Search — Theology Explorer

John 21:24-25 Roman Catholicism Eastern Orthodoxy Sola Scriptura

John 21:24-25 does not support Orthodox/Catholic oral tradition

Listener Adam Duarte's Orthodox friends cite John 21:24-25 as the Bible creating authoritative oral tradition.

Revelation 6:12-17 Mark 13:24-27 Cosmic signs Revelation 6:12-17 Mark 13:24-27

Mark 13:24-27 and Revelation 6:12-17 describe the same end-times event

Listener Tony Grabowski asks whether Mark 13 and Revelation 6 describe the same event.

Apologetics Atheism Graham Oppy

Should Christians be shaken by brilliant atheist philosophers like Graham Oppy?

Listener Silas Abrahamson says he is sometimes shaken that brilliant philosophers like Graham Oppy are atheists.

Molinism Free will Avengers: Infinity War

Molinism explained and distinguished from determinism

Listener Solomon Dahlberg asks whether on Molinism people's choices depend only on circumstances God places them in, and if so why doesn't God make everyone believe.

Pastoral care Discipleship in marriage Nominal Christianity

Helping a nominal Christian spouse grow in biblical knowledge

Listener Tasteful Chicken has a wife who believes in Jesus and prays but does not read the Bible; her lifestyle does not align with Scripture.

Abortion Politics in the pulpit Biblical worldview

Politics in the pulpit — biblical worldview yes, partisan politics no

Listener Lisa asks whether politics belong in the pulpit; she is 100% against it.

Ephesians 4 church unity Christian maturity Ephesians 4

Unity of the faith in Ephesians 4 involves shared core doctrine, knowledge of Christ, and Christlike character.

Continuation of Question 1; applying the meaning of the faith to Ephesians 4 unity.

Acts 7:4 Genesis 11:26 Genesis 11:32 Stephen Abraham Acts 7:4

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.

Hebrews Romans 10:1-4 Hebrews works-righteousness Day of Atonement

Modern (rabbinic) Judaism differs fundamentally from biblical Judaism; good works now replace the sacrificial system.

Question 9 from Meg Smiley about how Jews obtain forgiveness without the Temple.

1 Samuel 28 John 10 Psalm 82 Michael Heiser 1 Samuel 28 John 10

Psalm 82 gods (elohim) most likely refers to earthly rulers ironically addressed as divine beings, not literal supernatural deities.

Question 10 from RaHR17 about who the gods in Psalm 82 are; engages Michael Heiser's divine council worldview.

Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

Fourth option: written literature is the BEST medium for communicating detailed, specific information that can be preserved, studied in community, and shared worldwide. Other communication methods (prophets, dreams, miracles) are either also subject to interpretation, subjective, or lack specificity.

Response to Q1 — written text as optimal communication

1 Corinthians 12:12 1 Corinthians 12:27 Mark 12:30-31 hermeneutics hermeneutics divine communication

Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

The JW blood transfusion example actually comes from Watchtower proclamations, not biblical interpretation. John notes the Bible's manuscript tradition makes it more reliable than modern media like video. Even supernatural direct knowledge could still be questioned by skeptics.

Additional response to Q1 — JW example and textual reliability

textual criticism textual criticism Watchtower

Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: Is speaking in tongues real today? Yes, probably, but it's easily faked. Churches practicing it should follow 1 Corinthians 14's restrictions. Three categories: (1) biblical understanding of tongues, (2) personal experience, (3) discerning others' practice — #3 isn't really your job unless it violates 1 Cor 14.

Q&A — speaking in tongues today

1 Corinthians 14 1 Corinthians 14 1 Corinthians 14 speaking in tongues 1 Corinthians 14

Mike Winger idea 2020-03-16

Mike's goal is not medical advice but biblical wisdom for the COVID pandemic. Key questions: should churches close? Is gathering an act of faith? Is staying home a compromise? He acknowledges we don't know the full extent of the danger.

Introduction — biblical wisdom during COVID

COVID lockdown pandemic response

Mike Winger idea 2020-03-16

Q: Is COVID God's judgment? Maybe, but claiming to know is pastoral arrogance. Jesus addressed this with the Tower of Siloam (Luke 13:4-5): those who died weren't worse sinners — but if you don't repent, you'll perish too. Judgment stands over all humanity; any time God doesn't judge is grace. The right response to any disaster: get your life right with God.

Q&A — is COVID God's judgment? (Tower of Siloam)

Luke 13:4-5 Tower of Siloam Luke 13:4-5 pastoral arrogance

Mike Winger idea 2020-04-15

Jesus's omniscience during incarnation: Mike disagrees that Jesus had NO supernatural knowledge while on earth. He knew Nathanael under the fig tree (John 1:48) and "what was in the heart of man" (John 2:25). Philippians 2:5-9: Jesus "emptied himself" — voluntarily limited ACCESS to omniscience while retaining it. Like knowing something but not being able to recall it at will.

Jesus's knowledge during incarnation — kenosis

Philippians 2:5-9 John 1:48 kenosis Philippians 2:5-9 Jesus supernatural knowledge

Mike Winger idea 2020-05-21

Geographic knowledge in the gospels: the four gospel writers demonstrate detailed knowledge of Palestinian geography — small villages (Bethany, Bethphage, Chorazin), sub-village locations (Garden of Gethsemane = "oil press" on the Mount of Olives), topography ("went DOWN from Jerusalem to Jericho" — correct elevation change), and traveling times. This knowledge couldn't come from other ancient sources (Strabo, Pliny, Josephus don't have this level of detail). Only two explanations: the writers visited or spoke with eyewitnesses.

Geographic evidence — local knowledge test

gospel reliability geographic evidence Palestinian geography

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 2020-06-19

Jeremiah 3 shows God divorced Israel — this disproves the Catholic position that divorce is ontologically impossible. But Mike's point is about divorce, NOT remarriage. God's response: reconciliation is offered but CONDITIONED on Israel's repentance (Jeremiah 3:13). God requires acknowledgment of guilt before restoration — not unconditional reunion.

Jeremiah 3 — God divorced Israel, conditional reconciliation

Jeremiah 3:13 Jeremiah 3:13 God divorced Israel Catholic annulment

Mike Winger idea 2020-08-31

The colt arrangement was likely a pre-arranged passphrase, not supernatural knowledge — Jesus had extensive prior contact in Bethany and could have sent someone ahead to arrange it.

Analysis of the "password" phrase in Mark 11:2-6

Mark 11:2-6 Mark 11:2-6 donkey symbolism

Mike Winger idea 2020-08-31

The unridden colt symbolizes Jesus' transcendent, non-derivative authority — unlike kings who rode conquered rulers' mounts to claim their power, Jesus' authority is wholly his own.

Analysis of "a colt on which no one has ever sat" (Mark 11:2)

Daniel Daniel Daniel Daniel Daniel Daniel

Mike Winger idea 2020-09-15

Argument 4 — "Religion is desperation, fear of reality" (Nietzsche) — is circular (assumes atheism is reality) and actually describes Buddhism more than Christianity. Atheism itself denies key realities.

Fourth argument from Nietzsche: religion as escapism

Daniel Dennett circular reasoning atheism Sam Harris

Mike Winger idea 2020-09-15

The problem of evil actually backfires on atheism: evil's existence presupposes objective moral values, which have no grounding on atheism. The problem of evil is itself evidence for God.

How the problem of evil becomes an argument FOR God

atheism problem of evil atheism

Mike Winger idea 2020-09-15

The problem of evil is the #1 argument that practically draws people away from God, but Christianity alone offers both intellectual answers and emotional/pastoral hope — atheism offers neither explanation nor solution.

Pastoral conclusion on the problem of evil and summary of all 5 arguments

theodicy atheism theodicy

libertarian free will free thinking argument

The Free Thinking Argument formal syllogism: (1) no libertarian freedom → no rational inference; (2) humans DO rationally infer; (3) therefore humans have libertarian freedom. Stratton calls it deductive and potentially debate-ending.

Presentation of the core Free Thinking Argument

naturalism naturalism arguments for God

The expanded Free Thinking Argument Against Naturalism adds steps from naturalism → no soul → no libertarian freedom → no rational inference (all deductive), plus abductive conclusion that God is best explanation.

Full 8-step argument against naturalism

determinism determinism consciousness

Premise 3 defense: if external forces determine your beliefs, you lose justification for knowledge. You become a "bag of beliefs, none of which are up to the bag." The mad scientist thought experiment illustrates this.

Detailed defense of the most attacked premise

Alvin Plantinga self-refuting argument properly basic beliefs

Premise 4 is self-evident: to argue that humans CANNOT rationally infer knowledge claims is itself a rational inference — it's self-defeating. Some things are properly basic beliefs that don't require proof.

Defense of premise 4 and discussion of properly basic beliefs

Mike Winger idea 2020-10-05

Jesus's response pattern gives us a template: acknowledge the legitimate role (responsibility to teach) while rejecting the authority claims. The papacy has responsibility to teach God's Word but not the authority to determine truth.

How Jesus's response to the Sanhedrin applies to modern Catholic claims

Roman Catholicism sola scriptura papacy

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

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 2021-05-14

Would Jesus have died of old age if not crucified? Probably yes — physical death entered through the Fall affecting all humanity, not just individual sinners. But Winger acknowledges he hasn't fully worked this out.

Q18: Would sinless Jesus have died of old age?

Romans 5 Romans 5:12 Romans 5 Jesus Romans 5:12

Mike Winger idea 2021-07-30

About “Rhema” (Sword of the Spirit): Can you explain the Greek word Rhema in Ephesians 6 when it talks about the “sword of the Spirit is the Word of God?” Is it Scripture, or like a word of wisdom, knowledge, or prophecy?

Q&A question: About “Rhema” (Sword of the Spirit)

Ephesians 6 prophecy Ephesians 6

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-20

Conscience before the New Covenant?: Based on Jeremiah 31: 33-34, did people before the New Covenant not have a conscience (innate knowledge of God and the ability to know right from wrong as we do now)? Based on the radical changes that Jesus and the Church brought to the world, and God seemingly needing to give people constant special revelation in the OT, could there be a case for this? Could the need for the cycle of sin-judgement-repentance/cry for help-deliverance be connected to this?

Q&A question: Conscience before the New Covenant?

Jeremiah Jeremiah 31 revelation Jeremiah Jeremiah 31 Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-11

Will We Have Memories in Heaven?: I recently heard people at my church say that when we get to Heaven our memories will essentially be wiped, and we won’t have any knowledge of our friends/family who are in Hell. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Will We Have Memories in Heaven?

hell

Mike Winger idea 2022-04-15

Are Court Weddings Recognized by God?: I watched the whole marriage series and didn’t find anything about this: my wife and I have been married for 8 years (through the court) and she claims God doesn’t acknowledge it. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Are Court Weddings Recognized by God?

marriage

Mike Winger idea 2022-06-17

When Science Cannot Answer: As a new Christian who was raised to follow science first, how can we extract the most knowledge out of the parts of the Old Testament that we cannot fathom/science cannot yet answer?

Q&A question: When Science Cannot Answer

faith and science

Mike Winger idea 2022-12-02

How Would Adam & Eve Know Disobedience was Wrong?: If Adam and Eve didn’t have knowledge of good and evil, how would they know it is wrong to disobey God and eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil?

Q&A question: How Would Adam & Eve Know Disobedience was Wrong?

Adam and Eve

Mike Winger idea 2023-01-13

When Were the Apostles Saved?: When were the Apostles saved? They didn't have the full knowledge of what Jesus was doing until His appearance after His resurrection. Could they be considered "saved" before Pentecost?

Q&A question: When Were the Apostles Saved?

Jesus resurrection Apostles

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-21

Did Adam Know Right from Wrong?: I was talking to an atheist and they asked, “If Adam had not yet eaten of the tree of knowledge, therefore not knowing disobedience, how can God hold him accountable and judge him for it?”

Q&A question: Did Adam Know Right from Wrong?

atheism

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-05

Winger examines multiple translations of 1 Cor 11:16 ('if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom') and admits he can't identify the major translational difference the questioner sees. The core debate is whether 'custom' refers to head coverings or to being contentious.

Q: Why does 1 Cor 11:16 seem to have opposite meanings depending on the translation?

1 Corinthians 11:16 complementarianism head coverings complementarianism

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-16

Would God Pass the Test?: Ricky Gervais says that if all scientific knowledge and religion were erased, science would be eventually re-discovered, but not God. Thoughts

Q&A question: Would God Pass the Test?

Ricky Gervais

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-12

Can Prophecies be given “On-Demand”?: A couple with a prophetic ministry came to my church and gave a word of knowledge to all who asked. I don’t see prophecy-on-demand in Scripture. Is this a proper use of the gift of prophecy?

Q&A question: Can Prophecies be given “On-Demand”?

prophecy

Pastors Using AI?: For pastors preparing sermons: What is the proper use of AI (artificial intelligence)? What are some rules of wisdom we can apply when using AI as a helpful tool?

Q&A question: Pastors Using AI?

pastoral ministry

“Soul” in the OT/NT: How do we reconcile the Old Testament use of "soul" to mean a whole person with statements by Jesus implying that a soul is a separate entity? He seems to be contradicting what the Old Testament teaches.

Q&A question: “Soul” in the OT/NT

Jesus

Why is Open Theism Unbiblical?: I know in the past you have been against Open Theism. Why is the idea of a non-completely settled future unbiblical? I lean toward Open Theism due to God’s freedom.

Q&A question: Why is Open Theism Unbiblical?

Praying for Personal Blessings: Selfish?: Can you share your insight on how to get over the feeling that it’s somehow wrong to pray for personal blessings? Objectively, I know it’s not, but the feeling often creeps in, as if it’s selfish.

Q&A question: Praying for Personal Blessings: Selfish?

“Lord” in the OT vs. NT: Is the title of Lord used in the same capacity in the New Testament as it is in the Old Testament (for example, in John13: 13)?

Q&A question: “Lord” in the OT vs. NT

Confessing to Others: You've recently been calling leaders out publicly. Do all Christians need to publicly confess our sins, or only leaders? Is confessing to God and repenting enough, or should we tell each other?

Q&A question: Confessing to Others

repentance