BibleThinker

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If You Die Without Hearing About Jesus... What Happens Next? Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

I know you have questions about this. I hope this helps answer them.
But if my short answer isn't enough (and it's probably not) THIS is the link to my FULL teaching on the issue, where I go through many specific verses of the Bible which give us help working out the answer to this very concerning issue. I hope you will give some thought to it. https://youtu.be/IiyxpE5UBz4

This is just one question from a long interview I did for the moderators of the r/Bible subreddit. They asked their subreddit to send me a bunch of questions and I spent a lot of time preparing so that I would be able to offer the best answers I could. I'll be posting these answers as individual videos, so keep an eye out for the rest in the set.
Here's a playlist where I will add them as they come out. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHtc_kN13cgTRV1l3bl3wZiD

My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Why Skeptics Don't Think Jesus Was Buried But I Do: The Mark Series pt 67 (15:42-46) Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

They tell me that the internet is where religion goes to die, but they also tell me the internet is full of poor research and unreasonable arguments.

We are going to get pretty technical today. Lots of different threads of evidence will be explained and drawn together to support the factuality of the burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea. This may seem like it's not a big deal if you haven't recognized the evidential value of the burial and empty tomb for the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus. I'll be drawing from the work of a number of different scholars (Craig Evans is particularly helpful) and responding to the work of Dr. Bart Ehrman, who has influenced countless people to reject the resurrection of Christ.
This is part 67 of the Mark Series, going verse-by-verse through the Gospel of Mark. Today we are in Mark 15:42-46.

See the WHOLE Gospel of Mark playlist here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF

Here are resources I'll mention in the video:

How Jesus Became God, by Bart Ehrman - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DB39V2Q/

How God Became Jesus, a response to Ehrman by 5 scholars:
https://www.amazon.com/How-God-Became-Jesus-Nature-ebook/dp/B00I2P2OVS/

Article on chemical analysis of nails from Caiaphas' ossuary - "Petrochemistry of Sediment and Organic Materials Sampled from Ossuaries and Two Nails from the Tomb of the Family of the High Priest Caiaphas, Jerusalem":
https://doi.org/10.4236/ad.2020.83015

Jody Magness' article on why the archaeological data supports the historicity of the burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea. "Ossuaries and the Burials of Jesus and James":
https://ancient-world-project.nes.lsa.umich.edu/tltc/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/DEATH_OSSUARIES_Magness-2003_Ossuaries-and-the-Burials-of-Jesus-and-James.pdf

I have live videos Mondays and Fridays at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. Monday is a Bible study and Friday is a Q&A.

Feel free to use my videos in your own gatherings as an aid to studying Scripture.

My website: https://BibleThinker.org

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 42) Jul 31, 2021

Show notes

1. 0:19 {Church Leader Living in Sin? Letter vs. Spirit} I am a young adult, still living in my parents' home. My father is the pastor of our small church. One of my siblings has leadership roles, but is living in sin (cohabitation). My father has talked with him, but hasn't taken any biblical action to remove him from leadership or from church. The elders don't see a need to do anything either. What should I do? (I'm the youngest and a daughter.) I was told I was taking the letter of the law instead of the spirit of the law.
2. 10:33 {About John the Baptist being Jesus’ Cousin} Is it a big deal that John the Baptist was Jesus' cousin? I haven't heard this talked about much; wouldn't that mean that they knew each other when they were kids/before their ministries?
3. 16:30 {About the Early Church & Socialism} Should Christians be living like the early Church in a sort of voluntary Socialism as found in Acts 2: 42-47 and Acts 4: 32-37?
4. 27:03 {MW’s Personal Experience Witnessing} Could you share your most memorable experience in leading someone to the Lord?
5. 30:08 {About Recent “Deconstruction” Stories} I find myself sympathizing with some who have deconstructed and walked away from the faith (though I don't agree with their decision). How can I keep from deconstructing myself?
6. 41:08 {Is Yahweh Only the Father’s Name?} Some people I know say Yahweh is the name of the whole Trinity combined. I thought Yahweh was only the name of the Father (like how Jesus is the name of the Son). What are your thoughts?
7. 47:13 {About Artaxerxes in Ezra} Are there two Artaxerxes in Ezra, or could it be that there is an interlude in Ezra 4:5-23? Artaxerxes stopped the building, but later seems to endorse it.
8. 48:10 {Are the Church and Israel the Same?} Are the church and Israel the same or different? Is the church the continuation of Israel and heirs of the promises of God to OT Israel?
9. 50:53 {Can Christians Attend JW Weddings?} Is it ok to attend a wedding of a Jehovah’s Witness? My colleague is a JW and she is getting married in 3 weeks. I was wondering if it’s ok for me to attend because of the belief system.
10. 52:35 {How to Have Godly Sorrow Over Sin} How do you have a godly sorrow over sin (2 Corinthians 7: 10)? When I sin, I repent, feel really bad, and ask for forgiveness, but eventually fall for the same sin again. Do you just pray for God to give godly sorrow?
11. 59:44 {About Approving of/Watching Inappropriate Shows} How do you respond to another Christian who thinks that watching movies or shows with nudity/sexual content is a liberty they have in Christ because they do not struggle with lust?
12. 1:06:35 {Interpreting a Difficult Verse} I’ve read two different views on 1 John 3: 20. 1: If our heart condemns us, how much more will God since He is greater than our heart? 2: Even though we feel guilty, God knows our heart. Thoughts?
13. 1:11:04 {What does Ecumenical Mean?} I'd rather not identify myself with any particular denomination. What does it mean to be an ecumenical Christian?
14. 1:13:46 {Some Great Wisdom for Us} What’s the greatest lesson of wisdom you’ve learned as you’ve matured in your faith?
15. 1:16:06 {About Believer/Non-Believer Relationships} What should a new Christian do if he or she has been in a relationship for 7+ years with a non-Christian (not married), and the non-Christian doesn't slow down the spiritual growth of the Christian?
16. 1:19:36 {Is it Fair that Some People are Born in Unbelieving Areas?} How is it just that because a person is born in a specific region in the world, that they are more likely to follow the traditions and religion they are raised in and end up going to hell?
17. 1:24:17 {Is the Fire Mentioned in 2 Peter Literal?} In 2 Peter 3: 10 it says that on the "Day of the Lord" God will destroy the world and "its elements" with fire. Is this a literal or figurative fire, and why?
18. 1:27:06 {Did Jesus’ Family Believe?} Did Jesus' family not believe in Him as Messiah?
19. 1:32:02 {About “Rhema” (Sword of the Spirit)} Can you explain the Greek word Rhema in Ephesians 6 when it talks about the “sword of the Spirit is the Word of God?” Is it Scripture, or like a word of wisdom, knowledge, or prophecy?
20. 1:35:34 {Who was the 4th Person in the Furnace in Daniel 3?} Referring to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel, who was the fourth person in the furnace? Is this OT evidence of Christ?

Here's that video on Christophanies (times when Jesus actually shows up) in the Old Testament:
https://youtu.be/1CDOSbzd6Uk

The BibleThinker mugs can be found here. $5 per mug will go toward to support different ministries I choose. This July it's supporting refugees driven from their homes by ISIS.
https://www.zockollpottery.com/product-page/new-bible-thinker-mug

Here is Restoring Faith, the ministry helping refugees in the name of Christ.
https://www.restoringfaithinc.org/

My website: https://BibleThinker.org

7 Lies Your Kids Will Believe Unless You Do Something - with Elizabeth Urbanowicz Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

This matters. These lies are being absorbed by youth in our culture and they are breaking their ability to think rationally and biblically faithfully.

I HIGHLY recommend that parents check out Elizabeth's foundation worldview curriculum. It's a really good tool to train your kids (and yourself while you are at it) in how to think biblically about things. Since your kids are being exposed to worldly and unbiblical thinking all the time they are very likely to simply absorb it and assimilate it if they aren't given the tools to reason through the issues well. This is where Elizabeth's project comes in. You can have your kids do these classes once a week from home whenever it's convenient for you. I'm not making ANYTHING for telling you this. I think this is just a really needful program for Christian families in modern times. I know life is crazy busy for parents but I think this is one of those things that's worth your time and is really underpriced for the benefit it brings.

Here is where you can learn more and sign up: https://foundationworldview.com/

My website, with the NEW search features that help you find exactly what you're looking for: https://BibleThinker.org

20 Questions episode 41 (part 2 after internet issues) Jul 24, 2021

Show notes

This is the second part of today's stream. My internet dropped and then came back and I had to make a second video to finish things.

Link to my 3 videos explaining textual variants and stuff related to why I don't think the story of the woman caught in adultery is originally part of John:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuzJhPtmrgqpVoXhjvqiIjW

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:
0:00 - Re-Introduction
3. 0:50 {If our Sins are Forgiven, Why Ask for Forgiveness?} If Jesus paid for all of our sins once and for all, why are we still called throughout Scripture to continually ask for forgiveness (ex: The Lord's Prayer)?
4. 2:59 {About the Enneagram} What is your view on the Enneagram? I recently had a lot of problems within my church about this.
5. 5:24 {About "Sin Leading/Not Leading to Death”} Can you shed some light on 1 John 5: 16-17?
6. 8:36 {About Freedom from the Law} When Paul says we're saved by grace apart from the works of the law, is he referring only to the Law of Moses, or the moral law, as well?
7. 13:44 {About Gematria & Numerology} In light of today’s first question, how do you account for more subtle/compelling examples of Gematria such as JESUS (IESOUS in Greek) calculating to "888"? Contrast with "666.” 8=new life, etc.
8. 15:28 {About “The Passion of the Christ”} As a Christian, is The Passion of The Christ film OK to watch, and is it biblical?
9. 19:27 {About Ezekiel & OT Prophecies} What does Ezekiel 40-48 mean for us? What about OT prophecies about future sacrifices?
10. 22:28 {About the Doxology in Scripture} How should we make sense of the Doxology at the end of The Lord's Prayer in some English Bibles when it doesn't occur in earlier manuscripts? Should we not use it?
11. 25:01 {What does it Mean that God has a Plan?} I always hear "God has a plan for your life." What does this mean? Is this about salvation, gifting/calling, or about God's overall will for believers? Is this specific or general?
12. 29:55 {About Graven Images & Biblical Actors} Could you explain Exodus 20:4? Is God stating we shouldn’t have any images at all, like the images we see of Jesus in churches? And what about the people who portray Jesus in biblical movies?
13. 34:25 {How to Respond to Unbiblical Statements} I was wondering of a kind way to correct people who just say "God just wants me to be happy.”
14. 37:00 {Can Disobedience Thwart God’s Promises?} If God gives us a promise, could His promise be dependent on our obedience, and could we veto a promise either by our actions or by our unwillingness to receive? Please elaborate on Romans 4:13-15.
15. 40:00 {About the Perpetual Virginity of Mary} What are your thoughts on the Protoevangelium of James? Does it support the perpetual virginity of Mary?
16. 43:39 {About the phrase “Son of Perdition”} What is the Greek meaning of “Son of Perdition”? Is it a specific person, or a general statement?
17. 47:04 {Should Atheist Arguments Concern Us?} Should we be concerned about counterarguments that atheists and skeptics present to our faith?
18. 49:30 {Is “Praying the Gay Away” Biblical?} Is “praying the gay away” wrong? It seems biblical to me.
19. 53:45 {Am I Rightly or Wrongly Judging?} How do I know if I have a judgmental attitude toward someone or an honest concern about their sin?
20. 54:56 {About the Woman Caught in Adultery Passage} It's said that the story from John 7: 53 to 8: 11 isn't found in the earlier manuscripts. It's one of my favorite pictures of God's grace. What do you think about how we should deal with this?

My website https://BibleThinker.org

20 Questions Episode 41 (part 1) see description for part two. Jul 24, 2021

Show notes

The rest of today's stream can be found here. Sorry, I had internet issues: https://youtu.be/r8biDmivVco

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:
0:00 - Introduction
1. 0:40 {Is Biblical Numerology Really Biblical?} What are your thoughts about “biblical numerology”? Are certain numbers in Scripture intended by God to carry hidden theological significance for us to find, or is this a man-made and potentially dangerous thing to look for while studying?
2. 14:48 {About our Future Glorified Bodies} Will we still have scars and such in our new bodies? Like when Jesus was resurrected, He still had His crucifixion marks. Was that just for God’s purposes (Thomas) or is it a sneak-peek of what our new bodies will be like?

If you want a question answered live it must be submitted in the live chat after the stream starts (not before) and know that we always receive many more than I can answer so please give me grace if your question is not selected. You may try your question on the search feature on BibleThinker.org as well, since it's possible I have already answered it in another Q&A video.

The NEW BibleThinker mugs can be found here. Made by a third party, I'm not making any money here, BUT $5 per mug will go toward to support different ministries I choose. This July it's supporting refugees driven from their homes by ISIS. https://www.zockollpottery.com/product-page/new-bible-thinker-mug

Here is Restoring Faith, the ministry helping refugees in the name of Christ. https://www.restoringfaithinc.org/

My website: https://BibleThinker.org

I Hear The Holy Spirit, So Why Do I Need The Bible? Jul 21, 2021

Show notes

If someone says this, you can know for sure that they are not hearing from the Holy Spirit. This is just one question from a long interview I did for the moderators of the r/Bible subreddit. They asked their subreddit to send me a bunch of questions and I spent a lot of time preparing so that I would be able to offer the best answers I could. I'll be posting these answers as individual videos so keep an eye out for the rest in the set.

My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Rethinking The Women at The Empty Tomb: The Mark Series pt 66 (15:40-16:8) Jul 19, 2021

Show notes

It will be helpful for us to look at the account of the women finding the tomb of Jesus empty with fresh eyes. When we consider how embarrassing it was in 1st century culture to rely upon female witnesses, how important the idea of Jesus being physically raised was, and how impactful the claim of the empty tomb was, we find that what we have here is remarkable evidence for the trustworthiness of the Gospel accounts of women finding the tomb of Jesus empty after He was buried there. Add this to the rest of the evidence for the resurrection of Christ, and the case is quite powerful. What was considered and embarrassing fact of history back then is a wonderful piece of evidence from a modern historiographical perspective. In other words, it's true.

This is part 66 of the Mark Series, going verse-by-verse through the Gospel of Mark. Today we are in Mark 15:40-16:8.

I have live videos Mondays and Fridays at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. Monday is a Bible study and Friday is a Q&A.

Feel free to use my videos in your own gatherings as an aid to studying Scripture.

My website https://BibleThinker.org

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 40) Jul 16, 2021

Show notes

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:

0:00 - Introduction
1. 0:36 {Should Repetitive Bible Passages Concern Us?} I'm very confused about why Psalms 14 & 53 are almost identical. Is this an error in Scripture? Are any other pairs of psalms also duplicate? This is causing me to worry about the reliability of Scripture. Please help me understand this!
2. 11:07 {How to Connect Deeply with God} I struggle deeply with feeling the presence of a relationship with God. I believe I am saved, but I had wandered far and often during my youth. To this day, I try to "imagine" my relationship with God, but I still feel estranged (mostly I think because of sinfulness). I am desperate for that deep, living connection to the Father. What can I do to get connected in relationship with Him?
3. 15:34 {More Miracles than Jesus?} Often, John 14:12-14 is used by “word of faith” preachers that I used to listen to. Their claim is that we are to do the same and more of the miracles that Jesus did. How should I see these verses?
4. 22:28 {Is Common Sense an Argument for God?} Some weeks ago you said you believed common sense is the best argument for God. Can you elaborate?
5. 26:27 {About Jupiter in the Bible} In Acts 19:35 where it says “the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter,” is this referring to the planet Jupiter, and did they know of other planets in that period of time?
6. 29:15 {Are the Son & Spirit Extensions of the Father?} What would you say to people who say that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are mere extensions of the one God, the Father?
7. 33:29 {What is a Biblical Perspective on Anointing for Today?} Can you explain “anointing” in the Bible and what the NT application is for believers? I've heard phrases like "That song/speaker is anointed" or "the anointing is in the room." Is this correct?
8. 38:00 {About Elijah & Enoch} About John 3:13 KJV - Where did Elijah & Enoch go? Elijah appeared at the mountain of transfiguration…where did he come from?
9. 43:02 {Private Convos w/Pilate and the Resurrection} In John 18 from verse 33, Jesus & Pilate share private conversations inside his residence without any of Jesus’ followers being present. How would the disciples know what was said? Did He tell his disciples post resurrection, proving that the resurrection is TRUE?
10. 46:43 {Do Punishments Get Passed Down?} Does God punish children for the sins of their fathers?
11. 48:51 {About Adoption Outside of Marriage} Is it biblically wrong to adopt a child before marriage when you know you want to marry? And what about adopting a child if you don't intend to marry?
12. 51:46 {Can Non-Believers Bear Fruit?} Can a non-believer bear the fruit of the Spirit? (Matthew 7:17) How can this be, and is it an argument in favor of secular morality?
13. 56:27 {How to be a “Peacemaker”} What is a peacemaker? How controversial can we be, and can we push back? Does it matter how loving we look when the world looks at love differently?
14. 1:01:25 {How to “Work out our Salvation”} I read a commentary on Philippians 2:12 and it was implied that salvation is not complete, what does that mean? Are we not fully saved?
15. 1:05:28 {Clinging to Hope in Tough Circumstances} My husband had a vasectomy before we got together. I used to be WOF and "claimed" a baby but now know that movement is heretical. Is it dumb to still believe in having a baby?
16. 1:07:13 {Is Covid God’s Plan, or From the Enemy?} Some pastors say the Coronavirus is God's plan. Others say it's a scourge of the Enemy. How do we rationalize these two views when both come from pastors you trust and admire?
17. 1:09:31 {About Holiness, Faithfulness, & Faith} Are holiness and faithfulness as important as having Faith? It's my position that they are. I just want a fresh perspective.
18. 1:12:09 {About John the Baptizer/Baptist’s Salvation} Was John the Baptizer born saved? Luke 1: 15 says he would be filled with the Holy Spirit "even from his mother's womb.”
19. 1:16:26 {How to Tell Which Verses Apply to Us} I'm confused about how to know whether a verse is for me or not. I see devotional books where they pluck out a verse, and I never know if it is for us now or not.
20. 1:19:06 {About the Textus Receptus} In one of your videos you said how the Textus Receptus came from the King James and not the other way around, I haven’t been able to find info on that and was hoping you could clarify.

Will my pet be in heaven? Jul 14, 2021

Show notes

I am by no means certain about my answer here but it does seem to be right based on my understanding of the passage in question. Initially when I was challenged to look at this passage more carefully I started to doubt that I had properly understood it in the past. But when I really examined it carefully I came to feel even more firmly about this interpretation. If any of you disagree then I hope you are right! Please feel free to share your reasons in the comments. This is just one question from a long interview I did for the moderators of the r/Bible subreddit. They asked their subreddit to send me a bunch of questions and I spent a lot of time preparing so that I would be able to offer the best answers I could. I'll be posting these answers as individual videos so keep an eye out for the rest in the set. Here's a playlist where I will add them as they come out.

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