Search — Theology Explorer

1 John 4 Joseph marriage 1 John 4

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”?

complementarianism headship complementarianism

Winger explains headship means the husband has a higher position of authority (not the only authority) — when they disagree, the deciding vote goes to the husband. But Jesus commands this be exercised with grace, love, and self-sacrifice, never 'lording it over' the wife.

Q&A question: What does a husband being the head of the wife actually mean he does? Does he boss her around or just be a good man?

DND, Harry Potter, etc.: The Bible is clear about its stance on sorcery and witchcraft. My husband and I play DND and some people were having an issue with this and potentially also with books containing magic. What are your thoughts?

Q&A question: DND, Harry Potter, etc.

Godly Dating Practices: What is the best way to date for marriage as a Christian? Is there a good way to sift through people to find someone equally yoked?

Q&A question: Godly Dating Practices

Mike Winger idea 2023-08-18

Faith = Just a Family Tradition?: My husband believes that faith comes about by family tradition, and that someone's faith is just an expression of what their family has taught them rather than actual faith in God. What does the bible say about this?

Q&A question: Faith = Just a Family Tradition?

Mike Winger idea 2023-09-29

Committed Relationships as Good as Marriage?: How would you answer claims that “committed sexual relationships” have everything good that a marriage has? What’s the essence of marriage that withstands infertility/impotence/distance, etc.?

Q&A question: Committed Relationships as Good as Marriage?

Mike Winger idea 2023-09-29

Raising Children w/Unbelieving Family: Is it wrong that I don’t want to raise my son around my unbelieving family members? They can even be hostile to the faith. I even have a transgender niece, and my wife and I don’t want our son around that.

Q&A question: Raising Children w/Unbelieving Family

Mike Winger idea 2023-10-17

Is Marital Intimacy Only for Procreation?: Can a biblical case be made for the purpose of sex within marriage being for procreation AND intimacy/pleasure and not just for procreation? Is sex without the possibility of procreation evil?

Q&A question: Is Marital Intimacy Only for Procreation?

marriage creation

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-01

Honoring God & Each Other in Marital Intimacy: Does a wife have to do everything her husband wishes in the bedroom? I feel so uncomfortable doing oral acts, but he says it’s the only thing that satisfies him. I feel guilty. We both are believers.

Q&A question: Honoring God & Each Other in Marital Intimacy

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-01

Are we Equal with God in Heaven?: My wife had a question I did not know how to answer: If we are perfected at the end of time and perfect in God's presence, how are we not then equal with God? We realize that we will not be greater than God, but I am not sure how to explain this subject.

Q&A question: Are we Equal with God in Heaven?

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-01

Godly Womanhood/Biblical Femininity: How does godly womanhood differ from godly manhood outside of marriage? How do we define biblical femininity, especially for the unmarried woman? Does discipleship look different for women?

Q&A question: Godly Womanhood/Biblical Femininity

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-01

Should Unequally Yoked Believers Bear Children?: I'm married to an unbeliever. I regret it and I worry that I’ve jeopardized my son's salvation! Would it be better not to have any more children in my “ungodly” marriage even though we'd like to have more?

Q&A question: Should Unequally Yoked Believers Bear Children?

marriage salvation

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-08

Are Angels Purely Spiritual, Not Physical?: How can we know that angels are spiritual beings and not potentially physical beings? Some people say they're spiritual and do not have reproductive organs (since Jesus said they're not given in marriage).

Q&A question: Are Angels Purely Spiritual, Not Physical?

marriage Jesus angels

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-08

Navigating a Difficult Marital Situation: Am I dishonoring God if I initiate separation? I’ve been married for over 12 years, always rocky. I've begged for counseling, but my husband (professing believer) said he'd pick divorce first. He says he no longer loves me.

Q&A question: Navigating a Difficult Marital Situation

marriage divorce

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-15

Winger defends his call for egalitarians to repent, distinguishing it from Calvinism disagreements because egalitarianism directly harms marriages and church leadership structure. He also calls patriarchalists to repent for teaching women are inherently more easily deceived.

Q&A question from someone who agrees egalitarians should repent but asks if the same applies to Calvinism as a secondary issue.

women in ministry complementarianism egalitarianism

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-19

Can a Pastor’s Wife be an Unbeliever?: Do the qualifications for pastors/elders in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 disqualify a man who has an unbelieving wife?

Q&A question: Can a Pastor’s Wife be an Unbeliever?

Titus 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Titus 1 Timothy Titus 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-03

Our Choices & God’s Sovereign Will: Do we have any true control over life entering the world, or is it only based on God's sovereignty? I think if it’s God's plan for me to have a child, I'll get pregnant even if on birth control. But my husband thinks we control conception through birth control. If Jeremiah 1:5 applies to all people, wouldn't that mean God's plan overrides our plan for procreation?

Q&A question: Our Choices & God’s Sovereign Will

Jeremiah Jeremiah 1:5 Jeremiah 1 Jeremiah marriage creation

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-24

Evangelizing the Apathetic: My wife and I are having difficulty ministering to her father who doesn’t seem to care about the topic of God at all. How do you help someone realize the importance of salvation?

Q&A question: Evangelizing the Apathetic

marriage salvation angels

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-24

Mark of the Beast: Literal or Symbolic?: Could the Mark of the Beast being on the forehead or right hand symbolize something that dominates the mind or actions of those who submit to it instead of a literal mark on the body as many assume?

Q&A question: Mark of the Beast: Literal or Symbolic?

submission in marriage

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-07

Asking Others for Help When Needed: I have an illness that leaves me physically and mentally fatigued. My wife and I need a lot of help but struggle with asking. How do I ask for help in a way that is God-honoring and not selfish?

Q&A question: Asking Others for Help When Needed

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-21

Does Refusal of Sex Justify Divorce?: Does 1 Corinthians 7 really mean we can never say no to sex except for a season of fasting and prayer? My pastor told my husband that if I deny him for too long then he has biblical grounds for divorce.

Q&A question: Does Refusal of Sex Justify Divorce?

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7 marriage prayer

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-05

Household Responsibilities in Marriage: Does God care who does the dishes and cooks the food? Is the wife called to manage the household? What if both the husband and wife work similar full-time jobs (Proverbs 31: 15,21,27; Titus 2:5)?

Q&A question: Household Responsibilities in Marriage

Titus 2:5 Titus Proverbs 31 Titus 2:5 Titus Proverbs 31

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-16

Who is Asherah?: Who is Asherah? I saw a video that claims she’s God’s forbidden wife. Who is she, from a biblical perspective?

Q&A question: Who is Asherah?

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-16

When & How Much to Give to Others?: My wife’s nephew is transgender, is here illegally (USA), and recently got married to a man. He asked my wife if she could help pay for his immigration paperwork. Am I wrong for saying no?

Q&A question: When & How Much to Give to Others?

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-06

Marriage in God’s Eyes: What does it take for someone to be considered married in the eyes of God? A ceremony? A presiding religious leader? Religious words spoken? Having a legal certificate? Intimate acts?

Q&A question: Marriage in God’s Eyes

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-18

Exodus: Conjugal Rights vs. Adultery?: Exodus 21: 10 says a man married to multiple women shouldn't deny them conjugal rights. Isn't each instance of intimacy in that situation adultery against one wife?

Q&A question: Exodus: Conjugal Rights vs. Adultery?

Exodus 21 marriage Exodus 21

Mike Winger idea 2024-12-13

50/50 Churches?: My LDS husband wants me and our kids to go to his ward & my church, split 50/50 every other week. Should I submit to him and do this, or should I get out completely from doing this? See 2 Kings 5: 17-19 and Psalm 1:1.

Q&A question: 50/50 Churches?

Psalm 1 marriage Mormonism Psalm 1

Mike Winger idea 2024-12-20

Purity in the Marriage Bed: Are married Christian couples allowed to engage in things like kink, costumes, and roleplay in the bedroom? Hebrews 13:4 states that the marriage bed must remain pure. But what is in and out of bounds?

Q&A question: Purity in the Marriage Bed

Hebrews 13:4 marriage Hebrews 13:4

Mike Winger idea 2025-01-17

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

Q&A question: Is Marriage an Oath?

James James marriage

Mike Winger idea 2025-01-17

Relationships with Family in Eternity: What do you think our relationship will be like with family members in Heaven? Will we know each other? Will we still sort of be related? I know there won't be marriage.

Q&A question: Relationships with Family in Eternity

Mike Winger idea 2025-02-07

Did David Violate Deut. 24?: How was David able to take Michal back as his wife? Isn’t that a violation of Deuteronomy 24, and does that apply today?

Q&A question: Did David Violate Deut. 24?

Deuteronomy 24 David marriage Deuteronomy 24

Mike Winger idea 2025-03-21

Winger says there is no biblical requirement for an ordained person to officiate a wedding — marriage is a public covenant between a man and woman, and the authority to marry doesn't reside in a pastor, government, or anyone else. He wrestles with whether to recommend a woman officiate for non-believing family.

Q from a female believer: brother (non-believer) asked her to officiate his wedding; only option is online ordination, which feels like mocking God.

women in ministry elder qualifications elder qualifications

Mike Winger idea 2025-05-30

Must Jesus be Lord of Our Lives?: Does receiving Christ begin with you trusting in His death and resurrection, or is there more to do, such as submitting to His lordship and then we are saved?

Q&A question: Must Jesus be Lord of Our Lives?

Jesus resurrection submission in marriage

Mike Winger idea 2025-07-04

Processing Past Relationship Issues: My wife had several partners before our marriage. I wasn’t around, but I feel like I have to forgive the men. Am I being weird? How do I bring this to God, because I'm still losing sleep 10 years later?

Q&A question: Processing Past Relationship Issues

Mike Winger idea 2025-07-04

Winger says Eph 5:22 and Col 3:18 apply regardless of whether the husband is a Christian — the qualifier is 'your husband,' not 'your Christian husband.' Submission is not 100% in every possible thing, and exceptions exist for abuse, but the exception shouldn't be used to invalidate the rule.

Q: How should a newly Christian woman apply Eph 5:22 and Col 3:18 when her husband hasn't come to Christ and isn't supportive?

Colossians 3:18 Ephesians 5:22 1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Mike Winger idea 2025-08-08

The Best Counsel for Couples: My wife and I recently starting doing pre-marital counseling for other couples in our church. What is some of the best advice we should give these couples?

Q&A question: The Best Counsel for Couples

Mike Winger idea 2025-08-08

BONUS: Can you PLEASE give a shout-out to my husband, Michael (non-believer) who started listening to you because I wouldn't stop talking about it! Please pray for him!

Q&A question

Mike Winger idea 2025-09-12

Prenups Always Bad?: Is a prenuptial agreement ever biblical? My fiance’s parents want us to get one. In my opinion, prenuptial agreements undermine the permanence of marriage, its covenantal nature, trust, and unity.

Q&A question: Prenups Always Bad?

Mike Winger idea 2025-09-19

Loving God Above Family: My husband is an unbeliever. He recently told me he can't be a believer because he idolizes me and our kids and couldn't love God more than us. Beyond praying, how can I address this biblically?

Q&A question: Loving God Above Family

Mike Winger idea 2025-10-03

Why is David in Heaven?: Can you explain how David would be in Heaven when he knew 1 wife was God’s design but was living in continuous sin (1 John 3:4-9, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Hebrews 10: 26, Ephesians 5:3-7)?

Q&A question: Why is David in Heaven?

1 Corinthians 6 Ephesians 5 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 David marriage 1 Corinthians 6

Mike Winger idea 2025-10-10

Overcoming Anxiety: Death & Illnesses: My wife often deals with anxiety. She is a firm believer, but struggles with the fear of death/illnesses. Not for her own sake, but because of the people she would leave behind.

Q&A question: Overcoming Anxiety: Death & Illnesses

Mike Winger idea 2026-01-02

Marriage, Heaven & Vows: Regarding 1 Timothy 5: 11-12, if there is no marriage in Heaven, and when a spouse dies we’re free to remarry, how then does a young widow break her first vow?

Q&A question: Marriage, Heaven & Vows

1 Timothy 5 Timothy marriage 1 Timothy 5

Interracial Marriage: Biblical?: Are mixed-race or interracial marriages biblically permissible?

Q&A question: Interracial Marriage: Biblical?

Evangelism: Relationships Required?: I've been told that you should build a relationship with someone before sharing the Gospel with them. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Evangelism: Relationships Required?

angels

Others’ Consciences: Our Responsibility?: Are we responsible if someone is emboldened to disobey his conscience because of something we posted online (Romans 14)? I wish to show games I like on my channel, but I’m afraid they may convict a brother.

Q&A question: Others’ Consciences: Our Responsibility?

Romans 14 Romans 14

Matthew Matthew 23 pastoral ministry Matthew Matthew 23

Are “Titles” Biblical?: Is calling people by a church title, like Pastor, biblical? Nowhere in Scripture is anyone referred to by anything other than their first name, and Matthew 23:7-12 seems to forbid it.

Q&A question: Are “Titles” Biblical?

Scriptural Coincidences?: Abram's father, Terah set out for Canaan, but stopped in Harran, where he died. Later, God calls Abraham to Canaan. How do I know if something like this is a coincidence or meaningful?

Q&A question: Scriptural Coincidences?

Abraham Canaan Terah

Should Abortion be Prosecuted?: Do you think it's biblical that women who have abortions should be legally judged the same way as someone who commits murder?

Q&A question: Should Abortion be Prosecuted?

abortion