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All (285) Mike Winger (285)
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

Mike leans toward classifying the Seventh-day Adventist church as a cult and plans a full dedicated video on the SDA topic in the coming year.

Q: Do you think the SDA is a cult?

Seventh-day Adventism Cults and False Religions
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Q6 (wrong week): Advice for someone leaving a cult (JW) and finding a church; overcoming spiritual abuse

Response to question about choosing a church after leaving JW (note: Mike realized partway through this was from a previous week's questions)

spiritual authority Jehovah's Witnesses baptism
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

Baptizing children should not be delayed based purely on age — genuine faith at any age is sufficient

Question from April B about baptizing her 8-year-old who has made a genuine profession of faith

baptism salvation faith
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

Re-baptism is not prescribed in Scripture but can be appropriate when the original baptism lacked genuine understanding

Question from Andrew Green about whether re-baptisms are biblical

2 Corinthians 2 baptism grace re-baptism
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

Acts 2 tongues were real human foreign languages — each person heard in their own native language, not a single universal language

Question from Joel Holberg about whether the apostles in Acts 2 spoke a language everyone understood or each spoke a different foreign language.

Acts 2 Acts 2 Tongues / glossolalia Day of Pentecost
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

Adult believers who were baptized as infants should consider being re-baptized — baptism is a ratification of a personal decision to follow Christ

Question from LucyQ (from Finland) who was baptized in the Evangelical Lutheran Church as an infant but came to faith as an adult.

Baptism Infant baptism Re-baptism / believer's baptism
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q11: Who can perform baptism? Scripture gives no explicit rule but establishes community precedent; a parent can baptize a child

Viewer 'Skirt Bobcat' asks who is authorized to perform baptism and whether a parent can baptize their children.

Paul the Apostle church authority baptism
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Wise rule: pastor should live roughly at the level of his congregation

Mike's practical guideline for appropriate pastoral compensation.

church leadership pastoral ethics pastoral compensation
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-04

Baptism of the Holy Spirit as a post-salvation experience with mandatory tongues is not supported by Scripture; authentic gifts are preferred over formulaic fake ones.

Question from Lauren Breon about whether the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a separate experience with prayer language is scriptural.

1 Corinthians 12 Cessationism Baptism of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 12
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young: channeled content, demonic origin, pastoral danger

Rachel joined a church prayer group using the devotional Jesus Calling and found concerning content.

discernment false teaching church discipline
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Oneness Pentecostalism and baptism: standing firm on Trinitarian faith with grace

Reagen Bechtold's family are Oneness Pentecostals who wanted him/her to be re-baptized in their formula after already being baptized in a Trinitarian church.

James White Trinity baptism church history
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-26

Non-negotiable Christian doctrines — essentials vs. secondary issues

DJ Diner asks what doctrines Christians should plant their flag on and never back down from.

Mormonism biblical inerrancy Trinity
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 2021-03-26

Matthew 19:28 — the promise of 12 thrones for those who followed Jesus does not necessarily include Judas; Matthias' replacement and the symbolic nature of the number 12 both resolve the tension.

Robo King asks whether Judas still has a throne since Jesus promised 12 thrones to the Twelve in Matthew 19:28.

Acts 1 Matthew 19:28 Luke 22:28-30 eschatology Judas Iscariot Acts 1
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

Why was Zechariah punished for his question about John's birth, but Mary was not punished for asking the same type of question?

Question from Terry Defilo about Luke 1:18 (Zechariah) vs. Luke 1:34 (Mary) and the apparent inconsistency.

John the Baptist Luke 1:18 Luke 1:34 Mary John the Baptist Luke 1:18
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Hebrews 12:6 uses "scourges" (from the Septuagint of Proverbs 3:12) to describe God's fatherly discipline; the intensified language is contextually appropriate fatherly correction, not brutal punishment.

Q6 from Stephanie: Hebrews 12:5-6 quotes Proverbs 3:11-12 but ends with "scourge" — why does it imply God brutally whips every believer?

Hebrews 12:5-6 Proverbs 3:11-12 Septuagint (LXX) Hebrews 12:5-6 Proverbs 3:11-12
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Classical nudity in art is not morally distinct from pornography; artistic quality does not transform the moral character of nude imagery.

Q11 from Wolfpack: how should Christians approach classical art with nudity (e.g., Michelangelo's David)? Is it okay to like it or make similar art?

sexual ethics pornography nudity in art
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Plato's influence on Christianity: limited and often overstated due to caricatures of ancient thought

Q2 from Tony Oshikonlu: What does Plato have to do with Christianity? Was Plato as influential on Christianity as the Bible?

John 1 Plato Philo of Alexandria John 1
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Was Christianity guilty of impeding science and critical thinking? No — authentic Christianity supports scientific inquiry

Q3 from Adidam Ayaji: Was Christianity guilty of impeding critical thinking and exploring the cosmos and natural world?

creation faith and reason natural law
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Re-baptism: Acts 19 supports being baptized again after receiving fuller gospel understanding; LDS baptism is invalid

Q5 from Stephanie Morse: Are there biblical examples of people being baptized more than once? She was baptized LDS and wants to be re-baptized.

Acts 19 John's baptism Apollos Holy Spirit Acts 19
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Church COVID restrictions and pastoral imprisonment: uncertain whether it qualifies as persecution, but it feels like it

Q12 from Crystalline Sloan: Can you define persecution and speak to whether pastors imprisoned for defying public health orders are being persecuted?

conscience persecution COVID-19
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

Baptism: biblical basis and urgency; no reason to delay

Listener Kenneth asks how to explain the importance of baptism to a new Christian who has not yet been baptized.

Acts 2:38 Acts 8:36-38 Hebrews 5 Philip the Evangelist Ethiopian eunuch Acts 2:38
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

Politics in the pulpit — biblical worldview yes, partisan politics no

Listener Lisa asks whether politics belong in the pulpit; she is 100% against it.

Abortion Politics in the pulpit Biblical worldview
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 2020-02-12

Objection to Premise 1: "Who made God?" (Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion). Response: the premise says whatever BEGINS to exist needs a cause, not whatever EXISTS needs a cause.

Objection — who made God? (Dawkins)

Richard Dawkins who made God infinite regress
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-12

Q&A: When a Christian feels static in their walk, the answer is to fall in love with Jesus again rather than legalistically checking boxes. Pray for increased love and dedication; remember first works (Revelation 2, Ephesus).

Q&A — spiritual stagnation

Revelation 2 (Ephesus) first love Revelation 2 (Ephesus) spiritual stagnation
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Mike introduces a response to pro-choice artist Tatiana Gill who drew images of Jesus supporting abortion using the phrase "with you always." She blocked Mike when he reached out privately for clarification.

Introduction — responding to pro-choice art

abortion pro-choice propaganda Tatiana Gill
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Analysis of two abortion artwork images: both completely omit the baby. Image 1 shows Jesus as a clinic escort blocking protesters. Image 2 shows Jesus holding a woman's hand during an abortion. The missing baby is the central issue with pro-choice propaganda.

Art critique — the missing baby

dehumanization abortion pro-choice propaganda
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

The pro-choice movement systematically avoids mentioning the baby — the elephant in the room. "Bodily autonomy" framing ignores that there's another body involved. A firefighter has bodily autonomy but can't drop someone into a fire.

The elephant in the room — ignoring the baby

abortion bodily autonomy pro-choice propaganda
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Scientific consensus: 95% of 5,502 biologists from 1,050 institutions affirm human life begins at fertilization, including pro-choice and atheist biologists. Bernard Nathanson (co-founder of NARAL) confirmed the early embryo is indisputably a human being.

When does human life begin — scientific consensus

Bernard Nathanson NARAL when life begins
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Pro-choice language like "clump of cells," "remove the pregnancy," and "evacuate the uterus" are propagandistic euphemisms designed to avoid acknowledging that a living human being is being killed.

Dehumanizing language in the abortion debate

dehumanization pro-choice propaganda euphemisms
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Fourth artwork shows Valentine candy hearts with pro-choice slogans: "abortion is freedom," "abortion is normal," "shout your abortion." The strategy: repeat loudly and often enough until people believe it.

Propaganda through repetition

pro-choice propaganda Joseph Goebbels
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Terms like "zygote," "fetus," and "embryo" are used to dehumanize the child in the womb, just as dehumanizing labels were used in other human rights atrocities. Mike shares his college experience debating his professor on these terms.

Dehumanization through terminology

dehumanization abortion euphemisms
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Historical parallels: Nazi propaganda dehumanized Jews as "sub-humans" and "rats"; eugenics movement called people "imbeciles"; slavery defenders used intelligence to justify treating people as less than human. Abraham Lincoln's argument against dehumanization applies directly to abortion.

Historical parallels — dehumanization and atrocities

dehumanization slavery human rights
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Every argument for abortion in the womb can equally justify killing a baby five minutes after birth — the baby is just as dependent, just as unaware, just as small. The moral distinction collapses.

No principled distinction between pre- and post-birth

abortion human rights human rights
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

The pro-choice movement needs a victim (the pregnant woman) to distract from the real victim (the baby). This is a propaganda tactic seen in every historical atrocity — the oppressors create an alternative victim narrative.

Propaganda tactic: creating a counter-victim

Isaiah 5:20 Isaiah 5:20 Isaiah 5:20 pro-choice propaganda Isaiah 5:20
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Both pro-life and pro-choice movements believe they hold the moral high ground. The pro-choice movement has inverted morality — helping a woman kill her offspring is seen as a moral good. The conversation breaks down because they're talking past each other.

Inverted morality — both sides think they're right

abortion inverted morality
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Jesus would not support abortion: (1) He affirmed the Old Testament which teaches humans are made in God's image, (2) "You shall not murder" protects innocent human life based on innate human nature, not capability or intelligence.

What would Jesus say about abortion — OT affirmation

imago Dei abortion
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Jesus's death on the cross demonstrates that he values the hopeless, the dregs, the dependent — the very categories used to justify abortion. Jesus would rather die than kill the vulnerable.

The cross as commentary on abortion

abortion Incarnation and atonement
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Even if you're unsure about early-term abortion, the "maybe" should compel you to oppose it — you wouldn't demolish a building that "maybe" has people in it. And if you draw the line anywhere, you should be fighting for that line instead of voting for unrestricted abortion.

The building demolition analogy and fighting for your convictions

abortion Born-Alive Act
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Mike reads his private message to Tatiana Gill — respectful, seeking understanding, asking specific questions. She blocked him within 15 minutes. This reflects the pro-choice movement's tendency to silence opposition rather than engage.

The blocking incident — silencing the opposition

Mark Spence pro-choice propaganda Mark Spence Tatiana Gill
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Q&A: The witness of the Holy Spirit is not primarily an emotion but a witness (like testimony) — the Spirit confirms truths like "I am a child of God" (Romans 8). It can come through Scripture, prayer, or ongoing experience and can be temporarily quenched.

Q&A — witness of the Holy Spirit

Romans 8 Romans 8 witness of the Holy Spirit witness of the Holy Spirit
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 2020-02-19

Q&A: Single-issue (pro-life) voting is legitimate because abortion is a deal-breaker moral issue. Mike would vote for a pro-life candidate with bad economic policies because saving lives outweighs financial pain.

Q&A — single-issue voting on abortion

abortion pro-life single-issue voting
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Q&A: Family members with distorted gospels — separate fellowship/church from family. 1 Peter teaches a wife should stay committed to an unbelieving husband. Family is not the same as church partnership; maintain relationship while not partnering in false ministry.

Q&A — family with distorted beliefs

1 Peter (wives and husbands) 1 Corinthians (church discipline) family vs fellowship 1 Peter (wives and husbands) 1 Corinthians (church discipline)
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Q&A: Rape/incest don't justify abortion. Ezekiel teaches the child won't die for the father's sin. If a one-month-old baby were discovered to be a product of rape and incest, no one would say it's okay to kill it — so what's different about the same baby six months earlier?

Q&A — abortion in cases of rape and incest

Ezekiel (sins of the father) abortion rape and incest Ezekiel (sins of the father)
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Q&A: The abolitionist vs. pro-life division. Mike supports showing graphic abortion images with wisdom. Abortion should be illegal going forward (not retroactively punished), like slavery was abolished without prosecuting former slave owners.

Q&A — abolitionist vs pro-life movement

slavery abortion pro-life
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Q&A: Babies killed through abortion go to heaven — supported by David's words in 2 Samuel 12:23 about his dead child. This doesn't justify killing them, just as Christians going to heaven doesn't justify murdering Christians.

Q&A — souls of aborted babies

2 Samuel 12:23 abortion 2 Samuel 12:23
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Q&A: The pro-life movement doesn't need to provide free healthcare to oppose murder. You don't need to build houses for Holocaust victims to tell Nazis to stop. The pro-life movement does help women through pregnancy and beyond, but that's separate from the moral argument.

Q&A — pro-life movement and healthcare

abortion pro-life human rights
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Q&A: When the mother's life is in danger and both will die, abortion to save the mother is the one exception most pro-lifers accept. Analogous to separating conjoined twins when one is dying — saving one life rather than losing both.

Q&A — life of the mother exception

abortion life of the mother exception