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All (175) Scripture Commentary (69) Theology (8) Mike Winger (98)

Mike Winger idea 2020-08-18

Survey of Mark showing Jesus consistently correcting false messianic expectations: (1) Mark 1:8 — baptize with Holy Spirit, not raise armies. (2) Mark 1:11 — beloved Son (sacrifice imagery from Genesis 22). (3) Mark 1:15 — repent and believe, not take up arms. (4) Jesus's ministry: exorcisms and healings, not political conquest — the enemy is Satan, not Rome; the problem is sin, not occupation. (5) Jesus sends crowds away instead of rallying them for war. The whole Gospel of Mark is about fixing these expectations.

Survey of Mark — correcting messianic expectations

Mark Series Genesis 22 (Isaac) Mark 1:8 Mark Series false messianic expectations Genesis 22 (Isaac)

Mike Winger idea 2020-08-18

Mark 10:42-45 — Jesus's leadership model: "You know that those recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them... but it is not this way among you." The greatest must be servant; the first must be slave of all. Pastoral abuse happens when leaders adopt CEO mentality — protecting their vision, reputation, and authority instead of serving. Signs: demanding allegiance to the leader rather than to Christ, silencing criticism, creating distance/hierarchy, using authority for personal benefit.

Pastoral abuse — CEO vs servant leadership

Mark 10:42-44 pastoral abuse CEO mentality in ministry Mark 10:42-44

Mike Winger idea 2020-08-18

Hope for abusive pastors: the disciples who asked for thrones became the greatest servants in church history. James was the first apostle martyred; John served faithfully into old age. Jesus didn't disqualify them for their worldly ambitions — he corrected them and they changed. The same transformation is available today. But it requires: (1) honest self-examination, (2) willingness to be corrected, (3) choosing service over authority.

Hope for transformation — disciples changed

James and John request Acts 12 (James martyred) James and John request pastoral transformation Acts 12 (James martyred)

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-26

Du Toit redefines sin itself (hamartia) through the etymological fallacy — deriving fake "root meanings" to avoid the actual meaning. Sin becomes "living out of context with your blueprint" instead of moral rebellion against God.

The etymological fallacy and the Mirror Bible's abuse of Greek

Romans 3:22-23 etymological fallacy Mirror Bible Mirror Bible

Mike Winger idea 2019-11-06

Penal substitutionary atonement (PSA) is under attack by influential figures who call it "cosmic child abuse" and "pagan." Isaiah 53 is the key passage they avoid. Winger builds the case that Isaiah 53 clearly teaches PSA.

Introduction to the penal substitutionary atonement series focusing on Isaiah 53

Isaiah 53 Isaiah 53 Isaiah 53 Isaiah 53 Brian Zahnd

Mike Winger idea 2021-05-28

Witnessing to Abuse Victims: A friend was sexually abused by her family including her mother, foster family, the school priests, and her first husband. Understandably, she refuses to believe in any God. How can I witness to her?

Q&A question: Witnessing to Abuse Victims

marriage

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-13

How to Respond to Verbal Abuse in Marriage: My husband yells & curses at me. I always tell him I don’t deserve it, but he continues. Can this be corrected? If so, how? And would I dishonor God if I stop being physically intimate with him?

Q&A question: How to Respond to Verbal Abuse in Marriage

marriage

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-01

Advice - Tough Marriage/Divorce Situation: Regarding divorce, you mentioned that verbal/emotional abuse is only a valid justification when it is extreme. How do we think biblically about what God would consider to be extreme? I'm finding it hard not to doubt my own perceptions, but my husband is in complete denial. Also, where the husband has essentially separated from the wife within the marriage, is it still not permissible to remarry?

Q&A question: Advice - Tough Marriage/Divorce Situation

marriage justification divorce

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-21

How to Forgive the Abuse of a Loved One: My disabled daughter w/ MS was abused by her ex (hit, pushed her head through a wall, broke her jaw twice requiring three surgeries, told her he’s going to have her killed, & more). I know I should forgive him, but how?

Q&A question: How to Forgive the Abuse of a Loved One

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-28

Winger affirms husband-wife roles are equal in value but different in role, calling this 'irrefutably taught' in the NT. He rejects the word 'rule' as misleading in modern English but affirms husbands have a higher position of authority.

Q&A question asking why submission is taught as God-ordained in the NT if the husband's rule was a curse of the fall.

Genesis 3:16 Ephesians 5:22 1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-04

Winger clarifies his 1 Peter 3 teaching on Abigail: she is an example of not submitting in a life-threatening situation, but he does NOT limit exceptions to only life-threatening cases. He refuses to draw precise lines because 'life is so messy' — drawing them too tightly either encourages rebellion or traps abuse victims.

Q challenging why Winger interpreted Abigail's story through a 'life-threatening situations' lens as the only valid exception for wives not submitting.

1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-11

Does God Forgive “Extreme” Sins?: A loved one is struggling with the idea that God would forgive an abuser or a murderer if they started following God after their evil actions. What can I say to help them through this doubt?

Q&A question: Does God Forgive “Extreme” Sins?

doubt and faith

Mike Winger idea 2022-04-01

Winger says NO — do not follow your husband to a cult. The Bible never gives husbands spiritual authority to dictate their wife's worship. Wives have a relationship with God independent of their husbands. He also rejects the 'husband as priest of his house' teaching as unbiblical. Uses 1 Peter 3:1-6 extensively.

Q&A: Husband joined a cult teaching women go to hell for wearing makeup/trousers. Should wife submit and follow him there?

1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Mike Winger idea 2022-06-03

Can Legalism be Spiritually Abusive?: Our pastor and denomination as a whole requires that any women serving (even volunteers) must only wear skirts, and that only the KJV is God's Word (every other version is a "perversion") and requires tithing. Are these things spiritual abuse?

Q&A question: Can Legalism be Spiritually Abusive?

tithing pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2022-09-02

How to Help Victims of Abuse: I'm a new youth leader and we have teenagers who are severely abused at home. What messages do we focus on to help them? And what else can we do to help?

Q&A question: How to Help Victims of Abuse

Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Unhealthy Associations w/Gratitude: Growing up, I had people expect me to show gratitude as a way to ignore abuse. Now, I want to be thankful for blessings in my life, but I associate gratitude with abuse. How do I separate that?

Q&A question: Unhealthy Associations w/Gratitude

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-03

Religion = Control? / Where’s God During Abuse?: How do I help my dad (an unbeliever) who thinks religion is used to control us? He also says, “If God exists, where was He when my father was beating my mother and I, and I cried out to Him?”

Q&A question: Religion = Control? / Where’s God During Abuse?

evangelism

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-07

Forgiveness while Guarding Against Abuse: In 1 Corinthians 13:1, we are told that love "keeps no record of wrongs.” But how do we reconcile this with setting boundaries to protect us from abusive behaviors?

Q&A question: Forgiveness while Guarding Against Abuse

1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 13:1 1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 13:1 forgiveness

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-21

Understanding a Difficult Passage: I'm struggling to interpret Judges 19:2, 25 on why the concubine suffered abuse. Some have said God was punishing her for adultery. How do I understand this without reading into the text?

Q&A question: Understanding a Difficult Passage

Judges 19 Judges 19

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-07

Is Debt Inherently Sinful?: I have a question on debt. Do you see debt as sinful, or is it something that can become sinful if abused, like alcohol consumption? Any clear biblical lines on the issue?

Q&A question: Is Debt Inherently Sinful?

alcohol

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-21

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?

complementarianism headship complementarianism

Mike Winger idea 2025-03-21

Encouragement through Arduous Times: What gives people the will to live in the midst of terror, hardship, poverty, pain, childhood abuse, loss, and all other types of calamity (specifically non-Christians, but also Christians)?

Q&A question: Encouragement through Arduous Times

Mike Winger idea 2025-07-04

Sins Against Us or Just God?: If someone commits a sin against you (abuse, etc.), are you also owed justice? Can Jesus forgive the justice you are owed, or was the sin committed only against God and not you (the sinner is now saved)?

Q&A question: Sins Against Us or Just God?

Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2025-07-04

Winger says Eph 5:22 and Col 3:18 apply regardless of whether the husband is a Christian — the qualifier is 'your husband,' not 'your Christian husband.' Submission is not 100% in every possible thing, and exceptions exist for abuse, but the exception shouldn't be used to invalidate the rule.

Q: How should a newly Christian woman apply Eph 5:22 and Col 3:18 when her husband hasn't come to Christ and isn't supportive?

Colossians 3:18 Ephesians 5:22 1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Mike Winger idea 2025-09-12

The Moses Model: Biblical?: Given your Calvary Chapel background and current focus on church leadership structures vulnerable to abuse, how does the Moses Model ensure checks and balances on authority in the church?

Q&A question: The Moses Model: Biblical?

Moses church leadership Calvary Chapel

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Du Toit redefines sin itself (hamartia) through the etymological fallacy — deriving fake "root meanings" to avoid the actual meaning. Sin becomes "living out of context with your blueprint" instead of moral rebellion against God.

Penal substitutionary atonement (PSA) is under attack by influential figures who call it "cosmic child abuse" and "pagan." Isaiah 53 is the key passage they avoid. Winger builds the case that Isaiah 53 clearly teaches PSA.

Witnessing to Abuse Victims: A friend was sexually abused by her family including her mother, foster family, the school priests, and her first husband. Understandably, she refuses to believe in any God. How can I witness to her?

How to Respond to Verbal Abuse in Marriage: My husband yells & curses at me. I always tell him I don’t deserve it, but he continues. Can this be corrected? If so, how? And would I dishonor God if I stop being physically intimate with him?

How to Forgive the Abuse of a Loved One: My disabled daughter w/ MS was abused by her ex (hit, pushed her head through a wall, broke her jaw twice requiring three surgeries, told her he’s going to have her killed, & more). I know I should forgive him, but how?

Winger affirms husband-wife roles are equal in value but different in role, calling this 'irrefutably taught' in the NT. He rejects the word 'rule' as misleading in modern English but affirms husbands have a higher position of authority.

Does God Forgive “Extreme” Sins?: A loved one is struggling with the idea that God would forgive an abuser or a murderer if they started following God after their evil actions. What can I say to help them through this doubt?

Can Legalism be Spiritually Abusive?: Our pastor and denomination as a whole requires that any women serving (even volunteers) must only wear skirts, and that only the KJV is God's Word (every other version is a "perversion") and requires tithing. Are these things spiritual abuse?

How to Help Victims of Abuse: I'm a new youth leader and we have teenagers who are severely abused at home. What messages do we focus on to help them? And what else can we do to help?

Unhealthy Associations w/Gratitude: Growing up, I had people expect me to show gratitude as a way to ignore abuse. Now, I want to be thankful for blessings in my life, but I associate gratitude with abuse. How do I separate that?

Religion = Control? / Where’s God During Abuse?: How do I help my dad (an unbeliever) who thinks religion is used to control us? He also says, “If God exists, where was He when my father was beating my mother and I, and I cried out to Him?”

Forgiveness while Guarding Against Abuse: In 1 Corinthians 13:1, we are told that love "keeps no record of wrongs.” But how do we reconcile this with setting boundaries to protect us from abusive behaviors?

Understanding a Difficult Passage: I'm struggling to interpret Judges 19:2, 25 on why the concubine suffered abuse. Some have said God was punishing her for adultery. How do I understand this without reading into the text?

Is Debt Inherently Sinful?: I have a question on debt. Do you see debt as sinful, or is it something that can become sinful if abused, like alcohol consumption? Any clear biblical lines on the issue?

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.

Encouragement through Arduous Times: What gives people the will to live in the midst of terror, hardship, poverty, pain, childhood abuse, loss, and all other types of calamity (specifically non-Christians, but also Christians)?

Sins Against Us or Just God?: If someone commits a sin against you (abuse, etc.), are you also owed justice? Can Jesus forgive the justice you are owed, or was the sin committed only against God and not you (the sinner is now saved)?

Winger says Eph 5:22 and Col 3:18 apply regardless of whether the husband is a Christian — the qualifier is 'your husband,' not 'your Christian husband.' Submission is not 100% in every possible thing, and exceptions exist for abuse, but the exception shouldn't be used to invalidate the rule.

The Moses Model: Biblical?: Given your Calvary Chapel background and current focus on church leadership structures vulnerable to abuse, how does the Moses Model ensure checks and balances on authority in the church?

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