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Mike Winger idea 2021-02-26

Hardened heart and repentance — how to break callousness and return to closeness with God

Final question: someone says their heart has become hard through continued rebellion, they no longer feel sorry, and they miss living close to Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:13 Psalm 34:18 Psalm 51:17 repentance sanctification 1 Corinthians 10:13
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-05

Mindful meditation: biblical meditation means active thinking; eastern meditation's spiritual claims are concerning; neutral practices are fine

Responding to whether mindful meditation for mental health can be used by a Christian

Psalm memorization prayer meditation mindfulness
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

Waiting on the Lord is an active, not passive, posture — characterized by seeking first the kingdom in whatever capacity is available now.

Derek Beeler asks for advice on a season of waiting to discern God's calling.

Matthew 6:33 Chuck Smith Matthew 6:33 pastoral counseling
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 2021-04-23

Melchizedek is a historical figure who typologically prefigures Christ as king-priest; the Melchizedekian order is non-genealogical and superior to the Levitical system.

Continued Q3 on the Melchizedekian priesthood.

Psalm 110 Genesis (Melchizedek passage) Hebrews (Melchizedek) typology Abraham Psalm 110
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Does God have a sense of humor? Yes — Scripture confirms it, and pleasure/humor are good gifts not inherently sinful

Q4 from Silas Abrahamson: Does God have a sense of humor?

Psalm Matthew 7 God's character asceticism humor
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

Waiting on the Lord is active, not passive — Psalm 37

Listener Derek Beeler asks what it means to wait on the Lord and how to counsel someone in that season.

Psalm 37 Kingdom of God Seek first the kingdom Psalm 37
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

Psalm 82 gods (elohim) most likely refers to earthly rulers ironically addressed as divine beings, not literal supernatural deities.

Question 10 from RaHR17 about who the gods in Psalm 82 are; engages Michael Heiser's divine council worldview.

1 Samuel 28 John 10 Psalm 82 Michael Heiser 1 Samuel 28 John 10
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Q&A: The argument that life only begins "in the womb" (to justify destroying IVF embryos) fails — it's a location argument. If location determines life, a baby outside the womb would be less alive, which is absurd.

Q&A — IVF and location argument

Psalm 139 Psalm 139 when life begins IVF ethics
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

"Ends of the earth" doesn't mean the earth has edges. Biblical usage shows it means distant nations/peoples. Deuteronomy 28:49 prophesies nations from "the end of the earth" attacking Israel — fulfilled by Babylon/Assyria. Nehemiah 1:8 identifies "uttermost parts" as Susa, Iran — only 1,035 miles from Jerusalem.

Ends of the earth — not physical edges

Deuteronomy 28:49 Nehemiah 1:8 flat earth ends of the earth Deuteronomy 28:49
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

"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 2020-03-16

Psalm 91 is NOT a guarantee of divine protection from all disease. Satan himself quoted Psalm 91 to tempt Jesus to jump off the temple (Luke 4:9-12). Jesus responded: "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test." God CAN protect, but demanding supernatural protection while doing reckless things is testing God, not trusting him.

Psalm 91 and COVID — don't test God

Psalm 91 Luke 4:9-12 temptation of Jesus temptation of Jesus Psalm 91
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-15

Matthew 27:46 ("My God, why have you forsaken me?") — Jesus is quoting Psalm 22, which his Jewish audience would mentally load in full. Psalm 22 describes crucifixion in detail (pierced hands/feet, bones out of joint, garments divided, dehydration), then shifts to RESCUE and resurrection, followed by Gentiles from all nations worshipping God. "Forsaken" = given over to suffering and death, NOT Trinitarian separation. The Father/Son cannot ontologically separate without violating God's nature.

My God why have you forsaken me — Psalm 22

Psalm 22 Psalm 22 Matthew 27:46 Psalm 22 Psalm 22 Matthew 27:46
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-19

Points 6-7: (6) Lamb was one year old (prime of life) — Jesus began ministry at 30, the age of full maturity for priestly/sacrificial service. (7) Lamb selected on 10th of Nisan — Jesus entered Jerusalem on the same day (Triumphal Entry, Palm Sunday). The crowd cried "Hosanna" (Psalm 118) = "save us" — presenting himself as the Messianic King. He was then "inspected" for 4 days through questioning by religious leaders, found faultless.

Points 6-7 — age, selection date, triumphal entry

Psalm 118 Passover Passover triumphal entry
Mike Winger idea 2020-06-03

Should new believers read the whole Bible? Yes, eventually. But start with the Gospel of John (written for the purpose of producing faith), then the rest of the NT. Read Psalms and Proverbs for wisdom/worship. Genesis for foundations. Don't start at Genesis 1 and try to plow through — you'll bog down in Leviticus. A reading plan helps maintain consistency.

Bible reading plan for new believers

John 20:31 Gospel of John Gospel of John new believers
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-31

Solomon's inauguration on a donkey (1 Kings 1) and Genesis 49:10-11 provide additional donkey-messiah connections that Zechariah 9:9 likely draws from.

Additional OT background on donkey symbolism

Genesis 49:10-11 Psalm 20:7 1 Kings 1 typology typology Genesis 49:10-11
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-31

Psalm 118 is the key text the crowd quotes — it prophesies the rejected cornerstone (Messiah rejected by Israel's leaders) whom God establishes anyway. Jesus quotes it about himself in Mark 12.

Detailed exposition of Psalm 118 and its messianic significance

Acts 7 Psalm 118 Psalm 118:22 typology typology Acts 7
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-31

Psalm 118:24-28 contains a compressed gospel narrative: Hosanna (save now), the festival sacrifice bound to the altar (Christ crucified), and then "You are MY God" — relationship through sacrifice.

Continued Psalm 118 exposition with gospel typology

Psalm 118:24-28 songs of ascent Psalm 118:24-28 festival sacrifice hosanna
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-31

The crowd adds "blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David" — not from Psalm 118 — reflecting their political expectations. The OT sometimes calls the Messiah "David" as a typological title.

Analysis of the non-Psalm 118 addition in Mark 11:10

Ezekiel Ezekiel Psalm 118 typology Ezekiel typology
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-28

Six reasons why "this mountain" is NOT limited to the temple (contra cessationist interpretation), but is a general truth about prayer: Paul's usage, Matthew/Luke parallels, OT mountain-moving language.

Refuting Jeff Durbin's cessationist interpretation that limits Mark 11 to imprecatory prayer against the temple

1 Corinthians 13:2 Mark 11:24 Mark 13:2 cessationism 1 Corinthians 13:2 cessationism
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-12

The Parable of the Vineyard (Mark 12:1-12) is Jesus's most backhanded parable — told directly to the Sanhedrin, predicting they'll reject and kill God's Son, be destroyed, and be replaced. They know it's about them but can't use it in court.

Introduction and overview of Mark 12:1-12

Mark 12:1-12 Psalm 118:22-23 Mark series Sanhedrin Sanhedrin Mark 12:1-12
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-12

Psalm 118:22-23 (rejected cornerstone) is quoted by the crowd entering Jerusalem AND by Jesus to the Sanhedrin — the "builders" (scribes/scholars in rabbinic literature) reject the stone, but God establishes it anyway. The "others" who receive the vineyard are the leaders of the Christian church.

The cornerstone quotation and who replaces the vine growers

James 3:1 Psalm 118:22-23 papacy James 3:1 leadership accountability
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 2021-01-04

In Mark 12:35-37, Jesus asks a riddle about Psalm 110:1 — if the Messiah is David's son, why does David call him "Lord"? Jesus is challenging the LIMITED christology that the Messiah is merely a human descendant of David.

Mark Series pt 50: Jesus's question about Christ and David from Psalm 110

Psalm 110:1 Mark 12:35-37 Mark series deity of Christ Psalm 110:1 Mark 12:35-37
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-04

Jesus will not allow a limited Christology — the Messiah is not just the son of David but God Himself. Mark supports this throughout: Isaiah 40:3 applied to Jesus (Yahweh's coming), Jesus walking on water (quoting Job where God walks on water), the demoniac telling what "the Lord/Jesus" did.

Building the case for the deity of Christ from Mark 12:35-37 and the broader Gospel of Mark

Psalm 110:1 Isaiah 9:1-2 deity of Christ Psalm 110:1 Isaiah 9:1-2
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-14

Psalm 51:16-17 ("God does not delight in sacrifice") is situational to David after murdering Uriah — he can't just offer a bull and fix things. The only thing he can offer is a broken spirit. It's not a blanket rejection of the sacrificial system.

Q6: Does Psalm 51 mean God doesn't want sacrifices?

Psalm 51 David repentance Brian Zahnd
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-16

Should Repetitive Bible Passages Concern Us?: I'm very confused about why Psalms 14 & 53 are almost identical. Is this an error in Scripture? Are any other pairs of psalms also duplicate? This is causing me to worry about the reliability of Scripture. Please help me understand this!

Q&A question: Should Repetitive Bible Passages Concern Us?

biblical reliability
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

hermeneutics
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-07

About Adam’s Sin Nature/Original Sin: Does Psalm 51:5 teach that we inherit the guilt of Adam's sin, not just his sin nature?

Q&A question: About Adam’s Sin Nature/Original Sin

Psalm 51 Psalm 51
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-07

About Jewish Interpretation: What's your take on Jewish interpretive methods for Scripture such as Gematria (Matthew 1: 17, Revelation 13: 18) or the Hebrew alphabet and pictographic symbolism? (Psalm 119: 73 for example) "Yod" = Hand, etc.

Q&A question: About Jewish Interpretation

Revelation 13 Matthew 1 revelation Revelation 13 Matthew 1 revelation
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-15

About the Apostles & Judas’ Position: I’ve heard it taught that the Apostles were being presumptuous when filling Judas’ empty position. Why did they choose to apply Psalm 69: 25 and Psalm 109:8 to the situation?

Q&A question: About the Apostles & Judas’ Position

Apostles Judas
Mike Winger idea 2021-12-03

About Lifting Hands in Worship & Others Watching Us: I have trouble lifting my hands during worship songs, though commanded in Psalms. I can’t get over the mental block that I’m trying to look good to people around me. Do I have a weak conscience, or am I disobeying Scripture?

Q&A question: About Lifting Hands in Worship & Others Watching Us

worship
Mike Winger idea 2022-01-14

About the “Little gods” Theory: Can you explain a biblical view of the "little gods" theory (Psalm 82:6 and John 10: 34)?

Q&A question: About the “Little gods” Theory

John 10 Psalm 82 John 10 Psalm 82
Mike Winger idea 2022-01-28

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

Q&A question: Interpreting the Psalms

hermeneutics
Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

Do Modern Translations Hide Mythology?: Why do modern translations hide so much mythology? Leviathan and Behemoth are animals. Isaiah 34: 14, Lillith is an owl. Psalm 96: 5, Gods are idols and not demons. I fear this leads to materialism.

Q&A question: Do Modern Translations Hide Mythology?

Isaiah Isaiah demons
Mike Winger idea 2022-03-04

Why Didn’t Jesus Inherit Adam’s Sin?: Since Jesus was fully man, as well as fully God, according to the hypostatic union, how did He not inherit Adam's sin that all men inherit according to Psalm 51:5?

Q&A question: Why Didn’t Jesus Inherit Adam’s Sin?

Psalm 51 Jesus Psalm 51
Mike Winger idea 2022-04-08

Did David Not Understand Heaven?: In Psalm 6:5 David asks God to spare his life because "For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?" Does David not have a belief or understanding of Heaven at this point in his life?

Q&A question: Did David Not Understand Heaven?

Psalm 6 David Psalm 6
Mike Winger idea 2022-06-17

Why Would God Give us our Heart’s Desires?: Why would God give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4) if the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9)?

Q&A question: Why Would God Give us our Heart’s Desires?

Jeremiah Psalm 37:4 Psalm 37 Jeremiah Psalm 37:4 Psalm 37
Mike Winger idea 2022-12-16

Encouragement amid Infertility: My husband and I have struggled to have a baby, and I have had Psalm 127:3 on my mind. It makes me feel like there is something I need to do, and a lack of faith. What is the context of the “reward”?

Q&A question: Encouragement amid Infertility

marriage
Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Do We Pray For or Against our Enemies?: How do you reconcile the New Testament's clear teachings to love and pray for our enemies with Psalms like Psalm 69:22-28? Is there ever a time when we should pray against our enemies?

Q&A question: Do We Pray For or Against our Enemies?
Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Eschatological Timings: What effect does Psalm 110:1 and Luke 20: 42-43 have on the timing or placement of the rapture of the Church in reference to the tribulation?

Q&A question: Eschatological Timings

Psalm 110 Psalm 110:1 rapture eschatology tribulation
Mike Winger idea 2023-09-15

Exploring the Different Words for God’s Law: Every verse in Psalm 119 refers to God's Law, and ten different words are used, including: commandments, precepts, law, testimonies, ways, etc. Why? Does each word have a different meaning?

Q&A question: Exploring the Different Words for God’s Law

Psalm 119 Psalm 119
Mike Winger idea 2024-08-16

How Much Detail do we Confess?: When we, as Christians, confess our sins to God, how detailed should we be? Two verses that come to my mind are Psalm 139: 23-24.

Q&A question: How Much Detail do we Confess?

Psalm 139 Psalm 139
Mike Winger idea 2024-08-30

More Than One Interpretation?: Can Scripture have more than one correct interpretation? I know Psalm 22 can, but Catholics believe this is so with Peter as the rock in Matthew 16: 18 or Mary in Revelation 12. Is there a good method to test Scripture for this?

Q&A question: More Than One Interpretation?

Matthew 16 Psalm 22 revelation Peter Roman Catholicism Matthew 16
Mike Winger idea 2024-09-20

Was David Conceived in Adultery?: In Psalm 51:5, David says that in sin his mother conceived him. Is he saying that he has been in sin since his conception, or that his mother was in sin when she conceived him? Was David born in adultery?

Q&A question: Was David Conceived in Adultery?

Psalm 51 David Psalm 51
Mike Winger idea 2024-11-15

Being Zealous for God’s Glory: In light of God's zeal for His own glory in all the Earth (see Ezekiel 36: 22-23; Psalm 46: 10; 2 Chronicles 6: 32-33), how can Christians be zealous for His glory among the nations, especially those who cannot go?

Q&A question: Being Zealous for God’s Glory

Ezekiel Ezekiel
Mike Winger idea 2024-12-13

50/50 Churches?: My LDS husband wants me and our kids to go to his ward & my church, split 50/50 every other week. Should I submit to him and do this, or should I get out completely from doing this? See 2 Kings 5: 17-19 and Psalm 1:1.

Q&A question: 50/50 Churches?

Psalm 1 marriage Mormonism Psalm 1
Mike Winger idea 2025-02-07

Is God Selfish?: Do you believe that God is selfish in everything He does? It seems even His "selfless" acts are done for His own sake (Psalm 106:8, dying on the cross for His own glory, etc.). Would that motivation be wrong?

Q&A question: Is God Selfish?
Mike Winger idea 2025-03-28

My Sin Blocks My Prayers?: Psalm 66:18 says, "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." Does this mean God will ignore a person's prayers if they have active, ongoing sin in their life? How should we understand this verse in context and alongside other Scriptures about God hearing prayers?

Q&A question: My Sin Blocks My Prayers?

prayer
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