Search — Theology Explorer

Identifying & Rejecting False Teaching: What's up with all the bad hermeneutics out there? How can those of us without formal training avoid bad interpretation/application of Scripture by ourselves and be able to spot them in sermons, etc.?

Q&A question: Identifying & Rejecting False Teaching

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

What to Do When a Church Member is Out of Line: What should I do if a member of my fellowship with some mental issues has been making several false prophecies every day, saying literally "hear me for the lord speaks”?

Q&A question: What to Do When a Church Member is Out of Line

prophecy

Book Recommendations?: What are some good books for important topics like systematic theology, hermeneutics, complementarianism, etc.?

Q&A question: Book Recommendations?

complementarianism

How the Jewish Bible is Different: Why aren't there Bibles with the Hebrew order of the Old Testament? Some say the Hebrew order helps to show additional context and beauty of the Prophets and writings within Israel’s history. Any reason to stick to the English order? If either is fine, why aren’t there options?

Q&A question: How the Jewish Bible is Different

prophecy

marriage justification divorce

Advice - Tough Marriage/Divorce Situation: Regarding divorce, you mentioned that verbal/emotional abuse is only a valid justification when it is extreme. How do we think biblically about what God would consider to be extreme? I'm finding it hard not to doubt my own perceptions, but my husband is in complete denial. Also, where the husband has essentially separated from the wife within the marriage, is it still not permissible to remarry?

Q&A question: Advice - Tough Marriage/Divorce Situation

Can There Be Differing Interpretations of Scripture?: If the word “clear” is used to describe a teaching in the Bible by two Christians with opposing views on the same teaching, wouldn’t that void the effectiveness of using the word in that way?

Q&A question: Can There Be Differing Interpretations of Scripture?

Can we Give to Non-Christian Causes?: Thoughts on charitable giving to organizations that I'm passionate about but aren't overtly Christian? Even if it's above my normal tithe, is this "taking money away" from Kingdom advancement?

Q&A question: Can we Give to Non-Christian Causes?

tithing

anxiety and mental health

Is Worrying a Sin?: Is worrying (stress/anxiety) a sin? If so, could you provide some thoughts on the reasons you think it is?

Q&A question: Is Worrying a Sin?

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-08

Is John 15 Works-Based?: Is John 15 works-based? v.10 says, “IF you keep my commandments, THEN you will abide in my love.” That sounds like obedience earns God's love, contrary to the Gospel. What does a life of "abiding" look like daily?

Q&A question: Is John 15 Works-Based?

John 15 John 15

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-15

About Vaccines & Aborted Fetal Tissue: What are your thought on vaccines using aborted fetal cell lines for development? I’m about to lose my job at big MN clinic if I don’t get the vaccine and struggle with this issue.

Q&A question: About Vaccines & Aborted Fetal Tissue

anxiety and mental health

Why is Suicide a Sin?: Why do Christians see suicide as a sin if it’s never condemned in the Bible? Why should I be forced to live a pathetic life I never asked for?

Q&A question: Why is Suicide a Sin?

About Astronomical Alignment: Do you think the astronomical alignment on Sept 23rd, 2017 is a fulfillment of Revelation 12:1-3? It feels like astrology to me.

Q&A question: About Astronomical Alignment

revelation revelation

Numbers 5 marriage Numbers 5

Do Numbers & Leviticus Contradict?: In Numbers 5, there is a test for an unfaithful wife. In verses 27-28 however, the punishment called for appears to differ from that in Leviticus 20: 10 which calls for death. Am I missing something?

Q&A question: Do Numbers & Leviticus Contradict?

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-29

Should we Read Non-Canonical Books?: Would you recommend that current Christians develop an awareness of Scripture that is no longer canon?

Q&A question: Should we Read Non-Canonical Books?

Why did People Fall Over in John 18?: My question is about John 18:6. It’s a really powerful moment, but did the other disciples not see it?

Q&A question: Why did People Fall Over in John 18?

John 18:6 John 18 John 18:6 John 18

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-29

Why does God Allow More Wicked Generations?: Why does God allow wicked people to persist and bring forth more generations that will mostly go to Hell, instead of bringing judgment on them and erasing their culture as soon as they go astray?

Q&A question: Why does God Allow More Wicked Generations?

Persis hell

Mike Winger idea 2021-11-05

About Tithing & “Prosperity” Teachings: My church says a declaration before tithing. Part of it is: "I am believing Him for advancements, God-ideas, blessings & increases, financial freedom, & breakthroughs." Is this a prosperity church red flag?

Q&A question: About Tithing & “Prosperity” Teachings

tithing

Mike Winger idea 2021-11-12

About Judgment, Sinners, & New Jerusalem: After the Great White Throne judgment and the Second Death (Revelation 21: 10), where do the sinners come from that are kept outside the New Jerusalem (Revelation 22: 15)?

Q&A question: About Judgment, Sinners, & New Jerusalem

revelation Revelation 21 revelation Revelation 21

Mike Winger idea 2021-11-12

About the Trinity / Divine Simplicity: Isn't it problematic to affirm the Trinity while rejecting the metaphysical hermeneutic that was used to articulate/defend the doctrine (e.g., divine simplicity) in the early centuries?

Q&A question: About the Trinity / Divine Simplicity

Trinity

Mike Winger idea 2021-11-12

Do OT Prophecies Mention Jesus by Name?: Old Testament Prophecies foretold Jesus coming as Messiah, but do any of those prophecies actually name Jesus? Are they being attributed to Him without proof? How do we know any prophecy applies to Him?

Q&A question: Do OT Prophecies Mention Jesus by Name?

Jesus prophecy

Is Hypnosis OK for Christians?: What does the Bible say about hypnosis as a form of medical treatment? I struggle with food addiction and have heard that it can help by reaching the subconscious. However, I want to be super careful not to dip into the supernatural demonic realm that can sometimes happen during yoga sessions when "channeling your inner-self" and "connecting with the universe."

Q&A question: Is Hypnosis OK for Christians?

demons

anxiety and mental health

Should We Apologize for Every Past Sin?: Should Christians apologize to everyone from their past? I had so much anxiety, messaging people from high school about every lie or mean comment I could think of, even some things people didn't remember.

Q&A question: Should We Apologize for Every Past Sin?

John 10 Jesus atonement John 10

About Limited Atonement: If the extent of Jesus’ death was for all, but the application of His death was only for His sheep, why does Jesus say that He lays down His life for His sheep in John 10: 15 (v. 16 clarifies extent, right?)?

Q&A question: About Limited Atonement

Jeremiah Jeremiah 31 Jeremiah Jeremiah 31

About Ephraim / Israel: Often when I see Ephraim mentioned, it looks to me like God is referring to all of Israel. Have I misunderstood something? Why does He use this tribe? My reading today: Jeremiah 31:6 (?), 18, & 20.

Q&A question: About Ephraim / Israel

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

Theology Books for Teens/College Age: My 17 yr. old son is into theology. Do you have any theology books you’d recommend for teens/college students that aren’t weighty reads, but offer good, biblical answers to Christian questions? Something that will interest a teenager without getting lost into a huge textbook.

Q&A question: Theology Books for Teens/College Age

About the Extent of the Atonement: Do the two different stances on the extent of the atonement (unlimited and definite) ultimately represent two different gospels? This is a fear of mine.

Q&A question: About the Extent of the Atonement

atonement

Does Prayer Have a Required Formula?: I talk to God in my head and pray during the day, but my thoughts drift and sometimes I realize I never said “amen.” I know that He’s listening, but if it’s not formatted like a prayer, does it still count?

Q&A question: Does Prayer Have a Required Formula?

prayer

If we Confess our Doubts, Are We Still Saved?: I was having doubts about the atonement, and I was questioning if I really believed it. I had thoughts about me not believing. Am I still saved if confessed those and do believe now?

Q&A question: If we Confess our Doubts, Are We Still Saved?

atonement

Thinking Biblically about Covid Restrictions: My province has new Covid mandates that my pastor is implementing. Reduced attendance, vaccine passport checks, and masks even while singing. I think this is unbiblical. What can I do?

Q&A question: Thinking Biblically about Covid Restrictions

pastoral ministry

Advice for Finding a Godly Spouse / Our Desires: I’m 23 yrs. old. 6 yrs. ago, my attraction to women just disappeared. This messed with my head a lot, and also, because of physical problems, I can’t approach girls in order to find a wife. Please, can you advise me?

Q&A question: Advice for Finding a Godly Spouse / Our Desires

marriage

Was David’s Son Punished for David’s Sin?: In a past video, it sounded like Mike said David's child dying was "collateral damage.” How is that not punishment for David's sins?

Q&A question: Was David’s Son Punished for David’s Sin?

David

Exodus 20 Ephesians 6 Exodus 20 Ephesians 6

Did God’s Promise Change?: Why did the promise for honoring your parents change from Old Testament (Exodus 20: 12 – “in the land I will give you”) vs. the New Testament (Ephesians 6:2 – “living long on the earth”)?

Q&A question: Did God’s Promise Change?

Mike Winger idea 2021-12-17

Biblical Help when Struggling with Infertility: I recently have had intense disappointment and grief in my life re: fertility and am struggling with not knowing God's path for my life. Do you have any biblical help to heal and move forward?

Q&A question: Biblical Help when Struggling with Infertility

suffering

Mike Winger idea 2021-12-17

Refuting WMSCOG Theology: I was approached by the Mother God cult in a department store, and they used Galatians 4: 26. How could I bring clarity to this verse for them next time?

Q&A question: Refuting WMSCOG Theology

Galatians 4 Galatians 4

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-14

Were OT Sacrifices Purely Symbolic?: Did Levitical sacrifices really do anything beyond point people to Jesus? Hebrews 10:4 and Romans 3: 25 tell us that Jesus' atonement was applied retroactively to Old Testament saints, so were their sacrifices only symbolic?

Q&A question: Were OT Sacrifices Purely Symbolic?

Hebrews 10 Romans 3 Jesus atonement Hebrews 10

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-14

About the “Tongues of Angels”: 1Corinthians 13:1 refers to "speaking in the tongues of men and of angels." The tongues of men are just different languages, but what are tongues of angels?

Q&A question: About the “Tongues of Angels”

tongues angels

revelation worship revelation

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?

About Jannes & Jambres: Why does Paul mention Jannes and Jambres in 2 Timothy as being part of the Exodus story when they weren’t? Did he have a different exodus? Is he referring to an extra-biblical book so authoritatively?

Q&A question: About Jannes & Jambres

Timothy

Luke 8 Jesus miracles Luke 8

Did Jesus Not Know Who Touched Him?: In Luke 8: 45, Jesus asks who touched His garment while in a crowd. Did Jesus really not know who had touched Him, nor that this miracle would take place?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Not Know Who Touched Him?

Can Mental Issues Sometimes be Demonic?: Could my Generalized Anxiety Disorder and OCD be a demonic issue rather than a mental health issue? I'm a believer, but I suffer from both of these issues and I feel trapped.

Q&A question: Can Mental Issues Sometimes be Demonic?

demons

Isaiah Matthew Isaiah prophecy Matthew

About the Virgin Birth: Is the virgin birth an invention by Matthew to buff up the Gospel narrative? The "double-fulfillment" of Isaiah's prophecy sounds like a convenience interpretation. Does the virgin birth matter?

Q&A question: About the Virgin Birth

Genesis 3:16 Ephesians 5:22 1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Winger affirms husband-wife roles are equal in value but different in role, calling this 'irrefutably taught' in the NT. He rejects the word 'rule' as misleading in modern English but affirms husbands have a higher position of authority.

Q&A question asking why submission is taught as God-ordained in the NT if the husband's rule was a curse of the fall.

Interpreting the Psalms: In Psalm 2: 12, What does the psalmist mean by this verse in its non-messianic context?

Q&A question: Interpreting the Psalms

Resources for Seniors: Are there any good sources for ministering to seniors you can recommend?

Q&A question: Resources for Seniors

Matthew 5 Matthew Ephesians 2 Jesus Matthew 5 Matthew

Did Jesus Come to Abolish the Law?: Why does Paul say in Ephesians 2: 15 “…by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances…” when Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the law in Matthew 5: 17?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Come to Abolish the Law?

Book of Ecclesiastes – Enjoying Life?: When the teacher in Ecclesiastes says to enjoy life, in the context of the book, is it being said like "Enjoy it 'cause it is a gift from God," or "Enjoy your lot since everything is meaningless”?

Q&A question: Book of Ecclesiastes – Enjoying Life?