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All (28) Mike Winger (28)
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-28

Response to question about Flat Earth claims from a biblical perspective — Mike is still working through material before addressing it

Q&A section — response to Jeffrey McDowell's question about a promised Flat Earth video

Flat Earth biblical cosmology
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-08

Biblical cosmology should not be assumed to match ancient Near Eastern flat-earth cosmology just because surrounding cultures believed it; Genesis radically demythologizes creation compared to the Enuma Elish

Response to question about Hebraic cosmology and the flat-earth interpretation

Genesis 1 hermeneutics Genesis 1 demythologization
Mike Winger idea 2019-06-19

Analogy: Entertaining Jesus mythicism is like scientists debating Flat Earth, or historians entertaining Holocaust denial

Illustrating the scholarly view of Jesus mythicism's credibility level

Jesus mythicism historicity of Jesus argument from analogy
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Mike introduces a study on flat earth Bible verses. His goal is not to argue about the shape of the earth but to show that the Bible does NOT teach flat earth. Ground rules: not about conspiracies, geocentrism, or the firmament — only about whether specific verses teach a flat earth.

Introduction — flat earth Bible study

hermeneutics hermeneutics biblical cosmology
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

"Ends of the earth" doesn't mean the earth has edges. Biblical usage shows it means distant nations/peoples. Deuteronomy 28:49 prophesies nations from "the end of the earth" attacking Israel — fulfilled by Babylon/Assyria. Nehemiah 1:8 identifies "uttermost parts" as Susa, Iran — only 1,035 miles from Jerusalem.

Ends of the earth — not physical edges

Deuteronomy 28:49 Nehemiah 1:8 flat earth ends of the earth Deuteronomy 28:49
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

The Hebrew word "erets" (earth) rarely means the whole planet. Genesis 1:10: God called dry land "earth." Genesis 11:1: "the whole earth" means all people. Genesis 13:6: "the land" couldn't support Abraham and Lot — obviously local, not planetary. Most flat earth arguments collapse once you understand this word.

The word "earth" (erets) doesn't mean planet

biblical cosmology flat earth biblical cosmology
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Refuting Dean Odel's claim that Job 38:14 describes a flat earth stamped like clay under a signet ring. Problems: (1) the seal is a cylinder seal rolled over clay, not a ring pressed flat; (2) the missing word "changed" shows this is about daily sunrise revealing contours, not cosmological design; (3) the context is about wicked hiding at night and being exposed at dawn.

Job 38:14 — cylinder seal, not flat stamp

Job 38:14 flat earth Job 38:14 cylinder seal
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

The "footstool" verses (Isaiah 66:1) are metaphorical — God is sovereign. If "earth is my footstool" is literal, then "heaven is my throne" must be literal too (but no flat-earther takes it that way). Isaiah 40:12 says God measured waters in "the hollow of his hand" — also obviously metaphorical. 1 Kings 8:27: even the highest heavens cannot contain God.

Footstool verses — metaphor for sovereignty

Isaiah 66:1 Isaiah 40:12 flat earth Isaiah 66:1 footstool of God
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Pillar verses (1 Samuel 2:8, Job 26:10, Psalm 75:3) are all in poetic contexts. In 1 Samuel 2:8, "pillars of the earth" are leaders whom God exalts — the context is about God raising the poor to sit with princes. In Psalm 75:3, pillars are leaders God supports during upheaval. "Pillars of heaven" (Job 26) may just refer to mountains poetically.

Pillars of the earth — leaders, not literal supports

1 Samuel 2:8 1 Samuel 2:8 pillars of the earth poetic language in scripture
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Job 38:4-10 (foundations, cornerstone, bases) is a poem comparing creation to a building project. If taken literally, you must also believe God used a literal measuring line, that oceans have literal bars and doors, and that the earth has a literal cornerstone. These are obviously poetic — God made the earth secure. That's the point.

Job 38 foundations and cornerstone — building poem

Job 38:4-10 Job 38:4-10 poetic language in scripture wooden literalism
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Isaiah 40:22 "circle of the earth" — the Hebrew word is indeterminate (could mean circle or sphere). But Mike thinks it's not about cosmology at all — it's about God sitting above the horizon, sovereign over everything you can see. Job 22:14 uses the same word for the "vault of heaven" which flat-earthers accept as dome-shaped — proving the word doesn't demand "flat."

Circle of the earth (Isaiah 40:22) — indeterminate

Isaiah 40:22 Job 22:14 Isaiah 40:22 circle of the earth chug (Hebrew)
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

"Four corners of the earth" means four directions/quadrants (King James: "four quarters"). Isaiah 11:12 says God will gather dispersed Israel from the four corners — but Israel was scattered to known nations, not to ice walls. Revelation 7:1: four angels at four corners = four directions the wind blows. A circle with corners proves the language isn't literal.

Four corners — four directions, not literal edges

Revelation 7:1 Isaiah 11:12 four corners of the earth Revelation 7:1 Isaiah 11:12
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

"Water under the earth" (Psalm 136:6, Exodus 20:4) = the ocean. Exodus 20:4 prohibits idols of things in heaven, on earth, or in the water under the earth — if this isn't the ocean, then the idol prohibition doesn't cover fish/sea creatures. Psalm 24:2: "founded upon the seas, established upon the rivers" — earth (dry land) is simply above water level.

Water under the earth — the ocean

Exodus 20:4 Psalm 24:1-2 Psalm 136:6 water under the earth Exodus 20:4 Psalm 24:1-2
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Refuting Dean Odel's claim that Revelation 20:9 ("breadth/plane of the earth") proves flat earth via Greek word "platos." Problems: (1) platos means "wide/broad," not "flat" — Strongs says "broad"; (2) the passage describes a specific military march, probably across the valley of Megiddo; (3) earth doesn't mean planet here, just land.

Revelation 20:9 Greek word — breadth, not flat

Revelation 20:9 flat earth Dean Odel Revelation 20:9
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Daniel 4: a tree visible to "the end of the whole earth" — but this is Nebuchadnezzar's dream ("visions of my head as I lay in bed"). Dreams don't provide cosmological data. The phrase "ends of the earth" just means visible far away.

Daniel 4 — it's a dream

Daniel 4 flat earth Daniel 4 Nebuchadnezzar dream
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Matthew 4:8 (Satan shows Jesus all kingdoms from a high mountain) — this must be supernatural, not visual. The highest local mountains are ~2,700 ft. Even flat-earthers can't see China from Israel. Satan showed Jesus these things supernaturally. The theological point: Jesus succeeds where Israel failed — resisting idolatry at the "high places" where Israel repeatedly fell.

Satan's temptation on a high mountain — theological, not geographical

Matthew 4:8 temptation of Jesus temptation of Jesus flat earth
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Q&A: Who should we direct prayers to? Generally to the Father (Matthew 6:6), but praying to Jesus or the Holy Spirit is acceptable. "In Jesus' name" is not a required phrase — you pray through Christ whether you say it or not because he is your mediator.

Q&A — directing prayer

Matthew 6:6 prayer direction Matthew 6:6
Mike Winger idea 2025-09-05

Flat Earth Use of Scripture: Do I still say that Flat Earthers misuse Scripture?

Q&A question: Flat Earth Use of Scripture
Mike Winger idea 2025-09-05

Why Some Reject & Some Accept Faith: Could you help me answer the Calvinist who asks what the difference is between a person who has faith and a person who rejects faith? If we are all equally sinful, why do some choose Christ?

Q&A question: Why Some Reject & Some Accept Faith

Calvinism
Mike Winger idea 2025-09-05

Why My Prayer Isn’t Answered: How can I tell why a prayer hasn’t been answered? How do I know if I just have to wait longer, or if some sin is hindering my prayer, or if the answer is simply “no”?

Q&A question: Why My Prayer Isn’t Answered

prayer
Mike Winger idea 2025-09-05

The Bible: Chronological Order?: Is it helpful to read the Bible in chronological order?

Q&A question: The Bible: Chronological Order?
Mike Winger idea 2025-09-05

The “Who” of Romans 7: Who is Paul talking about in Romans 7? Himself, some hypothetical believer, or someone else entirely?

Q&A question: The “Who” of Romans 7

Romans 7 Romans 7
Mike Winger idea 2025-09-05

Single but Living As Married: My fiancée moved in, is sleeping with me, using my credit card, is on my home title and health insurance, and we’re filing taxes jointly. But our wedding ceremony is not until 2027. I want to break up with her. Is that OK since we’ve made no vow yet before God?

Q&A question: Single but Living As Married

dating and relationships
Mike Winger idea 2025-09-05

Sin Before The Law: In Romans 5: 13, what does it mean that sin was not counted against those before Moses gave the law? Did all those people receive eternal salvation?

Q&A question: Sin Before The Law

Romans 5 Moses Romans 5 salvation
Mike Winger idea 2025-09-05

Are You Reformed?: I think you've said that you consider yourself Reformed, and I wondered what you mean by that. What Reformed doctrines do you accept besides the ones that constitute basic orthodoxy?

Q&A question: Are You Reformed?
Mike Winger idea 2025-09-05

Does Porn Disqualify from Ministry?: What are your thoughts on pastors struggling with porn/lust? Is it disqualifying? I stepped out of ministry to heal. Many ministers my age (23) struggle. Please pray. I’ve seen progress, but I still fight.

Q&A question: Does Porn Disqualify from Ministry?

pastoral ministry
Mike Winger idea 2025-09-05

Evangelism amid Difficult Family Dynamics: What’s the appropriate way to navigate being an uncle and sharing the truth with nieces/nephews when your sibling doesn’t have a biblical worldview?

Q&A question: Evangelism amid Difficult Family Dynamics

angels
Mike Winger idea 2025-09-05

Bonus – Prayer Request: Can you please pray for my mom? She’s been diagnosed with breast cancer. Her prognosis looks good, but we are praying for God's miraculous and complete healing.

Q&A question

prayer healing