so, what are your thoughts?

James Talarico & the Gospel of Thomas: Can you offer your thoughts on James Talarico and his teaching relating to the Gospel of Thomas?

Converting from Judaism: I’m a 19 year old Jewish believer. I want to get baptized and go to church, but my rabbinic/secular family is against it and some don’t know about my faith yet. How can I wisely share my faith without messing up?

How to Walk by The Spirit: Regarding Romans 8:4-6, how do we walk according to the Spirit and set our minds on the Spirit?

Denomination Boards = Eldership?: I’m wondering if elders are solely a local church function/office/role. Is a woman who is serving on a district or national denomination board biblically considered an elder?

Biblical Justification: Works Based?: I’m struggling DEEPLY with James 2: 24 vs. Romans 3: 28. Your best argument in the video you did on this 7 years ago was the definition of "justified." But my NIV Bible says "considered righteous."

God’s Calling, My Desires & My Fear: I feel drawn to teaching God's Word, but I’m also afraid. How can I tell if it's truly a calling from God and not just my own desire? I understand the responsibility and that scares me. Any guidance?

Serving, Selfishness & Complaining: I am really bad at serving without complaining. I resist change even when I know I’m going to get on board in a day or two. May I have counsel to let my selfish guard down?

“God’s Not Done…”?: Do you think there is anything wrong with the phrase “God isn’t done with you yet”? Can something like suicide diminish the amount that God would have used us?

“Purity Culture”: Too Far?: What is a biblical perspective of “Purity Culture”? Is it actually something that goes too far? I'm not just talking about abstinence before marriage, but the idea of purity rings, no dating, etc.

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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