Filter results by source database — Scripture Commentary, Theology, Mike Winger, or Pulpit. Click a tab to narrow to one database.

...more
All (21) Mike Winger (21)
Mike Winger idea 2018-08-29

Aaron Ra's bold claim: 'Everything the Bible says about any field of science is laughably wrong'

Ra makes a sweeping claim that nothing in the Bible is scientifically accurate

Genesis 1 Job - water cycle Hebrews 11 Genesis 1 Bible and science Job - water cycle
Mike Winger idea 2018-04-11

Reason 6 addressed: Scientific foreknowledge in the Bible — prophecy is superior to scientific insight as apologetic evidence

The skeptic argues an inspired Bible would contain scientific knowledge humans couldn't have had (e.g., quantum mechanics, germ theory). Mike largely treats this as a restatement of Reason 5.

Genesis 1 Hebrews 11:3 Genesis 1 inspiration tests scientific foreknowledge
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-16

Pivot to objections: addressing 'but what about?' passages that skeptics use to support the faith-without-evidence definition

Mike transitions from positive case to handling counter-passages.

Hebrews 11:1 Romans 1:19-20 John 20:24 apologetics methodology Hebrews 11:1 Romans 1:19-20
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-16

Hebrews 11:1 — introduction and reference to Amy Hall's article at STR.org

Mike begins addressing the most commonly cited 'faith without evidence' passage.

Hebrews 11:1 faith Hebrews 11:1 Amy Hall
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-16

Hebrews 11:1 is a description of what faith looks like, not a definition of why or how we believe

Mike's core exegetical argument about the nature of Hebrews 11.

Hebrews 11:1 hermeneutics faith Hebrews 11:1
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-16

Hebrews 11: 'not seen' means future realities not yet occurring, not things lacking evidence — illustrated by Noah building the ark

Mike's second exegetical argument about the meaning of 'unseen' in Hebrews 11.

Hebrews 11:7 hermeneutics eschatology Noah
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-16

Abraham and Sarah in Hebrews 11: faith as trust in specific divine promises, not evidence-free belief

Further examples from Hebrews 11 illustrating that the characters had specific reasons to believe.

Hebrews 11:8 Hebrews 11:11 Sarah Abraham faith
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-16

The Hebrews 11 heroes had concrete reasons for their faith: direct speech from God, angelic visitations, inherited testimony

Mike argues that the faith-figures in Hebrews 11 are not examples of 'faith without evidence.'

Hebrews 11 Moses Sarah evidence-based faith
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-30

John 6:53 — "eat my flesh and drink my blood" is symbolic, not a basis for the Catholic doctrine of the Eucharist

Q&A: an ex-Catholic questioner asks whether John 6:53 has legitimate Hebrew roots or is scripture-twisting in support of the Eucharist.

Hebrews 11 John 5 John 6:53-63 Abraham Hebrews 11 John 5
Mike Winger idea 2019-02-20

Q&A: Why is Samson in the Hebrews Hall of Faith? Was Samson saved?

Q&A question about Samson's presence in Hebrews 11.

Hebrews 11:32 Samson salvation saving faith
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-27

Boghossian redefines "faith" as "pretending to know things you don't know"

Mike quotes Boghossian's definition of faith directly

Hebrews 11:1 Hebrews 11:1 A Manual for Creating Atheists Peter Boghossian
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-27

The false definition of faith makes Christian claims appear unreasonable before dialogue even begins

Mike explains the downstream effect of Boghossian's redefinition

Hebrews 11:1 Hebrews 11:1 Peter Boghossian Faith
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-27

Q&A: Hebrews 11:1 is a description of faith in action, not a definition of faith

Question from "search for truth" about Hebrews 11:1

Hebrews 11 Hebrews 11:1 Hebrews 11 Hebrews 11:1 Amy Hall
Mike Winger idea 2019-04-10

Greg Mater (former Christian) incorrectly cited Hebrews 11:1 as a definition of faith rather than a description

Examining a former Christian's use of Hebrews 11:1

Hebrews 11:1 Hebrews 11:1 former Christian atheists faith as hope vs. evidence
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Typological reading of Cain/Abel: works vs. faith — valid typology but not the cause of rejection

Analysis of Cain's offering rejection

Genesis 4 Hebrews 11:4 typology works-righteousness Genesis 4
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Hebrews 11:4: Abel's sacrifice was better because it was offered by faith

Resolving the Cain/Abel question using Hebrews 11

Hebrews 11:4 faith worship sacrifice
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

Rahab's deception of those seeking the spies is commended in Hebrews 11, suggesting not all deception is sinful

Biblical case study on deception and the ethics of intelligence work

Hebrews 11:31 Joshua 2 faith Rahab Christian ethics
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-05

Hebrews 12:1 — the cloud of witnesses is the inspiring example of their lives, not people watching from heaven; secular inspiring figures are fine but cannot be primary mentors

Responding to whether it is sinful to be inspired by historical people outside the Bible

Hebrews 11 Hebrews 12:1 Hebrews 11 inspiration Hebrews 12:1
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

Kalam leads to God with biblical attributes via conceptual analysis

Continuation of the Kalam answer, explaining the conceptual analysis step.

Genesis 1 Hebrews 11 John 1:1 Genesis 1 Hebrews 11 John 1:1
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-29

Was it Right for Rahab to Lie?: Hebrews 11: 31 says that Rahab's faith saved her. Yet Joshua 2:4-6 shows Rahab lying about the Israelite spies. Romans 3:7-8 condemns good from evil. How do we reconcile this, Pastor Mike?

Q&A question: Was it Right for Rahab to Lie?

Hebrews 11 Joshua 2 Romans 3 Rahab Hebrews 11 pastoral ministry
Mike Winger idea 2022-06-03

Why is Deborah not Mentioned in Hebrews 11?: I’ve appreciated your Women in Ministry series so much. Regarding Deborah, why do you suppose her name is not mentioned with the other 4 Judges in Hebrews 11: 32, but Barak is mentioned?

Q&A question: Why is Deborah not Mentioned in Hebrews 11?

Hebrews 11 Deborah Barak Hebrews 11