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All (280) Scripture Commentary (79) Theology (10) Mike Winger (191)

Mike Winger idea 2019-09-04

Rutherford praised the cross before reversing; the 1932 booklet What Is Truth introduced the stake

Rutherford — the same man who would later label the cross a pagan symbol — wrote glowingly of it in Harp of God: "The cross of Christ is the greatest pivotal truth of the divine arrangement from which radiates the hopes of men." The 1932 booklet What Is Truth introduced the torture-stake image.

cross torture stake Joseph Rutherford

Mike Winger idea 2018-09-26

LDS Book of Abraham — Joseph Smith's evolving theology from monotheism toward polytheism

A viewer asks about doing a verse-by-verse study on the LDS Book of Abraham.

Mormonism Joseph Smith Book of Abraham

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

Paul's conversion is credible because it was Apostolically ratified and his gospel was identical to the Twelve's — Joseph Smith fails both tests

Question from Summer Monsoon about apologetics for Paul's conversion vs. Joseph Smith's claimed vision.

Galatians 2 2 Peter 3:16 Galatians 2 Mormonism Joseph Smith

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

The King Follett Sermon reveals Joseph Smith's radically unbiblical theology — God was once a man, humans become gods

Supporting evidence in the Mormonism discussion.

Mormonism Joseph Smith King Follett Discourse

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Proper epistemology: compare the quality of evidence for each religious claim rather than treating all religious claims equally.

Conclusion of the Brian Simmons / apostles comparison section.

Mormonism Joseph Smith Comparative religious epistemology

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Two senses of righteousness: relational/situational versus standing before God

Bella asked how David can claim righteousness in Psalm 18:20-24 when Scripture says no one is righteous.

Psalm 18:20-24 Psalm 51 Romans 3 David justification by faith Abraham

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Religion as social control: a compliment, not a refutation

Summer Monsoon asked how to respond to the claim that religion is just a mechanism for social control and helps people cope with death.

Mormonism Islam resurrection

Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

The claim that Jesus was based on Jesus ben Ananias (from Josephus) is historically untenable given the robust bedrock consensus of historical facts about Jesus.

Q16 from Aaron Rampersad: what do you think about the claim that Jesus Christ was based on Jesus ben Ananias in Josephus's Jewish War?

Josephus apologetics Richard Carrier

Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Mary did not remain a perpetual virgin — Scripture clearly indicates she had other children with Joseph after Jesus

Q11 from Lovisa Bengtsen: Did Mary remain a virgin? Were the brothers of Jesus actually cousins? If she had other sons, why did John need to care for her?

James (brother of Jesus) John the Apostle John 19:26-27 James (brother of Jesus) John the Apostle brothers of Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

Kalam as a bridge to Christianity; deism rebutted; Mormonism incompatible

Wrapping up the Kalam answer, addressing deism and Mormonism.

Mormonism Joseph Smith Kalam Cosmological Argument

Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

Joseph Smith was a demonstrably false prophet; modern Mormonism is a victim of his fraud.

Question 19 from Evelyn Ellsworth (a Latter-day Saint) about the priesthood of all believers and Mike's denial of fellowship to Mormons.

1 Peter Genesis 50 priesthood of all believers Mormonism 1 Peter

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

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 2020-05-06

The actual historical evidence for specific apostolic martyrdoms: strong for Peter, Paul, James son of Zebedee, James brother of Jesus (early, multiple sources). Possible for Thomas (some 2nd century evidence). For the rest (Bartholomew, Matthew, Matthias etc.) — 3rd-5th century accounts that are contradictory and likely fictional. McDowell and Moss agree on the later accounts being unreliable.

Evidence tiers for apostolic martyrdoms

James brother of Jesus James son of Zebedee James brother of Jesus Sean McDowell James son of Zebedee

Mike Winger idea 2020-05-21

Geographic knowledge in the gospels: the four gospel writers demonstrate detailed knowledge of Palestinian geography — small villages (Bethany, Bethphage, Chorazin), sub-village locations (Garden of Gethsemane = "oil press" on the Mount of Olives), topography ("went DOWN from Jerusalem to Jericho" — correct elevation change), and traveling times. This knowledge couldn't come from other ancient sources (Strabo, Pliny, Josephus don't have this level of detail). Only two explanations: the writers visited or spoke with eyewitnesses.

Geographic evidence — local knowledge test

gospel reliability geographic evidence Palestinian geography

Mike Winger idea 2020-05-21

Names in the gospels match the known name distribution of 1st-century Palestine (research by Tal Ilan, Richard Bauckham). The most common names (Simon, Joseph, Mary) are disambiguated with extra identifiers (Simon Peter, Simon of Cyrene, Simon the Zealot) while less common names (Thomas, Thaddeus) stand alone — exactly as you'd expect from authentic records. Names are the first thing lost in retelling; getting them right indicates early, close-to-source transmission.

Onomastic (name) evidence — statistical match

Richard Bauckham Tal Ilan gospel reliability

Mike Winger idea 2020-08-31

Psalm 118 is the key text the crowd quotes — it prophesies the rejected cornerstone (Messiah rejected by Israel's leaders) whom God establishes anyway. Jesus quotes it about himself in Mark 12.

Detailed exposition of Psalm 118 and its messianic significance

Acts 7 Psalm 118 Psalm 118:22 typology typology Acts 7

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-19

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).

Analysis of the trap question setup in Mark 12:13-16

Mark 12:13-17 Acts 5:37 Proverbs 29:5 Josephus Josephus Sanhedrin

Mike Winger idea 2020-11-16

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

John Dominic Crossan Alisa Childers Josephus Josephus

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-08

Is there a Contradiction?: In Matthew 2: 19-22, was Joseph’s second dream (vs. 22) from God? God says all who mean to kill you are dead, but God warns him again. Some translations of vs. 22 leave out “God.” Is this a contradiction?

Q&A question: Is there a Contradiction?

Matthew 2 Matthew Joseph Matthew 2 Matthew

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

About False Prophets: How should we interpret Deuteronomy 13:6-9? Part of chapter is often used on Mormons for Joseph Smith being a false prophet...but if rejecting a false prophet is required, would it follow that this is required, too? This chapter - all or nothing?

Q&A question: About False Prophets

Joseph Joseph Smith prophecy

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-11

Comparing Paul & Joseph Smith: Compared with Paul, is Joseph Smith such a novelty? E.g., they both had a vision of Jesus only they reported on, introduced new teachings, weren’t prophesied of by Jesus, and were martyred as result of ministry.

Q&A question: Comparing Paul & Joseph Smith

Joseph Joseph Smith Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-11

Reconciling the Accounts of Jesus’ Birth: How can the accounts of Jesus' birth in Matthew and Luke be reconciled when Josephus says that Quirinius didn't become governor until after the banishment of Archelaus?

Q&A question: Reconciling the Accounts of Jesus’ Birth

Matthew Joseph Josephus Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-21

Did Joseph Fail to “Test the Spirits”?: 1 John 4 says to “test the spirits.” But Mary's husband, Joseph, didn't appear to do this when he had the dream to flee to Egypt. How should we understand or interpret this?

Q&A question: Did Joseph Fail to “Test the Spirits”?

1 John 4 Joseph marriage 1 John 4

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-29

Is God Deterministic?: If Jesus in the Old Testament was intentional by God, does that mean that God is sometimes deterministic? For example, did God orchestrate Joseph’s life?

Q&A question: Is God Deterministic?

Joseph Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-05

Does God still Speak through Dreams?: Does God still communicate through dreams? Is there any New Testament examples of God doing so, apart from Mary and Joseph?

Q&A question: Does God still Speak through Dreams?

Joseph

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-12

Joseph in Jesus’ Lineage?: Any idea why Matthew and Luke list Joseph’s genealogy when he’s not Jesus’ birth father? Does that mean Jesus’ lineage isn’t what it needs to be to fulfill prophecy?

Q&A question: Joseph in Jesus’ Lineage?

Matthew Joseph Jesus prophecy

Mike Winger idea 2025-02-14

Jonah: Failed Prophecies?: I recently had a Mormon claim it’s OK that Joseph Smith had failed prophecies because Jonah also did. He claimed Deuteronomy 18: 22 didn’t apply to either of them. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Jonah: Failed Prophecies?

Deuteronomy 18 Jonah Joseph Deuteronomy 18 Joseph Smith

Mike Winger idea 2026-01-02

Does God Use our Sin?: Do you believe that God uses the consequences/results of a sin for His own purposes, like a one night stand resulting in a child? A reference could be Joseph and his brothers.

Q&A question: Does God Use our Sin?