Bible Thinker

Suicide is a big issue that most of us haven't thought about very carefully. I'm not going to pretend to have all the answers, or easy answers. But what I can do is analyze some of the issues related to suicide from a biblical worldview and try to point you toward biblical help. I need to offer a disclaimer though. Some of what I share here is going to be based not just on the plain teaching of scripture but on my own experience as a counselor, friend and human being. I want you to consider and weigh what I share rather than thinking everything out of my mouth is clearly taught in scripture. My goal isn't to say that I have figured it all out but to offer some clarity and some help to those who deal with their own suicidal thoughts or the life-devastating impact of the suicide of a loved one. I hope and PRAY this is useful for you and brings blessings into your life. Find a suicide hotline for your own country and language. http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html Be sure to subscribe if

I hope this helps you understand the parables better than ever before. These four parables are found in Mark 4:21-34 and they include the parable of the lamp on a stand, the parable of the measuring scales, the parable of growing seed, and the parable of the mustard seed. Unlocking the parables of Jesus depends simply on learning the pattern of interpretation Jesus established when he explained the parable of the soils and that of the tares. In this study we will give special attention to the meaning of the birds in the parable of the mustard seed because this is not only debated, it's also really interesting. If you love this ministry and want to support its mission please click here. https://biblethinker.org/index.php/donate If you want a BibleThinker coffee mug you can order one here. They are made by a potter who loves the BibleThinker ministry. https://www.zockollpottery.com/product-page/bible-thinker-mug I have used Logos Bible Software for the past 13 years and you can check it out and get 10% o

A detailed description of the crucifixion of Jesus was written hundreds of years before it happened! Let's analyze this Old Testament passage and respond to objections from an atheist and a Jewish Rabbi. Does Psalm 22 really support the idea that God inspired the Bible and planned ahead of time for Jesus to die for us? Can it stand under careful examination and scrutiny from contrary sources? I think the answer is yes. Allow me to make my case. Here's that REALLY good video I mentioned where Dr. Michael Brown goes into even more detail on the "pierced" controversy. https://youtu.be/LsFvNLf7Iv0 If you love this ministry and would like to help support this work please click here. https://biblethinker.org/index.php/donate If you want a BibleThinker coffee mug they are available here. https://www.zockollpottery.com/product-page/bible-thinker-mug The Bible software I use is called Logos. Logos has given me this link where you can get a discount on it and some free books as well. https://www.logos.com/partner/b

The Parable of the Sower helps us understand all parables from Jesus. Learn it's meaning and some principles for interpreting the parables of Jesus from this study in Mark 4:1-20. I also encourage you to really consider how to apply this passage to your own life. This is part 13 in the Mark series. Here's the whole paylist. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF If you love this ministry and would like to help support it please click here (but feel no obligation as my intention is for all the content to be and remain free). https://biblethinker.org/index.php/donate If your interested in a BibleThinker coffee mug they can be found here. https://www.logos.com/partner/biblethinker?utm_source=biblethinker&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=promo-partner

I've compiled historical evidence to respond to Jehovah's Witness claims that Jesus died on a "torture stake". We will look at the Greek word "stauros" and it's meaning, ancient images of the cross, historical documentation about the shape of Jesus' cross and give some time to examine how the Watchtower abuses sources to teach false things. Christianity does not stand or fall on the shape of the cross but it seems to me that the Watchtower does, and in this case, it falls. We only need a fraction of people to actually offer any financial support for this ministry. Please enjoy this content with NO obligation to ever give! If you are one of the few who has the ability and desire to partner in giving then please click here. https://biblethinker.org/index.php/donate You can order your own BibleThinker coffee mug here if you like. https://www.zockollpottery.com/product-page/bible-thinker-mug

The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is probably not what you're thinking of. This is a careful study of the unforgivable sin and it will seek to answer a bunch of specific questions about the topic. What is it? Have you committed it? Is it possible for a believer to commit it? Can someone repent after they have done it? Should Christians try to label people with this sin? I hope that this study will not only give you good information but also give you good counsel on how to deal with this difficult and important issue. This ministry is made possible by those who support online. If you want to partner with me in supporting the continued word of this ministry then please click here. https://biblethinker.org/index.php/donate BibleThinker mugs are available here (made by Brent Zockoll, a friend of the ministry). https://www.zockollpottery.com/product-page/bible-thinker-mug

I've never done this before. Here's my conversation with a former New Age/New Thought woman. We talk about specific Bible verses that are often used to support New Age as well as Word of Faith teaching and I do my best to respond with a careful explanation of each of those verses. If you are New Age, New Thought or Word of Faith then I'm hoping this video will bless you and change your life. If you aren't then I'm hoping it will equip you to be ready to help someone who is. Melissa Doughtery's channel is here check out her testimony of going from New Age to genuine Christianity! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyKgD0DLtBN21gfThSalyUQ If you love this ministry and want to help support me continuing to make more free content then please click below. But don't do it out of obligation or guilt, only give if you can AND if you specifically desire to partner with what I'm doing here. God bless you. https://biblethinker.org/index.php/donate If you'd like to order a special BibleThinker mug the link is here.

Here’s how Psalm 16 predicts Jesus’ resurrection… and more. This Psalm was quoted by both Peter and Paul in the New Testament as speaking prophetically of the resurrection of Christ. It turns out that there is some support for this sort of view in ancient rabbinic writings as well! Here’s the whole “Jesus in the Old Testament” playlist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWlpQauXiTU&list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHsHyvMtfgOgSPU6zEnCvxUO All the teaching content in this ministry is provided for free. If you love this ministry and would like to help support, you can do so through my web site here. https://biblethinker.org/index.php/donate A potter partnered with BibleThinker to provide one-of-a-kind mugs you can get here. https://www.zockollpottery.com/product-page/bible-thinker-mug

Time Stamps Here (and in 1st comment for mobile users) Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: ~ 1. 3:26 A lot of people think the Bible is not clear about divorce and remarriage. Are there some “gray areas”? ~ 2. 6:20 My fellowship did a salvation prayer which didn’t involve any confessing or repenting, just believing. Does this mean those who prayed the prayer were not really saved? ~ 3. 11:21 Can you explain your non-Calvinist interpretation of Isaiah 63: 17? ~ 4. 15:07 What does it mean to “pray in the Spirit”? My pastor said it means praying in tongues, and he said we can all pray in tongues. Thoughts? ~ 5. 17:47 Does Hebrews 12: 2 teach “irresistible grace”? ~ 6. 20:53 What is your opinion on birth control used within a marriage relationship? ~ 7. 23:08 In Matthew 25, concerning the 10 virgins, my teachers have said the oil represents the Holy Spirit – but how can you run out or get more of the Holy Spirit (especially if you’re not saved)? ~ 8. 24:12 I work with a non-profit whose core valu

Why did Jesus have 12 apostles? Why did Jesus sometimes ignore crowds or even purposely diminish them? What is it that these "seekers" didn't understand? We'll cover this as well as a survey of each of the 12 apostles trying to see what we can learn from them individually. Oh yeah, and some great apologetics stuff too! Don't forget to check out the brand new BibleThinker app! Search "Mike Winger" in your app store. If you love this ministry and want to help support it please click here. https://biblethinker.org/index.php/donate BibleThinker mugs are available here! https://www.zockollpottery.com/product-page/bible-thinker-mug

We are going to have a decent amount of Q&A today but I'm starting us off by talking a bit about God's wrath. I hope to help us think about it more clearly and more biblically. If you don’t see the BibleThinker app in the App Store yet then try again tomorrow. It has been submitted and we are just waiting on approval. If you love this ministry and want to support it you can do so through my web site support https://biblethinker.org/index.php/donate

Two controversies reveal what was wrong with the Pharisees' and what might be wrong with us. Covering Mark 2:23-3:6 Jesus corrects the Pharisees for adding their traditions to God's commands as well as for missing out on the heart of God's commands. We'll look at how Jesus' claim that "the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" is both a claim to deity and a claim to have the right to explain the meaning of the Old Testament law. There's also an apologetics moment today where we deal with a supposed Bible contradiction where some say Jesus was simply wrong about the Old Testament. Here is the playlist to the whole Mark series (updated weekly until it is finished) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF Just a quick note related to the Sabbath. I do not think Christians are called to be under the Law and we do not have the same obligation to observe the Sabbath that they did at the time of the events of Mark chapter 2. I have teaching content on how to view the Law and how

What can we say about infant baptism based just on the Bible? This video is a survey through a bunch of key passages that relate to the topic. I present it as an issue that we should not divide over but an issue that is worth examining biblically and talking about. We will be looking at the "household" baptisms in Acts, and the idea that a parallel between circumcision and baptism means we should baptize infants. We'll also examine the New Testament nature of baptism since this relates to the idea of baptizing infants. Here's the link to my very long debate on whether baptism saves or not. Time stamps on this video will help you navigate it. https://youtu.be/x2TfBVNuuY8 If you love this ministry and would like to partner by supporting it please click below. https://biblethinker.org/index.php/donate BibleThinker mugs are available here. Made by Brent Zockoll, a potter who is a fan of this ministry. https://www.zockollpottery.com/product-page/bible-thinker-mug I'm often asked about the Bible software I u

In this video I will be handling the following Calvinist objections to the idea that Jesus died for all people. 1) Trinitarian Harmony in the Atonement. This involves the idea that there is conflict between the intention of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit if Jesus meant to die for all people. 2) The idea that if Jesus tried to save all people but didn't then He failed. Therefore Jesus didn't try to save all and didn't die for all people. 3) The idea that Jesus' atonement and intercession are the same in extent and application. 4) Dilemmas Calvinists sometimes present as logically forcing you to affirm limited atonement. In particular we will look at John Owen's dilemma/trilemma 5) The double-payment or double-jeopardy argument. This says that if Jesus died for all then to punish anyone in the future would be to punish sin twice and would threaten God's justice. I'm actually covering more than this but this is the main focus. Here is my original video making a case for unlimited atonement https://youtu.be/

In today’s study of Mark 2:13-22 we cover some often misused passages in Mark, we test our Christian worldview, ask if Jesus really "partied with sinners", we examine some parables of Jesus and note how the beautiful message of the gospel also includes the sober reality of man’s sinfulness. The parables we are covering (though they are more like illustrations really) are the bride groom, the old and new wine/wineskins and the Here’s a link to the whole Mark playlist (new videos added as I make them). https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF If you ever want to come to this Sunday evening service for a visit, here are the details. 16523 Bellflower Blvd. Bellflower CA 90706 The service starts at 5pm. Park in the rear and look for the dove, then head upstairs. NOTICE: we will not be meeting next week 7/28/2019 If you want to support this ministry, please click here. Although it is truly my goal to present all this content for free so please enjoy, be blessed and feel absolutel

I've been meaning to give a full update on what's going on with this online ministry for a while now. Today's the day! Question Time-Stamps for Quick Reference: 1. 28:51 How can we justify God wiping out the Canaanites in the Old Testament? A lot of skeptics would say that it was genocidal. 2. 32:18 I’ve been taking courses on proper hermeneutics, and I feel ready to study God’s Word, but I’m intimidated by the fear of misinterpretation/not knowing where to start. Suggestions? 3. 33:52 Why does the NIV call Jesus Satan? (Isaiah 14: 12 and Revelation 22: 16) 4. 36:00 How do I approach a family member who may be dying soon and thinks they are saved, when in my gut I truly question their salvation? 5. 37:08 Why don’t you see Luke 21 (at least the beginning) as fulfilled prophecy? 6. 39:25 What is the difference between godly grief and worldly grief, and how can I repent better, specifically when dealing with lust (2 Cor. 7: 10)? 7. 44:33 Can you explain what the sevenfold spirit is, in Revelation 1: 4? 8. 48:4

This is part 8 in the ongoing series through the Gospel of Mark covering theology, apologetics, historical/cultural insights and life application through a verse by verse study of the Gospel of Mark with pastor Mike Winger. Today's study covers Mark 2:1-12 and will deal with a supposed "Bible contradiction", why Jesus was accused of blasphemy, how to interpret and apply the miracles of Jesus, a short survey of how Jesus used the title "Son of Man" in Mark, and some beautiful truths about prayer and forgiveness. Here's the link to the whole Mark playlist (new videos added weekly) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF My ministry work is made possible by supporters like you. If you love this ministry and want to partner with me through offering support then please click below. Just know that I don't want anyone feeling pressured to give! Please freely enjoy and be blessed by my teaching without feeling any obligation to ever give! I mean that. https://biblethinker.org/inde

Examining the idea that God created evil and looking at Isaiah 45:7 where God says, in the KJV, "I create evil". We'll examine the passage in context, looking at the Hebrew word for "evil" and then tackle some common problems/misconceptions people have on the topic of the existence of evil. Here's a wonderfully helpful video on the problem of evil from Inspiring Philosophy https://youtu.be/Ei0gPoqx_bQ I'm Mike Winger and this ministry is dedicated to teaching and defending biblical truth. My intention is to continue producing free material that is easily accessible to help bring people to Christ, build up Christians and equip people to minister to others. If you want to support this ministry (though I don't want anyone to feel obligated) please visit my web site here. https://biblethinker.org/index.php/donate I'm often asked what Bible software I use. It's called "Logos" and I've been happily using it for a number of years. You can check it out at the link below. This is an affiliate link and will get yo

Covering a lot of interesting stuff in today's study of Mark. What is the "Messianic Secret" and does it mean that Mark made stuff up about Jesus? Catholicism and the implications of Peter having a wife. Why Jesus healed the way He did and how it is like a living parable of the gospel. Answering Brian Zahnd's claim that the Jesus contradicts the Old Testament. The difference between sickness and demonic possession. The importance of personal solitude in prayer, and more. In this verse by verse study through the Gospel of Mark I will take advantage of opportunities to cover relevant theological and apologetic issues and I hope it's a blessing to you. Here's the whole Mark playlist (new videos added as I teach them weekly) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF If you ever want to come visit, I teach on Sunday evenings at 5pm at 16523 Bellflower Blvd. Bellflower CA 90706 Parking is in the rear and the entrance is upstairs (look for the dove). If you love this ministry and

Some cessationists (those who believe that the gifts of the Spirit are not for today) will say that 1 Corinthians 13:10-12 teaches that after the Bible was fully delivered to the church we no longer expect to see the gifts of the Spirit operating. While I think cessationists can give us valuable insights I think this particular passage is used wrongly when they use it to support cessationism. I'll be giving an analysis of 1 Cor 13:10-12 and interacting with the views of some cessationists. I want to point out that there are plenty of cessationists who are with me on this passage and say not to use it in support of their position. So don't consider this a debunking of all cessationism but merely a refutation of a misuse of 1 Cor 13. Here's the article I referenced from the Master's Seminary https://www.tms.edu/m/tmsj14g.pdf If you love this ministry and want to help support me continuing to make free content then please click here. https://biblethinker.org/index.php/donate If you want your own "BibleThink