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All (182) Mike Winger (182)
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

The Hebrew word "erets" (earth) rarely means the whole planet. Genesis 1:10: God called dry land "earth." Genesis 11:1: "the whole earth" means all people. Genesis 13:6: "the land" couldn't support Abraham and Lot — obviously local, not planetary. Most flat earth arguments collapse once you understand this word.

The word "earth" (erets) doesn't mean planet

biblical cosmology flat earth biblical cosmology
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Matthew 4:8 (Satan shows Jesus all kingdoms from a high mountain) — this must be supernatural, not visual. The highest local mountains are ~2,700 ft. Even flat-earthers can't see China from Israel. Satan showed Jesus these things supernaturally. The theological point: Jesus succeeds where Israel failed — resisting idolatry at the "high places" where Israel repeatedly fell.

Satan's temptation on a high mountain — theological, not geographical

Matthew 4:8 temptation of Jesus temptation of Jesus flat earth
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-08

The OT sacrificial system was a dress rehearsal for the cross. Israel given the law → failed repeatedly → sacrifices provided forgiveness and fellowship. Jesus fulfills this: lives a perfect life, dies sacrificially in our place (Matthew 26:28 — blood of the covenant poured out for forgiveness of sins), and rises from the dead as proof of victory and eternal life.

The cross — sacrifice and resurrection

Matthew 26:28 substitutionary atonement OT sacrificial system Matthew 26:28
Mike Winger idea 2020-05-06

Mike interviews Dr. Sean McDowell about his doctoral research on apostolic martyrdom as evidence for the resurrection. The argument: martyrdom proves sincerity (not truth), which eliminates the conspiracy/lying hypothesis. It's one piece of a larger resurrection argument, not standalone proof.

Introduction — apostolic martyrdom and the resurrection

apostolic martyrdom Sean McDowell conspiracy hypothesis
Mike Winger idea 2020-05-21

Mike interviews Dr. Peter Williams (principal of Tyndale House Cambridge) about his book "Can We Trust the Gospels?" The approach: rather than proving individual claims, show that the hypothesis of reliable reporting is far simpler than the hypothesis of fabrication. Two competing explanations — reliable accounts vs complex conspiracy — and the data overwhelmingly favors reliability.

Introduction — cumulative case for gospel reliability

Peter Williams inference to best explanation gospel reliability
Mike Winger idea 2020-05-21

Gospel contradictions: Williams argues the burden of proof is on the person claiming two accounts CAN'T fit together, not on the believer to provide the exact harmonization. The Judas death example (Matthew: hanged; Acts: fell and burst open) — multiple scenarios fit both descriptions. Ancient reporting conventions (no quotation marks, different summarization styles, legal naming conventions) explain most alleged contradictions.

Gospel contradictions — burden of proof and Judas

burden of proof Bart Ehrman Bart Ehrman
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-14

Richard Carrier's mythicist theory (Jesus in outer space, apostles were schizotypal): Carrier is credentialed but widely disrespected in his field, on the fringe of scholarship. His strength is recall of sources; his weakness is unjustified connections between data points. His scholarly language ("perhaps," "what if") masks the extreme nature of his claims. Put the burden of proof on him to defend his theory.

Richard Carrier mythicism — fringe scholarship

Richard Carrier mythicism historical Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-21

Are tongues overrated? Yes, in many circles. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:1: tongues without love = noisy gong. 1 Corinthians 14: tongues should be limited in gatherings, require interpretation, and if an unbeliever enters they'll think you're crazy. Paul explicitly says prophecy is BETTER than tongues because it edifies the whole church. Tongues as a status symbol or proof of salvation is completely unbiblical.

Tongues overrated — 1 Corinthians 13-14

1 Corinthians 13:1 1 Corinthians 14 tongues speaking in tongues 1 Corinthians 13:1 speaking in tongues
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-21

Premise 4 is self-evident: to argue that humans CANNOT rationally infer knowledge claims is itself a rational inference — it's self-defeating. Some things are properly basic beliefs that don't require proof.

Defense of premise 4 and discussion of properly basic beliefs

Alvin Plantinga self-refuting argument properly basic beliefs
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-22

Critical distinction: achronological narration (not specifying order) vs. dischronological narration (deliberately changing order). The former is uncontroversial; the latter requires heavy burden of proof. "Mere difference hunting" is not sufficient evidence for fact-changing.

McGrew's key methodological distinctions

harmonization literary devices in Gospels achronological vs dischronological narration
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-26

Du Toit systematically changes key gospel texts: John 1:12 ("become children of God" → you're already God's offspring), John 3:3 (born again → you were already born from above), John 3:18 (condemned already → under your own self-judgment).

Specific examples of the Mirror Bible inverting gospel texts

John 1:12 John 3:3 John 3:7 born again John 1:12 John 3:3
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 2020-10-29

The four central tenets of CRT: (1) Racism is permanent, pervasive, and normal; (2) Racial disparities prove racial discrimination (disparities = proof of racism); (3) Dominant groups won't address racism because they benefit from it; (4) Lived experience of minorities is central to understanding racism.

Four core tenets of Critical Race Theory

systemic racism critical race theory white fragility
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-28

Can we find Proof of Jesus’ Existence?: I heard there are more proofs that Jesus is a real person than there are for people like King Tut, etc. is this true? If so, is there somewhere I can go to find those proofs?

Q&A question: Can we find Proof of Jesus’ Existence?

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2021-11-12

Do OT Prophecies Mention Jesus by Name?: Old Testament Prophecies foretold Jesus coming as Messiah, but do any of those prophecies actually name Jesus? Are they being attributed to Him without proof? How do we know any prophecy applies to Him?

Q&A question: Do OT Prophecies Mention Jesus by Name?

Jesus prophecy
Mike Winger idea 2021-12-10

Was Historical Proof of Biblical Events Just Made Up?: I heard that the historians’ consensus for the Patriarchs, the Exodus, and the Conquest of Canaan was that they didn’t happen but were made up later. Any input on this?

Q&A question: Was Historical Proof of Biblical Events Just Made Up?

Canaan
Mike Winger idea 2022-03-04

Is the Resurrection Proof of Jesus’ Deity?: What should I say to someone who isn’t impressed with the resurrection of Jesus proving that He is God? I don’t think there is a better miracle explaining who God is and what He does.

Q&A question: Is the Resurrection Proof of Jesus’ Deity?

Jesus resurrection miracles
Mike Winger idea 2022-05-13

How are Miracles Proof if Satan Can Also Do Them?: One of the proofs you've put forward that the Bible is from God is miracles and prophecy. If we see that Satan is also able to do miracles, like Pharaoh's magicians, then why are those things proof it’s from God?

Q&A question: How are Miracles Proof if Satan Can Also Do Them?

Satan prophecy miracles
Mike Winger idea 2022-10-21

Eschatological Insights: What's your take on 2 Thessalonians 2:7? I've always used this as a proof text for the Church being removed before the time of the antichrist. That and 1 Thessalonians 5:9. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Eschatological Insights

eschatology
Mike Winger idea 2023-03-03

Does Hebrews Support Cessationism?: Is Hebrews 1:1 a reasonable proof text for cessationism in relation to prophecy? It says God spoke to our ancestors through prophets, but "in these last days," He has spoken to us through Christ. Are we in the "last days" Paul refers to?

Q&A question: Does Hebrews Support Cessationism?

Hebrews 1 cessationism prophecy Hebrews 1
Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Did Jesus Exist & Is Scripture Really Inspired?: What proof is there that Jesus really existed, and if the Gospels were written by man, how do you prove they were inspired by God and not by man?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Exist & Is Scripture Really Inspired?

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2023-09-01

Is Jesus Presently King?: Is Jesus presently on the throne or at the right hand of the throne? Is He King today? In what sense is He King? Proof text? How does the answer impact premillennial eschatology?

Q&A question: Is Jesus Presently King?

Jesus eschatology
Mike Winger idea 2023-12-16

Proof of Virginity Required?: In Deuteronomy 22: 13-21, why were the women to be stoned to death if they didn’t present proof of virginity? Was it the same for the men?

Q&A question: Proof of Virginity Required?

Deuteronomy 22 Deuteronomy 22
Mike Winger idea 2023-12-16

Proof of God’s Existence: What proof apart from science is there that there’s a God?

Q&A question: Proof of God’s Existence

faith and science
Mike Winger idea 2024-04-19

Proof of Transubstantiation?: If Jesus identifies Himself as “the Word” and Ezekiel literally ate the Word of God (Ezekiel 3:1-3), is this a good case for Ezekiel being an analogy to the Catholic transubstantiation of the Eucharist being true?

Q&A question: Proof of Transubstantiation?

Ezekiel Roman Catholicism Jesus communion
Mike Winger idea 2024-07-05

Healing = the Children’s Bread?: "Healing is the children's bread" is taught by a pastor friend when he prays for the sick. He uses Mark 7: 24-30 as the proof text. What is the “bread” in v. 27?

Q&A question: Healing = the Children’s Bread?

pastoral ministry healing
Mike Winger idea 2024-07-12

Does Trusting First Invalidate our Faith?: If you have to believe first in order to experience the reality of Christianity, if the "proof" only comes alive when one chooses to trust it, isn't that "truth" make-believe?

Q&A question: Does Trusting First Invalidate our Faith?
Mike Winger idea 2024-07-19

Does Blas. of the Spirit Debunk Calvinism?: Is the fact that we can commit Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit proof that Calvinism is false?

Q&A question: Does Blas. of the Spirit Debunk Calvinism?

Calvinism
Mike Winger idea 2024-09-06

Proof of Annihilationism?: Does Isaiah 66: 24 prove annihilationism? The only counter verse seems to be Revelation 14: 10-11 and most of the Bible talks about Sheol, perishing, or the wages being death.

Q&A question: Proof of Annihilationism?

Isaiah revelation Isaiah revelation annihilationism
Mike Winger idea 2024-10-04

Does Satan Always Need God’s Permission?: Does Satan have to come to God any time he messes with us? I have a friend using Job as proof that Satan needs permission to mess with us, too.

Q&A question: Does Satan Always Need God’s Permission?

Satan
Mike Winger idea 2024-12-23

The proof texts used to identify Jesus with Michael are weak. 1 Thess. 4:16 says Jesus comes "with the voice of an archangel" — but also "with the sound of a trumpet," which no one takes to mean Jesus is a trumpet. Daniel 10:13 calls Michael "one of the chief princes" — not the unique chief — and inter-testamental literature (1 Enoch, Tobit) uses "archangel" for multiple beings, not one.

Evaluating the key proof texts for Jesus-Michael identification; each is insufficient

Daniel Jesus Enoch angels
Mike Winger idea 2025-10-01

David Hume's objection — that miracles are by definition the least plausible explanation because they go against uniform experience — is circular: it uses the rarity of miracles to discount all testimony to miracles, then cites the lack of accepted testimony to miracles as proof they don't happen. Paley's response: if God raises Jesus specifically to vindicate his messianic claim, we would not expect that resurrection to be a repeatable event — so non-repetition is not evidence against it.

Hume's objection to miracles and Paley's response; the circularity in Hume's argument

David Jesus resurrection
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