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Mike Winger idea 2020-09-04

Parental authority over adult children: diminishes naturally with age; adult children make their own decisions while still honoring parents

Q from Joel Larson about how much authority a father has over adult children, and whether it differs for sons vs. daughters.

Genesis 2 Numbers 30 Genesis 2 honoring parents parental authority
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-18

Having had an abortion: is it hypocritical to oppose it, have children afterward, or feel unworthy?

Question from "Faded Princess" about abortion, hypocrisy, and guilt.

Hebrews 4:16 Ephesians 1 sanctification hypocrisy abortion
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-18

Apparitions of Mary at Fatima — three interpretive options; not sufficient to validate Catholic Marian dogmas

Question from Cody Skinner about Catholic apparitions at Fatima and messages to the shepherd children.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 apologetics miracles Catholicism
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-18

The witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16) — an internal truth-awareness of being God's child, not an emotion

Question from John Butterfield about what the witness of the Spirit is and how to obtain it.

Romans 8:16 Romans 8:15 Holy Spirit Romans 8:16 assurance of salvation
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-25

The Crusades: more defensible than popular narrative but also included real atrocities including use of child soldiers

Specific application of the church-history response to the Crusades

church history apologetics Christianity and violence
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-17

Trinitarian-Oneness Christian marriage — Mike counsels against it

Q from Ash Cash about whether a Trinitarian Christian should marry a Oneness Pentecostal.

Oneness Pentecostalism Marriage Trinitarianism
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-23

Mark 7:27-28 (Syrophoenician woman and children's bread) is not connected to the Eucharist debate

Question from Caleb Lindsey about whether Mark 7:27-28 supports a spiritual (non-physical) view of the Eucharist.

John 6 Mark 7:27-28 Lord's Supper Eucharist John 6
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-23

Proverbs 13:24 — the rod is literal corporal punishment; wisdom literature genre does not dissolve literal content

Question from Bethany Ferguson about whether "the rod" is physical punishment or a metaphor for accountability.

Proverbs Proverbs 13:24 Proverbs parenting corporal punishment
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-30

Children and communion: readiness is knowledge-based not age-based; parents decide, not the church

Question from Kimberly Mencina about a four-year-old not participating in communion.

parental authority communion children and church
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-06

Romans teaches that physical descent from Abraham does not save -- only the faith of Abraham counts

Mike extends the Acts 16 argument with a Romans parallel

Romans Abraham Romans soteriology
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-20

Old Testament believers were saved but lacked the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Question about whether Old Testament believers were born again and could be called children of God.

Acts 2 Psalm 51:11 John 14:17 David Acts 2 Abraham
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

"Sanctified" in 1 Corinthians 7:14 does not mean saved; it describes the practical, behavioral influence a believing spouse has on an unbelieving one and on the children.

Meaning of "sanctification" in 1 Corinthians 7:14

1 Corinthians 7:14 semantic range marriage sanctification
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

Jephthah's daughter: the text is ambiguous - she may have been killed as a burnt offering or dedicated as a lifelong virgin servant at the temple; Mike slightly leans toward the literal sacrifice reading.

What happened to Jephthah's daughter?

Judges 11 hermeneutics Jephthah vows
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

Introduction: The command to 'be fruitful and multiply' from Genesis 1 is the first question — should it apply to married couples today, including whether intentionally choosing to have no children is acceptable.

Opening of Friday Q&A, last livestream of 2020. Mike introduces the prepared question about Genesis 1:28.

Genesis 1:28 Genesis 1:28 Be Fruitful and Multiply Marriage and Childbearing
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

Genesis 1:28 examined: The command covers having children, filling the earth, subduing it, and having dominion — a multi-part mandate given to Adam and Eve that Mike says applies broadly to all mankind.

Exegesis of Genesis 1:28 at the start of the session.

Genesis 1:28 Genesis 1:28 Be Fruitful and Multiply Dominion Mandate
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

Jesus commends voluntary singleness (making oneself a eunuch for the kingdom) — therefore a blanket command for every person to have children cannot be right.

New Testament witness on the fruitful-and-multiply question.

Matthew 19 — Eunuchs for the Kingdom 1 Corinthians 7:32-38 Paul Jesus Marriage and Childbearing
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

Western culture's refusal to have children is rooted in an unbiblical view that humans are parasites — a secular replacement of God's judgment with 'nature's judgment' for ecological sins.

Cultural diagnosis applied to the childbearing question.

Be Fruitful and Multiply Dominion Mandate Human Value / Imago Dei
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

Much modern refusal to have children is simply selfishness — the 'life isn't worth living' excuse reflects a deficiently low view of human life, not genuine realism about hardship.

Pastoral diagnosis of childlessness by choice.

Marriage and Childbearing Human Value / Imago Dei Selfishness
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

Conclusion on be-fruitful-and-multiply: It is a positive canopy mandate for all of humanity; culture has kicked against it by devaluing human life, and this infection has reached Christians.

Summary and transition out of first topic.

Be Fruitful and Multiply Dominion Mandate Human Value / Imago Dei
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Q18: Did the apostles teach imminence of Christ's return? Balancing readiness with long-term planning

Response to question on the doctrine of imminence in eschatology

2 Peter 3:9 Matthew 24:36 1 Thessalonians 4-5 Peter eschatology second coming
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Wives submit vs. children obey — different words, different authority structures; discipline is for children not wives

Continuing Q19 on husband-wife authority vs. parent-child authority

Ephesians 6:1 Ephesians 5:22 Ephesians 6:4 submission hupotasso marriage
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Bonus Q: Children's books on evolution — recommendations for teaching children multiple worldviews

Response to parent who received evolution children's books as Christmas gifts

Natasha Crain apologetics worldview
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

A hyper-sensitive conscience projects fear onto others and paralyzes daily life — the solution is more faith, not more scrutiny

Continuing response to the overly-scrupulous conscience question

Romans 14:23 Romans 14:23 conscience faith
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

Baptizing children should not be delayed based purely on age — genuine faith at any age is sufficient

Question from April B about baptizing her 8-year-old who has made a genuine profession of faith

baptism salvation faith
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Eunuchs from birth likely refers to those physically unable to procreate; intersex persons who cannot have intercourse fit this category

Continued analysis of Matthew 19:12 eunuchs from birth.

Matthew 19:12 Matthew 19:12 eunuch intersex
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Jesus and Paul do not permit divorce for infertility, demonstrating marriage has value beyond procreation

Extension of the Matthew 19:12 discussion, connecting to Jesus's divorce teaching.

Matthew 19 Roman law marriage divorce
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Galatians 3:23-25 -- The Law as paidagogos (guardian/tutor) leading to Christ; distinct from kinsman-redeemer language

Mike evaluates whether Galatians 3:23-25 connects to the Ruth kinsman-redeemer passage.

Galatians 3:23-25 typology justification by faith paidagogos
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Forgiveness vs. salvation: forgiveness is one component; salvation is the full package including adoption, the Spirit, and eternal life

Question from Olivia Heartland asking for clarification on the difference between forgiveness and salvation.

salvation forgiveness soteriology
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Hosea's family as prophetic type; Ezekiel as the strongest Christ-type prophet who bears Israel's iniquity bodily

Question from Drifter 2003 about whether Hosea's children having names like 'Not Loved' is a type of Christ bearing others' burdens.

Hosea Ezekiel Ezekiel 4 typology Hosea Ezekiel
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Satan's rebellion and God's will: God wills that creatures have genuine free will, which entails the possibility of rebellion.

Question from Casey Mills about whether Satan's rebellion was God's will if God's will is always done in heaven.

Isaiah 14 Free will Isaiah 14 Satan's rebellion
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

American Gospel 2 — mixed review: strong on exposing progressive Christianity, but overstates Calvinism as the solution and was harder to follow structurally.

Question from Derek Beeler about the final 10 minutes of American Gospel 2 and the claim that God's purpose is solely his own glory with humans as incidental.

Calvinism God's glory American Gospel (film)
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Free will and divine sovereignty are compatible — sovereignty means ultimate control, not micromanagement of every choice

Mike addresses how free will coexists with divine sovereignty.

free will divine sovereignty compatibilism
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q10: Galatians 4:27 — who is 'the desolate one'? Mike leans toward not forcing the Hagar/Sarah identification; Paul draws on Isaiah 54:1

Viewer Zoe Abundant asks whether the 'desolate one' in Galatians 4:27 refers to Sarah or Hagar.

Galatians 4:21-27 Isaiah 54:1 typology Paul the Apostle New Jerusalem
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q11: Who can perform baptism? Scripture gives no explicit rule but establishes community precedent; a parent can baptize a child

Viewer 'Skirt Bobcat' asks who is authorized to perform baptism and whether a parent can baptize their children.

Paul the Apostle church authority baptism
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-04

Responding to an abusive parent who weaponizes 'honor your parents': adult children are not obligated to obey parents, and marriage triggers the leave-and-cleave authority shift.

Question from Enoch about an abusive father who uses 'honor your parents' to demand submission.

Genesis 2:24 Genesis 2:24 Honor your parents Leave and cleave
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

Universal atonement does not guarantee universal salvation; receiving Christ requires a personal decision.

Response to anonymous question: since Jesus died for all, will all be saved like gravity works on all?

John 1:12 John 1:9-11 salvation free will universalism
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

Birth control and vasectomy: contraception that prevents conception is morally permissible for Christians; abortifacient contraception is morally equivalent to killing a human life.

Lucas Eileen asks for a biblical perspective on birth control and vasectomy, mentioning Genesis 38 and Psalm 139.

Psalm 139 Genesis 38 (Onan) hermeneutics abortifacient Psalm 139
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

The Canaanite genocide: why God commanded Israel to kill rather than drive out or convert

Question from Lindsey Kelso about the moral difficulty of God commanding Israel to kill thousands of Canaanites.

Deuteronomy / Joshua conquest texts Theodicy Children and salvation Canaanite conquest
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

Should a Christian woman avoid having children because her future children might reject Christ and go to hell?

Question from Susan about a friend afraid to have children for fear they will go to hell.

Children and salvation Having children / parenthood Fear and faith
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Evangelism framed as "Red Rover" — the goal is transferring people from Satan's kingdom to God's kingdom, not destroying people.

Closing summary of Q2 on spiritual warfare and kingdom dynamics.

evangelism spiritual warfare kingdom of darkness
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

God's command to kill the Amalekites (including infants) in 1 Samuel 15:3 is addressed through hyperbolic language theory, military depot context, and divine sovereignty.

Q4 from Jay: how does one justify God's directive to kill the Amalekites including children and infants (1 Samuel 15:3)?

1 Samuel 15:3 theodicy infant salvation divine sovereignty
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Biblical self-worth holds extreme value (image of God) and extreme humility (sinfulness) in tension; neither arrogance nor false modesty is biblical.

Q13 from unnamed questioner: what is the biblical view of self-worth, asked in the context of a young ladies' group?

Jeremiah 17:9 (deceitful heart) 2 Corinthians 10:12 women's ministry humility human dignity
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Mary did not remain a perpetual virgin — Scripture clearly indicates she had other children with Joseph after Jesus

Q11 from Lovisa Bengtsen: Did Mary remain a virgin? Were the brothers of Jesus actually cousins? If she had other sons, why did John need to care for her?

James (brother of Jesus) John the Apostle John 19:26-27 James (brother of Jesus) John the Apostle brothers of Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

1 John 3:4-10 does not teach sinless perfectionism — the Greek present tense indicates habitual lifestyle of sin, not single acts

Q14 from Shauna Whitting: Does 1 John 3:4-10 mean you are not a real Christian if you still struggle with sin?

1 John 2:1 1 John 3:4-10 habitual sin limited atonement propitiation
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

Long ages in Genesis 5 — multiple interpretive views

Listener Ben Johnson asks about the extreme longevity in Genesis 5; his wife takes them literally while he leans symbolic.

Genesis 6:3 Genesis 5 Literal interpretation Genesis 6:3 Genesis 5
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

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 2021-04-30

The youths mauled by bears in 2 Kings 2 were not small children but likely young adult men mocking Elisha's prophetic authority.

Question 20 from That One Christian about the children mauled in 2 Kings 2.

2 Kings 2 prophetic authority word study Elisha
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Q&A: The witness of the Holy Spirit is not primarily an emotion but a witness (like testimony) — the Spirit confirms truths like "I am a child of God" (Romans 8). It can come through Scripture, prayer, or ongoing experience and can be temporarily quenched.

Q&A — witness of the Holy Spirit

Romans 8 Romans 8 witness of the Holy Spirit witness of the Holy Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-18

Q: Where did Cain get his wife and who would kill him? Two options: (1) Adam and Eve's other children/grandchildren — could be hundreds of people by then, genetic issues not yet a problem. (2) Some scholars suggest other humans outside the garden, with Adam and Eve as representative/priestly figures. Mike leans toward option 1.

Q&A — Cain's wife and other people

Genesis interpretation Genesis interpretation Cains wife
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