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All (24) Mike Winger (24)
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Q&A: Jesus's swords passage — 'have a sword but don't use it' and the principle of Christian self-defense

Live chat question from Ryan White about Luke 22:35-38 and Luke 22:49-51 / John 18:10-11.

Luke 22:36-38 Luke 22:49-51 John 18:10-11 Luke 22:36-38 Luke 22:49-51 John 18:10-11
Mike Winger idea 2018-04-11

Reason 2 refuted: The Bible contains extensive practical advice; specificity is about utility, not inspiration

The skeptic argues the Bible does not give specific enough practical advice — for instance, a chapter organized by killing scenarios (war, self-defense, execution).

Proverbs marriage apologetics Proverbs
Mike Winger idea 2018-11-14

Q&A: Controlling anger toward someone consistently hurting you does not mean passivity — it means replacing anger as your motive with wisdom and godliness.

First Q&A question; addressing ongoing relational harm.

wisdom relationships Q&A
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-16

John 5:31-38 — Jesus presents three specific evidences for his identity: John the Baptist, miracles, and Scripture

Mike analyzes Jesus's own self-defense in John 5 as a model of evidence-based persuasion.

John the Baptist John 5:31-39 resurrection evidence-based faith John the Baptist
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-16

John 5:39 — the Old Testament scriptures testify of Jesus as a third category of evidence

Continuation of the John 5 analysis; the Father's testimony through Scripture.

John 5:39 evidence-based faith messianic prophecy John 5:39
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-22

Acts 25:8 -- Paul says he committed no offense against the law of the Jews. Consistent with fulfillment theology: Paul in Christ has not violated the true spirit of the law.

Survey of Acts 25:8

Acts 25:8 Paul the Apostle Law of Moses fulfillment theology
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-22

Acts 28:17 -- Paul says he has done nothing against the customs of our fathers. Again consistent with fulfillment theology.

Survey of Acts 28:17

Acts 28:17 Paul the Apostle fulfillment theology Acts 28:17
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-25

Luke 22:36 — "sell your cloak and buy a sword": Jesus wanted the disciples armed for personal protection in Gethsemane

Q&A from Micah about the meaning of Jesus's command to buy a sword

Luke 22:36 Christian ethics Gethsemane Luke 22:36
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-25

Peter using the sword in Gethsemane: Jesus stopped him — sword was for deterrence, not offensive action

Interpreting the immediate context of Luke 22:36

Luke 22:36 Peter Gethsemane Luke 22:36
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-25

Christians may use lethal force in self-defense but not premeditated violence; Christian pacifism is mistaken

Applying the Luke 22:36 principle to the Christian ethics of self-defense

Luke 22:36 Christian ethics martyrdom Luke 22:36
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-02

Christians have a biblical duty to protect others — pacifism taken to its logical extreme is evil

Question from Spazzy Jazzy about the extent to which Christians should protect and retaliate against abuse

violence Old Testament ethics self-defense
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-02

Old Testament law: killing in self-defense carried no penalty, establishing self-defense as a legitimate moral category

Biblical grounding for self-defense

Mosaic Law self-defense homicide law
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-02

Jesus commanded disciples to carry swords before his betrayal, indicating readiness for self-defense is a godly posture

New Testament grounding for self-defense, contrasted with earlier sending-out instructions

Luke 22:36 Peter Gethsemane Luke 22:36
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-02

Balance principle: being armed and ready for self-defense is healthy; preemptive strikes from anger or against God's will for martyrdom are not

Synthesizing the sword/Gethsemane discussion into a practical principle

violence discernment self-defense
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-17

Just War theory — Mike affirms it; pacifism in all scenarios is evil

Q from Dan Dan about whether an Armenian Christian can go to war in defense against genocide.

Judges Judges Just War Pacifism
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

When handling online 'heresy hunters' who badger a minister, evaluate whether you are responding from self-defense or from genuine capacity to help — then use time for maximum ministry impact.

Q: How do you handle online heresy hunters that badger you through email about your teaching?

Heresy Hunting / Online Critics Ministry Time Management Self-Defense vs. Service
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

Two issues with heresy hunters: (1) a divisive uncharitable attitude over secondary issues needing gentle correction toward unity; (2) the real possibility they are right — total openness to correction with zero self-defensiveness is required.

Continued advice on handling heresy hunters in ministry.

Humility Heresy Hunting / Online Critics Self-Defense vs. Service
Mike Winger idea 2018-10-31

Mike argues that killing in self-defense is clearly permitted by Scripture, citing Old Testament law which imposed no penalty for legitimate self-defense, and Jesus’ instruction to the disciples to carry swords the night of his betrayal.

Response to viewer question about whether killing in self-defense is wrong in God’s eyes

Luke 22 Christian ethics just war Old Testament law
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-04

Matthew 5:38-42 addresses personal vengeance, not self-defense or courtroom justice — and does not require total pacifism.

Question from Adriano about the Sermon on the Mount passages on non-retaliation and self-defense.

Matthew 5:38-42 Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:38-42 Turn the other cheek
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Scripture permits self-defense and defense of innocent others; military service can be just, but soldiers retain moral responsibility to refuse unjust orders.

Q18 from Zane Potter: is a willingness to fight for one's country compatible with faith in Jesus? Is there scriptural provision for self-preservation in home invasion or foreign threats?

self-defense (biblical) just war theory military service
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

Why is Esther in the Bible? Self-defense in Esther 8-9 is not problematic

Listener The Christian Metalhead questions the moral purpose of Esther and finds the final chapters' battle "dangerous."

Esther Ecclesiastes 3:3 Old Testament canon Typology Pacifism
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-29

Q&A: Death penalty is biblically valid. Genesis 9:5-6 (pre-Mosaic, given to all humanity): whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed — because man is made in God's image. Society has a mandate to execute justice. Romans 13:4: government bears the sword as God's servant/avenger. The sword = general governmental authority, which includes capital punishment for murder under certain conditions.

Q&A — death penalty

Romans 13:4 Genesis 9:5-6 Romans 13:4 imago Dei death penalty
Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

Can Killing a Leader be Justified At Times?: We know that self-defense is biblical, but what about assassinations like Project Valkyrie (Hitler) or times when killing a leader might save other lives? Are we still bound to their authority?

Q&A question: Can Killing a Leader be Justified At Times?

Hitler
Mike Winger idea 2024-05-17

Jesus Supporting Violence?: Why does Jesus tell the disciples to buy swords? Is this Jesus supporting violence in self-defense?

Q&A question: Jesus Supporting Violence?

Jesus