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Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

The NT reliably narrates events where Jesus was alone — he could have told disciples, and Holy Spirit aided gospel authors

Q19 from Stephen Richeson: How do we know the NT is reliable for events where Jesus was alone, such as the temptation in the wilderness or Gethsemane?

The NT reliably narrates events where Jesus was alone — he could have told disciples, and Holy Spirit aided gospel authors

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

God chose to redeem through the cross to display his love, patience, righteousness, and desire for relationship simultaneously.

The OT has precedent for quarantine: Levitical laws kept contagious people away from gatherings. James 5:14 assumes sick people DON'T come to church — elders go to THEM. There is no biblical command requiring church gatherings during plague conditions.

Faith for miracles is different from saving faith — it's initiated by God (a spiritual gift), not fabricated by the believer. Jesus had a responsive ministry to the Father, not initiatory. You respond to what the Spirit reveals.

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 trap: Pharisees and Herodians (sent by the Sanhedrin) use flattery to pressure Jesus into a direct yes/no answer. They want either criminal charges (sedition) or depopularization (alienating zealot followers).

Faith vs. Works Contradiction?: I’m confused on two verses, Romans 4:3 and James 2: 21. I don’t believe the Bible has any contradictions, can you please clear up my confusion on this?

“Free Grace” Theology, Faith, & Works: Free grace theology says that "save" in James 2: 14 means from physical death or harm. All uses of the word “save” in James 2: 14 are in the context of physical harm, so why is this different for you in 2: 14?

About the Textus Receptus: In one of your videos you said how the Textus Receptus came from the King James and not the other way around, I haven’t been able to find info on that and was hoping you could clarify.

About the Perpetual Virginity of Mary: What are your thoughts on the Protoevangelium of James? Does it support the perpetual virginity of Mary?

Should we Always Say “God Willing”?: What does James 4: 13 mean? Should we always say “God willing” when making or talking about our plans?

Does James Teach Guaranteed Healing?: Does James 5: 14-15 say that a sick person should ask elders to pray for him and he will be always healed? The text seems to be quite straight forward on this.

About Praying for the Sick: How should James 5: 13-16 be interpreted in the light of praying for the sick to be healed, especially in church? I’ve seen people praying for others expecting them to be healed immediately.

About “Not Boasting of Tomorrow”: In James 4: 13-17, The conclusion (v. 17) seems unrelated to vv. 13-16. I don’t see how it relates specifically to not boasting of tomorrow. Is it just a general statement that could be said after any command?

About Following our Conscience: I Grew up in a KJVO (King James Version Only) Independent Fundamental Baptist church. I have thought about reading the NKJV, but my conscience feels like this is wrong. Does Romans 14 mean I must defer to my conscience in this situation?

Does God Tempt?: God tests/tempts Israel and Abraham. But James says God doesn't test/tempt. How can we make sense of this?

How Could Jesus Have Been Tempted?: How can we reconcile James 1 which says God cannot be tempted with evil with the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4?

The Book of James vs. Jacob: I was looking at the Greek in James' epistle (1:1) and his name in the Greek is Iakobos. Why do we call it "the Book of James" if the Greek more closely resembles Jacob (Iakobos)?

Is Doubting OK?: I love Mark 9: 24 - “I believe, help my unbelief.” But how do we understand that along with James 1:6-8 which says to ask in faith with no doubting, as the one who doubts will not receive anything from the Lord?

How Do We Find Joy in Our Trials?: In James 1, how do we count our trials as joy?

Counting our Trials as Joy: How are we to “count it all joy” when we face trials and temptations, as James chapter 1 says?

Are Healings being Hindered Today?: What does James 5: 13-15 look like today? Are we missing something today that is hindering more healings from the Holy Spirit?

Is Everyone Called to Street-Preaching?: Do you think the warning in James 3:1 has implications for evangelism? I think all Christians should be ready to share their testimony when asked (1 Peter 3: 15), but not all should street preach.

About OT Quotes in the NT: How should we understand inerrancy for New Testament passages that appear to quote the Old Testament, but no clear reference can be found? (e.g., James 4:5, Matthew 2: 23).

Mixed Messages in Scripture?: I lost my faith due to all the mixed messages in the Bible. For example, is salvation by faith alone like John 5: 24, or faith plus works like James 2? Why doesn’t this cause you to doubt?

Are Sinful Desires Sinful?: James 1: 15 speaks about your desire giving birth to sin, but if you have an evil desire, isn’t that already sin?

Spiritual Power?: How can I argue biblically against the idea that we gain personal power/status in the spiritual realm by being full of the Spirit, and how does this relate to abiding in Christ & James 5-16?

Is Marriage an Oath?: James 5: 12 says not to make oaths, but isn’t getting married making an oath?

Garden of Gethsemane: What is The Cup?: In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays for the Father to let the cup pass from Him. I've understood the cup to be God's wrath, but Jesus says a few chapters later that James & John will drink it, too.

Permissible Doubts vs. Double-mindedness: Can you explain the difference between the man in Mark 9: 24 and the double-minded man talked about in James 1:5-8? I find myself relating to the former a lot, but I also fear being double-minded.

Biblical Recipe for Anointing Oil?: The book of James tells us that if any are sick they should call for the elders and get anointed. Shouldn’t we be using the anointing oil recipe in Exodus 30: 23-25 instead of just olive oil like most people use?

“Not Many…” So Should I?: How does someone answer the call to be a teacher or a pastor if they feel called but is concerned about the warning in James that not many should become teachers?

Sin Struggles = Double Minded?: What's the difference between being a double-minded man (James 1:8) and being a sincere Christian struggling with sin and the flesh's love for sinful things (Romans 7: 14-25)? Can you draw a distinction?

James: Works Based Salvation?: In Galatians, Paul says Jews from the sect of James were Judaizers. If the book of James was written before the Acts 15 council, do you think James in his book taught a works-based salvation?

James Talarico & the Gospel of Thomas: Can you offer your thoughts on James Talarico and his teaching relating to the Gospel of Thomas?

Converting from Judaism: I’m a 19 year old Jewish believer. I want to get baptized and go to church, but my rabbinic/secular family is against it and some don’t know about my faith yet. How can I wisely share my faith without messing up?

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