Search — Theology Explorer

selective quotation cross stauros

Watchtower quotes Greek lexicons selectively and out of context

The Watchtower's Insight on the Scriptures (Vol. 1) quotes Douglas's New Bible Dictionary (1985, p. 253) on stauros to support the torture-stake claim. Winger reads the actual quote the Watchtower uses.

crucifixion stauros Douglas's New Bible Dictionary

Full quote from Douglas's New Bible Dictionary supports a traditional cross, not a stake

When the full entry from Douglas's New Bible Dictionary is read, it describes three historical types of crosses and leans toward the traditional lowercase-T cross for Jesus's crucifixion.

Theological Dictionary of the New Testament lists three cross forms including traditional cross

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT) is a third major scholarly source Winger cites. It describes stauros as used for three basic cross shapes.

TDNT crucifixion cross

apologetics crucifixion cross

Justin Martyr (2nd century) explicitly describes two beams on the cross

Justin Martyr, one of the earliest Christian apologists, writing in the second century, describes Christ's cross as having two beams — ruling out the single-stake theory.

Matthew 12:43-45 Todd White exorcism Holy Spirit indwelling

Q&A: Can a Christian be demon-possessed? Winger argues no, based on Jesus's parable of the unoccupied house

A viewer asks whether Christians can have an unclean spirit/demon, and whether Winger's view implies deliverance ministry is only for unbelievers.

Mike Winger idea 2019-10-02

Q&A: Is the God of Islam the same as the God of Christianity?

Viewer question from Kaeleen van Konan

Islam apologetics comparative religion

Mike Winger idea 2019-10-02

Q&A: Why did God allow bears to kill 42 children for mocking Elisha? (2 Kings 2:23-24)

Viewer question from Pedro Jr.

2 Kings 2:23-24 apologetics Hebrew exegesis 2 Kings 2:23-24

Mike Winger idea 2019-10-02

Q&A: Does God have divine hatred? — Yes, Scripture affirms it, alongside God's love

Viewer question from Johnny

Ezekiel 33:11 John 3:16 Psalm 5:5 God's love Ezekiel 33:11 John 3:16

Mike Winger idea 2019-07-31

Winger states his position up front: infant baptism is not supported by Scripture

Rather than feigning neutrality, Winger openly declares his conclusion before building the case.

biblical interpretation infant baptism believers baptism

Mike Winger idea 2019-07-31

Baptism represents identification with the death and resurrection of Christ — Romans 6:3-4

Part 1: establishing what baptism means before asking who should receive it.

Romans 6:3-4 repentance faith death and resurrection of Christ

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

Living Waters apologetic methodology Emilio Ramos

Background: Winger recently debated Pastor Emilio Ramos on apologetic methodology at Living Waters

Personal context explaining why the topic is fresh, and why the episode was created on short notice

William Lane Craig knowing vs. showing apologetic methodology

Credit to William Lane Craig's article in Five Views on Apologetics for the knowing/showing framework

Attribution of intellectual source material

Romans 1-2 Joshua 7 divine judgment Romans 1-2 wrath of God

God's severe OT judgments are iconic examples of how extreme sin is, not normative patterns; wrath is mostly being delayed

Q&A: explaining the apparent harshness of divine judgment in the OT vs. NT

Deuteronomy Deuteronomy biblical inspiration Mosaic authorship

Moses is likely the primary author of the Pentateuch, though later editorial work under inspiration is possible

Q&A: Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch

Mike Winger idea 2020-08-28

In the New Testament, "kurios" (Lord) replaces "Yahweh" — this is standard Greek translation convention, reflected in English by small-cap LORD

Question from Zanet about the Mark series — why is "Yahweh" rendered as "kurios" (Lord) in the Greek NT, and whether that changes the meaning.

Mark Mark kurios Yahweh

Mike Winger idea 2020-08-28

Jesus did not teach salvation by works — Mark 10 (rich man) demonstrates the impossibility of works-righteousness and points to Christ's atoning sacrifice

Question from "A Pig with 100 Subscribers" about the apparent tension between Paul (saved by faith, not works) and Jesus (enter kingdom by following commandments).

Mark 10 atonement soteriology works-righteousness

Mike Winger idea 2020-08-28

Suicide does not automatically mean loss of salvation; Christians can and do commit terrible sins — but suicide harms others profoundly

Question from Miguel about whether a true believer who commits suicide in a moment of weakness can still be saved.

salvation ethics pastoral care

Mike Winger idea 2020-09-04

God gives wisdom primarily through Scripture, secondarily through the word of wisdom gift and through other believers

Q from Will Kozab about how God replies when you ask him for wisdom—does he send thoughts?

Proverbs 1 Corinthians 12 word of wisdom wisdom prayer

Mike Winger idea 2020-09-04

Polygamy is a real but sin-laden marriage; the moral complexity for a polygamist who converts precludes a simple answer

Q from Susan Morales following up on Mike's earlier video on whether a polygamist who becomes a Christian should divorce one or more wives.

marriage sin divorce

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

The Book of Enoch is historically interesting but not canonical and was never part of the Jewish or Christian canon

Response to Spider-G asking about the Book of Enoch.

Jude Jude Book of Enoch canon

Mike Winger idea 2020-09-18

Gethsemane — Jesus was not separated from the Father; "forsaken" means handed over to a terrible fate, not ontological separation of the Trinity

Question from Blake about whether Jesus was forsaken/separated from the Father in Gethsemane.

Psalm 22 Luke 22:44 Trinity Christology Psalm 22

gifts of the Spirit tongues and salvation spiritual abuse

Personal testimony: as a teenager Mike was told he was not saved because he had not spoken in tongues

Opening introduction before answering the first question about tongues and salvation

Genesis flood hermeneutics Genesis flood biblical cosmology

The global vs. humanity-wide flood debate is an active exegetical question, not just a science vs. Bible debate

Nuance added to the flood discussion

Exodus historicity apologetics archaeology Exodus historicity

Dr. Titus Kennedy's archaeological research supports the historicity of the Exodus

Recommended resource for the Exodus historicity discussion

Lutheran Church progressive Christianity church tradition

Lutheran church: internal struggle between biblical faithfulness and progressive drift

Q&A from Peter Williams about the Lutheran Church, liturgy, and the gospel

Calvary Chapel tradition vs Scripture church tradition

Calvary Chapel's informal warehouse-church aesthetic is itself a tradition, not an inherently superior form

Mike's reflection on his Calvary Chapel upbringing and liturgy

discernment Holy Spirit leading of the Spirit

Knowing the Holy Spirit: the Spirit's leading will always be consistent with Scripture

Q&A from Tia Jane about having a relationship with the Holy Spirit beyond gifts

discernment Holy Spirit leading of the Spirit

Track record in discerning Spirit leading is a practical check

Additional criteria for discerning Holy Spirit leading

apologetics presuppositional apologetics evidential apologetics

Presuppositional apologetics debate: Mike rejects the claim that evidential apologists need shared worldview common ground

Q&A from Daniel C about whether neutral or common ground exists in apologetics

Judges 4 Judges 4 Christian ethics video games

Sexual content in any media is a hard redline for Christians; violence is treated differently in Scripture

Distinguishing sexual content from violent content in media evaluation

personal testimony speaking in tongues gifts of the Spirit

Mike's personal experience of what he believes was genuine speaking in tongues during times of hardship

Anecdotal response to a question about scientific evidence for tongues

spiritual disciplines fasting

Scripture assumes fasting is part of normal Christian life without mandating specific schedules; fasting for a single meal is valid

Scope and flexibility of fasting

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-02

Annihilationism fails because (1) immortality does not mean eternal existence, and (2) Jesus uses the same word "everlasting" for both heaven and hell

Question from Selenora about why annihilationism is unbiblical

Matthew 25:46 eschatology conditional immortality hell

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-09

Mike's personal position: premillennial with a real thousand-year millennium and seven-year tribulation

Stating his personal eschatological view

millennium eschatology rapture

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-09

Kenneth Copeland and 2020 false prophets — April 15 COVID prophecy debunked

Detailed case study of false prophecy in 2020

discernment Kenneth Copeland Word of Faith

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-09

Thanksgiving as a biblical holiday in practice though not in name

Applying the holiday criteria to Thanksgiving

Christian liberty Thanksgiving gratitude

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-17

Deutero-Isaiah / multiple authorship of Isaiah — Mike skeptical

Q from "Skeptic Reviews" about the scholarly view that Isaiah had multiple authors.

Isaiah Isaiah 53 Isaiah 52 Jesus Isaiah Isaiah 53

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-17

Old Testament dietary laws — not binding on Christians; Isaiah 66 and Ezekiel future prophecy not a present command

Q from Ashley Koenig about whether Christians must follow OT dietary laws, citing Isaiah 66:16-17.

Colossians Romans 14 Acts Colossians Romans 14 Mosaic Law

Matthew 24:15 Daniel 9 Matthew 24 Matthew 24:15 Daniel 9 eschatology

The one true sign in Matthew 24 is the Abomination of Desolation — referenced from Daniel 9

Mike identifies the single definitive sign Jesus gives in Matthew 24.

Matthew 24 Matthew 24:26-27 eschatology false prophets Matthew 24

During the Tribulation, false christs will appear — the real Second Coming will be unmistakably visible to all

Mike explains why Jesus warns so strongly against looking for a hidden or local return of Christ.

Numbers 5:27 Numbers 5 NIV abortion divine judgment

Numbers 5 — the Bitter Water trial does not describe an abortion; the NIV translation is mistaken on this point

Question from Dakota Ballard about pro-choice advocates using Numbers 5:27 to support abortion.

Hebrews 6 Hebrews 6:4-6 Luke 8:4-15 salvation eternal security Hebrews 6

Hebrews 6:4-6 — the most difficult passage in the Bible; three main interpretive options explored

Question from Delante Dingo about whether the Parable of the Sower clarifies Hebrews 6 and whether salvation is eternal.