Filter results by source database — Scripture Commentary, Theology, Mike Winger, or Pulpit. Click a tab to narrow to one database.

...more
All (4093) Mike Winger (4093)
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Ephesians 1:13 — the sealing of the Spirit as the New Testament's distinctive: permanent relational indwelling as guarantee of inheritance.

Scriptural basis for the New Testament indwelling distinction.

Romans 8 Ephesians 1:13 Abba Father Romans 8 Pentecost
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

The "upon" experience continues in the New Testament alongside indwelling: Acts 4 prayer for boldness as a second coming of the Spirit upon believers already indwelt.

Reconciling Old Testament "upon" empowerment with New Testament reality.

Acts 4 Acts 4 Holy Spirit empowerment Holy Spirit filling
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Kenneth Hagin and Word of Faith: extra-biblical systematizing of healing and glory produces a "cartoon image" of Christianity.

Question from Jordan Filler about Kenneth Hagin's "The Authority of the Believer."

Kenneth Copeland Kenneth Hagin Word of Faith movement
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Are angels immortal? Tentative view: angels appear to be immortal but the debate involves what state they are in rather than whether they cease to exist.

Question from Ricardo Sierra about whether angels are immortal and whether demons could defeat them.

Psalm 82 Psalm 82 Angels Angelology
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

The Messianic Secret in the Gospels: Jesus's commands to silence were temporary, strategic, and progressively lifted as the crucifixion approached.

Question from Justin Harcharik about why Jesus told people not to speak about him (Matthew 8:4; 9:30; 12:16).

Matthew 8:4 Matthew 9:30 Matthew 12:16 Bartimaeus Triumphal Entry Messianic Secret
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

The blindness of Israel as a theological theme: Israel had the Messiah in their midst and did not recognize him.

Additional layer of meaning in the Messianic Secret passages.

Christology Messianic Secret Israel's blindness
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Satan's rebellion and God's will: God wills that creatures have genuine free will, which entails the possibility of rebellion.

Question from Casey Mills about whether Satan's rebellion was God's will if God's will is always done in heaven.

Isaiah 14 Free will Isaiah 14 Satan's rebellion
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Divine discipline in Hebrews 12: suffering is God's loving discipline and can be broad — including consequences of sin or trials for character formation.

Question from Jacob Duncan about how God disciplines believers per Hebrews 12.

1 Peter Hebrews 12:3-6 Proverbs on discipline 1 Peter Hebrews 12:3-6 Divine discipline
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Matthew 13:44-46 (Pearl of Great Price / Treasure in the Field): interpretation debate — is the person Jesus or the believer? Mike leans toward Jesus as the buyer.

Question from C. Bates about Matthew 13:44-45.

Hebrews 12:2 Matthew 13:44 Matthew 13:45-46 Atonement Hebrews 12:2 Matthew 13:44
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

American Gospel 2 — mixed review: strong on exposing progressive Christianity, but overstates Calvinism as the solution and was harder to follow structurally.

Question from Derek Beeler about the final 10 minutes of American Gospel 2 and the claim that God's purpose is solely his own glory with humans as incidental.

Calvinism God's glory American Gospel (film)
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Adam and Eve as historical people: consistency as a Christian requires affirming their historicity, but salvation does not depend on this doctrine.

Question from Loretta Taylor about whether Christian faith requires Adam and Eve to be literal historical people.

Genesis Romans 5 Genesis Romans 5 Adam and Eve
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Books on courting and marriage: tentative recommendation of "Love and Respect" based on its grounding in biblical commands to husbands and wives.

Question from Nathaniel about books for those preparing for marriage.

Ephesians 5 Ephesians 5 Love and Respect (book) Marriage theology
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

The gods of Egypt in Exodus 12:12: the plagues systematically judge the deified forces Egypt worshipped, demonstrating Israel's God controls all creation.

Question from Essoptron about the identity of the "gods of Egypt" in Exodus 12:12.

Exodus 12:12 Exodus 12:12 Ten Plagues of Egypt Egyptian gods
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Advice to someone whose church is becoming hyper-charismatic: leave, if you must, without bitterness, motivated only by principle and love.

Question from Jay Parker about whether to leave a church moving toward hyper-charismaticism after elders dismissed critique of the Passion Translation as nitpicking.

Galatians 5 Galatians 5 Passion Translation Hyper-charismatic movement
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Church discipline for a professed believer in a gay marriage: the local body should practice separation/excommunication; individual relationship may continue with pastoral intent.

Question from JTro Man about what biblical separation looks like with a professed believer in a gay marriage.

1 Corinthians 5 1 Corinthians 5 Lifestyle sin Church discipline
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Opening announcement about Ravi Zacharias scandal — video promises a detailed Monday response

Mike opens the Q&A livestream by noting he woke up at 4:20 AM thinking about the Ravi Zacharias report. He announces a dedicated video on Monday at 1 PM to address the scandal in depth.

Ravi Zacharias Christian celebrity scandal wolves among sheep
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q1: Why does Revelation not mention the destruction of Jerusalem if written around 70 AD?

Viewer Doug Bush asks why John would ignore such a major prophetic fulfillment as the destruction of Jerusalem if Revelation was written around 70 AD, as preterists claim.

Revelation Revelation dating eschatology Revelation preterism
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

John wrote Revelation as a vision, not personal reflection — explains silence on Temple destruction; late dating supported by majority of scholars

Mike responds to why Revelation does not mention the Temple destruction.

Revelation Revelation dating John the Apostle Revelation burden of proof preterism
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q2: Do we have free will? Mike asserts strong yes — biblically, intuitively, and philosophically supported

Viewer Lace Buck Corny asks about free will, sovereignty, and whether punishment is just if we lack free will.

James 1 Genesis 4 James 1 Calvinism free will
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Free will is biblically assumed throughout Scripture — humans are treated as responsible agents making real choices

Continuing the free will answer, Mike argues that the assumption of free choice and moral responsibility permeates the entire biblical narrative.

atheism free will moral responsibility
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Free will and divine sovereignty are compatible — sovereignty means ultimate control, not micromanagement of every choice

Mike addresses how free will coexists with divine sovereignty.

free will divine sovereignty compatibilism
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Without free will, punishment is morally problematic but stopping evil agents still makes sense

Mike addresses the hypothetical: if no free will, is punishment just?

free will moral responsibility divine judgment
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q3: Is it wrong for a Christian to enjoy New Age music? Genre itself is not inherently sinful; lyrics and spiritual content matter

Viewer Linda Caswell asks whether listening to relaxing New Age piano music is wrong for a conservative Christian.

Christian liberty music and spirituality entertainment culture
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q4: Christian advice on overcoming the fear of death — Hebrews 2:15 says Jesus came to deliver us from that bondage

Viewer Letty Fernet asks for Christian counsel on anxiety about death.

Hebrews 2:15 Christian hope fear of death Hebrews 2:15
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Belief in Christ's resurrection transforms the believer's relationship to death — to die is to pass into God's presence

Mike continues his counsel on fear of death, drawing on the resurrection and Paul's teaching.

2 Corinthians 5:8 John 11 Paul the Apostle resurrection 2 Corinthians 5:8
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

1 John 4:18 — perfect love casts out fear; fear of punishment stems from insufficient awareness of God's love

Mike addresses the secondary fear connected to death — fear of divine judgment and punishment.

1 John 4:18 assurance of salvation God's love fear of judgment
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

1 John 3:20-21 — God is greater than our condemning heart; confidence before God is the mature Christian posture

Mike continues the fear-of-death answer, noting many Christians are condemned not by actual rebellion but by vague fear.

1 John 3:20-21 assurance of salvation fear of judgment 1 John 3:20-21
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q5: How to view false Trump prophecies — identified as wrong, traced to pride, competitive prophetic culture, and spiritual dysfunction

Viewer Crystal Peck asks about Christians who falsely prophesied Trump's 2020 electoral victory.

testing prophecy charismatic movement false prophecy
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Christians must stop following those who prophesied falsely about 2020; those prophets should repent and abandon their prophetic status

Mike gives practical counsel on what to do in response to the false prophecies.

sola scriptura repentance false prophecy
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q6: In a futurist view, which country best represents Babylon? Possibly Rome, a future world government, or Iraq

Viewer Randy Loxley asks Mike's thoughts on a modern-day Babylon in futurist eschatology.

Revelation eschatology Revelation futurism
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q7: Advice for a young adult starting a theology ministry platform without formal training

Viewer Nathan Johnson asks how to start a ministry platform similar to Mike's without seminary training.

intellectual humility ministry platform theological training
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q9: Why did Paul permit Timothy to drink wine (1 Tim 5:23) if Timothy was under a Nazirite vow? Mike doubts Timothy was under such a vow

Viewer 'Christian Metal Head' asks about the apparent tension between Paul's instruction to drink wine and the Nazirite vow restrictions.

1 Timothy 5:23 Numbers 6:1-4 Timothy Samson Christian liberty
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Drinking alcohol is not inherently sinful; drunkenness is sinful — attempts to argue 1 Tim 5:23 wine is non-alcoholic are dismissed

Mike closes the wine/vow question by addressing broader debates about alcohol in Christianity.

1 Timothy 5:23 Christian liberty drunkenness 1 Timothy 5:23
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q10: Galatians 4:27 — who is 'the desolate one'? Mike leans toward not forcing the Hagar/Sarah identification; Paul draws on Isaiah 54:1

Viewer Zoe Abundant asks whether the 'desolate one' in Galatians 4:27 refers to Sarah or Hagar.

Galatians 4:21-27 Isaiah 54:1 typology Paul the Apostle New Jerusalem
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q12: Are big-name Calvinists arrogant and unloving? Mike pushes back on the generalization while acknowledging a real temptation within Calvinism

Viewer Steve Carruthers claims big-name Calvinists in general are arrogant and unloving and asks if this disqualifies them.

John Piper John Piper ad hominem Calvinism
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q13: Should I stop using an isogetical devotional that groups unrelated passages under a common daily theme?

Viewer Justin asks whether to stop using a one-year Bible plan that groups OT, NT, Psalms, and Proverbs daily under one artificial unifying theme.

hermeneutics contextual interpretation isogesis
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q14: Is the authority Jesus gave the 12 and 70 disciples different from spiritual gifts? Mike distinguishes pre-Pentecost authority from post-Pentecost Spirit-enabled gifts

Viewer Silas Bourner asks whether the authority Jesus granted the Twelve and Seventy to heal and cast out demons is different from spiritual gifts.

1 Corinthians 12 Luke 10 Pentecost spiritual gifts charismatic movement
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q15: Matthew 11:22-24 — If Sodom would have repented at Jesus's miracles, why didn't Jesus go to Sodom? Christians need not have an answer to every question

Viewer Lawrence H asks why Jesus did not perform miracles in Sodom to prevent its destruction, given Jesus's statement in Matthew 11.

Matthew 11:22-24 apologetics divine judgment Sodom and Gomorrah
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

God's timing for the Incarnation was strategically optimal — Jesus came when manuscript distribution, roads, and population growth maximized gospel spread

Mike continues the Matthew 11 answer by addressing why Jesus did not go to Sodom in the past.

Matthew 11:22-24 manuscript evidence apologetics Providence
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q16: Is consulting and making decisions cooperatively with your wife permissible? Absolutely yes — the husband's headship is not about excluding his wife's input

Viewer Joel Parks asks whether Mike's past characterization of 'knucklehead' husbands means cooperative decision-making with a wife is wrong.

complementarianism headship marriage
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q18: Can Christians feel God's presence, or is it just emotion responding to truth? Both are possible — Spirit-generated emotion and ordinary human emotion are both real

Viewer Amelia asks whether feeling God's presence is genuine or just the mind responding emotionally to biblical truth.

Romans 8 Exodus 34 Moses Romans 8 Holy Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q19: Advice for spiritual apathy — do not be apathetic about your apathy; obey whether or not you feel it

Viewer Hugh Seeger asks for advice on struggling with spiritual apathy.

obedience sanctification spiritual apathy
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Closing: Ravi Zacharias scandal — no excuse to defend him; faith rests in Christ not in people; wheat and tares are expected

Mike closes the livestream by returning to the Ravi Zacharias announcement.

discernment Ravi Zacharias wolves among sheep
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Introduction to Friday Q&A format

Pastor Mike opens the show, noting he will answer up to 20 questions and will admit when he does not know something.

intellectual honesty Q&A format pastoral teaching
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Question: Why is demonic activity so prevalent in the NT vs. OT?

Viewer Tinkerbell Bear asks why the New Testament has so many examples of demons being cast out while the Old Testament rarely mentions demonic possession.

New Testament Old Testament exorcism
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

1 Samuel 16 — King Saul tormented by a harmful spirit

Best OT example of possible demonic activity/possession: the harmful spirit that tormented Saul after the Spirit of the Lord departed.

1 Samuel 16 1 Samuel 16 demonic activity King Saul
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Christ as Second Adam — taking on human form to represent all humanity and reverse the curse

Christ's incarnation was not only to die but to serve as the representative of all humanity, reversing the curse of the first Adam.

Genesis 3 federal headship curse reversal Genesis 3
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Question: Is it wrong for a pastor to live in a huge home with a salary higher than 90% of his congregation?

Viewer JR asks whether high pastoral salaries and luxury homes are appropriate.

church leadership pastoral ethics pastoral compensation
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 2021-02-19

Question: Are vision boards compatible with Christianity? (New Age concerns)

Viewer Kingsley Amaya asks about vision boards his sister wants to use, which seem tied to New Age practice.

New Age vision board goal-setting