Search — Theology Explorer

Trinity faith unlimited atonement

Response to Trinitarian harmony #2: the Father can have complexity in his desires — saving all who believe

Mike offers a positive alternative to the Calvinist Trinitarian harmony construct.

Romans 8:29-32 Romans (book) hermeneutics union with Christ Romans 8:29-32

Romans 8 is about benefits to those in Christ, not an exclusive statement limiting the atonement's extent

Contextual argument about what Romans 8 is actually teaching.

1 John 4:3-5 1 John 5:19 limited atonement kosmos 1 John 4:3-5

1 John 4:3-5 and 5:19 — "the whole world lies under the power of the evil one" confirms kosmos is non-elect

Clinching evidence for the meaning of kosmos in 1 John from chapter 5.

James White James White Christian fellowship Calvinism

Calvinism is not a fellowship-breaking issue; call for brotherly engagement

Closing exhortation on tone and Christian unity.

Mike Winger idea 2019-08-07

2 Peter 3:9 — God delays judgment because He desires all to repent

Mike uses 2 Peter to explain the delay between God's wrath and its execution.

2 Peter 3:9 repentance divine patience 2 Peter 3:9

Mike Winger idea 2019-10-02

Christianity verified by public revelation, not private imagination — this is where it shines in apologetics

Positive case for Christianity emerging from the critique of pluralism

apologetics evidence for Christianity biblical prophecy

Mike Winger idea 2019-07-31

Part 3: The circumcision-baptism parallel argument for infant baptism introduced

Winger introduces the strongest paedo-baptist argument: baptism parallels circumcision as a covenant sign.

baptism covenant circumcision

Mike Winger idea 2019-07-31

Q&A: Women receiving Communion — implied by context of 1 Corinthians and the general gathered assembly

A viewer attempts a parallel argument: women are not explicitly shown receiving Communion in Scripture yet no one denies it.

1 Corinthians 1 Corinthians discipleship Communion

Mike Winger idea 2019-07-31

Q&A: Counsel for an adult believer who does not fully understand baptism — connect with a pastor and do it

A viewer aged 44 says they do not fully understand baptism and asks whether to wait.

baptism pastoral counsel local church

cumulative case apologetics apologetic methodology evidentialism

Classical, evidential, and cumulative case apologetics are all valid; tailor them to the individual

Practical synthesis of different apologetic frameworks under the knowing/showing distinction

apologetics spiritual maturity witness of the Holy Spirit

Mature Christians who feel no need for apologetics are spiritually healthy, not deficient

Reframing common apologetics-community frustration with Christians who seem uninterested in evidence

evangelism relational evangelism

When a family member refuses to discuss God, build relational bridges rather than forcing spiritual conversations

Q&A: pastoral advice on evangelism to hostile family members

Hebrews ecclesiology Hebrews church attendance

Christians without a local church should attend an imperfect one rather than stay home; Hebrews commands gathering

Q&A: pastoral guidance for Christians who cannot find a theologically sound local church

Mike Winger idea 2020-09-04

Government mandates on indoor gatherings (COVID): default to submission unless clearly convinced it is government oppression of religious freedom

Q about whether a home church holding an indoor wedding in violation of COVID government mandate is in accord with Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2:13.

John MacArthur Romans 13 1 Peter 2:13 church unity John MacArthur religious freedom

Mike Winger idea 2020-09-04

1 John 5:16-17: sin leading to death likely refers to physical death, not Catholic mortal/venial sin distinction

Q from Sarah Nordberg about the meaning of sin leading to death vs. sin not leading to death in 1 John 5:16-17.

1 John 5:16-17 atonement repentance mortal sin

Mike Winger idea 2020-09-11

Women and pornography: the church's silence stems from greater shame; solutions come from women who have found victory speaking out

Response to viewer asking for Christian resources for women struggling with pornography and why the church focuses more on men.

church culture sexual sin shame

Mike Winger idea 2020-09-18

Denominations — legitimate variety within Christianity vs. counterfeit groups

Question from Leonardo Borges about whether denominations are divisive and whether multiple Christian factions can be legitimate.

denominations ecclesiology heresy

Mike Winger idea 2020-09-18

Mark 16:17-18 — the signs follow believers as a community/historically, not as individual mandates for every Christian

Question from Chretienis about Mark 16:17-18 and helping people escape the prosperity gospel.

Mark 16:17-18 Acts 28 textual criticism healing prosperity gospel

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-02

New Testament giving priorities: the poor, the persecuted church, local ministers, and generosity as lifestyle — not limited to 10%

Constructive answer on what Christian giving should look like without a tithe mandate

James 1 Corinthians 9 James 1 Corinthians 9 Christian giving

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-02

Vague YouTube prophecy channels are the perfect environment for false prophets; real prophecy requires verifiable fulfillment

Question from Crystal about many people prophesying and whether the Spirit is being poured out

Acts 2 Acts 2 prophecy discernment

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-02

Grace Community Church COVID decision: Mike is on the fence — neither fully endorsing nor opposing their refusal to close

Question from Teonbay about Grace Community Church defying California government COVID gathering restrictions

Acts 5:29 Romans 13 Acts 5:29 Romans 13 COVID-19

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-09

Physics of Heaven — Bethel/Bill Johnson endorsed book promoting adoption of New Age practices

Question from April Stafford about spiritualism and New Age practices being "rescued" for Christian use

Bethel Church Bill Johnson Physics of Heaven

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-17

How to construct a biblical theology — start with contextual reading plus the doctrine of inspiration

Q from Nick (Quint/Quiet) about building a biblical theological method.

Isaiah 53 Isaiah 52 Isaiah 53 Hermeneutics Isaiah 52

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-23

Eschatology is a secondary issue — Christians should not divide over it

Mike closes his Matthew 24 exposition with an appeal for unity.

Matthew 24 hermeneutics secondary issues eschatology

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-23

1 Corinthians 16:20 — "greet one another with a holy kiss" is a culturally applied principle, not a universal command

Question from Sarah Taytano about whether the holy kiss is a binding commandment.

1 Corinthians 16:20 hermeneutics cultural hermeneutics 1 Corinthians 16:20

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-30

Whether lukewarm Christians are saved: this verse addresses corporate church impact, not individual salvation status

Mike addresses the specific salvation question from the Laodicea passage.

lukewarm Revelation 3:16 salvation lukewarm eternal security

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-30

Penal substitutionary atonement: two valid senses of God's wrath on the cross — displeasure toward sin; outward punishment of sin

Question from Zoe Abundant about whether Jesus experienced God's wrath and what that means.

Isaiah 53:10 crucifixion atonement Sodom and Gomorrah

Mike Winger idea 2020-11-06

Paul rebuked Peter publicly in Galatians 2 because his behavior impacted the whole community

Mike shows a biblical precedent for public confrontation of a leader

Galatians 2 Paul Peter Galatians 2

Mike Winger idea 2020-11-06

If Mark 16:17-18 is original, signs accompanying believers does not mean every believer at all times

Mike gives a conditional interpretation of Mark 16:17-18 assuming its authenticity

Acts Mark 16:17-18 signs and wonders speaking in tongues Acts

Mike Winger idea 2018-09-26

Handling a friend pursuing unbiblical mysticism — staged intervention using Galatians 6:1-2

Mike answers an emailed question from Nikki about a close Christian friend who keeps pursuing mystical and unbiblical things despite multiple conversations.

Matthew 18:15-17 Galatians 6:1-2 false teaching church discipline mysticism

Mike Winger idea 2018-09-26

Standing up for faith before it is taken away — Christians always stand; democracy creates gospel opportunity

A viewer asks at what point Christians should stand up for their faith before it is taken away.

Matthew 5:13-16 salt and light gospel proclamation religious persecution

Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

Jewish feasts were commanded for Jews in Israel, not universally for all people; Gentiles were never given the Mosaic law and are not obligated to keep the feasts.

Question: why don't Christians celebrate Jewish holidays?

Hebrew Roots Movement Gentiles covenant theology

Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

When someone professing faith lives as an unbeliever, the individual Christian's posture should shift from fellowship mode to outreach mode — still loving and gracious but with different relational goals.

Application of 1 Corinthians 5:11 to personal relationships with professing but lifestyle-unbelieving friends.

1 Corinthians 5:11 Evangelism 1 Corinthians 5:11 Church Discipline

Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

Two issues with heresy hunters: (1) a divisive uncharitable attitude over secondary issues needing gentle correction toward unity; (2) the real possibility they are right — total openness to correction with zero self-defensiveness is required.

Continued advice on handling heresy hunters in ministry.

Humility Heresy Hunting / Online Critics Self-Defense vs. Service

idolatry government early church

A prayer opening Congress in the name of the Hindu god Brahma is blasphemy — but the appropriate Christian response is not rebellion

Question from Gorilla Christianity about a US Congress session opened in the name of Brahma

Jude canon Jude Book of Enoch

Enoch is actually multiple composite works; early Jewish tradition rejected its canonical status

Continued discussion of the Book of Enoch in relation to Jude

Romans 14:23 Romans 14:23 conscience faith

A hyper-sensitive conscience projects fear onto others and paralyzes daily life — the solution is more faith, not more scrutiny

Continuing response to the overly-scrupulous conscience question

Ephesians 4:30 Ephesians 4:31 Trinity Holy Spirit Ephesians 4:30

The Holy Spirit specifically is said to grieve because He is the unifying presence dwelling within believers — our division grieves Him most directly

Question from Sandra about why Ephesians 4:30 says the Holy Spirit grieves but not the Father or Son

Bethel Church Christian unity Hillsong

Hillsong is not a progressive church — progressives target traditional Christianity, Hillsong seeks an inclusive umbrella

Answering whether Hillsong qualifies as theologically progressive.

Prayer Idolatry Catholic devotional practices

Catholic saint icons carry a superstitious protection function incompatible with biblical worship

Practical application of the icons question to Catholic devotional objects.

John 17:21 John 14-16 Indwelling of the Holy Spirit Jesus as mediator John 17:21

John 17:21 — the oneness Jesus prays for is relational unity via the indwelling Spirit and Christ's mediation, not ontological Trinity participation

Question from David Foresight about what it means for believers to be "one" as the Father and Son are one in John 17:21.