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All (1552) Scripture Commentary (1327) Mike Winger (225)

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Many ways to interpret the Bible — but the most important truths are plainly clear

Continuing Q14 on Bible interpretation and despair

1 Corinthians 11 John 14:6 John 1:1-14 hermeneutics Craig Blomberg Douglas Moo

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Ephesians 5: husband's model is Christ dying for the church on earth, not Christ ruling as Lord in heaven

Continuing Q19 on husband-wife authority

Ephesians 5:25 hermeneutics headship servant leadership

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

Consult additional translations when your interpretation hangs on the nuance of a specific wording

Second tip on when to consult secondary Bible translations; practical advice for teachers

hermeneutics Bible translation Blue Letter Bible

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

Psalm 37:4 is misused in Word of Faith teaching as a blank-check promise to receive material desires

Question from Lungil Zandi about how to read Psalm 37:4 without falling into a Word of Faith trap

Psalm 37:4 hermeneutics prosperity gospel covetousness

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of Talents) and 1 Corinthians 3:12 are distinct analogies and should not be conflated

Question from Eelo Minish about whether the "bags of silver" in Matthew 25 are the same as the gold/silver/wood in 1 Corinthians 3:12.

Matthew 25:14-30 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 Matthew 25:14-30 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 Parable of Talents

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

Demanding chapter-and-verse for every claim is an overreaction used to control discourse, not a legitimate epistemic standard

Question from Graham Weaver about how to respond to demands for chapter and verse on nuanced or situational claims.

Hermeneutics Biblical epistemology Sola scriptura

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q13: Should I stop using an isogetical devotional that groups unrelated passages under a common daily theme?

Viewer Justin asks whether to stop using a one-year Bible plan that groups OT, NT, Psalms, and Proverbs daily under one artificial unifying theme.

hermeneutics contextual interpretation isogesis

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

The two vessel passages should not be conflated — different contexts, different applications

Mike's conclusion: 2 Tim 2:20-21 and Romans 9 use the same metaphor for different purposes and cannot be merged to make a doctrinal argument about total depravity.

2 Timothy 2:20-21 Romans 9:20-23 hermeneutics sanctification Calvinism

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Question: Does Psalm 121:6 protect against sunburn? Analysis of the psalm as an Israel protection psalm

Viewer Brunette Family asks in a lighthearted way whether Psalm 121:6 permits skipping sunscreen.

Psalm 121 Song of Ascents hermeneutics Israel divine protection

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Question: How do you interpret Genesis 1-2 given the evidence for evolution?

Viewer Johnny Quick cites the scientific consensus for evolution and asks how Mike interprets Genesis 1-2.

Genesis 1-2 Genesis 1-2 hermeneutics evolution

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Survey of interpretive views on Genesis 1-2: gap theory, day-age, young earth, progressive creation, Walton, Heiser, William Lane Craig

Mike surveys the major interpretive frameworks for Genesis 1-2 without committing to one.

Genesis 1-2 John Walton Genesis 1-2 Michael Heiser hermeneutics

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Interpretation of Genesis must be driven by hermeneutics, not science

Mike's methodological conclusion on the Genesis-evolution question.

Genesis 1-2 Genesis 1-2 hermeneutics young earth creationism

Mike Winger idea 2020-12-04

Proper Bible study: identify what the text meant to the original audience before asking how to apply it; context prevents proof-texting.

Question from Natural Glory about how to study the Bible properly.

Proof-texting Hermeneutics Original audience interpretation

Mike Winger idea 2021-03-05

Strange or odd passages in Scripture deserve careful attention

Introducing the Parable of the Dishonest Manager (Luke 16:1-13)

Luke 16:1-13 hermeneutics biblical interpretation Luke 16:1-13

Mike Winger idea 2021-03-05

Claiming all biblical promises because "God is no respecter of persons" is invalid reasoning

Responding to the claim that Christians can claim all biblical promises because God is no respecter of persons or because they are grafted into Israel

hermeneutics covenant claiming biblical promises

Mike Winger idea 2021-03-05

Being grafted into Israel does not give Christians the right to claim every promise made to Israel, especially negative or law-based promises

The second half of the question about claiming Israel's promises via grafting-in

Romans 11 hermeneutics Abrahamic covenant Romans 11

Mike Winger idea 2021-03-05

People disagreeing about Scripture does not make Scripture contradictory — this argument has no force

Responding to the objection that different schools of thought (eschatology, Calvinism) supported by Scripture prove Scripture is contradictory

hermeneutics apologetics biblical contradictions objection

Mike Winger idea 2021-03-05

Matthew 10:16-24 uses Olivet Discourse language — either Jesus repeated similar words or it shows the connection between the disciples' temporary mission and the church's ongoing mission

Responding to why Matthew 10:16-24 contains Olivet Discourse wording not found in Mark 6 or Luke 9 parallels

Mark 13:9-13 Matthew 10:16-24 hermeneutics Mike Licona Mark 13:9-13

Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

Analogies explain truth but cannot establish or create theological truth.

Critique of the gravity-salvation analogy used to argue for universalism.

hermeneutics logical fallacy argument from analogy

Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

Birth control and vasectomy: contraception that prevents conception is morally permissible for Christians; abortifacient contraception is morally equivalent to killing a human life.

Lucas Eileen asks for a biblical perspective on birth control and vasectomy, mentioning Genesis 38 and Psalm 139.

Psalm 139 Genesis 38 (Onan) hermeneutics abortifacient Psalm 139

Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

How to evaluate scholarship that challenges traditional OT interpretation through cultural/linguistic arguments

Question from True West about scholarship that challenges OT translations and cultural understandings.

James 3:1 Galatians (uncircumcision passage) Hermeneutics James 3:1 Biblical scholarship

Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

James 1:15 — desire conceived becomes sin; sin full-grown brings death. The passage primarily warns against blaming God for temptation and shows sin's natural progression.

Q8 from Kristen: James 1:15 says sin when full-grown "gives birth to death" — what does "death" mean for those in Christ?

James 1:13-15 Richard Carrier James 1:13-15 progressive Christianity

Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

John 7:8-10 — Jesus did not lie when he said he was "not going up" to the feast; he meant he would not go publicly/openly as his brothers were urging, and he did go privately.

Q19 from Jody Wainwright: did Jesus lie to his brothers in John 7:8-10 when he said he was not going to the feast but then went anyway?

John 7:8-10 John 7:8-10 Jesus and truthfulness triumphal entry (Palm Sunday)

Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

How to determine transcultural vs. culturally-bound biblical instructions

Anonymous listener (username: "hi pastor mike") asks how to distinguish timeless biblical commands from culturally-specific ones.

Ephesians Acts 15 Ephesians Acts 15 Proof-texting

Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

Fourth option: written literature is the BEST medium for communicating detailed, specific information that can be preserved, studied in community, and shared worldwide. Other communication methods (prophets, dreams, miracles) are either also subject to interpretation, subjective, or lack specificity.

Response to Q1 — written text as optimal communication

1 Corinthians 12:12 1 Corinthians 12:27 Mark 12:30-31 hermeneutics hermeneutics divine communication

Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

John McCrae adds: our sin nature explains interpretive divergence — we read preferences into Scripture. The Bible calls us to strive for truth (narrow gate), which makes the relationship with Christ richer. Drew's question is really just the problem of evil focused on one aspect.

Additional response to Q1 — sin nature and striving

John McCrae hermeneutics hermeneutics sin nature

Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Mike introduces a study on flat earth Bible verses. His goal is not to argue about the shape of the earth but to show that the Bible does NOT teach flat earth. Ground rules: not about conspiracies, geocentrism, or the firmament — only about whether specific verses teach a flat earth.

Introduction — flat earth Bible study

hermeneutics hermeneutics biblical cosmology

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-13

Finding Hope in Difficult Situations: How do you interpret the hopelessness of Psalm 88? How can you comfort someone who feels what Psalm 88:18b (NIV) implies?

Q&A question: Finding Hope in Difficult Situations

Many ways to interpret the Bible — but the most important truths are plainly clear

Ephesians 5: husband's model is Christ dying for the church on earth, not Christ ruling as Lord in heaven

Consult additional translations when your interpretation hangs on the nuance of a specific wording

Psalm 37:4 is misused in Word of Faith teaching as a blank-check promise to receive material desires

Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of Talents) and 1 Corinthians 3:12 are distinct analogies and should not be conflated

Demanding chapter-and-verse for every claim is an overreaction used to control discourse, not a legitimate epistemic standard

Q13: Should I stop using an isogetical devotional that groups unrelated passages under a common daily theme?

The two vessel passages should not be conflated — different contexts, different applications

Question: Does Psalm 121:6 protect against sunburn? Analysis of the psalm as an Israel protection psalm

Question: How do you interpret Genesis 1-2 given the evidence for evolution?

Survey of interpretive views on Genesis 1-2: gap theory, day-age, young earth, progressive creation, Walton, Heiser, William Lane Craig

Interpretation of Genesis must be driven by hermeneutics, not science

Proper Bible study: identify what the text meant to the original audience before asking how to apply it; context prevents proof-texting.

Strange or odd passages in Scripture deserve careful attention

Claiming all biblical promises because "God is no respecter of persons" is invalid reasoning

Being grafted into Israel does not give Christians the right to claim every promise made to Israel, especially negative or law-based promises

People disagreeing about Scripture does not make Scripture contradictory — this argument has no force

Matthew 10:16-24 uses Olivet Discourse language — either Jesus repeated similar words or it shows the connection between the disciples' temporary mission and the church's ongoing mission

Analogies explain truth but cannot establish or create theological truth.

Birth control and vasectomy: contraception that prevents conception is morally permissible for Christians; abortifacient contraception is morally equivalent to killing a human life.

How to evaluate scholarship that challenges traditional OT interpretation through cultural/linguistic arguments

James 1:15 — desire conceived becomes sin; sin full-grown brings death. The passage primarily warns against blaming God for temptation and shows sin's natural progression.

John 7:8-10 — Jesus did not lie when he said he was "not going up" to the feast; he meant he would not go publicly/openly as his brothers were urging, and he did go privately.

How to determine transcultural vs. culturally-bound biblical instructions

John McCrae adds: our sin nature explains interpretive divergence — we read preferences into Scripture. The Bible calls us to strive for truth (narrow gate), which makes the relationship with Christ richer. Drew's question is really just the problem of evil focused on one aspect.

Mike introduces a study on flat earth Bible verses. His goal is not to argue about the shape of the earth but to show that the Bible does NOT teach flat earth. Ground rules: not about conspiracies, geocentrism, or the firmament — only about whether specific verses teach a flat earth.

Finding Hope in Difficult Situations: How do you interpret the hopelessness of Psalm 88? How can you comfort someone who feels what Psalm 88:18b (NIV) implies?

Should our Faith Make Sense?: Is Christianity a faith that should make sense, or is it just having the faith to believe? How can we believe if one person interprets the Bible this way and another the other way?

Identifying & Rejecting False Teaching: What's up with all the bad hermeneutics out there? How can those of us without formal training avoid bad interpretation/application of Scripture by ourselves and be able to spot them in sermons, etc.?

Book Recommendations?: What are some good books for important topics like systematic theology, hermeneutics, complementarianism, etc.?

Can There Be Differing Interpretations of Scripture?: If the word “clear” is used to describe a teaching in the Bible by two Christians with opposing views on the same teaching, wouldn’t that void the effectiveness of using the word in that way?

Interpreting the Psalms: In Psalm 2: 12, What does the psalmist mean by this verse in its non-messianic context?

Book of Ecclesiastes – Enjoying Life?: When the teacher in Ecclesiastes says to enjoy life, in the context of the book, is it being said like "Enjoy it 'cause it is a gift from God," or "Enjoy your lot since everything is meaningless”?

About the “Lying Spirit” in 1 Kings: How do you interpret the lying spirit in 1 kings 22?

Settling an Interpretive Disagreement: Can you help settle this? I've heard it said that the word “brothers” in Matt 25: 40 refers only to believing brothers. I believe it refers to anyone in need. How would you interpret this?

Biblical or Unbiblical Use of a Verse?: Many Christians use "The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away" from Job (1: 21) to explain difficult things such as the death of a loved one. Is this biblical, or is it a misinterpretation of Job?

How to Interpret Proverbs: Verses in Proverbs often seem like unrelated thoughts. Their vague quality makes it hard to know how to interpret them correctly. How do you determine the context of these verses?

About the Doctrine of Election: How do you interpret 2 Thessalonians 2: 13 in light of the debate on the doctrine of election?

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.

About the Cruciform Hermeneutic: What are your thoughts on the cruciform hermeneutic or cruciform theology?

Parable of the Minas: I was just wondering what your interpretation of the parable in Luke 19: 11-27 is. Specifically, what do you think the slaves and the minas represent?

About Foul Language: What makes language foul? Is it the words themselves, or the context? Like if I use a word in a friendly way, is it still considered foul language?

Can We Go Outside of Scripture for Context?: I've heard 1 Corinthians 4:6 used to say not to go "outside" of scripture (e.g., learning history to help interpret biblical context). Your thoughts?

Does God Use Verses Out of Context?: Does God still communicate through verses taken out of context? Some say “yes” due to His unique ways, but I'm unsure.

Rejecting the Message due to Credentials: Any advice for lay people doing public ministry that get attacked by non-believers on the basis of their credentials? I feel I am capable of interpretation and ministry despite never having been to seminary.

Does the Devil Know Our Thoughts?: Can the Devil interpret what a non-believer may be thinking or what's on their mind? Can he understand what a person is thinking?

Interpreting the Book of Acts: How do we interpret the book of Acts? Is it a reasonable interpretation that it’s merely a transitional period and that we have to be careful how much doctrine we take from it?

Political Signups in Church?: Do you think churches should allow political signup ballots for certain bills in the church? I had an older woman come up to me and ask me to sign. For context, it was about gas and electricity.

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