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

...more
All (50) Mike Winger (50)
Mike Winger idea 2022-03-07

Beth Allison Barr's 'The Making of Biblical Womanhood' as a prime example of story-driven theology — the book frames the entire discussion through personal pain and church hurt.

Mistake #5: Critique of Beth Allison Barr's book

church hurt story-driven theology Beth Allison Barr
Mike Winger idea 2022-03-07

Barr equates complementarianism with abuse — 'you cannot separate the issues' — making the book about stories creating theology rather than understanding scripture in context.

Mistake #5: Critique of Beth Allison Barr's book

complementarianism and abuse Beth Allison Barr The Making of Biblical Womanhood
Mike Winger idea 2022-03-07

Barr's argument: personal stories overrule any theological distinction — 'nice try, tell that to my story' — all nuance and distinction between pagan patriarchy and complementarianism is erased.

Mistake #5: Stories overruling scripture

bypassing scripture story-driven theology Beth Allison Barr
Mike Winger idea 2022-03-14

Reading of Genesis 3:1-20 covering the serpent's temptation, the fall, God confronting Adam first, the curses on serpent/woman/man, and the proto-evangelium.

Genesis 3 text reading

Gen 3:16 the fall Gen 3:1-20
Mike Winger idea 2022-03-14

Combining Schreiner's points 2 and 6 with Mike's additional argument: Adam's curse impacts all creation while Eve's only impacts women, implying different scopes of representation.

Mike's additional argument from the different curses

Gen 3:16-19 scope of curses Adam's greater representation
Mike Winger idea 2022-03-14

Egalitarian quotes: Belleville, Keener, and Payne all argue that Gen 3:16 is descriptive of fallen conditions, not prescriptive, and should not be enforced by church rules.

Egalitarian argument: the curse should be overturned, not propagated

Philip Payne Linda Belleville Gen 3:16
Mike Winger idea 2022-03-14

Analogy: the curse made farming harder (thorns/thistles) but farming isn't bad; similarly, the curse made submission harder (conflict) but submission/authority isn't bad.

Analogy for understanding the curse's relationship to pre-existing good things

Gen 3:16-19 thorns and thistles analogy curse makes good things harder
Mike Winger idea 2022-03-14

Key application: reverse the PAIN of the fall (abuse, domineering, rebellion) but not the NATURE of the relationship (different roles). Fight thorns, not farming; fight abuse, not authority.

Final practical application

voluntary submission reverse pain not nature abuse of authority
Mike Winger idea 2023-11-22

Introduction to 'saved through childbearing' (1 Tim 2:15): the most difficult verse

Mike introduces the five views on the enigmatic statement 'she will be saved through childbearing.'

1 Timothy 2:15 dia 1 Timothy 2:15 saved through childbearing
Mike Winger idea 2023-11-22

View 2: Women saved spiritually in spite of the pain of childbirth

Mike evaluates the view that women are saved despite the curse of painful childbearing from Genesis 3.

1 Timothy 2:15 Genesis 3 curse dia 1 Timothy 2:15 Genesis 3 curse
Mike Winger idea 2023-11-22

Conclusion 15: Summary on 'saved through childbearing'

Mike summarizes his confidence levels on the various views of v.15.

1 Timothy 2:15 1 Timothy 2:15 saved through childbearing Messianic interpretation
Mike Winger idea 2018-02-14

Bethel's standard for 'heaven on earth' is too low: they aim for physical healing while Revelation 21:4 promises no death, sorrow, or pain — which has not yet come

Mike argues that Bethel's version of heaven-on-earth falls short even of its own claim

Revelation 21:4 Kris Vallotton healing theology kingdom of God
Mike Winger idea 2018-02-07

Second video: Tom Fischer performs a leg-lengthening healing. Mike distinguishes this as likely not deliberate fraud but rather sincere self-deception.

Transition to the second example — Tom Fischer's leg-lengthening video.

Tom Fischer healing fraud leg lengthening
Mike Winger idea 2018-02-07

Todd White's leg-lengthening video analyzed: hand pivoting, body swinging, and foot angle changes account for the apparent growth — at a rental car location in Israel.

Third example video: Todd White performing a leg-lengthening healing.

Todd White healing fraud physical manipulation
Mike Winger idea 2018-02-07

Fourth video: Todd White heals a girl of scoliosis. Mike notes multiple misleading elements: positive reaction to love/compassion, a back 'pop' presented as confirmation, and an ambiguous pain report — yet Todd declares her 'totally healed of scoliosis.'

Analysis of Todd White's scoliosis healing video.

Todd White healing fraud psychological manipulation
Mike Winger idea 2018-02-07

Adrenaline rush physiologically explains small incremental improvements in vision, pain, and strength — making it irresponsible to publish a healing video based on these responses.

Physiological explanation for the apparent improvements seen in the eye-healing video.

healing fraud psychosomatic response adrenaline
Mike Winger idea 2018-09-05

Matthew 24 — Jesus lists wars, earthquakes, and famines as signs that should NOT alarm believers about the Second Coming, not as signs that it is near.

Ra argues Matthew 24's signs are always being fulfilled, therefore the prophecy is meaningless. Winger argues Ra misreads the passage's intent.

Matthew 24 Daniel Second Coming eschatology Matthew 24
Mike Winger idea 2018-09-05

Q&A: Apologetics is like 'the jaws of life' — it cracks open entrenched unbelief so the gospel can reach in. The gospel remains primary; apologetics is an aid.

Viewer question: when talking to atheists, should we prioritize evidence for God or the gospel?

evangelism gospel apologetics
Mike Winger idea 2018-10-24

Side 3a: Modern Halloween encompasses a wide spectrum of very different practices — innocent trick-or-treating, outreach, and fall festivals

Mike's third analytical point: the diversity of actual modern Halloween experiences

Halloween Trick-or-treating Evangelism
Mike Winger idea 2018-11-14

Q&A: Malice toward God means you've gotten something wrong — Job's model is to acknowledge speaking without knowledge and pray for your own heart.

Q&A on feeling bitterness toward God.

Job prayer faith Q&A
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-23

Rape exception — the child is not morally culpable for the father's crime; killing the child does not undo the evil

Q&A — question about whether abortion is acceptable in cases of rape

abortion human rights pro-life argument
Mike Winger idea 2019-02-07

Book of Revelation and the new heavens and new earth

Q&A question about what Revelation says about the new heaven and earth.

Romans 8 Revelation 2 Peter Romans 8 sons of God eschatology
Mike Winger idea 2019-06-26

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.

Bethel Church false prophecy discernment
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-28

Scriptural language about things not being "remembered" in heaven means no bitter grief, not literal loss of memory

Side note during the heaven/marriage question, addressing a teaching that people will have no memories in heaven based on Isaiah.

Revelation Isaiah biblical hermeneutics Revelation Isaiah
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-18

Timing argument: blessings purchased at the cross are not all present realities — healing is partially now, fully later

Disagreement with hyper-charismatic "claim healing now" theology, despite agreeing healing is in the atonement.

healing eschatology Holy Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-18

Confidence in prayer for healing vs. fabricating certainty — suffering can be within God's will

Continuation of healing/prayer question; preview of upcoming Kenneth Copeland study.

James 1 prayer healing Holy Spirit
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-23

Short-term mission trips are often inefficient — local missionaries are more effective with the same funds

Mike continues on the mission trip question with personal experience and practical critique.

stewardship mission trips short-term missions
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

Praying for healing for a child with a birth defect — contentment vs. miracle prayer

Listener Maria says her unborn baby has a serious birth defect; many friends are praying for a miracle but she isn't sure she can/should.

Romans 8:26 Kenneth Copeland Word of Faith Healing prayer
Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

Drew's Question 3: Why did God create animals with pain receptors? John McCrae responds: (1) animals don't experience pain "exactly the same" as humans — they lack equivalent emotional/psychological pain; (2) pain is necessary for survival; (3) "psychological trauma" in animals is overstated (sloth bear eating its own cubs, chimps killing young).

Response to Q3 — animal pain

John McCrae John McCrae anthropomorphism animal suffering
Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

Drew claims God demanded animal sacrifice because he enjoyed it. John corrects: OT sacrifice was for atonement, an act of mercy, not divine enjoyment. Genesis 1:29-30 shows God originally created a vegetarian food chain — the current system results from the Fall. Drew ignores that Christianity's purpose isn't a pain-free temporal life.

Response to Q3 — sacrifice and the Fall

Genesis 1:29-30 the Fall animal suffering Genesis 1:29-30
Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

Cameron responds: 3 of 4 questions are really just versions of the problem of evil. Questions are not arguments — they require structured premises and conclusions. Cameron identifies three goods requiring earthly existence before heaven.

Response to Q4 — questions aren't arguments

problem of evil Cameron Bertuzzi problem of evil
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-19

Q&A: Single-issue (pro-life) voting is legitimate because abortion is a deal-breaker moral issue. Mike would vote for a pro-life candidate with bad economic policies because saving lives outweighs financial pain.

Q&A — single-issue voting on abortion

abortion pro-life single-issue voting
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-22

The external evidence (compositional textbooks, Plutarch) is far weaker than claimed. The textbooks never explicitly say "it's acceptable to change historical facts." Plutarch's differences may just be mistakes, not intentional literary devices. Licona admits attributing devices to the Gospels that aren't even found in the textbooks or Plutarch.

Critique of the external evidence for literary devices

Plutarch Mike Licona Mike Licona
Mike Winger idea 2021-09-24

How to Biblically Grieve Painful Loss: My only son died from an overdose last year. I was angry at God and walked away from Him for a bit. I told Him “If I am to serve you, I want the real God.” Isaiah 43: 18-19 says to get over it. How do I get over it?

Q&A question: How to Biblically Grieve Painful Loss

Isaiah Isaiah
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-22

Should a Head Pastor be Close to His Staff?: What are your thoughts on a head pastor who does not interact with his staff? I teach at a church and have no real relationship (to the point of pain) with my pastor as he is never present.

Q&A question: Should a Head Pastor be Close to His Staff?

pastoral ministry
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-29

Why was Jesus Given Sedatives?: Why would the Roman soldiers try to give Jesus the wine and myrrh (which I understand to be a sedative)? Wouldn’t they want the crucifixion to be as painful as possible?

Q&A question: Why was Jesus Given Sedatives?

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2022-01-28

Thinking Biblically about Trends: There is a trend in many young male Christians where they are wearing earrings, painting nails, fixing eyebrows, and putting on makeup. Help me think biblically about this, as it's a bit shocking.

Q&A question: Thinking Biblically about Trends
Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

About Jesus’ Suffering: Did Jesus need to have suffered the most pain ever for Him to be worthy to save us? How should we answer the objection that some people have supposedly suffered worse pain, i.e. from torture or the Holocaust?

Q&A question: About Jesus’ Suffering

Jesus suffering
Mike Winger idea 2022-06-03

How Creative Can Worship Be in Church?: I would like your views on flag waving (as the Lord is my banner), dancing, and body painting as part of “creative worship” in church. When I questioned these things, Zechariah 1: 20-21 was quoted to me. Since creativity is inspired by God, am I being overly cautious and resisting change which is from God?

Q&A question: How Creative Can Worship Be in Church?

Zechariah worship Zechariah
Mike Winger idea 2022-06-03

Can we Only Have Belief through the Spirit?: “Only by the Spirit can one believe” … Can this be considered gaslighting unbelievers and a way of compensating for a lack of enough evidence? Please help my pain, I'm struggling.

Q&A question: Can we Only Have Belief through the Spirit?

evangelism apologetics
Mike Winger idea 2022-08-19

Empathizing with Victims of Tragic Events: How should I view the pain I feel for victims of the Holocaust, Nanking Massacre, etc. when these groups were mostly un-elect vessels of wrath who will receive no comfort?

Q&A question: Empathizing with Victims of Tragic Events
Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Why Does God Allow Painful Grieving?: Why did God allow My cat to be attacked by a dog if He could have stopped it? We are heartbroken.

Q&A question: Why Does God Allow Painful Grieving?
Mike Winger idea 2023-12-16

Why Doesn’t God Immediately Help/Heal?: Why would I "surrender" myself to someone who could help me (be well, not be in pain, heal me) and is with me at all times, but doesn't help me?

Q&A question: Why Doesn’t God Immediately Help/Heal?
Mike Winger idea 2024-05-17

Is All Pain Bad?: BONUS Q!.My 8 year old, Ben wants to know: If there is no pain in Heaven, will there be hot sauce? Sounds funny, but makes you think.

Q&A question: Is All Pain Bad?

heaven
Mike Winger idea 2024-10-11

God’s Creation of Those Who Would Fall: If God is all-knowing and foresaw the suffering that would result from the fall of Satan, Adam, and Eve, affecting billions, why would He create them, knowing the pain that would follow?

Q&A question: God’s Creation of Those Who Would Fall

Satan creation suffering
Mike Winger idea 2024-10-25

The Doctrine of Impassability: Can you help me understand the doctrine of impassability a little bit better? It's confusing for me, and I'm not sure how to relate to the Lord and bring Him my pain, knowing this doctrine.

Q&A question: The Doctrine of Impassability
Mike Winger idea 2025-01-10

Images of God: Ever Biblical?: Author J.I. Packer states that the 2nd commandment forbids using images of God for worship (such as paintings or statues/icons of God) and that images cannot capture His power & only serve as a crutch when worshiping Him. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Images of God: Ever Biblical?

worship
Mike Winger idea 2025-03-21

Encouragement through Arduous Times: What gives people the will to live in the midst of terror, hardship, poverty, pain, childhood abuse, loss, and all other types of calamity (specifically non-Christians, but also Christians)?

Q&A question: Encouragement through Arduous Times
Mike Winger idea 2025-10-03

Street Healings: Are They Real?: Are street healings real? Christians pray for strangers who report relief from pain and various illnesses. But atheist Derren Brown has produced similar results. Are these miracles or psychological effects?

Q&A question: Street Healings: Are They Real?

Derren Brown miracles atheism
Mike Winger idea 2025-12-12

Discouraged by Free Will: My son is bothered by free will because it causes so much pain and suffering and that God foreknew we would sin. How can I encourage him?

Q&A question: Discouraged by Free Will

suffering free will