Search — Theology Explorer

Amos Amos 1-2 Jonah Amos Gentiles and the Law Amos 1-2

OT prophets (Amos, Jonah) judged Gentile nations on moral grounds, not Mosaic Law violations

Additional evidence that Gentiles were never under the Mosaic Law

Matthew 5:17 Matthew 5:17 abolish vs. fulfill pleroo

The word "fulfill" (pleroo) in Matthew 5:17 does not mean "confirm and continue"—it means "accomplish" or "achieve its intended end"

Exegesis of the key term in Matthew 5:17

Matthew 5:17 Matthew 5:17 pleroo prophetic fulfillment

After Jesus fulfills a prophecy, we do not continue to await its fulfillment—completion changes the expectation

Logical implication of fulfillment language

John the Baptist Matthew 11:13 John the Baptist Matthew 11:13 Law and prophets prophesied

Matthew 11:13 — "All the prophets and the law prophesied until John" — indicates a new era beginning with Jesus

Additional scriptural support for the transitional nature of the Law

Mike Winger idea 2019-05-16

Predictive prophecy as criterion for divine inspiration

Jonathan McLatchie explains how the Bible itself uses predictive prophecy as a criterion for identifying divine inspiration.

Deuteronomy 18 Isaiah 41:21-24 Deuteronomy 18 divine inspiration predictive prophecy

Mike Winger idea 2019-05-16

Objection and response: the pronoun shift in Ezekiel 26 and Zechariah 9

Addressing the objection that the plural pronoun in Ezekiel 26 still refers only to Nebuchadnezzar.

Ezekiel 26 Zechariah 9 Zechariah 7:1 Ezekiel 26 Alexander the Great prophecy of Tyre

Mike Winger idea 2019-05-16

Objection: Isaiah 53 is about Israel, not Jesus — and response

McLatchie addresses the modern rabbinic argument that Isaiah 53's Suffering Servant is a personification of the nation of Israel.

Isaiah 53 Isaiah 42 Isaiah 49 Isaiah 53 Suffering Servant messianic prophecy

Acts 8:5 Deuteronomy 18:15 Acts 8:5 Deuteronomy 18:15 Samaritans

Samaritans are described as 'Jewish-ish' -- half-Jew, half-Gentile in Jewish eyes -- still not the full Gentile mission of Acts 1:8

Analysis of Philip's Samaritan mission

Acts 13:14 Paul the Apostle fulfillment theology Acts 13:14

Paul preaches in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:14) -- his standard method is synagogue first, then the broader city. His message presents Jesus as fulfillment of the law and prophets.

Survey of Acts 13:14, Paul's first missionary journey

James (brother of Jesus) Acts 15:12-19 Amos 9:11-12 James (brother of Jesus) Gentile inclusion Acts 15:12-19

Acts 15:12-18 -- James's speech: endorses Peter, cites Amos 9 as prophetic basis for Gentile inclusion under God's name. His judgment: do not trouble the Gentiles.

James's speech at Jerusalem Council

Acts 15 Acts 13 discipleship Acts 15 Torah observance

Hebrew Roots response to Acts 15: it was only temporary, with full Torah teaching coming later. Winger demolishes this by pointing to the years of prior discipleship at Antioch.

Response to the Hebrew Roots 'temporary decree' argument for Acts 15

Mike Winger idea 2019-05-30

2 Peter 2:1 — Christ bought even false prophets who deny him and face destruction, proving atonement extends beyond the elect

Winger uses 2 Peter 2:1 to demonstrate that Christ purchased those who are clearly not saved, refuting limited atonement.

2 Peter 2:1 false prophets limited atonement extent of atonement

Mike Winger idea 2019-05-30

Q&A: The witch of Endor and Samuel's appearance to Saul (1 Samuel 28) — God sovereignly brought Samuel to rebuke Saul, not to help him

Viewer Q&A: explaining the difficult passage of the medium at Endor and Samuel's appearance.

1 Samuel 28 Samuel Saul 1 Samuel 28

Mike Winger idea 2019-05-30

Caution against Christians consuming antagonistic atheist YouTube content without a clear apologetic purpose

Winger advises viewers about atheist YouTube channels after a question about responding to 'Prophet of Zod.'

apologetics media discernment

cessationism continuationism spiritual gifts

Cessationism defined: miraculous gifts belonged to the apostolic era only, served a unique founding purpose, and ceased before the canon closed.

Winger reads a definition from Theapedia. He contrasts it with continuationism, which holds the gifts are normative and available today.

Acts 21:9 Acts 11 Acts 21:9 cessationism prophecy

Rebuttal: the inscripturation claim for prophecy and knowledge is unsubstantiated; New Testament prophets generally did not produce Scripture.

First major exegetical objection to the Masters Seminary argument. Winger demonstrates that NT prophets were not primarily Scripture-writers.

1 Corinthians 13:9-10 apostolic authority prophecy inscripturation

Verse-by-verse: vv. 9-10 — Paul includes himself in "we know in part," undermining the inscripturation reading; even apostolic knowledge is partial, not completable by writing.

Key exegetical point: the first-person plural "we" in v. 9 includes Paul and the other apostles, not just ordinary charismatics.

Matthew 18 Matthew 18 Bethel Church Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry

Critique of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry: prophetic activation exercises using Uno cards reduce prophecy to social engineering and fabrication.

Winger pivots to critique hyper-charismatic practice, using Bethel's published school curriculum as a concrete example.

Bethel Church false prophecy discernment

Teresa Dedmon / Bethel: selling art as a vehicle for "spiritual impartation" and prophetic clothing that enhances God's presence is false teaching and commercial exploitation.

Second specific example from Bethel: the creative arts director's website claims her paintings and clothing impart heaven's presence.