meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
BibleThinker

20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 74)

BibleThinker

Mike Winger

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.82.6K Ratings

🗓️ 3 June 2022

⏱️ 93 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 - Intro1. 0:09 {Is it Helpful to Offer “Thoughts & Prayers”?} Following a tragedy, people will often say, “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are affected,” which is often followed by angry or mocking non-believer comments such as, “Your prayers clearly aren’t working. Do something that will actually help like changing the laws.” What are some proper, biblical ways to respond to that sort of position?2. 10:02 {How Creative Can Worship Be in Church?} I would like your views on flag waving (as the Lord is my banner), dancing, and body painting as part of “creative worship” in church. When I questioned these things, Zechariah 1: 20-21 was quoted to me. Since creativity is inspired by God, am I being overly cautious and resisting change which is from God?3. 18:02 {Can Legalism be Spiritually Abusive?} Our pastor and denomination as a whole requires that any women serving (even volunteers) must only wear skirts, and that only the KJV is God's Word (every other version is a "perversion") and requires tithing. Are these things spiritual abuse?4. 25:25 {Does Scripture talk about Sex Slaves?} What’s your advice on how to approach numbers 31:15-18 (the passage about sex slaves)?5. 32:58 {Discerning God’s Will and Calling} How do I know if I’m called to preach? My family depends on my income, and I don’t want to unwisely step into anything against God’s will, but I feel I must evangelize much more than I can now.6. 38:15 {Why is Deborah not Mentioned in Hebrews 11?} I’ve appreciated your Women in Ministry series so much. Regarding Deborah, why do you suppose her name is not mentioned with the other 4 Judges in Hebrews 11: 32, but Barak is mentioned?7. 40:25 {How to Biblically Choose Who to Date?} How should mental health issues affect dating for Christians (both one's own issues and a spouse candidate's potential issues)? Overall, what things should be considered when choosing to start dating?8. 43:41 {What are the “Best Spiritual Gifts”?} What do you think Paul is referring to in 1 Corinthians 12: 31 when he says to desire "the best gifts"?9. 48:23 {Are Anti-Abortion Laws Biblical?} Is it biblical to make abortion unavailable to others by law? Or is it better to support organizations like Mom's House who help single moms with having a baby?10. 52:02 {Did Adam & Eve’s Offspring Commit Incest?} Does Genesis lead us to believe that if every person came from Adam, then there was incest between Adam and Eve's offspring to create mankind?11. 56:26 {Can we Only Have Belief through the Spirit?} “Only by the Spirit can one believe” … Can this be considered gaslighting unbelievers and a way of compensating for a lack of enough evidence? Please help my pain, I'm struggling.12. 1:00:58 {Tips for Ministering to Youth at Camp} Youth camp is in two weeks. Suggestions for ministering to teenagers?13. 1:04:01 {Why does Satan Tempt Believers?} Why does the devil bother to tempt people to sin if they are already saved? What's the gain for him?14. 1:05:48 {What do we Make “Our Own” In Phil. 3?} In Philippians 3: 12, what is Paul referring to when he says "...I press on to make it my own"? Make what his own? Help me. I am really confused.15. 1:10:04 {Rapture vs. Second Coming?} Do you think the rapture and the second coming could be different events? I have heard some Christians suggest this, explaining how the rapture will come before the tribulation.16. 1:14:44 {Should We Close Our Eyes & Bow While Praying?} I was wondering, is it biblical to close your eyes and bow your head while you pray, or is that a tradition that has been made up over time?17. 1:18:27 {Does Infant Salvation Conflict w/Original Sin?} How can we believe in the doctr

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

And welcome. This is a 20 questions with Pastor Mike. I'm here to answer your questions

0:08.4

from the live chat. Today, the first question coming in is about the phrase thoughts and

0:14.2

prayers regarding tragedies. And so let me read it to you. This comes in from an anonymous

0:18.3

source saying following a tragedy, people will often say, quote, our thoughts and prayers

0:23.6

are with all those who are affected, unquote, which is often followed by angry or mocking

0:29.0

non-believer comments, such as your prayers clearly aren't working, do something that

0:33.8

will actually help like changing the laws. What are some proper biblical ways to respond

0:37.8

to that sort of position? This is one of those areas where people get immediately heated

0:42.8

so fast, like they get, and on both sides, I think this can be the case, but people get

0:48.2

heated, you know, upset, angry so quickly that having a calm, thoughtful discussion where

0:54.2

we don't, we have like a nuanced view of an issue. It's, it's a little difficult, but

0:57.9

I'm going to try anyways. So, here's at least my thought process on this and you guys

1:03.8

to consider. So sometimes it can be helpful to affirm areas of agreement with individuals.

1:09.0

And actually, if you're going to criticize certain prayers, the Bible's like pretty big

1:13.3

on that too. God criticizes prayer, not because it's prayer, which is what this person's

1:19.1

doing, but certain kinds of prayer, certain sorts of prayer, certain ways of using prayer.

1:23.4

Those things are criticized. So, praying for your own pleasures, not, not for ultimately

1:27.8

God's will, that's criticized, for instance, but prayer is never criticized in and of itself.

1:33.3

So here's some areas we can have agreement on. Thoughts and prayers can sometimes be used

1:37.6

to remove my responsibility for behaving well, for acting, for taking action to do something.

1:43.9

So there's someone who's like, you know, I'm out of shape, I'm, I'm, I'm not physically

1:49.8

well, and they refuse to exercise, but they're like, I keep praying and praying for God

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Mike Winger, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Mike Winger and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.