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Mike Winger idea 2023-01-27

Is the Senior Pastor Role Biblical?: Why do so many churches have a “head” pastor that does mostly all the teaching when God gives teaching gifts and words to many people?

Q&A question: Is the Senior Pastor Role Biblical?

pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2023-01-27

About the Nicolaitans: Isn't Jesus hating the Nicolaitans in Revelation 2:6 out of character? Also, who were they? I hear they were a cult from the Nicholas of Acts 6, one of the 7 deacons.

Q&A question: About the Nicolaitans

Acts 6 revelation Revelation 2 Acts 6 Jesus revelation

Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Do We Pray For or Against our Enemies?: How do you reconcile the New Testament's clear teachings to love and pray for our enemies with Psalms like Psalm 69:22-28? Is there ever a time when we should pray against our enemies?

Q&A question: Do We Pray For or Against our Enemies?

Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Unhealthy Associations w/Gratitude: Growing up, I had people expect me to show gratitude as a way to ignore abuse. Now, I want to be thankful for blessings in my life, but I associate gratitude with abuse. How do I separate that?

Q&A question: Unhealthy Associations w/Gratitude

Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Prophecy Fulfillment, or Just Staged?: People quote prophecy as evidence of Jesus’ deity. Couldn’t He have deliberately fulfilled some prophecies, such as bribing men to divide His clothes, or purposefully riding a donkey into Jerusalem?

Q&A question: Prophecy Fulfillment, or Just Staged?

Jesus prophecy

Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

About the Septuagint & Masoretic Text: Is the Greek LXX (Septuagint) considered a flawed copy? The genealogy of Shem adds hundreds of years which is quite significant. Is the Masoretic Text inerrant, or am I misunderstanding inerrancy?

Q&A question: About the Septuagint & Masoretic Text

biblical inerrancy

Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Galatians 5 – Heaven or Rewards?: In Galatians 5: 19-21, is the “kingdom of God” a reference to Heaven itself, or a reference to rewards? A local pastor says it is about rewards, but I am skeptical.

Q&A question: Galatians 5 – Heaven or Rewards?

Galatians 5 pastoral ministry Galatians 5

Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Parable of the Minas: I was just wondering what your interpretation of the parable in Luke 19: 11-27 is. Specifically, what do you think the slaves and the minas represent?

Q&A question: Parable of the Minas

hermeneutics

Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Are Men’s Beards Prideful?: What do you think about beards? I heard a pastor say that it is a prideful thing to wear a beard, and therefore wrong to have one. I don't really agree. I don't think you do either, as you have one.

Q&A question: Are Men’s Beards Prideful?

pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-03

Is Entire Sanctification Biblical?: Coming from a “2 works movement” (CHM), I’ve always heard 1 Thessalonians 5: 23 taught as calling people to a second work of Grace, or an experience of entire sanctification. What is Paul actually saying there?

Q&A question: Is Entire Sanctification Biblical?

sanctification

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-03

Interacting with Fallen Believers & Cult Members: How are we to relate to fallen brothers in terms of fellowship, and to cult members with hospitality according to 1 Corinthians 5: 11 and 2 John 1: 10?

Q&A question: Interacting with Fallen Believers & Cult Members

1 Corinthians 5 1 Corinthians 5

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-03

Resolving a Scriptural Discrepancy: In the KJV, 2 Kings 8: 26 and 2 Chronicles 22:2 give two completely different ages for Ahaziah when he took the throne. How can we account for this?

Q&A question: Resolving a Scriptural Discrepancy

suffering

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-03

Saved by Grace – How is Anyone Excluded?: Ephesians 5:5 says that the sexually immoral will have no place in the Kingdom of God, yet later, Ephesians says we’re saved by grace through faith. Is this contradictory?

Q&A question: Saved by Grace – How is Anyone Excluded?

Ephesians 5 Ephesians 5:5 Ephesians 5 Ephesians 5:5

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-03

The Right Age to Evangelize?: When is the right age to evangelize? I'm 15 and I used to evangelize and many believed, but I also got into trouble with the police and at my school. My pastor told me to wait until I’m more mature and I’ve learned more of God’s Word.

Q&A question: The Right Age to Evangelize?

pastoral ministry angels

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Overcoming Covetousness: Why is it so hard to be content? I've been blessed with more than most people, but I'm always wanting MORE. I drain so much money buying more "stuff" and once I see something I like, I'm bummed/stressed until I get to buy it. I don't want to be this way. Please help!

Q&A question: Overcoming Covetousness

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Eschatological Timings: What effect does Psalm 110:1 and Luke 20: 42-43 have on the timing or placement of the rapture of the Church in reference to the tribulation?

Q&A question: Eschatological Timings

Psalm 110 Psalm 110:1 rapture eschatology tribulation

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

How to Pray for Unbelievers: I don’t believe Calvinism is biblical, but I find that my prayers for unbelievers often sound Calvinistic: “Change their hearts, bring them to You,” etc. How should we pray for unbelievers' salvation?

Q&A question: How to Pray for Unbelievers

salvation prayer Calvinism

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Did God Direct Moses to Deceive Pharaoh?: Why did God tell Moses to ask Pharaoh to go "three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God" (Exodus 3: 18) if it wasn't God's intention for them to return to Egypt?

Q&A question: Did God Direct Moses to Deceive Pharaoh?

Exodus 3 Moses Exodus 3 Pharaoh

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Do our Prophecies Create Reality?: Kris Vallotton cites Ezekiel 37:1-6 to claim that our prophecies create reality, rather than just foretelling the future. Is there merit to this?

Q&A question: Do our Prophecies Create Reality?

Ezekiel Kris Vallotton prophecy Ezekiel

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Does Jesus’ Compassion Change?: When Jesus interacts with people, He is often compassionate. However, with the 12, he most often sounds harsh. Does His relationship toward us change once we are “on the team"?

Q&A question: Does Jesus’ Compassion Change?

Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Knowing When to Yield: My pastor wants me to obey my husband even when it hurts my mental health, triggers my eating disorder, or my sleep disorder. Is he right or wrong? He says I should “Die like Christ.”

Q&A question: Knowing When to Yield

marriage pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Encouragement Amid Physical Limitations: What counsel would you give a discouraged believer with a debilitating chronic illness who carries a lot of guilt for not being able to serve in the ways they want to be able to?

Q&A question: Encouragement Amid Physical Limitations

suffering

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

When Translations Vary: What do we do when we find significant difference between translations (such as 1 John 5:7 in the KJV vs. modern translations)?

Q&A question: When Translations Vary

Bible translations

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Advice for Raising Kids in the Faith: I want to raise my two kids aged 7 and 9 in the faith. I don’t want to push too hard. Any advice? My ex-wife has left the faith, so I feel like it’s up to me (and God).

Q&A question: Advice for Raising Kids in the Faith

marriage

Mike Winger idea 2023-03-17

Should We Call Out Others’ Sins?: Should we call out sin in the lives of other Christian friends? I had a conversation with my pastor about this in regard to cussing, and he told me if we don't have a mutual edification then it might not be my place.

Q&A question: Should We Call Out Others’ Sins?

pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-07

Witnessing to Muslims: I'm 15, and my best friend at school is a Muslim. Do you have any advice for trying to evangelize Muslims who are intelligent and rational but very set in their ways?

Q&A question: Witnessing to Muslims

Islam angels

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-07

How Should We View Extrabiblical Books?: With extrabiblical books such as Enoch or 1 & 2 Maccabees, how do you discern within these books if they're true accounts, if they don't contradict our canon?

Q&A question: How Should We View Extrabiblical Books?

Enoch

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-07

Should we Pray for Specific Gifts?: What do you think about praying expectantly for a very specific gift of the Holy Spirit? I see people blessed with certain gifts teaching classes. For example, I've seen classes on how to prophesy.

Q&A question: Should we Pray for Specific Gifts?

Holy Spirit

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-07

Was Jesus Really Buried for 3 Days & Nights?: If Jesus died on a Friday and rose on a Sunday, then He was not in the grave for three days and three nights. Why is it that this seems never to be addressed?

Q&A question: Was Jesus Really Buried for 3 Days & Nights?

Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-07

Who Can Baptize People?: Can anyone baptize? Or must one be a pastor?

Q&A question: Who Can Baptize People?

baptism pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-07

Holy Week Reflections: With Easter coming up, what is something that we might overlook but shouldn’t, considering that celebrating Easter might just become a yearly habit or tradition to people?

Q&A question: Holy Week Reflections

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-21

Self-Loathing vs. Self-Love?: As Christians, how do we deal with self-loathing without indulging in and practicing too much self-love?

Q&A question: Self-Loathing vs. Self-Love?

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-21

Who Are God’s Chosen People?: I had a debate with a friend about Israel still being God's chosen people. Doesn't Romans 9:6-8 and Galatians 3: 28-29 communicate that God's chosen people are anyone who places their faith in Jesus?

Q&A question: Who Are God’s Chosen People?

Romans 9 Galatians 3 Jesus Romans 9 Galatians 3

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-21

Bored in the OT!: How do I read the Old Testament without getting bored and distracted 2 minutes in?

Q&A question: Bored in the OT!

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-21

How to “Work Out Our Salvation…”: What does it mean to "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling"? Is that a literal statement?

Q&A question: How to “Work Out Our Salvation…”

salvation

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-21

Is Nepotism Sinful?: Is nepotism a sin? My church was founded by my grandpa, my dad is the senior pastor, and my brother is a youth leader. I do believe they legitimately earned these roles, but others at my church don’t.

Q&A question: Is Nepotism Sinful?

pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-21

Witnessing to Strangers: What’s your favorite way to witness to strangers?

Q&A question: Witnessing to Strangers

evangelism

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-05

“Work Out” My Salvation??: What does it mean to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling"? Is that a literal statement?

Q&A question: “Work Out” My Salvation??

salvation

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-05

Will Sharing Tough Truth Ruin our Witness?: I'm afraid to talk about issues like abortion, LGBT, etc. for fear that I'll turn people off so much that they won't listen AT ALL when I try to share the Gospel. How can I resolve this?

Q&A question: Will Sharing Tough Truth Ruin our Witness?

abortion

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-05

Has God Hidden What We Need to Know?: What are your thoughts on Mathew 11: 25? I was raised in the Branham cult where there is a great deal of anti-intellectualism. They also claim that God has blinded most Christians from Branham.

Q&A question: Has God Hidden What We Need to Know?

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 2023-05-05

Is There a Temple in Heaven?: Is there a literal temple in Heaven, or is that meant to be understood figuratively? I have always understood that the temple/tabernacle on Earth were to represent truths about Heaven.

Q&A question: Is There a Temple in Heaven?

NAR

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Why Did God Allow Sin?: If God knew that humans would fall into sin, why did He allow us to live in this fallen world and not take us straight to Heaven?

Q&A question: Why Did God Allow Sin?

heaven

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Has Christianity Changed Over Time?: How do you know the Christianity you believe is the same they were practicing in the early Church if history says Constantine and the Greeks changed things?

Q&A question: Has Christianity Changed Over Time?

Constantine

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Is Christianity Itself a Cult?: How is Christianity like (or not like) a cult in either definition and/or practice?

Q&A question: Is Christianity Itself a Cult?

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Is Every Good Thing an Answered Prayer?: Why are some people so quick to celebrate when God answers “small” prayers, but they overlook the fact that He didn’t answer “bigger” prayers like healing someone of cancer?

Q&A question: Is Every Good Thing an Answered Prayer?

prayer healing

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Are Miracles Unreliable?: If Satan and his workers can perform miracles to mislead people, why should I believe Christians when they tell me to look at miracles, or when Jesus says to look at His miracles?

Q&A question: Are Miracles Unreliable?

Jesus Satan miracles

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Why does God Require Prayer?: Why would God require prayer for what He knows He SHOULD heal?

Q&A question: Why does God Require Prayer?

prayer

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Is the Bible Just a Storybook?: How can you believe in a storybook (referring to the Bible)? This was actually a question I faced several times when I stayed in Germany for a while.

Q&A question: Is the Bible Just a Storybook?

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Are Older Texts More Likely to be True?: What about other books like the Vedic texts that are older than the gospels? Should “older” equal more accurate or true?

Q&A question: Are Older Texts More Likely to be True?

← Prev Page 98 of 110 Next →

Is the Senior Pastor Role Biblical?: Why do so many churches have a “head” pastor that does mostly all the teaching when God gives teaching gifts and words to many people?

About the Nicolaitans: Isn't Jesus hating the Nicolaitans in Revelation 2:6 out of character? Also, who were they? I hear they were a cult from the Nicholas of Acts 6, one of the 7 deacons.

Do We Pray For or Against our Enemies?: How do you reconcile the New Testament's clear teachings to love and pray for our enemies with Psalms like Psalm 69:22-28? Is there ever a time when we should pray against our enemies?

Unhealthy Associations w/Gratitude: Growing up, I had people expect me to show gratitude as a way to ignore abuse. Now, I want to be thankful for blessings in my life, but I associate gratitude with abuse. How do I separate that?

Prophecy Fulfillment, or Just Staged?: People quote prophecy as evidence of Jesus’ deity. Couldn’t He have deliberately fulfilled some prophecies, such as bribing men to divide His clothes, or purposefully riding a donkey into Jerusalem?

About the Septuagint & Masoretic Text: Is the Greek LXX (Septuagint) considered a flawed copy? The genealogy of Shem adds hundreds of years which is quite significant. Is the Masoretic Text inerrant, or am I misunderstanding inerrancy?

Galatians 5 – Heaven or Rewards?: In Galatians 5: 19-21, is the “kingdom of God” a reference to Heaven itself, or a reference to rewards? A local pastor says it is about rewards, but I am skeptical.

Parable of the Minas: I was just wondering what your interpretation of the parable in Luke 19: 11-27 is. Specifically, what do you think the slaves and the minas represent?

Are Men’s Beards Prideful?: What do you think about beards? I heard a pastor say that it is a prideful thing to wear a beard, and therefore wrong to have one. I don't really agree. I don't think you do either, as you have one.

Is Entire Sanctification Biblical?: Coming from a “2 works movement” (CHM), I’ve always heard 1 Thessalonians 5: 23 taught as calling people to a second work of Grace, or an experience of entire sanctification. What is Paul actually saying there?

Interacting with Fallen Believers & Cult Members: How are we to relate to fallen brothers in terms of fellowship, and to cult members with hospitality according to 1 Corinthians 5: 11 and 2 John 1: 10?

Resolving a Scriptural Discrepancy: In the KJV, 2 Kings 8: 26 and 2 Chronicles 22:2 give two completely different ages for Ahaziah when he took the throne. How can we account for this?

Saved by Grace – How is Anyone Excluded?: Ephesians 5:5 says that the sexually immoral will have no place in the Kingdom of God, yet later, Ephesians says we’re saved by grace through faith. Is this contradictory?

The Right Age to Evangelize?: When is the right age to evangelize? I'm 15 and I used to evangelize and many believed, but I also got into trouble with the police and at my school. My pastor told me to wait until I’m more mature and I’ve learned more of God’s Word.

Overcoming Covetousness: Why is it so hard to be content? I've been blessed with more than most people, but I'm always wanting MORE. I drain so much money buying more "stuff" and once I see something I like, I'm bummed/stressed until I get to buy it. I don't want to be this way. Please help!

Eschatological Timings: What effect does Psalm 110:1 and Luke 20: 42-43 have on the timing or placement of the rapture of the Church in reference to the tribulation?

How to Pray for Unbelievers: I don’t believe Calvinism is biblical, but I find that my prayers for unbelievers often sound Calvinistic: “Change their hearts, bring them to You,” etc. How should we pray for unbelievers' salvation?

Did God Direct Moses to Deceive Pharaoh?: Why did God tell Moses to ask Pharaoh to go "three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God" (Exodus 3: 18) if it wasn't God's intention for them to return to Egypt?

Do our Prophecies Create Reality?: Kris Vallotton cites Ezekiel 37:1-6 to claim that our prophecies create reality, rather than just foretelling the future. Is there merit to this?

Does Jesus’ Compassion Change?: When Jesus interacts with people, He is often compassionate. However, with the 12, he most often sounds harsh. Does His relationship toward us change once we are “on the team"?

Knowing When to Yield: My pastor wants me to obey my husband even when it hurts my mental health, triggers my eating disorder, or my sleep disorder. Is he right or wrong? He says I should “Die like Christ.”

Encouragement Amid Physical Limitations: What counsel would you give a discouraged believer with a debilitating chronic illness who carries a lot of guilt for not being able to serve in the ways they want to be able to?

When Translations Vary: What do we do when we find significant difference between translations (such as 1 John 5:7 in the KJV vs. modern translations)?

Advice for Raising Kids in the Faith: I want to raise my two kids aged 7 and 9 in the faith. I don’t want to push too hard. Any advice? My ex-wife has left the faith, so I feel like it’s up to me (and God).

Should We Call Out Others’ Sins?: Should we call out sin in the lives of other Christian friends? I had a conversation with my pastor about this in regard to cussing, and he told me if we don't have a mutual edification then it might not be my place.

Witnessing to Muslims: I'm 15, and my best friend at school is a Muslim. Do you have any advice for trying to evangelize Muslims who are intelligent and rational but very set in their ways?

How Should We View Extrabiblical Books?: With extrabiblical books such as Enoch or 1 & 2 Maccabees, how do you discern within these books if they're true accounts, if they don't contradict our canon?

Should we Pray for Specific Gifts?: What do you think about praying expectantly for a very specific gift of the Holy Spirit? I see people blessed with certain gifts teaching classes. For example, I've seen classes on how to prophesy.

Was Jesus Really Buried for 3 Days & Nights?: If Jesus died on a Friday and rose on a Sunday, then He was not in the grave for three days and three nights. Why is it that this seems never to be addressed?

Who Can Baptize People?: Can anyone baptize? Or must one be a pastor?

Holy Week Reflections: With Easter coming up, what is something that we might overlook but shouldn’t, considering that celebrating Easter might just become a yearly habit or tradition to people?

Self-Loathing vs. Self-Love?: As Christians, how do we deal with self-loathing without indulging in and practicing too much self-love?

Who Are God’s Chosen People?: I had a debate with a friend about Israel still being God's chosen people. Doesn't Romans 9:6-8 and Galatians 3: 28-29 communicate that God's chosen people are anyone who places their faith in Jesus?

Bored in the OT!: How do I read the Old Testament without getting bored and distracted 2 minutes in?

How to “Work Out Our Salvation…”: What does it mean to "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling"? Is that a literal statement?

Is Nepotism Sinful?: Is nepotism a sin? My church was founded by my grandpa, my dad is the senior pastor, and my brother is a youth leader. I do believe they legitimately earned these roles, but others at my church don’t.

Witnessing to Strangers: What’s your favorite way to witness to strangers?

“Work Out” My Salvation??: What does it mean to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling"? Is that a literal statement?

Will Sharing Tough Truth Ruin our Witness?: I'm afraid to talk about issues like abortion, LGBT, etc. for fear that I'll turn people off so much that they won't listen AT ALL when I try to share the Gospel. How can I resolve this?

Has God Hidden What We Need to Know?: What are your thoughts on Mathew 11: 25? I was raised in the Branham cult where there is a great deal of anti-intellectualism. They also claim that God has blinded most Christians from Branham.

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.

Is There a Temple in Heaven?: Is there a literal temple in Heaven, or is that meant to be understood figuratively? I have always understood that the temple/tabernacle on Earth were to represent truths about Heaven.

Why Did God Allow Sin?: If God knew that humans would fall into sin, why did He allow us to live in this fallen world and not take us straight to Heaven?

Has Christianity Changed Over Time?: How do you know the Christianity you believe is the same they were practicing in the early Church if history says Constantine and the Greeks changed things?

Is Christianity Itself a Cult?: How is Christianity like (or not like) a cult in either definition and/or practice?

Is Every Good Thing an Answered Prayer?: Why are some people so quick to celebrate when God answers “small” prayers, but they overlook the fact that He didn’t answer “bigger” prayers like healing someone of cancer?

Are Miracles Unreliable?: If Satan and his workers can perform miracles to mislead people, why should I believe Christians when they tell me to look at miracles, or when Jesus says to look at His miracles?

Why does God Require Prayer?: Why would God require prayer for what He knows He SHOULD heal?

Is the Bible Just a Storybook?: How can you believe in a storybook (referring to the Bible)? This was actually a question I faced several times when I stayed in Germany for a while.

Are Older Texts More Likely to be True?: What about other books like the Vedic texts that are older than the gospels? Should “older” equal more accurate or true?

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