BibleThinker

Latest Episodes:

10 Questions with Mike Winger (Episode 27) Aug 31, 2024

Show notes

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:
1. 0:00 {How Does God Reveal Himself Today?} Why did God reveal Himself to ignorant people 2,000 years ago? Why doesn’t God do it for everyone today?
2. 25:45 {More Than One Interpretation?} Can Scripture have more than one correct interpretation? I know Psalm 22 can, but Catholics believe this is so with Peter as the rock in Matthew 16:18 or Mary in Revelation 12. Is there a good method to test Scripture for this?
3. 36:00 {Multiplying Gifts & Producing Fruit} What does the word “interest” mean (spiritually speaking) in Luke 19:23? How can one not multiply God’s gifts but still produce fruit?
4. 44:13 {Learning from Fallen Pastors?} Do you think it's wise to listen to preachers who have "fallen from grace" like Mark Driscoll? I find much of his preaching very life-giving, but I get judgment from other Christians.
5. 52:26 {The Purpose of the HS’s Intercession} In Romans 8:26-27, does the Spirit intercede in order to clarify what's in our hearts to God, or is it more to help us understand God's will and how He can help us mend our troubled hearts?
6. 57:04 {Is there Time in Heaven?} Looking at these passages, is there time in Heaven? 2 Peter 3:8, Ephesians 1:10, Revelation 21, Daniel 9:13.
7. 1:07:51 {Do our Lives Affect our Eternity?} Is our ability to rule and reign with God in His new world forever (Revelation 22:5) dependent on how we serve God in our lifetime for His mission (Luke 19:17)?
8. 1:12:57 {Serving God in our Professions} I am a DJ on a secular radio station. Knowing what's in many of the songs, I wonder if I am not pleasing the Lord by being in this job. Is this a matter of conscience?
9. 1:16:38 {Did Jonah Actually Die?} Did Jonah die? I was introduced to this theory by social media and was surprised to see a lot of people think he died and was risen based off of Jonah 2:1-6, Jewish tradition, and The Sign of Jonah.
10. 1:25:05 {Nazirite Vows – Why Long Hair?} If long hair for men is a disgrace by nature (1 Corinthians 11:14), then why is it part of the Nazirite vow in Numbers 6:5?

Links you may want:

My church is having a Men's Conference: Details HERE (just scroll to the bottom of the page at that link)
My video on head coverings, where I also get into men's hair length: Click HERE
Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus (playlist): Click HERE

My website: https://BibleThinker.org

I do this live stream most Fridays at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. You're welcome to join.

To ask a question in a future session, you'll need to follow these instructions:
1. Don't post your question before you see me live on camera.
2. Post questions as comments on the LIVE chat at the beginning of the stream.
3. Post your question with "Q" at the beginning so we can easily identify that you are sending it in as a question and not just a comment in the chat.
4. Try to be as clear as possible so I won't misunderstand the question. Keep in mind that I don't know anything about your question other than what you type in that short comment.
5. Include specific verse references when possible or applicable.

10 Questions with Mike Winger (Episode 26) Aug 23, 2024

Show notes

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:

1. 0:23 {Is God Ignoring Your Prayers?} If prayer is effective, why do so many prayers seem to go unanswered, especially in desperate situations?
2. 32:12 {Children/Procreation on the New Earth?} How are there children in the Eternal Kingdom on Earth (Isaiah 11:6-9)? Any child resurrected would mature during the Millennium, right? Does this mean there could be procreation on the New Earth?
3. 39:44 {Having our Roots Deep in Christ} I recently read Mark 4 (the Parable of the Sower) and was convicted about not having my roots deep enough in Christ. What are some practical ways of achieving this?
4. 47:05 {Jesus’ Deity in Scripture} Where does the Bible teach that the deity of Jesus is a salvation/damnation issue? For example, in Athens (Acts 17), it seems weird that Paul didn't explicitly teach this. John 8, perhaps?
5. 57:52 {When Parents Oppose Church Attendance} My parents are Mormon. I'm an 18 year-old Christian. They don't want me to go to a Christian church. How do I confront them or ask them if I can go back? Any advice would be great.
6. 1:02:49 {“God Bless You” to Non-Believers?} Is it appropriate to say to a non-believer, “May God bless you,” e.g., in a greeting card or in a new endeavor? It could be perceived as “May God give you good stuff.”
7. 1:06:28 {Unequally Yoked Wedding Attendance?} Considering 2 Corinthians 6:14-16, is it OK to go to a wedding when you know the couple is unequally yoked?
8. 1:14:54 {Disciples Knew they Had the Spirit?} In Acts 19:2, Paul asks the disciples if they have received the Holy Spirt. How would they KNOW they received the Holy Spirit? Was there a type of evidence then that we don’t necessarily see today?
9. 1:22:05 {Evangelism for the Ineloquent} Everyone seems to have their way of sharing the Gospel: street-preaching, pastoring, etc. How do I know how God has called me to share the Gospel? I'm not good socially, but I want to reach people.
10. 1:27:03 {Secular Songs During Worship?} What are your thoughts on Churches playing a secular song before worship? They’ve defended this practice with 1 Corinthians 9.

The Hebrews series has begun! CLICK HERE for the first in our study through the book of Hebrews.

I do this live stream most Fridays at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. You're welcome to join.

To ask a question, you'll need to follow these instructions:
1. Don't post your question before you see me live on camera.
2. Post questions as comments on the LIVE chat at the beginning of the stream.
3. Post your question with "Q" at the beginning so we can easily identify that you are sending it in as a question and not just a comment in the chat.
4. Try to be as clear as possible so I won't misunderstand the question. Keep in mind that I don't know anything about your question other than what you type in that short comment.
5. Include specific verse references when possible or applicable.

Didn't Jesus promise we would get what we prayed for? Click Here for a serious study of the best name-it-and-claim-it verse.

Men's Conference details HERE (just scroll to the bottom of the page at that link).

My website: https://BibleThinker.org

The Entire Book in One Video: The Hebrews Series pt 1 Aug 19, 2024

Show notes

If you can understand the book of Hebrews, you'll understand most of the Bible.
Hebrews is the key to the Old Testament and shows us how to see Jesus in all of the Scriptures. I'll be doing an overview of the entire book today but moving slowly through Hebrews in subsequent videos in this series. This is just the beginning of a new verse-by-verse study through the book of Hebrews. I'll cover Christology, bibliology, soteriology, apologetics, cults, Hebrew Roots, and so much more. We'll go deep into complex topics, but in a way that's meant to be accessible for normal people.

Video Map:
Intro: 0:00
Chapter 1: 4:32
Chapter 2: 29:31
Chapter 3: 34:06
Chapter 4: 39:59
Chapter 5: 49:29
Chapter 6: 59:41
Chapter 7: 1:05:07
Chapter 8: 1:18:14
Chapter 9: 1:25:48
Chapter 10: 1:32:44
Chapter 11: 1:38:41
Chapter 12: 1:43:33
Chapter 13: 1:54:05

How often will I livestream this series?
Unlike series in the past, I won't have a particular live stream schedule for this. It won't be every week but, whenever I do make a new teaching in this series, I will try to do it on Mondays at 1 p.m. Pacific Time to have some degree of consistency.

"I want more Bible studies, Mike!" ...

Verse-by-verse series through the Gospel of Mark
Verse-by-verse series through Romans
Verse-by-verse series through 1 Peter

Looking for my notes from today? Here they are, free of charge.

I'm Mike Winger and my ministry, BibleThinker, is meant to help you learn to think biblically about everything.
My website: https://BibleThinker.org

10 Questions with Mike Winger (Episode 25) Aug 16, 2024

Show notes

Today's Time Stamps:

1. 0:33 {The Changing Morality of the Bible?} Why does God seem more wrathful in the Old Testament and more forgiving and loving in the New Testament? Does the Bible have changing morals?
2. 33:29 {Balancing our Time Wisely} How can we find a healthy balance between time with God and entertainment, like reading non-Christian books?
3. 37:34 {Burned Works = Unsaved Soul?} Regarding 1 Corinthians 3:15, how can someone be saved if their work is burned up? Wouldn’t the frailty of their work suggest that their faith wasn’t true in the first place?
4. 46:57 {The Point of the New Covenant} What’s the point of the New Covenant when salvation has always been through faith?
5. 54:53 {Who is Asherah?} Who is Asherah? I saw a video that claims she’s God’s forbidden wife. Who is she, from a biblical perspective?
6. 1:00:21 {How Much Detail do we Confess?} When we, as Christians, confess our sins to God, how detailed should we be? Two verses that come to my mind are Psalm 139:23-24.
7. 1:05:28 {When & How Much to Give to Others?} My wife’s nephew is transgender, is here illegally (USA), and recently got married to a man. He asked my wife if she could help pay for his immigration paperwork. Am I wrong for saying no?
8. 1:12:43 {Be Quiet & MYOB?} In 1 Thessalonians 4:11 we are told to be quiet and mind our own business. How does that play out in a time where there is so much wrong in the world and in the Church? How are you doing it? You are the best!
9. 1:26:33 {Strengthening our “Study Muscles”} What are some ways to make reading the Bible easier? I’m not saying I want the Scriptures diluted or anything, but I’m not a very good reader and I just end up getting frustrated and quitting.
10. 1:31:33 {Was Jesus Silent?} In Mark and Matthew, Jesus remains silent which amazes Pilate, but in John, He delivers explanations. What are your thoughts on this subject, and how would you handle it when presented?

Bonus Q for Fun! 1:34:28 Why do you and so many other pastors like the LOTR so much?

Actually Helpful links (none of them are sales related):

Evidence for the Bible series playlist
How the sacrifices of Leviticus point to Christ
How the high priests' garments point to Christ
The book of Mark verse-by-verse study with emphasis on theology and apologetics

I do this live stream most Fridays at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. You're welcome to join.

My website: https://BibleThinker.org

10 Questions with Mike Winger (Episode 24) Aug 09, 2024

Show notes

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:
1. 0:11 {Trump’s Christianity} Is Trump's Christianity real Christianity? Here are some of my concerns about the rise of cultural Christianity.
2. 28:15 {Open vs. Closed Communion} What is your opinion on open vs. closed communion? Should the pastors or elders check who is taking the communion? 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 may support closed communion.
3. 38:26 {Are Guardian Angels Biblical?} What is the biblical case for or against guardian angels? Are they a myth, or do we really all have individual angels following us around and helping us?
4. 47:58 {Do False gods Exist?} When the Old Testament talks of false gods such as Molech, what does that mean? Is it that they don't exist, or is the word "false" referring to them being untrustworthy/deceitful?
5. 55:51 {Courage & Self-Control on Social Media} Do you think God expects us to post about controversial issues on our social media accounts? I don’t want to start needless arguments online, but I also sometimes worry that I’m being cowardly.
6. 1:06:11 {Does Satan Have Free Will?} Given what Revelation 20:7-10 says, what is the probability that Satan will NOT deceive the nations when he's released from the abyss? Is it 0 or greater? If it is 0, does Satan have free will?
7. 1:11:40 {Can we be Too Wayward to be Forgiven?} Romans 1:24 says “God will give them up to the lust in their hearts to defile their bodies.” Can one be forgiven and come back to Christ if one thinks this has happened to them?
8. 1:24:40 {Explaining a Confusing Passage} Can you please explain how you understand Revelation 22:11? I was super confused the first time I read this verse.
9. 1:26:16 {Is Love God’s Chief Trait?} Is love God’s chief trait, or just one of them? Is it right to call all He does (i.e., punishing sin) an act of love, or are some things done in keeping with His holiness, justice, etc.?
10. 1:34:25 {Recorded Sermons & Prayers – Biblical?} What are your thoughts on listening to recorded sermons, specifically “praying along” with recorded prayers? How exactly does that work? I listen to you mostly after the fact, so it feels odd.
1:40:33 Bonus Joke – Just for fun! In Genesis 4:8, Cain killed his brother. I feel like it was because he was Abel. Your thoughts?

I take YOUR questions from the live chat on anything related to Christianity and thinking biblically about everything.

First up, is Trump's Christianity real Christianity? And my concerns about the rise of cultural Christianity. I can already feel people getting mad at me and they don't even know what I'm going to say. Oh well, it needs to be said.

LINKS:

Restoring Faith - the charity I am highlighting today: Click Here
A serious study of the passage where Jesus said "cut off your hand" and how to apply it: Click Here
A helpful video on Trump's beliefs from my friend, the YT channel Whaddo You Meme??: Click Here
The new and dangerous Trump prophet, Brandon Biggs: Click Here

My website: https://BibleThinker.org

10 Questions with Mike Winger (Episode 23) Jul 26, 2024

Show notes

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:
1. 0:23 {Delivering Someone Over to Satan?} What does the Bible mean when it says to "deliver such a one over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh"?
2. 17:30 {Prophecy = Preaching the Word?} I hear many Bible teachers say that the New Testament gift of prophecy is merely proclaiming/preaching the Word; it is never predictive or revelatory. That doesn’t seem right to me. Could you give us your take?
3. 25:37 {Are Insulting Names Sometimes Appropriate?} Does Jesus calling the Pharisees fools, vipers, and whitewashed tombs give Christians a license to call our enemies insulting names?
4. 31:36 {Can a Vow to God be Cancelled?} At age 19, I made a lifetime vow to God (not marital) that 31 years later seems counterproductive in light of new insight & circumstances. Is there a biblical case to cancel a vow despite Ecclesiastes 5:4-6?
5. 38:06 {Dangerous Recreational Activities} What does the Bible say about participating in dangerous activities, particularly those that are recreational, such as riding motorcycles, mountain climbing, big wave surfing, etc.?
6. 46:30 {Chuck Missler & the Hologram Theory} Have you heard of Pastor Chuck Missler and his endorsement of the Hologram Theory (the idea that there is no gravity beyond our solar system, a holographic representation of God’s Creation)?
7. 50:20 {Temptations from the Flesh vs. the Enemy} Is it possible to discern between temptations that come from Satan and those that come from within due to the sinful desires of flesh?
8. 55:42 {Meaning of “To Live Is Christ”} What does it mean when Paul says "For me to live is Christ”? I've never heard someone use a phrase where an action or state of being IS a person.
9. 1:04:28 {The Sonship of Jesus} A local church believes Jesus was literally the Son of God before the incarnation who "proceeded out of the Father" just like Eve from Adam. Can you help me understand the Sonship of Jesus?
10. 1:07:51 {Idolatry Today} What does idol worship look like in a more modern sense?
Bonus: 1:14:44 {Prayer Request} Will you pray for my mom, Kelly? She was diagnosed with breast cancer and has started chemo, but they found a mass on her liver. Not sure if it's cancer but it has grown in the last month. Through this she has been saved! We pray God's will is for her to be healed, but most importantly, for her testimony to live!

I take YOUR questions from the live chat on anything related to Christianity and thinking biblically about everything.

LINKS:

The new and dangerous Trump prophet, Brandon Biggs: Click Here

My website: https://BibleThinker.org

The NEW and Dangerous False Prophet Jul 25, 2024

Show notes

He rose to popularity because of the Trump assassination attempt prophecy, but his followers are going to suffer greatly if they don't abandon this false prophet. Here's the evidence that Brandon Biggs is more dangerous than you think.

Time Stamp Map

0:00 - Intro
1. 2:25 The Trump Prophecy
2. 25:00 The Many, Many Prophecies of Brandon Biggs
3. 42:26 Examples of Brandon’s Past Prophecies he Claims have Been Fulfilled
4. 49:50 Brandon’s Failures/False Prophecies
5. 1:19:22 Brandon’s Prophecies for 2024 and Into Next Year
6. 1:42:28 “When Brandon is Wrong, He’s Still Right.”
7. 1:54:10 Brandon’s Prophecies for Our Future
8. 2:08:30 Doomsday Prophecies
9. 2:11:41 2024 Politics – What’s In Store According to Brandon?
10. 2:20:59 A Correction for Christian YouTubers & My Favorite Message from Brandon

My website: https://BibleThinker.org

10 Questions with Mike Winger (Episode 22) Jul 19, 2024

Show notes

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:
1. 0:40 {The Bible Doesn’t Exist?} Can you please respond to Abraham Piper’s claim that the Bible doesn’t even exist?
2. 12:03 {Jesus’ Deity in Scripture} In Luke 4:9-12, Satan uses the term "Son of God" yet Jesus responds with Deuteronomy 6:16. Is this a possible claim that Christ is God, similarly to how He takes God's names for Himself?
3. 20:52 {Lack of Works = No Heaven?} Why do we only talk about what will get you into Heaven (faith or works or both)? The Bible seems to teach that only faith can get you in, but lack of works can keep you out. Any thoughts?
4. 24:01 {Are Sinful Desires Sinful?} James 1:15 speaks about your desire giving birth to sin, but if you have an evil desire, isn’t that already sin?
5. 37:48 {Are Natural Disasters from God?} We recently had a tornado touch down here in upstate New York. How does one explain to a non-believer that the tornado was not from God? Was it man-made?
6. 45:40 {Does Hebrews 1 Prove Cessationism?} Is Hebrews 1:1 supportive of the idea that there are no prophets since the 1st century as God only speaks from Jesus Christ?
7. 54:14 {Does Blas. of the Spirit Debunk Calvinism?} Is the fact that we can commit Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit proof that Calvinism is false?
8. 58:58 {Jesus & the Samaritan Woman} Was Jesus pointing out the sin of the Samaritan woman, or was He letting her know He understood her circumstances, considering women had little control over their marital status?
9. 1:09:34 {Modalism & Oneness – Truly Saved?} Are people who believe in Modalism or Oneness doctrines truly saved? Should I allow my kids to participate in events at churches that believe in Modalism?
10. 1:15:44 {Receiving the Holy Spirit} When does a Christian receive the Holy Spirit? The apostles, it seems, received the Holy Spirit twice (John 20:22, Acts 2:1-4). Others had different experiences (Acts 8:14-17, 11:15, 19:1-6).
BONUS Q! 1:24:01 What language do you think we will speak in Heaven?
LINKS:

Atheist scholar, Bart Ehrman misleads people about the Bible (not low-hanging fruit): Click Here
The dating of the book of Daniel (also not low hanging fruit): Click Here
How Jesus was tempted: Click Here
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit explained and analyzed: Click Here
Why God hardens hearts: Click Here
Why I think the phrase "Baptism of the Spirit" should be used to refer to salvation, not a later event: Click Here

I take YOUR questions from the live chat on anything related to Christianity and thinking biblically about everything.

10 Questions with Mike Winger SKEPTICS EDITION (Episode 21) Jul 12, 2024

Show notes

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:
1. 0:40 {Discussing Biblical “Contradictions”!} Can you please discuss some different Bible passages that appear to be contradictory?
2. 41:10 {Unnecessary Body Parts = Evolution?} I have a coworker that is an atheist. He said that there are parts of our bodies that are not necessary and that might prove evolution rather than a Creator. Any thoughts?
3. 48:11 {Is Salvation Sometimes Unfair?} One of my biggest issues is that you NEED to believe in Jesus to be saved. If someone is born in a Muslim country, they would have to sacrifice way more than the average westerner. How is that fair?
4. 53:53 {Historical Jesus & Manuscripts} How can we believe in a historical Jesus if the oldest manuscripts we have are from the second or third century?
5. 1:00:40 {Is Christianity the True Religion?} How do I know Christianity is right/true compared to other world religions?
6. 1:09:20 {Does God Make Mistakes?} I often hear the argument, “If God doesn't make mistakes when it comes to gender, then what about people with disabilities?" How would you respond?
7. 1:15:08 {Applying PSA on Earth?} If the doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement is just, would it be just for an earthly judge to impute the guilt of a murderer to an innocent volunteer and sentence the volunteer to death instead of the murderer? If not, why?
8. 1:18:30 {Joseph in Jesus’ Lineage?} Any idea why Matthew and Luke list Joseph’s genealogy when he’s not Jesus’ birth father? Does that mean Jesus’ lineage isn’t what it needs to be to fulfill prophecy?
9. 1:20:27 {Is there Really an Afterlife?} Why do Christians think there is an afterlife? Why not just look at death as a return to the quantum state, like before we were born?
10. 1:24:26 {Did God Create Cancer?} If God created everything, why did He create cancer? As a Christian mother, I still struggle with these sorts of questions.
11. 1:27:54 {The Best Argument for God} What do you think is the best evidence/argument there is for God?
12. 1:30:21 {Does Trusting First Invalidate our Faith?} If you have to believe first in order to experience the reality of Christianity, if the "proof" only comes alive when one chooses to trust it, isn't that "truth" make-believe?
13. 1:33:54 {Would a Good God make a Terrible Hell?} When Jesus said that for the person who would betray Him it would be better not to be born, I assume Hell is worse than non-existence. How does this match with a good God?
14. 1:35:58 {Unrepentant Heart – Still Saved by Faith?} If I believe in my heart that Jesus rose from the dead and trust in Him alone for salvation, why would God then send me to Hell for being actively gay? Am I not saved by my faith instead of my works?
15. 1:42:16 {Salvation in the OT} How were people saved in the Old Testament before Jesus? And if they were saved without believing in Jesus, then why did it change?
16. 1:46:11 {Why do Christians Ask for Forgiveness?} My question from a skeptic is, if you are already saved, why do you still ask for forgiveness for your sins?
17. 1:47:26 {Hypostatic Union – Contradictory?} Is Jesus being God and Man a contradiction? The Bible says that the Son doesn’t know the day or the hour of His coming. Can Jesus know (as God) and not know (as Man) at the same time?
18. 1:49:32 {Bible = Pure Fiction?} As a Christian, what is an appropriate answer to an atheist claiming that the Bible is pure fiction?
19. 1:55:48 {Mixed Messages in Scripture?} I lost my faith due to all the mixed messages in the Bible. For example, is salvation by faith alone like John 5:24, or faith plus works like James 2? Why doesn’t this cause you to doubt?
20. 1:58:39 {Does the Concept of Sin Apply to God?} Is God holy and sinless? Can God do things which, if we did them, would be considered sin? One example is killing the firstborn of Egypt. Does the concept of sin (or being sinless) even APPLY to God?
21. 2:03:30 {How to Trust in Christ} I’m a Bible believing non-Christian that hurt himself by absorbing bad Charismatic teachings. I have always had trouble trusting and accepting Christ. How would one begin to as a skeptic?

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