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Mike Winger idea 2024-07-05

Is Family Planning Sinful?: My church teaches that a couple must continuously have as many children as they're able, and it's seen as selfish and a sin resulting in church discipline if they use any form of family planning to stop. Many have 12-18 children as a result. Leadership says God wouldn't give more children than a couple can handle. Is this biblical? We already have 5 children.

Q&A question: Is Family Planning Sinful?

parenting

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-05

Questioning Salvation = Not Saved?: I asked the youth how confident they are of salvation on a 1-10 scale. One replied with a ”7” citing that they still sin and don’t read their Bible often. Can one be saved if they associate salvation with works like Bible reading? Are the warnings in Galatians fitting here?

Q&A question: Questioning Salvation = Not Saved?

salvation

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-12

Discussing Biblical “Contradictions”!: Can you please discuss some different Bible passages that appear to be contradictory?

Q&A question: Discussing Biblical “Contradictions”!

biblical reliability

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-12

Why do Christians Ask for Forgiveness?: My question from a skeptic is, if you are already saved, why do you still ask for forgiveness for your sins?

Q&A question: Why do Christians Ask for Forgiveness?

forgiveness

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-12

Does the Concept of Sin Apply to God?: Is God holy and sinless? Can God do things which, if we did them, would be considered sin? One example is killing the firstborn of Egypt. Does the concept of sin (or being sinless) even APPLY to God?

Q&A question: Does the Concept of Sin Apply to God?

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-19

Are Sinful Desires Sinful?: James 1: 15 speaks about your desire giving birth to sin, but if you have an evil desire, isn’t that already sin?

Q&A question: Are Sinful Desires Sinful?

James James 1 James James 1

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-19

Does Hebrews 1 Prove Cessationism?: Is Hebrews 1:1 supportive of the idea that there are no prophets since the 1st century as God only speaks from Jesus Christ?

Q&A question: Does Hebrews 1 Prove Cessationism?

Hebrews 1 Jesus Christ Jesus cessationism

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-19

Jesus & the Samaritan Woman: Was Jesus pointing out the sin of the Samaritan woman, or was He letting her know He understood her circumstances, considering women had little control over their marital status?

Q&A question: Jesus & the Samaritan Woman

Jesus Samaritan woman

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-26

Temptations from the Flesh vs. the Enemy: Is it possible to discern between temptations that come from Satan and those that come from within due to the sinful desires of flesh?

Q&A question: Temptations from the Flesh vs. the Enemy

Satan

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-09

Explaining a Confusing Passage: Can you please explain how you understand Revelation 22: 11? I was super confused the first time I read this verse.

Q&A question: Explaining a Confusing Passage

revelation revelation

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-09

Is Love God’s Chief Trait?: Is love God’s chief trait, or just one of them? Is it right to call all He does (i.e., punishing sin) an act of love, or are some things done in keeping with His holiness, justice, etc.?

Q&A question: Is Love God’s Chief Trait?

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-16

How Much Detail do we Confess?: When we, as Christians, confess our sins to God, how detailed should we be? Two verses that come to my mind are Psalm 139: 23-24.

Q&A question: How Much Detail do we Confess?

Psalm 139 Psalm 139

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-16

Be Quiet & MYOB?: In 1 Thessalonians 4: 11 we are told to be quiet and mind our own business. How does that play out in a time where there is so much wrong in the world and in the Church? How are you doing it? You are the best!

Q&A question: Be Quiet & MYOB?

1 Thessalonians 4 1 Thessalonians 4

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-30

Serving God in our Professions: I am a DJ on a secular radio station. Knowing what's in many of the songs, I wonder if I am not pleasing the Lord by being in this job. Is this a matter of conscience?

Q&A question: Serving God in our Professions

faith and science

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-06

How to Pray Without Ceasing: What does it mean to "pray without ceasing" as instructed in 1Thessalonians 5: 17, and how do we practically achieve this?

Q&A question: How to Pray Without Ceasing

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-06

WHY is Cussing Wrong?: I know I'm "supposed to" believe cuss words are bad to use as a Christian, but can you help me REALLY understand why? Most of them don't "feel" wrong to say in casual settings, especially if I'm by MYSELF (home alone and I trip or something).

Q&A question: WHY is Cussing Wrong?

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-14

Our Attitude when God Works Through Us: Is it sinful for a Christian to be pleased when God enables them to do a good work (Isaiah 64:6, Galatians 6:4)?

Q&A question: Our Attitude when God Works Through Us

Isaiah Galatians 6 Isaiah Galatians 6

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-14

Did Christ Become the HS?: Does 1 Corinthians 15: 45 mean that Christ became the Holy Spirit? I was taught this growing up, but it seems like Modalism to me now. I can’t break from this reading of the verse since I left that group.

Q&A question: Did Christ Become the HS?

1 Corinthians 15 1 Corinthians 15

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-20

Does Sin Cause Illness?: Does sinning cause physical illness? Does refraining from sinning stop it? John 9:3 and John 5: 14 seem to say both are true. Is this a contradiction?

Q&A question: Does Sin Cause Illness?

John 9 John 5 John 9 John 5

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-20

Was David Conceived in Adultery?: In Psalm 51:5, David says that in sin his mother conceived him. Is he saying that he has been in sin since his conception, or that his mother was in sin when she conceived him? Was David born in adultery?

Q&A question: Was David Conceived in Adultery?

Psalm 51 David Psalm 51

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-20

Adam – “Leave & Cleave”?: How do you interpret Genesis 2: 24? How could Adam come with such a statement, since he had no earthly mother or father?

Q&A question: Adam – “Leave & Cleave”?

Genesis 2 Genesis Genesis 2 Genesis

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-04

Does Satan Always Need God’s Permission?: Does Satan have to come to God any time he messes with us? I have a friend using Job as proof that Satan needs permission to mess with us, too.

Q&A question: Does Satan Always Need God’s Permission?

Satan

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-04

Bonus Prayer Request.Please pray for my cousin’s 3 grandchildren. A car wreck on Friday has left one paralyzed and 2 in still in the ICU. One has had 7 surgeries so far. They are all under age 12.

Q&A question

prayer

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-11

Our Motive for Good Deeds: Is it good to do good deeds purely to get heavenly rewards, since you have such great faith in the reward? Or is it bad because your motives are selfish/reward-centered and not centered around love for others?

Q&A question: Our Motive for Good Deeds

heaven

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-18

Church Coffee Shops – Sinful?: A church in town opened a coffee shop in the foyer. Some say it's akin to a marketplace in the Temple, and others say since it's run at cost (or even below cost) that it's fine. What are your thoughts?

Q&A question: Church Coffee Shops – Sinful?

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-25

Unforgivable Sin in The Didache?: and In the Didache, judging the spirits wrongly was included as the unforgivable sin. Could you explain why you think that is not the case?

Q&A question: Unforgivable Sin in The Didache?

unforgivable sin

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-25

The Doctrine of Impassability: Can you help me understand the doctrine of impassability a little bit better? It's confusing for me, and I'm not sure how to relate to the Lord and bring Him my pain, knowing this doctrine.

Q&A question: The Doctrine of Impassability

Mike Winger idea 2024-11-08

Confessing Your Faith when Difficult: I'm a 30 y/o woman in SoCal, financially dependent on my Muslim parents. I've studied for years and I’m now feeling called to Christ. I fear being kicked out. Any advice on how to tell them I'm Christian?

Q&A question: Confessing Your Faith when Difficult

Islam

Mike Winger idea 2024-11-08

Hosting Sinners in our Homes: Is 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 only for corporate gatherings or also for private gatherings such as family meals, etc.? Should Christians host professing Christian family members who are living in unrepentant sin?

Q&A question: Hosting Sinners in our Homes

1 Corinthians 5 1 Corinthians 5

Mike Winger idea 2024-11-15

Can Fallen Leaders Be Restored?: Can fallen pastors who have engaged in egregious sin be restored back to ministry?

Q&A question: Can Fallen Leaders Be Restored?

pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2024-11-15

“The River” = Heaven?: Is there a biblical basis for songs about “crossing the river” into Heaven, or is that just Greek mythology? Is the Jordan River a legitimate biblical metaphor for dying and going to the Promised Land/Heaven?

Q&A question: “The River” = Heaven?

heaven

Mike Winger idea 2024-11-15

Thinking Biblically about All Creation: Since all is God’s creation, will God hold us blameworthy for killing insects and other critters like cockroaches, mosquitoes, bees, spiders, mice, etc.?

Q&A question: Thinking Biblically about All Creation

creation

Mike Winger idea 2024-11-15

Lazarus’ Resurrection – Missing?: I find the fact that the resurrection of Lazarus is missing from the Synoptics and the epistles to be unsettling. Do you have any insights on why such a massive claim is not in the earliest texts?

Q&A question: Lazarus’ Resurrection – Missing?

resurrection Lazarus

Mike Winger idea 2024-11-15

Investing in Rental Properties – Sin?: I would like to start investing in rental homes. Is this flat out a sin and should I be just giving my excess to the needy people, or is it OK to invest to earn more, and just give then?

Q&A question: Investing in Rental Properties – Sin?

generosity

Mike Winger idea 2024-12-13

Dying to Sexual Addictions: I’m only 18, but I’ve been addicted to pornography for 5 years now, which slowly turned homosexual over time. Can you please explain the past tense of “died” in Romans 6:2? Am I dead to sin, or do I die?

Q&A question: Dying to Sexual Addictions

Romans 6 Romans 6 homosexuality

Mike Winger idea 2024-12-13

How to Biblically Confront an Elder: How should a church member confront an elder biblically? Is Matthew 18 still applicable, or is there another text that applies since they are an elder?

Q&A question: How to Biblically Confront an Elder

Matthew 18 Matthew elder qualifications Matthew 18 Matthew

Mike Winger idea 2024-12-20

Choosing Sides?: A friend of a friend asked why he has to “choose sides” (God or the Devil). Why can't he just remain neutral? He claims it's not really free will when there's only one “right side.”

Q&A question: Choosing Sides?

free will

Mike Winger idea 2024-12-20

David’s Salvation – Murderer?: If according to John, no murderer has eternal life abiding in him (1 John 3: 15), how do we explain David’s salvation, since he had Uriah killed?

Q&A question: David’s Salvation – Murderer?

1 John 3 David salvation 1 John 3

Mike Winger idea 2024-12-20

Bonus Q! Since Christmas is next Wednesday, what’s your favorite Christmas tradition? And what Christmas traditions would you recommend avoiding/refusing to participate in?

Q&A question

Mike Winger idea 2024-12-27

Guilty of Unintentional Sins?: Are we guilty of sins we do not know we have committed (Leviticus 4: 27, 5: 17)?

Q&A question: Guilty of Unintentional Sins?

Mike Winger idea 2025-01-10

Images of God: Ever Biblical?: Author J.I. Packer states that the 2nd commandment forbids using images of God for worship (such as paintings or statues/icons of God) and that images cannot capture His power & only serve as a crutch when worshiping Him. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Images of God: Ever Biblical?

worship

Mike Winger idea 2025-01-10

Not Enough Prayer in Church?: Why do we pray so little collectively during Sunday services? Singing makes up 40%, while praying roughly 1-2%. This does not seem to line up biblically or historically (Acts 2: 42; 1 Timothy 2:1-8).

Q&A question: Not Enough Prayer in Church?

1 Timothy 2 Acts 2 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Acts 2

Mike Winger idea 2025-01-10

Resolving to Follow Christ Amid Doubts: Can you be saved by choosing the Christian life at any moment and hoping it’s real, or do you have to be convinced? What conditions do you need from God or yourself? Do you have to be feeling a certain way?

Q&A question: Resolving to Follow Christ Amid Doubts

doubt and faith

Mike Winger idea 2025-01-17

Overcoming the Grip of Sin: What’s the balance between the Holy Spirit changing us, and us trying to do good works and love God? I just feel so stuck in my sin. I don’t know how to get out of this habit. I’m scared my repentance isn’t real.

Q&A question: Overcoming the Grip of Sin

repentance

Mike Winger idea 2025-01-17

Sin in the Millennium?: Will there be sin in the Millennium? Will that affect our glorified bodies and our lives in the Millennium?

Q&A question: Sin in the Millennium?

millennium

Mike Winger idea 2025-02-07

Is Baptismal Regeneration Heresy?: Is believing that baptism is for the remission of sins based on Acts 2: 38 heresy? Is someone who was thusly baptized then not saved?

Q&A question: Is Baptismal Regeneration Heresy?

Acts 2 Acts 2 baptism heresy

Mike Winger idea 2025-02-07

Sinful Vows: Binding?: Are vows made in sin or amidst sinful circumstances still binding in eyes of God (Ecclesiastes 5:5, Joshua 9, Genesis 27, Judges 12)?

Q&A question: Sinful Vows: Binding?

Genesis Genesis

Mike Winger idea 2025-02-14

David’s Story: Exempting Accountability?: How should we respond to people who use the story of David and other flawed biblical figures, whom God still used, to justify their own sinful behavior, especially when in positions of power?

Q&A question: David’s Story: Exempting Accountability?

David

Mike Winger idea 2025-02-14

Are Body Piercings Sinful?: What does the Bible say about piercings? If a woman who serves in the worship ministry gets a belly piercing, should she no longer be allowed to serve in that ministry?

Q&A question: Are Body Piercings Sinful?

worship

Mike Winger idea 2025-03-21

So Many Saw – So Little Believed?: Since many saw the saints who were raised to life (Matthew 27: 52-53) then more than 500 saw Jesus after His resurrection, how is it that so many didn’t believe He rose (e.g. Saul pre-Damascus)?

Q&A question: So Many Saw – So Little Believed?

Matthew Matthew 27 Jesus resurrection Matthew

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Discussing Biblical “Contradictions”!: Can you please discuss some different Bible passages that appear to be contradictory?

Why do Christians Ask for Forgiveness?: My question from a skeptic is, if you are already saved, why do you still ask for forgiveness for your sins?

Does the Concept of Sin Apply to God?: Is God holy and sinless? Can God do things which, if we did them, would be considered sin? One example is killing the firstborn of Egypt. Does the concept of sin (or being sinless) even APPLY to God?

Are Sinful Desires Sinful?: James 1: 15 speaks about your desire giving birth to sin, but if you have an evil desire, isn’t that already sin?

Does Hebrews 1 Prove Cessationism?: Is Hebrews 1:1 supportive of the idea that there are no prophets since the 1st century as God only speaks from Jesus Christ?

Jesus & the Samaritan Woman: Was Jesus pointing out the sin of the Samaritan woman, or was He letting her know He understood her circumstances, considering women had little control over their marital status?

Temptations from the Flesh vs. the Enemy: Is it possible to discern between temptations that come from Satan and those that come from within due to the sinful desires of flesh?

Explaining a Confusing Passage: Can you please explain how you understand Revelation 22: 11? I was super confused the first time I read this verse.

Is Love God’s Chief Trait?: Is love God’s chief trait, or just one of them? Is it right to call all He does (i.e., punishing sin) an act of love, or are some things done in keeping with His holiness, justice, etc.?

How Much Detail do we Confess?: When we, as Christians, confess our sins to God, how detailed should we be? Two verses that come to my mind are Psalm 139: 23-24.

Be Quiet & MYOB?: In 1 Thessalonians 4: 11 we are told to be quiet and mind our own business. How does that play out in a time where there is so much wrong in the world and in the Church? How are you doing it? You are the best!

Serving God in our Professions: I am a DJ on a secular radio station. Knowing what's in many of the songs, I wonder if I am not pleasing the Lord by being in this job. Is this a matter of conscience?

How to Pray Without Ceasing: What does it mean to "pray without ceasing" as instructed in 1Thessalonians 5: 17, and how do we practically achieve this?

WHY is Cussing Wrong?: I know I'm "supposed to" believe cuss words are bad to use as a Christian, but can you help me REALLY understand why? Most of them don't "feel" wrong to say in casual settings, especially if I'm by MYSELF (home alone and I trip or something).

Our Attitude when God Works Through Us: Is it sinful for a Christian to be pleased when God enables them to do a good work (Isaiah 64:6, Galatians 6:4)?

Did Christ Become the HS?: Does 1 Corinthians 15: 45 mean that Christ became the Holy Spirit? I was taught this growing up, but it seems like Modalism to me now. I can’t break from this reading of the verse since I left that group.

Does Sin Cause Illness?: Does sinning cause physical illness? Does refraining from sinning stop it? John 9:3 and John 5: 14 seem to say both are true. Is this a contradiction?

Was David Conceived in Adultery?: In Psalm 51:5, David says that in sin his mother conceived him. Is he saying that he has been in sin since his conception, or that his mother was in sin when she conceived him? Was David born in adultery?

Adam – “Leave & Cleave”?: How do you interpret Genesis 2: 24? How could Adam come with such a statement, since he had no earthly mother or father?

Does Satan Always Need God’s Permission?: Does Satan have to come to God any time he messes with us? I have a friend using Job as proof that Satan needs permission to mess with us, too.

Bonus Prayer Request.Please pray for my cousin’s 3 grandchildren. A car wreck on Friday has left one paralyzed and 2 in still in the ICU. One has had 7 surgeries so far. They are all under age 12.

Our Motive for Good Deeds: Is it good to do good deeds purely to get heavenly rewards, since you have such great faith in the reward? Or is it bad because your motives are selfish/reward-centered and not centered around love for others?

Church Coffee Shops – Sinful?: A church in town opened a coffee shop in the foyer. Some say it's akin to a marketplace in the Temple, and others say since it's run at cost (or even below cost) that it's fine. What are your thoughts?

Unforgivable Sin in The Didache?: and In the Didache, judging the spirits wrongly was included as the unforgivable sin. Could you explain why you think that is not the case?

The Doctrine of Impassability: Can you help me understand the doctrine of impassability a little bit better? It's confusing for me, and I'm not sure how to relate to the Lord and bring Him my pain, knowing this doctrine.

Confessing Your Faith when Difficult: I'm a 30 y/o woman in SoCal, financially dependent on my Muslim parents. I've studied for years and I’m now feeling called to Christ. I fear being kicked out. Any advice on how to tell them I'm Christian?

Hosting Sinners in our Homes: Is 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 only for corporate gatherings or also for private gatherings such as family meals, etc.? Should Christians host professing Christian family members who are living in unrepentant sin?

Can Fallen Leaders Be Restored?: Can fallen pastors who have engaged in egregious sin be restored back to ministry?

“The River” = Heaven?: Is there a biblical basis for songs about “crossing the river” into Heaven, or is that just Greek mythology? Is the Jordan River a legitimate biblical metaphor for dying and going to the Promised Land/Heaven?

Thinking Biblically about All Creation: Since all is God’s creation, will God hold us blameworthy for killing insects and other critters like cockroaches, mosquitoes, bees, spiders, mice, etc.?

Lazarus’ Resurrection – Missing?: I find the fact that the resurrection of Lazarus is missing from the Synoptics and the epistles to be unsettling. Do you have any insights on why such a massive claim is not in the earliest texts?

Investing in Rental Properties – Sin?: I would like to start investing in rental homes. Is this flat out a sin and should I be just giving my excess to the needy people, or is it OK to invest to earn more, and just give then?

Dying to Sexual Addictions: I’m only 18, but I’ve been addicted to pornography for 5 years now, which slowly turned homosexual over time. Can you please explain the past tense of “died” in Romans 6:2? Am I dead to sin, or do I die?

How to Biblically Confront an Elder: How should a church member confront an elder biblically? Is Matthew 18 still applicable, or is there another text that applies since they are an elder?

Choosing Sides?: A friend of a friend asked why he has to “choose sides” (God or the Devil). Why can't he just remain neutral? He claims it's not really free will when there's only one “right side.”

David’s Salvation – Murderer?: If according to John, no murderer has eternal life abiding in him (1 John 3: 15), how do we explain David’s salvation, since he had Uriah killed?

Bonus Q! Since Christmas is next Wednesday, what’s your favorite Christmas tradition? And what Christmas traditions would you recommend avoiding/refusing to participate in?

Guilty of Unintentional Sins?: Are we guilty of sins we do not know we have committed (Leviticus 4: 27, 5: 17)?

Images of God: Ever Biblical?: Author J.I. Packer states that the 2nd commandment forbids using images of God for worship (such as paintings or statues/icons of God) and that images cannot capture His power & only serve as a crutch when worshiping Him. Thoughts?

Not Enough Prayer in Church?: Why do we pray so little collectively during Sunday services? Singing makes up 40%, while praying roughly 1-2%. This does not seem to line up biblically or historically (Acts 2: 42; 1 Timothy 2:1-8).

Resolving to Follow Christ Amid Doubts: Can you be saved by choosing the Christian life at any moment and hoping it’s real, or do you have to be convinced? What conditions do you need from God or yourself? Do you have to be feeling a certain way?

Overcoming the Grip of Sin: What’s the balance between the Holy Spirit changing us, and us trying to do good works and love God? I just feel so stuck in my sin. I don’t know how to get out of this habit. I’m scared my repentance isn’t real.

Sin in the Millennium?: Will there be sin in the Millennium? Will that affect our glorified bodies and our lives in the Millennium?

Is Baptismal Regeneration Heresy?: Is believing that baptism is for the remission of sins based on Acts 2: 38 heresy? Is someone who was thusly baptized then not saved?

Sinful Vows: Binding?: Are vows made in sin or amidst sinful circumstances still binding in eyes of God (Ecclesiastes 5:5, Joshua 9, Genesis 27, Judges 12)?

David’s Story: Exempting Accountability?: How should we respond to people who use the story of David and other flawed biblical figures, whom God still used, to justify their own sinful behavior, especially when in positions of power?

Are Body Piercings Sinful?: What does the Bible say about piercings? If a woman who serves in the worship ministry gets a belly piercing, should she no longer be allowed to serve in that ministry?

So Many Saw – So Little Believed?: Since many saw the saints who were raised to life (Matthew 27: 52-53) then more than 500 saw Jesus after His resurrection, how is it that so many didn’t believe He rose (e.g. Saul pre-Damascus)?

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