Groothuis's rebuttal that prophets had more authority than Levites is a red herring — Levites were the regular, widespread spiritual authorities throughout Israel.

Mistake #4: Levite analogy — responding to Groothuis's counter

Conclusion on prophecy: it pushes back against banning women from public speech but does not support removing all eldership restrictions

Mike gives his balanced conclusion on the prophecy argument.

Introduction to the priesthood topic: women were priests in other pagan cultures but forbidden in Israel under the Law.

Transitioning to the priesthood discussion

Women as 'sons of God' — Galatians 3:26-28

Mike unpacks the 'sons of God' language as powerful status language for women.

Advice to women conference/college speakers: take steps to ensure it doesn't become elder-like

Mike gives practical advice to women in teaching roles.

Idea

Winger connects Simmons's inconsistent biographical claims to questions about the PT's claimed spiritual authority.

Apollonius's two main 'exorcism' stories involve (1) handing a woman a pre-written threatening letter addressed to the possessing spirit — the spirit stays, just agrees not to harm the boy — and (2) pointing out a disguised demon (a blind beggar) at Ephesus during a plague and having the crowd stone him to death, revealing a monster underneath. Neither constitutes casting out a demon by spiritual authority as Jesus did.

Authority over evil spirits and sickness comes from Christ's authority, not the believer's own

Viewer asking about Christians' authority over evil spirits and sickness

Q6 (wrong week): Advice for someone leaving a cult (JW) and finding a church; overcoming spiritual abuse

Response to question about choosing a church after leaving JW (note: Mike realized partway through this was from a previous week's questions)

Kenneth Hagin and Word of Faith: extra-biblical systematizing of healing and glory produces a "cartoon image" of Christianity.

Question from Jordan Filler about Kenneth Hagin's "The Authority of the Believer."

Pronouncing a blessing on others: Hebrews 7:7 and mutual blessing in the body of Christ

Andrej asked whether saying "I bless you" to someone implies a hierarchical superiority that is inappropriate between equals.

Winger says NO — do not follow your husband to a cult. The Bible never gives husbands spiritual authority to dictate their wife's worship. Wives have a relationship with God independent of their husbands. He also rejects the 'husband as priest of his house' teaching as unbiblical. Uses 1 Peter 3:1-6 extensively.

Q&A: Husband joined a cult teaching women go to hell for wearing makeup/trousers. Should wife submit and follow him there?