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Mike Winger idea 2018-11-28

The single raising-the-dead story in the Life of Apollonius (book 4, ch. 45) is immediately qualified — Philostratus himself says he doesn't know if the woman was really dead (steam rising from her face in the rain suggests she may have been breathing) or if Apollonius actually raised her. This is not comparable to the bodily resurrection of Christ.

resurrection apologetics Apollonius of Tyana
Mike Winger idea 2018-11-07

The Old Testament was already understood by Jews — not just Christians — as pointing to a coming Messiah. The breadth and robustness of typological and prophetic connections to Jesus across the OT (seed of the woman, angel of the Lord, Melchizedek, prophet like Moses, bronze serpent, Joseph, High Priest, kinsman redeemer, Davidic King, last Adam) constitutes a meta-narrative that could only exist by design.

typology apologetics divine inspiration
Mike Winger idea 2018-12-12

Zahnd's idol: a universalist Jesus who saves devout Muslims regardless of belief, contradicting Christ's own words

Winger reads Zahnd's 'Becky and Belkis' thought experiment from page 142 of the book, in which a devout Muslim woman is contrasted with a mean American Christian woman.

John-14-6 Luke-13-3 discernment salvation apologetics
Mike Winger idea 2018-12-05

Romans 1:26-27 — the New Testament's clearest condemnation of homosexual behavior

Winger begins a brief but direct survey of key biblical passages on homosexuality, starting with Romans 1.

Romans 1:26-27 exegesis sin homosexuality
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Galatians 4:4 — Paul affirms Jesus was a human being born of a woman, born under the Law (i.e., Jewish)

First in a series of scriptures Mike walks through to show what Paul knew about the historical Jesus.

Galatians 4:4 Galatians 4:4 incarnation Paul the Apostle
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-20

Isaiah 7:14 — 'alma' means young maiden; the context of Isaiah 7-9 supports the virgin birth interpretation

Q&A: question about whether Isaiah 7:14 refers to a young woman or a virgin, and whether it was a sign to Ahaz.

Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 7-9 Matthew 1 virgin birth Isaiah 7:14 Old Testament fulfillment
Mike Winger idea 2018-12-19

Sermon on the Mount: Jesus internalizes the law — lust equals adultery in the heart

Mike illustrates why outward law-keeping is not sufficient

Matthew 5:27-28 Sermon on the Mount law Matthew 5:27-28
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-23

The unborn is human — it has its own unique human DNA, distinct from both parents, present from conception

Establishing the 'Human' quality of the unborn with genetic evidence

embryo DNA human species
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-30

Walking as Jesus walked does not mean obeying the OT law — it could equally mean itinerant preaching only to Jews, or staying in Israel, which no one applies literally

Mike challenges the 119 Ministries use of 1 John 2:6 ("walk as he walked") by following the logic consistently.

1 John 2:6 Matthew 15:24 1 John 2:6 Matthew 15:24 Jesus's ministry to Israel
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-13

1 Timothy 2:11-12 — women learning quietly with submission refers to the teaching context, not a prohibition on speaking at all.

Exegeting 1 Timothy 2:11-12.

1 Timothy 2:11-12 1 Timothy 2:11-12 Women in ministry Teaching elder role
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-13

1 Timothy 2:12 — "teach" and "exercise authority" may be two aspects of the same role, not two separate prohibitions.

Exegeting the grammar of 1 Timothy 2:12.

1 Timothy 2:12 1 Timothy 2:12 Women in ministry Complementarianism
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-13

1 Timothy 2:15 — "saved through childbearing" does not refer to eternal salvation but to restored/elevated status.

Addressing a commonly misunderstood verse.

1 Timothy 2:15 1 Timothy 2:15 sozo Women in ministry
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-13

Genesis establishes equal image-bearing of men and women; Galatians 3:28 establishes equality in salvation — different roles do not imply different value.

Broader biblical framework for gender equality and distinct roles.

Galatians 3:28 Genesis Galatians 3:28 Genesis Complementarianism
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-08

John 8 (woman caught in adultery) has significant textual critical issues; there is no good case for identifying her as Mary Magdalene; the absence of the man reflects a real double standard

Response to question about the woman caught in adultery

John 8 Mary Magdalene textual criticism John 8
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-15

John 4:21-24 — Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that worship will shift from Jerusalem to "spirit and truth"

Example of Jesus himself signaling a transition beyond Mosaic Law structures

John 4:19-24 Deuteronomy centralization of worship John 4:19-24 worship in spirit and truth temple worship
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-16

Extra-biblical corroboration: Mark 10 — why Jesus taught about divorce in that context

McLatchie uses Mark 10's divorce passage to show Josephus provides context explaining why the teaching is historically plausible.

John the Baptist Mark 10:2-12 Josephus John the Baptist Herod Antipas
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-16

Empty tomb evidence — women as primary witnesses

McLatchie presents the role of women as primary witnesses to the empty tomb as evidence for its historicity.

Mary Magdalene empty tomb criterion of embarrassment
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-16

Irreconcilable variation in empty tomb accounts — evidence for independence

McLatchie presents apparent discrepancies between Gospel accounts of the empty tomb as evidence for their independence.

Mark 16:1 Matthew 28:1 Luke 24:10 empty tomb Jonathan McLatchie historicity of the Gospels
Mike Winger idea 2019-06-05

Galatians 4:4-5 — Jesus was born "under the law" to redeem those under it; proves the phrase means Law of Moses, not mastery of sin

Surveying Pauline uses — sixth instance, highly significant

Galatians 4:4-5 redemption sinlessness of Jesus Law of Moses
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

Jesus raises the moral standard inward: lust as adultery, hatred as murder — God judges the inner person

Scriptural grounding for total depravity / the inadequacy of external goodness

Matthew 5:27-28 Matthew 5:21-22 lust inner life total depravity
Mike Winger idea 2019-07-31

Acts 16:15: Lydia's household baptism — likely no infants present given her context as a traveling businesswoman

Examination of the Lydia household baptism passage and contextual clues.

Acts 16:15 Acts 16:14 Lydia Acts 16:15 Acts 16:14
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-28

When a Christian falsely promises healing and the person dies, address the false prophet privately in love; be present for the sick person without making promises

Question from Alex M about how to speak to someone dying of cancer whose hope was falsely raised by another Christian claiming God said the cancer would not return.

healing false prophecy pastoral care
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-28

1 Timothy 2:12-15 restricts women from the pastoral/authority role in the church, but does not prohibit co-ed Bible study or women's ministry generally

Question from Seanya about whether 1 Timothy 2:12-15 makes co-ed Bible studies unbiblical and how it affects women's ministry.

1 Timothy 2:12-15 women in ministry hermeneutics complementarianism
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-23

Numbers 5 — the Bitter Water trial does not describe an abortion; the NIV translation is mistaken on this point

Question from Dakota Ballard about pro-choice advocates using Numbers 5:27 to support abortion.

Numbers 5:27 Numbers 5 NIV abortion divine judgment
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-23

Mark 7:27-28 (Syrophoenician woman and children's bread) is not connected to the Eucharist debate

Question from Caleb Lindsey about whether Mark 7:27-28 supports a spiritual (non-physical) view of the Eucharist.

John 6 Mark 7:27-28 Lord's Supper Eucharist John 6
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

Applying the "natural function" standard: anal intercourse is physically harmful even between a married man and woman and is therefore unnatural and prohibited.

Applying Romans 1 framework to acts within marriage

Romans 1:24-27 marriage natural law sexual ethics
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

A rearview mirror test for Spirit-led claims: look back at past "God told me" moments and evaluate their accuracy

Practical tool for evaluating claims of Spirit guidance

Holy Spirit discernment false prophecy
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Hosea's family as prophetic type; Ezekiel as the strongest Christ-type prophet who bears Israel's iniquity bodily

Question from Drifter 2003 about whether Hosea's children having names like 'Not Loved' is a type of Christ bearing others' burdens.

Hosea Ezekiel Ezekiel 4 typology Hosea Ezekiel
Mike Winger idea 2018-10-31

Mike declines to comment on Coptic/Oriental Orthodox theology due to insufficient knowledge, but raises concerns about Eastern Orthodox extra-biblical tradition and recounts a personal experience of a woman who left his church for an Eastern Orthodox group and could no longer articulate the gospel.

Response to viewer question about Coptic/Oriental Orthodox theology

Eastern Orthodoxy gospel Sola Scriptura
Mike Winger idea 2018-10-31

Mike gives an extended reading and defense of 1 Corinthians 11 on head coverings, arguing the text is about role differentiation within a framework of equal personal value, not about female inferiority, and that charging God with sexism reflects moral overreach toward the Creator.

Response to viewer asking about 1 Corinthians 11 and the charge that the Bible is sexist

1 Corinthians 11 Galatians 3:28 Ephesians 5 headship head coverings Trinity
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q10: Galatians 4:27 — who is 'the desolate one'? Mike leans toward not forcing the Hagar/Sarah identification; Paul draws on Isaiah 54:1

Viewer Zoe Abundant asks whether the 'desolate one' in Galatians 4:27 refers to Sarah or Hagar.

Galatians 4:21-27 Isaiah 54:1 typology Paul the Apostle New Jerusalem
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

Should a Christian woman avoid having children because her future children might reject Christ and go to hell?

Question from Susan about a friend afraid to have children for fear they will go to hell.

Children and salvation Having children / parenthood Fear and faith
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Deuteronomy 22:28-29 (man seizes virgin) is best read as maximizing the woman's rights and removing the man's after a sexual violation; it reflects the law making the best of a sinful situation.

Q12 from Tyler: trouble understanding the morality of Deuteronomy 22:28-29; some say it's consensual, but 2 Samuel 13 (Amnon and Tamar) seems to contradict that.

Deuteronomy 22:28-29 2 Samuel 13 (Amnon and Tamar) Deuteronomy 22:28-29 2 Samuel 13 (Amnon and Tamar) sexual ethics (OT law)
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Praying against "spirits of laziness, offense, depression" — most are human failures not demonic spirits; Jezebel spirit is not a biblical category

Q10 from Arfish: Is it biblical to pray against spirits of offense, laziness, depression, confusion? What is the Jezebel spirit and is it real?

James 4 Revelation 2:20 personal responsibility Jezebel James 4
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

Deuteronomy 22 rape law — two scenarios and the woman's protection

Listener Christy Courts' friend claims Deuteronomy 22 shows flawed teaching. Mike defends the passage.

Deuteronomy 22:23-27 Mosaic law Deuteronomy 22:23-27 Rape law
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-12

Q&A: John 8:1-11 (woman caught in adultery) is very likely a true story/memory of Jesus but probably not originally part of John's Gospel. It appears in different locations in manuscripts. Most translations bracket it.

Q&A — John 8:1-11 textual criticism

Mark 16:9-20 John 8:1-11 textual criticism textual criticism Mark 16:9-20
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Mike introduces a response to pro-choice artist Tatiana Gill who drew images of Jesus supporting abortion using the phrase "with you always." She blocked Mike when he reached out privately for clarification.

Introduction — responding to pro-choice art

abortion pro-choice propaganda Tatiana Gill
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Analysis of two abortion artwork images: both completely omit the baby. Image 1 shows Jesus as a clinic escort blocking protesters. Image 2 shows Jesus holding a woman's hand during an abortion. The missing baby is the central issue with pro-choice propaganda.

Art critique — the missing baby

dehumanization abortion pro-choice propaganda
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

The pro-choice movement needs a victim (the pregnant woman) to distract from the real victim (the baby). This is a propaganda tactic seen in every historical atrocity — the oppressors create an alternative victim narrative.

Propaganda tactic: creating a counter-victim

Isaiah 5:20 Isaiah 5:20 Isaiah 5:20 pro-choice propaganda Isaiah 5:20
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Both pro-life and pro-choice movements believe they hold the moral high ground. The pro-choice movement has inverted morality — helping a woman kill her offspring is seen as a moral good. The conversation breaks down because they're talking past each other.

Inverted morality — both sides think they're right

abortion inverted morality
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-26

Reason 7 (The Real Hope): Becoming pregnant and experiencing the maternal drive to keep the baby alive — it was intuitive, not theological. Mike shares a story of standing outside an abortion clinic when a car accident happened nearby involving a pregnant woman, and the irony of everyone caring about that baby while babies were being killed across the street.

Reason 7 — maternal instinct and the car accident irony

abortion double homicide maternal instinct
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-15

Jesus taught monogamy. Matthew 19:9 and Mark 10:11-12: divorcing and marrying another = adultery, which wouldn't make sense if polygamy were permitted. 1 Timothy 3:2, 3:12, Titus 1:6: elders/deacons must be husband of one wife — referring to polygamy prohibition. 1 Corinthians 7:2-4: each man his own wife, each woman her own husband — mutual sexual exclusivity eliminates polygamy.

Jesus taught monogamy — against polygamy

1 Timothy 3:2 Matthew 19:9 Mark 10:11-12 1 Timothy 3:2 polygamy polygamy
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-31

Jesus was not rich — the donkey episode refutes prosperity gospel claims. Luke 19:33 identifies the owners as bystanders, not Jesus. Judas's treasury was for basic needs and the poor, not personal wealth.

Analysis of why Mark spends 5 verses on the colt (Mark 11:2-6)

Mark 11:2-6 Luke 19:33 prosperity gospel prosperity gospel Mark 11:2-6
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-02

Objections answered: (1) Jesus's "turn the other cheek" refutes personal vengeance, not governmental justice; (2) David's pardon is a divine exception, not a rule; (3) John 8 (woman in adultery) was a mob, not a court — and the passage is textually questionable.

Responding to objections against the death penalty

John 8 woman adultery Matthew 5 eye for eye death penalty John 8 woman adultery Matthew 5 eye for eye
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-28

About Same-Sex Attraction: As a Side B/Celibate same-sex attracted Christian, do you believe God can change my attraction to eventually desire to marry a woman?

Q&A question: About Same-Sex Attraction

Mike Winger idea 2021-07-23

About the Woman Caught in Adultery Passage: It's said that the story from John 7: 53 to 8: 11 isn't found in the earlier manuscripts. It's one of my favorite pictures of God's grace. What do you think about how we should deal with this?

Q&A question: About the Woman Caught in Adultery Passage

John 7 John 7
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-07

Winger admits he doesn't have a fully clear teaching on 1 Cor 11:7 (head coverings) but explains 'woman is the glory of man' as related to creation order: God made Adam from dust, then Eve from Adam. Paul draws a parallel suggesting an interrelationship between man and woman that relates to authority in the relationship.

Q&A: struggling with 1 Corinthians 11:7 — what does 'glory of man' mean?

1 Corinthians 11:7 complementarianism creation order headship
Mike Winger idea 2021-08-20

Does the Man Sin when an Abortion is Done?: Is it a sin for the man if a woman decides to get an abortion? With or without his consent (does that make a difference?)

Q&A question: Does the Man Sin when an Abortion is Done?

abortion
Mike Winger idea 2021-08-27

About the Woman of Tekoa & Banishing: How can someone be banished, and yet not cast out from God? I’m referring to what the woman of Tekoa said in 2 Samuel 14: 14. Is it only within that context, or can it be applied transcendently?

Q&A question: About the Woman of Tekoa & Banishing

Samuel