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All (209) Mike Winger (209)
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-05

Calvinism functionally treats faith as a work, which drives its theological conclusions toward unconditional election and regeneration preceding faith

Explaining Mike's specific critique of Calvinism in the context of why schools of thought differ

Calvinism total depravity faith as a work
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

The Kalam Cosmological Argument and responses to atheist objections about eternal energy and quantum vacuums.

Colin asks how to respond to atheist objections that energy could be infinite (eternal) and that quantum fluctuations could create a universe.

apologetics atheism William Lane Craig
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

The cross provides salvation benefits that are already secured but not yet fully experienced; eternal life is a present possession with a future fullness.

Q2 from Felicia: a previous video said some things are "provided on the cross but not fully finished" — isn't deliverance from the enemy's power finished per Colossians 1:13 and Acts 26:18?

Colossians 1:13 Acts 26:18 atonement eternal life the great exchange
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Evangelism framed as "Red Rover" — the goal is transferring people from Satan's kingdom to God's kingdom, not destroying people.

Closing summary of Q2 on spiritual warfare and kingdom dynamics.

evangelism spiritual warfare kingdom of darkness
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Fruits of the Spirit in believers vs. unbelievers: the difference is source (Holy Spirit) and ultimate quality/context, not the complete absence of these qualities in unbelievers.

Q20 from Craig Burnett: what is the difference in gifts/fruits of the Spirit between a Christian and a non-Christian displaying the same qualities (patience, gentleness, peace)?

Galatians 5:22-23 2 Timothy 4:10 Holy Spirit fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Are the gods of other religions real? Three views: false polytheism, Heiserian divine council, and Pauline demonic identification

Q6 from Loretta Taylor: Numbers 33:3-4 says Yahweh executed judgments on Egypt's gods — does this mean gods like Allah and Zeus are real?

1 Corinthians 10:19-20 Numbers 33:3-4 Exodus plagues Michael Heiser elohim 1 Corinthians 10:19-20
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

Kalam leads to God with biblical attributes via conceptual analysis

Continuation of the Kalam answer, explaining the conceptual analysis step.

Genesis 1 Hebrews 11 John 1:1 Genesis 1 Hebrews 11 John 1:1
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

Mark 13:24-27 and Revelation 6:12-17 describe the same end-times event

Listener Tony Grabowski asks whether Mark 13 and Revelation 6 describe the same event.

Revelation 6:12-17 Mark 13:24-27 Cosmic signs Revelation 6:12-17 Mark 13:24-27
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

Christians can hold various views on Genesis 1 and the Big Bang; the Big Bang is actually strong evidence for God.

Question 11 from J James about whether the Big Bang is biblical.

Genesis 1 Genesis 1 creation ex nihilo Big Bang
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

Mark 5 demoniac: Jesus was not tricked by the demons; the swine destruction may have been demonic sabotage that God repurposed for good.

Question 16 from Galushkin about whether Jesus or the demons were tricked in the Gerasene demoniac account.

Mark 5:1-20 Gerasene demoniac Gentile mission demon possession
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-12

Abstract objects like numbers are timeless and immaterial but lack causal powers; a mind fits the criteria of being spaceless, timeless, non-material, AND capable of causing something.

Conceptual analysis — why the cause is a mind

abstract objects conceptual analysis causal powers
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-12

The conceptual analysis points toward a spaceless, timeless, non-material, incredibly powerful, exceedingly wise mind — matching what Jews and Christians have always understood from Genesis 1:1.

Conceptual analysis — conclusion

Genesis 1:1 Kalam cosmological argument Genesis 1:1 Kalam cosmological argument
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-12

Objection: the cause could be a teacup orbiting Saturn or universe-creating pixies instead of God. Response: they're just describing God's attributes and labeling it something else; Occam's razor reduces pixies to one being.

Objection — teacup/pixies

Matt Dillahunty conceptual analysis Occams razor
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-12

Objection: this is just a God-of-the-gaps argument. Response: the Kalam provides POSITIVE evidence for what the cause is, not merely an appeal to ignorance.

Objection — God of the gaps

evidence for God evidence for God God of the gaps
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-12

Why the cause must be PERSONAL: (1) a mind uniquely fits spaceless/timeless/immaterial yet has causal powers, (2) state-event causation from timelessness requires a decision to act, (3) absence of determinism in nothingness requires libertarian free will.

Why the cause is a personal agent

determinism determinism causal powers
Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

Mike's closing: Drew's journey to atheism appears to involve accumulating unanswered tough questions — a shallow understanding of Christianity where questions pile up without pursuing answers. Christianity shows itself to be true; questions may make you an atheist, but answers will make you a Christian.

Closing — questions vs answers

apologetics apologetics questions are not arguments
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: What powers do demons have? From Scripture: possession (even multiple demons), controlling actions, causing insanity (Mark 5), influencing thoughts (Satan put it in Judas's heart to betray Jesus — before possession), inspiring false doctrines ("doctrines of demons"), receiving worship through false religions and idol worship.

Q&A — demonic powers and abilities

1 Timothy 4:1 demon possession 1 Timothy 4:1 demonic powers
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-18

Q: Does the Bible say anything about other planets and alien life? No biblical text suggests aliens on other planets. God made stars and planets to display his glory. The only extraterrestrial beings in scripture are God and angels. Mormonism's planet Kolob is the one religion that addresses this — and it's false.

Q&A — aliens and other planets

Mormonism Kolob Mormonism
Mike Winger idea 2020-05-06

How the martyrdom argument fits the larger resurrection case: the resurrection rests on multiple facts (Jesus lived, died, was buried, tomb was empty, early appearance claims to women, the 500, apostles, Paul). The apostles' willingness to suffer gives credibility specifically to the appearance claims — they weren't lying about having seen the risen Jesus. Lee Strobel said this was the most convincing evidence to him.

Martyrdom as sub-argument within resurrection case

Lee Strobel empty tomb apostolic martyrdom
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 2020-08-31

The unridden colt symbolizes Jesus' transcendent, non-derivative authority — unlike kings who rode conquered rulers' mounts to claim their power, Jesus' authority is wholly his own.

Analysis of "a colt on which no one has ever sat" (Mark 11:2)

Daniel Daniel Daniel Daniel Daniel Daniel
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-15

The problem of evil is the #1 argument that practically draws people away from God, but Christianity alone offers both intellectual answers and emotional/pastoral hope — atheism offers neither explanation nor solution.

Pastoral conclusion on the problem of evil and summary of all 5 arguments

theodicy atheism theodicy
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-21

The Kalam Cosmological Argument supports step 8: the cause of the universe must be timeless, spaceless, immaterial, enormously powerful, personal, and possessing libertarian freedom — matching the biblical God.

Using the Kalam to defend the abductive conclusion (step 8)

William Lane Craig William Lane Craig Kalam cosmological argument
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-28

Overview: Mark 11:22-25 is the #1 Word of Faith verse. Winger approaches it by sidebaring the Kenneth Copeland debate to first understand the passage in its original context, then apply it.

Introduction to Mark Series pt 43 on prayer, faith, and Mark 11:22-25

Mark 11:22-25 Mark series prayer Kenneth Copeland Word of Faith
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 2020-09-28

Mountain-moving is a euphemism for what is humanly impossible but possible for God. Faith is weak (mustard seed), not strong — the emphasis is that you don't earn miracles; God does everything, you just believe.

Correct interpretation of the mountain-moving promise in Mark 11

Mark 10:25-27 Galatians 3:5 Mark 10:25-27 Galatians 3:5 faith and prayer
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-28

Your part in prayer is faith, but GOD does the miracles — the power is not in your words or your belief, but in God's response. Forgiveness of others and repentance of sin are prerequisites for effective prayer.

Analysis of active/passive language in Mark 11 and the forgiveness requirement

1 Peter 3:7 Mark 11:25 Matthew 5:23-24 1 Peter 3:7 Mark 11:25 Matthew 5:23-24
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-28

Mark 14 (Gethsemane) is the intentional counterpoint to Mark 11 — Jesus with perfect faith, no sin, no unforgiveness prays and God says NO. Faith means trusting God both when he says yes AND when he says no.

The missing piece: Jesus' Gethsemane prayer as counterpoint to the prayer promise

Mark 14:35-36 Word of Faith Gethsemane prayer Word of Faith
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-05

The chief priests, scribes, and elders = a delegation from the Sanhedrin (Jewish supreme court, ~70 members). This is a significant escalation — Jesus is now on their turf in Jerusalem, confronting the highest authority in Israel.

Identifying the Sanhedrin delegation in Mark 11:27-28

John 18:31 Mark 11:27-33 Sanhedrin Sanhedrin temple cleansing
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-12

A consistent OT pattern: it's the LEADERS of Israel who persecute God's messengers (Jezebel vs. Elijah, Saul vs. David, people of Ephraim vs. Gideon, King Jehoiakim vs. Jeremiah). The motive: wanting power, credit, and avoidance of suffering.

OT examples of leadership rejecting prophets and application to modern rejection of the gospel

Jeremiah 7:25-26 leadership accountability Jeremiah 7:25-26 leadership accountability
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 2020-10-12

Final applications: (1) Humility — see yourself with the same clarity you see others; (2) Obedience — receive God's messengers, don't reject them; (3) Leaders can be replaced; (4) The cornerstone wins — no matter what opposition arises, Jesus's lordship is the end of the story.

Closing summary and applications from Mark 12:1-12

humility humility leadership accountability
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-29

Critical Race Theory is a discipline within critical social theory (rooted in Marx). It emerged from critical legal studies in the 1980s. The overarching worldview: society is defined by dominant group vs. oppressed group, and the goal is dismantling oppressive systems.

What is Critical Theory and Critical Race Theory — definitions and origins

critical theory intersectionality Kimberlé Crenshaw
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-29

CRT redefines racism as "prejudice plus power" — meaning only the dominant group (whites) can be racist, and systemic racism is the only real racism. This enables dismissing any concern from majority groups while making all disparities evidence of racism.

CRT's redefinition of racism and its consequences

Proverbs 18:13 Robin DiAngelo Ibram X. Kendi prejudice plus power
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-16

Jesus identifies TWO problems with the Sadducees: they don't know the Scriptures AND they don't know the power of God. He then proves resurrection FROM the Pentateuch — their own strongest ground — using Exodus 3:6 ("I am the God of Abraham").

Jesus's response: two rebukes and the burning bush argument for resurrection

Mark 12:18-27 Exodus 3:6 resurrection resurrection marriage in heaven
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-14

The disciples couldn't cast out the demon (Luke 9:40-41) because of faithlessness — Jesus calls them a "faithless and twisted generation." Spiritual power comes through faith and prayer/fasting, not technique.

Q7: Why couldn't the disciples cast out the demon in Luke 9?

Luke 9 Mark 9 Jesus prayer Luke 9
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-01

Is “Entire Sanctification” Biblical?: What are your thoughts on Entire Sanctification? Could a Christian eventually live a life without sin through God's power? If not, shouldn’t we shoot for it anyway?

Q&A question: Is “Entire Sanctification” Biblical?

sanctification
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-15

About God’s Omnipotence & Non-Contradiction: Since God can’t contradict Himself, does that mean that His power is limited in a way? I know God is all powerful, but what is the logical reason behind Him being powerful and non-contradictory?

Q&A question: About God’s Omnipotence & Non-Contradiction

biblical reliability
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-29

Why did People Fall Over in John 18?: My question is about John 18:6. It’s a really powerful moment, but did the other disciples not see it?

Q&A question: Why did People Fall Over in John 18?

John 18:6 John 18 John 18:6 John 18
Mike Winger idea 2021-11-12

Is “Accepting Jesus” Man-Centered Soteriology?: Is it man-centered thinking to say that “Jesus died for everyone but it is only applied to you if/when you accept it”? Are we the ones who give the cross its power? I’d Like to hear your thoughts on this.

Q&A question: Is “Accepting Jesus” Man-Centered Soteriology?

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2022-01-14

Understanding the Trinity: How should we understand the "power dynamic" within the Trinity specifically as it applies to "sending" (filioque clause in mind)? Does the Father have a sort of "sending" authority over the Son & the Spirit?

Q&A question: Understanding the Trinity

Trinity
Mike Winger idea 2022-04-08

Drawing Near to God on Spiritual Holidays: First Easter being saved! Do you have any suggestions for some God honoring ways to spend Good Friday and Holy Saturday? I’m so excited and want to do whatever is in my power to feel especially close to Christ.

Q&A question: Drawing Near to God on Spiritual Holidays
Mike Winger idea 2022-04-08

What is Biblical “Meekness”?: Do you believe the current oxford definition of meek or meekness is biblically correct? It's being quiet, gentle, and submissive – but I’ve heard it's being powerful under control. I’d Love to hear your thoughts!

Q&A question: What is Biblical “Meekness”?
Mike Winger idea 2022-08-19

Can Satan Heal People?: In view of the magicians in Exodus potentially getting their power from Satan, can Satan and demons heal, and are these potentially healings that don't last?

Q&A question: Can Satan Heal People?

Satan healing demons
Mike Winger idea 2022-10-21

Does Satan Think He’ll Win in the End?: How can Satan, an angel much smarter than us, be so unwise as to oppose an all-powerful God? Does Satan think he stands a chance of winning in the end?

Q&A question: Does Satan Think He’ll Win in the End?

Satan angels
Mike Winger idea 2022-12-09

Why was the Cross Necessary if God is All-Powerful?: I have an agnostic friend who can’t accept that the cross was necessary. They believe God was not all powerful if He could not find another way of saving humanity without sacrificing Jesus. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Why was the Cross Necessary if God is All-Powerful?

Jesus agnosticism
Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Why Won’t Christians Marry Non-Christians?: A woman stopped dating me because of worldview differences. I believe in a higher power and wouldn’t have pulled her away from her faith. It hurt badly. Why do some Christians do that? She seems indoctrinated (“can’t marry a non-Christian”).

Q&A question: Why Won’t Christians Marry Non-Christians?

dating and relationships
Mike Winger idea 2023-11-17

Does Reading Scripture Aloud = Prophecy?: Does reading the Scriptures aloud in the power of the Holy Spirit count as prophecy? It's speaking forth the Word of God. Also, Scripture is called prophecy in 2 Peter 1: 19-21.

Q&A question: Does Reading Scripture Aloud = Prophecy?

Peter 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?

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2024-04-05

Does Satan Have Power?: Is it a biblical idea that it's blasphemy to say that Satan has any power?

Q&A question: Does Satan Have Power?

Satan
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