Search — Theology Explorer

Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

The Holiness of God’s Justice: Any tips for how to become less opposed to God’s judgment, and to see it as holy? It can cause me to feel like God is an unloving God sometimes.

Q&A question: The Holiness of God’s Justice

Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Are Men’s Beards Prideful?: What do you think about beards? I heard a pastor say that it is a prideful thing to wear a beard, and therefore wrong to have one. I don't really agree. I don't think you do either, as you have one.

Q&A question: Are Men’s Beards Prideful?

pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-03

Is Entire Sanctification Biblical?: Coming from a “2 works movement” (CHM), I’ve always heard 1 Thessalonians 5: 23 taught as calling people to a second work of Grace, or an experience of entire sanctification. What is Paul actually saying there?

Q&A question: Is Entire Sanctification Biblical?

sanctification

Psalm 110 Psalm 110:1 rapture eschatology tribulation

Eschatological Timings: What effect does Psalm 110:1 and Luke 20: 42-43 have on the timing or placement of the rapture of the Church in reference to the tribulation?

Q&A question: Eschatological Timings

marriage pastoral ministry

Knowing When to Yield: My pastor wants me to obey my husband even when it hurts my mental health, triggers my eating disorder, or my sleep disorder. Is he right or wrong? He says I should “Die like Christ.”

Q&A question: Knowing When to Yield

Encouragement Amid Physical Limitations: What counsel would you give a discouraged believer with a debilitating chronic illness who carries a lot of guilt for not being able to serve in the ways they want to be able to?

Q&A question: Encouragement Amid Physical Limitations

suffering

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-07

Is My Daughter’s Cancer a Punishment?: When I got pregnant from an ungodly relationship, I turned to God and know He forgave all my sins. But my daughter was born with cancer. Is this a punishment from God?

Q&A question: Is My Daughter’s Cancer a Punishment?

suffering

Should Men Move Out Before Dating?: Looking at Ephesians 5: 31, Should a Christian man move out of his parents’ house before trying to date, to prove they can provide an income and a house?

Q&A question: Should Men Move Out Before Dating?

Ephesians 5 Ephesians 5

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-21

Bored in the OT!: How do I read the Old Testament without getting bored and distracted 2 minutes in?

Q&A question: Bored in the OT!

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-21

How to “Work Out Our Salvation…”: What does it mean to "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling"? Is that a literal statement?

Q&A question: How to “Work Out Our Salvation…”

salvation

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-21

About Foul Language: What makes language foul? Is it the words themselves, or the context? Like if I use a word in a friendly way, is it still considered foul language?

Q&A question: About Foul Language

“Work Out” My Salvation??: What does it mean to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling"? Is that a literal statement?

Q&A question: “Work Out” My Salvation??

salvation

Could the HS be Feminine?: Could the Holy Spirit be feminine? A biblically sound, wiser, older Christian in my life is unsure about this. He brings up decent arguments affirming this view, but then there's John 15: 26. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Could the HS be Feminine?

John 15 John 15

1 Corinthians 11:16 complementarianism head coverings complementarianism

Winger examines multiple translations of 1 Cor 11:16 ('if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom') and admits he can't identify the major translational difference the questioner sees. The core debate is whether 'custom' refers to head coverings or to being contentious.

Q: Why does 1 Cor 11:16 seem to have opposite meanings depending on the translation?

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

What is “Hyper-Charismatic”?: Please explain what "hyper-charismatic” means. Thank you.

Q&A question: What is “Hyper-Charismatic”?

charismatic movement

Infinite Punishment for Finite Crimes?: Why does God give infinite punishment for finite crimes? Even from a biblical point of view, not every crime is prescribed the same punishment. So why, then, can a person never serve the entirety of their punishment in Hell?

Q&A question: Infinite Punishment for Finite Crimes?

hell

AI – Image of the Beast?: What are your thoughts on Chat GPT (and AI in general)? As Christians, should we be concerned about this type of technology? Is it OK to experiment with, or should we "steer clear"?

Q&A question: AI – Image of the Beast?

Worshiping at Work: Divided Attention?: Is it bad to listen to worship music when you're working? I prefer it over secular music, but I also feel guilty for not giving it my full attention. Is this treating it as entertainment?

Q&A question: Worshiping at Work: Divided Attention?

worship

1 Samuel 16 Samuel 1 Samuel 16

God Sent an Evil Spirit?: 1 Samuel 16: 14 and 1 Samuel 19:9 speak of an “evil spirit from the Lord” tormenting Saul. How could a holy/righteous and loving God give him a tormenting spirit?

Q&A question: God Sent an Evil Spirit?

The Biblical Way to Get Married: Why do we have to have an ordained pastor to get married? Is there Scripture to back this up? If two people make a commitment to each other and God, is that enough?

Q&A question: The Biblical Way to Get Married

pastoral ministry

Can We Go Outside of Scripture for Context?: I've heard 1 Corinthians 4:6 used to say not to go "outside" of scripture (e.g., learning history to help interpret biblical context). Your thoughts?

Q&A question: Can We Go Outside of Scripture for Context?

What Makes “Drag” Wrong?: Drag queen culture is championed by the LGBTQ movement, and therefore feels immoral by association, but I find it hard to put a finger on why drag by itself is biblically wrong. Any thoughts?

Q&A question: What Makes “Drag” Wrong?

homosexuality

Roman Catholicism apologetics angels

Which Faith is True?: How can I know I have the right faith? I've been watching many apologetics videos since I first found your videos over four years ago, and many Catholics, reformed believers, and evangelicals all have convincing arguments.

Q&A question: Which Faith is True?

1 John 2 1 John 2:2 atonement Calvinism 1 John 2

1 Jn. 2:2 & Limited Atonement: Doesn't 1 John 2:2 blow the Calvinist doctrine of Limited Atonement straight out of the water?

Q&A question: 1 Jn. 2:2 & Limited Atonement

Mike Winger idea 2023-06-09

Overcoming Anxiety while Witnessing: I always get anxiety and my heart starts beating fast whenever I try to speak up about social or biblical Issues to my family (mainly my dad who is a Progressive Christian). How can I overcome this?

Q&A question: Overcoming Anxiety while Witnessing

evangelism progressive Christianity anxiety and mental health

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-07

About Behemoth & Leviathan: Can you shed some clarity on what exactly is behemoth and leviathan in the Old Testament?

Q&A question: About Behemoth & Leviathan

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-07

The Doctrine of Inspiration: What evidence and encouragement can you offer a believer who is struggling to trust the doctrine of inspiration? I know that it’s true, but I struggle with doubt.

Q&A question: The Doctrine of Inspiration

apologetics doubt and faith

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-21

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?

complementarianism headship complementarianism

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-21

Loving the Lord with Everything: I’ve been wondering about the great commandment Jesus gives in Matthew 22: 36. Seems like a Deuteronomy 6 quote, but why does Jesus change the last quality from “might” to “mind”?

Q&A question: Loving the Lord with Everything

Matthew Jesus Matthew

Mike Winger idea 2023-08-18

Was Paul Married? Widowed?: Acts 26:9-10: "...cast my vote" has implications that Paul was in the Sanhedrin (also residing over Stephen's trial in 8:1), which would have required him to be married (even though that requirement wasn't recorded until later; I'm guessing it was still implemented). Could Paul have been married? Perhaps widowed?

Q&A question: Was Paul Married? Widowed?

Stephen Sanhedrin

Mike Winger idea 2023-08-18

Why did Jesus Die if Humans Still Die?: If the payment for sin is death, and both believers and non-believers will die anyways, then why did Jesus have to die for us? Was it for a chance at us entering Heaven?

Q&A question: Why did Jesus Die if Humans Still Die?

Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2023-08-18

God Didn’t Reveal Himself?: What do you tell an atheist who says he looked for God and God didn't reveal Himself to him? And in general, what do you make of the argument of nonresistant non-believers?

Q&A question: God Didn’t Reveal Himself?

atheism

Uncontacted Tribes & Judgment: I was wondering, what will happen to the uncontacted tribes during the time of Jacob’s trouble, and without the ability to hear the Gospel, what does judgment look like for them?

Q&A question: Uncontacted Tribes & Judgment

Jacob

About the 2nd Temple’s Construction: Given that Ezekiel's temple prophecy with its strict measurements was written before the second temple was built, why didn't the second temple get built to those specifications?

Q&A question: About the 2nd Temple’s Construction

Ezekiel prophecy Ezekiel

Are Crop-Tops Appropriate?: Most of the older girls and young women at our church are wearing crop tops to church. I find this obviously inappropriate for church and in general, but I don't want to be legalistic. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Are Crop-Tops Appropriate?

Forgiving Others: Jesus said forgive others so that God will forgive us, but Paul says we forgive BECAUSE God has forgiven us. How do you reconcile those statements?

Q&A question: Forgiving Others

Jesus

Does God Use Verses Out of Context?: Does God still communicate through verses taken out of context? Some say “yes” due to His unique ways, but I'm unsure.

Q&A question: Does God Use Verses Out of Context?