I've kept this project a secret... until today.

I've kept this project a secret... until today. ![rw-book-cover](https://img.youtube.com/vi/5MATEcLRlo8/maxresdefault.jpg) 🔗 **Source:** [I've kept this project a secret... until today.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8) > [!note]+ Document Notes > tags: [passion-translation, biblical-translation, content-creation, youtube-strategy, biblical-scholarship] > author: Mike Winger > source: YouTube > reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8 > date created: {{date:YYYY-MM-DD}} {{time:HH:mm}} > > # 🏷️ Title: I've kept this project a secret... until today. >  ## 🧭 Table of Contents - [📝 Summary](#-summary) - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#️-notes) - [📚 References](#-references) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#️-paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#-methodology) - [❓ Questions](#-questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#-future-research) - [💡 Implications](#-implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#-deib-assessment) - [✅ Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) - [🛡️ DARVO Analysis](#-darvo-analysis) - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) ## 📝 Summary - Pastor Mike Winger announces a passion project: hiring credentialed scholars to evaluate the Passion Translation - He's commissioned five well-respected biblical scholars to write papers analyzing different books - Plans to shift from regular upload schedule to quality-focused content production - Addresses viewer questions on various theological topics including death penalty, Christian judgment, and prophecy - All content will remain free to the public ## 📖 Main Content Mike Winger reveals his "passion project" - a comprehensive scholarly evaluation of the Passion Translation by Brian Simmons. Recognizing that this translation is selling millions of copies while containing what he believes are serious theological problems, Winger has hired five credentialed scholars to produce detailed analyses. The scholars committed include Craig Blomberg (1 Corinthians), Mark Strauss (Luke and Acts), Darrell Bock (Ephesians), Trevor Longman (Song of Solomon), and AJ Gupta. Each will write 5-page papers evaluating their assigned books, followed by video interviews summarizing their conclusions. Winger's motivation stems from a pastor's email requesting additional resources beyond Winger's own critiques. He recognizes that while individual scholars have criticized specific verses, Brian Simmons tends to change those particular examples in new editions without addressing the underlying translation methodology issues. Concurrently, Winger announces a shift in content strategy from regular bi-weekly uploads to a quality-focused approach. This allows for deeper preparation on complex topics like marriage, divorce, and remarriage - subjects requiring extensive research across multiple scholarly sources. ### 🗒️ Notes #### ⏱️ [00:00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8&t=0) Introduction and Announcements - Two major announcements: secret passion project and content strategy shift - Focus on helping people "think biblically about everything" #### ⏱️ [00:03:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8&t=180) The Passion Translation Project - Problem: Millions of copies sold, serious translation issues - Brian Simmons as sole translator with problematic methodology - Adding theology not present in original text - Claims of Aramaic sources that don't exist #### ⏱️ [00:08:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8&t=510) Scholar Recruitment Strategy - Bridge between scholarship and general public - Multiple scholars prevent "single bias" accusations - Five confirmed scholars with specialized expertise - Papers due end of June, interviews to follow #### ⏱️ [00:12:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8&t=720) Content Strategy Shift - Moving from deadline-driven to quality-driven production - Currently studying marriage/divorce/remarriage extensively - Reading multiple books and articles for thorough preparation - Acknowledging trade-off between algorithm optimization and content quality #### ⏱️ [00:20:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8&t=1200) Q&A Session Begins - Death penalty discussion using Genesis 9 and Romans 13 - Christian judgment and rewards/loss at judgment seat of Christ - Dealing with people claiming divine revelation contrary to Scripture #### ⏱️ [00:35:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8&t=2100) Prophecy and Discernment - Old Testament standard: one false prophecy disqualifies prophet - Personal story about failed "prophetess" at AG church - Importance of judging prophetic words, not just accepting them #### ⏱️ [00:45:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8&t=2700) Additional Theological Questions - Bible study resources for historical/cultural context - Genesis genealogies and potential gaps - Pastoral ethics and accountability - Dominion theology critique ## 📚 References - Craig Blomberg - New Testament scholar - Mark Strauss - Luke-Acts specialist - Darrell Bock - New Testament studies - Trevor Longman - Old Testament scholar - AJ Gupta - Biblical studies - Brian Simmons - Passion Translation author - Craig Keener - Bible Background Commentary ## 🗣️ Paraphrase Mike Winger announces a significant scholarly initiative to address concerns about the Passion Translation, which has sold millions of copies despite what he considers serious translation problems. Rather than continuing to critique it alone, he's hiring five credentialed biblical scholars to write comprehensive evaluations of different books within the translation. This approach addresses the limitation of previous critiques where Brian Simmons would simply change the specific problematic verses cited by critics without addressing the underlying translation methodology. By having multiple scholars analyze entire books, the project will demonstrate whether issues are isolated incidents or pervasive problems. Simultaneously, Winger is shifting from algorithm-optimized regular uploads to a quality-focused approach that allows for thorough research on complex topics. He acknowledges this may hurt short-term channel growth but believes it will produce more valuable long-term content. ## 📰 Newsletter Biblical translation quality meets modern scholarship in an exciting new project! Pastor Mike Winger has assembled an all-star team of biblical scholars to tackle concerns about the popular Passion Translation. Think of it as the Avengers of biblical scholarship - Craig Blomberg, Mark Strauss, Darrell Bock, Trevor Longman, and AJ Gupta are each analyzing different books to provide comprehensive, credentialed evaluation. What's particularly clever about this approach is addressing the "whack-a-mole" problem where individual verse criticisms get fixed in new editions without addressing systemic translation issues. Plus, everything will be free - because good scholarship shouldn't be locked behind paywalls. Mike's also shifting to quality-over-quantity content creation, prioritizing thorough research over YouTube's algorithm demands. Sometimes the best strategy is slowing down to go deeper. Check out his channel for the upcoming results and remember - good translation work requires both linguistic expertise and theological wisdom. ## ✅ Action Items #### DevRel - Developer advocacy: Create accessible bridges between expert knowledge and general practitioners - Education: Develop comprehensive evaluation methodologies that address systemic vs. isolated issues - Documentation: Maintain transparency about funding, methodology, and potential bias mitigation #### Community - Contributors: Establish clear criteria for expert participation and peer review processes - Ecosystem: Foster collaboration between academic institutions and public education initiatives - Sponsors: Ensure sustainable funding models for independent scholarly evaluation projects #### WordPress - Community: Apply similar multi-expert evaluation approaches to plugin/theme quality assessment - Documentation: Create comprehensive evaluation frameworks that can't be gamed by surface-level fixes - Training: Develop educational content that bridges technical expertise with practical implementation ## 🧪 Hypotheses 1. **Multi-expert evaluation prevents gaming**: Having multiple credentialed scholars analyze different sections will reveal systemic issues that can't be addressed by fixing isolated examples cited in previous critiques. 2. **Quality-over-quantity content strategy improves long-term impact**: Reducing upload frequency to allow deeper research will produce more valuable, lasting educational content despite short-term algorithm penalties. 3. **Free access increases legitimate critique adoption**: Making scholarly evaluations freely available removes financial barriers to accessing credible biblical translation assessment. 4. **Specialized expertise per book improves accuracy**: Assigning scholars to books matching their specific expertise areas will produce more nuanced, accurate evaluations than generalist approaches. ### 📊 Methodology - Comparative analysis tracking citation patterns of free vs. paid scholarly resources - Content engagement metrics comparing rushed vs. thoroughly researched videos over 12-month periods - Survey biblical studies professors on most effective formats for public biblical education - A/B testing different expert presentation formats (papers vs. video interviews vs. combined approaches) ### ❓ Questions - How do financial models for independent scholarly evaluation compare to traditional academic publishing in terms of reach and impact? - What evaluation frameworks best distinguish between translation philosophy differences vs. objective translation errors? - How can content creators balance algorithm optimization with educational depth requirements? - What safeguards prevent expert evaluation projects from becoming echo chambers? ### 🔮 Future Research - Development of standardized biblical translation evaluation criteria across denominational lines - Analysis of how free vs. paid access affects scholarly credibility perceptions - Study of optimal expert-to-public communication strategies for complex theological topics - Investigation of sustainable funding models for independent religious scholarship ### 💡 Implications **Educational:** This model could be applied to other contested religious or academic topics where expert evaluation is needed but often inaccessible to general audiences. The free access component democratizes scholarly evaluation. **Content Creation:** Demonstrates viability of quality-over-quantity approaches in algorithm-driven platforms, potentially influencing how educators approach online content strategy. **Religious Publishing:** May pressure translation publishers toward greater transparency about methodology and responsiveness to legitimate scholarly critique. **Funding:** Shows potential for platform-enabled independent scholarship that serves public education rather than institutional requirements. ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment **Reading level estimate:** Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 9.2 - appropriate for general Christian audience while maintaining academic credibility. #### 👀 Visual learners - Present: Clear organizational structure, numbered expert assignments, comparative charts of translation approaches - Improve: Timeline visualization of project phases, infographic showing translation evaluation criteria, before/after comparison diagrams #### 🔊 Aural learners - Present: Live stream format, planned video interviews with scholars, verbal Q&A interaction - Improve: Audio-only versions of scholar interviews, podcast format options #### 🗣️ Verbal learners - Present: Extensive definitions of translation terminology, clear explanations of scholarly credentials, analogical explanations - Improve: Glossary of technical terms, expanded analogies for complex concepts #### 🧩 Kinesthetic learners - Present: Interactive Q&A session, step-by-step project timeline, actionable evaluation criteria - Improve: Hands-on translation comparison exercises, downloadable evaluation checklists #### 🧠 Logical learners - Present: Systematic methodology, clear cause-effect relationships, structured expert assignments - Improve: Decision trees for translation evaluation, logical frameworks for assessing competing claims #### 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Social learners - Present: Live chat interaction, community Q&A, collaborative expert approach - Improve: Discussion guides for small groups, moderated community forums for project results #### 🧘‍♀️ Solitary learners - Present: Individual paper access, self-directed research components, personal study applications - Improve: Self-assessment quizzes, individual reflection prompts, downloadable study guides ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment #### Screen reader semantics - Present: Clear heading structure, descriptive video titles, structured Q&A format - Improve: Alt text for any visual elements, transcript availability, ARIA labels for interactive elements #### Keyboard navigation - Present: Standard YouTube player controls, text-based content access - Improve: Skip links for lengthy content sections, keyboard shortcuts documentation #### Contrast and readability - Present: Standard video platform contrast ratios - Improve: High-contrast transcript options, adjustable text sizing for supplementary materials #### Media and captions - Present: YouTube automatic captions available - Improve: Professional transcript editing, speaker identification in captions, downloadable transcripts ### 🌍 DEIB Assessment #### Cultural breadth - Present: Acknowledgment of denominational differences, multiple expert perspectives - Improve: Include international scholars, address cross-cultural translation challenges #### Inclusive language - Present: Respectful disagreement modeling, avoiding inflammatory rhetoric about translation differences - Improve: Cultural sensitivity training for discussing religious differences, expanded glossary for non-Christian audiences #### Representation - Present: Multiple academic institutions represented, variety of scholarly expertise - Improve: Gender and ethnic diversity among expert contributors, accessibility for different economic backgrounds through free access ### ✅ Logical Validity #### Strong reasoning - **Systematic approach over anecdotal**: Using multiple experts prevents cherry-picking bias by addressing entire books rather than isolated verses. This creates comprehensive evaluation resistant to superficial fixes. - **Expertise matching**: Assigning scholars to books matching their specializations increases accuracy and credibility of evaluations. - **Free access strategy**: Removing financial barriers increases legitimate critique adoption and prevents accusations of profit motivation. #### Fallacies - **Potential appeal to authority**: While expert credentials matter, the argument strength should focus on methodology and evidence rather than merely citing scholar reputations. - **False dichotomy risk**: Framing as "good vs. bad" translation rather than acknowledging legitimate translation philosophy differences alongside objective errors. #### Tone of voice Enthusiastic but measured, showing passion for the project while maintaining respect for opposing viewpoints. Professional yet accessible, bridging academic credibility with popular communication. ### 🛡️ DARVO Analysis No significant DARVO patterns detected. Winger acknowledges potential bias accusations and proactively addresses them through methodology (multiple experts, free access, unfiltered presentation). Maintains charitable tone toward Brian Simmons while critiquing the work. ## 🎯 Conclusion Mike Winger's passion project represents a innovative approach to biblical scholarship accessibility, combining credentialed expertise with public education. By hiring multiple specialists to evaluate the Passion Translation comprehensively, he addresses limitations of previous piecemeal critiques while maintaining scholarly rigor. The simultaneous shift toward quality-focused content creation reflects broader tensions between algorithm optimization and educational depth. His willingness to prioritize long-term impact over short-term metrics provides a model for educators navigating platform-driven content demands. The project's success will likely depend on maintaining objectivity while serving a clearly motivated purpose, balancing scholarly credibility with accessibility, and demonstrating sustainable funding models for independent religious scholarship. For readers, this represents both a specific resource for biblical translation evaluation and a broader example of expert-public knowledge bridging in religious contexts. --- ## Full Transcript [00:00] all right everybody it is good I was [00:02] gonna say it's good to see you but I [00:03] don't see you but I know you're there [00:04] and you see me so it's good to know [00:06] you're there and it's been a little bit [00:09] since I've done a video I've several [00:10] important announcements to make or L two [00:13] important announcements to make I want [00:14] to tell you about my secret passion [00:15] project something I've been working on [00:16] for a little while I'm gonna continue to [00:18] work on it for a while before releasing [00:19] it to the public but I'm gonna announce [00:21] it today this is gonna be the big [00:22] announcement of what the passion project [00:24] is all about and I'm gonna tell you [00:26] about how I'm gonna shift my upload [00:27] schedule somewhat in the near future or [00:30] as of today so welcome to the Tuesday [00:33] livestream my name is Mike winger I'm a [00:35] pastor in Southern California I like to [00:37] help people learn how to think [00:38] biblically about everything my goal is [00:40] to not just tell you what to believe but [00:42] to try to walk you through why we [00:43] believe that why we ought to believe [00:45] that how does it work asking hard [00:47] questions about our theology and about [00:49] our apologetics in the Christian faith [00:50] so let me tell you what my passion [00:54] project those of you who follow me for a [00:56] while you know that I'm very I'm calling [00:59] this my passion project you'll get why [01:00] in a second I'm very passionate about [01:02] the passion translation the passion [01:05] translation is a new translation that [01:06] was put out by Brian Simmons he's these [01:08] he's the sole translator of the work [01:10] he's had some assistance from others but [01:12] it's like 99% his work and it's got a [01:16] lot of I think very serious issues with [01:18] it I think that it's got a lot of [01:20] problems with it which is why I've made [01:21] content I have video content on my like [01:23] three videos I think where I deal with [01:24] it in a lot of detail but it's not [01:27] enough you see this thing's selling [01:29] millions and millions of copies and [01:31] believers just a lot of the time are not [01:33] aware of how much it radically changes [01:36] the text of scripture and makes them [01:38] think that the Bible saying things that [01:40] it isn't saying in some places adding [01:42] theology into a text that doesn't belong [01:44] there and some places adding words [01:45] without alerting the readers that he's [01:47] added words or phrases into the the [01:50] Bible that are not there in the original [01:51] language in other cases saying that he's [01:53] appealing to the Aramaic supposedly [01:55] original Aramaic when there is no [01:57] original Aramaic that he can be [01:58] appealing to and so this becomes very [02:00] problematic but here's my problem [02:03] it came to my attention more I became [02:06] more alerted to the problem when I got [02:08] an email from a pastor and the pastor [02:09] emailed me saying hey we've watched your [02:12] videos on the passion translation and [02:13] I'm in dialog right now with the other [02:15] leaders of my church and we're trying to [02:16] figure out if we should use this [02:17] translation or not do you have any other [02:20] resources other than just you telling us [02:22] that it's a problematic translation and [02:24] the examples that you give and I'm like [02:26] I thought I gave some pretty good [02:28] examples man I thought I really did my [02:29] job I was careful I didn't overstate the [02:32] issues I'm not trying to blast Brian [02:35] Simmons the author or something like [02:36] that I'm trying to be as careful as [02:38] possible but I realized we need more we [02:40] need more and the problem is this that [02:43] scholars who have like the credentials [02:46] to look at a translation and say don't [02:49] use that guys these guys are not [02:50] generally paying attention to the [02:52] passion translation they're not [02:53] interacting with it they see it as just [02:54] this sort of weird kind of translation [02:57] they're not really giving it the time of [02:59] day but I by God's grace I'm in a [03:03] position where I can actually get the [03:06] attention of scholars because of the [03:07] platform God's God has given me online [03:09] because I can reach people large numbers [03:11] of people online I can create a bridge [03:13] between the scholarship and the normal [03:15] people so I figured if I could get [03:18] scholars to evaluate and produce a [03:21] significant number of papers dealing [03:24] with the passion translation then we can [03:26] help the people who are really heavy in [03:28] their thinking they want a deep analysis [03:30] of a translation and we can also help [03:32] those by popularizing it on my channel [03:33] who won't go that deep into the [03:35] literature but they want that grounding [03:38] in that foundation in their answer so if [03:40] I haven't confused you yet here's my [03:42] plan [03:42] my plan is to hire a number of [03:44] well-respected and I mean well-respected [03:47] scholars and to have them each evaluate [03:50] different books of the passion [03:51] translation they're going to each write [03:53] papers on their evaluations 5 page [03:56] papers on each of those books and then [03:59] I'm going to give you those papers for [04:00] free you won't have to pay anything [04:01] you'll be able to all host them on my [04:02] site or whatever and you can just read [04:04] them all totally free but that's not [04:06] enough in addition I'm going to do short [04:08] video interviews which each of these [04:09] scholars where they summarize they're as [04:12] objective as possible their conclusions [04:14] about the passion translation that [04:16] in one video where there's multiple [04:18] interviews from different scholars [04:19] dealing with different books in the [04:21] passion translation I think that is [04:23] going to be the kind of resource that [04:26] when someone gets it they go all my [04:28] questions are answered I don't need to [04:29] know anything else about this [04:30] translation I'm good to go I think [04:32] that's significant I also think it [04:34] because it's coming from different [04:35] scholars who all have credentials in [04:37] their field and they even specialize in [04:39] the books that I'm assigning to them to [04:40] do because it's coming from all these [04:42] different guys you can't think that it's [04:44] the bias of one individual because this [04:46] is the thing Brian Simmons in his circle [04:48] what they tend to do when he gets [04:50] criticism is they tend to think oh well [04:52] that guys that guys just got an axe to [04:54] grind against Brian that's the real [04:55] reason why he's coming into this [04:56] translation or that person is just not [04:58] spiritual they don't believe in the [04:59] gifts or something like that I mean I I [05:01] believe in the gifts so you can't apply [05:02] that to me but that is the accusation [05:04] that comes out so here's what I've done [05:06] I've got so far [05:07] onboard here's here's the public [05:08] announcement of it I have Craig Blomberg [05:09] mark Strauss Darrell Bock Trevor Longman [05:13] and the J Gupta and a couple in the [05:15] wings who haven't said yes yet but [05:16] they're thinking about it so I have it I [05:18] have so far five really well respected [05:21] scholars if you know scholarship at all [05:23] you guys you know these names right [05:24] these I'm just blessed that they've said [05:26] yes and they're gonna do this project [05:27] blomberg is doing first corinthians mark [05:30] Strauss is doing Luke enacts Darrell [05:32] Bock is doing Ephesians Trump for long [05:33] and is doing a Song of Solomon and he's [05:35] already written his paper and so his [05:37] Blomberg both of them I've read their [05:39] papers I won't share them with you [05:40] publicly yet but they did a good job and [05:43] I'm not controlling what they can say or [05:44] can't say I'm just asking them to [05:45] provide their scholarship and I'm gonna [05:47] prevent present it to you unfiltered so [05:51] that's this is pretty cool because of [05:55] the ministry guys give me because the [05:56] platform is giving me I'm able to [05:57] actually and maybe I'll do this in the [05:59] future with other projects I can [06:00] actually pick a topic that's under [06:02] addressed with scholarship and actually [06:03] hire some scholars to address the topic [06:05] and break it down in a way that's [06:07] accessible to the normal person because [06:09] I love that I love when the bridge is [06:11] built between that scholarship and your [06:13] your normal person so that's that's my [06:15] passion project I'm hoping to have it [06:16] done in June or early July I've given [06:19] the scholars till the end of June to [06:20] finish their papers then I have to [06:22] record their interviews and then you [06:24] know pull the video together and put all [06:26] the papers up and just make sure [06:27] everything's working right so this has [06:29] been like a [06:30] project I've been working on here and [06:31] there I'm gonna continue working on it [06:32] and I'm excited about the end result [06:36] here's another reason why we want to do [06:38] it this way the the few scholars and I [06:41] mean there's only like two or three who [06:43] have even mentioned anything about the [06:44] passion translation in sort of in [06:46] official capacity and they've all [06:47] critiqued it pretty heavily they've all [06:49] said some pretty negative things about [06:50] it but generally what happens is and I'm [06:53] just going to be shoot straight with you [06:54] guys Brian Simmons the author the pastor [06:56] translation he'll go and he'll change [06:58] he'll change the translation so that it [07:00] can dodge the criticism of the scholars [07:01] but why do I call it a dodge because [07:04] let's say that they say look the pastor [07:06] translation has a million problems [07:07] here's three examples and they offer [07:10] three examples he'll change the three [07:11] examples but he won't change the problem [07:13] throughout the translation so this means [07:15] that an individual paper presented by [07:17] someone who's in the know it just it [07:19] misses the mark because six months later [07:21] there's a new addition to the passion [07:22] out and it doesn't have those three [07:23] verses that he used but by having [07:25] scholars analyze multiple different [07:27] books showing that there's not just a [07:30] few weird verses but there are pervasive [07:32] problems with the translation that's [07:35] that's going to get the job done I think [07:37] so that's that's my plan with the the [07:40] passion translation icy rock and roll's [07:42] like how many how much coffee did you [07:43] drink today not enough but I'm about to [07:46] fix that hold on now it's still not [07:49] enough off to off to work on that so I'm [07:51] excited about this and I wear my [07:54] excitement on my sleeves that's the way [07:55] that's the kind of person I am now then [07:58] the other thing I want to announce is [08:00] that oh it by the way all of the papers [08:02] all of the video stuff it's all gonna be [08:04] free it's all gonna be free the people [08:05] who support my ministry and and I'm not [08:08] appealing for more support God's [08:09] providing and thank you so much for [08:11] those who are making this ministry [08:13] happen that that enables me to produce [08:16] free content and that's my goal all the [08:18] content I produces is available without [08:19] cost now the next thing I want to [08:22] announce it before I go to your [08:23] questions because I'm doing your [08:24] questions today you guys can go and put [08:25] them in the live chat make sure to put a [08:27] capital Q and Sarah Zimmerman is gonna [08:29] gather your questions and I will try to [08:31] answer several of them today although it [08:33] may not be quite as long the stream as [08:35] you're used to [08:36] the second thing I wanna announce is [08:38] sort of a content strategy for how I'm [08:41] producing content online in the past I [08:43] felt like I had to produce two videos or [08:47] more a week - preferably three a week [08:49] and part of the reason for that is [08:51] because I just want to get content out [08:52] right I want to get content out that [08:54] would bless people that would help [08:54] people that would help them learn how to [08:56] think biblically about everything [08:57] address tough issues in a thorough way [08:59] but another one of the reasons for [09:01] producing content at a certain rate is [09:03] because I'm trying to take advantage of [09:04] the algorithm online and with YouTube it [09:07] helps to produce content pretty quickly [09:09] - frequently put out content now there's [09:13] a downside to that and the downside is [09:15] that sometimes I'm dealing with topics [09:16] that are really complicated and I want [09:20] to study a lot more before I bring you a [09:22] teaching on the issue but because I have [09:24] this deadline every week these two [09:26] videos and they're not just random [09:28] little videos there are two significant [09:30] teaching videos a week because of that [09:32] deadline sometimes I'm producing content [09:34] and I feel man I wish I had more time to [09:36] prepare this I could have made it better [09:37] I could have made it help more people in [09:39] the long run I could have by reducing [09:41] the quantity of content I could have [09:43] increased the quality of the content and [09:45] thereby increasing the long term [09:46] ministry impact of the content well I [09:50] think I'm going to be shifting towards [09:51] doing that and part of it is because [09:53] there's these big projects that I've [09:55] wanted to do forever that I'm just [09:56] having a hard time finding the ability [09:59] to study for these big projects with the [10:02] schedule the way it is case in point [10:05] I'm studying right now for a long very [10:07] careful teaching on marriage divorce and [10:10] remarriage this study is complicated [10:13] this is an issue where there's a lot of [10:15] scholarship written on it there's a lot [10:17] of books written on it and I am so like [10:20] in fear that I would teach and get it [10:25] wrong in some way and thereby harm [10:27] somebody in their real life because this [10:29] hits real life more than most issues do [10:31] marriage and divorce and remarriage and [10:32] so I've given myself the time to just [10:35] slow down with how much content I'm [10:37] producing to allow myself to read book [10:39] after book an article after article and [10:41] study the passage again and again a [10:42] third and a fourth and a fifth time and [10:44] look at these different issues very [10:46] carefully and thoughtfully [10:47] and I am personally blessed I enjoy it I [10:50] enjoy getting to slowly move through and [10:52] thoroughly cover such a complicated [10:54] issue and it is complicated you might [10:55] not think it but there's so much stuff [10:57] on it and I'm getting into this stuff [11:00] and I'm going mad when I do finally get [11:02] to teach this hopefully soon here it's [11:04] gonna be that much better and and more [11:06] thorough of a teaching that helps people [11:07] more and the long term blessing and [11:10] Ministry of that video is gonna be much [11:13] higher than if I had rushed it out a [11:15] week and a half or two weeks ago when I [11:16] originally wanted to teach the topic and [11:19] as I think about the list of topics that [11:21] I often want to do I'm frequently saying [11:23] no to issues because I don't have time [11:25] to study before the next video is like [11:27] do so for my constant rata G online I'm [11:30] gonna I'm gonna go to an to a loose [11:33] upload schedule which means I don't know [11:35] when my next video will be because I [11:37] want to spend more time preparing it [11:39] I'll prepare it and I'll put it up when [11:41] it's ready and I'll allow myself time to [11:43] study things carefully fully thoroughly [11:46] vet at issues and then finally come out [11:48] with a teaching that I can really feel [11:50] good about for your life I've really [11:51] represented the Lord and represented the [11:53] word well and then I think we'll have a [11:54] much better impact in the long term in [11:57] the meantime if you're thinking Mike [11:58] you're not making enough content I want [11:59] to see your stuff I just want to [12:01] encourage you I've got over 300 videos [12:03] online at this point I feel like I've [12:05] reached a good point to say look here's [12:07] a massive library of back content that [12:10] you could go back and listen to and you [12:11] know you could listen to my stuff more [12:13] than once and I I jam packed so much [12:16] stuff into one teaching that hopefully [12:18] you could find benefit in hearing it [12:20] more than once I think that you can not [12:23] to mention I'm not the only guy out [12:24] there who you can listen to so this is [12:26] my current plan I'm interested in your [12:28] feedback how you think this affects you [12:29] this means that I I'm not gonna promise [12:31] that'll have a weekly live stream every [12:32] Tuesday or that I'll have a new series [12:34] in mark every week I'm just gonna slow [12:36] down and and fully prepare things now [12:39] some weeks it'll mean that I put out two [12:41] videos in a week because the issue I'm [12:42] covering is much easier and I can [12:44] prepare it and get it out other times it [12:46] might mean there's some in determined [12:48] period of time while I'm just sort of [12:49] hitting the books really studying things [12:51] thoroughly so this is this is my agenda [12:54] moving forward I feel very good about it [12:56] I think that long short term ministry [12:59] wise it'll hurt my youtube channel it'll [13:00] hurt the [13:01] reviews I get it'll hurt the amount of [13:03] growth that I can have in a short period [13:06] of time but long-term ministry wise I'm [13:09] producing content that I intend to have [13:11] an impact in people's eyes for years to [13:12] come [13:13] I wanted to bless you in 5 years in 10 [13:15] years in 15 years I don't just want it [13:16] to get you through this week that makes [13:18] sense [13:18] they're both valuable things but I think [13:21] I think I know what my gifting is and my [13:23] calling is in this regard so let's see [13:27] here Sarah when you have a chance send [13:30] me over some of the first questions [13:31] you've got I'm just about ready to start [13:32] answering those yeah that that's my [13:35] intention in the meantime I am [13:39] continuing to finish up and polish off [13:42] the this study on marriage divorce and [13:43] remarriage in the Bible I've been [13:46] covering issues like Talmudic debates on [13:49] the between the hill alight school and [13:51] the chamois night school of these just [13:53] Jewish debates in the first century [13:55] about marriage and when it was okay to [13:58] get a divorce and the issue of [14:00] remarriage there's like weird things you [14:02] just don't know when you're reading the [14:03] Bible like Roman and Jewish law actually [14:05] required divorce in the case of adultery [14:07] whereas Jesus seemed to imply that it [14:09] wasn't necessary even though it was [14:10] permitted and there's a big difference [14:12] that goes on there reading you know what [14:15] what Paul writes in 1st Corinthians 7 [14:17] about divorce and in Romans chapter 7 [14:19] the the debate over Exodus 21 has some [14:23] interesting stuff about divorce in it [14:25] and almost nobody even talks about it [14:27] and so these are some of the some of the [14:29] things that we're covering yeah so I [14:32] appreciate that I see Tiffany says [14:33] sounds good Mike we need good talk [14:34] kontin it's worth the wait and I hope so [14:37] that is that's you know what that's my [14:39] vibe as well I know I know and I don't [14:42] know if you noticed you probably do but [14:43] I know when I produce videos in content [14:45] and I go man if I'd only had three more [14:48] days to just marinate and sit and [14:50] prepare and study and vet all that stuff [14:52] I could have I could have covered more I [14:53] could have covered it better and I think [14:55] I don't want to look back five ten years [14:57] from now and think I just did that a [14:59] hundred times [15:01] yeah all right so we have some questions [15:03] this is from Chris Herndon who says what [15:07] is your view on the death penalty as [15:09] capital punishment still valid today [15:11] some think the sword is just Authority [15:14] thank you for your ministry okay so my [15:18] view on the death penalty starts in the [15:20] Old Testament and what we notice on the [15:24] death penalty in particular is that when [15:26] God gave them the first mention of the [15:29] death penalty he mentions it in the [15:31] affirmative in the in the affirmative [15:32] sense in which if somebody commits [15:34] murder then they will be killed they [15:36] will get the death penalty and so let me [15:39] let me find the text for you it's in [15:42] Genesis chapter 9 and we can learn [15:43] something from it because in Genesis 9 [15:46] when the death penalty's mentioned it's [15:49] before the law of Moses that the death [15:52] penalty is being mentioned to Noah and [15:54] his descendant his descendants which [15:56] means that this is like divine [15:57] permission for the death penalty that [16:00] goes across mankind in fact it even [16:02] sounds like a responsibility of [16:04] governments to and this is what it [16:06] sounds like to me to enforce the death [16:07] penalty specifically in the case of [16:09] murder so here we go um God says to Noah [16:15] and his descendants every moving thing [16:16] that lives shall be food for you as I [16:18] gave you the green plants I give you [16:20] everything but you shall not eat flesh [16:22] with its life that is its blood and for [16:24] your life blood for your life blood I [16:27] will require a reckoning from every [16:28] beast I will require it in from man from [16:31] his fellow man I will require a [16:32] reckoning for the life of man now this [16:34] is the phrase here that I want to [16:35] highlight God says like I'll require a [16:37] reckoning but he requires it from his [16:40] fellow man meaning that it's society's [16:42] command or task to enact the death [16:45] penalty it's there that the fellow man [16:48] is the one who's supposed to take the [16:49] life of the murderer then it says here [16:52] in verse 6 whoever sheds the blood of [16:54] man by man shall his blood be shed for [16:57] God made man in his own image and it [17:00] gives us not only what will happen but [17:01] it gives us the reason for it so whoever [17:03] sheds the blood of man that's the [17:05] murderer by man shall his blood be shed [17:07] so human society is is to is to enact [17:10] the death penalty and then it gives the [17:12] reason why because God made man in his [17:13] own [17:14] man being in the image of God killing a [17:17] man is a strike against God in his very [17:20] image and it's a huge issue with God [17:23] such that he actually considers a [17:25] society in a sense guilty if they don't [17:28] take care of the murderer in this case [17:31] that to me is a straightforward reading [17:33] of Genesis 9 and it predates the law of [17:35] Moses this is no aook it's not mosaic it [17:40] comes to Noah and his descendants now [17:42] later we see the law of Moses also gives [17:44] the death penalty and we're not under [17:46] the law of Moses so we don't think that [17:48] we are supposed to take that law and [17:49] translate it into all of society in that [17:51] in that straightforward since there's [17:53] applications and there's principles but [17:55] we don't have to do that now the other [17:59] verse that you did mention so I think in [18:01] general this is a simple answer yes the [18:02] death penalty is appropriate now that [18:04] this I'll go to Roman's in a moment [18:06] which is the other verse that you [18:07] mentioned but the the the next [18:12] discussion that we often have in our [18:13] culture is what about when someone's not [18:14] really guilty what if someone's falsely [18:16] accused of committing murder and here [18:18] you know we have to have guaranteed [18:21] guilt you can't just I think they [18:23] probably did it right that there needs [18:25] to be a justice there but it seems to me [18:26] the death penalty is entirely correct if [18:28] the man actually committed the murder [18:30] right if it's a straightforward he [18:32] committed a murder [18:33] then there's the death penalty it's [18:35] different if it's manslaughter it's [18:37] different if it's self-defense that's a [18:39] whole different scenario now in Romans [18:42] 13 it says let every person be subject [18:45] to the governing authorities for there's [18:47] no authority except from God and those [18:49] that exist have been instituted by God [18:51] therefore whoever resists the [18:52] authorities resists what God has [18:54] appointed and those who resist will [18:55] incur judgment for rulers are not a [18:57] terror to good conduct but to bad [19:01] would you have no fear of the one who's [19:03] an authority then do what is good and [19:05] you will receive his approval for he is [19:07] God's servant for your good but if you [19:10] do wrong be afraid for he does not bear [19:11] the sword in vain so the question you [19:15] had the second question you asked was is [19:18] this phrase the sword referring perhaps [19:21] to just like Authority in general and [19:23] not the death penalty and I think I [19:25] agree with you here I agree with it it [19:27] refers to Authority in general the [19:29] government bears the sword meaning it [19:30] can enact painful penalties upon you it [19:34] has an authority in your life and so [19:36] don't do what's wrong you know that it [19:39] goes on to say that the government is [19:40] God's servant right an Avenger who [19:42] carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer [19:44] so while I agree the sword is a general [19:47] concept of authority I think that under [19:50] that umbrella of the sword is also the [19:53] death penalty in some cases [19:55] this doesn't mean governments always [19:56] right doesn't mean government enacts the [19:58] penalty correctly but it does mean that [20:00] government has a a a mandate from God to [20:03] to bring justice and righteousness and [20:06] equity into the lives of the governed of [20:09] the people so yeah not a popular view in [20:12] our culture today but I don't I don't [20:14] know rationally why it's not popular I [20:16] understand it's not popular but it makes [20:18] sense seems biblical and it seems [20:20] entirely appropriate to me [20:23] brother love has a question oh wait hold [20:27] on I'll come right back - brother love [20:28] blaze Cazares says how many times was [20:32] Jesus anointed during the during the [20:34] week of the third Passover there seems [20:37] to be a difference with the anointing of [20:39] Bethany when comparing the Synoptics to [20:41] John synoptic Gospels - the Gospel of [20:44] John blaze I'm not I'm not sure off the [20:47] top of my head that I can answer that [20:48] question I'll come back to the normal [20:50] screen here I don't know I don't know [20:52] the answer to that question for sure I I [20:54] would I mean in my off the top my head I [20:55] say it was one but when's the last time [20:57] I looked in this and carefully thought [20:59] about it I don't know sorry about about [21:01] that I thought I can't help can't give [21:02] you a better answer brother love says [21:04] looking at Colossians 3:25 in 2nd [21:07] Corinthians 5:10 we'll saved Christians [21:09] who endure to the end be punished on [21:11] Judgment Day ok let's look at those [21:15] verses this has to do with what happens [21:17] to Christians on Judgment Day and you [21:19] have two verses in particular Colossians [21:23] 325 that says for the wrongdoer will be [21:26] paid back for the wrong he has done and [21:27] there is no partiality let me back up a [21:32] little bit this is in context of of [21:37] servants and masters and employees and [21:39] employers that kind of context right it [21:41] says bawd servants obey and everything [21:43] those who are your earthly masters not [21:44] by way of I service as people pleasers [21:46] but with sincerity of heart fearing the [21:48] Lord whatever you do work heartily as [21:50] for the Lord and not for men knowing [21:52] that from the Lord you will receive the [21:54] inheritance as your reward and so then [21:56] the future for us is this inheritance [21:59] and that inheritance is is heaven in [22:02] Earth's we inherit all things with [22:03] Christ then it goes on to say you are [22:06] serving the Lord Christ for the [22:08] wrongdoer will be paid back for the [22:09] wrong he has done and there is no [22:10] partiality so the the believer is to [22:14] receive an inheritance and here I think [22:15] the wrongdoer is referring not to [22:18] Christian wrongdoers in particular but [22:20] just wrongdoers in the world in general [22:21] and they will receive judgment without [22:23] partiality so that that verse I think is [22:26] talking about a non-believers judgment [22:28] in verse 25 that's my reading of it as [22:31] my understanding now the other verse I [22:33] think was first Corinthians [22:34] that does talk about a believers [22:36] judgment 2nd Corinthians 5:10 it says [22:43] for we all must appear before the [22:44] judgment seat of Christ so that each one [22:46] may receive what is due for what he has [22:47] done in the body whether good or evil [22:50] now that implies that there's something [22:54] I receive what is due I receive what is [22:58] due potentially something evil I've done [23:02] bad things like I receive bad things [23:05] this is talking about our judgment [23:08] before the the judgment seat of Christ [23:09] now in my opinion the the way that this [23:14] works for believers is different than [23:15] non-believers so the punishment for it [23:18] for a non-christian when they stand [23:20] before God is perfect justice for their [23:22] sin that is an exact and equal [23:26] punishment measured out into the person [23:28] for their sins though the the reason [23:31] this doesn't make sense for Christians [23:32] is if I was to receive that punishment [23:34] for my sin I would go to hell like I [23:36] would be apart from God for all eternity [23:37] but because I'm in Christ I see that [23:40] Christ has received the punishment for [23:42] my sin and there are no longer remains [23:44] any punishment or a sacrifice other than [23:46] Jesus for that matter so what could this [23:48] thing that I receive be I'm receiving [23:53] something in the body for what I've done [23:54] in the body rather I receive what is due [23:56] for for what I've done in the body [23:58] whether good or evil and I think that [24:00] has to do with another passage that is [24:02] often used to relate to a purgatory [24:09] see if I can find the exact verse first [24:12] Corinthians 3:15 [24:17] okay this is talking about a believers [24:19] judgment I'm gonna connect this to [24:20] second Corinthians I think these are [24:21] talking about the same kind of thing and [24:22] I'll back it up a little bit to give us [24:24] some more details [24:25] okay Paul's talking in this context [24:28] about how him and other people are [24:31] workers and doing ministry they're like [24:34] they're like farmers doing ministry and [24:35] the people they minister to are like [24:36] God's field and that one day God will [24:39] come and judge their works whether they [24:42] did good work for the Lord or bad work [24:45] for the Lord and here he goes on with [24:47] this analogy in verse 10 he says [24:48] according to the grace of God given to [24:50] me like a skilled master builder I laid [24:52] a foundation and someone else built is [24:54] building upon it let each one take care [24:56] how he builds upon it for no one can lay [24:59] a foundation other than that which is [25:01] laid which is Jesus Christ now if anyone [25:04] builds on the foundation with gold [25:05] silver precious stones wood hay straw [25:08] each one's work will become manifest for [25:11] the day well to close it disclose it [25:12] because it will be revealed by fire now [25:16] let me let me show you what's being [25:18] revealed what's being revealed is by [25:21] analogy the the kind of service you [25:23] brought to Jesus did you build with gold [25:25] which is really primo you serve Jesus [25:28] the best you could with silver which is [25:30] good not as good as gold but it's very [25:32] good is it precious stones which are [25:34] very highly in value high and valuable [25:36] so these first three are our good [25:39] service to the Lord I I've had pure [25:41] ministry I administered in love I [25:42] ministered the truth of the gospel I [25:44] ministered biblical truth to people and [25:46] I I really glorify the name of Christ in [25:49] their lives but the next three are bad [25:51] wood hay and straw well you want gold [25:54] silver and precious stones or wood you [25:55] like wood hay and straw these are the [25:56] three bad things this is people who were [25:58] true Christians who were just doing bad [26:00] work for the kingdom they're just not [26:02] serving God well with their lives [26:03] then in verse 13 he talks about what [26:06] will happen when these either good works [26:08] are not good works when they're judged [26:10] each one's work will become manifest for [26:12] the day will disclose it because it will [26:13] be revealed by fire and the fire will [26:15] test what sort of work each has done so [26:18] there's fire now fires gonna burn up [26:20] wood hay and straw but fire won't burn [26:22] up gold silver and precious stones and [26:24] this is the judgment we receive as [26:26] believers I stand before the Lord and [26:28] for that which I did [26:30] which was in service to God which was [26:31] pure it's like it goes through this [26:33] testing of fire and it remains and it's [26:35] like treasures in heaven ways I can say [26:37] look I honoured you Lord but the wood [26:39] hay straw the ways I in which I [26:41] compromised in my walk I compromised in [26:43] my service to God I built with wood hay [26:45] straw it's burned up and it's gone but [26:48] what happens to me right that's that [26:50] that's the work being tested not the [26:51] person being tested that's the it will [26:54] be revealed by fire that's the work not [26:57] me what happens to the person that's in [26:59] verse 14 if the work that anyone has [27:01] built on the foundation survives he will [27:03] receive a reward if anyone's work is [27:05] burned up he will suffer loss and he [27:08] will suffer a loss like you get no [27:09] benefit there's no treasure in heaven [27:11] for the work you did for the kingdom [27:12] because it wasn't really for the king it [27:14] wasn't really honoring to Christ but [27:16] right he himself will be saved but only [27:20] as through fire now some try to say this [27:23] is about purgatory actually I'm a video [27:24] on this topic and how literally a whole [27:26] video on how this verse is not talking [27:27] about purgatory you can you can look [27:29] that up if you type mic when you're in [27:30] purgatory to probably come up but but [27:34] the man is not saved because he went [27:36] through a fire as if the fire saved no [27:39] he's he's he's saved he's fine but it's [27:43] as though there was a fire that burned [27:45] up all of his stuff so he enters into [27:48] heaven no rewards no rewards that's the [27:51] idea so what did the first passage talk [27:54] about when it was saying believers will [27:56] receive what is due I think it means [27:58] they'll have the loss of all the labors [28:00] that they had they'll have no treasures [28:01] in heaven for the service they did to [28:03] the king [28:05] I think that that's my understanding of [28:07] it so it's a good reminder to us as [28:10] believers if you were tested right now [28:12] today how much of your work would be [28:14] gold silver precious stones and how much [28:16] it would be wood hay stubble am I really [28:17] serving the king Jesus with my life is [28:20] my heart really all about him or have I [28:21] gotten in the habit of living a [28:23] different kind of life and one day I'll [28:25] find that there was no fruit in it but [28:27] I'm still saved my salvation is secure [28:29] in Christ but there was no fruit in my [28:31] life and for those who love Jesus we [28:33] don't want to live like that black [28:35] Tuesday films has a question as a young [28:38] Christian how do I deal with worry of [28:40] death I think that that I would say [28:44] that's a thing that young Christians and [28:45] older Christians have to deal with and [28:47] everybody has to deal with is a worry of [28:49] death I think this is the heart of the [28:52] gospel I mean the very center and core [28:54] and heart of the gospel of Christ is [28:56] salvation from death if Jesus rose from [28:59] the dead I have nothing to fear in death [29:03] that's the end of the story for me [29:05] that's that's the conclusion his tomb [29:07] was empty because I will be resurrected [29:10] - he's he's alive I'll be alive you know [29:13] any man who believes in him though he [29:15] died yet he shall live that my salvation [29:18] just is salvation from death and [29:21] judgment and penalty of my sin it's [29:25] salvation from all of those things so [29:27] that Christianity is itself the solution [29:30] to death and it's the only solution [29:31] I don't know anybody anything else and I [29:34] remember being at a funeral one time [29:37] there was a funeral for an atheist and [29:39] it was it was a sad affair they were [29:41] very careful because they didn't want [29:43] any religious feeling stuff at the [29:46] funeral service but they didn't have [29:48] anything comforting to say and so it was [29:51] I was there [29:53] releasing doves I you so release doves [29:55] if funeral is a side job I have all [29:56] those doing ministry I've had lots of [29:57] side jobs and they wanted the doves to [30:01] be released and they and they read a [30:02] poem and the poem was it was it was [30:04] painful and I was just praying for the [30:06] people I'm not judging him I feel bad I [30:07] want them to have the hope that we have [30:09] in Christ but it was just so sad to see [30:12] how empty it was and how there was no [30:14] real tangible hope there were just [30:16] cliches and as much as people try to [30:19] sometimes mock Christians for having [30:21] these like Christian cliches the crazy [30:23] thing about Christian cliches is they're [30:25] actually true they're not cliches you [30:28] can say like a cliche but that's that's [30:30] you you're the one that's that's empty [30:31] that's a cliche the truth of [30:33] Christianity that don't worry they've [30:36] only gone to be with the Lord [30:37] don't worry they've they've died but [30:39] we'll see them again like these things [30:40] are actually true on Christianity but [30:43] but apart from Christ I don't know what [30:45] hope people have so I think you should [30:47] get back into the gospel you should [30:49] remind yourself of the hope you have in [30:51] Christ you should read up on the lives [30:54] of faithful Saints maybe read the [30:56] biographies of faithful Saints look [30:58] again at this at the account of the [30:59] death and resurrection of Christ and [31:01] know that just like the disciples and [31:02] everybody were hopeless and fearful that [31:05] you may feel that way looking at death [31:06] but Jesus's resurrection changed their [31:08] attitude and it should change yours as [31:10] well Solomon Dalberg says have you [31:14] watched David parson on the subject of [31:16] marriage and divorce I think he would be [31:17] a good resource I have not watched David [31:21] parson on that I've looked at lots of [31:24] guys a lot of different people and [31:26] especially I've been looking for sort of [31:29] the more theological minded writers who [31:33] have interacted written books on the [31:36] topic published papers on the topic I've [31:38] been looking at those guys a lot so but [31:40] I'll look into David Poston as well [31:43] Nickolas Yocum says hi Mike awesome work [31:46] in American gospel oh thanks thanks [31:47] Nicholas you know I I was very honored [31:50] and surprised to be asked to be part of [31:52] American gospel the the second film that [31:54] they did I liked the first film I [31:56] thought it was largely wonderful and the [32:00] second film I was a little surprised by [32:02] how strong the Calvinist message came [32:04] across in the film I was surprised by [32:06] that [32:06] I didn't think that that was gonna be [32:08] the case when we were recording it and [32:10] I'm not a Calvin so but I think that the [32:13] film has a lot to offer there's a lot of [32:15] good value in it and it interacts with [32:16] popular snarky progressive Christianity [32:22] really well so I think that's good [32:24] now you said how do you handle a convo [32:26] with someone who believes to hear [32:28] directly from God says unbiblical things [32:31] and won't listen to biblical correction [32:33] well it's a little tough to answer that [32:35] kind of question Nicholas because I [32:37] don't really know the real details like [32:38] the nitty-gritty details of a [32:40] relationship like that but if if your [32:42] description is thorough that they they [32:45] believe they're hearing directly from [32:46] God yet the things they're saying or [32:49] unbiblical and they will not listen to [32:51] correction from the Bible I think that [32:53] you proper steps would be to go to them [32:57] with a leader with a godly leader who [32:59] can help you in already try to rebuke or [33:01] correct them would help you in that go [33:03] with a leader and then after that you [33:04] can distance yourself from that person [33:06] if they after multiple admonitions they [33:07] will not listen to you I don't know what [33:09] else to tell you beyond that Nicholas [33:11] that person is self will they can't be [33:14] corrected even by scripture they're [33:15] clearly not hearing from the Holy Spirit [33:16] if they're saying things that are [33:17] unbiblical and you might not spend the [33:20] rest of your life arguing with that [33:21] person but rather [33:23] pray for them and let them go forgive me [33:28] if that counsel doesn't apply to your [33:30] situation you know your situation better [33:31] than I do [33:31] just based off those three little lines [33:33] that's my thoughts Chantel Bert Berger [33:37] says I've been facing so much confusion [33:39] about my salvation can you do a [33:41] Christian a new Christian Q&A again soon [33:44] Chantel I'd be happy to do a new a new [33:47] believer Q&A again in the future [33:49] so watch for that on my channel I'll try [33:50] and make that a priority Anna Beshear [33:52] says do you disregard self-professed [33:55] profits or profit is's if they give one [33:58] prophecy which doesn't come to pass as [34:00] an Old Testament times or is it [34:02] different now also are unfaithful [34:04] prophets of the Old Testament the same [34:06] as New Agers now I'm not sure how to [34:08] answer the second question [34:09] unfaithful prophets of the Old Testament [34:11] the same as New Agers I don't know if I [34:14] can into that question Anna I'm sorry [34:15] but your first question is a real puzzle [34:17] for me as well okay under the Old [34:20] Testament if a prophet came and he [34:22] announced that something was gonna [34:23] happen and it didn't happen it says you [34:26] shall not fear him anymore like you just [34:28] you don't fear him don't don't worry [34:30] about what that guy says anymore you can [34:31] you can scratch them off your list as [34:33] someone who speaks for the Lord [34:35] now in New Testament times we have [34:40] prophecy going on we have a gibbous he [34:42] offers a prophecy we have different [34:43] prophecies but there's and there's and [34:48] there's no example the New Testament of [34:50] a failed prophet although some say a [34:51] gibbous failed I think that this is [34:53] pathetically bad Bible study no he [34:55] didn't fail but you just wish he did in [34:57] some cases and some guys no I'm talking [34:59] about but but there are times nowadays [35:02] transfer transport yourself to the [35:03] present day where someone says I'm [35:06] speaking in the name of the Lord and [35:08] nothing nothing they say happens they [35:11] get one wrong they get two wrong they [35:12] get three wrong then they get maybe one [35:13] right what are we supposed to do with [35:15] that person now my person my personal [35:18] position is I do not fear them if you [35:21] get one wrong I don't I don't trust your [35:24] discernment that you're hearing from God [35:25] I don't know how else to do this could [35:27] play this game I just don't know how [35:29] else to do it now it doesn't mean that I [35:31] care for go and say you are you're a [35:32] false prophet you are therefore a [35:35] heretic who deserves to be rejected in [35:37] every way I give some leeway to a [35:39] believer who thinks the Holy Spirit is [35:40] speaking to them but they've instead [35:42] tuned into their own heart and then they [35:44] just can be corrected and learned from [35:45] it if they do it consecutively than then [35:47] I may actually take stronger stance [35:49] against them but yeah if I'll tell you a [35:52] story a friend of mine was part of an [35:55] Assemblies of God Church and he had a [35:58] visiting prophetess in their circle this [36:01] one was considered a prophetess and she [36:03] was you know had music playing and she [36:05] was going around the room and she was [36:06] offering like words of prophecy from God [36:08] so to speak or so so she claimed to [36:11] different people in the room and she [36:13] came across one couple now she didn't [36:15] know they were a couple she doesn't know [36:15] these people she's never seen him before [36:17] but what she sees is she sees a black [36:19] man and he's standing there holding a [36:21] white baby and so she turns to the man [36:23] and she says to him this is a true story [36:26] my buddy was there she says to him one [36:29] day you will have a child of your own [36:31] God is telling me one day you'll have a [36:33] child of your own now what she didn't [36:35] know but what everybody else in the room [36:37] knew was that that man was the father of [36:40] that baby he just had a white wife and [36:42] the baby was more white lay [36:44] it just didn't look like him but that [36:47] was his baby biologically and what [36:52] happened next is what shocked me because [36:54] what do you think is the right thing for [36:55] a pastor to do in that scenario here's [36:57] my thought [36:57] now I've had time to think about it [36:58] maybe in the in the moment you would [37:00] freak out and be like what am I supposed [37:01] to do my thought would be I'd stop I'd [37:03] say stop the music stop everything get [37:06] the microphone say I want you to know [37:07] you know our sister here who we love [37:10] she just prophesied falsely over brother [37:14] or whatever you know and that is his [37:16] child but she said such and such and [37:17] that's not true so I want everyone who's [37:19] heard a word from her to disc disregard [37:22] it and not to trust it I don't think [37:24] she's speaking from God wherever she's [37:25] speaking from it's not the Lord let's [37:28] and then I'd maybe give her an [37:29] opportunity to repent I think that you [37:31] know how else can you do this if you're [37:32] gonna open to prophecy then you've got [37:34] to open to judging prophecy but often in [37:36] circles it's we're split [37:39] we have circles who are not open to [37:40] prophecy all they do is judge it and we [37:42] have circles that are open to prophecy [37:43] and they never judge it but I think if [37:46] you're gonna be open to it you have to [37:47] judge it so yeah if someone gets [37:50] something wrong I don't know how I can [37:52] regard them as a prophet and if it's [37:55] prophetic in the future and this goes [37:57] for me too if I think I'm hearing from [37:59] God and I find out later that I was [38:01] wrong then I can no longer believe that [38:03] my impression that God is speaking is [38:06] correct so I take a pretty strict stance [38:09] on that Erik justice what are some good [38:12] books or resources to use for historical [38:15] cultural so suit social social social [38:18] contexts of the Bible when studying the [38:21] word [38:23] let's see one interesting resource for [38:25] the New Testament is by Craig keener and [38:28] it's the Bible background commentary for [38:31] the New Testament Bible background [38:33] commentary Craig keener and that's an [38:36] interesting resource because it's not [38:37] going to give you a lot of commentary on [38:38] what that text means what it will do is [38:40] whenever a verse has some sort of [38:42] relationship to say rabbinical debates [38:46] and the Talmud or interesting [38:49] information about tax laws in Rome or [38:51] something like that then Craig keen or [38:53] well we'll put that in that commentary [38:55] now don't if you use that resource don't [38:58] make the mistake of thinking because the [39:00] Romans thought this therefore that's [39:01] what Paul is writing about that's not [39:03] necessarily the case you have to take [39:04] all this stuff with a grain of salt and [39:06] use wisdom but there's like one [39:08] interesting resource for that particular [39:10] task pedro Centron says do you think [39:14] there are gaps in the genealogies in [39:16] Genesis 5 and Genesis 11 that's a tough [39:19] question create Pedro mm-hmm I'm not I'm [39:23] not sure so let's let me talk you [39:28] through this we have we have especially [39:33] Genesis 5 it's going to be the more [39:35] sticky [39:37] sticky issue to work through what you [39:40] have is long ages long lives but their [39:44] specific ages right and you know someone [39:47] still lived this long and then had this [39:48] son and then died and then that son [39:51] lived this long and had that son and [39:52] then he lives at the length of time [39:54] longer and he died now the ways that [39:56] some people have tried to work this out [39:57] as they said well maybe those numbers [40:01] aren't literal maybe maybe those numbers [40:03] something else is happening here and one [40:04] of the ways they do this is they think [40:05] it's on a I think it's called a sex a [40:08] decimal system which is a six they use [40:12] the countin units of six instead of [40:14] units of ten like we do so they'd be [40:16] like one two three four five six one two [40:18] three four five six instead of one to [40:20] ten and then 11 to 20 there is some [40:25] reason to think that this might be the [40:26] case but I still don't know that that [40:27] gets us anything other than a [40:30] straightforward reading of those [40:31] genealogies another way to interpret [40:34] these is to say perhaps Adam lived this [40:38] long and he gave birth to the line that [40:42] led to so-and-so in which case we'd be [40:45] saying and in the Jewish sense of a [40:47] person being sort of in the in their [40:49] father even before they were born and [40:51] there'd be more flexible with the way [40:52] they used genealogies so that Adam lives [40:54] a certain period of time let's say take [40:56] a later one Enoch lives a certain period [40:58] of time and gives birth to I think it [40:59] was Methuselah that maybe maybe Enoch [41:02] lived and gave birth to the line that [41:05] produced Methuselah and so we're really [41:06] skipping untold numbers of generations [41:09] others that's one option of trying to [41:12] find more time in there while still [41:14] being biblically faithful by still [41:15] interpreting it literally another option [41:17] is the view of it as like archetypal [41:21] I'll use the term is my own term [41:22] archetypal history and this is something [41:24] that William Lane Craig has been pushing [41:26] a lot recently [41:26] he calls it myth Oh history I think it's [41:28] a hare a horrible horrible name [41:30] I think they should call it archetypal [41:32] history but nobody nobody listens to me [41:33] so so anyhow what it means is that it's [41:37] these are these are real events that [41:39] happened but they're they're presented [41:42] and I'm going to offer my way of [41:43] interpreting his work here as an [41:45] archetype [41:46] so that we while it's a straightforward [41:48] genealogy it's not meant to say these [41:50] are literally the ages and literally the [41:52] only individuals in between it's it's [41:55] it's much more loose than that it's like [41:57] a way of remembering history in a [41:59] summarized fashion or something like [42:01] that I know I'm probably butchering his [42:02] uh his work when I say that so I [42:05] encourage you to check out his work on [42:06] your own ease skin he's working on a [42:07] book on it right now so what what is my [42:10] opinion I don't know I just don't know [42:13] I'm kind of still have a lot of [42:15] questions about some of the stuff [42:16] especially in Genesis that I'm not [42:18] really sure I think there's a few [42:20] possible options of how to interpret it [42:22] I haven't settled on one and I realize [42:25] there are important questions and maybe [42:27] one day that'll be the issue I chase [42:29] down and tell it till I get to the end [42:31] of it and then produce some content on [42:32] it James Garza says a if a recently [42:37] elected pastor's unwed and underaged [42:39] daughter is pregnant and he hid it prior [42:42] to his election how should this be [42:44] addressed I would be ok let me just say [42:48] this this sounds like a real-life [42:49] scenario you're talking about James the [42:50] way you describe it I think that if a [42:54] pastor was hiding things from the [42:56] congregation in order to achieve a title [42:59] in the congregation then I would fire [43:01] him and I'm sorry I'm not at all [43:04] trying to be rude or mean it's not that [43:06] that particular deceit was the worst of [43:08] deceits it's that it tells you something [43:10] about his character do you mean pastor [43:13] that if you have compromises in your [43:14] life you'll hide them from us rather [43:16] than being accountable to the church [43:17] well if that's the case I don't really [43:19] think we want you to be our pastor what [43:21] about 10 20 years from now what else [43:23] will we find out it just speaks to [43:25] character issues he has to be above [43:28] reproach so so I think that that's that [43:32] speaks to deceit whether they could have [43:34] worked out worked through the pregnancy [43:35] of his daughter or not is a question you [43:37] never can't answer because he was [43:38] deceitful about it in the first place [43:39] so for but just take that as the two [43:43] cents of somebody who's not involved [43:44] with that situation that may be much [43:45] more complicated than what you just [43:46] mentioned and maybe my advice doesn't [43:48] apply [43:49] Lonnie Fredrick says can you give your [43:51] thoughts on Dominion theology only [43:53] briefly to say this that I think [43:55] Dominion theology is incorrect I don't [43:56] think that we're to take over the world [43:58] I think that there's a I do personally [44:00] believe that there's an actual [44:01] millennium coming where Jesus returns [44:02] but there are those who believe that the [44:04] that the ruling of Jesus is now and he's [44:07] ruling on earth through ultimately [44:09] through the church and so the church is [44:10] to kind of like take over the world I [44:12] think that that's an incorrect theology [44:14] both prophetically the eschatology I [44:17] think is wrong but I also think it leads [44:19] to weird things in culture and in [44:22] practice and it leads to church trying [44:25] to run government instead of us being [44:30] the salt of the earth so to speak so [44:32] that's my short short response to you on [44:35] that Tala bro body says is the staff and [44:39] rod in Psalm 23 a sign of the Cross oh [44:43] that's interesting [44:44] so in Psalm 23 it talks about your rod [44:47] and your staff comfort me this is the [44:48] Shepherd's Psalm it speaks to you know [44:51] if Thor is my shepherd I will not want [44:52] he makes me walking leads me beside [44:56] Stillwater's makes he leads me to the [44:59] green pastures I suddenly I can't [45:00] remember the song Psalm 23 though speaks [45:02] about his rod and his staff and how they [45:04] comfort me [45:05] and how he anoints me with oil and my [45:07] cup overflows the reason why I would not [45:09] take this to refer to the cross is [45:10] because the rod and the staff and the [45:12] psalm are shepherds instruments and that [45:15] would be like an actual rod would be [45:16] like a shorter stick like a weapon and [45:18] then a staff would be like a walking [45:20] staff a longer stick now you can say [45:23] that the the cross involves two sticks [45:26] so to speak but there they're not really [45:28] like a rod and a staff right there are [45:31] two pieces of wood and maybe there's [45:33] some connection there but it seems like [45:34] I don't see a way to connect it to this [45:36] song in particular the function of a rod [45:40] and a staff where the Sheep is either to [45:42] protect the rod to protect and drive out [45:44] the enemy as well as to potentially be [45:46] used on the on the unleash the Sheep if [45:48] needed and the staff is his walking [45:51] staff and he may be used it for other [45:53] things as well I don't see how that [45:56] functions in a way like the cross so so [45:59] it's an interesting observation but I [46:01] don't I don't see a lot to commend it [46:03] and yeah this will be the last one for [46:06] tonight guys this is from John Douglas [46:09] who says god bless your ministry thank [46:11] you John what's your advice on a [46:13] breakthrough from God in Revelation to [46:17] breaking free from all habitual sin I'm [46:21] gonna read this question again I'm not [46:23] sure if I can understand it what's your [46:25] advice on a breakthrough from God in [46:28] revel in relation to breaking free from [46:30] all habitual sin and following God with [46:33] everything you have thanks Mike okay I [46:37] read revelation for some reason at first [46:39] breaking free from sin habitual sins [46:43] what's my advice [46:46] I'll just give you some some thoughts in [46:49] the in the in the Old Testament there [46:51] are revivals that happen when there is a [46:53] return to God's Word and a return to [46:56] God's Word with an intention that [46:58] they're gonna actually do that stuff [46:59] they've been ignoring all along and I [47:02] think that sometimes these are the [47:04] things that need to happen in our lives [47:05] that we return to God's Word to the [47:06] reading of God's Word to actually [47:09] sitting down just with your Bible and [47:10] patience to putting your phone away and [47:12] just reading the Word of God and then [47:14] being willing to obey it so that when [47:16] you find it's reflecting that there's [47:17] something in your life that is not in [47:19] line with what you're reading that [47:20] you're willing to say okay I'll cut that [47:22] thing out but that has to do with a [47:24] willingness of your heart another thing [47:26] I'll mention is this sometimes we think [47:29] of I need to stop this sin and we think [47:31] of one sin we're battling with when in [47:33] reality there are sometimes other issues [47:36] where we're compromising it that we're [47:37] completely ignoring and I think that if [47:39] we address all of our compromise it [47:42] helps us address those big issues it [47:44] seems as though sin causes sin the you [47:48] know when you feed the flesh in any way [47:49] you feed the flesh and it's just [47:51] stronger and more wicked and so if you [47:54] cut off all areas of sin that you're [47:57] aware of in your life that's the revival [47:59] we're talking about and you focus your [48:00] heart in your life upon the Lord so I [48:02] would say be reading the word focus any [48:04] area of compromise deal with it [48:06] radically in your life perhaps start by [48:07] spending some time fasting praying [48:09] seeking the Lord those would be my [48:11] encouragement to you I for what it's [48:12] worth I hope that it helps you John and [48:14] Sarah send more questions so I'll ask [48:16] I'll answer one more Joel Joseph says [48:19] when using hermeneutics for interpreting [48:21] texts is literal historical grammatical [48:24] hermeneutic the preferred option I was [48:26] told by a friend that Kent the canonical [48:29] principle was used by early church [48:31] fathers I don't even know what the [48:34] canonical principle is I've never heard [48:36] that Joel um someone might think I'm [48:38] ignorant for never hearing it but I [48:39] think it seems odd that I've never even [48:41] heard of it at least not that I can [48:42] recall what's the canonical principle [48:45] don't even know it is so yeah [48:49] hermeneutics is the art of understanding [48:51] a text you know interpreting a text [48:53] properly that's called hermeneutics and [48:55] should use the literal historical [48:57] grammatical hermeneutic well yeah I mean [49:00] what we're when you say that I'm [49:02] assuming what you mean is try to [49:04] interpret it in it's obvious meaning it [49:06] means what it clearly seems to be saying [49:08] that would be literal although we're not [49:10] saying that everything is always literal [49:11] when Jesus says you know you the [49:14] Pharisees straighten out her nap but [49:16] they swallow a camel he obviously [49:17] doesn't mean that literally but when I [49:19] use a plain face reading of the text I I [49:21] realize he's using hyperbole here so I [49:24] don't take it literally it's not literal [49:26] historical means that you're aware of [49:28] the context you're we're always talking [49:29] to Pharisees religious leaders he's [49:31] talking okay when it says let them be [49:32] like a heathen or tax collector okay [49:34] well we're not saying tax collectors are [49:35] bad today we understand it in the [49:37] historical context they were like rebels [49:39] against Israel they were like they'd [49:41] compromised against their people and [49:42] they were frequently embezzling or using [49:45] immoral means to take money away from [49:47] their fellow Israelites so they were [49:49] seen as as horrible people okay so [49:53] that's like a historical consideration [49:55] grammatical yeah you have to look at the [49:58] grammar is what what verb is what verb [50:02] it goes with what noun and things like [50:03] that so these are all yeah those are all [50:05] important things if they're read it in [50:06] context another way to put it is read [50:08] the Bible like a newspaper not that [50:10] anybody reads newspapers read the Bible [50:11] like you read anything else like you [50:13] read a book you're aware of the [50:14] paragraph you're aware of the book the [50:16] chapter context dictates our [50:18] understanding of these things and if [50:23] you're interested you can get actually [50:24] books on hermeneutics I just happen to [50:27] have one here I'm not saying this is the [50:28] best one but books on hermeneutics that [50:32] will actually guide you and try to [50:33] understand your Bible better one of the [50:35] best things though that you can do to [50:36] understand your Bible better is learn [50:38] English better [50:39] I know you're thinking Greek but if you [50:43] went to tiller and Greek the first thing [50:44] you would find out is that you don't [50:45] know it you don't know English that well [50:46] and so learning to understand English [50:49] better learning to understand how a [50:51] phrase works how to dissect and and [50:55] diagram a sentence these are really [50:57] helpful things in Bible studying and I [50:59] think in the future I was talking to the [51:01] mods about this in a private chat I [51:03] think in the future what I'm gonna do is [51:05] I'm gonna do a series of videos on how [51:07] to study the Bible where I talk about [51:08] some of these principles and break them [51:10] down a lot more thoroughly and a lot [51:12] with a lot more application we'll look [51:14] at specific Bible passages and we'll [51:16] talk about how how do you find the [51:19] historical data to give you insight on [51:21] these passages how do you look at this [51:23] in context where is it why is a [51:25] frequently misunderstood passages we'll [51:26] see how Herman proper hermeneutic would [51:28] correct people from misunderstanding [51:30] that so that as you open your Bibles [51:32] you'll be more equipped to without the [51:34] aid of commentaries as much be able to [51:36] just read and understand at least that's [51:38] that's a goal so for a future future [51:40] series but again that's a project where [51:42] I have to sit down and plan it all out [51:44] like a lesson plan and maybe would be [51:46] fruitful for you guys so thank you I [51:49] hope that I hope that today's video is a [51:50] blessing to you I was wondering with Q&A [51:52] videos what the benefit is on the other [51:56] side of the video to the people that are [51:57] watching it as opposed to prepared [51:58] teaching moving forward I'll be [52:00] preparing more teaching and I'll bring [52:02] it to you as soon as it's ready just [52:04] know that I am hard at work I'm not [52:05] taking a vacation I'm just giving myself [52:06] more time to prepare the content that I [52:08] bring and and yeah and we'll do that and [52:12] do the question tonight will will make [52:14] the next Q&A that I do will be a new [52:16] believers QA to a best benefit those [52:19] people who need it the most I hope that [52:20] it's a blessing to you guys thanks for [52:22] joining thanks to my mods for being [52:23] there god bless you and in the meantime [52:25] if I can give you a parting word of [52:27] encouragement it is this piece in the [52:31] Christian heart in the Christian life it [52:33] comes largely not from the circumstances [52:35] you're in but from the one who you trust [52:38] with your life and that is [52:41] who is worthy who was full of love and [52:43] goodness and who in the midst of your [52:44] hardship and the midst of whatever [52:46] you're going through whatever is coming [52:47] next that you can't even predict [52:48] whatever horror awaits you know that [52:51] glory awaits beyond that because you're [52:53] in Christ and because God has prepared [52:55] things for you the things for those who [52:58] love him that that you can't even [52:59] imagine you can't even imagine [53:01] and so right now our comfort comes not [53:04] from the world and the things that are [53:05] going on but it ultimately comes from [53:06] our hope and our faith and our trust in [53:08] our King we have non cliche hope it's [53:12] such a glorious hope that to the world [53:14] it sounds like a cliche because they [53:16] don't realize how good it really is so [53:19] rest your hope rest your faith rest your [53:23] comfort in God in the scriptures and in [53:26] the fruit that is one day coming as we [53:29] wait upon him in the meantime in the [53:31] meantime whatever you do do it unto the [53:33] Lord for his glory because all of our [53:35] works will be tested and we will have [53:37] fruit only from that which we did for [53:39] Christ so I hope that's an encouragement [53:41] to y'all thank you so much thanks for [53:43] joining me god bless you  ## 📺 Video ![](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8) ## Highlights - While expert credentials matter, the argument strength should focus on methodology and evidence rather than merely citing scholar reputations. - Note: 🔍 Fallacy: Appeal to Authority #fallacy/appeal-to-authority --- # 📝 Full Notes (Deep-Read Analysis) # 🏷️ Title: I've kept this project a secret... until today. ## 🧭 Table of Contents - [📝 Summary](#-summary) - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#️-notes) - [📚 References](#-references) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#️-paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#-methodology) - [❓ Questions](#-questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#-future-research) - [💡 Implications](#-implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#-deib-assessment) - [✅ Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) - [🛡️ DARVO Analysis](#-darvo-analysis) - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) ## 📝 Summary - Pastor Mike Winger announces a passion project: hiring credentialed scholars to evaluate the Passion Translation - He's commissioned five well-respected biblical scholars to write papers analyzing different books - Plans to shift from regular upload schedule to quality-focused content production - Addresses viewer questions on various theological topics including death penalty, Christian judgment, and prophecy - All content will remain free to the public ## 📖 Main Content Mike Winger reveals his "passion project" - a comprehensive scholarly evaluation of the Passion Translation by Brian Simmons. Recognizing that this translation is selling millions of copies while containing what he believes are serious theological problems, Winger has hired five credentialed scholars to produce detailed analyses. The scholars committed include Craig Blomberg (1 Corinthians), Mark Strauss (Luke and Acts), Darrell Bock (Ephesians), Trevor Longman (Song of Solomon), and AJ Gupta. Each will write 5-page papers evaluating their assigned books, followed by video interviews summarizing their conclusions. Winger's motivation stems from a pastor's email requesting additional resources beyond Winger's own critiques. He recognizes that while individual scholars have criticized specific verses, Brian Simmons tends to change those particular examples in new editions without addressing the underlying translation methodology issues. Concurrently, Winger announces a shift in content strategy from regular bi-weekly uploads to a quality-focused approach. This allows for deeper preparation on complex topics like marriage, divorce, and remarriage - subjects requiring extensive research across multiple scholarly sources. ### 🗒️ Notes #### ⏱️ [00:00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8&t=0) Introduction and Announcements - Two major announcements: secret passion project and content strategy shift - Focus on helping people "think biblically about everything" #### ⏱️ [00:03:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8&t=180) The Passion Translation Project - Problem: Millions of copies sold, serious translation issues - Brian Simmons as sole translator with problematic methodology - Adding theology not present in original text - Claims of Aramaic sources that don't exist #### ⏱️ [00:08:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8&t=510) Scholar Recruitment Strategy - Bridge between scholarship and general public - Multiple scholars prevent "single bias" accusations - Five confirmed scholars with specialized expertise - Papers due end of June, interviews to follow #### ⏱️ [00:12:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8&t=720) Content Strategy Shift - Moving from deadline-driven to quality-driven production - Currently studying marriage/divorce/remarriage extensively - Reading multiple books and articles for thorough preparation - Acknowledging trade-off between algorithm optimization and content quality #### ⏱️ [00:20:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8&t=1200) Q&A Session Begins - Death penalty discussion using Genesis 9 and Romans 13 - Christian judgment and rewards/loss at judgment seat of Christ - Dealing with people claiming divine revelation contrary to Scripture #### ⏱️ [00:35:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8&t=2100) Prophecy and Discernment - Old Testament standard: one false prophecy disqualifies prophet - Personal story about failed "prophetess" at AG church - Importance of judging prophetic words, not just accepting them #### ⏱️ [00:45:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8&t=2700) Additional Theological Questions - Bible study resources for historical/cultural context - Genesis genealogies and potential gaps - Pastoral ethics and accountability - Dominion theology critique ## 📚 References - Craig Blomberg - New Testament scholar - Mark Strauss - Luke-Acts specialist - Darrell Bock - New Testament studies - Trevor Longman - Old Testament scholar - AJ Gupta - Biblical studies - Brian Simmons - Passion Translation author - Craig Keener - Bible Background Commentary ## 🗣️ Paraphrase Mike Winger announces a significant scholarly initiative to address concerns about the Passion Translation, which has sold millions of copies despite what he considers serious translation problems. Rather than continuing to critique it alone, he's hiring five credentialed biblical scholars to write comprehensive evaluations of different books within the translation. This approach addresses the limitation of previous critiques where Brian Simmons would simply change the specific problematic verses cited by critics without addressing the underlying translation methodology. By having multiple scholars analyze entire books, the project will demonstrate whether issues are isolated incidents or pervasive problems. Simultaneously, Winger is shifting from algorithm-optimized regular uploads to a quality-focused approach that allows for thorough research on complex topics. He acknowledges this may hurt short-term channel growth but believes it will produce more valuable long-term content. ## 📰 Newsletter Biblical translation quality meets modern scholarship in an exciting new project! Pastor Mike Winger has assembled an all-star team of biblical scholars to tackle concerns about the popular Passion Translation. Think of it as the Avengers of biblical scholarship - Craig Blomberg, Mark Strauss, Darrell Bock, Trevor Longman, and AJ Gupta are each analyzing different books to provide comprehensive, credentialed evaluation. What's particularly clever about this approach is addressing the "whack-a-mole" problem where individual verse criticisms get fixed in new editions without addressing systemic translation issues. Plus, everything will be free - because good scholarship shouldn't be locked behind paywalls. Mike's also shifting to quality-over-quantity content creation, prioritizing thorough research over YouTube's algorithm demands. Sometimes the best strategy is slowing down to go deeper. Check out his channel for the upcoming results and remember - good translation work requires both linguistic expertise and theological wisdom. ## ✅ Action Items #### DevRel - Developer advocacy: Create accessible bridges between expert knowledge and general practitioners - Education: Develop comprehensive evaluation methodologies that address systemic vs. isolated issues - Documentation: Maintain transparency about funding, methodology, and potential bias mitigation #### Community - Contributors: Establish clear criteria for expert participation and peer review processes - Ecosystem: Foster collaboration between academic institutions and public education initiatives - Sponsors: Ensure sustainable funding models for independent scholarly evaluation projects #### WordPress - Community: Apply similar multi-expert evaluation approaches to plugin/theme quality assessment - Documentation: Create comprehensive evaluation frameworks that can't be gamed by surface-level fixes - Training: Develop educational content that bridges technical expertise with practical implementation ## 🧪 Hypotheses 1. **Multi-expert evaluation prevents gaming**: Having multiple credentialed scholars analyze different sections will reveal systemic issues that can't be addressed by fixing isolated examples cited in previous critiques. 2. **Quality-over-quantity content strategy improves long-term impact**: Reducing upload frequency to allow deeper research will produce more valuable, lasting educational content despite short-term algorithm penalties. 3. **Free access increases legitimate critique adoption**: Making scholarly evaluations freely available removes financial barriers to accessing credible biblical translation assessment. 4. **Specialized expertise per book improves accuracy**: Assigning scholars to books matching their specific expertise areas will produce more nuanced, accurate evaluations than generalist approaches. ### 📊 Methodology - Comparative analysis tracking citation patterns of free vs. paid scholarly resources - Content engagement metrics comparing rushed vs. thoroughly researched videos over 12-month periods - Survey biblical studies professors on most effective formats for public biblical education - A/B testing different expert presentation formats (papers vs. video interviews vs. combined approaches) ### ❓ Questions - How do financial models for independent scholarly evaluation compare to traditional academic publishing in terms of reach and impact? - What evaluation frameworks best distinguish between translation philosophy differences vs. objective translation errors? - How can content creators balance algorithm optimization with educational depth requirements? - What safeguards prevent expert evaluation projects from becoming echo chambers? ### 🔮 Future Research - Development of standardized biblical translation evaluation criteria across denominational lines - Analysis of how free vs. paid access affects scholarly credibility perceptions - Study of optimal expert-to-public communication strategies for complex theological topics - Investigation of sustainable funding models for independent religious scholarship ### 💡 Implications **Educational:** This model could be applied to other contested religious or academic topics where expert evaluation is needed but often inaccessible to general audiences. The free access component democratizes scholarly evaluation. **Content Creation:** Demonstrates viability of quality-over-quantity approaches in algorithm-driven platforms, potentially influencing how educators approach online content strategy. **Religious Publishing:** May pressure translation publishers toward greater transparency about methodology and responsiveness to legitimate scholarly critique. **Funding:** Shows potential for platform-enabled independent scholarship that serves public education rather than institutional requirements. ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment **Reading level estimate:** Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 9.2 - appropriate for general Christian audience while maintaining academic credibility. #### 👀 Visual learners - Present: Clear organizational structure, numbered expert assignments, comparative charts of translation approaches - Improve: Timeline visualization of project phases, infographic showing translation evaluation criteria, before/after comparison diagrams #### 🔊 Aural learners - Present: Live stream format, planned video interviews with scholars, verbal Q&A interaction - Improve: Audio-only versions of scholar interviews, podcast format options #### 🗣️ Verbal learners - Present: Extensive definitions of translation terminology, clear explanations of scholarly credentials, analogical explanations - Improve: Glossary of technical terms, expanded analogies for complex concepts #### 🧩 Kinesthetic learners - Present: Interactive Q&A session, step-by-step project timeline, actionable evaluation criteria - Improve: Hands-on translation comparison exercises, downloadable evaluation checklists #### 🧠 Logical learners - Present: Systematic methodology, clear cause-effect relationships, structured expert assignments - Improve: Decision trees for translation evaluation, logical frameworks for assessing competing claims #### 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Social learners - Present: Live chat interaction, community Q&A, collaborative expert approach - Improve: Discussion guides for small groups, moderated community forums for project results #### 🧘‍♀️ Solitary learners - Present: Individual paper access, self-directed research components, personal study applications - Improve: Self-assessment quizzes, individual reflection prompts, downloadable study guides ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment #### Screen reader semantics - Present: Clear heading structure, descriptive video titles, structured Q&A format - Improve: Alt text for any visual elements, transcript availability, ARIA labels for interactive elements #### Keyboard navigation - Present: Standard YouTube player controls, text-based content access - Improve: Skip links for lengthy content sections, keyboard shortcuts documentation #### Contrast and readability - Present: Standard video platform contrast ratios - Improve: High-contrast transcript options, adjustable text sizing for supplementary materials #### Media and captions - Present: YouTube automatic captions available - Improve: Professional transcript editing, speaker identification in captions, downloadable transcripts ### 🌍 DEIB Assessment #### Cultural breadth - Present: Acknowledgment of denominational differences, multiple expert perspectives - Improve: Include international scholars, address cross-cultural translation challenges #### Inclusive language - Present: Respectful disagreement modeling, avoiding inflammatory rhetoric about translation differences - Improve: Cultural sensitivity training for discussing religious differences, expanded glossary for non-Christian audiences #### Representation - Present: Multiple academic institutions represented, variety of scholarly expertise - Improve: Gender and ethnic diversity among expert contributors, accessibility for different economic backgrounds through free access ### ✅ Logical Validity #### Strong reasoning - **Systematic approach over anecdotal**: Using multiple experts prevents cherry-picking bias by addressing entire books rather than isolated verses. This creates comprehensive evaluation resistant to superficial fixes. - **Expertise matching**: Assigning scholars to books matching their specializations increases accuracy and credibility of evaluations. - **Free access strategy**: Removing financial barriers increases legitimate critique adoption and prevents accusations of profit motivation. #### Fallacies - **Potential appeal to authority**: While expert credentials matter, the argument strength should focus on methodology and evidence rather than merely citing scholar reputations. - **False dichotomy risk**: Framing as "good vs. bad" translation rather than acknowledging legitimate translation philosophy differences alongside objective errors. #### Tone of voice Enthusiastic but measured, showing passion for the project while maintaining respect for opposing viewpoints. Professional yet accessible, bridging academic credibility with popular communication. ### 🛡️ DARVO Analysis No significant DARVO patterns detected. Winger acknowledges potential bias accusations and proactively addresses them through methodology (multiple experts, free access, unfiltered presentation). Maintains charitable tone toward Brian Simmons while critiquing the work. ## 🎯 Conclusion Mike Winger's passion project represents a innovative approach to biblical scholarship accessibility, combining credentialed expertise with public education. By hiring multiple specialists to evaluate the Passion Translation comprehensively, he addresses limitations of previous piecemeal critiques while maintaining scholarly rigor. The simultaneous shift toward quality-focused content creation reflects broader tensions between algorithm optimization and educational depth. His willingness to prioritize long-term impact over short-term metrics provides a model for educators navigating platform-driven content demands. The project's success will likely depend on maintaining objectivity while serving a clearly motivated purpose, balancing scholarly credibility with accessibility, and demonstrating sustainable funding models for independent religious scholarship. For readers, this represents both a specific resource for biblical translation evaluation and a broader example of expert-public knowledge bridging in religious contexts. --- # 📄 Full Transcript *Auto-generated from YouTube captions · timestamps roughly every 30 seconds · [watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MATEcLRlo8)* **[00:00]** all right everybody it is good I was gonna say it's good to see you but I don't see you but I know you're there and you see me so it's good to know you're there and it's been a little bit since I've done a video I've several important announcements to make or L two important announcements to make I want to tell you about my secret passion project something I've been working on for a little while I'm gonna continue to work on it for a while before releasing it to the public but I'm gonna announce it today this is gonna be the big announcement of what the passion project is all about and I'm gonna tell you about how I'm gonna shift my upload schedule somewhat in the near future or **[00:30]** as of today so welcome to the Tuesday livestream my name is Mike winger I'm a pastor in Southern California I like to help people learn how to think biblically about everything my goal is to not just tell you what to believe but to try to walk you through why we believe that why we ought to believe that how does it work asking hard questions about our theology and about our apologetics in the Christian faith so let me tell you what my passion project those of you who follow me for a while you know that I'm very I'm calling this my passion project you'll get why **[01:00]** in a second I'm very passionate about the passion translation the passion translation is a new translation that was put out by Brian Simmons he's these he's the sole translator of the work he's had some assistance from others but it's like 99% his work and it's got a lot of I think very serious issues with it I think that it's got a lot of problems with it which is why I've made content I have video content on my like three videos I think where I deal with it in a lot of detail but it's not enough you see this thing's selling millions and millions of copies and **[01:31]** believers just a lot of the time are not aware of how much it radically changes the text of scripture and makes them think that the Bible saying things that it isn't saying in some places adding theology into a text that doesn't belong there and some places adding words without alerting the readers that he's added words or phrases into the the Bible that are not there in the original language in other cases saying that he's appealing to the Aramaic supposedly original Aramaic when there is no original Aramaic that he can be appealing to and so this becomes very problematic but here's my problem **[02:03]** it came to my attention more I became more alerted to the problem when I got an email from a pastor and the pastor emailed me saying hey we've watched your videos on the passion translation and I'm in dialog right now with the other leaders of my church and we're trying to figure out if we should use this translation or not do you have any other resources other than just you telling us that it's a problematic translation and the examples that you give and I'm like I thought I gave some pretty good examples man I thought I really did my job I was careful I didn't overstate the issues I'm not trying to blast Brian **[02:35]** Simmons the author or something like that I'm trying to be as careful as possible but I realized we need more we need more and the problem is this that scholars who have like the credentials to look at a translation and say don't use that guys these guys are not generally paying attention to the passion translation they're not interacting with it they see it as just this sort of weird kind of translation they're not really giving it the time of day but I by God's grace I'm in a position where I can actually get the **[03:06]** attention of scholars because of the platform God's God has given me online because I can reach people large numbers of people online I can create a bridge between the scholarship and the normal people so I figured if I could get scholars to evaluate and produce a significant number of papers dealing with the passion translation then we can help the people who are really heavy in their thinking they want a deep analysis of a translation and we can also help those by popularizing it on my channel who won't go that deep into the literature but they want that grounding **[03:38]** in that foundation in their answer so if I haven't confused you yet here's my plan my plan is to hire a number of well-respected and I mean well-respected scholars and to have them each evaluate different books of the passion translation they're going to each write papers on their evaluations 5 page papers on each of those books and then I'm going to give you those papers for free you won't have to pay anything you'll be able to all host them on my site or whatever and you can just read them all totally free but that's not enough in addition I'm going to do short video interviews which each of these **[04:09]** scholars where they summarize they're as objective as possible their conclusions about the passion translation that in one video where there's multiple interviews from different scholars dealing with different books in the passion translation I think that is going to be the kind of resource that when someone gets it they go all my questions are answered I don't need to know anything else about this translation I'm good to go I think that's significant I also think it because it's coming from different scholars who all have credentials in their field and they even specialize in the books that I'm assigning to them to **[04:40]** do because it's coming from all these different guys you can't think that it's the bias of one individual because this is the thing Brian Simmons in his circle what they tend to do when he gets criticism is they tend to think oh well that guys that guys just got an axe to grind against Brian that's the real reason why he's coming into this translation or that person is just not spiritual they don't believe in the gifts or something like that I mean I I believe in the gifts so you can't apply that to me but that is the accusation that comes out so here's what I've done I've got so far onboard here's here's the public announcement of it I have Craig Blomberg mark Strauss Darrell Bock Trevor Longman **[05:13]** and the J Gupta and a couple in the wings who haven't said yes yet but they're thinking about it so I have it I have so far five really well respected scholars if you know scholarship at all you guys you know these names right these I'm just blessed that they've said yes and they're gonna do this project blomberg is doing first corinthians mark Strauss is doing Luke enacts Darrell Bock is doing Ephesians Trump for long and is doing a Song of Solomon and he's already written his paper and so his Blomberg both of them I've read their papers I won't share them with you publicly yet but they did a good job and **[05:43]** I'm not controlling what they can say or can't say I'm just asking them to provide their scholarship and I'm gonna prevent present it to you unfiltered so that's this is pretty cool because of the ministry guys give me because the platform is giving me I'm able to actually and maybe I'll do this in the future with other projects I can actually pick a topic that's under addressed with scholarship and actually hire some scholars to address the topic and break it down in a way that's accessible to the normal person because I love that I love when the bridge is built between that scholarship and your your normal person so that's that's my **[06:15]** passion project I'm hoping to have it done in June or early July I've given the scholars till the end of June to finish their papers then I have to record their interviews and then you know pull the video together and put all the papers up and just make sure everything's working right so this has been like a project I've been working on here and there I'm gonna continue working on it and I'm excited about the end result here's another reason why we want to do it this way the the few scholars and I mean there's only like two or three who have even mentioned anything about the passion translation in sort of in **[06:46]** official capacity and they've all critiqued it pretty heavily they've all said some pretty negative things about it but generally what happens is and I'm just going to be shoot straight with you guys Brian Simmons the author the pastor translation he'll go and he'll change he'll change the translation so that it can dodge the criticism of the scholars but why do I call it a dodge because let's say that they say look the pastor translation has a million problems here's three examples and they offer three examples he'll change the three examples but he won't change the problem throughout the translation so this means that an individual paper presented by **[07:17]** someone who's in the know it just it misses the mark because six months later there's a new addition to the passion out and it doesn't have those three verses that he used but by having scholars analyze multiple different books showing that there's not just a few weird verses but there are pervasive problems with the translation that's that's going to get the job done I think so that's that's my plan with the the passion translation icy rock and roll's like how many how much coffee did you drink today not enough but I'm about to fix that hold on now it's still not **[07:49]** enough off to off to work on that so I'm excited about this and I wear my excitement on my sleeves that's the way that's the kind of person I am now then the other thing I want to announce is that oh it by the way all of the papers all of the video stuff it's all gonna be free it's all gonna be free the people who support my ministry and and I'm not appealing for more support God's providing and thank you so much for those who are making this ministry happen that that enables me to produce free content and that's my goal all the content I produces is available without **[08:19]** cost now the next thing I want to announce it before I go to your questions because I'm doing your questions today you guys can go and put them in the live chat make sure to put a capital Q and Sarah Zimmerman is gonna gather your questions and I will try to answer several of them today although it may not be quite as long the stream as you're used to the second thing I wanna announce is sort of a content strategy for how I'm producing content online in the past I felt like I had to produce two videos or more a week - preferably three a week and part of the reason for that is **[08:51]** because I just want to get content out right I want to get content out that would bless people that would help people that would help them learn how to think biblically about everything address tough issues in a thorough way but another one of the reasons for producing content at a certain rate is because I'm trying to take advantage of the algorithm online and with YouTube it helps to produce content pretty quickly - frequently put out content now there's a downside to that and the downside is that sometimes I'm dealing with topics that are really complicated and I want to study a lot more before I bring you a **[09:22]** teaching on the issue but because I have this deadline every week these two videos and they're not just random little videos there are two significant teaching videos a week because of that deadline sometimes I'm producing content and I feel man I wish I had more time to prepare this I could have made it better I could have made it help more people in the long run I could have by reducing the quantity of content I could have increased the quality of the content and thereby increasing the long term ministry impact of the content well I think I'm going to be shifting towards doing that and part of it is because **[09:53]** there's these big projects that I've wanted to do forever that I'm just having a hard time finding the ability to study for these big projects with the schedule the way it is case in point I'm studying right now for a long very careful teaching on marriage divorce and remarriage this study is complicated this is an issue where there's a lot of scholarship written on it there's a lot of books written on it and I am so like in fear that I would teach and get it **[10:25]** wrong in some way and thereby harm somebody in their real life because this hits real life more than most issues do marriage and divorce and remarriage and so I've given myself the time to just slow down with how much content I'm producing to allow myself to read book after book an article after article and study the passage again and again a third and a fourth and a fifth time and look at these different issues very carefully and thoughtfully and I am personally blessed I enjoy it I enjoy getting to slowly move through and thoroughly cover such a complicated issue and it is complicated you might **[10:55]** not think it but there's so much stuff on it and I'm getting into this stuff and I'm going mad when I do finally get to teach this hopefully soon here it's gonna be that much better and and more thorough of a teaching that helps people more and the long term blessing and Ministry of that video is gonna be much higher than if I had rushed it out a week and a half or two weeks ago when I originally wanted to teach the topic and as I think about the list of topics that I often want to do I'm frequently saying no to issues because I don't have time to study before the next video is like **[11:27]** do so for my constant rata G online I'm gonna I'm gonna go to an to a loose upload schedule which means I don't know when my next video will be because I want to spend more time preparing it I'll prepare it and I'll put it up when it's ready and I'll allow myself time to study things carefully fully thoroughly vet at issues and then finally come out with a teaching that I can really feel good about for your life I've really represented the Lord and represented the word well and then I think we'll have a much better impact in the long term in the meantime if you're thinking Mike **[11:58]** you're not making enough content I want to see your stuff I just want to encourage you I've got over 300 videos online at this point I feel like I've reached a good point to say look here's a massive library of back content that you could go back and listen to and you know you could listen to my stuff more than once and I I jam packed so much stuff into one teaching that hopefully you could find benefit in hearing it more than once I think that you can not to mention I'm not the only guy out there who you can listen to so this is my current plan I'm interested in your feedback how you think this affects you **[12:29]** this means that I I'm not gonna promise that'll have a weekly live stream every Tuesday or that I'll have a new series in mark every week I'm just gonna slow down and and fully prepare things now some weeks it'll mean that I put out two videos in a week because the issue I'm covering is much easier and I can prepare it and get it out other times it might mean there's some in determined period of time while I'm just sort of hitting the books really studying things thoroughly so this is this is my agenda moving forward I feel very good about it I think that long short term ministry wise it'll hurt my youtube channel it'll **[13:00]** hurt the reviews I get it'll hurt the amount of growth that I can have in a short period of time but long-term ministry wise I'm producing content that I intend to have an impact in people's eyes for years to come I wanted to bless you in 5 years in 10 years in 15 years I don't just want it to get you through this week that makes sense they're both valuable things but I think I think I know what my gifting is and my calling is in this regard so let's see here Sarah when you have a chance send me over some of the first questions **[13:31]** you've got I'm just about ready to start answering those yeah that that's my intention in the meantime I am continuing to finish up and polish off the this study on marriage divorce and remarriage in the Bible I've been covering issues like Talmudic debates on the between the hill alight school and the chamois night school of these just Jewish debates in the first century about marriage and when it was okay to get a divorce and the issue of remarriage there's like weird things you **[14:02]** just don't know when you're reading the Bible like Roman and Jewish law actually required divorce in the case of adultery whereas Jesus seemed to imply that it wasn't necessary even though it was permitted and there's a big difference that goes on there reading you know what what Paul writes in 1st Corinthians 7 about divorce and in Romans chapter 7 the the debate over Exodus 21 has some interesting stuff about divorce in it and almost nobody even talks about it and so these are some of the some of the things that we're covering yeah so I appreciate that I see Tiffany says **[14:33]** sounds good Mike we need good talk kontin it's worth the wait and I hope so that is that's you know what that's my vibe as well I know I know and I don't know if you noticed you probably do but I know when I produce videos in content and I go man if I'd only had three more days to just marinate and sit and prepare and study and vet all that stuff I could have I could have covered more I could have covered it better and I think I don't want to look back five ten years from now and think I just did that a hundred times yeah all right so we have some questions **[15:03]** this is from Chris Herndon who says what is your view on the death penalty as capital punishment still valid today some think the sword is just Authority thank you for your ministry okay so my view on the death penalty starts in the Old Testament and what we notice on the death penalty in particular is that when God gave them the first mention of the death penalty he mentions it in the affirmative in the in the affirmative sense in which if somebody commits **[15:34]** murder then they will be killed they will get the death penalty and so let me let me find the text for you it's in Genesis chapter 9 and we can learn something from it because in Genesis 9 when the death penalty's mentioned it's before the law of Moses that the death penalty is being mentioned to Noah and his descendant his descendants which means that this is like divine permission for the death penalty that goes across mankind in fact it even sounds like a responsibility of governments to and this is what it **[16:06]** sounds like to me to enforce the death penalty specifically in the case of murder so here we go um God says to Noah and his descendants every moving thing that lives shall be food for you as I gave you the green plants I give you everything but you shall not eat flesh with its life that is its blood and for your life blood for your life blood I will require a reckoning from every beast I will require it in from man from his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man now this is the phrase here that I want to highlight God says like I'll require a **[16:37]** reckoning but he requires it from his fellow man meaning that it's society's command or task to enact the death penalty it's there that the fellow man is the one who's supposed to take the life of the murderer then it says here in verse 6 whoever sheds the blood of man by man shall his blood be shed for God made man in his own image and it gives us not only what will happen but it gives us the reason for it so whoever sheds the blood of man that's the murderer by man shall his blood be shed **[17:07]** so human society is is to is to enact the death penalty and then it gives the reason why because God made man in his own man being in the image of God killing a man is a strike against God in his very image and it's a huge issue with God such that he actually considers a society in a sense guilty if they don't take care of the murderer in this case that to me is a straightforward reading of Genesis 9 and it predates the law of Moses this is no aook it's not mosaic it **[17:40]** comes to Noah and his descendants now later we see the law of Moses also gives the death penalty and we're not under the law of Moses so we don't think that we are supposed to take that law and translate it into all of society in that in that straightforward since there's applications and there's principles but we don't have to do that now the other verse that you did mention so I think in general this is a simple answer yes the death penalty is appropriate now that this I'll go to Roman's in a moment which is the other verse that you mentioned but the the the next **[18:12]** discussion that we often have in our culture is what about when someone's not really guilty what if someone's falsely accused of committing murder and here you know we have to have guaranteed guilt you can't just I think they probably did it right that there needs to be a justice there but it seems to me the death penalty is entirely correct if the man actually committed the murder right if it's a straightforward he committed a murder then there's the death penalty it's different if it's manslaughter it's different if it's self-defense that's a whole different scenario now in Romans **[18:42]** 13 it says let every person be subject to the governing authorities for there's no authority except from God and those that exist have been instituted by God therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed and those who resist will incur judgment for rulers are not a terror to good conduct but to bad would you have no fear of the one who's an authority then do what is good and you will receive his approval for he is God's servant for your good but if you do wrong be afraid for he does not bear the sword in vain so the question you **[19:15]** had the second question you asked was is this phrase the sword referring perhaps to just like Authority in general and not the death penalty and I think I agree with you here I agree with it it refers to Authority in general the government bears the sword meaning it can enact painful penalties upon you it has an authority in your life and so don't do what's wrong you know that it goes on to say that the government is God's servant right an Avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer so while I agree the sword is a general **[19:47]** concept of authority I think that under that umbrella of the sword is also the death penalty in some cases this doesn't mean governments always right doesn't mean government enacts the penalty correctly but it does mean that government has a a a mandate from God to to bring justice and righteousness and equity into the lives of the governed of the people so yeah not a popular view in our culture today but I don't I don't know rationally why it's not popular I understand it's not popular but it makes **[20:18]** sense seems biblical and it seems entirely appropriate to me brother love has a question oh wait hold on I'll come right back - brother love blaze Cazares says how many times was Jesus anointed during the during the week of the third Passover there seems to be a difference with the anointing of Bethany when comparing the Synoptics to John synoptic Gospels - the Gospel of John blaze I'm not I'm not sure off the top of my head that I can answer that question I'll come back to the normal **[20:50]** screen here I don't know I don't know the answer to that question for sure I I would I mean in my off the top my head I say it was one but when's the last time I looked in this and carefully thought about it I don't know sorry about about that I thought I can't help can't give you a better answer brother love says looking at Colossians 3:25 in 2nd Corinthians 5:10 we'll saved Christians who endure to the end be punished on Judgment Day ok let's look at those verses this has to do with what happens to Christians on Judgment Day and you have two verses in particular Colossians **[21:23]** 325 that says for the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done and there is no partiality let me back up a little bit this is in context of of servants and masters and employees and employers that kind of context right it says bawd servants obey and everything those who are your earthly masters not by way of I service as people pleasers but with sincerity of heart fearing the Lord whatever you do work heartily as for the Lord and not for men knowing that from the Lord you will receive the **[21:54]** inheritance as your reward and so then the future for us is this inheritance and that inheritance is is heaven in Earth's we inherit all things with Christ then it goes on to say you are serving the Lord Christ for the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done and there is no partiality so the the believer is to receive an inheritance and here I think the wrongdoer is referring not to Christian wrongdoers in particular but just wrongdoers in the world in general and they will receive judgment without partiality so that that verse I think is **[22:26]** talking about a non-believers judgment in verse 25 that's my reading of it as my understanding now the other verse I think was first Corinthians that does talk about a believers judgment 2nd Corinthians 5:10 it says for we all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body whether good or evil now that implies that there's something I receive what is due I receive what is **[22:58]** due potentially something evil I've done bad things like I receive bad things this is talking about our judgment before the the judgment seat of Christ now in my opinion the the way that this works for believers is different than non-believers so the punishment for it for a non-christian when they stand before God is perfect justice for their sin that is an exact and equal punishment measured out into the person **[23:28]** for their sins though the the reason this doesn't make sense for Christians is if I was to receive that punishment for my sin I would go to hell like I would be apart from God for all eternity but because I'm in Christ I see that Christ has received the punishment for my sin and there are no longer remains any punishment or a sacrifice other than Jesus for that matter so what could this thing that I receive be I'm receiving something in the body for what I've done in the body rather I receive what is due for for what I've done in the body **[23:58]** whether good or evil and I think that has to do with another passage that is often used to relate to a purgatory see if I can find the exact verse first Corinthians 3:15 okay this is talking about a believers judgment I'm gonna connect this to second Corinthians I think these are talking about the same kind of thing and I'll back it up a little bit to give us some more details okay Paul's talking in this context about how him and other people are **[24:31]** workers and doing ministry they're like they're like farmers doing ministry and the people they minister to are like God's field and that one day God will come and judge their works whether they did good work for the Lord or bad work for the Lord and here he goes on with this analogy in verse 10 he says according to the grace of God given to me like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation and someone else built is building upon it let each one take care how he builds upon it for no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid which is Jesus Christ now if anyone **[25:04]** builds on the foundation with gold silver precious stones wood hay straw each one's work will become manifest for the day well to close it disclose it because it will be revealed by fire now let me let me show you what's being revealed what's being revealed is by analogy the the kind of service you brought to Jesus did you build with gold which is really primo you serve Jesus the best you could with silver which is good not as good as gold but it's very good is it precious stones which are very highly in value high and valuable **[25:36]** so these first three are our good service to the Lord I I've had pure ministry I administered in love I ministered the truth of the gospel I ministered biblical truth to people and I I really glorify the name of Christ in their lives but the next three are bad wood hay and straw well you want gold silver and precious stones or wood you like wood hay and straw these are the three bad things this is people who were true Christians who were just doing bad work for the kingdom they're just not serving God well with their lives then in verse 13 he talks about what will happen when these either good works **[26:08]** are not good works when they're judged each one's work will become manifest for the day will disclose it because it will be revealed by fire and the fire will test what sort of work each has done so there's fire now fires gonna burn up wood hay and straw but fire won't burn up gold silver and precious stones and this is the judgment we receive as believers I stand before the Lord and for that which I did which was in service to God which was pure it's like it goes through this testing of fire and it remains and it's like treasures in heaven ways I can say look I honoured you Lord but the wood **[26:39]** hay straw the ways I in which I compromised in my walk I compromised in my service to God I built with wood hay straw it's burned up and it's gone but what happens to me right that's that that's the work being tested not the person being tested that's the it will be revealed by fire that's the work not me what happens to the person that's in verse 14 if the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives he will receive a reward if anyone's work is burned up he will suffer loss and he will suffer a loss like you get no **[27:09]** benefit there's no treasure in heaven for the work you did for the kingdom because it wasn't really for the king it wasn't really honoring to Christ but right he himself will be saved but only as through fire now some try to say this is about purgatory actually I'm a video on this topic and how literally a whole video on how this verse is not talking about purgatory you can you can look that up if you type mic when you're in purgatory to probably come up but but the man is not saved because he went through a fire as if the fire saved no he's he's he's saved he's fine but it's **[27:43]** as though there was a fire that burned up all of his stuff so he enters into heaven no rewards no rewards that's the idea so what did the first passage talk about when it was saying believers will receive what is due I think it means they'll have the loss of all the labors that they had they'll have no treasures in heaven for the service they did to the king I think that that's my understanding of it so it's a good reminder to us as believers if you were tested right now today how much of your work would be **[28:14]** gold silver precious stones and how much it would be wood hay stubble am I really serving the king Jesus with my life is my heart really all about him or have I gotten in the habit of living a different kind of life and one day I'll find that there was no fruit in it but I'm still saved my salvation is secure in Christ but there was no fruit in my life and for those who love Jesus we don't want to live like that black Tuesday films has a question as a young Christian how do I deal with worry of death I think that that I would say that's a thing that young Christians and **[28:45]** older Christians have to deal with and everybody has to deal with is a worry of death I think this is the heart of the gospel I mean the very center and core and heart of the gospel of Christ is salvation from death if Jesus rose from the dead I have nothing to fear in death that's the end of the story for me that's that's the conclusion his tomb was empty because I will be resurrected - he's he's alive I'll be alive you know any man who believes in him though he died yet he shall live that my salvation **[29:18]** just is salvation from death and judgment and penalty of my sin it's salvation from all of those things so that Christianity is itself the solution to death and it's the only solution I don't know anybody anything else and I remember being at a funeral one time there was a funeral for an atheist and it was it was a sad affair they were very careful because they didn't want any religious feeling stuff at the funeral service but they didn't have **[29:48]** anything comforting to say and so it was I was there releasing doves I you so release doves if funeral is a side job I have all those doing ministry I've had lots of side jobs and they wanted the doves to be released and they and they read a poem and the poem was it was it was painful and I was just praying for the people I'm not judging him I feel bad I want them to have the hope that we have in Christ but it was just so sad to see how empty it was and how there was no real tangible hope there were just cliches and as much as people try to **[30:19]** sometimes mock Christians for having these like Christian cliches the crazy thing about Christian cliches is they're actually true they're not cliches you can say like a cliche but that's that's you you're the one that's that's empty that's a cliche the truth of Christianity that don't worry they've only gone to be with the Lord don't worry they've they've died but we'll see them again like these things are actually true on Christianity but but apart from Christ I don't know what hope people have so I think you should get back into the gospel you should **[30:49]** remind yourself of the hope you have in Christ you should read up on the lives of faithful Saints maybe read the biographies of faithful Saints look again at this at the account of the death and resurrection of Christ and know that just like the disciples and everybody were hopeless and fearful that you may feel that way looking at death but Jesus's resurrection changed their attitude and it should change yours as well Solomon Dalberg says have you watched David parson on the subject of marriage and divorce I think he would be a good resource I have not watched David **[31:21]** parson on that I've looked at lots of guys a lot of different people and especially I've been looking for sort of the more theological minded writers who have interacted written books on the topic published papers on the topic I've been looking at those guys a lot so but I'll look into David Poston as well Nickolas Yocum says hi Mike awesome work in American gospel oh thanks thanks Nicholas you know I I was very honored and surprised to be asked to be part of **[31:52]** American gospel the the second film that they did I liked the first film I thought it was largely wonderful and the second film I was a little surprised by how strong the Calvinist message came across in the film I was surprised by that I didn't think that that was gonna be the case when we were recording it and I'm not a Calvin so but I think that the film has a lot to offer there's a lot of good value in it and it interacts with popular snarky progressive Christianity really well so I think that's good **[32:24]** now you said how do you handle a convo with someone who believes to hear directly from God says unbiblical things and won't listen to biblical correction well it's a little tough to answer that kind of question Nicholas because I don't really know the real details like the nitty-gritty details of a relationship like that but if if your description is thorough that they they believe they're hearing directly from God yet the things they're saying or unbiblical and they will not listen to correction from the Bible I think that you proper steps would be to go to them **[32:57]** with a leader with a godly leader who can help you in already try to rebuke or correct them would help you in that go with a leader and then after that you can distance yourself from that person if they after multiple admonitions they will not listen to you I don't know what else to tell you beyond that Nicholas that person is self will they can't be corrected even by scripture they're clearly not hearing from the Holy Spirit if they're saying things that are unbiblical and you might not spend the rest of your life arguing with that person but rather pray for them and let them go forgive me **[33:28]** if that counsel doesn't apply to your situation you know your situation better than I do just based off those three little lines that's my thoughts Chantel Bert Berger says I've been facing so much confusion about my salvation can you do a Christian a new Christian Q&A again soon Chantel I'd be happy to do a new a new believer Q&A again in the future so watch for that on my channel I'll try and make that a priority Anna Beshear says do you disregard self-professed profits or profit is's if they give one prophecy which doesn't come to pass as **[34:00]** an Old Testament times or is it different now also are unfaithful prophets of the Old Testament the same as New Agers now I'm not sure how to answer the second question unfaithful prophets of the Old Testament the same as New Agers I don't know if I can into that question Anna I'm sorry but your first question is a real puzzle for me as well okay under the Old Testament if a prophet came and he announced that something was gonna happen and it didn't happen it says you shall not fear him anymore like you just you don't fear him don't don't worry about what that guy says anymore you can **[34:31]** you can scratch them off your list as someone who speaks for the Lord now in New Testament times we have prophecy going on we have a gibbous he offers a prophecy we have different prophecies but there's and there's and there's no example the New Testament of a failed prophet although some say a gibbous failed I think that this is pathetically bad Bible study no he didn't fail but you just wish he did in some cases and some guys no I'm talking about but but there are times nowadays **[35:02]** transfer transport yourself to the present day where someone says I'm speaking in the name of the Lord and nothing nothing they say happens they get one wrong they get two wrong they get three wrong then they get maybe one right what are we supposed to do with that person now my person my personal position is I do not fear them if you get one wrong I don't I don't trust your discernment that you're hearing from God I don't know how else to do this could play this game I just don't know how else to do it now it doesn't mean that I care for go and say you are you're a **[35:32]** false prophet you are therefore a heretic who deserves to be rejected in every way I give some leeway to a believer who thinks the Holy Spirit is speaking to them but they've instead tuned into their own heart and then they just can be corrected and learned from it if they do it consecutively than then I may actually take stronger stance against them but yeah if I'll tell you a story a friend of mine was part of an Assemblies of God Church and he had a visiting prophetess in their circle this one was considered a prophetess and she **[36:03]** was you know had music playing and she was going around the room and she was offering like words of prophecy from God so to speak or so so she claimed to different people in the room and she came across one couple now she didn't know they were a couple she doesn't know these people she's never seen him before but what she sees is she sees a black man and he's standing there holding a white baby and so she turns to the man and she says to him this is a true story my buddy was there she says to him one day you will have a child of your own God is telling me one day you'll have a child of your own now what she didn't **[36:35]** know but what everybody else in the room knew was that that man was the father of that baby he just had a white wife and the baby was more white lay it just didn't look like him but that was his baby biologically and what happened next is what shocked me because what do you think is the right thing for a pastor to do in that scenario here's my thought now I've had time to think about it maybe in the in the moment you would freak out and be like what am I supposed to do my thought would be I'd stop I'd say stop the music stop everything get **[37:06]** the microphone say I want you to know you know our sister here who we love she just prophesied falsely over brother or whatever you know and that is his child but she said such and such and that's not true so I want everyone who's heard a word from her to disc disregard it and not to trust it I don't think she's speaking from God wherever she's speaking from it's not the Lord let's and then I'd maybe give her an opportunity to repent I think that you know how else can you do this if you're gonna open to prophecy then you've got to open to judging prophecy but often in **[37:36]** circles it's we're split we have circles who are not open to prophecy all they do is judge it and we have circles that are open to prophecy and they never judge it but I think if you're gonna be open to it you have to judge it so yeah if someone gets something wrong I don't know how I can regard them as a prophet and if it's prophetic in the future and this goes for me too if I think I'm hearing from God and I find out later that I was wrong then I can no longer believe that my impression that God is speaking is correct so I take a pretty strict stance **[38:09]** on that Erik justice what are some good books or resources to use for historical cultural so suit social social social contexts of the Bible when studying the word let's see one interesting resource for the New Testament is by Craig keener and it's the Bible background commentary for the New Testament Bible background commentary Craig keener and that's an interesting resource because it's not going to give you a lot of commentary on what that text means what it will do is **[38:40]** whenever a verse has some sort of relationship to say rabbinical debates and the Talmud or interesting information about tax laws in Rome or something like that then Craig keen or well we'll put that in that commentary now don't if you use that resource don't make the mistake of thinking because the Romans thought this therefore that's what Paul is writing about that's not necessarily the case you have to take all this stuff with a grain of salt and use wisdom but there's like one interesting resource for that particular task pedro Centron says do you think **[39:14]** there are gaps in the genealogies in Genesis 5 and Genesis 11 that's a tough question create Pedro mm-hmm I'm not I'm not sure so let's let me talk you through this we have we have especially Genesis 5 it's going to be the more sticky issue to work through what you have is long ages long lives but their specific ages right and you know someone **[39:47]** still lived this long and then had this son and then died and then that son lived this long and had that son and then he lives at the length of time longer and he died now the ways that some people have tried to work this out as they said well maybe those numbers aren't literal maybe maybe those numbers something else is happening here and one of the ways they do this is they think it's on a I think it's called a sex a decimal system which is a six they use the countin units of six instead of units of ten like we do so they'd be like one two three four five six one two **[40:18]** three four five six instead of one to ten and then 11 to 20 there is some reason to think that this might be the case but I still don't know that that gets us anything other than a straightforward reading of those genealogies another way to interpret these is to say perhaps Adam lived this long and he gave birth to the line that led to so-and-so in which case we'd be saying and in the Jewish sense of a person being sort of in the in their **[40:49]** father even before they were born and there'd be more flexible with the way they used genealogies so that Adam lives a certain period of time let's say take a later one Enoch lives a certain period of time and gives birth to I think it was Methuselah that maybe maybe Enoch lived and gave birth to the line that produced Methuselah and so we're really skipping untold numbers of generations others that's one option of trying to find more time in there while still being biblically faithful by still interpreting it literally another option is the view of it as like archetypal **[41:21]** I'll use the term is my own term archetypal history and this is something that William Lane Craig has been pushing a lot recently he calls it myth Oh history I think it's a hare a horrible horrible name I think they should call it archetypal history but nobody nobody listens to me so so anyhow what it means is that it's these are these are real events that happened but they're they're presented and I'm going to offer my way of interpreting his work here as an archetype so that we while it's a straightforward genealogy it's not meant to say these are literally the ages and literally the **[41:52]** only individuals in between it's it's it's much more loose than that it's like a way of remembering history in a summarized fashion or something like that I know I'm probably butchering his uh his work when I say that so I encourage you to check out his work on your own ease skin he's working on a book on it right now so what what is my opinion I don't know I just don't know I'm kind of still have a lot of questions about some of the stuff especially in Genesis that I'm not really sure I think there's a few possible options of how to interpret it I haven't settled on one and I realize **[42:25]** there are important questions and maybe one day that'll be the issue I chase down and tell it till I get to the end of it and then produce some content on it James Garza says a if a recently elected pastor's unwed and underaged daughter is pregnant and he hid it prior to his election how should this be addressed I would be ok let me just say this this sounds like a real-life scenario you're talking about James the way you describe it I think that if a pastor was hiding things from the **[42:56]** congregation in order to achieve a title in the congregation then I would fire him and I'm sorry I'm not at all trying to be rude or mean it's not that that particular deceit was the worst of deceits it's that it tells you something about his character do you mean pastor that if you have compromises in your life you'll hide them from us rather than being accountable to the church well if that's the case I don't really think we want you to be our pastor what about 10 20 years from now what else will we find out it just speaks to character issues he has to be above **[43:28]** reproach so so I think that that's that speaks to deceit whether they could have worked out worked through the pregnancy of his daughter or not is a question you never can't answer because he was deceitful about it in the first place so for but just take that as the two cents of somebody who's not involved with that situation that may be much more complicated than what you just mentioned and maybe my advice doesn't apply Lonnie Fredrick says can you give your thoughts on Dominion theology only briefly to say this that I think Dominion theology is incorrect I don't think that we're to take over the world **[43:58]** I think that there's a I do personally believe that there's an actual millennium coming where Jesus returns but there are those who believe that the that the ruling of Jesus is now and he's ruling on earth through ultimately through the church and so the church is to kind of like take over the world I think that that's an incorrect theology both prophetically the eschatology I think is wrong but I also think it leads to weird things in culture and in practice and it leads to church trying to run government instead of us being **[44:30]** the salt of the earth so to speak so that's my short short response to you on that Tala bro body says is the staff and rod in Psalm 23 a sign of the Cross oh that's interesting so in Psalm 23 it talks about your rod and your staff comfort me this is the Shepherd's Psalm it speaks to you know if Thor is my shepherd I will not want he makes me walking leads me beside Stillwater's makes he leads me to the green pastures I suddenly I can't **[45:00]** remember the song Psalm 23 though speaks about his rod and his staff and how they comfort me and how he anoints me with oil and my cup overflows the reason why I would not take this to refer to the cross is because the rod and the staff and the psalm are shepherds instruments and that would be like an actual rod would be like a shorter stick like a weapon and then a staff would be like a walking staff a longer stick now you can say that the the cross involves two sticks so to speak but there they're not really like a rod and a staff right there are **[45:31]** two pieces of wood and maybe there's some connection there but it seems like I don't see a way to connect it to this song in particular the function of a rod and a staff where the Sheep is either to protect the rod to protect and drive out the enemy as well as to potentially be used on the on the unleash the Sheep if needed and the staff is his walking staff and he may be used it for other things as well I don't see how that functions in a way like the cross so so it's an interesting observation but I don't I don't see a lot to commend it **[46:03]** and yeah this will be the last one for tonight guys this is from John Douglas who says god bless your ministry thank you John what's your advice on a breakthrough from God in Revelation to breaking free from all habitual sin I'm gonna read this question again I'm not sure if I can understand it what's your advice on a breakthrough from God in revel in relation to breaking free from all habitual sin and following God with everything you have thanks Mike okay I **[46:37]** read revelation for some reason at first breaking free from sin habitual sins what's my advice I'll just give you some some thoughts in the in the in the Old Testament there are revivals that happen when there is a return to God's Word and a return to God's Word with an intention that they're gonna actually do that stuff they've been ignoring all along and I think that sometimes these are the things that need to happen in our lives that we return to God's Word to the reading of God's Word to actually **[47:09]** sitting down just with your Bible and patience to putting your phone away and just reading the Word of God and then being willing to obey it so that when you find it's reflecting that there's something in your life that is not in line with what you're reading that you're willing to say okay I'll cut that thing out but that has to do with a willingness of your heart another thing I'll mention is this sometimes we think of I need to stop this sin and we think of one sin we're battling with when in reality there are sometimes other issues where we're compromising it that we're completely ignoring and I think that if **[47:39]** we address all of our compromise it helps us address those big issues it seems as though sin causes sin the you know when you feed the flesh in any way you feed the flesh and it's just stronger and more wicked and so if you cut off all areas of sin that you're aware of in your life that's the revival we're talking about and you focus your heart in your life upon the Lord so I would say be reading the word focus any area of compromise deal with it radically in your life perhaps start by spending some time fasting praying seeking the Lord those would be my **[48:11]** encouragement to you I for what it's worth I hope that it helps you John and Sarah send more questions so I'll ask I'll answer one more Joel Joseph says when using hermeneutics for interpreting texts is literal historical grammatical hermeneutic the preferred option I was told by a friend that Kent the canonical principle was used by early church fathers I don't even know what the canonical principle is I've never heard that Joel um someone might think I'm ignorant for never hearing it but I think it seems odd that I've never even heard of it at least not that I can **[48:42]** recall what's the canonical principle don't even know it is so yeah hermeneutics is the art of understanding a text you know interpreting a text properly that's called hermeneutics and should use the literal historical grammatical hermeneutic well yeah I mean what we're when you say that I'm assuming what you mean is try to interpret it in it's obvious meaning it means what it clearly seems to be saying that would be literal although we're not saying that everything is always literal when Jesus says you know you the **[49:14]** Pharisees straighten out her nap but they swallow a camel he obviously doesn't mean that literally but when I use a plain face reading of the text I I realize he's using hyperbole here so I don't take it literally it's not literal historical means that you're aware of the context you're we're always talking to Pharisees religious leaders he's talking okay when it says let them be like a heathen or tax collector okay well we're not saying tax collectors are bad today we understand it in the historical context they were like rebels against Israel they were like they'd compromised against their people and they were frequently embezzling or using **[49:45]** immoral means to take money away from their fellow Israelites so they were seen as as horrible people okay so that's like a historical consideration grammatical yeah you have to look at the grammar is what what verb is what verb it goes with what noun and things like that so these are all yeah those are all important things if they're read it in context another way to put it is read the Bible like a newspaper not that anybody reads newspapers read the Bible like you read anything else like you read a book you're aware of the paragraph you're aware of the book the **[50:16]** chapter context dictates our understanding of these things and if you're interested you can get actually books on hermeneutics I just happen to have one here I'm not saying this is the best one but books on hermeneutics that will actually guide you and try to understand your Bible better one of the best things though that you can do to understand your Bible better is learn English better I know you're thinking Greek but if you went to tiller and Greek the first thing you would find out is that you don't know it you don't know English that well **[50:46]** and so learning to understand English better learning to understand how a phrase works how to dissect and and diagram a sentence these are really helpful things in Bible studying and I think in the future I was talking to the mods about this in a private chat I think in the future what I'm gonna do is I'm gonna do a series of videos on how to study the Bible where I talk about some of these principles and break them down a lot more thoroughly and a lot with a lot more application we'll look at specific Bible passages and we'll talk about how how do you find the **[51:19]** historical data to give you insight on these passages how do you look at this in context where is it why is a frequently misunderstood passages we'll see how Herman proper hermeneutic would correct people from misunderstanding that so that as you open your Bibles you'll be more equipped to without the aid of commentaries as much be able to just read and understand at least that's that's a goal so for a future future series but again that's a project where I have to sit down and plan it all out like a lesson plan and maybe would be fruitful for you guys so thank you I hope that I hope that today's video is a **[51:50]** blessing to you I was wondering with Q&A videos what the benefit is on the other side of the video to the people that are watching it as opposed to prepared teaching moving forward I'll be preparing more teaching and I'll bring it to you as soon as it's ready just know that I am hard at work I'm not taking a vacation I'm just giving myself more time to prepare the content that I bring and and yeah and we'll do that and do the question tonight will will make the next Q&A that I do will be a new believers QA to a best benefit those people who need it the most I hope that **[52:20]** it's a blessing to you guys thanks for joining thanks to my mods for being there god bless you and in the meantime if I can give you a parting word of encouragement it is this piece in the Christian heart in the Christian life it comes largely not from the circumstances you're in but from the one who you trust with your life and that is who is worthy who was full of love and goodness and who in the midst of your hardship and the midst of whatever you're going through whatever is coming next that you can't even predict whatever horror awaits you know that **[52:51]** glory awaits beyond that because you're in Christ and because God has prepared things for you the things for those who love him that that you can't even imagine you can't even imagine and so right now our comfort comes not from the world and the things that are going on but it ultimately comes from our hope and our faith and our trust in our King we have non cliche hope it's such a glorious hope that to the world it sounds like a cliche because they don't realize how good it really is so rest your hope rest your faith rest your **[53:23]** comfort in God in the scriptures and in the fruit that is one day coming as we wait upon him in the meantime in the meantime whatever you do do it unto the Lord for his glory because all of our works will be tested and we will have fruit only from that which we did for Christ so I hope that's an encouragement to y'all thank you so much thanks for joining me god bless you