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All (225) Mike Winger (225)
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-02

The Malachi tithe rebuke also includes offerings (firstborn animals), which modern tithe-preachers ignore — revealing selective application

Expanding the argument that the Malachi tithe command is being applied inconsistently

Malachi 3:8 hermeneutics tithing Malachi 3:8
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-02

In the Old Testament law the tithe went to Levites and priests, not to local pastors — so enforcing a 10% tithe should logically send money to Jewish Levites

Continuing the argument against applying the Malachi tithe to modern churches

hermeneutics tithing Levites
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-17

How to construct a biblical theology — start with contextual reading plus the doctrine of inspiration

Q from Nick (Quint/Quiet) about building a biblical theological method.

Isaiah 53 Isaiah 52 Isaiah 53 Hermeneutics Isaiah 52
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-23

Eschatology is a secondary issue — Christians should not divide over it

Mike closes his Matthew 24 exposition with an appeal for unity.

Matthew 24 hermeneutics secondary issues eschatology
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-23

Jesus did not come to "dismantle systems of oppression" — projecting modern political terminology onto Jesus creates an idol

Question from Steph T about the claim that Jesus came to dismantle systems of oppression.

hermeneutics social justice impartiality
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-23

1 Corinthians 16:20 — "greet one another with a holy kiss" is a culturally applied principle, not a universal command

Question from Sarah Taytano about whether the holy kiss is a binding commandment.

1 Corinthians 16:20 hermeneutics cultural hermeneutics 1 Corinthians 16:20
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-06

Matthew 18:15-17 is about personal sin resolution, not evaluation of public teaching

Mike reads Matthew 18:15-17 and explains its actual contextual meaning

Matthew 18:15-17 hermeneutics church discipline Matthew 18:15-17
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-06

In Jewish thought: first heaven = atmosphere, second heaven = space/stars, third heaven = God's presence

Mike explains the consistent rabbinic framework for multiple heavens

Mormonism rabbinic literature hermeneutics
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-06

Acts 16:31 does not teach household salvation -- the household's rejoicing proves they individually believed

Responding to Sarah P's report that her Bible teacher taught household salvation from Acts 16:31

Acts 16:31-34 hermeneutics salvation Acts 16:31-34
Mike Winger idea 2018-09-26

How Mike prepares his messages — text-first exegetical process

A viewer asks how Mike prepares for teaching.

hermeneutics commentaries sermon preparation
Mike Winger idea 2018-09-26

Women's silence passages in context — likely addressing local disorder, not a universal ban

A viewer asks whether men and women can be in a Bible study together and if women should be silent.

1 Corinthians 14:34 1 Timothy 2:12 hermeneutics 1 Corinthians 14:34 gender roles
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-20

Sin leading to death in 1 John 5:16-17 — interpretation depends on prior theology

Question about whether 1 John 5:16-17 implies one can lose salvation.

1 John 5:16-17 hermeneutics eisegesis salvation
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-20

Genesis 1-11 genre: separating science from exegesis; evaluating young earth, Walton, and William Lane Craig's archetypal history view

Question about the creation account in Genesis and young earth creationism vs. modern science.

Genesis 1-11 John Walton hermeneutics Adam and Eve young earth creationism
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

Entertaining angels unawares is a super-rare event in Scripture; the main application of Hebrews 13:2 is the importance of showing kindness to strangers, not predicting frequency of angelic visits.

Application of Hebrews 13:2

Hebrews 13:2 hermeneutics angelology Hebrews 13:2
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

Jephthah's daughter: the text is ambiguous - she may have been killed as a burnt offering or dedicated as a lifelong virgin servant at the temple; Mike slightly leans toward the literal sacrifice reading.

What happened to Jephthah's daughter?

Judges 11 hermeneutics Jephthah vows
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

The book of Judges follows a downward trajectory of increasingly flawed deliverers (Gideon → Jephthah → Samson) to show Israel's depravity and create expectation for the true Deliverer - Jesus.

Theological purpose of the book of Judges

Judges hermeneutics Judges typology
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

For new Christians evaluating commentaries: trust your Bible more than commentators; blueletterbible.org is recommended as a generally reliable free resource.

Question from a new Christian about evaluating Bible teachers and commentaries

hermeneutics discernment commentaries
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

The flood narrative: "destroy all flesh" is a sweeping statement not meant to be woodenly literal - fish dying would be an example of over-literalism.

Question about fish surviving the flood if God said he would destroy all flesh

Genesis flood Genesis 6-9 hermeneutics Genesis flood Genesis 6-9
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

The command in Genesis 1 is a collective mandate for mankind as a whole, not a personal obligation on every individual — applying it to each person individually leads to absurd conclusions (e.g., condemning infertile people).

Interpretive principle applied to Genesis 1:28.

Genesis 1:28 Genesis 1:28 Hermeneutics Be Fruitful and Multiply
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

Practical guidance on reading church fathers: read whole works from start to finish rather than isolated quotes — this prevents the proof-texting problem the same way it prevents biblical proof-texting.

How to read the church fathers responsibly.

Proof-texting Hermeneutics Church Fathers
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Ecclesiastes as internal critique of atheist/godless worldview, not normative theology

Explaining why Ecclesiastes 9:5 ("the dead know nothing") does not define the dead's actual state

Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes 9:5 hermeneutics atheism biblical interpretation
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Q12: Fear of studying theology — not studying is not safer; intellectual humility in study

Response to viewer afraid of making mistakes when studying eschatology

hermeneutics eschatology epistemology
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Eschatology as the field most prone to overconfident errors; lessons from misapplied messianic expectation

Continuing Q12 on fear of theological error

Matthew 24 hermeneutics eschatology second coming
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
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