20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 101)

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:
0:00 - Intro
1. 0:08 {Is the Canon Closed?} Why can no new books of the Bible be written? Why is the canon closed?
2. 26:49 {Must we Share our Faith in Every Circumstance?} Looking at 1 Peter 3: 15-17, what would you say to anyone who would ask you about "the hope you have in you"? And are there times or certain people who you wouldn't bother providing that answer to (e.g., someone you know isn't really interested in the answer and just seeks to make fun of you)?
3. 33:27 {How did the Thief on the Cross Know?} The thief on the cross believed Jesus would come into His kingdom, despite knowing that Jesus was going to die. How might that be, since even the disciples didn’t grasp this until the resurrection?
4. 36:58 {How to Reach a Wiccan} What can or should I say to a Wiccan relative who wants to have seances to reach her dead son? She’s not a believer, so should I just hold my tongue?
5. 39:53 {The Man in Mark 14} Who was the man in Mark 14: 51-52? Could it be that this was somehow Jesus Himself escaping? As an unbeliever, how should I approach my readings? Any questions I should keep in mind?
6. 45:42 {Understanding Parallel Prophecies} Is there a process you go through to understand parallel prophecies? For example, 2 Samuel 7: 14 seems to be about Jesus, but clearly not completely because he doesn’t commit iniquity.
7. 53:11 {Different Personalities in the Trinity?} Do the different Persons of the Trinity have different personalities? Would God the Father, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit act in a different way than the others in a given situation?
8. 55:54 {Do Heavenly Rewards Support LDS Doctrine?} Every time you answer a question about rewards in Heaven, I can't help but think of the LDS levels of Heaven. How do I debate with them when they use rewards as the basis for their belief about there being different levels of Heaven?
9. 1:03:13 {Can a Christian Struggle to Obey God?} Can a Christian still struggle with submitting completely to God? Or is that a symptom that you're not truly saved?
10. 1:05:20 {About the “Two Witnesses” in Rev.} Who are the two witnesses in the book of Revelation, and is it possible for them to be people that are walking the Earth today that are not in the Bible?
11. 1:11:01 {Are Casual Conversations Sinful?} Someone argued with me that because of Matthew 12: 36 (every idle word…), all jokes and fun conversations are sinful, and that Jesus never spoke in a casual, non-serious way. Is this true?
12. 1:16:54 {Should We Still Forgive when Not Asked?} Do we still need to forgive others if they don’t ask for forgiveness? My grandma believes that as Christians, we don’t forgive unless the other person repents and asks for forgiveness.
13. 1:20:17 {Christian Creators: Make This Content!} As a YouTube pastor, do you have any suggestions for content you would like to see Christians make? I'm in seminary and I’m thinking about making videos, but I wonder what I should create (if I did).
14. 1:22:56 {Being Open about Sexual Sin} Do you have any advice on how to come out (for lack of a better word) to my Christian parents about being same-sex attracted and addicted to pornography? I know Christianity is true.
15. 1:27:23 {Does Titus 3:5 Teach Calvinism?} What is a non-Calvinist way of understanding regeneration in Titus 3:5?
16. 1:31:34 {Is God’s Love Actually Conditional?} If the Bible says God loves those who love Him, thereby making a condition we have to fulfill for His love (Proverbs 8: 17, John 14: 21, 23), can we still say that God's love is unconditional (John 3:16, etc.)?
17. 1:35:43 {Lessons from a Peculiar Bible Story} What is the lesson for us from 1 Kings 13: 11-24 where the man of God is deceived by the old prophet, eats with him, and is killed by the lion?
18. 1:46:28 {About Catholic Claims: Eucharistic Miracle} Have you ever heard of the apparent eucharistic miracle that Catholics point to? How would you respond to it and how they claim that the apparent miracle has been scientifically verified?
19. 1:48:57 {Baptized Believer, but Not Indwelled?} Acts 8: 16 says that believers in Samaria were baptized but hadn’t yet received the Spirit. Can one believe and be baptized without receiving the Spirit?
20. 1:54:05 {Overcoming Anxiety while Witnessing} I always get anxiety and my heart starts beating fast whenever I try to speak up about social or biblical Issues to my family (mainly my dad who is a Progressive Christian). How can I overcome this?

[sarahfaith]

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:

0:00 - Intro
1. 0:08 {Is the Canon Closed?} Why can no new books of the Bible be written? Why is the canon closed?
2. 26:49 {Must we Share our Faith in Every Circumstance?} Looking at 1 Peter 3: 15-17, what would you say to anyone who would ask you about "the hope you have in you"? And are there times or certain people who you wouldn't bother providing that answer to (e.g., someone you know isn't really interested in the answer and just seeks to make fun of you)?
3. 33:27 {How did the Thief on the Cross Know?} The thief on the cross believed Jesus would come into His kingdom, despite knowing that Jesus was going to die. How might that be, since even the disciples didn’t grasp this until the resurrection?
4. 36:58 {How to Reach a Wiccan} What can or should I say to a Wiccan relative who wants to have seances to reach her dead son? She’s not a believer, so should I just hold my tongue?
5. 39:53 {The Man in Mark 14} Who was the man in Mark 14: 51-52? Could it be that this was somehow Jesus Himself escaping? As an unbeliever, how should I approach my readings? Any questions I should keep in mind?
6. 45:42 {Understanding Parallel Prophecies} Is there a process you go through to understand parallel prophecies? For example, 2 Samuel 7: 14 seems to be about Jesus, but clearly not completely because he doesn’t commit iniquity.
7. 53:11 {Different Personalities in the Trinity?} Do the different Persons of the Trinity have different personalities? Would God the Father, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit act in a different way than the others in a given situation?
8. 55:54 {Do Heavenly Rewards Support LDS Doctrine?} Every time you answer a question about rewards in Heaven, I can't help but think of the LDS levels of Heaven. How do I debate with them when they use rewards as the basis for their belief about there being different levels of Heaven?
9. 1:03:13 {Can a Christian Struggle to Obey God?} Can a Christian still struggle with submitting completely to God? Or is that a symptom that you're not truly saved?
10. 1:05:20 {About the “Two Witnesses” in Rev.} Who are the two witnesses in the book of Revelation, and is it possible for them to be people that are walking the Earth today that are not in the Bible?
11. 1:11:01 {Are Casual Conversations Sinful?} Someone argued with me that because of Matthew 12: 36 (every idle word…), all jokes and fun conversations are sinful, and that Jesus never spoke in a casual, non-serious way. Is this true?
12. 1:16:54 {Should We Still Forgive when Not Asked?} Do we still need to forgive others if they don’t ask for forgiveness? My grandma believes that as Christians, we don’t forgive unless the other person repents and asks for forgiveness.
13. 1:20:17 {Christian Creators: Make This Content!} As a YouTube pastor, do you have any suggestions for content you would like to see Christians make? I'm in seminary and I’m thinking about making videos, but I wonder what I should create (if I did).
14. 1:22:56 {Being Open about Sexual Sin} Do you have any advice on how to come out (for lack of a better word) to my Christian parents about being same-sex attracted and addicted to pornography? I know Christianity is true.
15. 1:27:23 {Does Titus 3:5 Teach Calvinism?} What is a non-Calvinist way of understanding regeneration in Titus 3:5?
16. 1:31:34 {Is God’s Love Actually Conditional?} If the Bible says God loves those who love Him, thereby making a condition we have to fulfill for His love (Proverbs 8: 17, John 14: 21, 23), can we still say that God's love is unconditional (John 3:16, etc.)?
17. 1:35:43 {Lessons from a Peculiar Bible Story} What is the lesson for us from 1 Kings 13: 11-24 where the man of God is deceived by the old prophet, eats with him, and is killed by the lion?
18. 1:46:28 {About Catholic Claims: Eucharistic Miracle} Have you ever heard of the apparent eucharistic miracle that Catholics point to? How would you respond to it and how they claim that the apparent miracle has been scientifically verified?
19. 1:48:57 {Baptized Believer, but Not Indwelled?} Acts 8: 16 says that believers in Samaria were baptized but hadn’t yet received the Spirit. Can one believe and be baptized without receiving the Spirit?
20. 1:54:05 {Overcoming Anxiety while Witnessing} I always get anxiety and my heart starts beating fast whenever I try to speak up about social or biblical Issues to my family (mainly my dad who is a Progressive Christian). How can I overcome this?

[robertpatterson]

I remember as a young man in the military, a man sitting beside me wanted to make fun of Christians. I made it clear to him that I am Christian, and I am ready to fight for it. I think I scared him, and I earned his respect. He never made fun of my faith, not in front of me again.

[Hewillreturn]

OH boy two whole hours of Mike Winger!

[markymark]

“Evangelism requires that I value your relationship with God more than my relationship with you.” I love this, because sometimes I am cautious about saying some things to people, because I don’t want to hurt my relationship with them.

[vanessaparvin]

My husband last night, "I like that guy with the 20 question thing." I love and appreciate you brother, drinking my latte put of my Bible Thinker mug right now ❤

[Elijah]

Thank you pastor Mike for answering my question! Please pray for me that I can have enough courage to actually put your advice into use.

[shawnlindley]

God has an AWESOME sense of humor. Pink birds? Beetles that shoot explosives out of their butts? The fact that we have laughter at all proves that He likes comedy.

[deriale]

I appreciate your ministry so much. When I’m having a difficult time watching content that keeps me focused on God I come back to your channel and it’s always a blessing.

My husband and I send each your videos, because we can listen at work. I love the conversations we have about different questions and answers. Life is hectic and having a few minutes to discuss biblical things is such a wonderful way to connect.

Thank you for all the work you put into your channel. So thankful that God has blessed and grown your channel so much. It’s so desperately needed on a platform that’s filled with sketchy things that are too easy to get sucked into.

[jonathanweber]

Wow, my question got picked for #1 😊
Mike, God has used you to redeem my trust in his word, I can't thank you enough 🙏

[hops]

2 HOURS? No way! Thank you Mike!!’ I so appreciate what you do!

[FromJosephtoJesus]

Thanks, Mike for your explanation about why the canon of Scriptures is closed.
Hoping it helps the understanding of any LDS watching your content.

[ae_pd]

New Winger videos always put a smile on my face! Happy Friday everyone!

[onehorseopensleigh]

As always, great video and excellent information. But your t-shirt won the Internet today. 🤣

[destinyapasan]

Thank you so much Pastor WINGER for this Q&A, I really appreciate it. To GOD be the Glory and GOD bless to all BELIEVERS of JESUS CHRIST our LORD and SAVIOR ❤️🙏💜. GOD specifically give a command in Revelation that we cannot add books to the BIBLE. I had been a member of The Church of JESUS of Latter day Saints for 25 years before I was save by GRACE alone, in CHRIST alone, in FAITH alone. I am grateful that I meet a Devout EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN Pastor who LOVE JESUS CHRIST. It was difficult to have a "Change of Mind" about Theology and Doctrines because I have been BRAINWASHED by Mormonism. It took the Pastor 3 years to DISCIPLE me and for me to be like the Berians. And the HOLY SPIRIT to regenerate me. I came to understand that we are SAVE from eternal condensation by JESUS CHRIST alone. My HEART, SOUL and MIND was opened to the TRUTH. And I start to see the DISTORTIONS and DECEPTIONS in the BOOK of Mormon and most specially another book of Latter Day Saints "DOCTRINE and COVENANTS" where all the CULTIST FRAUDSTER Theology of Mormonism - its where SECRET SOCIETY traditions where included. Another book "Pearl of Great Price", which the TOP leadership of Latter Day Saints claimed as the Lost Book of ABRAHAM. I feel sad for those members of that Church because most of them are good people who believe that "The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints is the only TRUE CHURCH", they are where I was before. But I believe that GOD will draw those who belong to Him as He did me. Honestly most Mormon members read the BIBLE only. I only read at least twice the Doctrine and Covenant, Book of Mormon and Pearl of Grace Price 💜🙏❤️.

[percyaisling]

Thank you for stating that forgiveness requires repentance! Offering forgiveness is on us, but repentance is on them and we’re to forgive as God does and he forgives those whom repent.

[JaylLaf]

Re: Q11 - Just came across a pretty funny verse in Proverbs:

_Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing._ - Proverbs 27:14

My family (and my oldest friend) made little jokes for years about how I was a cranky bear in the morning, throughout my teenage years. You'd better believe I just shared that verse with them. 😂

[littleboots]

First thing I do when I click on these videos is check how long they are. 2 hours?? You're spoiling us!! Thankyou so much Mike and Sarah and Mrs Winger too. So many of us are blessed by this channel.

[Mal-o-may]

I think Mike’s wife should start designing his shirts and then selling them 😂

[emilyvancleave]

I just want to say Mike I am so thankful for your ministry. Your channel is what sparked my passion for theology & apologetics & having a deeper understanding of the Bible. It’s also what has helped me with so many questions about hard passages that I would’ve struggled with a lot more if I hadn’t found you. I thank God for giving you this gift of teaching!

[markhaszoe-life]

I love Biblethinker, Brother Mike Winger, Sister Sarah Zimmerman & ministry.🥰🙏