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All (451) Mike Winger (451)
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

How to determine transcultural vs. culturally-bound biblical instructions

Anonymous listener (username: "hi pastor mike") asks how to distinguish timeless biblical commands from culturally-specific ones.

Ephesians Acts 15 Ephesians Acts 15 Proof-texting
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

Baptism: biblical basis and urgency; no reason to delay

Listener Kenneth asks how to explain the importance of baptism to a new Christian who has not yet been baptized.

Acts 2:38 Acts 8:36-38 Hebrews 5 Philip the Evangelist Ethiopian eunuch Acts 2:38
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

Sharing Jesus with children when an atheist spouse objects

Listener Sheila is a new believer; her atheist husband does not want her sharing Jesus with their daughter because the daughter will think he's going to hell.

Acts 5:29 Acts 5:29 Atheism Religious liberty in marriage
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

Apparent contradiction between Stephen's speech (Acts 7:4) and Genesis chronology of Terah and Abraham.

Question 2 from Rod D about Acts 7:4 vs Genesis 11:26, 32 and Genesis 12:4.

Acts 7:4 Genesis 11:26 Genesis 11:32 Stephen Abraham Acts 7:4
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

The gospel presentation should be adapted to the individual; the content stays constant but the approach changes.

Question 13 from Steph T about how to summarize the gospel with strangers or those from different religions.

Acts 17 Paul Acts 17 evangelism
Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

Good #1: Freely choosing to enter a loving relationship with God is a great good — a love potion analogy shows forced love isn't real love. Good #2: Alvin Plantinga's supralapsarianism theodicy — the Incarnation and atonement (Christ dying for those who hate him) is among the greatest conceivable acts of love, only possible in a world with sin.

Response to Q4 — goods requiring earth (love and atonement)

free will Alvin Plantinga free will
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: What does "born of water" mean in John 3:5? Two interpretations: (1) physical birth (water/amniotic fluid) vs. spiritual birth — two births, not three; (2) "water and spirit" as one birth in Greek, referring to the spiritual reality baptism represents, not literal water baptism. Cornelius (Acts 10) proves baptism isn't required for salvation.

Q&A — born of water (John 3:5)

John 3:5 Acts 10 Cornelius John 3:5 born of water baptism and salvation
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: Baptism in Acts 2:38 — is it required for salvation? No. Acts 10 (Cornelius) shows people receiving the Holy Spirit BEFORE baptism. The gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:38 comes after repentance; baptism is commanded but not essential to receiving salvation. Cornelius was saved, Spirit-filled, and speaking in tongues before water baptism.

Q&A — baptism and salvation (Acts 2:38 vs Acts 10)

Acts 2:38 Acts 10 Cornelius Acts 2:38 baptism and salvation Acts 10 Cornelius
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: Acts 4:32-37 communal living — why don't churches do this? Context: Jews from around the world came to Jerusalem for Pentecost, got saved, and didn't want to leave. They sold possessions to pool resources and learn from the apostles. This was a unique situation, not a policy — it doesn't appear in Ephesus, Corinth, or Antioch.

Q&A — Acts 4 communalism

Acts 4:32-37 Pentecost Pentecost Acts 4:32-37
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-18

Q: Was Paul a false apostle (Revelation 2:2)? No — Revelation 2:2 actually proves Paul IS a true apostle. The Ephesians could identify false apostles AND they received Paul warmly (Ephesians letter, Acts 20). Peter calls Paul's writings "Scripture" (2 Peter 3:16). Paul-denial movements strip the NT to smuggle in cult theology.

Q&A — Paul as false apostle (Revelation 2:2)

2 Peter 3:16 Revelation 2:2 2 Peter 3:16 Paul false apostle claim Revelation 2:2
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-08

Building a case for Jesus's miracles with kids: (1) If God exists, miracles are possible — this is a worldview starting point. (2) Earliest sources (Mark) describe a miracle-working Jesus — 40% of Mark's narrative involves miracles. (3) No sources describe a non-miracle-working Jesus. (4) Miracles are integrally woven into the narrative — you can't remove them without the story collapsing. (5) Virtually all historians agree Jesus drew large crowds doing something remarkable. (6) The resurrection is the central miracle with significant historical evidence.

Case for Jesus's miracles — for kids

1 Corinthians 15:14 Gary Habermas Gospel of Mark Gospel of Mark
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-19

Mike presents 24-26 ways Passover was prophetically fulfilled by Jesus. Passover is a typological prophecy — not direct prediction/fulfillment but symbolic correspondence between OT events and Christ's work. 1 Corinthians 5:7: "Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed." Jesus chose to die during Passover week — his timing was deliberate.

Introduction — Passover as prophetic type

1 Corinthians 5:7 Passover Passover Passover as prophecy
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-29

Q&A: How to evaluate modern self-proclaimed prophets who get prophecies wrong. Mike's position: if they get one wrong, he no longer trusts they're hearing from God (Deuteronomy 18:22 principle). He gives leeway to sincere believers who may have confused their own heart for the Holy Spirit, but consecutive failures warrant stronger stance.

Q&A — evaluating modern prophets

Deuteronomy 18:22 Deuteronomy 18:22 modern prophecy testing prophets
Mike Winger idea 2020-05-06

Evidence for early Christian persecution: (1) Multiple attestation across the entire NT — Gospels, Acts, Hebrews, James, 1 John, Peter, Revelation all attest to Christians paying a price for faith. (2) Earliest church fathers (Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp) confirm the theme. (3) Non-Christian sources (Tacitus, Suetonius) confirm persecution under Nero.

Evidence for early persecution — multiple independent sources

multiple attestation Tacitus Clement of Rome
Mike Winger idea 2020-05-06

McDowell responds to Moss's dismissal of Nero persecution: (1) 50-year gap doesn't warrant dismissal — McDowell's father remembers Nixon 50 years ago. (2) Suetonius provides additional support she doesn't cite. (3) Her claim that "Christian" wasn't used until end of first century is false — Acts records the term at Antioch c.47 AD. (4) Tacitus says "great multitude" — not a handful. Nero needed a sufficiently large scapegoat group.

Responding to Moss on Nero — four rebuttals

Acts 11:26 Tacitus Candida Moss Suetonius
Mike Winger idea 2020-05-06

The actual historical evidence for specific apostolic martyrdoms: strong for Peter, Paul, James son of Zebedee, James brother of Jesus (early, multiple sources). Possible for Thomas (some 2nd century evidence). For the rest (Bartholomew, Matthew, Matthias etc.) — 3rd-5th century accounts that are contradictory and likely fictional. McDowell and Moss agree on the later accounts being unreliable.

Evidence tiers for apostolic martyrdoms

James brother of Jesus James son of Zebedee James brother of Jesus Sean McDowell James son of Zebedee
Mike Winger idea 2020-05-06

The Apostles' willingness to suffer demonstrates sincerity even without formal recantation opportunities. They knew what they were signing up for: Jesus told them they'd be brought before governors and kings (Matthew 10). They watched Stephen die, John the Baptist get executed, and Jesus himself crucified. They repeatedly chose to keep preaching despite imprisonment and beatings (Acts).

Sincerity without formal recantation opportunities

Matthew 10 apostolic martyrdom Matthew 10 sincerity of apostles
Mike Winger idea 2020-05-06

How the martyrdom argument fits the larger resurrection case: the resurrection rests on multiple facts (Jesus lived, died, was buried, tomb was empty, early appearance claims to women, the 500, apostles, Paul). The apostles' willingness to suffer gives credibility specifically to the appearance claims — they weren't lying about having seen the risen Jesus. Lee Strobel said this was the most convincing evidence to him.

Martyrdom as sub-argument within resurrection case

Lee Strobel empty tomb apostolic martyrdom
Mike Winger idea 2020-05-21

Gospel contradictions: Williams argues the burden of proof is on the person claiming two accounts CAN'T fit together, not on the believer to provide the exact harmonization. The Judas death example (Matthew: hanged; Acts: fell and burst open) — multiple scenarios fit both descriptions. Ancient reporting conventions (no quotation marks, different summarization styles, legal naming conventions) explain most alleged contradictions.

Gospel contradictions — burden of proof and Judas

burden of proof Bart Ehrman Bart Ehrman
Mike Winger idea 2020-06-03

Mike addresses the George Floyd protests and racism from a biblical perspective: (1) All humans are made in God's image — foundational to human rights. (2) Race as commonly discussed doesn't fit the Christian worldview — skin color is irrelevant to human value. (3) Romans 12:21: don't let others' sin trigger your sin. (4) Galatians 6:1: restore in gentleness, keep watch on yourself lest you be tempted. The key warning: don't justify rebellion against God in the name of righteousness.

Biblical response to George Floyd and racism

Galatians 6:1 Romans 12:21 imago Dei Galatians 6:1 Good Samaritan
Mike Winger idea 2020-06-03

Should new believers read the whole Bible? Yes, eventually. But start with the Gospel of John (written for the purpose of producing faith), then the rest of the NT. Read Psalms and Proverbs for wisdom/worship. Genesis for foundations. Don't start at Genesis 1 and try to plow through — you'll bog down in Leviticus. A reading plan helps maintain consistency.

Bible reading plan for new believers

John 20:31 Gospel of John Gospel of John new believers
Mike Winger idea 2020-06-19

Leviticus 20:10 objection: if adultery = death, how can it be grounds for divorce (the person would be dead)? Four responses: (1) The death penalty wasn't practiced after 30 AD under Roman rule — John 18:31: "it is not lawful for us to put anyone to death." (2) The Mishnah has rules for divorced adulteresses (can't marry their lover) — proving they weren't killed. (3) Adultery was hard to prove (requires 2+ witnesses). (4) Jesus uses porneia (broader than adultery) to include lesser sexual offenses.

Adultery death penalty objection — four rebuttals

Leviticus 20:10 John 18:31 Deuteronomy 24 Leviticus 20:10 John 18:31 Mishnah Yevamot 2:8
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-07

1 John 3:9 ("whoever is born of God does not sin") doesn't mean Christians never sin. 1 John 1:8-10 in the SAME letter says "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves" and "if we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive." The Greek tense in 3:9 indicates ongoing habitual practice, not individual acts. A Christian won't be characterized by a lifestyle of sin, but will still fail and need forgiveness.

1 John 3:9 — sinless perfection refuted

1 John 3:9 1 John 1:8-10 sinless perfection 1 John 3:9 1 John 1:8-10
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-18

Hope for abusive pastors: the disciples who asked for thrones became the greatest servants in church history. James was the first apostle martyred; John served faithfully into old age. Jesus didn't disqualify them for their worldly ambitions — he corrected them and they changed. The same transformation is available today. But it requires: (1) honest self-examination, (2) willingness to be corrected, (3) choosing service over authority.

Hope for transformation — disciples changed

James and John request Acts 12 (James martyred) James and John request pastoral transformation Acts 12 (James martyred)
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-21

Mark 16:17-18 (signs accompanying believers) — Mike thinks the last 12 verses of Mark are likely not original (earliest manuscripts lack them). Even if original: (1) the signs may apply to SOME believers, not ALL; (2) picking up serpents refers to unintentional encounters (like Paul in Acts 28), not deliberate snake handling; (3) Jesus said "do not put the Lord your God to the test"; (4) if healing applies to all, every Christian should be in hospitals — but nobody does this, revealing inconsistency.

Mark 16:17-18 — signs and snake handling

Mark 16:9-20 Mark 16:17-18 Acts 28 (Paul and viper) textual criticism textual criticism Mark 16:9-20
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-21

Deliberate sin and condemnation (Hebrews 10): (1) The NT provides forgiveness for sins the OT law couldn't cover — Jesus is better than the law. (2) Hebrews' "willful sin" passage is about apostasy (rejecting Christ entirely), not individual acts of deliberate sin. The context of Hebrews 10 is about abandoning the faith, not occasional moral failures.

Deliberate sin — Hebrews 10 is about apostasy

Hebrews 10 willful sin apostasy apostasy Hebrews 10 willful sin
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-31

Psalm 118 is the key text the crowd quotes — it prophesies the rejected cornerstone (Messiah rejected by Israel's leaders) whom God establishes anyway. Jesus quotes it about himself in Mark 12.

Detailed exposition of Psalm 118 and its messianic significance

Acts 7 Psalm 118 Psalm 118:22 typology typology Acts 7
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-28

Six reasons why "this mountain" is NOT limited to the temple (contra cessationist interpretation), but is a general truth about prayer: Paul's usage, Matthew/Luke parallels, OT mountain-moving language.

Refuting Jeff Durbin's cessationist interpretation that limits Mark 11 to imprecatory prayer against the temple

1 Corinthians 13:2 Mark 11:24 Mark 13:2 cessationism 1 Corinthians 13:2 cessationism
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-28

Faith for miracles is different from saving faith — it's initiated by God (a spiritual gift), not fabricated by the believer. Jesus had a responsive ministry to the Father, not initiatory. You respond to what the Spirit reveals.

Theological framework: miracle-faith as God-initiated response, not self-generated belief

1 Corinthians 12:8-11 John 5:19 1 John 5:14 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 John 5:19 1 John 5:14
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-19

The trap: Pharisees and Herodians (sent by the Sanhedrin) use flattery to pressure Jesus into a direct yes/no answer. They want either criminal charges (sedition) or depopularization (alienating zealot followers).

Analysis of the trap question setup in Mark 12:13-16

Mark 12:13-17 Acts 5:37 Proverbs 29:5 Josephus Josephus Sanhedrin
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-19

Be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16). Paul before the Sanhedrin (Acts 23) is a model — he cleverly divided the room on the resurrection issue rather than just proclaiming Jesus is Lord.

Example of Christian cleverness from Paul in Acts 23

Acts 23 Matthew 10:16 Acts 23 Matthew 10:16 shrewd as serpents
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-22

A controversy exists in NT scholarship over whether gospel authors used "literary devices" from Greco-Roman biography that allowed them to change facts. Dr. Lydia McGrew argues against this; Mike Licona argues for it.

Introduction to the literary devices controversy with Dr. Lydia McGrew

Mike Licona Mike Licona Lydia McGrew
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-22

The external evidence (compositional textbooks, Plutarch) is far weaker than claimed. The textbooks never explicitly say "it's acceptable to change historical facts." Plutarch's differences may just be mistakes, not intentional literary devices. Licona admits attributing devices to the Gospels that aren't even found in the textbooks or Plutarch.

Critique of the external evidence for literary devices

Plutarch Mike Licona Mike Licona
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-29

The historical problem of racism in the US is genuinely appalling — race is a social construct invented to justify white dominance, US chattel slavery was predicated on the anti-gospel act of man-stealing, and legalized racism lasted ~340 years (1619-1964).

Honest accounting of US racial history before critiquing CRT

1 Timothy 1:10 Acts 17:26 1 Timothy 1:10 racism history US Acts 17:26
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-29

Biblical framework: impartiality in judgment (no favoritism for rich or poor), all humans of one blood in God's image, individual sin/accountability, Scripture as the authority over lived experience. CRT is incompatible with Christianity on every core tenet.

The biblical response to CRT

Leviticus 19:15 image of God image of God biblical justice
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-14

Discerning false prophets by their "fruit" (Matthew 7:15-20) — fruit is defined IN the passage as whether their teaching leads people to do God's will vs. lawlessness. It's not about charismatic experiences or emotional reactions.

Q4: How to practically use Matthew 7:15-20 to discern people?

Acts 2 Matthew Matthew 7 Acts 2 Jesus prophecy
Mike Winger idea 2021-06-25

Why does John and Other Passages Not Mention Repentance?: If repentance is required to be saved, why is it not mentioned in the Gospel of John and other evangelical texts like Acts 16: 31 and Romans 10? Can repentance be somewhat synonymous with belief?

Q&A question: Why does John and Other Passages Not Mention Repentance?

Romans 10 repentance Romans 10 angels
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-16

About Jupiter in the Bible: In Acts 19:35 where it says “the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter,” is this referring to the planet Jupiter, and did they know of other planets in that period of time?

Q&A question: About Jupiter in the Bible

Acts 19 Acts 19
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-30

About the Early Church & Socialism: Should Christians be living like the early Church in a sort of voluntary Socialism as found in Acts 2: 42-47 and Acts 4: 32-37?

Q&A question: About the Early Church & Socialism

Acts 2 Acts 4 Acts 2 Acts 4
Mike Winger idea 2021-08-06

How is the Holy Spirit Received?: How does receiving the Holy Spirit work? In Acts, there are two times the HS is poured out: Jews (Ch. 2) and then Gentiles (Ch. 10), but every other time is passed by laying on of hands (Acts 8: 14-18, 19:6, etc.).

Q&A question: How is the Holy Spirit Received?

Acts 8 Acts 8
Mike Winger idea 2021-08-13

About Paul and a Time Gap in Scripture: Why didn’t Luke mention the time gap that took place during Acts 9: 20-26, that Paul mentioned in Galatians 1: 17-18?

Q&A question: About Paul and a Time Gap in Scripture

Galatians 1 Acts 9 Galatians 1 Acts 9
Mike Winger idea 2021-09-10

About Becoming a Disciple: How do you become a disciple in light of Matthew 28: 19? Can you be unsaved yet still a disciple? I haven’t found the Greek word (μαθητευω) elsewhere. Seems to normally be μαθητης (ex. Acts 11: 29; 19: 30; 21:4, 16).

Q&A question: About Becoming a Disciple

Matthew Matthew 28 Acts 11 Matthew Matthew 28 Acts 11
Mike Winger idea 2021-09-10

Is it Biblical? Jesus in our Hearts: Do we have "Jesus in our hearts" as believers? What about worship songs about Jesus in the room? John 16:5-10, Acts 1:9-11 and basically all of Revelation seems to say Jesus is in Heaven for now.

Q&A question: Is it Biblical? Jesus in our Hearts

revelation Acts 1 John 16 Jesus worship revelation
Mike Winger idea 2021-11-05

Is Baptism Required?: Why does the Bible sound like baptism is required for salvation in some places (eg. Mark 16: 16)? Does Acts 1:5 answer what KIND of baptism IS required (Holy Spirit baptism)? And what did Jesus mean by “to fulfill righteousness”?

Q&A question: Is Baptism Required?

Mark 16 Acts 1 Jesus salvation baptism
Mike Winger idea 2021-12-03

About the Evidence of the Spirit: In Acts 8, how did they know when the Samaritans had and had not received the Holy Spirit? Pentecostals teach that it must have been tongues. Is there another explanation?

Q&A question: About the Evidence of the Spirit

Acts 8 Acts 8 tongues
Mike Winger idea 2021-12-03

Are Works Required? (Sheep & Goats): Does John 5: 29 or the Parable of Sheep and Goats mean that Jesus taught we need works to be saved? It seems to align with the mid-acts dispensational view.

Q&A question: Are Works Required? (Sheep & Goats)

John 5 Jesus John 5
Mike Winger idea 2022-02-04

Intellectual Agreement vs. Faith in Christ: I believe I'm trusting in Jesus' death and resurrection for salvation, but I have OCD and can't control my thoughts. So how do I know if I'm really trusting, or just agreeing with facts intellectually?

Q&A question: Intellectual Agreement vs. Faith in Christ

Jesus salvation resurrection
Mike Winger idea 2022-02-04

Refuting a Calvinist Interpretation: I am not a Calvinist, but I am having a very hard time finding a non-Calvinist interpretation of Acts 13: 48.

Q&A question: Refuting a Calvinist Interpretation

Acts 13 Calvinism Acts 13
Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

Defending the Trinity: What are your thoughts on the argument against the Trinity that points out the lack of a Trinitarian controversy (like that of Nicaea) in the time of Acts and the writing of the New Testament?

Q&A question: Defending the Trinity

Trinity
Mike Winger idea 2022-04-01

Winger says NO — do not follow your husband to a cult. The Bible never gives husbands spiritual authority to dictate their wife's worship. Wives have a relationship with God independent of their husbands. He also rejects the 'husband as priest of his house' teaching as unbiblical. Uses 1 Peter 3:1-6 extensively.

Q&A: Husband joined a cult teaching women go to hell for wearing makeup/trousers. Should wife submit and follow him there?

1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism
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