Navigating Credential Challenges in Public Ministry

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:

1. 1:08 {Did God Command Sin?} In Genesis 22:2, God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering. How can God ask men to do something that is sinful, and how could Abraham obey God’s direction to sin?
2. 19:11 {Proof of Virginity Required?} In Deuteronomy 22:13-21, why were the women to be stoned to death if they didn’t present proof of virginity? Was it the same for the men?
3. 25:30 {Keep All but 1 Commandment?} Why do Christians try to keep all 10 commandments except the 4th one? I hope this doesn't sound rude.
4. 37:36 {Does God Have Blood?} Does God have blood? If not, isn’t that Nestorian?
5. 39:22 {How to Put Faith in Christ} As an atheist who would like to believe in God, goes to church, and has read the Gospel, what steps do I take to believe?
6. 45:16 {Is it Logical to Believe the Bible?} How can Christians believe in a literal Adam and Eve account or a literal worldwide flood?
7. 51:32 {Did Jesus Doubt?} Is it true to say that Jesus doubted? How would you respond to someone that claims that He did (in Gethsemane), implying it's OK to doubt?
8. 55:12 {Why Doesn’t God Immediately Help/Heal?} Why would I "surrender" myself to someone who could help me (be well, not be in pain, heal me) and is with me at all times, but doesn't help me?
9. 58:43 {Why is Belief Necessary for Forgiveness?} Why does God require belief for forgiveness? Why can’t God simply forgive our sins since Jesus died for all and not attach belief to that?
10. 1:03:23 {Why does God Heal Some Cancer but Not All?} I have a neighbor who can't get past this question: “My dad had cancer and died. You [me] had it and lived. Why does God think that's fair?”
11. 1:08:18 {Rejecting the Message due to Credentials} Any advice for lay people doing public ministry that get attacked by non-believers on the basis of their credentials? I feel I am capable of interpretation and ministry despite never having been to seminary.
12. 1:12:03 {Does the Devil Know Our Thoughts?} Can the Devil interpret what a non-believer may be thinking or what's on their mind? Can he understand what a person is thinking?
13. 1:14:57 {Prophecies Written Afterwards?} How can you prove that parts of the Bible weren't written after the events took place, like prophecies or historical accounts of God's providence?
14. 1:17:35 {Proof of God’s Existence} What proof apart from science is there that there’s a God?
15. 1:22:01 {Couldn’t the Bible be More Clear?} Do you honestly think the Bible couldn't have been more clear about important moral issues where the church has been very wrong (treatment of gays, etc.)? What does that say about authorship?
16. 1:27:39 {How to Know Christianity is the Truth} I am so afraid. There is so many views about God. How can I be sure I am following the correct ways? I claim to be a Christian but there are too many different views.
17. 1:33:01 {The Problem of Evil} Why is there so much suffering if God is good? If He is almighty, why doesn’t He stop all the bad things?
18. 1:38:38 {Faith/Trust Defined} Define faith/trust. If someone intellectually knows that God exists but doesn't know how to trust in Him, how would you counsel them?
19. 1:41:28 {Didn’t the Israelites Have Meat to Eat?} If the Israelites had flocks and herds, why did they complain that they had no meat? They didn't have the Law of Moses yet on what not to eat.
20. 1:42:36 {Would God Pass the Test?} Ricky Gervais says that if all scientific knowledge and religion were erased, science would be eventually re-discovered, but not God. Thoughts?

Videos I mentioned:

• Evidence for the Bible series
• The Problem of Evil and Suffering
• Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus
• Faith is not "belief without evidence"
• How Daniel 9 is fulfilled prophecy
• Jesus in the Old Testament series

My name is Mike Winger and I aim to help people learn to think biblically about everything.