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Mark 12:18-27 Mark series Rob Bell Brian Zahnd progressive Christianity

Progressive Christians are the modern counterpart of the Sadducees — not atheists, but religious liberals who call themselves Christians while rejecting resurrection, judgment, hell, the supernatural, and biblical authority.

Introduction to Mark Series pt 48 on the Sadducees and progressive Christianity

John Dominic Crossan Alisa Childers Josephus Josephus

The Sadducees: no resurrection, no judgment, no afterlife, no angels/spirits; aristocratic minority of educated elites; publicly pretended to be faithful Jews while privately rejecting core beliefs. Modern progressives follow the exact same pattern.

Detailed profile of the Sadducees and their modern parallels

Rob Bell Barack Obama progressive Christianity

Using Scripture against Scripture is the Sadducee/progressive playbook: Obama used the Sermon on the Mount to dismiss Romans on same-sex marriage; Rob Bell used "God is love" to dismiss hell. The only safe position is believing ALL of Scripture.

The progressive pattern of pitting Scripture against Scripture

Roman Catholicism sola scriptura resurrection

Jesus agreed with the Pharisees on 4 points (supernatural worldview, resurrection, Scripture authority, messianic focus of OT) but disagreed on 3 (traditions as doctrine, authority claims, works-righteousness). Jesus agreed with the Sadducees on NOTHING.

Summary: Jesus vs. Pharisees vs. Sadducees mapped to modern groups

Mike Winger idea 2021-06-25

About Witnessing and Exemplifying Christ: My husband isn’t open to hearing me speak truth, so I have stopped correcting him. Is this a sin?? If he dies, he will go to hell.

Q&A question: About Witnessing and Exemplifying Christ

marriage hell

Mike Winger idea 2021-07-30

Is it Fair that Some People are Born in Unbelieving Areas?: How is it just that because a person is born in a specific region in the world, that they are more likely to follow the traditions and religion they are raised in and end up going to hell?

Q&A question: Is it Fair that Some People are Born in Unbelieving Areas?

Mike Winger idea 2021-05-07

Sharing the Gospel/Unsaved Loved Ones: How do you share the Gospel to people with unsaved loved ones who have already passed? (Accepting it to be true would mean accepting that their loved ones are in hell.)

Q&A question: Sharing the Gospel/Unsaved Loved Ones

Mike Winger idea 2021-07-02

{About Jesus Descending to Hell” If someone believes Jesus had to suffer in Hell for three days after the crucifixion, could they truly be saved? Don't we need to believe it was all accomplished on the cross?

Q&A question

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-27

Why Didn’t Jesus Mention Paul?: Hello, I am a Christian, and it's been important to me to understand why the Lord Jesus didn't mention to the apostles or anyone that Paul would be coming to enlighten the Way for His Church. This question hasn't been addressed in any of the studies I've researched, nor by any of the pastors I listen to. But isn't this question a most serious matter, since Paul wrote the majority of our New Testament?

Q&A question: Why Didn’t Jesus Mention Paul?

Jesus pastoral ministry Apostles

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-27

Did Anyone in “The Flood” Go to Heaven?: Do you think any of the people that died in the flood (above the age of accountability) may have been saved or will not go to Hell?

Q&A question: Did Anyone in “The Flood” Go to Heaven?

Mike Winger idea 2021-09-24

Where did Lazarus Temporarily Go?: Where were people who died and later got resurrected located in that period? Do they go to Heaven or Hell and get snatched back to Earth after they’re resurrected (e.g., Lazarus, Dorcas, Eutychus etc.)?

Q&A question: Where did Lazarus Temporarily Go?

Lazarus hell

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-22

About the “Wages of Sin”: If “the wages of sin is death,” why is there a Hell? When a non-believer dies, why wasn't that debt paid by their death?

Q&A question: About the “Wages of Sin”

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-29

Why does God Allow More Wicked Generations?: Why does God allow wicked people to persist and bring forth more generations that will mostly go to Hell, instead of bringing judgment on them and erasing their culture as soon as they go astray?

Q&A question: Why does God Allow More Wicked Generations?

Persis hell

Mike Winger idea 2021-11-12

Can People be Tricked into Hell?: Can people be tricked into Hell, such as people born into false religions or North Korea? If so, how is that fair?

Q&A question: Can People be Tricked into Hell?

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-28

Is Sheol/Hades the Same as Hell?: Are the biblical references to Sheol/Hades necessarily Hell? Some Christian traditions have it as the underworld, with Hell only being something after the resurrection.

Q&A question: Is Sheol/Hades the Same as Hell?

resurrection hell

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-04

When You’re Far from God: My heart is hardened, I’m backslidden, a carnal Christian…whatever you want to call it. I am so far from God right now. I want to love Him, but I don’t. I’m afraid of Hell. What can I do to heal?

Q&A question: When You’re Far from God

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-04

Where was Jesus After the Cross?: In a previous Mark series video, you mentioned that you don't believe Jesus descended into Hell after dying on the cross. If He didn't descend into hell, where did He go and what did He do?

Q&A question: Where was Jesus After the Cross?

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-11

Will We Have Memories in Heaven?: I recently heard people at my church say that when we get to Heaven our memories will essentially be wiped, and we won’t have any knowledge of our friends/family who are in Hell. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Will We Have Memories in Heaven?

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 2022-04-01

Understanding Jesus’ Atonement: Is it more accurate to say that Jesus' death was sufficient for all rather than that He paid for all? Otherwise, wouldn't there be people in Hell right now for sins that Jesus already paid for?

Q&A question: Understanding Jesus’ Atonement

Jesus atonement hell

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-06

Struggling with Repeated Sin: There are sins listed in 1 Corinthians 6 that seem to send people to Hell. I struggle often with gluttony and anger. I repent, but I fall back into it often. What’s the difference?

Q&A question: Struggling with Repeated Sin

1 Corinthians 6 1 Corinthians 6 hell

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-13

Can God Give Commands when He Forced us to Exist?: Is it fair for God to demand our everything when we are forced to exist? I know Christ died for us, but it seems unfair to go through such suffering and sacrifice to receive salvation and avoid Hell.

Q&A question: Can God Give Commands when He Forced us to Exist?

salvation suffering hell

Mike Winger idea 2022-06-17

Anxiety about Hell: I've become anxious about the thought of eternal torment in Hell. If that's the punishment for our sins, wouldn't it have been best for unbelievers never to be born?

Q&A question: Anxiety about Hell

Mike Winger idea 2022-06-24

Loving God vs. Fearing Punishment: I find that I fear Hell rather than love God. Prayer and Bible reading feel like selfishly avoiding Hell more than devotedly pursuing God. How do I stop my fear from getting in the way of my relationship with God?

Q&A question: Loving God vs. Fearing Punishment

prayer hell

Mike Winger idea 2022-07-15

Is Fear of Hell a Valid Motivator?: Would a death bed conversion work if the main driving factor is the fear of Hell rather than choosing to trust God?

Q&A question: Is Fear of Hell a Valid Motivator?

Mike Winger idea 2022-07-15

Is Anyone Presently in Hell?: Is Hell something that is taking place right now, or is that a future reality after the final judgment (Luke 16: 19-31)?

Q&A question: Is Anyone Presently in Hell?

Luke 16 Luke 16 hell

Mike Winger idea 2022-08-13

Will Sin Send Some Believers to Hell?: Is Matthew 5: 30 referring to believers? How do we reconcile this with "There is no condemnation in Christ"?

Q&A question: Will Sin Send Some Believers to Hell?

Matthew 5 Matthew Matthew 5 Matthew hell

Mike Winger idea 2023-01-13

Is Hell a Present or Future Place?: What is the best defense or response when defending the position that Hell is not a present place, but instead, a future place?

Q&A question: Is Hell a Present or Future Place?

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Infinite Punishment for Finite Crimes?: Why does God give infinite punishment for finite crimes? Even from a biblical point of view, not every crime is prescribed the same punishment. So why, then, can a person never serve the entirety of their punishment in Hell?

Q&A question: Infinite Punishment for Finite Crimes?

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-07

Hellfire & Brimstone Preaching: What are your thoughts on the "Hellfire and Brimstone" style of preaching? Is there any truth in it?

Q&A question: Hellfire & Brimstone Preaching

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-07

Are David & Solomon in Hell?: I’ve always wondered why David and Solomon get a pass. David had 7 wives and 70 concubines. Solomon had 70 wives and 700 concubines. If "no fornicators will enter," are David and Solomon in Hell?

Q&A question: Are David & Solomon in Hell?

David Solomon hell

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-01

They’re Not Worried about Eternity!: What advice do you have for witnessing to someone who doesn’t care about what happens after they die? I have a friend who is content with betting their eternity on Hell if they are wrong.

Q&A question: They’re Not Worried about Eternity!

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-29

The Heartache of an Unbelieving Family: I'm the only Christian in my whole biological family. How do I not despair at the fact that they're all headed to Hell as it stands? It’s leading me to doubt the goodness of God.

Q&A question: The Heartache of an Unbelieving Family

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-17

The Unrighteous Entering the Millennium?: In the Premillennial view, who are the unrighteous (not saved) that enter into the Millennium? During the sheep/goats judgment, it seems like all the goats get sent to their eternity in Hell.

Q&A question: The Unrighteous Entering the Millennium?

millennium hell

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-07

Salvation before the Reformation: Were people saved before the Reformation? It is hard to believe everyone went to Hell during that time, so I've heard people use this to argue in favor of Catholicism. Is this a valid argument?

Q&A question: Salvation before the Reformation

Roman Catholicism salvation hell

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-21

Is Hell Just the Absence of God?: Is it accurate when people say, "Hell is simply the absence of God"? For Example, Jesus is the water of life so there's no water in Hell, or we rest in Christ so there's no rest in Hell.

Q&A question: Is Hell Just the Absence of God?

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-12

Would a Good God make a Terrible Hell?: When Jesus said that for the person who would betray Him it would be better not to be born, I assume Hell is worse than non-existence. How does this match with a good God?

Q&A question: Would a Good God make a Terrible Hell?

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-12

Unrepentant Heart – Still Saved by Faith?: If I believe in my heart that Jesus rose from the dead and trust in Him alone for salvation, why would God then send me to Hell for being actively gay? Am I not saved by my faith instead of my works?

Q&A question: Unrepentant Heart – Still Saved by Faith?

Jesus salvation homosexuality

Luke 16 Lazarus Luke 16 hell

What is Hades Like?: Looking at Luke 16: 19-31 (Rich Man and Lazarus), what does this parable teach us about the afterlife, and how literally should the depiction in that passage of Heaven and Hell be taken?

Q&A question: What is Hades Like?

Making Decisions “From Faith”: Is there a difference between indecisiveness and doing things “not from faith” (Romans 14: 23)? I struggle to make decisions and feel guilty about doing things without being 100% sure it’s God’s will.

Q&A question: Making Decisions “From Faith”

Romans 14 Romans 14

The Great Wealth Transfer: What is your opinion on the movement of "The Great Wealth Transfer" that prosperity preachers teach, where believers obtain unbelievers’ land and wealth?

Q&A question: The Great Wealth Transfer

evangelism

Difficult OT Passages: Nahum 3:5-6 is hard for me to reconcile with our holy and loving God. Can you help me understand this?

Q&A question: Difficult OT Passages

Nahum Nahum

Praying Biblically in Dire Situations: Is it a lack of faith in me to not pray for a miraculous healing for a fatal diagnosis in my baby I’m carrying, and instead be praying primarily for strength, comfort, and peace?

Q&A question: Praying Biblically in Dire Situations

healing

Matthew 24 Matthew Jesus Matthew 24 Matthew

Does Jesus NOW Know?: Did Jesus’ limits He placed on Himself while on Earth disappear once He resurrected/exalted to Heaven (Matthew 24: 36, No one knows the day or the hour except the Father)? Could Jesus know now?

Q&A question: Does Jesus NOW Know?

Should Morality be Legislated?: How do I respond to a Christian who thinks things (like abortion and transgenderism) are wrong but that they shouldn’t vote to have the government legislate against it to restrain/correct non-Christians (forcing it on them)?

Q&A question: Should Morality be Legislated?

abortion

Avoiding the “Barn Building” Attitude: I feel the need/desire to make good money - that it's necessary to feel secure, to be a provider, and yes - to have some nice things (a house, vacations, etc.). Am I the Luke 12 barn builder?

Q&A question: Avoiding the “Barn Building” Attitude

Spiritual Significance of The Election?: What do you think of invoking biblical figures like David, Cyrus, and Jehu when talking about President-elect Trump? Does his election have spiritual significance?

Q&A question: Spiritual Significance of The Election?

David