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BibleThinker

824 episodes — Page 5 of 17

Ep 688A rising doctrine I currently DON'T agree with: Theonomy

After this rather long chat, I can say that I do have a lot to learn about theonomy to understand it better but that I am currently convinced that the core foundation of the view is not biblical. I consider this an in-house discussion, and one which we could disagree on without demonizing each other. Special thanks to Joel Webbon of Right Response Ministries for inviting me to have this discussion and being willing to hear some pushback. CLICK HERE to visit pastor Joel's YT channel. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Jan 17, 20231h 55m

Ep 68720 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 91)

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 1:01 {Yoga Pants & Ripped Jeans?} Ladies on the worship team sometimes wear yoga pants and ripped jeans. I think that goes against the Romans 14 principle of not causing a brother to stumble. What do you think? 21:29 {Did Jesus’ Atonement Require His Divinity?} Why was it necessary for Jesus to be fully divine in regard to our salvation? Wayne Grudem states, “Only someone who is the infinite God could bear the full penalty for all the sins of all those who would believe in Him…" Do you agree, and are there any other reasons stated in Scripture? 25:54 {Daniel: The Iron & Clay Kingdom} What is your interpretation of the 4th kingdom made of iron & clay in Daniel 2? 30:36 {Did God Need to Create Humans?} It may be a simple question, but why did God create humans? I’d be happy to get your insight. He didn’t need to, or did he? 36:35 {Do Tiny Choices Affect History?} Should Christians ever concern themselves with ideas like the butterfly effect (the idea that tiny choices have big impacts on history)? 38:38 {Ministering to LDS Members} I showed some LDS members your Book of Abraham video, but because they believe they heard from the Holy Spirit, biblical arguments haven’t worked. How can I show that they haven’t heard the Spirit? 45:18 {When Were the Apostles Saved?} When were the Apostles saved? They didn't have the full knowledge of what Jesus was doing until His appearance after His resurrection. Could they be considered "saved" before Pentecost? 47:40 {Will God Reveal when our Thinking is Unbiblical?} Philippians 3:15 says God will reveal when our thinking is opposed to His calling. How, then, do so many dedicated Christians get all the way through life still utterly confused about essential moral issues? 52:02 {How to Tell When Love Has Become Idolatry} Have I made my crush an idol? I’ve found myself crushing on a brother in Christ. I’ve also found that sometimes I prefer thinking about him more than God. I don’t want to do this. Any advice? 56:48 {Are Drugs OK if they’re Grown Naturally?} Is Genesis 1:29 allowing us to smoke weed and to eat magic mushrooms because they’re found naturally? Hasn’t sin surely had a big impact after the fall, on vegetation? 1:00:45 {The Bible on Transgenderism} What is the best biblical case against transgender behavior? 1:04:31 {Did God Die / Is Mary God’s Mother?} Can we say God died since Jesus died? And can we say Mary is the mother of God? 1:08:38 {Can We Add Punctuation to Scripture?} A pastor at a local Bible study wants me to add punctuation to a section of Scripture that is just words to see multiple meanings. I feel uncomfortable with this. What are your thoughts on doing this? 1:10:03 {How to Grow in Self-Control} Because it is a fruit of the Spirit, is self-control a teachable skill like in Titus 2, or a gift of the Spirit? What practical advice do you have to get more emotional and verbal self-control? 1:16:11 {Must our Salvation Produce an Emotional Response?} Most Christians have a moment where they break down and weep as they realize what Jesus did for them on the cross. Is it normal to not have experienced this? I'm grateful, but also weirdly indifferent. 1:18:43 {Is Reading the Bible Better than Listening?} I have difficulty reading the Bible, and I think that listening to the Bible (like an audio Bible) might be helpful, but I feel like I'm missing something by not reading it. Any thoughts? 1:20:50 {Is it OK to Correct our Parents?} Is correcting your parents biblical, and what do you do if they do not respect correction? 1:24:32 {About Love in 1 Cor. 13:7} What does it mean practically that “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”? 1:29:10 {How to Tell if a Show or Movie is Appropriate} As C...

Jan 14, 20231h 39m

Ep 686No marriage in heaven

It can seem like your relationship with your believing spouse has been downgraded when you think about there not being marriage in heaven. But I think we should consider it an upgrade. The closeness, unity, and love that we will have with each other, not to mention being "married" to Christ, will be so much more than what we have had on Earth. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Jan 4, 20234 min

Ep 685Examples of modern idolatry and do I worry people will idolize me?

In light of the biblical teaching that covetousness is idolatry, I am deeply aware of how relevant this issue is for my life. My desires can pull me away from God. My desires, unchecked, can become idolatry. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Dec 29, 20226 min

Ep 684I hope you don't believe this myth...

I've tested a lot of myths in my time, but this one is particularly bad. My website where I don't give away any free cookies. But I've got hundreds of hours of free video content helping you learn to think biblically about everything... bring your own cookies. https://BibleThinker.org

Dec 21, 20227 min

Ep 683Some concerning facts about Santa

It's difficult but worthwhile to test our own traditions against the principles and values of Scripture. More Christmas videos here: CLICK HERE for the full “Is Christmas Pagan?” video CLICK HERE for my video dispelling other Christmas myths and wrong popular beliefs about Jesus’ birth CLICK HERE for my video about the theology behind Christmas songs Does Jeremiah 10 ban Christmas trees? CLICK HERE to find out My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Dec 19, 20228 min

Ep 682People are still making this stuff up about Christmas trees.

For anyone out there thinking, "But doesn't the Bible specifically say not to decorate a tree and put it in your home in Jeremiah 10?" I have a video showing that the Jer. 10 passage is being distorted when we apply it to Christmas trees. CLICK HERE to watch! More Christmas videos here: The full "Is Christmas Pagan?" video: CLICK HERE Dispelling other Christmas myths and wrong popular beliefs about Jesus' birth: CLICK HERE The theology behind Christmas songs: CLICK HERE My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Dec 18, 20228 min

Ep 68120 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 90)

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:0:00 - Intro 0:14 {Bookshelf Tour!} When can we get a bookshelf tour? 11:48 {Should Churches Keep Records of Giving?} My church requires all employees to give to the church (in general; any amount is fine). They pulled me aside to ask why I haven’t been giving, and when I told them I was, but that I felt better giving anonymously in the offering plate rather than having a record attached to my name, they told me it needed to be tracked. Am I wrong for feeling weird about this, or are they? 17:49 {Is Absolution or Absolving of Sins Biblical?} Does John 20:23 and Matthew 6:14 indicate that absolution (the act of forgiving someone for having done something wrong or sinful) is biblical? 23:52 {New Names in Heaven?} Do you have any insight about Revelation 2:17, specifically about the implication of new names in Heaven? 29:07 {Is Changing our Appearance Sinful?} Would changing our appearance in any way be a sin since God has created us in His image? For example, if we wear makeup, is that covering our natural beauty? And if we shave our body, is that destroying the beauty God has given us? 33:53 {Am I Obedient Enough? Repentant Enough?} I have recently been worrying a lot about whether I am obedient enough, repentant enough, or believing enough to be a real Christian. How can I biblically deal with this struggle? 39:55 {Why Does Jesus Conceal the Meaning of Things?} In Luke 9:44-45, why would Jesus tell His disciples this, only to have the meaning concealed? Why tell them if it wasn’t meant for them to understand? 43:52 {Raising Dead & Healing for Today?} Raising the Dead: Should we practice Matthew 10:8 today, or has the command to heal, cast out demons, and raise the dead ceased? 47:53 {Why is Abraham Commended for being with Hagar?} Why is Abraham commended for his faith when he tries to conceive a son through his slave, Hagar? Isn't that an indication that he had a moment where he lacked faith? 50:24 {Can the Deceased Hear/See Us?} Do you think that dead people can hear us and see what’s happening in our world? 55:40 {Discerning God’s Voice} How can I tell when the Holy Spirit is talking to me? Ever since hearing a sermon about a pastor's conviction to spend more time with God, I think I’m hearing God ask for more time when I close my Bible. 59:56 {Encouragement amid Infertility} My husband and I have struggled to have a baby, and I have had Psalm 127:3 on my mind. It makes me feel like there is something I need to do, and a lack of faith. What is the context of the “reward”? 1:04:18 {Why Can I Be Saved, But Not Judas?} Heartbreakingly, I have betrayed Christ for things worth far less than 30 pieces of silver. What is fundamentally different between Judas and me? Why can I still be saved, but he couldn’t? 1:06:36 {Who are the Called According to His Purpose?} Given the way Romans 8:28 is worded, I am wondering: are all people called according to His purpose, or only those of us who love Him? 1:09:27 {Hot? Cold? Lukewarm?} What does Jesus mean in Revelation 3:16 when He says it’s better to be hot or cold than lukewarm? 1:13:50 {Could Cain Still Be Alive?} How do you feel about the Bible conspiracy that Cain is still alive somehow and is wandering the Earth to this day? 1:15:20 {Witnessing to Stubborn Family Members} Does “shaking the dust off your feet” (Matthew 10: 14) ever apply to family? Or are we to always endure in witnessing to family, despite continual rejection? 1:18:15 {Was Jesus’ Analogy Flawed?} Someone's response to Matthew 5:13 was “How can salt lose its saltiness? If it wasn’t salty, it wouldn't be salt.” I understand what Jesus is saying here, but does this mean Jesus’ analogy was flawed? 1:20:43 {Principles for Offering Advice to Others} What are some good steps t...

Dec 17, 20221h 29m

Ep 680Is it OK to celebrate a holiday that's not in the Bible?

If our Lord could observe a holiday not found in the Old Testament and not instructed in the New Testament, then how can we say that it's automatically wrong to observe a holiday not directly taught in Scripture? We can't. Instead we need to actually consider the quality and meaning of the day along with the method of celebrating it. More Christmas videos here: CLICK HERE for the full "Is Christmas Pagan?" video CLICK HERE for my video dispelling other Christmas myths and wrong popular beliefs about Jesus' birth CLICK HERE for my video about the theology behind Christmas songs Does Jeremiah 10 ban Christmas trees? CLICK HERE to find out My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Dec 15, 20221 min

Ep 679The connection between Christmas and Saturnalia

One thing I didn't mention in the video is the idea that Saturnalia did involve gift giving. At first glance, this might seem to imply that the gift giving of Christmas must be borrowed from the gift giving of Saturnalia. But there are some obstacles to establishing that connection. First, gift giving is a widespread practice across many different celebratory days. It doesn't really mean that much to see the giving of gifts on a holiday of some kind. It's the error of many to presume that similarity = origin, even when they don't have additional evidence to support that it does. Second, gifts were given on the 19th of December in association with Saturnalia, not the 25th. Imagine how clumsy it would be for the early Christians to feel they need to have a festival to replace Saturnalia, only to put it on the wrong date, leaving the people with nothing to replace Saturnalia during its actual events. More Christmas videos here: CLICK HERE for the full "Is Christmas Pagan?" video CLICK HERE for my video dispelling other Christmas myths and wrong popular beliefs about Jesus' birth CLICK HERE for my video about the theology behind Christmas songs Does Jeremiah 10 ban Christmas trees? CLICK HERE to find out My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Dec 14, 20223 min

Ep 678We don't think gluttony is a sin anymore

Here's the big red flag that I see. The Bible seems to make a way bigger deal out of gluttony than we do. That's all we need to know that something very concerning is going on in our very affluent culture. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Dec 13, 20224 min

Ep 67720 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 89)

0:00 - Intro 0:40 {Are Soul Ties Biblical?} What are “soul ties,” and are they biblical? 18:00 {Has Jesus Always Been God?} Our pastor said on Sunday that Jesus wasn’t God here on Earth until the baptism of John and descending of the Holy Spirit. It sounded really bad to my ears. Can you comment, please? 22:46 {Honoring God Regardless of Feelings} When I feel "good" I find myself doubting less, being more loving, and sinning less. How do I know if I'm growing in the spirit or if it's just my antidepressants making me nicer? 26:44 {Witnessing to Muslims} How do you convince a Muslim that Jesus is more than just a prophet? 30:31 {Did Jesus Overturn the Tables Twice?} Why is Jesus overturning the money tables in John 2 and not later when He enters Jerusalem (around John 11 or 12)? Did He do this 2 times and not just in His last week (Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15)? 35:06 {Did God Foretell Something that Didn’t Happen?} In 1 Samuel 23:11-13 (ESV), the Lord says David will be handed over to Saul at Keilah, then David leaves town before Saul gets there, so he was not. Why did the Lord foretell a future event that didn't happen? 40:28 {About the Cruciform Hermeneutic} What are your thoughts on the cruciform hermeneutic or cruciform theology? 45:20 {Advice for a Tough Marital Situation} If my wife committed adultery against me and a child resulted from the affair, am I bound to care for the child? Why or why not, and how would I go about handling the situation after finding out? 46:48 {Should Couples Promise “Till Death Do Us Part”?} In many modern weddings, people promise before God "till death do us part,” or something similar. Doesn't that biblically preclude the option of even a biblical divorce? 50:16 {Why was the Cross Necessary if God is All-Powerful?} I have an agnostic friend who can’t accept that the cross was necessary. They believe God was not all powerful if He could not find another way of saving humanity without sacrificing Jesus. Thoughts? 52:59 {About Jacob’s Wrestle with God} How do you interpret Genesis 32, when Jacob wrestles with God? 58:50 {Having Insurance = Lack of Trust in God?} What are your thoughts on having insurance and medical aid? I've heard it said that these things are rooted in fear and keep us from truly trusting God. Is that a biblical/wise perspective to have? 1:01:25 {What Kind of Jokes Fall Under “Jesting”?} I'm confused about “eutrapelia” and I don’t know if it is just crude joking or all jokes that word speaks of in Ephesians 5:4. I use the KJV and it just says "jesting." 1:06:47 {Can We Rebuke the Enemy Ourselves?} Can we rebuke the enemy? 1:08:38 {Are Flashy Lights Inappropriate for a Church?} My church recently renovated our hall to be more upbeat and have flashy lights. I'm extremely disheartened by this. Do you have any advice? 1:13:25 {Slavery in the Old Covenant} How do we reconcile the treatment of foreigner slaves (not Israelite servitude) under the old covenant (bought as property, handed down to children, etc. – Leviticus 25:44-46)? 1:19:36 {Should we Only Have One Teacher?} Please, can you talk about what we should do when a spiritual leader wants you to only take advice from them and no one else, especially when the Bible says to have a “multitude of counselors”? 1:20:55 {Why did Some Men in the Bible Have Multiple Wives?} Most of the men in Bible had multiple wives. Can’t you then say they lived in sin their entire lives? Many people say that continual sin doesn’t equate to being a true Christian. 1:24:32 {Respectfully & Effectively Witnessing to a Boss} My boss is a leader in the LDS church. He is a good and friendly boss but calls himself a Christian. Do I have a responsibility to confront him, and if so, how do I do this respectfully since he is my boss? 1:27:16 {Does 2 Kings...

Dec 9, 20221h 39m

Ep 676Pt. 11: 5 Views on “Women Keep Silent" (1 Cor 14:35-36) - Women in Ministry Series

Some say we should remove it from the Bible. Intro - 0:009:26 The Take It Out of the Bible View48:58 The Refutation View1:34:51 The Education or Clatter View2:05:56 The Strict View2:24:44 The Judging Prophecy View3:09:54 Conclusions Others say the Bible is rejecting these statements about women, not endorsing them. Others say this is why women shouldn't speak in church in any way, perhaps singing in the congregation is ok though. Others say this is a prohibition on women as teachers during regular all-church services. Others say this passage is about prophecy and who is supposed to participate in the judging of prophetic gifts, discerning whether those messages are from God. It's hard to get around the idea that this passage seems to endorse complementarian or patriarchal views of gender roles. But we will explore various attempts to do so. "As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak." 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 We'll examine all sides and dig deep to get as much clarity as I am able to offer on not only 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 but also how it applies to the topic of Women in Ministry. After years of being a bit confused about the topic of women in ministry I set out to spend months researching the topic in great detail to produce this exhaustive teaching series on the topic. This is part 11. CLICK HERE for the playlist of ALL the videos in this series (more will be added as I make them). CLICK HERE for my teaching notes from today’s video. You can find footnotes there, as well. CLICK HERE for my two part series on "How to Understand the Old Testament Law" CLICK HERE for my three videos explaining manuscript differences and how reliable the New Testament is. You can also find more videos freely available on my website:https://BibleThinker.org

Dec 4, 20223h 16m

Ep 67520 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 88)

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:Intro - 0:001. 1:05 {Our Reign With Christ & Purpose of Authority in Eternity} What does it mean that we will reign with Christ in Heaven? What use will there be for any kind of authority in a sinless universe where our righteousness and wisdom are perfect?2. 9:54 {Study Resource Recommendations} Are there any non-Calvinist Systematic Theology books you recommend?3. 11:50 {Biblical Hair Length of Movie Characters?} In Lord of the Rings, would you consider the hair length too long for some characters, such as Aragorn or Legolas? How do I apply 1 Corinthians 11 when designing characters for my own projects?4. 16:35 {How Was the “Thief on the Cross” Saved?} How was the “good thief” in Luke 23:42 saved? He died without knowing Jesus' resurrection. Jesus tells him, “Today you will be with me in paradise,” but Christ doesn’t rise for 3 days. Confused!5. 22:35 {Should We Hate Evildoers?} How do you talk to someone who claims the Christian faith but hates people groups because they are “haters of God and denied Jesus”? My friend won’t talk to me because I don’t hate evil people enough.6. 26:24 {Meaning of the Leftover Miracle Food} What is the meaning of the 12 and 7 baskets left over from the feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000?7. 28:31 {Should I Leave My Job if I’m Kept from Church?} Due to work, I’m not able to go to church. should I look for another job so I can maintain fellowship, or should I just continue with the job I have now?8. 31:36 {Why is the NAR Unbiblical?} Please explain why the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is unbiblical.9. 38:32 {Is Heaven a Choice?} Does Revelation 22:17 mean that we have a choice to stay in Heaven (the last sentence specifically)? Would we be able to blink out of existence? Would this offend God?10. 41:05 {How Would Adam & Eve Know Disobedience was Wrong?} If Adam and Eve didn’t have knowledge of good and evil, how would they know it is wrong to disobey God and eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil?11. 43:54 {Can We “Declare” things in Prayer?} What are your thoughts on “declarative prayer” or “positive confession” (e.g., “I declare revival for this city,” “I declare that this day is blessed,” etc.)?12. 46:59 {About Boycotting Businesses} Should Christians boycott businesses paying for abortion travel?13. 51:24 {How Deep in Theology to go while Evangelizing} How much of the doctrine of the Trinity do we need to explain while sharing the Gospel (especially when it comes to the hypostatic union)?14. 52:34 {Was Jesus’ Second Coming Prophesied?} Is it clear in Old Testament prophecies that Jesus will come not only once, but twice?15. 54:59 {Should We Settle On a Religion that “Feels Right”?} If a friend says they're looking for a religion that "feels right," how do I approach them if they’ve already left Christianity?16. 59:22 {Will We Remember Unbelievers in Eternity?} After a believer dies, will they remember their loved ones who were unbelievers? I understand "perfect peace," but that doesn’t answer the question.17. 1:04:29 {Why Do Two Peoples’ Prayers Yield Different Results?} Why do some people have a gift of healing that works when they pray for people, but I can’t do the same? If we are praying to the same God, why do two peoples’ prayers give different results?18. 1:07:50 {Choosing Biblical Homeschooling Resources} We homeschool, and one of the most popular "Christian" curricula happens to be from a Mormon. I keep going back and forth over if I should use it because it's very solid academically. Advice?19. 1:09:27 {Handling our Emotions Biblically} What's the difference between suppressing our emotions vs. having self-control over our emotions? I struggle to show positive/negative emotions to God/others, and I seem to distrust God/others with my emotions.20. 1:13:15 {Did God Rest for More than 1 Day?}...

Dec 2, 20221h 19m

Ep 674Low self-worth and abandonment issues. Any advice?

Learn to think biblically about everything. 100s of free videos: Bible studies, topical issues, apologetics, theology, and more, on my YouTube channel and on my website: https://BibleThinker.org

Nov 16, 20224 min

Ep 673Pt. 10: All The Head Covering Debates (1 Cor 11) - Women in Ministry Series

Video map below... 0:00 Intro DIFFERENT WAYS OF INTERPRETING 1 Cor 1112:05 The Traditional Interpretation47:36 The Hairstyle View1:02:32 The Refutation View1:05:13 The “It Doesn’t Belong in the Bible” View1:06:25 The “Cloth Covering but not Submission” View1:17:15 How we are going to make sense of all this (14 questions) THE 14 QUESTIONS THAT WILL EXPLAIN THIS PASSAGE1:19:32 #1 Does this passage belong in the Bible?1:27:11 #2 Is Paul refuting, rather than teaching, much of what we read here?1:37:02 #3 What does “head” (kephale) mean in this passage?1:50:41 #4 What were the ongoing cultural customs around head coverings? 3:15:03 #5 What does Paul want men to do?3:17:39 #6 What does Paul want women to do? 3:21:53 #7 What is Paul’s point about the order and purpose in the creation of man and woman in vs. 8-9?3:40:44 #8 What does “nature” mean in vs 14?3:59:50 #9 Is this passage about women and men or husbands and wives?4:06:15 #10 How is woman the glory of man and man the glory of God? And what about the image language in vs 7?4:35:02 #11 Does the woman have a “symbol of authority” on her head or does she “have authority over her own head” in vs 10?5:00:40 #12 What does “because of the angels” man in vs 10?5:24:26 #13 Is this whole thing really based on the ancient medical idea that women’s hair functioned as a testicle?6:10:50 #14 How does it apply today? 6:37:00 Conclusion: What 1 Cor 11 means for the Women in Ministry series. Here are my notes for today's video. I've included many links and references for you to follow up on while doing your own research.https://biblethinker.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/10-Head-Coverings.docx This is THE LINK to the playlist of ALL the videos in the Women in Ministry playlist:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuBtpJlwi7F5JYw3N5pKyLC My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Nov 11, 20226h 45m

Ep 672When the wife is more spiritual than the husband.

I suppose it just doesn't matter if the wife is more spiritual than the husband. The real bummer is when the husband isn't spiritual at all. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Oct 26, 20222 min

Ep 67120 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 87)

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:0:00 - Intro1. 2:14 {“My Yoke is Easy” vs. “Take Up Your Cross”?} I’m confused about why Jesus says “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden” but then instructs us to pick up our cross (of suffering?) and follow Him. That sounds like a heavy burden to me, to try to love and obey Jesus perfectly.2. 11:46 {Trusting God’s Will for our Loved Ones} We are supposed to trust God with all our hearts. But what does it look like to trust God with the free will decisions of others, like our adult children?3. 16:51 {Pastors Teaching Dream Interpretation?} What is your take on Christian pastors practicing and teaching dream interpretation using dream dictionaries, Google, and their own reasoning to interpret?4. 20:11 {Was Christianity Made Up to Control People?} What do you say to a skeptic that thinks Christianity is just a man-made thing created as a means to control people?5. 24:20 {Is Monarchy Unbiblical?} I’ve been thinking about this question a lot since Queen Elizabeth died last month, but I’ve had it for a while. Does 1 Samuel 8:6-7 teach that monarchy is unbiblical?6. 29:49 {Does Satan Think He’ll Win in the End?} How can Satan, an angel much smarter than us, be so unwise as to oppose an all-powerful God? Does Satan think he stands a chance of winning in the end?7. 35:39 {Should Israel be Referred To as Palestine?} Why do you refer to biblical Israel as Palestine when Palestine wasn’t even a country until about 135 B.C.?8. 39:00 {Should I Date a Hyper-Charismatic?} I've been on a few dates with a great girl, but I've realized she's in a church that over emphasizes prophecy, tongues, possibly NAR things. Any advice on how to approach this?9. 42:33 {How Could Jesus have been “Perfected”?} Hebrews 5:9 says Jesus was "perfected" when He became the author of salvation to those who obey Him. How can an already perfect Jesus be “perfected”?10. 46:00 {Does God fill the role of Heavenly Father AND Mother?} My 7 year old asked me why we need an earthly father AND mother, but only a Heavenly Father? I started to say God fills both roles, but was hesitant about that in this gender-confused culture.11. 50:11 {Overcoming Difficult & Serious Sins} Do believers eventually overcome big sins like lust? What if we don't before we die? Does that mean we were never saved?12. 54:40 {Knowing God’s Plan for our Career} How do you know what job/career God wants you to pursue?13. 57:50 {Are Only Men Called to Sacrificially Love?} Can you explain how Ephesians 5:25 is a particularly masculine command? Many verses including John 15:12-13 call ALL believers to love one another sacrificially.14. 1:00:59 {Did Luke Journey With Paul?} I have studied Acts verse-by-verse and I have noticed that in some parts the writer uses “we” and “us” (Chapter 28 for example). Was Luke with Paul on his missionary journeys?15. 1:02:03 {Codex Vaticanus vs. Modern Bibles?} If the Codex Vaticanus is the oldest Bible, how much does it differ from modern Bibles, if at all?16. 1:06:00 {Overcoming a Fear of the Dark} How can I overcome a fear of the dark? Ever since I was young until now (I’m 25 years old), it’s hard for me to fall asleep every night because I’m scared that there might be something evil watching me sleeping.17. 1:09:40 {Does This Verse Justify False Teaching?} How should we understand 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5,14, 3:18-19? Ray Comfort quoted this to say Bible stories are supposed to sound dumb! Can't this be quoted to justify any dumb-sounding false teaching?18. 1:14:50 {Why didn’t JTB’s Followers just Follow Jesus?} Why did John the Baptist still have disciples after he clearly pointed out Jesus? Shouldn't they have followed Jesus?19. 1:18:18 {Were the OT Sacrifices Cruel?} If God hates animal cruelty, why did He require animal sacrifices in the Old Testament?20. 1:20:54 {Eschatological Insigh...

Oct 22, 20221h 33m

Ep 670Does Christianity make wives "ripe for abuse"?

I disagree. More importantly, I can show why Scripture, which would protect wives from abuse, is often ignored. I would go so far as to say that Christianity would protect wives from such abuse and encourage them to take recourse in self-protection if the Bible is applied to their situation. It may be that the problem we often see is not too much Bible, it's too little Bible.

Oct 19, 20228 min

Ep 669Confronting a hyper-jealous person

This is one of those videos where I'm just hoping people will think carefully about what I'm saying. I race through a few things here rather quickly, though I fully mean what I'm saying. I think there's an obvious implication in the bitter water ritual that has application toward the idea of an overly jealous and suspicious spouse. Isolation tends to make them worse, public accountability may help them realize they are experiencing delusional thoughts and treating others wrongly as a result. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Oct 12, 20225 min

Ep 668I don't care anymore, I just want out.

What do you say to someone who doesn't care anymore? I truly hope these words offer some help. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Oct 5, 20227 min

Ep 66720 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 86)

0:00 - Intro1. 0:22 {Can We Resist Sin Without the Spirit?} How were the disciples able to follow Jesus and resist sin without the Spirit indwelling them? Is it possible to be a Christian without the Spirit?2. 8:52 {Help with the Hiddenness of God} The hiddenness (and silence) of God is causing me doubts. Is there any advice or help you can offer (such as that God is silent now because revelation has been completed with the New Testament)?3. 16:35 {A Young Pastor being Disrespected} I am a young pastor of a church with people mostly in their 60s and 70s. My staff often micromanages me, corrects me in public, and treats me like a grandchild instead of their pastor. Any advice?4. 22:00 {Is Christian Nationalism Biblical?} Is Christian nationalism in the sense of theocracy a scriptural concept?5. 25:49 {God’s Judgment vs. Justice} How are God's judgment (him being a judge who carries out consequences) and His justice (establishing order) different if He uses His judgment to apply justice? Or can you explain His judgment vs. His justice?6. 28:29 {Are Batchelor Parties Always Sinful?} I am attending a bachelor party and I have a Christian co-worker who said "Christians shouldn't go to bachelor parties." How would you response to this? All at the party profess to be Christians.7. 32:49 {Are Rapture Dreams Truly from God?} What are your thoughts on Christians that have “rapture dreams” claiming that the rapture will be soon? Do you think these are from God, or just a result of all of the end times talk that has ramped up lately?8. 37:00 {Was Aaron Punished In Place of Moses?} In the book of Numbers, why did God punish Aaron for unbelief when Moses is the one who struck the rock?9. 41:19 {Overcoming Addictions} I struggle with an addiction to nicotine and caffeine. There are no rehab centers for these. What do I do? I know its sinful, but I need help to overcome. I can’t be a slave to two masters.10. 45:45 {How Were Jesus’ Words Translated?} Did the synoptic writers translate Jesus’ words from Aramaic to Greek? Does that partially explain why they don’t match each other exactly, because they translated to best explain His teaching?11. 50:46 {Will the Father Not Forgive Us?} Matthew 6:14-15 says we should forgive others of their trespasses or our Father will not forgive us of ours. But the Bible also says that all of our sins have been atoned for on the cross. Can you explain?12. 55:06 {Is Typology Only About Jesus?} Is typology only ever about Jesus? If so, how do we explain the type/antitype in 1 Peter 3:21? If not, how do we tell true vs. false types when "no new theology" can come from typology?13. 1:01:27 {Christ’s Law vs. the Moral Law} What is Christ’s law, and how is it different from the 10 commandments which many argue is the moral law we are to keep to this day?14. 1:05:36 {Do Our Spiritual Gifts Ever Change?} As believers, are we given a static set of spiritual gifts, or are our gifts more dynamic in nature so that God adds to and/or subtracts from them according to our season of life or our maturity in Him?15. 1:09:48 {Should We Date Unbelievers for Evangelism?} My cousin is dating someone who is not a Christian in the hopes that they will get saved. Is this okay to do?16. 1:13:58 {If My Own Child Comes Out…} What is your take on what we should say when unbelievers ask, “What would you do if your child came out to be gay?” Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.17. 1:16:55 {Avoiding Distraction in Prayer} What is the best way to focus on God? Do you know of any techniques for this? While I'm praying, I try to focus on God, but I always seem to get distracted.18. 1:18:45 {Can We Wear Cross Jewelry?} What are your thoughts about wearing cross jewelry?19. 1:21:05 {Am I Doing Enough in Marriage?} My wife works very hard, long hours. She frequently comes home exhausted and stressed. My job is fairly stress-fr...

Oct 1, 20221h 32m

Ep 666He's obviously being a very horrible jerk.

It can seem like weak advice to people to "look to Jesus" in their situation. But it only seems like weak advice to those who haven't yet grasped what it means to "look to Jesus." Look to Jesus. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Sep 28, 20224 min

Ep 665A situation where you should NOT give to your church.

If you want some more info on why I think that 10% is NOT required giving from believers to their local churches, then watch THIS video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDZSno_kDZ8&t=0s My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Sep 24, 20223 min

Ep 664I told you so

Dr. Peter Gurry is a well respected scholar, Greek professor at Phoenix Seminary, and the author or coauthor of numerous articles and books, including the new "Myths and Mistakes in New Testament Textual Criticism," which is careful analysis of rhetoric and facts about how reliable the New Testament is. Here is the playlist where top scholar after top scholar review The Passion Translation and demonstrate that when it offers something new it's frequently something wrong. This is the interview on Alisa Childers' channel where today's clip was found. She was interviewing both Dr. Peter Gurry and Dr. John Meade on "The Amazing Story of How We Got the Bible." It's worth a listen if you find that topic interesting. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Sep 21, 20223 min

Ep 663I hate to have to make this video. These are the lies two Christians are spreading about me.

Some related links: Since both Tim Hurd and Doctrinal Watchdog seem to think that I am only now changing my views because of a response to their criticisms, here are a bunch of old clips of me having these views long before their videos ever came out. Click here for the MacArthur clip (what I really think about John MacArthur) This clip is about being "slain in the Spirit," how self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, and how you still should have control over yourself, according to Scripture, while speaking in tongues. Click here for a second clip about being "slain or drunk in the Spirit" and "unknown utterances." Specifically, how "there's no biblical foundation" for being slain in the Spirit. Click here for my shorter video called "Spirit-Filled: What it Does and Doesn't Mean." Why I don't use people's preferred (and untrue) pronouns: Click here. Why I would not attend a same-sex wedding: Click here. This clip against living a homosexual lifestyle (in addition to my 4-part series). The green text at the end of Tim's video also says, "Winger also told Joel Webbon of Right Response Ministries that Christians are [not] obligated to keep the 10 commandments." Here's that clip in context. It should be clear that I am not saying it's ok for you to murder people. Nor is my view so strange. John Piper holds the same view. Since Doctrinal Watchdog has also claimed that I have no problem with female pastors and teachers, I will provide related clips. Though I would nuance my views more than he wants me to, this is definitely a deception. This clip is stating that women are not to be the teaching elder of the fellowship and that "women are not to take the role of lead pastor or teaching elder, and to have that position as a woman would be what 1 Timothy is saying not to do." And that it's "God's ordained structure for men and women." Reiterated here that women are not called to the pastoral role. You can also check out my whole Women in Ministry Series to see my views. This clip giving my position on "By His stripes we are healed" and if that relates to physical healing for us today. Another point where I disagree with Bethel. Doctrinal Watchdog's multiple deceptive videos about me (his channel seems to do this to others, as well):Example 1Example 2Example 3His channel has several others on me. They seem to grow in number daily. Click here for BTWN's (Tim Hurd's) misleading video about me. (He has also added another yesterday.) My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Sep 17, 20221h 6m

Ep 66220 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 85)

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 - Intro 1:00 {Is Loan Forgiveness Moral or Immoral?} Is it biblical for a Christian to file for student loan forgiveness? I attended college in my 20s and racked up 20k in student loans. The balance is currently at 16k. Biden's student loan forgiveness plan would really help, but would I be "taking the easy way out" when I'm able-bodied to pay off the remainder over time myself? Would it be selfish and irresponsible, or a blessing, to accept the aid? 19:15 {Does God Not Knowing a Soul Mean They Never Loved Him?} Through 1 Corinthians 8:3, we know that whoever loves God is known by Him. Thus, would you agree that Jesus saying “I never knew you” in Matthew 7 is the equivalent of Him saying “You never loved Me”? 23:51 {About the Patriarchs’ Ages in Genesis} Were the biological ages of the Patriarchs from Adam to Noah congruent with their chronological ages? At 900 years old, were they biologically 90? How long do you think they spent in childhood? 27:50 {Was Sacrificing to Molech Similar to Abortion?} Was Molech child sacrifice similar to abortion in that a key purpose was to get rid of unwanted babies born (most often) of sexual sin? Ezekiel 16:20-21(NKJV) clearly links the practice to fornication. 31:54 {How Much Should we Desire Marriage?} How fervently should I pray for the possibility of marriage being included in God’s will for my life? It has always felt pointless considering that it's likely God may not ever give it in my life. 36:12 {How Will Jesus Reconcile All Things in Heaven?} In Colossians 1:20, Paul says that Jesus reconciles all things to Himself, both in Heaven and on Earth. What does it mean for Jesus to reconcile all things in Heaven? 39:09 {Am I Called to Global Missions?} Is Matthew 28:18-20 a calling for all Christians to leave their respective countries to share the Gospel, or just some? How can I tell if I am to leave my home country to share the Gospel? 44:05 {Should We Celebrate Friends’ “Out of Wedlock” Pregnancies?} I have some Christian friends who have gotten pregnant out of wedlock, and I feel like they expect you to react just the same as if they were married. What’s the right response in this situation? 47:35 {Is it Possible to be “Good”?} “Good Man”? Jesus said there is none good but God in Luke 18:19, Mathew 19:17, and Mark 10:18. But, in Acts 11:24 it talks about a Good Man. Also in Matthew 12:35, Proverbs 13:22, and Romans 5:7 (NIV). 51:12 {About Moral, Civil & Ceremonial Laws} Why do we differentiate between moral, ceremonial, and civil law? Meaning, who decided the moral law was to be continued but not the other two types? 56:02 {About Abraham’s Bosom & King Saul’s Salvation} Does 1 Samuel 28:19 disprove the theological idea of “Abraham’s Bosom,” or could we perhaps assume that King Saul was saved? 1:00:34 {Can Only God be Perfect?} As a philosopher, I want to say that only God is (or can possibly be) perfect. How do I reconcile this with Matthew 5:48? 1:03:14 {A Family Attending Different Churches} Is it okay to go to different churches while being under the same household? My family goes to a Pentecostal church, but I prefer a Baptist one. 1:05:07 {Should We Require a Sign from God Before Belief?} How would you respond if someone you love said something like, "I won't believe in any God unless He performs a supernatural miracle right in front of me”? 1:08:27 {Is Satan Omnipresent?} I was asked if Satan was omnipresent. I said no, but was met with some push back. What are some good Bible verses to prove why Satan is not omnipresent and why this attribute is exclusive to God? 1:10:59 {Does the Opportunity for Repentance Expire?} Is there a point in someone's life when they can't repent anymore (like Esau)? 1:16:39 {Can We Take Communion for Someon...

Sep 16, 20221h 33m

Ep 661My husband is addicted to porn. Should I divorce?

This question is painful and difficult to answer. I really hope that me sharing my own thoughts and including several relevant verses from the Bible brings some help to those who need it. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Sep 14, 20227 min

Ep 660What do I do? My husband demands I don't go to church.

This seems to me to be an area where rebellion against his request is required by faithfulness to God. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Sep 7, 20222 min

Ep 659Joel Osteen misuses the Bible 14 out of 15 times in one sermon.

Since Joel Osteen removed my first video giving a full analysis of his sermon, I am uploading this highly edited one focused on his use of Scripture specifically. Why are you doing this, Mike? Because you can't think biblically if your teachers are misusing the Bible all the time. And pointing out when and how this happens is one of the best ways to help people learn not to do it themselves. I don't have anything personal against Joel Osteen. I do, however, feel a calling to help people learn to think biblically about everything and I recognize that the pop-level teaching of popular internet/TV preachers has done a lot of harm to our ability to read the Bible and our awareness of how serious Jesus' call to discipleship really is. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Sep 6, 20221h 0m

Ep 65820 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 84)

Here's the link I told you about, for searching on my site for answers to your questions. HERE’S my video on the unforgivable sin. HERE’S my video on how atheist scholar, Bart Ehrman, misleads millions. My goal is to help you on the road to thinking biblically about everything. Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 - Intro 0:39 {Did Jesus Contradict Himself?} Why would Jesus instruct us to let our good works be seen by others (Matthew 5:16) if He also instructed us to do our good works in secret (Matthew 6:1-4)? Am I misunderstanding something? 12:19 {Do Some People Get More Grace?} Romans 5:2 says we stand on grace. In Acts 4:33, it says great grace was upon them all. Does that mean some people have more grace? I’ve heard you say we don't get grace little by little. 18:10 {If You’ve Forgotten a Promise to God} What do you do when you’ve made a promise to God and either forget the specifics of it or forget you’ve made it altogether? 20:58 {Should We Fear Future Events?} What is a healthy way to look at the future with all the disasters in Revelation? I have trouble building up my life without fearing everything will change soon, for the worse. 25:51 {Responding to Pro-Choice Thinking} How can we respond to someone who uses, “A creator has the right to do whatever they want with their own creation” as a pro-choice argument? 30:54 {About “Holy Water” or “Blessed” Objects} A local street preacher uses holy water on the ground, which he says keeps demonic activity from disrupting his preaching. I haven't seen Scripture support this. Is it biblical? 36:18 {About the Millennial Kingdom} If God is eternal and He knows everything from the beginning to the end, then why does He set up a 1000 year Millennium Kingdom? What are the reasons for this, biblically? 42:18 {Perichoresis vs. Modalism} Can you explain the difference between the concepts of perichoresis and modalism? They seem to be very similar ideas on the surface. 46:06 {About Bart Ehrman’s Teachings & Tactics} You have talked about Dr. Bart Ehrman (ex: your “Atheist Scholar Misleads Millions Of People” video). Does he also use these "techniques" on his professional peers? 51:27 {Trusting God when He Seems Silent} What practical steps do you do to trust in the Lord? I frequently have difficulty trusting Him during difficult times, especially when He doesn’t seem to be answering prayer. 59:20 {Were the Nazis Appointed by God?} Were the Nazis as a government authority "appointed by God" according to Romans 13? 1:03:39 {Why did God Send Jacob to Egypt?} In Genesis 12:10, Abraham goes to Egypt. That decision is considered by many as disobedience to God. If going to Egypt is related to a bad decision, why is it that later, God sent Jacob to Egypt? 1:06:30 {Are We Dead to Sin, or Sold Under It?} Why does Paul say "…reckon ye yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God through Christ Jesus our Lord" in Romans 6:11, yet in Romans 7:14, he says, "…but I am carnal, sold under sin"? 1:10:05 {Traditional Preferences over Biblical Theology?} I’m an ex-Catholic, but I’m getting pulled back in. I don’t know why, but I just like praying in Latin, the Rosary, praying to saints, and using scripted prayers because I don’t know how to pray on my own. 1:18:15 {How to Understand the Bible} What is your general advice on understanding Bible verses that we don't understand? 1:20:33 {Communion: How Frequent?} My dad thinks that the Lord's Supper should only be observed on Passover because when Jesus said "do this in remembrance of Me,”...

Sep 2, 20221h 43m

Ep 657Is your marriage “Christian”?

It's very important that we recognize the incredible value of our marriages, whether they involve two Christians or not. You can honor Christ in your marriage whether your spouse does or not. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Aug 31, 20221 min

Ep 656"Can I marry a Muslim?"

The most important issue here is that we first decide that we are willing to yield to whatever God says on the topic. Once we’ve decided to obey we will be more likely to actually listen to the answer without distorting it to fit our desires. Original Q&A video is HERE. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Aug 29, 20223 min

Ep 655When a Christian spouse can be treated as a non-believer (and why abuse is hard to define)

This is a quick overview of several points that I explain in much more detail in my full teaching on everything the Bible says about divorce and remarriage. CLICK HERE for that 3 hour video with timestamps to help you navigate to exactly what you need. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Aug 24, 20227 min

Ep 654"I find it difficult to pray for the President even though the Bible tells me to.”

Yes, we want to pray for their salvation! But I think that some people have a hard time praying for those who they see as causing large scale harm or problems for others when they mistakenly think we are supposed to ask God to prosper them in their efforts. Instead, we can pray for God to bring good out of their leadership and for other blessings which don't involve supporting ungodly commitments or commitments that we see as ungodly. Unfortunately, this is pretty much the way I have found myself praying for every president I've known. Original Q&A video is HERE. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Aug 22, 20223 min

Ep 65320 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 83)

My goal is to help you on the road to thinking biblically about everything. Here’s my video analyzing how Roman Catholic apologists abuse typology to teach Mariology. THIS is the entire “How to Find Jesus in the Old Testament” series. The most personally rewarding and thrilling series I’ve ever done. Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:54 {The Purpose of our Lives} As Christians, what is the purpose of our lives? 16:53 {About Kenosis Theology} Is Bethel style Kenosis theology from Philippians 2:5-11 heretical (where Christ is said to have lost His divinity to live instead as a human)? Or is that a secondary issue like sacraments and eschatology? 25:39 {When People Justify Bad Behavior w/Scripture} When strong Christians suddenly start to justify sinful treatment of others (rage, control, insults, blaming) through Scripture twisting, could this be due to a shipwrecked faith or mental illness? 28:09 {Should we Pray in Public Before Meals?} I grew up praying before every meal, even in restaurants. I want to know how often I should do this, since I don’t want to be like the Pharisees praying publicly to be seen by others. 32:45 {Can Satan Heal People?} In view of the magicians in Exodus potentially getting their power from Satan, can Satan and demons heal, and are these potentially healings that don't last? 37:58 {How to Reach Catholic Family Members} I’m a new believer, and my wife is a Catholic. Married 5 years. We have 2 very young baby daughters. How do I win my wife to Christ if she grew up rigidly Catholic? I can't break past her typological beliefs. 43:35 {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? 49:06 {Is Psychology Satanic?} I’ve heard some people say that psychology belongs to Satan and that Christians should stray from studying it. What is your opinion on that, and is there any biblical basis for avoiding it? 57:58 {How Might Fathers Exasperate their Children?} What does “Fathers, do not exasperate your children” in Colossians 3:21 mean? Is this meant to be a general guidance to raising children, or discipling them? 1:03:06 {How to Distinguish Core Doctrines} How do I know what things are a “salvation issue” that I have to be right about, and what things are more open to interpretation that if I am wrong about my salvation will not be affected? 1:06:27 {Why is the Resurrection so Important?} Why are Jesus' claims and resurrection the one true root of our faith? Asking to help explain it to unbelievers who believe all religions lead to God. 1:11:22 {Must We Look Forward to our Glorified Bodies?} As a disabled person, some claim I’m missing out because I’m not looking forward to a new body. I’m content. Thoughts? 1:13:22 {Why was Tamar a “Disgraced Woman”?} Why was Tamar in 2 Samuel considered “a disgraced woman” after being raped by her half-brother, Amnon? 1:22:04 {Should we Insert Names into Scripture?} A friend likes to substitute names in place of "you" in Scripture. Is that biblical? Romans 15:13 for example. 1:25:15 {Why does Jesus need to Pray in Heaven?} Why does Jesus pray for us in Heaven when He could just directly ask God, since He is seated at the right hand of God? 1:29:50 {How to get Others Excited about Apologetics} What is the best way to get a fellow believer to realize the importance of apologetics? I meet way too many Christians who are just like, "I just read the Bible and that's all that's important." 1:33:38 {Why 6 Commandments Rather Than 10?} In Matthew 19:18-19, why d...

Aug 20, 20221h 55m

Ep 652I endorse husband-leaders, but there is a danger in it.

It seems to me that a balanced, biblical view will affirm both the role of the husband as having higher authority in the household and his responsibility to utilize that authority for self-sacrificial service. Any teaching that doesn't emphasize both of these aspects seems to be unbiblical. CLICK HERE for my video on "How to Be a Husband" My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Aug 18, 20224 min

Ep 651Pt. 9: Have We Misunderstood "Wives Submit"? - Women in Ministry Series

Many (not all) egalitarians say that the fundamental way that marriage works, in relationship to authority, has been widely misunderstood by Christians throughout history. They say that wives are not called to submit in any greater fashion than their husbands are. They say that the real biblical teaching is for "mutual submission." Today we will cover the main passages that seem to teach an authority imbalance in the marriage relationship, examine the context of each from a traditional, complementarian perspective, and then we'll spend the majority of our time going over egalitarian claims that would offer linguistic, contextual and historical reasons for why that's not what it means. They will generally say that a passage simply does not say that there is an authority imbalance in marriage, or that it does say that but it was only for a particular culture and a particular time. After years of being a bit confused about the topic of women in ministry, I set out to spend months researching the topic in great detail to produce this exhaustive teaching series on the topic. This is part 9. CLICK HERE for the playlist of ALL the videos in this series (more will be added as I make them). You can also find more videos freely available here on my website. I have other references and data in my notes from this series, which you can freely access through this website. Time Stamps: 10:36 Mike’s teaching through 1 Peter 3:1-7 30:19 Mike’s teaching through Col. 3: 18-19 35:04 Mike’s teaching through Titus 2:5 35:52 Mike’s teaching through Eph. 5: 21-33 49:23 Mike’s teaching on 1 Cor. 7:3-5 55:14 Egalitarian view of 1 Pet. 3:1-7 1:21:55 Egalitarian view of Col. 3: 18-19 1:30:45 Egalitarian view of Eph. 5: 21-36 2:40:47 The slavery objection 3:05:07 Conclusion

Aug 16, 20223h 9m

Ep 65020 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 82)

My goal is to help you on the road to thinking biblically about everything. LINKS I MENTIONED: Help for Jehovah's Witnesses playlist Penal Substitution Series What the Bible teaches about Alcohol Here's the link for my next video in the Women in Ministry series. This is part 9 and we will be covering the claim that many egalitarians make that there is no authority imbalance in marriage and the idea of "wives submit" has been misunderstood throughout time; it should really be understood, they say, as "mutual submission." This issue is massively important since it impacts every Christian marriage! https://BibleThinker.org 0:00 - Intro 0:30 {Are Retirement Savings Sinful?} Based off of the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21) and the story in Matthew 19:21, do you think it is sinful to save up for retirement? 14:59 {Communion Elements/Did Jesus Drink Wine?} My family and I attend a church that is in fellowship with an organization that uses water during communion instead of wine or grape juice. They attempt to use John 19:34 to justify this, and they also believe Jesus never consumed wine. Is this biblical? 21:10 {Does Jesus Live in Us?} Would it be accurate after reading 1 Corinthians 6:19 & 2 Corinthians 13:5 to state that both the Holy Spirit and Jesus live in the believer? 26:40 {Are “God-Given Rights” Biblical?} Does the Bible say anything about "God Given Rights,” at least the way many Americans use the phrase? 33:20 {When & How to Evangelize} I want everyone to be saved & I feel guilty if I don't share the Gospel with every person I see. How do I know when I should share the Gospel & how do I start the conversation? 38:08 {Is the Curse of the Ground Still Active?} In what way did Noah bring relief from the curse of the ground (Genesis 5:28-29)? Am I mistaken in thinking the curse still seems active today (Genesis 3:17-19; 8:21)? 43:47 {What is a False Teacher?} What do you think is the biblical definition of a false teacher? People's interpretations of this vary widely. I’d just like to have a fresh pair of eyes on it. 47:58 {About Fantasy Entertainment} What is your stance on fantasy entertainment which utilizes pagan/made up religions such as GoT, Lotr, Zelda, Hercules, or Valheim? Isn’t it promoting Idolatry? 52:05 {Safeguarding Ourselves While Witnessing} I have felt God call me to minister to the JWs, and He has opened doors for me to do so. What should I do to make sure my faith is not endangered when I am doing ministry? I meet with them tonight. 56:21 {How does Our Will Intertwine with God’s?} In Genesis 20:4-6, Abimelech seems to think he didn’t touch Sarah out of his own will, but God says HE didn’t allow it. Any insight on the intersection between our will and God’s hand making stuff happen? 1:01:29 {How did Jesus Pay in Advance for our Sin?} I'm not sure about penal substitution. How can it be that my sins, which were not yet committed at the time of the crucifixion, could have been imputed to Christ on the cross? 1:06:43 {Discerning God’s Calling from Our Feelings?} How can I tell the difference between when God is truly calling me to something or if I am just searching for signs? 1:11:44 {Is Being Baptized in a Special Location More “Spiritual”?} Is it wrong to think being baptized in the Jordan River could be special? 1:14:23 {What does it Look Like to “Renounce All” for God?} How should w...

Aug 12, 20221h 41m

Ep 649"Abuser" at Home - "Respected Christian Man" at Church.

I don't pretend my advice here is going to "fix" things for everyone suffering from an abusive spouse. I'm just trying to give the best answers I can, which I believe are biblical, to offer some measure of help. Please seek godly counsel from multiple people if you're in an abusive situation. It's ok for you to get help. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Aug 10, 20227 min

Ep 648I Found These Atheist Memes Online. Here’s What’s Wrong with Them.

I hope that this video doesn't just trigger people (though I'm sure that's unavoidable) but that it stirs serious thought and consideration. Timestamps!0:00 - IntroMeme 1: 0:43Meme 2: 4:51Meme 3: 11:28Meme 4: 21:39Meme 5: 31:37Meme 6: 35:57Meme 7: 39:49 https://BibleThinker.org

Aug 8, 202251 min

Ep 64720 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 81)

My goal is to help you on the road to thinking biblically about everything. Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:0:00 - Intro 0:13 {Overcoming Negativity & Responding to “Church People” Behaving Badly} How can I overcome bitterness & negativity? I have been disappointed in friends, family, and "church people" a lot and I found out it has a big impact in my life. 15:36 {Could Satan Repent?} Would God forgive Satan if he repented? 19:33 {One Death or Two in Scripture?} How do we reconcile Hebrews 9:27 with there also being a “second death” (as in: Revelation 2:11, Revelation 20:6,14, & Revelation 21:8)? Is there one death or two? 22:56 {Is it Wrong to Honor a DNR?} What do you think about DNR (do not resuscitate) orders? If I can’t perform CPR on a patient when it could save their life because the order forbids it, am I committing murder by honoring it? 27:10 {Does Breath Determine Life?} I've heard people quote Genesis 2:7 (usually from the KJV) to show that a soul can't live or exist without both body and breath. Is this an accurate understanding, and if not, why? 34:27 {Why Did God Call a “Chosen People”?} Why did God decide to have a “chosen people”? Was this due to His will to have a “people” that His Son would come from? 38:09 {Are We All Lying on the Internet?} Is it a sin to tick a box that says "I have read and accepted the terms and conditions…" without having read them first (e.g. when installing software)? Key word being "read.” That would be lying, yes? 41:37 {Are Pictures of God in Movies or School Biblical?} Is Christian entertainment like The Chosen a violation of the 2nd Commandment? Are things like Sunday school lessons hurting our theology by using pictures of things or people? 46:45 {About the Doctrine of Election} How do you interpret 2 Thessalonians 2:13 in light of the debate on the doctrine of election? 49:51 {Is Jesus in Human Form in Heaven?} My question is about the incarnation of Christ. Since He was bodily raised from the dead, does that mean He is still the incarnation in Heaven? 54:17 {Who did God Purchase Us From?} 1Corinthians 6:19 says "You are not your own, you were bought with a price.” Are the buyer and the seller the same person (e.g., Is God buying the people from Himself)? 57:19 {Are Altar Calls Biblical?} Are altar calls biblical? Hard to find much of this in the New Testament. Hard to think this through without preconceived notions. 1:05:01 {Overcoming Nervousness in Evangelism} I’m starting high school soon, and I feel very nervous to share the Gospel in person. Is it wrong for me to just stick to sharing it online where I don’t feel nervous at all? 1:07:07 {Can we Trust Paul’s Writings?} I was wondering how you combat the claims against the Apostle Paul if you have heard of the claims against him, such as preaching a different Gospel than Jesus and the 12. 1:10:24 {About Egypt’s Sacrifices in Isaiah} Isaiah 19:21 speaks of Egypt repenting and offering Jewish sacrifices. How can this be, since we no longer have those sacrifices? 1:12:41 {Solidifying our Identities} How do I know if I am solidified in my own identity? And do you think it is biblically important for people who walk with you in the faith to understand your identity and who you are as a person? 1:16:31 {Should we be Baptized while Having Doubts?} People encourage me to get baptized ASAP (Acts 22:16), but I struggle with serious psychological doubts. Should I disregard my doubts and get baptized? Can I take more time? 1:20:04 {Why did Jesus call the Father His God?} I've been wrestling with this passage for a couple of months, and I haven't found a solid answer yet. It's in John 20:17. I can't seem to understand why Jesus calls the Father His God. 1:24:33 {Evaluating our Spiritual Traditio...

Aug 5, 20221h 31m

Ep 646Contradicting your husband in public.

Sometimes you should and sometimes you shouldn't. It seems to me that, if we are honest with ourselves about our motives and paying careful attention to the situation, we will be able to tell easily if it's worth correcting our spouse in public. Generally, it's probably best to err on the side of not saying anything or waiting for a private moment to share.

Aug 3, 20227 min

Ep 64520 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 80)

CLICK HERE for my video about 6 different views of the end times. What Romans 14 says about convictions and conscience: CLICK HERE CLICK HERE for 3 videos that explain translations and manuscript issues related to the Bible. CLICK HERE for my 4 hour debate on whether baptism is required for salvation. What happens to those who never hear the Gospel? CLICK HERE CLICK HERE for my 4 part teaching on homosexuality and the Bible. What we got wrong about end times: CLICK HERE What is the abomination of desolation? CLICK HERE What the second coming will look like? CLICK HERE https://BibleThinker.org 0:00 - Intro 0:06 {What Will We Do With our Time in Heaven?} I've been feeling a little anxious about Heaven. What will we do with our time for eternity? Will we have actual bodies, or just be spirits? 21:44 {About Prophecy & Marriage in Heaven} How will Isaiah 54:1 be fulfilled if there is no marriage in heaven? 24:17 {About Following our Conscience} I Grew up in a KJVO (King James Version Only) Independent Fundamental Baptist church. I have thought about reading the NKJV, but my conscience feels like this is wrong. Does Romans 14 mean I must defer to my conscience in this situation? 33:38 {When did the New Cov. Begin?} Did the New Covenant officially begin at Jesus’ last supper, death, burial, and resurrection…or at His ascension (alluded to in John 20:17)? 40:42 {Does God Get Angry When We Sin?} Does God ever get angry with believers when we sin? If not, why did God get so angry with the Israelites when they sinned? 47:18 {Why are Tongues Only Prevalent in Some Denominations?} Why is speaking in tongues so common in specific church denominations, but virtually never happens in others? What does this say about other spiritual gifts? 52:07 {Did Jesus Come to Abolish the Law?} Does Ephesians 2:15 contradict Matthew 5:17? In Matthew, Jesus says that He did not come to abolish the law, but it looks like Paul in Ephesians says the opposite. 56:29 {About Gun Laws, Usage, & Violence} Which bible passages do you think should shape how we think about gun laws, gun violence, gun usage etc? Are there any passages that are misused...

Jul 29, 20221h 57m

Ep 644Can the guy stay home while the woman works, according to the Bible?

I surveyed the Scripture looking for an answer to this question, and it seems to me that even though there are more typical situations in biblical times, it's not the hard and fast rule that many think it is. In fact, there's quite of lot of support for a flexible attitude toward who "brings home the bacon." My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Jul 27, 20228 min

Ep 643The Newspaper Prophet

Consider carefully the timeline of this prophecy and the articles I share with you in this video. I think it reveals not only insight into James Goll, but into the low standards by which these large media-focused charismatic programs will lift up "prophets" for us all. May God bring true prophecy for us all to learn, grow, and be instructed from! But we all probably need to get better at spotting the fake. Personally, I'd rather have one word of prophecy every thirty years than thirty fake ones every day. CLICK HERE for the original, 8 hour video analyzing 2020 prophecies on The Remnant Radio. My website, with hundreds and hundreds of free videos helping you learn to think biblically about everything:https://BibleThinker.org

Jul 26, 202220 min

Ep 64220 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 79)

Restoring Faith ministry to refugees - CLICK HERE for the correct link! CLICK HERE for my video on what Bible version to read and where to read in the Bible depending on your situation. CLICK HERE for my playlist defending the very important doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement. This is the secret location where I store my searchable database of hundreds of videos. You can also find me on podcast, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the dreadful TikTok. Just search my name. Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:0:00 - Intro 0:34 {Are All Pastors Pro-Life?} What is your view on the many progressive "pastors" coming out against the overturning of Roe v. Wade? 19:09 {About God’s Description} God's description in Scripture is often called anthropomorphic. Is it not true though that we are theomorphic instead? Why, therefore, must the imagery of God standing, etc. be metaphorical and not real? 24:51 {How do the Dead in Christ Rise if they’re in Heaven?} If believers are taken directly to Heaven when they die, then why does 1 Thessalonians 4:16 say the dead in Christ rise at His return? Doesn't that suggest they are in their graves? 29:32 {About Near-Death Experiences} What do you think about near-death experiences? 35:50 {Does our Evangelism Determine Salvation?} Could our failure to share the Gospel actually determine someone’s salvation? Or will God provide the same opportunity somewhere else? I can’t imagine we have control over each other’s salvation? 40:18 {Why did Some Disciples Doubt?} Why does Matthew record that some disciples doubted the resurrection? Is there some sort of significance to this? How could they doubt if Jesus was right in front of them? 44:56 {Should Incarcerated Parents be Involved?} My 2-year-old adopted son’s birth mom is in prison for 15 years for using/selling meth. Biblically, should we let her be involved in his life? My wife thinks they should have an active relationship. 47:59 {Is “Spiritual Attack” Legitimate?} Is "spiritual attack" really a thing? Is that biblical? (i.e., during some notable season as a Christian, if we have intensified doubt, hopelessness, illness, etc. why's that not just, y'know, life?) 55:46 {About OT Prophet Credibility} Why were many of the prophets who wrote books included in the Old Testament if they didn't perform miracles and their prophecies didn't come true until the New Testament? What made them stand out from false prophets? 58:40 {Why is Abraham our Spiritual Father?} Why is Abraham our spiritual father (Romans 4:16-25) if people before him also had faith in God: Abel, Enoch, Noah, etc.? Were they not "counted righteous" through faith the same way Abraham was? 1:04:15 {What is a “Clear Conscience” Before God?} I'm getting baptized soon, and one of the questions my church asks is basically, “Do you promise to follow God with a clear conscience?” I deal with a condemning conscience. Would this break the promise? 1:06:34 {When did the Holy Spirit Come?} My question is about the Spirit. Jesus spoke of the Spirit coming after Him in John 14, but He is there in Luke 1 before Jesus’ birth. When did the Spirit actually come? 1:13:44 {Does God Need Death to Atone for Sins?} In Isaiah 6, sin is taken away by hot coals. Does God need death to forgive something or atone for sin (i.e. Jesus on the cross)? If so, how was Isaiah forgiven? If not, what’s the point of sacrifices? 1:20:34 {Minimal Facts vs. Maximal Facts Arguments} Is a minim...

Jul 22, 20221h 47m

Ep 641Do girls just have to vent sometimes?

I would honestly LOVE to hear some thoughtful feedback from you all on this topic. I have tried to give what I think are biblical principles and to apply them carefully. But I also recognize that drawing the line between proper sharing and improper gossip can be challenging. My website: https://BibleThinker.org

Jul 20, 20227 min

Ep 640Pt. 8: Male Headship: Is it REALLY Biblical? - Women in Ministry Series

It's undeniable that the Bible explicitly teaches that a husband is the "head" of his wife. While church history has pretty much always believed this means the husband is the primary leader in the marriage and household, there has been serious pushback against this view from egalitarian scholars in more recent years. Time Stamps!! 0:00 - Intro 1. 10:33 - Part 1: Medical Claims That "Head" Means "Source" 2. 31:47 - Part 2: Bible Context Claims That "Head" Doesn't Imply "Authority" 3. 54:20 - Part 3: Church History Argument 4. 1:01:10 - Part 4: The Battle of Lexicons; does kephale mean authority? 5. 1:33:33 - Conclusions Their basic contention is that "head" doesn't mean what you probably think it means when you read it in Scripture as the description of the relationship between husbands and wives. They tend to offer 4 main arguments to support their case:1) In the Greek speaking world of New Testament times, general medical opinion was that the heart or liver controlled the body while the head was merely the "source" of nutrition. The egalitarians say that we need to factor in this popular medical understanding of "head" or we will mistakenly think the husband is the leader of his wife.2) Egalitarian scholars say that when you look carefully at Paul's use of the metaphor "head" and the specific context of the passages when it is used, you come to see that Paul is NOT meaning to imply anything about authority, but is speaking of nourishment or source. For instance, they will say that man is the source of woman in the sense that Eve was formed from Adam. Adam was her source.3) Surprisingly, some Egalitarians will actually share a quote from Chrysostom to show that one of the church fathers understood perfectly well that this term "head" didn't mean to imply authority. Catherine Kroeger, founder of CBE promotes this view, and many echo her.4) Finally, we get to the biggest one. They will claim that the Greek word translated "head" really means "source" and not "authority." I've found that egalitarians will repeatedly make very similar claims that ancient lexicons do not support the meaning of "authority" and that one very respected lexicon in particular (the LSJ) defends their case. I'm going to analyze each of these claims to see what the Bible really says about husbands being the head of their wives. This is super important, because it doesn't just impact who is in church leadership, it impacts every single marriage in the body of Christ! I can't overstate the practical impact of getting this topic wrong, so I have spent a ton of time gathering and, more importantly, researching to properly vet and test egalitarian claims about male headship. I'll give you the spoiler here in the description. On every single point they are very wrong, and even putting out blatant misinformation. I'll provide both analysis and evidence to support all this in today's video.‬ After years of being a bit confused about the topic of women in ministry, I set out to spend months researching the topic in great detail to produce this exhaustive teaching series on the topic. This is just part 8. CLICK HERE for the playlist of ALL the videos in this series (more will be added as I make them). To get ALL the references, you’ll need to grab my notes (...

Jul 18, 20221h 37m

Ep 63920 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 78)

CLICK HERE for the video on Christophanies (appearances of Jesus) in the Old Testament. CLICK HERE for the FULL series on How to Find Jesus in the Old Testament. CLICK HERE for Natasha Crain's content that helps parents to disciple their kids. CLICK HERE for Foundation Worldview which has actual video lessons to help teach your kids a Christian worldview. CLICK HERE for BibleThinker shirts, mugs, and other stuff. The goal isn't to make money on these, they are just for you, for fun, since we set the profit margin as low as they'll allow us to go. 0:00 - Intro 0:07 {Spiritual but Not Religious?} How should we respond when someone says, “I’m not religious, I’m spiritual”? 23:14 {Who is our “Neighbor”?} “Who, then, is my neighbor?” In Luke 10:25-37, I know the Good Samaritan is me, but who does the "neighbor" he helped represent? I have never met a naked, beaten, and robbed Jew…I don't think. 26:35 {About Mid-Acts Dispensationalism} Can you give some more information on the Mid-Acts Dispensationalism movement? It sounds biblical. 31:11 {Should Ungodly Behavior Cause Doubt?} If I were to doubt Christianity (I don't), it would be because of a lack of holiness. Christians seem to be jerks at the same rate as the world, or more. Why is this, if we have the Holy Spirit? 36:40 {God in the Garden} Who was walking in the garden in Genesis 3:8? Was it Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit, or all three? 41:50 {About Anglo/British Israelism} What are your thoughts on Anglo-Israelism or British Israelism? It is the belief that America and the British commonwealth are physical descendants of Israel. 44:41 {Discerning True vs. False Prophecies} How do you test WOF prophecy when it sounds more like insights/encouragements, not foretelling future events? What SHOULD modern prophecy sound like? 48:49 {Is Fear of Hell a Valid Motivator?} Would a death bed conversion work if the main driving factor is the fear of Hell rather than choosing to trust God? 51:58 {Biblical Advice for Parents} What advice can you give to parents in these times to help them raise children who choose to trust and follow Jesus later in life? Can you do a biblical series on parenting? 55:33 {What Should I Do if I Question My Salvation?} If someone is thinking that they might not be saved, seeing their sinfulness, what should they do? “Not sinning” sort of seems like a Band-Aid on the problem. 1:00:07 {Singular vs. Plural Pronouns for God?} Why is it improper to refer to God as "they" instead of "He," since He is three persons? Example of the problem: "He spoke to Job out of the storm" tends to make us think the Father alone is speaking. 1:03:03 {Can Past Sins Disqualify a Man from Leadership?} If a man’s pre-salvation life is especially disgraceful, could he ever truly be “above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:2)? Could old sin, then, even if confessed, disqualify him f...

Jul 16, 20221h 44m