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All (546) Mike Winger (546)
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

Progressive Christianity misrepresents Jesus by reshaping him into the image of current culture; Winger previews a critique of Brandon Robertson's "Jesus was a racist" video.

Closing remarks previewing upcoming content.

Exodus historical evidence discernment Inspiring Philosophy progressive Christianity
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

Hebrews 6:4-6 — apostasy, hardness of heart, and the possible national Israel interpretation

Question from A.D. Chan about whether Hebrews 6:4-6 applies to Judas and what "falling away" means for someone who has experienced the Spirit.

Romans 11 Hebrews 6:4-6 Romans 11 Judas Iscariot Repentance
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

The Mandela Effect cannot explain the disciples' confidence in the resurrection

Hypothetical question from Ethan Hawking about whether the Mandela Effect could account for disciples' resurrection belief.

1 Corinthians 15 1 Corinthians 15 Apologetics Burden of proof
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

How to evaluate scholarship that challenges traditional OT interpretation through cultural/linguistic arguments

Question from True West about scholarship that challenges OT translations and cultural understandings.

James 3:1 Galatians (uncircumcision passage) Hermeneutics James 3:1 Biblical scholarship
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Classical nudity in art is not morally distinct from pornography; artistic quality does not transform the moral character of nude imagery.

Q11 from Wolfpack: how should Christians approach classical art with nudity (e.g., Michelangelo's David)? Is it okay to like it or make similar art?

sexual ethics pornography nudity in art
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Deuteronomy 22:28-29 (man seizes virgin) is best read as maximizing the woman's rights and removing the man's after a sexual violation; it reflects the law making the best of a sinful situation.

Q12 from Tyler: trouble understanding the morality of Deuteronomy 22:28-29; some say it's consensual, but 2 Samuel 13 (Amnon and Tamar) seems to contradict that.

Deuteronomy 22:28-29 2 Samuel 13 (Amnon and Tamar) Deuteronomy 22:28-29 2 Samuel 13 (Amnon and Tamar) sexual ethics (OT law)
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Using secular music in worship: not wrong in principle, but wisdom demands sensitivity to the congregation

Q13 from Rohin John: What are your thoughts on using secular music with half secular and half Jesus-focused lyrics as worship?

worship music secular music pastoral wisdom
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Free will does not mean freedom from consequences — the golden calf judgment illustrates this

Q15 from Jill Sworzel-Stix: If God gives us free will to worship him, why did he have Moses command the Levites to kill 3,000 people who chose not to (Exodus 32:28)?

Exodus 32 Moses Aaron covenant
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

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

Deuteronomy 22 rape law — two scenarios and the woman's protection

Listener Christy Courts' friend claims Deuteronomy 22 shows flawed teaching. Mike defends the passage.

Deuteronomy 22:23-27 Mosaic law Deuteronomy 22:23-27 Rape law
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

Jesus calling Judas friend at the betrayal (Matthew 26:50) is likely both literal and ironic simultaneously.

Question 7 from A.D. Chan about the Greek word hetairos in Matthew 26:50.

Matthew 26:50 Mark 14 Jesus betrayal of Jesus Judas
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

Gluttony is an underaddressed sin in the American church; fasting is a practical corrective; no need for strict calorie counting.

Question 18 about how to avoid gluttony and whether strict calorie limits are legalistic.

1 Corinthians 6 1 Corinthians 6 self-control spiritual disciplines
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Jesus's death on the cross demonstrates that he values the hopeless, the dregs, the dependent — the very categories used to justify abortion. Jesus would rather die than kill the vulnerable.

The cross as commentary on abortion

abortion Incarnation and atonement
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Mike reads his private message to Tatiana Gill — respectful, seeking understanding, asking specific questions. She blocked him within 15 minutes. This reflects the pro-choice movement's tendency to silence opposition rather than engage.

The blocking incident — silencing the opposition

Mark Spence pro-choice propaganda Mark Spence Tatiana Gill
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-26

Reason 7 (The Real Hope): Becoming pregnant and experiencing the maternal drive to keep the baby alive — it was intuitive, not theological. Mike shares a story of standing outside an abortion clinic when a car accident happened nearby involving a pregnant woman, and the irony of everyone caring about that baby while babies were being killed across the street.

Reason 7 — maternal instinct and the car accident irony

abortion double homicide maternal instinct
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: What powers do demons have? From Scripture: possession (even multiple demons), controlling actions, causing insanity (Mark 5), influencing thoughts (Satan put it in Judas's heart to betray Jesus — before possession), inspiring false doctrines ("doctrines of demons"), receiving worship through false religions and idol worship.

Q&A — demonic powers and abilities

1 Timothy 4:1 demon possession 1 Timothy 4:1 demonic powers
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

Research shows 60-90% of kids from Christian homes walk away from faith. Parents often have a false sense of security because their kids aren't currently questioning. But kids absorb worldview from culture, not just church. The Bible calls parents to disciple kids — what that requires changes as the cultural environment changes.

Why parents need apologetics — the youth exodus

parenting parenting kids apologetics
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-15

Sex before marriage: Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:2 — the solution to sexual immorality is marriage, which means sex outside marriage IS sexual immorality. If premarital sex were acceptable, marriage wouldn't be needed to avoid sexual immorality. Marrying outside the faith: 1 Corinthians 7:39 — free to remarry "only in the Lord." 2 Corinthians 6:14 — unequally yoked.

Sex before marriage and interfaith marriage

1 Corinthians 7:2-4 1 Corinthians 7:39 unequally yoked 1 Corinthians 7:2-4 sex before marriage
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-23

Mark 9:36-37: Jesus uses a child (culturally unimportant, not romanticized as today) to illustrate that receiving ANY believer — even the least significant by worldly standards — is receiving Jesus himself. Matthew 25:34-40 confirms: what you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Ministry to any Christian = ministry to Christ.

Receiving the least = receiving Jesus

Mark 9:36-37 Matthew 25:34-40 Mark 9:36-37 receiving the least Matthew 25:34-40
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-07

Mike shares major ministry update: BibleThinker is now its own incorporated ministry (no longer under his local church), reaching ~500,000 views/month. He's no longer on staff as a local pastor but still teaches weekly. Passion Translation scholarly project delayed by COVID — scholars have submitted papers but in-person interviews are on hold.

Announcements — BibleThinker incorporation, Passion Translation update

World Mission Society Church of God Passion Translation World Mission Society Church of God
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-21

Feeling the presence of a dead loved one: concerning because it may lead to attempting to contact the dead, which the OT consistently condemns. If you're contacting any spirit, it's not the deceased — you're opening yourself to whatever spirit wants to respond. Encourage the person to cherish memories but not pursue spiritual contact. The practice of praying to the dead entered church history through the Eastern church's interaction with pagan culture.

Contacting the dead — biblically condemned

necromancy necromancy contacting the dead
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-21

Gender dysphoria: (1) it's a false belief about identity that shouldn't be fed by dressing as the opposite sex — that reinforces the delusion. (2) Our culture causes harm by affirming transgender identity instead of helping people overcome dysphoria. (3) Presenting as the opposite sex perpetrates a deception on others. (4) Overcoming it involves embracing God-given identity and challenging extreme/stereotypical views of masculinity and femininity.

Gender dysphoria — biblical response

gender dysphoria transgender identity
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-15

Overview: Responding to an article presenting the "best arguments" of top atheists against God. The first four are circular and self-refuting; the fifth (problem of evil) is genuinely difficult but well-answered.

Introduction to video analyzing Sam Wickstrom article on atheist arguments from Dawkins, Nietzsche, and Epicurus

circular reasoning atheism circular reasoning
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-15

Argument 5 — The Problem of Evil (Epicurus) — is genuinely difficult but the logical version has been abandoned by academic atheist philosophers. The dilemma offers a false set of options.

Fifth argument: the problem of evil from Epicurus

Romans 8:28 problem of evil logical problem of evil problem of evil
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-15

Four theodicies provide a cumulative answer to the problem of evil: soul-building, free will, natural law, and skeptical theism.

Detailed treatment of theodicies responding to the problem of evil

theodicy theodicy problem of evil
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-28

Mark 14 (Gethsemane) is the intentional counterpoint to Mark 11 — Jesus with perfect faith, no sin, no unforgiveness prays and God says NO. Faith means trusting God both when he says yes AND when he says no.

The missing piece: Jesus' Gethsemane prayer as counterpoint to the prayer promise

Mark 14:35-36 Word of Faith Gethsemane prayer Word of Faith
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-05

Christians must have spines — courage of conviction — when facing cultural pressure. Not angry Christians, but Christians who speak truth clearly and wisely. The persecuted church's lesson: when you know you're following God's revealed Word, you don't need man's permission.

Application on Christian courage in the face of authority and cultural pressure

Christian courage people-pleasing
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-22

The literary devices view has serious apologetic consequences: it eliminates resurrection appearances, undermines doubting Thomas, weakens the case for Jesus's deity from John's "I AM" sayings, and gives ammunition to cults and skeptics.

Apologetic implications of accepting literary devices in the Gospels

deity of Christ resurrection appearances resurrection appearances
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-29

Overview: Interview with Neil Shenvi on Critical Race Theory. The culture has real racism problems, but CRT distorts the problem and offers solutions that create more injustice. The goal is to think biblically, not politically.

Introduction to CRT discussion with Neil Shenvi

biblical justice Neil Shenvi Christian politics
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-29

Critical Race Theory is a discipline within critical social theory (rooted in Marx). It emerged from critical legal studies in the 1980s. The overarching worldview: society is defined by dominant group vs. oppressed group, and the goal is dismantling oppressive systems.

What is Critical Theory and Critical Race Theory — definitions and origins

critical theory intersectionality Kimberlé Crenshaw
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-16

Using Scripture against Scripture is the Sadducee/progressive playbook: Obama used the Sermon on the Mount to dismiss Romans on same-sex marriage; Rob Bell used "God is love" to dismiss hell. The only safe position is believing ALL of Scripture.

The progressive pattern of pitting Scripture against Scripture

Rob Bell Barack Obama progressive Christianity
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-23

The world's morality is loving PEOPLE as the whole story. Biblical morality is loving GOD first, with loving people as an expression of that. Both dangers: lowering the standard of holiness, or forgetting grace and living in defeat.

The moral error the world makes and the balanced Christian response

greatest commandment love God first
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-04

In Mark 12:35-37, Jesus asks a riddle about Psalm 110:1 — if the Messiah is David's son, why does David call him "Lord"? Jesus is challenging the LIMITED christology that the Messiah is merely a human descendant of David.

Mark Series pt 50: Jesus's question about Christ and David from Psalm 110

Psalm 110:1 Mark 12:35-37 Mark series deity of Christ Psalm 110:1 Mark 12:35-37
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-18

Verses 5-13 are a list of NON-SIGNS: false messiahs, wars, earthquakes, famines, persecution — Jesus explicitly says "the end is not yet" and "these are merely the beginning of birth pangs." Do not use these to predict Christ's return.

Detailed exegesis of Mark 13:5-13 as warnings against false predictions

Mark 13:5-8 World Mission Society Church of God Mark 13:5-8 World Mission Society Church of God
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-14

The Gospel of Thomas is a mid-2nd century Gnostic forgery, not a legitimate alternate gospel. It's a sayings collection borrowing from Matthew/Luke with added Greek philosophical content inconsistent with a 1st-century Jewish teacher.

Q1: Thoughts on the Gospel of Thomas?

Matthew Philo salvation Thomas
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-28

Offering Counsel in Difficult Situations: I’m in a master's program with Liberty University for clinical mental health counseling. During our training, we were asked how we would handle certain difficult situations, such as if a LGBTQ couple would request help strengthening their relationship, or request help advocating for adoption rights, or advocating for trans. people. Can you please give me some biblical principles to follow, to help me counsel these people in a caring way without condoning unbiblical behavior?

Q&A question: Offering Counsel in Difficult Situations

homosexuality
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-28

Advice for a Difficult Marriage: Any advice on how to help a brother in Christ (who's also a preacher) not leave his marriage because he's miserable and he claims "God doesn't want him miserable"?

Q&A question: Advice for a Difficult Marriage

marriage
Mike Winger idea 2021-06-11

How to Pray for our Leaders: I find it very difficult to pray for the current administration. I know they need it desperately. How do I overcome this struggle?

Q&A question: How to Pray for our Leaders
Mike Winger idea 2021-06-25

How to Be Kind when it’s Difficult: What specific actions can one who has no empathy do to be kind? (Thinking 1 Corinthians 13 "kind.")

Q&A question: How to Be Kind when it’s Difficult

1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 13
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-30

Interpreting a Difficult Verse: I’ve read two different views on 1 John 3: 20. 1: If our heart condemns us, how much more will God since He is greater than our heart? 2: Even though we feel guilty, God knows our heart. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Interpreting a Difficult Verse

1 John 3 1 John 3
Mike Winger idea 2021-08-06

Advice for a Difficult College Situation: I have to read “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” for school, but Oprah did a movie on it. Since she denied that Jesus is the only way, I don’t know if I should drop the class. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Advice for a Difficult College Situation

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2021-08-06

Can Preaching the Truth Harden Hearts?: What is a Christian’s role to speak truth on cultural issues to non-Christian society? Just preach good news & individual hearts get changed? It seems like preaching against homosexuality hardens hearts.

Q&A question: Can Preaching the Truth Harden Hearts?

homosexuality
Mike Winger idea 2021-08-13

Finding Hope in Difficult Situations: How do you interpret the hopelessness of Psalm 88? How can you comfort someone who feels what Psalm 88:18b (NIV) implies?

Q&A question: Finding Hope in Difficult Situations

hermeneutics
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-02

Understanding a Difficult Verse: Can you please explain Matthew 10:34-39 where Jesus says a man’s household will be his enemy?

Q&A question: Understanding a Difficult Verse

Matthew 10 Matthew Jesus Matthew 10 Matthew
Mike Winger idea 2021-09-24

A Difficult Passage – Ezekiel 45: Is Jesus offering sin sacrifices in Ezekiel 45?

Q&A question: A Difficult Passage – Ezekiel 45

Ezekiel Jesus Ezekiel
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-01

Trusting God in Very Difficult Times: Do you have any advice for dealing with a miscarriage? It’s the first time in my life where I’ve been angry at God. I know He’s sovereign, but it’s difficult to accept right now.

Q&A question: Trusting God in Very Difficult Times

suffering sovereignty of God
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-15

Why Didn’t God Rewrite Difficult Passages?: Can you explain the Holy Spirit Inspiration Doctrine? I struggle with understanding why God did not rewrite controversial Bible passages. I know I am only a man, and I seek to understand.

Q&A question: Why Didn’t God Rewrite Difficult Passages?

Holy Spirit
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