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All (151) Mike Winger (151)
Mike Winger idea 2019-04-10

JD Flier defines faith as "belief in an ever-receding pocket of scientific ignorance" — the God-of-the-gaps argument

Examining another atheist definition of faith

Matt Dillahunty evidence for the resurrection God of the gaps
Mike Winger idea 2019-04-10

Matt Dillahunty's shifting definitions of faith: "excuse without good reason," "believing things you know aren't true," and "belief with evidence"

Critique of Dillahunty's inconsistency on faith

Matt Dillahunty definition of faith faith as excuse
Mike Winger idea 2019-04-10

Michael J. Hooper's definition: faith means you don't care about truth — and how this blocks evangelism

Examining an extreme atheist definition of faith

evangelism dialogue between Christians and atheists faith as indifference to truth
Mike Winger idea 2019-04-10

Tim McGrew vs. Boghossian debate and a Facebook poll showing the same Christian/non-Christian split on the definition of faith

Corroborating evidence for poll results from an independent debate

Tim McGrew Peter Boghossian Christian vs. non-Christian definitions of faith
Mike Winger idea 2019-04-10

The definitional divide on faith is a communication barrier to evangelism — Christians must clarify they have evidence

Practical application of the poll findings

evangelism faith evidence for Christianity
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-01

Mike Twitter-polled atheists to understand how they define the terms in the slogan

Rather than strawmanning skeptics, Mike sought direct input from atheists on his Twitter following to understand how they define "extraordinary."

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence Definition of extraordinary
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-01

Problem 2: No clear definition of what "extraordinary" means — equivocation fallacy

Second of five critiques.

Equivocation fallacy Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence Definition of extraordinary
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-01

Twitter respondents define "extraordinary claim" as low prior probability

Part of Mike's data-gathering from Twitter atheists about how they define the slogan's terms.

Resurrection of Jesus Definition of extraordinary Prior probability
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-01

Twitter respondents cannot define "extraordinary evidence" — shifting, subjective standard

Part of the data-gathering from Twitter, illustrating the definitional problem with the slogan.

Equivocation fallacy Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence Epistemology
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-08

John 20:17 — 'Do not cling to me' means do not grasp or hold on, not 'do not touch'; the Greek haptomai connotes holding on, explaining why Jesus also allowed Thomas to touch him later

Response to question about why Jesus would not let Mary touch him but later allowed Thomas to touch him

John 20:17 Mary Magdalene John 20:17 Thomas
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-15

Q&A: The kingdom of God is wherever God rules as king—inaugurated by Christ, to be consummated at the second coming

Theological definition of the kingdom of God

second coming Holy Spirit kingdom of God
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-16

Undesigned coincidences — definition and how they demonstrate historicity

Winger asks McLatchie to explain undesigned coincidences as a distinct argument for the historicity of the New Testament.

undesigned coincidences eyewitness testimony Jonathan McLatchie
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-22

Hebrew Roots movement defined: diverse group united by belief that all believers must obey Mosaic Law including dietary restrictions, Sabbath, and feast days

Series introduction and definition of the Hebrew Roots movement

Torah observance Hebrew Roots movement progressive revelation
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-22

Acts 11:1 -- 'Gentiles received the Word of God' without Torah observance. Hebrew Roots claim you cannot fully receive the Word of God without obeying the law -- Winger rejects this as unbiblical.

Analysis of Acts 11:1

Acts 11:1 Torah observance 119 Ministries Acts 11:1
Mike Winger idea 2019-06-05

The false dichotomy makes 119's interpretation agreeable in isolation but wrong in exclusivity

Winger's summative critique of the false dichotomy

false dichotomy 119 Ministries law of Christ
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-30

Definition of limited atonement: Jesus's death only paid for the sins of the elect

Winger defines limited atonement as the doctrine that God only provided payment for the sins of certain people (the elect), not for all humanity.

Calvinism limited atonement TULIP
Mike Winger idea 2019-06-26

Cessationism defined: miraculous gifts belonged to the apostolic era only, served a unique founding purpose, and ceased before the canon closed.

Winger reads a definition from Theapedia. He contrasts it with continuationism, which holds the gifts are normative and available today.

cessationism continuationism spiritual gifts
Mike Winger idea 2019-09-04

Q&A: Polygamy is inherently sinful; one-flesh marriage precludes a second wife by definition

A viewer asks how to demonstrate that polygamy is sinful for Christians. Winger argues from the nature of marriage itself and from both Testaments.

1 Timothy 3:2 Genesis 2:24 Titus 1:6 1 Timothy 3:2 Genesis 2:24 Titus 1:6
Mike Winger idea 2019-10-02

The emotional appeal of pluralist slogans: kindness, avoiding anger, hope, tolerance

Winger demonstrates empathy with why people hold pluralist views before critiquing them

religious pluralism tolerance cultural Christianity
Mike Winger idea 2019-07-31

Even granting that baptism parallels circumcision as a covenant sign, differences undermine the infant baptism inference

Winger grants the circumcision-as-covenant-sign parallel arguendo and then examines whether it actually supports infant baptism.

typology baptism covenant
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-18

Calvinism, Arminianism, Molinism — Mike identifies as a Molinist

Lightning-round question from Kyle about Mike's soteriological position.

election Calvinism soteriology
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-02

Gossip is unnecessary information that tears people down without justification — not merely sharing personal information without permission

Final question from Woolpack about the definition of gossip

Proverbs 1 Peter 4:8 Kenneth Copeland Proverbs accountability
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-17

Immortal soul — JW/annihilationist claim that it is a Greek import, not Jewish or biblical

Q from Grace Lou 22 about a JW friend who says the Greek word for soul just means any living being and that the immortal soul concept is Greek philosophy smuggled into Christianity.

1 Samuel 28 Samuel Saul Jehovah's Witnesses
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-30

Spirit, soul, mind, body, heart: biblical anthropology terms overlap and resist precise systematic separation

Question from Juris de los Santos about the distinct biblical components of human nature.

soul trichotomy biblical anthropology
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-20

Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven are synonyms in the Gospels

Question about whether the two phrases refer to different things.

Matthew biblical theology Matthew kingdom of God
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

Revival is biblical; Mike defines it as significant corporate repentance and walking rightly with God, not primarily as an outpouring of spectacular spiritual gifts.

Question: is revival biblical?

Holy Spirit repentance revival
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

Spiritual gifts cannot be taught or transferred — they are given by the Spirit as he wills

Question from Ad Chan about whether spiritual gifts can be taught.

1 Corinthians 12 Spiritual gifts 1 Corinthians 12 Holy Spirit sovereignty
Mike Winger idea 2018-10-31

Mike argues it is philosophically irrational to charge God with immorality because God’s character is the very grounding of moral goodness, making the question of whether God could do something immoral logically incoherent, analogous to asking if a circle could be a square.

Response to non-believer asking whether there is anything God could do that would lead Mike to consider him immoral

apologetics atheism moral argument
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-05

Satan is not omniscient; he did not know God's plan of salvation and that is why he crucified Christ

Responding to whether the hidden mystery of salvation implies Satan's omniscience since Jesus had to rebuke Peter

1 Corinthians 2:8 Mark 1:24 Matthew 16:23 omniscience Satan crucifixion
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

Ephesians 5:5 — "impure" (akathartos) refers to moral impurity; the passage warns that a lifestyle of immorality, impurity, or covetousness calls salvation into question.

Nero Manser asks what Paul means by "impure" in Ephesians 5:5.

1 Corinthians Ephesians 5:5 BDAG lexicon 1 Corinthians assurance of salvation
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

Idolatry ancient and modern: literal idol worship still exists; covetousness is idolatry; some Catholic practices parallel ancient idolatry; smartphone use threatens prayer life.

Al Naps asks about modern-day idolatry and whether excessive Christian YouTube consumption is problematic; also asks if Winger worries about being idolized.

Ephesians 5:5 Colossians 3:5 Roman Catholicism prayer idolatry
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

What is a local church and is planting under an existing church a biblical mandate?

Question from Droopy's Dad about church definition and whether church plants must be authorized by an existing church.

Ecclesiology Church planting Local church
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

Can someone be justified without being sanctified? Can habitual sin coexist with salvation?

Question from Kate Channel about justification, sanctification, and habitual sin.

Galatians 5 John 8:36 2 Corinthians 13:5 Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5 Sanctification
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Loving neighbors in restricted-mobility times means reorienting attitude and creativity, not relying on physical proximity.

Q15 from Joel Holmberg: how can we love our neighbor and honor God when we cannot congregate (COVID-era context)?

love your neighbor community and congregation COVID-era church life
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 2020-01-08

Drew claims religious people invented doctrines to morally justify killing animals. John turns this around: on Drew's evolutionary morality, survival-promoting beliefs ARE morality — so religion doing this would be moral by his own framework. Also, most non-religious people eat meat too, so religion isn't the explanation.

Response to Q3 — evolutionary morality is self-defeating

animal suffering evolutionary morality
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Terms like "zygote," "fetus," and "embryo" are used to dehumanize the child in the womb, just as dehumanizing labels were used in other human rights atrocities. Mike shares his college experience debating his professor on these terms.

Dehumanization through terminology

dehumanization abortion euphemisms
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-08

Biblical love vs. secular love: secular love = affirming whatever someone wants for themselves (happiness as highest good). Biblical love = wanting for others what GOD wants for them, which may differ from what they want. The key: the two greatest commandments in order — love God first, then love others. Loving others is contextualized by loving God first.

Teaching kids about love — biblical vs secular

secular vs biblical love greatest commandments worldview assumptions
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-08

Each chapter has a conversation guide: (1) "Open the conversation" — easy questions to get kids talking without intimidation. (2) "Advance the conversation" — deeper questions with tips in parentheses guiding parents on key points to cover. Designed to move from kids' heads to actual parent-child dialogue.

Conversation guide structure

Natasha Crain kids apologetics conversation guides
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-07

Calvinism and free will: Mike isn't a Calvinist. He believes in genuine human free will while also affirming God's sovereignty. The key issue: does God determine every single human decision (Calvinist compatibilism) or do humans have genuine libertarian choice? Mike believes libertarian free will better fits Scripture and makes better sense of God's commands, judgments, and the problem of evil.

Calvinism and free will — Mike's position

Calvinism free will Calvinism
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-21

Libertarian free will defined: the ability to choose among alternative options compatible with one's nature. Two versions — principle of alternative possibilities (PAP) and sourcehood freedom.

Philosophical definitions before presenting the formal argument

compatibilism compatibilism libertarian free will
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-29

Critical Race Theory is a discipline within critical social theory (rooted in Marx). It emerged from critical legal studies in the 1980s. The overarching worldview: society is defined by dominant group vs. oppressed group, and the goal is dismantling oppressive systems.

What is Critical Theory and Critical Race Theory — definitions and origins

critical theory intersectionality Kimberlé Crenshaw
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-29

CRT redefines racism as "prejudice plus power" — meaning only the dominant group (whites) can be racist, and systemic racism is the only real racism. This enables dismissing any concern from majority groups while making all disparities evidence of racism.

CRT's redefinition of racism and its consequences

Proverbs 18:13 Robin DiAngelo Ibram X. Kendi prejudice plus power
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-29

Is Marriage Different Now?: My friend says the definition of marriage evolved over time, and that now it’s a legal contract, but in biblical times she claims it was a social transfer of care. Thus, she believes living with her boyfriend unmarried is biblical. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Is Marriage Different Now?

marriage
Mike Winger idea 2022-04-08

What is Biblical “Meekness”?: Do you believe the current oxford definition of meek or meekness is biblically correct? It's being quiet, gentle, and submissive – but I’ve heard it's being powerful under control. I’d Love to hear your thoughts!

Q&A question: What is Biblical “Meekness”?

Mike Winger idea 2022-08-13

What is a False Teacher?: What do you think is the biblical definition of a false teacher? People's interpretations of this vary widely. I’d just like to have a fresh pair of eyes on it.

Q&A question: What is a False Teacher?

hermeneutics
Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Is Christianity Itself a Cult?: How is Christianity like (or not like) a cult in either definition and/or practice?

Q&A question: Is Christianity Itself a Cult?

Mike Winger idea 2024-01-26

Biblically, how is “Neighbor” Defined?: Is there a biblical definition for the term “neighbor”? I've always thought it was a term used to describe a non-believer who shows love to a Christian (or means them no harm).

Q&A question: Biblically, how is “Neighbor” Defined?

Mike Winger idea 2025-10-24

Words of Comfort vs. Prophecy?: Is there a distinction between God speaking words of comfort to someone and the gift of prophecy? I’ve understood that anytime God speaks, it is by definition, prophecy and subject to testing.

Q&A question: Words of Comfort vs. Prophecy?

prophecy
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