20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 79)

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Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:
0:00 - Intro
1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. 29:32 {About Near-Death Experiences} What do you think about near-death experiences?
5. 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?
6. 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?
7. 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.
8. 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?)
9. 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?
10. 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?
11. 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?
12. 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?
13. 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?
14. 1:20:34 {Minimal Facts vs. Maximal Facts Arguments} Is a minimal facts argument or maximal facts argument better in presenting the truth of the Resurrection of Jesus?
15. 1:24:25 {About the Samaritans Receiving the Spirit} How were the Samaritans in Acts 8: 14-17 baptized in the name of Jesus, but only received the Holy Spirt when Peter and John came?
16. 1:30:04 {How to Decide What to Read in Scripture} Do you have any advice for reading the Bible? How do I decide what to read?
17. 1:30:40 {About the Difference between Heaven & Eden} What is the ontological difference between Heaven and pre-sin Eden? If Heaven is greater than Eden, then doesn’t it follow that Adam & Eve’s sin led to a greater eternity than they would’ve had otherwise?
18. 1:33:10 {Is Baptism Purely Symbolic?} Is baptism just a symbolic representation of our faith, or does it have a deeper value?
19. 1:35:43 {About Gene Editing Technology} Suppose that a gene editing technology like CRISPR could change the cells of a zygote to change the sex of the individual. Would there or should there be a secular question as to the eventual sex?
20. 1:38:01 {How Do We “Work Out Our Salvation?”} What does it mean to "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling" in Philippians 2: 12?

[sarahfaith]

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:

0:00 - Intro
1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. 29:32 {About Near-Death Experiences} What do you think about near-death experiences?
5. 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?
6. 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?
7. 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.
8. 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?)
9. 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?
10. 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?
11. 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?
12. 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?
13. 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?
14. 1:20:34 {Minimal Facts vs. Maximal Facts Arguments} Is a minimal facts argument or maximal facts argument better in presenting the truth of the Resurrection of Jesus?
15. 1:24:25 {About the Samaritans Receiving the Spirit} How were the Samaritans in Acts 8: 14-17 baptized in the name of Jesus, but only received the Holy Spirt when Peter and John came?
16. 1:30:04 {How to Decide What to Read in Scripture} Do you have any advice for reading the Bible? How do I decide what to read?
17. 1:30:40 {About the Difference between Heaven & Eden} What is the ontological difference between Heaven and pre-sin Eden? If Heaven is greater than Eden, then doesn’t it follow that Adam & Eve’s sin led to a greater eternity than they would’ve had otherwise?
18. 1:33:10 {Is Baptism Purely Symbolic?} Is baptism just a symbolic representation of our faith, or does it have a deeper value?
19. 1:35:43 {About Gene Editing Technology} Suppose that a gene editing technology like CRISPR could change the cells of a zygote to change the sex of the individual. Would there or should there be a secular question as to the eventual sex?
20. 1:38:01 {How Do We “Work Out Our Salvation?”} What does it mean to "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling" in Philippians 2: 12?

[MistyEry]

I was assisted by my local pregnancy care Center. They were beyond compassionate, generous, and assisted me out of an abusive relationship so that my child and I would have a chance. I’m grateful that there are organizations out here that truly help women so that they don’t go down the abortion route.

[marysmithtondreau]

I volunteered to take in women who were pregnant with no where to go. It was so rewarding. Even got to go to a dedication..

[rmaclary]

My husband told me of his intentions to leave the marriage when I was 12 weeks pregnant with our second child. I could have aborted her, and many (most) people would have supported that decision… and that horrifies me.
She’s now 10 and a beautiful, smart, and loving kid. Thank God the thought never even crossed my mind. ❤
Thank you, Mike, for your teachings.

[Jasmineocreates]

You gained 1000 points of respect as soon as you said, “ i’m not sure what that word is”. The fact that you were truthful and transparent that you don’t know everything, was a breath of fresh air.

You’ve always been pretty clear about the fact that you don’t know everything but every time I see it it gives me another wiff of fresh air LOL

[roycelyn]

#1 AMEN! Thank you for making a strong stance on this issue. As an obstetrics educator and labor & delivery nurse for 16+ years i can say if everyone had to watch early ultrasounds and then what a post-abortion baby looks like i think many people would change their minds on this issue. Please support your local Crisis pregnancy centers. God bless

[ephall]

its so refreshing to hear a pastor being clear cut on this. God bless you. Here in Australia, we have nutters and politicians immediately protesting about the overturning of Rome vs Wade, as if it was our problem. Here we have the most terrible abortion laws in the world. Late term abortions right up to the point of birth is legal in a couple of states. After birth abortion (murder)is also happening, and they turn a blind eye to it.

[trishwragg]

Like always, Mike, you put a brilliant biblical view on horrible world view issues, I.e. abortion and the Roe v Wade story. Thank you so much. We should be weeping for what the world has done to the innocent, and celebrating their possible protection.

[Susq]

Sideways is a good description. These are red herrings intended to divert us to the side from the pursuit of truth about the actual issue. Particularly the "care for mothers" argument. It's a way for them to avert their eyes from what abortion actually is. Whenever someone uses the term "pro-choice, " I want to ask, "Choice to do what? Finish the thought." They don't want anyone bringing up the graphic details

[rprimbs]

I haven't gone to church in years, and at best I am an agnostic, but I love your channel! You are so straightforward and clear that it is refreshing!

[hdwarrior]

I was watching this while hubby napped.. he was having a terrible dream about work, said there was so much laundry and people being booked (he is a corrections officer) but for some reason he was sitting talking on the phone with you! Meanwhile he's looking around at all the work that needs doing and trying desperately to find a polite way to tell you he didn't have time to talk! lol made me giggle

[savedbygrace]

Mike thanks for standing strong on the Roe vs Wade issue. I’ve been very surprised at all the ‘sideways’ pastors that have come out since the decision. It’s so sad :-(

[gretaeder]

My favorite response to the pro-choice argument of “why fight for the babies to be born if you don’t do anything afterwards? Why are you working at this pro-life group when you could be working at a pregnancy center?” I heard from Kristan Hawkins:
Are you mad at American Cancer Association for not donating and working on child diabetes? Okay why not? Because their passion and focus is on cancer, not child diabetes! Doesn’t mean they don’t care about diabetes, they just have to focus their time and resources on a topic that is narrowed down. If you try to help everyone, you barely accomplish much. But if you focus on one thing, you can go really far with it. Same for pro-life! There are many pregnancy and family crisis shelters all around the country doing amazing work. There also can be many groups focused on educating about abortion and having those hard conversations

[tbakesify]

As a devout Catholic, I can say Mike is fantastic. And his YouTube channel is the best.

[TheCaptDude]

Hi Mike. I just need to say this. With all of what is going on right now in this country. It is hard to even imagine a person who has so much knowledge of the bible, but volunteers their time to answering questions and helping others in the most genuine and productive manner. Thank you, Mike. God has blessed you to be a beacon of light for which so many can find Jesus and be able to become closer to God. Thank you, Mike. God Bless. <3

[sparklegirl_]

I love how you talk about very serious issues, with such love and biblical truth, you do not neglect the sin, nor do you utterly condemn and hurt those who are in that sin. Thank you for kindly and gently yet boldly speaking out the truth! So few are in this boat, may the lord bless you always in doing his work!

[HopeKuhn]

I like what you said, “Suppose that Satan is really smart and could plant an image in peoples minds that there is no judgement, ” I actually didn’t think about that part with near death experiences.
Thanks for the answer!

[newcreationinchrist]

So glad I found this channel! God bless you pastor 🙏

[doughaynes]

Just remember God is in total control from beginning to end Amen 🙏🏻.

[CarsTotallyRock]

I absolutely love your statements on abortion here!! I love that you're willing to speak the truth boldly on this topic, even if going against the popular talking points and opinions.