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Mike Winger idea 2020-12-04

Accepting Jesus is the only way to heaven, but those who never heard the gospel may be saved through faithful response to lesser revelation — analogous to Abraham.

Question from Jack Bradley about salvation for those who never heard or only heard harmful versions of the gospel.

Abraham Old Testament saints Salvation exclusivism
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Severe dementia and moral accountability: judgment follows capacity

Mario Tucci connected the question to Mike's earlier teaching that babies go to heaven and asked whether it applies to those with severe dementia.

judgment age of accountability heaven
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Ghosts, the witch of Endor, and demonic impersonation of the dead

Lindsay Kelso asked whether the Bible supports ghosts, and whether those who claim to see them are actually encountering demons.

1 Samuel 28 Leviticus 19:31 Deuteronomy 18:11 Samuel Catholicism afterlife
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-26

Paradise in Paul's vision, the thief on the cross, and Lazarus — same place?

David's Kinion Memoirs asks whether paradise in Paul's third-heaven vision, Jesus's promise to the thief, and the Lazarus/Abraham account are the same place.

Luke 23:43 1 Peter 3:19 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 intermediate state Luke 23:43 Hades
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-26

Unconfessed sin at death — positional vs. conditional righteousness; in Christ theology

Popham asks if a born-again Christian who dies suddenly with an unconfessed momentary sin (not a lifestyle) goes to hell.

Galatians 2:20 Ephesians 1 in Christ Galatians 2:20 Ephesians 1
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-26

Where are we judged — earth, heaven, or in between? Eschatological timeline

Damon Brook asks where humans are located during the final judgment.

Revelation 21 millennium eschatology second coming
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-05

Hebrews 12:1 — the cloud of witnesses is the inspiring example of their lives, not people watching from heaven; secular inspiring figures are fine but cannot be primary mentors

Responding to whether it is sinful to be inspired by historical people outside the Bible

Hebrews 11 Hebrews 12:1 Hebrews 11 inspiration Hebrews 12:1
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

When were angels created? Scripture does not say explicitly, but Job 38:7 implies angels were present and rejoicing during the creation of the earth.

Joanne Garabe asks whether angels were created on Day One, citing Nehemiah 9:6.

Genesis 1 Nehemiah 9:6 Job 38:7 Genesis 1 creation angels
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

Hebrews 6:4-6 — apostasy, hardness of heart, and the possible national Israel interpretation

Question from A.D. Chan about whether Hebrews 6:4-6 applies to Judas and what "falling away" means for someone who has experienced the Spirit.

Romans 11 Hebrews 6:4-6 Romans 11 Judas Iscariot Repentance
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

Will sins be publicly exposed at the Bema Seat judgment?

Question from The Potter's Daughter about 1 Cor 5:10 and Luke 12:2-3 and whether sins are publicly disclosed before being forgiven.

Luke 12:2-3 1 Corinthians 5:10 Bema seat bema Luke 12:2-3
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Luke 12:44-48 teaches proportional eschatological judgment, not purgatory; the parable presents two servants (faithful/unfaithful) plus a closing lesson on degrees of punishment based on knowledge.

Q10 from Tony: does Luke 12:44-48 teach purgatory? There appear to be four servants — faithful, sent to unbelievers, and two others receiving only punishment.

Luke 12:44-48 purgatory parable interpretation Luke 12:44-48
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Mandating church traditions as biblical commands is wrong; Proverbs 22:28 and Matthew 18:18 do not support it

Q8 from John Doe: A church mandates women wear dresses and men be clean-shaven using Proverbs 22:28 and Matthew 18:18 — is it biblical to mandate adherence to tradition?

Proverbs 22:28 Matthew 18:18 church authority spiritual abuse tradition vs Scripture
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-12

Timeless beings don't have beginnings or endings — these are temporal concepts. God, existing timelessly, doesn't need a cause. This also rules out pagan deities and the Mormon concept of God.

Who made God — continued; ruling out non-eternal deities

Mormonism Mormonism timelessness
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-12

Q&A: Revelation 21:1-2 and time in heaven. Heaven will involve time — months, sequential experiences — in physical resurrected bodies in the new creation. "Time will be no more" is poetic for everlasting, not literal timelessness.

Q&A — time in heaven (Revelation 21-22)

Revelation 21:1-2 Revelation 22:1-2 new heaven and new earth William Lane Craig physical resurrection
Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

Drew's arbitrary cruel God is defeated by evidence: Christianity has historical verification, prophecy, testimony, and wasn't made up on the spot. A maximally cruel God would send everyone to hell with no heaven, giving no reason to worship. This is the "Pascal's mugger" objection, already addressed in literature.

Response to Q2 — arbitrary claims vs evidenced claims

evidence for God evidence for God Pascals wager
Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

Drew's Question 4: If God knows who will choose him, why not only create those people and skip earthly suffering? If free will is the answer, that implies heaven lacks free will (since there's no suffering there), making earth better than heaven.

Presenting Drew's argument — why create the non-elect?

free will problem of evil problem of evil
Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

Cameron responds: 3 of 4 questions are really just versions of the problem of evil. Questions are not arguments — they require structured premises and conclusions. Cameron identifies three goods requiring earthly existence before heaven.

Response to Q4 — questions aren't arguments

problem of evil Cameron Bertuzzi problem of evil
Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

Good #1: Freely choosing to enter a loving relationship with God is a great good — a love potion analogy shows forced love isn't real love. Good #2: Alvin Plantinga's supralapsarianism theodicy — the Incarnation and atonement (Christ dying for those who hate him) is among the greatest conceivable acts of love, only possible in a world with sin.

Response to Q4 — goods requiring earth (love and atonement)

free will Alvin Plantinga free will
Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

Good #3: Soul-building theodicy — suffering provides opportunities to develop character virtues (sacrifice, courage, compassion, forgiveness). Good #4: Robin Collins' connection-building theodicy — virtuous responses to evil create valuable relationships that grow infinitely over time.

Response to Q4 — soul-building and connection-building

theodicy theodicy soul-building theodicy
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Q&A: Babies killed through abortion go to heaven — supported by David's words in 2 Samuel 12:23 about his dead child. This doesn't justify killing them, just as Christians going to heaven doesn't justify murdering Christians.

Q&A — souls of aborted babies

2 Samuel 12:23 abortion 2 Samuel 12:23
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-26

Q&A: Babies who die (including through abortion) go to be with God, supported by 2 Samuel 12:23 where David says "I shall go to him" about his dead child. This doesn't justify killing them — you could make the same argument for killing Christians.

Q&A — souls of aborted babies

2 Samuel 12:23 abortion 2 Samuel 12:23
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

The "footstool" verses (Isaiah 66:1) are metaphorical — God is sovereign. If "earth is my footstool" is literal, then "heaven is my throne" must be literal too (but no flat-earther takes it that way). Isaiah 40:12 says God measured waters in "the hollow of his hand" — also obviously metaphorical. 1 Kings 8:27: even the highest heavens cannot contain God.

Footstool verses — metaphor for sovereignty

Isaiah 66:1 Isaiah 40:12 flat earth Isaiah 66:1 footstool of God
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Pillar verses (1 Samuel 2:8, Job 26:10, Psalm 75:3) are all in poetic contexts. In 1 Samuel 2:8, "pillars of the earth" are leaders whom God exalts — the context is about God raising the poor to sit with princes. In Psalm 75:3, pillars are leaders God supports during upheaval. "Pillars of heaven" (Job 26) may just refer to mountains poetically.

Pillars of the earth — leaders, not literal supports

1 Samuel 2:8 1 Samuel 2:8 pillars of the earth poetic language in scripture
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Isaiah 40:22 "circle of the earth" — the Hebrew word is indeterminate (could mean circle or sphere). But Mike thinks it's not about cosmology at all — it's about God sitting above the horizon, sovereign over everything you can see. Job 22:14 uses the same word for the "vault of heaven" which flat-earthers accept as dome-shaped — proving the word doesn't demand "flat."

Circle of the earth (Isaiah 40:22) — indeterminate

Isaiah 40:22 Job 22:14 Isaiah 40:22 circle of the earth chug (Hebrew)
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

"Water under the earth" (Psalm 136:6, Exodus 20:4) = the ocean. Exodus 20:4 prohibits idols of things in heaven, on earth, or in the water under the earth — if this isn't the ocean, then the idol prohibition doesn't cover fish/sea creatures. Psalm 24:2: "founded upon the seas, established upon the rivers" — earth (dry land) is simply above water level.

Water under the earth — the ocean

Exodus 20:4 Psalm 24:1-2 Psalm 136:6 water under the earth Exodus 20:4 Psalm 24:1-2
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-18

Q: Will we be sad in heaven about people in hell? No — because of resolution, not memory loss. "Former things not remembered" means not dwelling on them or worrying, not literal amnesia. In God's presence with his perspective, we'll understand his justice is right. The glory will outshine all grief.

Q&A — sadness in heaven over hell

hell memory in heaven hell
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-08

What salvation produces: (1) Adoption as God's children (1 John 3:1); (2) Indwelling of the Holy Spirit — born again, new creation (Titus 3:5, 2 Cor 5:17); (3) Complete forgiveness of sins; (4) Eternal life — not ethereal existence but new heaven and new earth with perfect fellowship. Simple to receive, vast in scope.

Results of salvation — adoption, Spirit, eternal life

1 John 3:1 Titus 3:5 regeneration born again 1 John 3:1
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-29

Q&A: Will saved Christians be punished on Judgment Day? Not punished in the hell sense — Jesus took that punishment. But 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 shows believers' works will be tested by fire: gold/silver/precious stones survive (pure ministry); wood/hay/straw burn up (compromised service). The person is saved but may suffer loss of ALL rewards. 2 Corinthians 5:10: we receive what is due for what we've done — this is loss of reward, not punishment.

Q&A — believers' judgment and rewards

2 Corinthians 5:10 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 2 Corinthians 5:10 2 Corinthians 5:10 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 2 Corinthians 5:10
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-21

Can bad people go to heaven and ruin it? Reconciled by regeneration: everyone who believes in Christ receives a new nature. Even hypothetically, if Hitler truly repented on his deathbed, he'd be a new creation in heaven — hating his old ways, transformed by the Holy Spirit. Heaven is populated by transformed people, not merely forgiven ones.

Bad people in heaven — regeneration transforms

2 Corinthians 5:17 born again 2 Corinthians 5:17 born again
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-15

Argument 5 — The Problem of Evil (Epicurus) — is genuinely difficult but the logical version has been abandoned by academic atheist philosophers. The dilemma offers a false set of options.

Fifth argument: the problem of evil from Epicurus

Romans 8:28 problem of evil logical problem of evil problem of evil
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-15

The problem of evil is the #1 argument that practically draws people away from God, but Christianity alone offers both intellectual answers and emotional/pastoral hope — atheism offers neither explanation nor solution.

Pastoral conclusion on the problem of evil and summary of all 5 arguments

theodicy atheism theodicy
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-28

The prayer promise is couched in the destruction-of-temple context because Jesus is inaugurating NEW COVENANT prayer — from temple-mediated access to direct access through Christ. Christians ARE the new temple.

The temple context explains WHY this prayer teaching appears here in Mark

1 Peter 2:5 Ephesians 2:19-22 2 Chronicles 6:24-40 1 Peter 2:5 Ephesians 2:19-22 2 Chronicles 6:24-40
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-05

The Sanhedrin's question is for intimidation and ammunition, not information. Jesus's counter-question about John's baptism is a standard rabbinic technique that embeds his answer while denying them usable ammo.

Analysis of the Sanhedrin's question and Jesus's response strategy

Mark 11:27-33 Mark 14:61-62 Sanhedrin Sanhedrin Mark 11:27-33
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-05

Jesus's two options — "from heaven or from men" — establish a "sola heaven" principle: heavenly authority doesn't need earthly institutional approval. John didn't get Sanhedrin permission; neither does Jesus.

The theological implications of Jesus's binary question

Mark 7:8-9 sola scriptura Mark 7:8-9 sola scriptura
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-26

Du Toit changes "forgiveness" to "I am-ness" and teaches that the Trinity has four circles (Father, Son, you/me, Holy Spirit). Jesus didn't die to save us from sin but from a wrong mindset. Hell is "just a pathway to heaven."

The Mirror Bible's broader theological distortions

John 17:7 Mirror Bible Mirror Bible François Du Toit
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-02

God's justice is BOTH restorative AND retributive — using restoration to eliminate punishment is itself unjust. The solution to wrongful convictions is to reform the death penalty, not abolish it.

Restorative vs. retributive justice, and the wrongful conviction problem

Revelation 6:10 Roman Catholicism death penalty Revelation 6:10
Mike Winger idea 2019-11-06

Conclusion: Isaiah 53 clearly teaches that Christ suffered in our place as a sacrifice bearing our sin, bringing atonement so we receive his righteousness. Those who call PSA wicked are confused by caricatures — if the doctrine is so bad, why must they misstate it to argue against it?

Summary and Q&A on penal substitutionary atonement

Isaiah 53 Isaiah 53 Isaiah 53 Isaiah 53 penal substitutionary atonement
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-16

Jesus identifies TWO problems with the Sadducees: they don't know the Scriptures AND they don't know the power of God. He then proves resurrection FROM the Pentateuch — their own strongest ground — using Exodus 3:6 ("I am the God of Abraham").

Jesus's response: two rebukes and the burning bush argument for resurrection

Mark 12:18-27 Exodus 3:6 resurrection resurrection marriage in heaven
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 2021-05-14

Responding to LDS claims that "in the beginning" (Genesis 1/John 1) only means our world: John 1:3 says "all things were made through him" — a blanket category covering everything in existence, not just Earth.

Q16: How to respond to LDS friends about "in the beginning"?

Genesis Genesis 1 John 1 Genesis Mormonism Genesis 1
Mike Winger idea 2021-06-11

About Married Couples in Heaven: Does Luke 20: 27-36 teach that people who are married on Earth won't be married anymore in Heaven? I feel sad that my husband and I might not be together still in Heaven.

Q&A question: About Married Couples in Heaven

marriage
Mike Winger idea 2021-08-13

Forming a Healthy Work/Rest Balance: Since life is finite and Heaven is infinite, how do we justify spending any time not working to influence eternity? Where is the balance between relaxation & work? (Ephesians 5: 15-16 vs. 1 Thessalonians 4: 11)

Q&A question: Forming a Healthy Work/Rest Balance

Ephesians 5 1 Thessalonians 4 Ephesians 5 1 Thessalonians 4
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-07

Does God Make Mistakes?: How can I help my Christian friend trust God? He reads the OT and thinks God keeps making mistakes and tries to fix them (snake in garden, Noah's flood). He doesn't trust Heaven will be better.

Q&A question: Does God Make Mistakes?

heaven
Mike Winger idea 2021-08-27

Did Anyone in “The Flood” Go to Heaven?: Do you think any of the people that died in the flood (above the age of accountability) may have been saved or will not go to Hell?

Q&A question: Did Anyone in “The Flood” Go to Heaven?

hell
Mike Winger idea 2021-09-10

Responding to Mormon Arguments: What is your best answer to a Mormon responding to "There is only ONE God" by saying "Yes, only one God for US. Only one God we are to worship & that’s OUR Heavenly Father but there are others elsewhere"?

Q&A question: Responding to Mormon Arguments

worship Mormonism
Mike Winger idea 2021-09-10

Is it Biblical? Jesus in our Hearts: Do we have "Jesus in our hearts" as believers? What about worship songs about Jesus in the room? John 16:5-10, Acts 1:9-11 and basically all of Revelation seems to say Jesus is in Heaven for now.

Q&A question: Is it Biblical? Jesus in our Hearts

revelation Acts 1 John 16 Jesus worship revelation
Mike Winger idea 2021-09-10

Why did God Allow our Sin Nature?: Frank Turek said (paraphrasing) that in Heaven we will have free will, but we won't sin because we won't have a sin nature. If that's the case, why didn't God just make us like that on Earth?

Q&A question: Why did God Allow our Sin Nature?

Frank Turek free will
Mike Winger idea 2021-09-24

Where did Lazarus Temporarily Go?: Where were people who died and later got resurrected located in that period? Do they go to Heaven or Hell and get snatched back to Earth after they’re resurrected (e.g., Lazarus, Dorcas, Eutychus etc.)?

Q&A question: Where did Lazarus Temporarily Go?

Lazarus hell
Mike Winger idea 2021-09-24

What Did Jesus Mean by “Be Perfect”?: What did Jesus mean when He said, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" in Matthew 5: 48? Wouldn't that mean we're all condemned since we sin every day/week?

Q&A question: What Did Jesus Mean by “Be Perfect”?

Matthew 5 Matthew Jesus Matthew 5 Matthew
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-08

About the Apostles’ Martyrdom: A big defense for Christianity is that the Apostles died & were tortured, never recanting Jesus. How are the Heavens Gate & Jonestown 1978 incidents any different? They all willingly died for a lie, too.

Q&A question: About the Apostles’ Martyrdom

Jesus Apostles
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