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Mike Winger idea 2020-12-04

The COVID vaccine is not the mark of the beast; Winger would take it, and dismisses mark-of-the-beast vaccine claims as theological irrationality.

Bonus question from Solomon Paparazzi via Sarah Zimmerman: should a Christian take the COVID vaccine?

Revelation 13 Mark of the Beast Revelation 13 Mark of the Beast COVID vaccine
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Lifting holy hands: holiness comes from imputed righteousness, not personal moral purity

Embedded in the Psalm 18 discussion — the worship lyric "I lift up holy hands" was the prompt for the question.

1 Timothy 2:8 imputed righteousness worship holy hands
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

Idolatry ancient and modern: literal idol worship still exists; covetousness is idolatry; some Catholic practices parallel ancient idolatry; smartphone use threatens prayer life.

Al Naps asks about modern-day idolatry and whether excessive Christian YouTube consumption is problematic; also asks if Winger worries about being idolized.

Ephesians 5:5 Colossians 3:5 Roman Catholicism prayer idolatry
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

What is a local church and is planting under an existing church a biblical mandate?

Question from Droopy's Dad about church definition and whether church plants must be authorized by an existing church.

Ecclesiology Church planting Local church
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

Hebrews 10:25 and the obligation to gather: absolute or contextual?

Question from The Invisible Hand about online-only churches during COVID and whether they violate the command not to forsake assembling.

Hebrews 10:25 Hebrews 10:25 Christian conscience Corporate worship / assembly
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Spiritual dryness and keeping God at arm's length: the will precedes the heart; make obedient decisions and let the heart follow over time.

Q9 from Arrivederci: struggling with trusting and wanting Christ — how to stop keeping the Holy Spirit at arm's length?

spiritual disciplines spiritual dryness faith and the will
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Spiritual doubt overcome through volitional trust: Mike's personal testimony of months of intellectual and emotional doubt resolved by choosing to trust God regardless of feelings.

Q17 from Healthy Bleach: feeling cut off from God, wondering if prayer is talking to oneself, if faith is wishful thinking.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Genesis flood narrative Proverbs 3:5-6 perseverance spiritual dryness
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

Are the gods of other religions real? Three views: false polytheism, Heiserian divine council, and Pauline demonic identification

Q6 from Loretta Taylor: Numbers 33:3-4 says Yahweh executed judgments on Egypt's gods — does this mean gods like Allah and Zeus are real?

1 Corinthians 10:19-20 Numbers 33:3-4 Exodus plagues Michael Heiser elohim 1 Corinthians 10:19-20
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Using secular music in worship: not wrong in principle, but wisdom demands sensitivity to the congregation

Q13 from Rohin John: What are your thoughts on using secular music with half secular and half Jesus-focused lyrics as worship?

worship music secular music pastoral wisdom
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Free will does not mean freedom from consequences — the golden calf judgment illustrates this

Q15 from Jill Sworzel-Stix: If God gives us free will to worship him, why did he have Moses command the Levites to kill 3,000 people who chose not to (Exodus 32:28)?

Exodus 32 Moses Aaron covenant
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Passion for God fading: treat it as a red flag, diagnose sin, then take outward spiritual actions to let the heart follow

Q17 from Langille Zandi: How do you counsel someone whose passion for the Lord is dying — not praying, not reading the Bible?

James 4 Revelation 2 (Ephesus) spiritual disciplines James 4 sanctification
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

Putting out a fleece (asking God for a sign) is not inherently wrong but carries dangers of presumption and heart projection.

Question 5 from AZF Stories about whether Christians should ask for signs like Gideon's fleece.

Judges 6 Gideon signs Judges 6
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-12

Q&A: Revelation 21:1-2 and time in heaven. Heaven will involve time — months, sequential experiences — in physical resurrected bodies in the new creation. "Time will be no more" is poetic for everlasting, not literal timelessness.

Q&A — time in heaven (Revelation 21-22)

Revelation 21:1-2 Revelation 22:1-2 new heaven and new earth William Lane Craig physical resurrection
Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

Drew's Question 2: Shouldn't you worship the cruelest God imaginable? If Pascal's wager is about maximizing reward and minimizing punishment, inventing a maximally cruel God improves the wager by creating a true dichotomy.

Presenting Drew's argument — Pascal's wager and cruelest God

false dichotomy Genetically Modified Skeptic Pascals wager
Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

Drew's arbitrary cruel God is defeated by evidence: Christianity has historical verification, prophecy, testimony, and wasn't made up on the spot. A maximally cruel God would send everyone to hell with no heaven, giving no reason to worship. This is the "Pascal's mugger" objection, already addressed in literature.

Response to Q2 — arbitrary claims vs evidenced claims

evidence for God evidence for God Pascals wager
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: What powers do demons have? From Scripture: possession (even multiple demons), controlling actions, causing insanity (Mark 5), influencing thoughts (Satan put it in Judas's heart to betray Jesus — before possession), inspiring false doctrines ("doctrines of demons"), receiving worship through false religions and idol worship.

Q&A — demonic powers and abilities

1 Timothy 4:1 demon possession 1 Timothy 4:1 demonic powers
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

John 3:16: "God so loved the world" means God loved the world IN THIS WAY — by giving his Son. Whoever believes should not perish but have eternal life. Hebrews 4:16: because of Jesus, we can now confidently approach God's throne to receive mercy and grace despite our sin.

God's love and access to grace

John 3:16 Hebrews 4:16 John 3:16 Hebrews 4:16
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-15

Matthew 27:46 ("My God, why have you forsaken me?") — Jesus is quoting Psalm 22, which his Jewish audience would mentally load in full. Psalm 22 describes crucifixion in detail (pierced hands/feet, bones out of joint, garments divided, dehydration), then shifts to RESCUE and resurrection, followed by Gentiles from all nations worshipping God. "Forsaken" = given over to suffering and death, NOT Trinitarian separation. The Father/Son cannot ontologically separate without violating God's nature.

My God why have you forsaken me — Psalm 22

Psalm 22 Psalm 22 Matthew 27:46 Psalm 22 Psalm 22 Matthew 27:46
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-23

Mark 9:38-40: A man casting out demons in Jesus's name but not part of the Twelve. The disciples tried to stop him. Jesus: "Do not hinder him — whoever is not against us is for us." The organic growth of Christianity always outpaces organizational growth. We must resist suspicion toward genuine believers outside our circle/denomination.

Don't hinder outsiders — the church is bigger than your group

Mark 9:38-40 ecumenism ecumenism Mark 9:38-40
Mike Winger idea 2020-06-03

Should new believers read the whole Bible? Yes, eventually. But start with the Gospel of John (written for the purpose of producing faith), then the rest of the NT. Read Psalms and Proverbs for wisdom/worship. Genesis for foundations. Don't start at Genesis 1 and try to plow through — you'll bog down in Leviticus. A reading plan helps maintain consistency.

Bible reading plan for new believers

John 20:31 Gospel of John Gospel of John new believers
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-28

The prayer promise is couched in the destruction-of-temple context because Jesus is inaugurating NEW COVENANT prayer — from temple-mediated access to direct access through Christ. Christians ARE the new temple.

The temple context explains WHY this prayer teaching appears here in Mark

1 Peter 2:5 Ephesians 2:19-22 2 Chronicles 6:24-40 1 Peter 2:5 Ephesians 2:19-22 2 Chronicles 6:24-40
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-12

A consistent OT pattern: it's the LEADERS of Israel who persecute God's messengers (Jezebel vs. Elijah, Saul vs. David, people of Ephraim vs. Gideon, King Jehoiakim vs. Jeremiah). The motive: wanting power, credit, and avoidance of suffering.

OT examples of leadership rejecting prophets and application to modern rejection of the gospel

Jeremiah 7:25-26 leadership accountability Jeremiah 7:25-26 leadership accountability
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-26

Du Toit changes "forgiveness" to "I am-ness" and teaches that the Trinity has four circles (Father, Son, you/me, Holy Spirit). Jesus didn't die to save us from sin but from a wrong mindset. Hell is "just a pathway to heaven."

The Mirror Bible's broader theological distortions

John 17:7 Mirror Bible Mirror Bible François Du Toit
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-11

Sacrificial giving has the highest value to Jesus — the things that cost you the most are worth the most. When you think your service to God is at its lowest value, Jesus may see it at its highest.

The widow's mite principle: sacrifice determines value, not amount

widows mite sacrificial giving widows mite
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-28

Do Angels Sing?: Do angels sing? Or is worshipping via singing something unique to humanity? Thank you so much for your ministry. It really is encouraging for me and my wife. How can we be praying for you and your family?

Q&A question: Do Angels Sing?

marriage worship angels
Mike Winger idea 2021-06-25

Do Jew. & Gent. Christians Worship Together?: I’m an ethnically Jewish Christian and have seen that some believe that Jewish & Gentile Christians worship together, but with different lifestyle callings. This has been stressful. Input?

Q&A question: Do Jew. & Gent. Christians Worship Together?

worship
Mike Winger idea 2021-09-03

Bethel Worship Music?: Can I keep listening to Bethel’s music, given the intent (as far as I understand) to invoke emotional responses? I want to avoid the idol of “emotional highs,” but I still see value in their music.

Q&A question: Bethel Worship Music?

worship Bethel Church
Mike Winger idea 2021-09-10

Responding to Mormon Arguments: What is your best answer to a Mormon responding to "There is only ONE God" by saying "Yes, only one God for US. Only one God we are to worship & that’s OUR Heavenly Father but there are others elsewhere"?

Q&A question: Responding to Mormon Arguments

worship Mormonism
Mike Winger idea 2021-09-10

Is it Biblical? Jesus in our Hearts: Do we have "Jesus in our hearts" as believers? What about worship songs about Jesus in the room? John 16:5-10, Acts 1:9-11 and basically all of Revelation seems to say Jesus is in Heaven for now.

Q&A question: Is it Biblical? Jesus in our Hearts

revelation Acts 1 John 16 Jesus worship revelation
Mike Winger idea 2021-09-24

Should we Worship Using Instruments?: Should we use instruments in congregational church worship? Why or why not? The early church did not use instruments.

Q&A question: Should we Worship Using Instruments?

worship
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-08

Did God Ordain Animal Sacrifices?: Does Jeremiah 7: 22 & Matthew 9: 13 indicate God never ordained animal sacrifices? To me it seems God has gradually moved mankind away from sacrifices & idol worship and into His ideal form of religion.

Q&A question: Did God Ordain Animal Sacrifices?

Jeremiah Matthew Jeremiah worship Matthew
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-22

About Worship Principles: What is difference between the normative and regulative principle of worship? Any useful thoughts to this discussion, what to avoid, what to strive for?

Q&A question: About Worship Principles

worship
Mike Winger idea 2021-11-05

About Questionable Worship Lyrics: I play guitar at my church. I don’t always agree with the theology couched in some songs. I don’t sing lines I don’t agree with, but I am still on stage. Would love to hear your general thoughts on this!

Q&A question: About Questionable Worship Lyrics

worship
Mike Winger idea 2021-12-03

About Lifting Hands in Worship & Others Watching Us: I have trouble lifting my hands during worship songs, though commanded in Psalms. I can’t get over the mental block that I’m trying to look good to people around me. Do I have a weak conscience, or am I disobeying Scripture?

Q&A question: About Lifting Hands in Worship & Others Watching Us

worship
Mike Winger idea 2022-01-21

Should we Worship the Holy Spirit?: Why isn't the Holy Spirit mentioned in any of the instances in Revelation when praise is being given to the Father and the lamb if He is to be worshiped as separate? For example: Revelation 5: 13.

Q&A question: Should we Worship the Holy Spirit?

revelation worship revelation
Mike Winger idea 2022-01-21

Are Some Worship Songs Selfish?: Is it selfish or unbiblical for us to sing the song “How He Loves”? Sometimes I feel it's selfish that we're singing about ourselves when it's supposed to be a worship song. Shouldn't God get the glory?

Q&A question: Are Some Worship Songs Selfish?

worship
Mike Winger idea 2022-01-28

Right and Wrong Public Worship/Prayer: In Matthew 6:5, Jesus says not to pray like people in public who try to get attention. Would that include praying and worshiping in church?

Q&A question: Right and Wrong Public Worship/Prayer

Matthew Matthew 6 Jesus prayer worship
Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

Women Unclean Twice as Long?: In Leviticus 12, women are unclean and excluded from worship in the temple after giving birth. The time is doubled if the baby is a girl, and that has troubled my wife. Do you know the reason for this?

Q&A question: Women Unclean Twice as Long?

marriage worship
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 2022-06-03

How Creative Can Worship Be in Church?: I would like your views on flag waving (as the Lord is my banner), dancing, and body painting as part of “creative worship” in church. When I questioned these things, Zechariah 1: 20-21 was quoted to me. Since creativity is inspired by God, am I being overly cautious and resisting change which is from God?

Q&A question: How Creative Can Worship Be in Church?

Zechariah worship Zechariah
Mike Winger idea 2022-06-24

Is John 1 about the Bible?: What does John 1:1-4 say about the importance of the Bible? Should we worship the Bible? Some say they won't read the Bible, but at the same time say they are Christian.

Q&A question: Is John 1 about the Bible?

John 1 worship John 1
Mike Winger idea 2022-07-29

What is the True Mission of the Church?: What is the mission of the Church? I have recently been told that it is worship and not evangelism. Therefore, we cannot worship fully without a diverse local church. I'm a bit confused!

Q&A question: What is the True Mission of the Church?

worship angels
Mike Winger idea 2022-08-19

Was Early Church Worship the Same?: Do we know if the early Church worshiped in a similar way to how we have corporate worship today?

Q&A question: Was Early Church Worship the Same?

worship
Mike Winger idea 2023-01-13

Yoga Pants & Ripped Jeans?: Ladies on the worship team sometimes wear yoga pants and ripped jeans. I think that goes against the Romans 14 principle of not causing a brother to stumble. What do you think?

Q&A question: Yoga Pants & Ripped Jeans?

Romans 14 worship Romans 14
Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Is there a Proper Format for Church Services?: Is the current way we do church services prescribed in the Bible? Where did this current style of worship come from?

Q&A question: Is there a Proper Format for Church Services?

worship
Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Dancing as a Form of Worship?: Is dancing allowed in church? Can it be considered worship?

Q&A question: Dancing as a Form of Worship?

worship
Mike Winger idea 2023-03-03

Worshiping in Spirit & in Truth: What does it mean to worship God “in Spirit and in truth”?

Q&A question: Worshiping in Spirit & in Truth

worship
Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Is God Egotistical?: Isn’t it egotistical for God to ask us to worship Him?

Q&A question: Is God Egotistical?

worship
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