Search — Theology Explorer

Galatians 4 Galatians 4 Jesus

Casting Out = Abolishing?: How do you reconcile Galatians 4: 28-31 with Jesus saying He didn’t come to abolish the Law? Casting them out kind of seems like abolishing.

Q&A question: Casting Out = Abolishing?

Matthew 24 Matthew Jesus Matthew 24 Matthew

Will the Gospel Reach All Nations Soon?: It seems that Jesus, in Matthew 24: 14, indicates that His return will come once the Gospel is preached to all nations. Can we assume this will happen sooner rather than much later?

Q&A question: Will the Gospel Reach All Nations Soon?

Jesus prayer pastoral ministry

Jesus = Michael the Archangel?: Is Michael the Archangel Jesus? I once heard a pastor give praises and prayers to Michael on the pulpit, and when I asked him about it, he referenced a few Scriptures but I’m just not fully convinced.

Q&A question: Jesus = Michael the Archangel?

Jesus Indwelt by the Spirit?: Was Jesus indwelt by the Holy Spirit, or was it His own divine nature that sustained Him while on Earth in His human form?

Q&A question: Jesus Indwelt by the Spirit?

Luke 8 Jesus Luke 8 healing

Healing: By Faith or By God?: In Luke 8: 43-48, Jesus says, “Your faith has made you well.” He didn’t say God did it, but her faith. How is this different than the Law of Attraction as told by New Agers?

Q&A question: Healing: By Faith or By God?

When Believers Disagree: Can you give me any advice on living in unity with other brothers and sisters in Christ? I always try to keep secondary issues secondary, but I’ve heard “Well, your secondary issues are someone else’s primary issues.”

Q&A question: When Believers Disagree

Mary (mother of Jesus)

About Jesus’ DNA: What was Jesus' DNA? Was Jesus' DNA 100% from God, or did He have Mary's human DNA? Perhaps it's the same DNA as Adam, since Jesus is the 2nd Adam?

Q&A question: About Jesus’ DNA

John 1 Nathan Jesus John 1

Angels Ascending & Descending?: What did Jesus mean in John 1: 51? Was it a specific word for Nathanael, or does it apply to everyone? Would really love some clarity.

Q&A question: Angels Ascending & Descending?

John 4 John 4 Jesus baptism

Why Didn’t Jesus Baptize?: Why didn’t Jesus water baptize anyone Himself (John 4:2)?

Q&A question: Why Didn’t Jesus Baptize?

complementarianism headship complementarianism

Winger explains headship means the husband has a higher position of authority (not the only authority) — when they disagree, the deciding vote goes to the husband. But Jesus commands this be exercised with grace, love, and self-sacrifice, never 'lording it over' the wife.

Q&A question: What does a husband being the head of the wife actually mean he does? Does he boss her around or just be a good man?

Mike Winger idea 2023-08-18

Loving the Lord with Everything: I’ve been wondering about the great commandment Jesus gives in Matthew 22: 36. Seems like a Deuteronomy 6 quote, but why does Jesus change the last quality from “might” to “mind”?

Q&A question: Loving the Lord with Everything

Matthew Jesus Matthew

Should We Pray to Mary?: How can I respond with Scripture to a Catholic friend who says, “Mary is the mother of Jesus, so why wouldn’t you seek help from her? Jesus wouldn’t like you disrespecting His mom in any way”?

Q&A question: Should We Pray to Mary?

Roman Catholicism Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2023-08-18

Why did Jesus Die if Humans Still Die?: If the payment for sin is death, and both believers and non-believers will die anyways, then why did Jesus have to die for us? Was it for a chance at us entering Heaven?

Q&A question: Why did Jesus Die if Humans Still Die?

Mike Winger idea 2023-08-18

Satan’s Fall in Luke 10: Could you shed some light on what Jesus meant in Luke 10: 18? Is Jesus talking about Satan's initial fall here, and what purpose does it serve in the passage?

Q&A question: Satan’s Fall in Luke 10

Luke 10 Jesus Satan Luke 10

Mike Winger idea 2023-09-01

Is Jesus Presently King?: Is Jesus presently on the throne or at the right hand of the throne? Is He King today? In what sense is He King? Proof text? How does the answer impact premillennial eschatology?

Q&A question: Is Jesus Presently King?

Jesus eschatology

Mike Winger idea 2023-09-01

Forgiving Others: Jesus said forgive others so that God will forgive us, but Paul says we forgive BECAUSE God has forgiven us. How do you reconcile those statements?

Q&A question: Forgiving Others

Greater Works than Jesus?: In John 14: 12, Jesus said we would do even greater things than Him. That’s a tough pill to swallow since He died for our sins and created everything. How do I process Jesus’ statement?

Q&A question: Greater Works than Jesus?

Is it Wrong to Teach Kids About Santa?: What do you tell your kids about Santa? Is there a chance that kids who find out Santa isn't real might think the same about Jesus? Would you spoil Santa for children that aren't yours?

Q&A question: Is it Wrong to Teach Kids About Santa?

Acts 2 Matthew Matthew 28 Peter Acts 2 Jesus

Hasn’t Jesus Always Been Lord?: Peter said in Acts 2: 36 that God has "made Jesus both Lord and Christ." He was already Lord and Christ, so what does this mean? Same with Jesus being “given all authority” in Matthew 28: 18.

Q&A question: Hasn’t Jesus Always Been Lord?

Does Praising Jesus Exclude the Father & Spirit?: I've been struggling with phrases or lyrics such as "All glory be to Christ" and "All Heaven sings to Christ alone.” Do these incorrectly exclude the Father and Holy Spirit?

Q&A question: Does Praising Jesus Exclude the Father & Spirit?

Mike Winger idea 2023-09-29

Can A False Prophet Glorify God?: My parents sit under a pastor who claims to have a prophecy from God almost weekly. He preaches in Jesus’ name and glorifies God, but his prophecies are always totally wrong or incredibly vague. Can a man who glorifies God also prophesy falsely?

Q&A question: Can A False Prophet Glorify God?

Jesus prophecy pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2023-09-29

Did Jesus Have a Sin Nature?: Was Jesus the biological son of Mary? If so, how did He not inherit a sin nature?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Have a Sin Nature?

Mike Winger idea 2023-09-29

Was Jesus’ Body Broken For Us?: What are your thoughts on when people say “This is the body of Christ, broken for you.” To me, this is not accurate, as Jesus was not “broken” for us (no bones broken like the Passover lamb).

Q&A question: Was Jesus’ Body Broken For Us?

Mike Winger idea 2023-10-17

The Day of The Lord & His Second Coming: How do the ideas of "The Day of The Lord" in the Old Testament and Jesus' second coming in the New Testament intersect? I've been studying this, but I'd like some of your opinions.

Q&A question: The Day of The Lord & His Second Coming

Jesus second coming

Mike Winger idea 2023-10-17

A Cure for Hypocrisy: What is the cure for hypocrisy? I have stopped going to church because I feel rotten on the inside and feel like a fraud. I don’t seem to love Jesus like others. My heart is cold. No emotion.

Q&A question: A Cure for Hypocrisy

Mike Winger idea 2023-11-17

Does God Love Everyone?: I hear some people make the claim that God doesn't love everyone. If God doesn't love everyone, how can He require that we love our neighbor (neighbor defined as Jesus defined it in Luke 10) as ourselves?

Q&A question: Does God Love Everyone?

Luke 10 Jesus Luke 10

Mike Winger idea 2023-11-17

Deathbed Visions from God or Satan?: Do you think deathbed visions of deceased relatives or Jesus are real, or hallucinations? If real, do you think they are from God or Satan? I’m worried about being led astray on my deathbed.

Q&A question: Deathbed Visions from God or Satan?

Jesus Satan

Mike Winger idea 2023-11-17

Standing Up for the Persecuted in Israel: How do we best stand up for the persecuted people of Israel in the world today and effectively do our duty to glorify Jesus as the controversy of Zion blazes?

Q&A question: Standing Up for the Persecuted in Israel

Jesus resurrection atheism

Was Jesus’ Death Truly Sacrificial?: What is the biblical nature of sacrifice? An atheist asked me how Christ's death & resurrection is truly a sacrifice if God is infinite. How do I best explain Jesus' sacrifice?

Q&A question: Was Jesus’ Death Truly Sacrificial?

Is “Allah” an Idol?: How do I explain to a "Palestinian Christian" that Allah is an idol and isn't God? My coworker claims to follow Jesus and doesn’t follow Mohammed but insists it is OK to call God “Allah” in her language.

Q&A question: Is “Allah” an Idol?

Why is Jesus Called the “Son”?: Why is the title of Jesus “Son”? Why isn't the Holy Spirit called the Son of God?

Q&A question: Why is Jesus Called the “Son”?

Did Jesus Tell a Lie?: Did Jesus actually lie in John 7:6-11?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Tell a Lie?

John 7 Jesus John 7

faith and science Mary (mother of Jesus)

Christian Science: Would you ever be interested in doing a video on Christian Science and the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy?

Q&A question: Christian Science

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-16

Did Jesus Doubt?: Is it true to say that Jesus doubted? How would you respond to someone that claims that He did (in Gethsemane), implying it's OK to doubt?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Doubt?

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-16

Why is Belief Necessary for Forgiveness?: Why does God require belief for forgiveness? Why can’t God simply forgive our sins since Jesus died for all and not attach belief to that?

Q&A question: Why is Belief Necessary for Forgiveness?

Jesus forgiveness

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-29

Was Jesus Only Condemning the Religious?: I often hear people saying that Jesus was speaking to and condemning the religious only, not speaking to the world. How would you respond to this sentiment?

Q&A question: Was Jesus Only Condemning the Religious?

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-29

Is God Deterministic?: If Jesus in the Old Testament was intentional by God, does that mean that God is sometimes deterministic? For example, did God orchestrate Joseph’s life?

Q&A question: Is God Deterministic?

Joseph Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-29

Jesus Just an Ordinary Prophet?: Why did Jesus refer to Himself as a prophet in Luke 13: 33 and not the Son of God? Wouldn't that be putting Himself on the same level as regular prophets when He was in fact elevated?

Q&A question: Jesus Just an Ordinary Prophet?

Luke 13 Jesus prophecy Luke 13

Mike Winger idea 2024-01-26

Bethlehem & The Messiah: Did people not know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem (John 7: 41-43 NIV)? I feel like that would have cleared up some of their issues with Him being the Messiah!

Q&A question: Bethlehem & The Messiah

John 7 Jesus John 7

Mike Winger idea 2024-02-09

Where is the 2nd Coming in Scripture?: Where does it say in the Bible that the Messiah will have a second coming? Does Jesus tell His disciples that He won’t be fulfilling all of the Old Testament prophecies just yet?

Q&A question: Where is the 2nd Coming in Scripture?

Jesus second coming prophecy

Mike Winger idea 2024-02-09

Did Jesus Always Have Power to Heal?: Regarding when Luke 5: 17 says, “The power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal,” did Jesus not always have this power, or does Luke emphasize it here because of what happens next? What’s your take on this?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Always Have Power to Heal?

Mike Winger idea 2024-02-09

Physical Appearances of Jesus Today?: Does Mark 13: 21-23 refute present-day claims of Jesus physically appearing to people, or is this a misapplication of the text?

Q&A question: Physical Appearances of Jesus Today?

Mark 13 Jesus Mark 13

Mike Winger idea 2024-02-16

Who Will be Told by Jesus to “Depart”?: How is it that some people can cast out demons in Jesus’ name but then be told, “Depart from me for I never knew you”? How do I avoid that fate?

Q&A question: Who Will be Told by Jesus to “Depart”?

Jesus demons

Mike Winger idea 2024-02-23

Did Jesus Leave the 99 in Danger?: Regarding Matthew 18: 12, does Jesus know the 99 are safe when He leaves to find the 1? I’m trying to understand how this is responsible. Should we not do things for the greater good, but for the 1?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Leave the 99 in Danger?

Matthew 18 Matthew Jesus Matthew 18 Matthew

Mike Winger idea 2024-02-23

Winger affirms the Father has authority over the Son but attributes this to the Incarnation (Phil 2:5-8), not necessarily to the eternal nature of the Trinity. He's open to but not convinced by Eternal Functional Subordination (EFS). Explicitly says he does NOT use EFS to defend complementarianism.

Q: Do many scriptures showing different authority levels between Father and Jesus mean the Father has higher authority? (John 14:28, 1 Cor 11:3, Matt 28:18)

1 Corinthians 11:3 Philippians 2:5-8 John 14:28 complementarianism headship Trinity

Mike Winger idea 2024-02-23

Mark vs. Matthew – Contradiction?: Can you explain what some say is contradictory between Mark 9: 38-41 (not against us = for us) & Matthew 12: 30 (not with me = against me) & how that applies to NAR/false teachers who profess Jesus?

Q&A question: Mark vs. Matthew – Contradiction?

Mark 9 Matthew 12 Matthew Jesus Mark 9 Matthew 12

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-01

The LXX More Reliable for Typology?: Is the Septuagint more reliable for finding Jesus in the Old Testament? S. Douglas Woodward & others say that messianic passages & timelines in the Masoretic Text were altered in 2nd century to keep Jews from converting to Christianity.

Q&A question: The LXX More Reliable for Typology?