Articles by BibleThinker

Her book says that persecution of early Christians wasn’t really a thing. This is actually a very important issue when it comes to the evidence for the resurrection of Christ. If the apostles experienced persecution then we have reason to think that they were sincere in their claims that Jesus had risen from the dead. In this video you’ll hear several of Dr. Candida Moss’ reasons for thinking their is a “Myth of Persecution” and you’ll get thoughtful responses from Dr. Sean McDowell who has specialized in researching and writing on this topic. You’ll get a balanced and thoughtful view of this topic today.

Dr. Sean McDowell on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/Seanmcdowell76

Dr. Sean McDowell’s book “The Fate of the Apostles:Examining the Martyrdom Accounts of the Closest Followers of Jesus” https://www.amazon.com/Fate-Apostles-Examining-Martyrdom-Followers-ebook/dp/B01CR69L18/
Dr. Candida Moss’s book “The Myth of Persecution” https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Persecution-Christians-Invented-Martyrdom-ebook/dp/B0089LOOF4/

My website https://BibleThinker.org

*Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:*
~ 1. 15:02 What is your view on the death penalty? Is “capital punishment” still valid today?
~ 2. 20:29 How many times was Jesus anointed during the week of the 3rd Passover? There seems to be a difference with the anointing at Bethany, when comparing the Synoptic Gospels with John’s Gospel.
~ 3. 21:03 Looking at Colossians 3: 25 and 2 Corinthians 5: 10, will saved Christians who endure to the end be punished on judgment day?
~ 4. 28:35 As a young Christian, how do I deal with worrying about death?
~ 5. 31:12 Have you watched David Pawson on the subject of marriage and divorce?
~ 6. 31:43 How would you handle a conversation with someone who believes to hear directly from God, but is saying unbiblical things, and won’t listen to biblical correction?
~ 7. 33:35 Can you do a “new-believer Q&A” again soon?
~ 8. 33:52 Do you disregard self-professing prophets/prophetesses if they give one prophecy which doesn’t come to pass, like in O.T. times? Or is it different now? Also, are unfaithful prophets of the O.T. the same as “new-agers” now?
~ 9. 38:10 What are some good books or resources to use for historical, cultural, and social contexts when studying the Bible?
~ 10. 39:13 Do you think there are gaps in the genealogies in Genesis 5 and Genesis 11?
~ 11. 42:34 If a recently elected pastor’s unwed and under-aged daughter is pregnant and he hid it prior to his election, how should this be addressed?
~ 12. 43:49 What are your thoughts on “Dominion Theology”?
~ 13. 44:36 Is the staff and rod in Psalm 23 a sign pointing to the cross?
~ 14. 46:08 What is your advice on getting a breakthrough from God, when dealing with habitual sin?
~ 15. 48:18 When using hermeneutics for interpreting texts, is the literal historical grammatical hermeneutic the preferred option? Or was the Canonical Principle used by the early church fathers?

I’ve got a few things going on that I’d like to update you on. The first is a project where I’m working with a number of highly respected biblical scholars to provide scholarly reviews of The Passion Translation which will be understandable to the lay person. The second is a quick update on my study on marriage, divorce and remarriage. After that I will take some questions from the live chat.

My web site https://biblethinker.org

We will go through 24 different ways in which Jesus fulfilled the Jewish Feast of Passover. Passover was given by God in the Old Testament and fulfilled by Jesus in the New. I hope this teaching stirs your heart with appreciation for the brilliance of the Bible as well as the incredible, loving self-sacrifice of Christ for our sins. He is our Passover and we are forgiven because of His offering.

The full Jesus in the Old Testament Playlist (this is my absolute favorite series) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHsHyvMtfgOgSPU6zEnCvxUO
My web site – https://BibleThinker.org
Check out the FREE BibleThinker app in your app store.

***Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference***
~1. 8:05 Since 1 Timothy 2: 12 is still applicable today, what does that mean for 1 Timothy 2: 15 and 1 Corinthians 11:6? What would the modern application be? Also, are you still selling BibleThinker mugs?
~2. 12:31 What did Jesus mean in Matthew 27: 46 when He says, “Why have You forsaken Me”?
~3. 23:55 What would be your advice to a husband whose wife has not been intimate with him for over 10 years, if she refuses counseling?
~4. 25:59 What is your view on the letters to the churches in Revelation being prophesy?
~5. 28:37 What are your thoughts about Christians marrying people outside of the Church, and sex before marriage?
~6. 33:23 How do we distinguish between feeling guilt vs. feeling shame after we sin?
~7. 35:12 When Jesus became incarnate, did He temporarily cease to be omniscient while on Earth, and then become omniscient/omnipresent once again after His resurrection/ascension?
~8. 38:31 What are your thoughts on the opinion that we only have to forgive someone if they repent? Should we forgive someone even if they don’t repent?
~9. 40:13 How does God respond to the prayers of/for an unbeliever?
~10. 42:37 Can you please research the doctrines of the Mosaic Church (a popular church in L.A.) and their teaching?
~11. 43:11 Since, as Christians, our sin is paid for, why do some people believe you can lose your salvation? Can the “payment” for our sins become “unpaid”?
~12. 44:52 How would you describe the sovereignty of God to a new believer, or someone who doesn’t fully understand that concept?
~13. 48:02 What is God’s will?
~14. 49:42 Is church attendance biblically required? Are you a member of your church?
~15. 52:41 How do we know that the Gospels were written by the authors Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John?
~16. 56:01 Have you ever had a former LDS member say that only the FLDS members believe in things like “God was once a man and became God” or “All good Mormons can become a god one day”?
~17. 58:13 Please expound the biblical practice of worship described in Romans 12:1. How do we yield our bodies to God?
~18. 1:00:51 What are your thoughts on Judges 19? Why isn’t the story of the Levite and the concubine commonly mentioned in sermons? Do you think the sin in this chapter is adultery, or idolatry?
~19. 1:05:29 Many of the faith’s forefathers in the Old Testament had multiple wives. Was this wrong at the time, or is this something that was o.k. then, but not o.k. now?
I want everything I do to be FREE and with NO obligation for you to give money. It’s my delight to do it this way! If you do choose to support this ministry you can do so at my web site.

https://BibleThinker.org

Talking to your kids about Jesus is a powerful resource for giving your kids the theological and apologetics training that they probably won’t get from church. I’m joined today by Natasha Crain, who has spent years helping parents do a good job training their kids to be able to have a confident and well-informed faith. She has three books that all follow the format of unpacking important questions about God, Jesus and Christianity with the help of short chapters that answer those questions quickly and thoughtfully. My favorite part of her books is the conversation guides which help parents to talk to their kids about those questions in a healthy, educational and interactive way.

Her blog and resources can be found here. https://natashacrain.com

The book is “Talking to Your Kids about Jesus”, I HIGHLY recommend it and it’s available here. https://www.amazon.com/Talking-Your-Kids-about-Jesus-ebook/dp/B07VLC3MQY/

My web site is here. https://biblethinker.org

There is a big step between knowing Jesus rose from the dead and actually being saved by Jesus. This video is meant for those who want to understand, in really practical ways, how to be forgiven of sin and obtain eternal life. I’m going to do my best to explain the gospel message in a way that is accessible to those who haven’t spent a lot of time in church but also in a way that gives you an awareness of the grandeur of what God has done for us through Christ.

The gospel in about 1 minute https://youtu.be/V9fW6ud0qiU

Do you want to know the Bible better? Here are some videos that can get you started with the Bible and take you really deep in understanding it better.

I suggest you watch this first. “The Bible for Beginners” is a teaching where you will get an overview of the Bible which will equip you to understand what you are reading much more easily. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJG-AjxNiF8

The book of Romans is a really good thing to study for new believers. Here is a verse by verse Bible study series through the whole book. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRwWLeKhViQ&list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHvQ9G4NCvuiN4Evbp13uQa1

As I type this I am in an ongoing study through the Gospel of Mark. Here is the playlist where I will upload regular videos until the whole series is done. Join me! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c7jWg60N_0&list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF

My web site – https://Biblethinker.org

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:
~~~1:13 Pastor Mike’s thoughts on the book “Like Clay Under the Seal” by Pastor Dean Odle (who teaches that the Bible supports a “flat Earth” perspective)~~~
1. 12:14 What does the Bible say about taking communion at home? Can we do it, and if so, how? What do we need to be aware of?
2. 14:43 In 1 Corinthians 15: 2, what does Paul mean when he says, “…unless you believed in vain”?
3. 17:48 Since you say that Ephesians 2: 8 does not teach that faith is the “gift of God”, does it originate with us then? How does that square with 1 Corinthians 2: 14, since the “natural man” cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God?
4. 25:36 To what extent is Satan involved in the sins of mankind? Some believe that he has little to do with the current sins of man, but others believe he is at the heart of every temptation.
5. 28:47 In your opinion, who is the “he” referring to, in 2 Thessalonians 2: 7? Do you think this verse pertains to the rapture?
6. 32:48 What do you believe about “Mystery Babylon”?
7. 34:21 What are some practical things I can do to help further God’s Kingdom through apologetics?
8. 37:13 What would you say to an atheist who agrees with Christian values but can’t get around the idea of the existence of a “higher being”?
9. 39:20 What do I say to someone who says they can’t believe that the Bible is the Word of God because it’s “been tampered with” by many people?
10. 41:07 Can you please do a study on 1 John? 1 John makes it seem like we have to be perfect (literally), which seems works-based.
11. 45:16 What does 1 John 5: 16 mean? What are some responses to “future judgment” verses and verses about future temple sacrifice being used to get believers to observe the Torah?
12. 47:37 Question about divorce & an announcement about upcoming content
13. 48:43 Is baptism required for salvation?
14. 50:20 My current church is unsteady and I’ve found a new church that I love. How can I leave my current church in a loving manner without causing hurt?
15. 51:53 Sometimes I feel intimidated by the Catholic Church’s claim of authority and the claim that non-Catholics are damned. Do you recommend any verses for me, and may I have your advice?
16. 55:04 How do I explain to a 17 year old that we have “free will” when God knows the outcome? If God knows what I’m going to do, did I really have the choice to do it?
17. 56:34 Is it a good analogy to think of the Trinity like the “body, soul, and spirit” that we have?
18. 57:56 What are we to make of the name Jehovah?

My web site is https://Biblethinker.org

My original flat earth video showing that the Bible does not teach the earth is flat. https://youtu.be/qePiXK_8Agc

My long debate with my friend Dean Meadows on baptism and whether or not it saves https://youtu.be/x2TfBVNuuY8

The next live stream is planned for Tuesday at 5pm PST. Hope to see you there!

Some people have sadly misunderstood the words of Jesus here and cut off parts of their bodies as a way of avoiding sin. Not only does this fail to keep you from sinning, it isn’t what Jesus wants. Today I’ll be teaching on what Jesus meant by “cut off your hand”, “cut off your foot” and “gouge out your eye”. His words, when understood rightly, are still extreme, they just aren’t about causing physical harm. Another HUGE issue in this passage is Jesus trying to wake us up as to the eternal consequences of choosing sin over God. May we be woken up and may we follow his commands to be salt in this world.

Here’s the whole Gospel of Mark playlist. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF

Tech issues with a planned interview resulted in an impromptu live Q&A.

Video on the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit https://youtu.be/KmCHX8-2Smo

Here’s a link where you can support my ministry. You are under NO obligation to support what I do, I’m perfectly happy and thankful to God to be able to give this content out for free. https://biblethinker.org/index.php/donate

Dispelling popular myths about Mary Magdalene and giving you an actual survey into the historical data about her. The stuff you see about Mary Magdalene in movies, plays and even in news articles is so bad it hurts my brain. And after this, it may hurt your brain too. If you want the lowdown on the “true Jesus”, the “authentic Jesus”, the “real Jesus” then you’re going to have to face the fact that our best information about Jesus is found in the documents of the New Testament. The “itch” that many people have to find a Jesus different than that which we read about in the Bible has lead them to embrace a lot of weird, unsubstantiated and just plain dumb ideas.

My guest is Wesley Huff and you can find his teaching on how we got the canon of the New Testament here (link to be added later)

Wes’ web site is here https://www.wesleyhuff.com/

My ministry is supported by donations and if you want to help enable me to continue please click the following link. But, I have a concern right now due to the economic hardships caused by coronavirus. If you are making hard choices between which ministries to continue to support, I ask that you stop supporting me for the time being and continue to support those which are under threat of closing. If my own budget starts to get dangerously tight then I will let you know. https://biblethinker.org/index.php/donate