Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 - Intro 1. 0:56 {Self-Loathing vs. Self-Love?} As Christians, how do we deal with self-loathing without indulging in and practicing too much self-love? 2. 26:19 {Evolved from Monkeys?} From a biblical standpoint, is there any reason that Christians believe we evolved from monkeys? I'm confused why some Christians believe that, and I’m curious if it’s purely a worldview standpoint? 3. 37:50 {Who Are God’s Chosen People?} I had a debate with a friend about Israel still being God's chosen people. Doesn't Romans 9:6-8 and Galatians 3: 28-29 communicate that God's chosen people are anyone who places their faith in Jesus? 4. 48:20 {Do Animals Sin?} Are animals able to sin? They kill for food and sometimes it appears this may be likened to murder, but what does the Bible say about this? 5. 51:28 {Should our Main Focus be Evangelism?} John Wesley says, “You have one business on this earth: to save souls.” Is Christlikeness or spiritual maturity chiefly a means to an end - of bringing people to Christ (Romans 8: 29, 2 Corinthians 3: 18, 2 Peter 3: 18)? 6. 55:00 {Setting Biblical Boundaries as Parents} I had a domestic violence upbringing, and I now have a son of my own. I have fears of family telling me how to parent my son. How do I set healthy biblical boundaries that protect my son and honor Christ? 7. 59:19 {Bored in the OT!} How do I read the Old Testament without getting bored and distracted 2 minutes in? 8. 1:02:13 {How to be a Worthwhile Servant} What makes a servant worthwhile to Christ? It seems like in Matthew 25, the servant was cast into outer darkness because he did not DO enough. 9. 1:09:29 {Understanding a Difficult Passage} I'm struggling to interpret Judges 19:2, 25 on why the concubine suffered abuse. Some have said God was punishing her for adultery. How do I understand this without reading into the text? 10. 1:23:18 {Who Sinned First?} I have been asked, "Was Adam's sin the first sin?" Something along the lines of: “Wasn't Satan the first one that sinned?” Thoughts? 11. 1:25:00 {How to “Work Out Our Salvation…”} What does it mean to "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling"? Is that a literal statement? 12. 1:28:07 {Is Nepotism Sinful?} Is nepotism a sin? My church was founded by my grandpa, my dad is the senior pastor, and my brother is a youth leader. I do believe they legitimately earned these roles, but others at my church don’t. 13. 1:35:16 {Repentance After Death?} Can someone repent after death? Hebrews 9: 27 seems to say “no,” BUT Revelation 2: 21-27 seems to suggest “yes” for it is the “unwillingness” to repent that condemns. I really hope the latter is true. 14. 1:41:23 {Did Adam Know Right from Wrong?} I was talking to an atheist and they asked, “If Adam had not yet eaten of the tree of knowledge, therefore not knowing disobedience, how can God hold him accountable and judge him for it?” 15. 1:46:09 {The Waters “Above the Expanse”} What do you think the waters “above the expanse” are in Genesis 1:6-8? 16. 1:49:01 {How to Biblically Process Grief} How do we deal with grief in the right & biblical way? I lost my dad months ago by sudden death. I feel worried, I’m angry, and I cry. I’m so tired of the rollercoaster feelings. 17. 1:53:07 {About Foul Language} What makes language foul? Is it the words themselves, or the context? Like if I use a word in a friendly way, is it still considered foul language? 18. 1:57:37 {Can Evolution be Plausible?} Do you think evolution is plausible theologically? I have never heard a good response to how there would have been death before the fall. 19. 2:01:39 {How Could Satan Stand in God’s Presence?} If sin cannot enter God's presence, how could Satan present himself before God in the book of Job? 20. 2:06:12 {Witnessing to Strangers} What’s your favorite way to witness to strangers?
Thank you to Mike's mods for a civil and professionally managed chat, which can be very difficult some weeks. (I wonder if some people just say controversial things to get attention and self-promote.) You show grace, and give people a chance, but don't continue to tolerate nonsense. Once again, you are appreciated.
Hey Mike, I have actually had someone at work approach me and say; “You’re one of those Christians, aren’t you?”. I had some great discussions with him and some after he left the workplace he came to faith. So I’m much more aware of how my words and actions are noticed by other people. That’s a double-edged sword.
Amen brother! Always be aware of the Holy Spirit. If He is telling you something, make sure you heed it. Write it down, even, if you think that it's something you may forget. The Holy Spirit can always remind you of what you need, when you need it; but if you are contemplating writing down the knowledge imparted on you, then consider that it is possibly the Holy Spirit TELLING YOU to write it down. He led me to write down some notes from a sermon podcast that my family was listening to on our way to a memorial. Every bit of biblical guidance He led me to write was used to teach more on God to the siblings of the husband of the person who passed away.
Mike, I appreciate you so much! You have an endearing sense of humor and your teaching is right on the mark! I love that you show scripture on the screen while you teach. Thank you.
I've learned so much from you over the years, and am still impressed when I hear you say "I just don't know". Wish more pastors were like this and admit when they have "unresolved questions" Thanks for everything you do God bless!
About Q17: As a kindergarten teacher I like to listen in to my students’ conversations. Once I overheard some 5 year olds trying to decide if the word “baby” is a bad word. Here is the consensus they reached. If you call a real baby a baby, then that is not bad. If you call a big kid a baby, then it is a bad word because it is mean, but if you see Miss _____(a pretty young teacher ) walking down the hall and you say, “Heeeey, Baaaaby” then it is really bad word! So in some cases context matters. 😂
In French, there's this popular saying : "Truth comes out the mouth of the children". Here you are ! Thanks for the cute contribution of your pupils to the topic about the meaning of words ! Blessings.
Been working on this for a while and realized that my self loathing was no different than the flagellants during the black plague. Whipping themselves in the street and dreading the disease in the name of Gods glory. I asked myself is that glorifying God? Or is it self obsessed? God doesn’t want you to beat yourself in the street. Who does that help? I’ve been hating myself since I was 11, and my OCD started. I hated being a girl, I hated being alive sometimes. It stayed like that for so long. I thank God He showed me what it was!! I still struggle but everyday He teaches me to put myself aside. Deny myself, and everytime I buck against it I’m reminded not to whip myself. Just DO what He wants. Read His Word and see what He has commanded.
Blessings, when young I felt this way too. Now at 80 and knowing God so much to better, I am so glad to be alive, though sometimes very homesick for heaven. God is the great deliverer, so faithful.
Given how much depression, suicide, and addiction seems to be more and more common today, this issue of self hatred and self loathing needs to be addressed in the Christian faith.
Thanks for a very good exposition on self-loathing Mike. Im often given to a self-pity amidst my battles with sin and it is not healthy. Thanks for the tough and also encouraging word
My general rule on foul language: would I feel comfortable speaking/acting that way if Jesus was physically there right in front of me. If I’m being completely honest with my self, 99% of the time the answer is clear. And of course this is appropriate because while Jesus may not be there physically, he is every bit as aware
Man this was an intense stream. Some really interesting questions. Great job Mike. I thank God for your ministry. You’re a blessing to the body of Christ
The wicked servant in the parable of the talents...sounds a lot like the 3rd type of soil in the parable of the sower. The seed took root but because of the thorns (cares of this world) choked out the seed and smothered it...he stopped caring about the master's call and walked off into the world and sought after pleasure. I love how you can draw all sorts of distinctions and references of the Bible together like this. It just shows the depth and amazing wisdom of God. The Bible is unlike any other book and flows in such a way that it would be impossible for man to write it without the divine inspiration of God. The profound knowledge and wisdom in the Bible amazes me and pins human nature down so hard that you can look at the Bible and observe humanity and be like...yup this checks out. I am so glad that God had mercy and grace on me. I was an atheist/agnostic heading down the quick road to ruin. He opened my eyes back in 2021 and helped me to understand where things were going and headed. I realized I had put my faith wrongly in foolish things and after the pandemic that faith was shaken...I sought after Jesus because I was afraid of where things were headed. I remember going to bed every night holding a small cross (at the time I hadn't read much of the Bible) to comfort me because it made me think that Jesus was with me. As time went on I did much research and watched a lot of sermons and read a lot of the Bible. My confidence in Christ has grown so much but I know I still have such a long way to go. I know God is in control and He has a plan and that Lucifer has no chance of winning. He may look like he is winning for a short time but God will crush Him under heel. Praise be to God! Praise be to Jesus for dying for us and being committed to us despite our adulterous and sinful ways! We truly don't deserve His mercy or grace! All glory and praise be to the King of Kings!
@@Hepta.Asteras It was a number of things honestly. Hard to exactly explain but I take medicine to live and without it I die. So judging on where the country was headed and how the vast majority of pharmaceuticals are manufactured by China and I could already kind of tell tension was ramping up between China and the U.S. If something happened that my medicine could eventually run out and I could die. It was a life contemplation event. What happens if it plays out the way it seems to play out (keep in mind my faith wasn't in Christ yet). I became fearful along with many other events. I grew up in the 90s and remember distinctly what life was like before cell phones and the push for all this craziness we see today. I realized I could no longer tell that this was the country I grew up in. Something was definitely wrong. I had always been skeptical of things before and of our government but I always figured I had decades ahead of me so there was no rush. The pandemic was a wake up call that at any point life could change suddenly without warning. I had already been concerned with where the country was headed for awhile anyways. Also my life had fallen apart completely in my mid to late 20s. I felt hollow and lost and depressed after the woman I was supposed to marry cheated on me and most of the people I called friend turned their backs on me. I am sure the Holy Spirit was pushing me towards Christ because I remember even when hanging out with my pagan and wiccan friends feeling an emptiness and thinking I was missing something. Their pagan beliefs just seemed like something they were influenced into by different media like video games and movies and stuff like that. The lesbian wiccan loved Harry Potter and kind of wanted to be all "witchy" so she was all into crystals and the moon goddess and stuff like that. The other pagan friend was a big dude that was in love with Viking lore and had become a Norse pagan with an altar to Odin and everything. The Wicca girl told me she had an altar as well. They practiced but again it seemed more make believe to me. I grew up being made to go to church by my great grandmother. She died in 99 and after that I stopped going to church as a kid. She was one of the examples I look back on. She was a wonderful woman that would help even if it meant giving the shirt off her back. She had lived through World War 1 as a child and then the Great Depression and World War 2. She had seen so much in her life and was really the only reason my parents were able to get to where they are today. But her and my great uncles and great aunts were all Christian and the Holy Spirit used those memories, that empty void feeling and depression, and the contemplation of current events lead me to Christ eventually. I basically broke down and cried out for peace and comfort.
@@arcguardian That is entirely possible. There are many that don't care. He could be like the kind of guy that goes to church just to look holy to everyone else but then is enjoying his life of sin in the shadows. The Pharisees were well known for that. Or he could be like the Judas Iscariots that pretend to serve but are ultimately just there for themselves and to make easy money off the followers. There are many examples that person could be of. The point was that when he was given much...he did nothing with it and instead pursued his own goals instead of caring about carrying out his responsibilities to the master. It shows his selfish nature and the nature that is in all of us to do what we want over putting God first. So much wisdom that can be gleaned from Jesus's words.
Brother mike, I love how you approach the Bible, your an anomaly, most preachers teach in absolute and leave the other scripture alone. You offer different perspectives and let us pray about it.
#7 for real!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Our society needs that answer, especially in an age where worship has been relabeled “experience”. Our constant entertainment-seeking has greatly weakened us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Thanks for keeping a balanced and biblical view on the book of Judges! I've read and debated some strange commentary on various events in Judges, because people feel they need to somehow "redeem" what is presented when God seems to be showing clearly that all of us, even those who have faith, can fall very far in their own flesh.
These are all my principles I took from the Bible to help my healing journey of extreme low self esteem, severe depression, anxiety and PTSD, people pleasing. Love thy neighbour as you love thy self. Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no. Self love in my opinion is learning who you are, accepting your strengths and your weaknesses. God says he is teaching us what we need to benefit ourselves. What you do for others should be done with gladness and not with a heavy heart, because you represent faith in Jesus. The journey of learning about self love/care is extremely hard, because you look for wounds behind your actions. Then you examine the scriptures to see if this is attuned with the teachings of Jesus. And I speak to the Holy Spirit to remove all that is not of God within me. I believe the scripture that says we shouldn’t be lovers of self is relating to humbling ourselves. Accepting what God sees in you and doing what ever you can to help others in their journey where possible. Without sacrificing your relationship with God. In my opinion this is demonstrating self love and the love of God and his word.
Mike Jones aka Inspiring Philosophy must be breaking onto a lot of peoples radar with all these evolution questions. I've heard these questions popping up on other channels as well lately one mentioning Mike by name.
I’m very happy for you that you have quiet ac in your studio. However, I’ve listened to almost every one of your 20 questions and I think I’ve heard your ac once or twice. It has never been an issue. But yay for ac!!
On Question #2 Personally I never believed the narrative of universal common decent. I did sit on the fence for a while about the Earth’s age, and the pastor at my last church introduced to me the idea of what’s called the Gap Theory, that between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 there could be room for an older Earth that God restarts (which helps account for dinosaur fossils and such). And at one point I held to that even after finding Answers in Genesis, finding the explanations initially lacking, or least not understanding them well. I though Bill Nye had raised some tough objections in his debate with Ken too that I did not think at the time he had answered well (on which my opinion has changed some). But then I listened to the arguments in more depth and the scientists that they have speak at Answers in Genesis. Not only did an Old Earth begin to sound implausible (death and sickness and thorns prior to the fall of man), but a Young Earth started sounding more and more plausible to me (scientific discoveries matching up with Young creationists models and/or challenging assumptions of universal ancestry evolutionary models) in addition to what seemed to me a more sound use of hermeneutics making a case for a Young Earth as the only theologically sound teaching between the two (Young vs Old)
Your humility in answers to questions that you're able to admit that you don't know is as inspiring as the questions you point to scriptural context. Keep it up
Over 2 hours of Mike Winger Q and A?? Oh my, if I get a 'cat cam' moment too my cup will truly runneth over! Edit : Oh we get a picture of a cat in a box and it's Micah for a change! I love seeing her, Moxie too of course but the little grey tabby is a rarer treat.
It is good to have faith, but have you asked yourself why this matters so much to you that you would proclaim it here? I Noticed how you *believe* it from science but do not *know* it.
@@jeanettepretorius589 @jeanettepretorius589 you mean that the universe is maximizing entropy, which is not inconsistent with either a young or old earth
The point on self loathing really opened my eyes to how much my self loathing is rooted in pride. I would rather engage in self flagellation than humble myself before my Father. Realizing that self loathing is a mechanism to repentance is deeply helpful. It becomes a sign post instead of a headstone.
When it comes to self loathing I am reminded of Adam and Eve after they sinned. They felt ashamed of their nakedness. God asked them "who told you you were naked." God knew the problem was just in their own heads. And yet God still sacrificed an animal to make clothing to cover the shame they felt. God's sacrifice has dealt with the biggest problems about you. Anything left is just in your own head. But God loves you anyway and help you get past it if you let him.
That is not what that passage is about, god asked “who told you were naked” bc they simply had the knowledge and awareness of being naked and felt ashamed about it. that alone meant they are the fruit and god knew that. Has nothing to do with them committing sin and feeling guilty and ashamed by that sin and self loathing about it.
@@doms5755 then why did they hide? There are multiple things we can learn from this passage. Yes, God recognised they ate the fruit but also they felt convicted.
@@doms5755 yes, but why did they hide? The story explains that they were naked but not ashamed and then, after eating the fruit, hid from God because they were afraid. The implication is that they felt ashamed, perhaps not of nakedness but of having been disobedient. Either way, a sacrifice was made to cover what they said was wrong, not God. So while there is a bigger picture of self awareness there is also other messages such as God's compassion for us and our flawed thinking.
Mike, great video as always! I’d add Jonah to the list of self-loathers (maybe the worst). He is so disappointed in Nineveh’s repentance and revival, he claims he’d rather die.
Thank you Mike, I love your teachings. I have a friend who is a self proclaimed Wiccan. And she knows I’m a Christian. And she’s a HS classmate, (we are both 66!) which makes this friendship special. And this journey with her is so deep and special and funny! We crack up every day, lol! And I have a sense this is going somewhere spiritually, but I’m not sure where. She needs prayer please. So do I, about how to handle this. Because by nature I’m a 🤡 😂…who loves the Lord with everything I got. Oh! You can’t tell by my SN, but I’m a female. Thanks for reading this! Bless all of you❤️🙏🏼
Kudos to Taylor Evans for recognizing her past abuse could affect her present life, all around. Just recognizing and admitting it could become an issue, presently or in the future, is such a blessing. May God bless you and your little one and give you wisdom❤️
I tend to liken Adam not knowing right and wrong, and yet knowing what not to do, to a dog. Growing up on a farm, one problem with my dog would be that He would chase the chickens, or the cows, etc. I could teach my dog not to do something, and yet, if He did it and got caught, He immediately knew He had been a 'bad dog', and His behaviour would reflect that. He knew what not to do, but was completely oblivious as to why He shouldn't. Like Adam. He knew it was wrong, based on God's command, but not knowing sin, Adam failed to see the moral reason as to why He shouldn't eat the fruit.
What you just described pastor mike when talking about self loafing at the end was the fruits of the spirit hope faith love i hope alot of people understood if they havent before thats probably the single most important thing youve said on your channel
Hmm, Q2 on evolution and young earth etc. Check the basis for Sabbath observance in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:11), which God places in parallel conjunction with the six-fold pattern of creation. I see this as supporting the Genesis 1 account being of six 24-hour days ("evening and morning the nth day"). Thus, I hold to the authority of Scripture authored by the Omniscient God over mankind developing theories based on imperfect knowledge of past events. And since the process of creation or evolution is effectively unrepeatable it is a matter of semantics to describe evolution as "scientific" in contrast to the "mythical creation account." Both are trying to explain past events, so both are in fact historical rather than scientific.
Problem is, evolution and new species have been observed. In the lab and in the wild. The Bible is full of figures of speech, metaphors, plays on words etc. The Hebrew word for 'Day' is 'Yom' which is used about a third of the instances it is found describing something other than a single daytime or 24 hour period. So our English minds betray us into forcing it to mean 24 hours. Just look at Genesis 2:4.
When it comes to self loathing, and I find those thoughts going through my head, I think back on a specific moment years ago when I was going through some particularly harsh feelings of self hatred and a single question popped into the back of my mind, "how can you hate what I love?" Every time I feel that way now I remember that question and smile. Makes those feelings go away faster these days.
My father allowed his guilt for the things he did to my brother and me to slowly kill him. He went to church and became very active, and asked me for my forgiveness which I gave. The pastor told me there was a sin my father would not ask forgiveness for and I know it was his sxual abuse of me. Pastor never said if he knew what that sin was. I was still young in my Biblical walk with Christ but I told my father Jesus forgave all sins. I wish I had the words to remind him that no sin is bigger than His forgiveness. The last time I was home visiting he told me not freak out but gave me his dog tags, and I knew that was the last time I'd see him alive, though I was in some denial about it. Just a few months later he collapsed at home and regained consciousness in the ER where the nurse asked him if he knew Jesus. She said he light up and said he thought he did before, but now he really understood. I have that comfort. I was sure by the time I got to Ga from ME he would be back to normal and instead he died of sepsis, slipping away very quietly to my dismay after they turned off the machine and the pastor prayed and I held his left hand and Mama held his right. I kept expecting him to sit up and start talking, but I realized that everything in him that wanted to live and be here had died years ago and his body finally caught up with him. I was angry with God. I distanced myself from Him. After a few years I was hearing how the heart attack he'd had was causing him to do things that were actually causing such serious problems that they were going to have try to have him declared incompetent and take away his car keys, which would have just broken him. I understood then God knew what he was doing and begged Him to forgive my small picture mentality and now when something bad happens I remind myself "farther along" I'll understand. I've learned to trust Him.
I'm not at all sold on old earth, specifically because it involves eons of death. The whole Bible is about the wages of sin, and how Christ took that punishment. Old earth totally undermines the reality of death as a terrible consequence of sin. I've heard the argument from people that the punishment was "spiritual" death, not physical death. These people must not have ever experienced the death of a loved one, or even a pet. Perhaps they have, and they are suppressing the memory.
Romans 5: 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of Adam’s sin, who was a type of Him who was to come. It is painfully obvious that the death spoken of is spiritual death.
@@Brian_L_A first off how can a good God create a world full of suffering and death and call it very good? Second off why was He concerned that Adam would eat the tree of life and live forever if it was spiritual death? Third in the new heaven and new earth will we be saved from physical and spiritual death, or only spiritual death? I think it is clear that physical death was not part of the original creation, but is a product of the fall. That's how we generally answer the problem of evil, right? So how do you answer the problem of evil if God created a world that looks so much like the world we live in today?
@@dahelmanganimal death must not be evil or sinful because... 1: God kills an animal to cloth Adam and Evil, can go commit sin or do wrong? 2: God asks for animals to be killed and sacrificed to him. Would God ever want something evil done in his name? 3: God commands Adam to "Subdue" creation. The language uses implies a harshness. How would Adam do that without the use of violence?
Thank you, Mike, for holding onto decent language. I'm glad to speak with people who can communicate in a way that is inoffensive to all. Men used to differentiate between women and children and their buddies. No one seems to care at all or moderate their language for the sake of others anymore. It's a loss to our culture.
I work in a high school and one of the sadist things to me is how filthy most girls talk. even many nicetype girls through the f word around. its so ugly.
It implies that we already do love ourselves in some sense. Here's a small example: When we are hungry, we naturally want to eat. When we are tired, we naturally want to sleep. We want to receive a fair deal from those around us. Those are just a few of the ways that we can love others "as ourselves". We can try to help them be well fed, well rested, and treated fairly. I believe that is the sense of "loving ourselves" that this is talking about. I make the distinction because unfortunately these days, we often hear people given "self-care" advice that equates to receiving our validation from ourselves (very difficult to do) as opposed to God (freely given unconditional love), and doing what we want, rather than what is right and good and helpful for us, in God's wisdom. Also, that advice feels like a way out of obedience... "well, I can't possibly be expected to love my neighbour, because I don't really think I even love myself well enough yet."
@bella-bee My comment was more coming out of things I've heard from other people, and cautioning against that. As another person who has at times had difficulty liking myself, the way that I learned to do so was in understanding the value that God places on me. If God says that we are valuable, then who are we to dispute that? He is the highest judge, so He should know best. Once I understood that I could be confident in the unchanging value He placed on me, it helped me to avoid placing my value too high or too low, or even concentrating on it too much. And I could better value others, knowing God put that same value on them. :) God sees you as being of great value. He paid the ultimate price for you, and in Jesus He sees you as righteous. So don't get too down on yourself either.
Regarding question 19: My dad (who is a former pastor, and who still has a little bit of preacher in him 😅) pointed out something in that passage when Moses asks to see God's glory (Exodus 33:12-23). God tells him to stand on the rock and to then get in the crevice in the rock and that He will cover it with His hand. If God were to turn His face towards Moses as He passed by, instead of seeing Moses, He would see the rock and His hand covering him. And that is the work that Christ came to do. When the Father looks at us, he sees His Son and the covering that He purchased for us, with His blood.
Anyone who thinks the OT is boring isn’t actually listening to what they are reading!😳 the stories in OT are amazing & bizarre is many cases. Sure the genealogy stuff is slow & the sacrifice description & ceremonial laws are detailed & repetitive but you have to see to see the bigger picture.
Great tip: when reading old testament, use an audible app like youversion to read it for you as you follow along and highlight alllll the gold nuggets of truth the Lord has for you. I did this and it was enjoyable. I had dreaded it before because of so many names I couldn't pronounce. This helped me a lot!!!
It's hard for me to even listen to William Lane Craig after hearing him on a Sean McDowell YT where he laughed derisively at those who believed in a young earth. There are so many things that can be argued back and forth but I think it comes down to much more simplistic beliefs. Things like this: Did Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead? If we believe he did and he did it as he spoke why do we even question why God would create the earth in a "day" (I don't believe it took a full 24 hours, I believe He spoke it into existence and it was). Was Jesus raised from the dead? What about in Joshua when it talks about the sun stood still and the moon stopped do we not believe that God caused the earth to stop rotating for the time? If I don't believe in the miracles of the Bible it is easy to not believe that God created the earth (with age built in, same as for Adam, he created him as a man and not a baby, we could only accept that it took thousands or millions of years if we also believe that Adam was born as a baby, and to whom? oh, an ape type creature I guess.). So I believe, as a child, that God has always been, that He spoke the world into existence, that like in Genesis He created plants before the sun, moon, and stars (millions of years with plants growing with out the sun? So the timeline is off as to in what order He created things as well?) At this point just toss the whole Bible because we either believe it or we pick and choose and if I'm picking and choosing then it becomes a man made religion that is no different than any other man made religion.
Is there any direct evidence that Jesus did not raise Lazarus from the dead. No. So we have no reason to doubt it. Is there any evidence to doubt the Earth and Universe is only 6,000 years old? Yes, an overwhelming amount. For starters, the Septuagint, a Greek copy of the Old Testament that is 1,000 years older than the Masoretic Hebrew text used by most Bibles, indicates the genealogies date to about 7,500 years. There goes your sacred 6,000 years. There is something called the 'Cosmic Background Radiation' that consists of light emitted by the Universe before there were any galaxies, stars, or planets. So we know God did not create light after He created the Universe. It goes on and on and on, but the proof of an ancient Universe is absolute. This forces us to take another look at the way we are interpreting Genesis one to five. 'Young Earth Creationism is a fad that sprang up in the 1960's with the book 'The Genesis Flood' It grew in popularity and in 1970 Young Earth Shrines started. Any non-believer that knows even a modicum of science is turned off of the Bible and Christianity due to this YEC belief. This belief is a disservice to the cause of Christ.
@@Brian_L_A why couldn't God create the cosmic background radiation? I'm perfectly fine with 7500 years if that is what was written originally. Still doesn't amount to billions. Until the 1940s it was generally accepted that the universe was infinitely old. The idea that God created the universe at any point in history earned Christians mockery from all atheists, polytheists, and pantheists. People believe in evolution because they are bullied into it. Generally there isn't evidence presented for it. If you have some let's hear it.
@@davidfayfield6594 life only comes from life, it cannot come from non-life. And there's no reason to believe that all life on earth is related to a common ancestor.
@@dahelmang actually there is a huge amount of scientific evidence that it happens just that way. Now I don’t know much about abiogenesis so I can’t speak to it, but evolution is a well established fact . But so what, maybe god started the process.
@@davidfayfield6594 it's not though. People just assume it is because they have been taught it is. There is no explanation for how life can come from non-life. How did the first cell come together? Why did it have DNA in it? Why did that DNA describe how to make the cell? How was that cell able to read the DNA? It's like finding a cabin in the woods with blueprints for the cabin and saying trees fell over by accident in just the right way to build the building. Of course there was a designer! He left the plans for His design in the cell in a unique language that the cell could understand. There's no other explanation that makes sense.
@@dahelmang actually it is. But let’s stop right here. Thanks for engaging. Hey let me ask you this. How do I know which Christian denomination is the right one? Is it the Catholics, the evangelicals, the calvinists, jehovas witness? I’ve listened to a lot of them interpret scripture and they all seem very sure of themselves.
In addition to what pastor Mike said about replacement theology, I think it will help a lot to understand that BOTH covenants - the old AND THE NEW - were given to Israel.
I loved your handling of the first question. I struggle with self-loathing and insecurities sometimes. It was encouraging to hear a biblical thought process about it. I plan to listen again. Could you make that entire first question its own video so I can share it?
Well said Mike! 👏☝️ Wonderful example of what is like to be Christ like. Great teachings brother! A few items I differ but overall wow agreed well done sir! 👏👏👏❤️
Q.19 I too had been taught at some point during my childhood that God is so holy that sin cannot be in His presence. I was also taught that God is omnipresent. I did not until this video realize the logical error I held. Thank you.
Here's my prediction on Q2 and Q18: Pastor Mike will someday approach the Genesis creation account, (along with the numerous supporting OT/NT references that clearly teach a literal six, 24-hour day creation week) with an in-depth study approach like he has done with the Women in Ministry Series. Also, like with the Women study where he wanted to lean egalitarian, Pastor Mike will begin with a mostly unbiased approach, but with a strong preference towards an old earth and a non-literal Genesis narrative view. This will be mostly come from a desire to biblically defend the indefensible views of William Lane Craig and others who proclaim old earth, pseudo-science views that directly contradict Scripture. Pastor Mike will then spend at least six months reading and gathering information on both sides of the issue to present his mostly unbiased views based on his extensive research. Then, as with the Women in Ministry Series, he will come out and claim he can find no biblical basis for any views other than a six-day creation despite not really wanting to come to that conclusion. He will further conclude, biblically, that the best and perhaps only interpretation is that of a young (~6,000-year-old creation). He will be highly diplomatic, as he always is, but will clearly show how weak and unscholarly (embarrassingly so, like the egalitarian "scholarship"), the old earth, mytho-history views actually are in light of the truth presented in Scripture. Of course, Pastor Mike could save himself months of rigorous study, and perhaps a little embarrassment from comments he has made such as in this video, just to come up with the same views he once rightly held. All he needs to do to avoid a pointless excursion into unbiblical futility is to apply tried and true hermeneutics to the Scriptures without being influenced by modern day unbiblical philosophies and easily falsified pseudo-science dogma, and he will be thoroughly convinced in a literal view of the creation week. Simply put, there is no way to properly interpret Scripture and determine deep time of millions/billions of years or any form of macroevolution without importing those views via eisegesis rather than exegesis. Guess I’ll have to wait and see, though it is difficult to watch Mike dance around creation/evolution topics he currently has little to no credibility to speak on while claiming to be committed to thinking biblically about everything.
I basically agree with you. I love Pastor Mike dearly and I spend hours watching his videos and I have gained so much insight from him. I really admire his hard work and diligent study. I think ... (I may be wrong) but I think that Mike's main weakness is that he is very intelligent. Perhaps there is a greater temptation to lean on one's own understanding when one is blessed with a brilliant mind. I'm a very simple man (like Forest Gump) so I guess I just tend to have this attitude that God says what He means and means what He says.
I completely agree with you Scott. My head just exploded. I’m completely stunned that Mike is ‘undecided’ about six literal days of Creation and then references evolution a possibility, and then William Lane Craig ? The entire Bible is founded upon Genesis. If one doesn’t believe in Genesis, then they’re not believing the Alpha and Omega created Man. I had to replay that part four times to make sure I was hearing it incorrectly. Mike’s responsible to the sheep and must be solid. I mean I really trusted Mike and now this ? Just goes to show how we can only count on Jesus. This is totally disturbing, not least of all confusing to newly minted believers or those in the cusp of repentance. If he’s ‘undecided’ about the some of the first verses in the Bible, what else is he not sure about ? I mean how can Mike elicit on other pastors and doctrines if he’s unsure about six literal days ?
6) The Intentional Parents Podcast just did an episode on this exact situation… it’s called “Being oblivious, closed family culture, idols, absorbing without resentment…” If you’ve heard of John Mark Comer - his parents and sister and her husband are the main people on the podcast and they have some really helpful, biblical perspectives ❤
In one of my favorite places in the Old Testament it says when we are born again we will lothe ourselves because of our sin! This is the best Old Testament scripture describing being New Testament born-again. When His Spirit convicts us, He causes us to lothe ourselves because of our sin, and draws us to come to Jesus. Then by a changed heart we glorify His name. He says He does this for His name's sake. This is good! Only Jesus can change a heart this way. This whole chapter is good. So, when we are convicted of our sin by the Holy Spirit, we are brought to see our deep sinfulness in light of His holiness and sacrifice for us on the cross, we lothe our sinfulness and come to Jesus! Then, after being forgiven, we are able to love ourselves in a right way realizing we are created and loved by God! Whew! What a blessing He is to us. Ezekiel 36:26, 27, 31. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall LOTHE YOURSELVES in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. 🙏☝️✌️
I highly recommend the Bible Science Institute, Dr. Lisle (Christian Astrophysicists) for some of the questions regarding Genesis and evolution. I just heard Dr. Lisle speak at a church in Tucson recently.
Your answers on self loathing and Who Are God’s Chosen People? was excellent. I agree 100% But I was saddened by your answer on Genesis. I know it won't stop either of us from going to Heaven, but I believe that the Word of God is literal, unless it is clearly metaphorical or symbolic. I understand that Psalms and Proverbs are not to be taken literally, . You can raise up a child in the way he should go, but he may still depart. But the historical books in my understanding should be taken literally. Otherwise you can eventually 'evolve' to the opinion that Jesus may not have literally died but it is just a beautiful word picture of God saving undeserving sinners. I'm prayerfully considering leaving my local assembly because my pastor said Jonah and the big fish may possibly not be literally true.
About nepotism q 12.... Its not a sin to help one of your family members to come out of poverty by virtue of you being in a position to help them and in the long run helps your family to reduce the financial burden in the family. As long as they are qualified and are not infringing on the oppotunities for other aspirants outside the family who may be more qualified. One has to help family when able to upto a certain point unless they are unqualified for the job.
You always make bible discussions engaging, fun and exciting! Good work! I heard that in question number 8, you seem to suggest that the servant who is sent to the darkness was never saved in the first place. The servant in question may have been saved at the beginning and so is everyone who believes. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. If people aren't saved by believing in the first place, then what is it that makes a person saved
I think the idea that we are on this Earth to save souls should be reconsidered by you. We are called to love God, but we are also called to make disciples. This is where we can get a little more liberal with HOW, but I think it's safe to assume we are meant to save souls exclusively. (Through our actions glorifying God, through our word defending the faith, and through our love in spreading the Gospel) The parable with the servant when seen through this lens is very obvious it's talking about grace. God gives somebody a little bit of grace and instead of cultivating and growing it, they hide it away
Must thank you mike, as part of me coming to God and Jesus Christ was listening to you and the fact you advise viewers to look up and check answers and why you cane to your view, also discovered a few ithers online. But thanks.😊
After watching all of your women in ministry videos to date; including the 7hr video on head coverings: I have follow up questions. 1.) There still seems to be a good case for head coverings, including the 7 points in your summary, that seem to have been swept aside because you said our culture doesn’t do it so it must be cultural? Perhaps I misunderstood you. 2.) If our current culture is the product of feminism women rebelling against male headship by rejecting head coverings. Then wouldn’t restoring the practice be bringing our culture back into submission of scripture not introducing new practices? 3.) is it possible to have a universal church culture that is counter to the culture we live in? In which case Paul would be going into new cultures teaching them certain practices. Otherwise how could Christians go to the islands and teach them to cover up it is not their culture to wear clothing. 4.) The phrase because of the angels and if anyone is contentious we have no other rule in the churches of God seems like this has nothing to do with Roman , Corinthian or Jewish culture but a universal church practice. 5.) perhaps Paul didn’t argue for head coverings (if indeed him mentioning it in the passage is not doing that), because it did not occur to him to do so ? Is it possible he could just be teaching something without having to justify every point since he has authority to speak on behalf of Christ as his apostle to the gentiles?
The thing that helped me greatly when I read the old testament for the very first time was to read along with an audio recording. Just like when I was a kid in school, we all read along when the teacher read aloud from the same book. Now I no longer need that but it sure did help at first!
Acts 2:17 (NKJV) ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.
My father was against nepotism because he didn’t think family members should work together, or one family member working for another family member. It can destroy relationships.
I see that this does happen. But doesn't that seem to be somewhat of a loss? As Christians, can't we do better than this? I often wonder who would be more capable and qualified to carry on one's ministry, for example, than one who is specifically trained for it? That can come, with intention, from within the home better than anywhere else, it would seem...
@@deannachapman5411 My parents were both Godly Christians, and they raised six children on one income in addition to teaching Sunday School (Dad taught adults), having a prison ministry, etc. They DID do better!!! Still, that doesn’t mean that nepotism is right. I think there’s a lot to be said in making our children get a good education and work for people they’re not related to. That forces them to be more independent, and helps to keep family relationships stable, as God intends. I stand by this, so don’t think you can convince me otherwise. I have seen infighting in families that were in business together. It’s not like I grew up under a rock.
It reminds me of when I was a child and I would sulk for various reasons. My mother would just give me "that" look, and say, "Stop pitying yourself." And I came to understand that it was exactly what Volt says below. Self loathing is Self pity, and it all has roots in self. So the same thing you seek in Christ to eliminate your Selfish love is the same thing you do to eliminate self hate. Read the word daily, and meditate on that scripture that tells you the truth: that you are a new creature in Christ. There were years in my life that the only thing that kept me going was that meditation, that in Christ we conquer all things. Even if I couldn't see it. That in Christ I AM new. What you are loathing is just your Old man, that the bible tells us we HAVE to put to death. And give it to Christ daily. My cousin struggles with this, and one time he was praying God gave him a vision. He was in a field, with a plow yoke around his neck, and he was pulling the plow. He noticed as he worked that someone was next to him, pulling a yoke with him. When he turned to the person, he realized that it was Christ, crown of thorns and all, blood dripping down his face. Christ looked at him with sadness and asked him, "Why are you carrying that yoke? I am already carrying that yoke for you, why do you demand that you carry it yourself?" Envision yourself taking that yoke of, the yoke of self-destruction, and giving it to Christ. Then envision Christ putting it on the cross before he carries it up to the skull, and on top of the cross is your self-loathing, and as Christ dies, that yoke dies with him. It is gone forever, dead, as is all our sin. Christ carried that sin to the grave and left it there when he resurrected. Do that daily, this is what it means to meditate on the word. Do it when you rise in the morning, and before you go to bed at night. Pray and thank Christ for taking your yoke, and remember to treat yourself as Christ would treat you.
