BibleThinker - podcast cover

BibleThinker

Mike Wingerbiblethinker.org
Learn to think biblically about everything! Teaching theology, apologetics, and verse-by-verse Bible studies. Mike Winger teaches with clarity, doesn't shy away from controversial topics, and always seeks to teach the Bible accurately. This podcast will equip you to know and defend the Christian faith and understand the Bible in a deeper way.

Episodes

A powerful argument against Christianity.

This is a delicate issue because the terms of the discussion push an evaluation of the person who is failing to find God. I hope that listeners can hear that I am not trying to offer any personal attacks on individuals, but am trying to offer an analysis of how a claim like "I'm trying to find God and I am not finding Him" can actually involve a situation more complicated than a simple, sincere, two-dimensional search. Without labeling people with specific explanations for their particular situa...

May 23, 20236 minEp. 708

A powerful argument against Christianity.

This is a delicate issue because the terms of the discussion push an evaluation of the person who is failing to find God. I hope that listeners can hear that I am not trying to offer any personal attacks on individuals, but am trying to offer an analysis of how a claim like "I'm trying to find God and I am not finding Him" can actually involve a situation more complicated than a simple, sincere, two-dimensional search. Without labeling people with specific explanations for their particular situa...

May 23, 20236 minEp. 708

When to confront sin vs keep your mouth shut.

Jesus called out sin in others, except when He didn't. This question takes more wisdom than a simple, hard and fast rule will allow. Here are a few thoughts and a relevant passage of Scripture for you to consider. Hopefully it helps you figure out if you should call out sin or keep your mouth shut. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

May 15, 20234 minEp. 707

When to confront sin vs keep your mouth shut.

Jesus called out sin in others, except when He didn't. This question takes more wisdom than a simple, hard and fast rule will allow. Here are a few thoughts and a relevant passage of Scripture for you to consider. Hopefully it helps you figure out if you should call out sin or keep your mouth shut. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

May 15, 20234 minEp. 707

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 99)

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:01 {Infinite Punishment for Finite Crimes?} Why does God give infinite punishment for finite crimes? Even from a biblical point of view, not every crime is prescribed the same punishment. So why, then, can a person never serve the entirety of their punishment in Hell? 28:35 {Why Did God Allow Sin?} If God knew that humans would fall into sin, why did He allow us to live in this fallen world and not take us straight to Heaven? 34:36 {Has Christianity Ch...

May 13, 20232 hr 55 minEp. 706

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 99)

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:01 {Infinite Punishment for Finite Crimes?} Why does God give infinite punishment for finite crimes? Even from a biblical point of view, not every crime is prescribed the same punishment. So why, then, can a person never serve the entirety of their punishment in Hell? 28:35 {Why Did God Allow Sin?} If God knew that humans would fall into sin, why did He allow us to live in this fallen world and not take us straight to Heaven? 34:36 {Has Christianity Ch...

May 13, 20232 hr 55 minEp. 706

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 98)

0:00 - Intro 0:56 {“Work Out” My Salvation??} What does it mean to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling"? Is that a literal statement? 20:14 {Did Jesus Bodily Rise if He Appeared in the Flesh?} Jehovah's Witnesses claim that Jesus was resurrected as a spirit only (not a bodily resurrection) since He appeared in a locked room, and if He was in the flesh He couldn't have done that. What are your thoughts in response to this? 25:06 {Honoring Parents through Marital Friction}...

May 05, 20232 hr 9 minEp. 705

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 98)

0:00 - Intro 0:56 {“Work Out” My Salvation??} What does it mean to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling"? Is that a literal statement? 20:14 {Did Jesus Bodily Rise if He Appeared in the Flesh?} Jehovah's Witnesses claim that Jesus was resurrected as a spirit only (not a bodily resurrection) since He appeared in a locked room, and if He was in the flesh He couldn't have done that. What are your thoughts in response to this? 25:06 {Honoring Parents through Marital Friction} How can I h...

May 05, 20232 hr 9 minEp. 705

When to be scared you're NOT a genuine Christian.

I'm hoping and praying that God would use this to comfort those who need comfort and to shine a light on those who are living dangerously, so they can make a true faith commitment to Jesus. Trust in Jesus, follow Jesus, be real about it. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Apr 28, 20235 minEp. 704

When to be scared you're NOT a genuine Christian.

I'm hoping and praying that God would use this to comfort those who need comfort and to shine a light on those who are living dangerously, so they can make a true faith commitment to Jesus. Trust in Jesus, follow Jesus, be real about it. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Apr 28, 20235 minEp. 704

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 97)

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 - Intro 0:56 {Self-Loathing vs. Self-Love?} As Christians, how do we deal with self-loathing without indulging in and practicing too much self-love? 26:19 {Evolved from Monkeys?} From a biblical standpoint, is there any reason that Christians believe we evolved from monkeys? I'm confused why some Christians believe that, and I’m curious if it’s purely a worldview standpoint? 37:50 {Who Are God’s Chosen People?} I had a debate with ...

Apr 21, 20232 hr 10 minEp. 703

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 97)

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 - Intro 0:56 {Self-Loathing vs. Self-Love?} As Christians, how do we deal with self-loathing without indulging in and practicing too much self-love? 26:19 {Evolved from Monkeys?} From a biblical standpoint, is there any reason that Christians believe we evolved from monkeys? I'm confused why some Christians believe that, and I’m curious if it’s purely a worldview standpoint? 37:50 {Who Are God’s Chosen People?} I had a debate with a friend about Isr...

Apr 21, 20232 hr 10 minEp. 703

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 96)

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:14 {Feminism’s Impact on the Church} What’s your opinion on how feminism is impacting the modern Church? 16:30 {Is Ordination Necessary?} What are your thoughts on the necessity to be ordained into ministry? Can I turn my home Bible study into a church? 19:33 {Heaven or Earth During 2nd Coming?} Will we be taken to Heaven during the second coming, or will God’s Kingdom come to Earth to reign? Seems odd to create Earth for Him to just ...

Apr 08, 20232 hr 47 minEp. 700

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 96)

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:14 {Feminism’s Impact on the Church} What’s your opinion on how feminism is impacting the modern Church? 16:30 {Is Ordination Necessary?} What are your thoughts on the necessity to be ordained into ministry? Can I turn my home Bible study into a church? 19:33 {Heaven or Earth During 2nd Coming?} Will we be taken to Heaven during the second coming, or will God’s Kingdom come to Earth to reign? Seems odd to create Earth for Him to just destroy it and bri...

Apr 08, 20232 hr 47 minEp. 700

Calling out false teachings.

Videos referenced in this episode: Todd White "miracles" examined Bill Johnson's theology examined (I was genuinely too soft on Bill in this video, so please also consider watching the recent follow-up video HERE ) Brian Zahnd's teaching examined A project with several credentialed scholars examining Brian Simmons' problematic new translation of the Bible: CLICK HERE My website: https://BibleThinker.org...

Mar 24, 20239 minEp. 699

Calling out false teachings.

Videos referenced in this episode: Todd White "miracles" examined Bill Johnson's theology examined (I was genuinely too soft on Bill in this video, so please also consider watching the recent follow-up video HERE ) Brian Zahnd's teaching examined A project with several credentialed scholars examining Brian Simmons' problematic new translation of the Bible: CLICK HERE My website: https://BibleThinker.org...

Mar 24, 20239 minEp. 699

Happy, Smiley, Heresy.

According to his website, Salvatore Sapienza is an ordained minister serving as pastor of the UCC church in Saugatuck/Douglas, Michigan, where he lives with his husband, Gregg. Listen carefully and see if you can spot how this one Progressive Christian pastor twists John 3:16 to reject the Gospel. Note the rhetorical move of pretending that those who don't agree with him are mean-hearted and delight in condemning people. Note how he isolates one part of one verse from its full context so that he...

Mar 22, 20235 minEp. 698

Happy, Smiley, Heresy.

According to his website, Salvatore Sapienza is an ordained minister serving as pastor of the UCC church in Saugatuck/Douglas, Michigan, where he lives with his husband, Gregg. Listen carefully and see if you can spot how this one Progressive Christian pastor twists John 3:16 to reject the Gospel. Note the rhetorical move of pretending that those who don't agree with him are mean-hearted and delight in condemning people. Note how he isolates one part of one verse from its full context so that he...

Mar 22, 20235 minEp. 698

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 95)

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:23 {Overcoming Covetousness} Why is it so hard to be content? I've been blessed with more than most people, but I'm always wanting MORE. I drain so much money buying more "stuff" and once I see something I like, I'm bummed/stressed until I get to buy it. I don't want to be this way. Please help! 25:10 {Eschatological Timings} What effect does Psalm 110:1 and Luke 20:42-43 have on the timing or placement of the rapture of the Church in reference to the ...

Mar 18, 20232 hr 56 minEp. 697

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 95)

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:23 {Overcoming Covetousness} Why is it so hard to be content? I've been blessed with more than most people, but I'm always wanting MORE. I drain so much money buying more "stuff" and once I see something I like, I'm bummed/stressed until I get to buy it. I don't want to be this way. Please help! 25:10 {Eschatological Timings} What effect does Psalm 110:1 and Luke 20:42-43 have on the timing or placement of the rapture of the Church in reference to the ...

Mar 18, 20232 hr 56 minEp. 697

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 94)

A worthwhile ministry to support right now…. "Restoring Faith" is a ministry that helps bring aid to people in crisis. They are sending funds to Syria to assist victims of the recent earthquake. 100% of the money donated goes to aid for the victims: http://restoringfaithinc.org/ Today's Time Stamps: 0:29 What does it mean to worship God “in Spirit and in truth”? 14:14 Is Hebrews 1:1 a reasonable proof text for cessationism in relation to prophecy? It says God spoke to our ance...

Mar 04, 20232 hr 43 minEp. 696

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 94)

A worthwhile ministry to support right now…. "Restoring Faith" is a ministry that helps bring aid to people in crisis. They are sending funds to Syria to assist victims of the recent earthquake. 100% of the money donated goes to aid for the victims: http://restoringfaithinc.org/ Today's Time Stamps: 0:29 What does it mean to worship God “in Spirit and in truth”? 14:14 Is Hebrews 1:1 a reasonable proof text for cessationism in relation to prophecy? It says God spoke to our ancestors through proph...

Mar 04, 20232 hr 43 minEp. 696

Did Pharaoh Have Free Will When "God Hardened His Heart"?

CLICK HERE for the full study on this topic from my verse-by-verse teaching through Romans. This is my best understanding of this topic and I think that it fits really well with a wide variety of Scripture that speaks to the issue. For a fuller defense of my own view, please see the video I have linked above. My website:  https://BibleThinker.org...

Feb 28, 20236 minEp. 695

Did Pharaoh Have Free Will When "God Hardened His Heart"?

CLICK HERE for the full study on this topic from my verse-by-verse teaching through Romans. This is my best understanding of this topic and I think that it fits really well with a wide variety of Scripture that speaks to the issue. For a fuller defense of my own view, please see the video I have linked above. My website: https://BibleThinker.org...

Feb 28, 20236 minEp. 695

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 93)

0:15 {Do We Pray For or Against our Enemies?} How do you reconcile the New Testament's clear teachings to love and pray for our enemies with Psalms like Psalm 69:22-28? Is there ever a time when we should pray against our enemies? 23:44 {Gospel Patterns?} Is Genesis 1:1-6 a foreshadowing of the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? John 1:1, Luke 1:1, Mark 1:1, Matthew 4:17, and 1 John 1:1 all speak of beginning, then water, light, and darkness. 29:25 {Unhealthy Associations w/Gratitude} Grow...

Feb 18, 20232 hr 53 minEp. 694

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 93)

0:15 {Do We Pray For or Against our Enemies?} How do you reconcile the New Testament's clear teachings to love and pray for our enemies with Psalms like Psalm 69:22-28? Is there ever a time when we should pray against our enemies? 23:44 {Gospel Patterns?} Is Genesis 1:1-6 a foreshadowing of the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? John 1:1, Luke 1:1, Mark 1:1, Matthew 4:17, and 1 John 1:1 all speak of beginning, then water, light, and darkness. 29:25 {Unhealthy Associations w/Gratitude} Grow...

Feb 18, 20232 hr 53 minEp. 694