Mike Winger, a prominent theological thinker, tackles intriguing questions about faith and scripture. He discusses the complexities of biblical interpretations, like whether anyone has truly seen God, and clarifies the distinctions between biblical femininity and masculinity. Winger also examines the reliability of the Septuagint for understanding messianic prophecies. Finally, he proposes nuanced approaches to caring for the homeless while fostering empathy and understanding in faith conversations.
The discussion emphasizes the distinction between different types of seeing God, suggesting that Old Testament encounters were partial revelations compared to the full nature of God revealed in Jesus.
Mike Winger explores the implications of biblical femininity and masculinity, highlighting the importance of understanding gender roles and discipleship in a contemporary context.
The podcast addresses the need for a thoughtful approach to engaging with the homeless, reflecting on how modern believers can embody biblical hospitality and care.
Deep dives
Understanding the Contradiction
The discussion centers around a perceived contradiction in the Bible regarding whether anyone can see God. John 1:18 states that no man has seen God at any time, while Genesis 32:30 cites Jacob claiming to have seen God face to face. This inconsistency raises questions about the interpretations of these scriptures. The argument suggests that the New Testament writers understood the Old Testament accounts and that their statements about seeing God may refer to different types or aspects of seeing, emphasizing the need to consider context to avoid misunderstanding.
Different Types of Seeing
The idea of different kinds of seeing is pivotal to resolving the contradiction about the visibility of God. The New Testament's claim that no one has seen God could refer to the complete, direct perception of God’s essence, while Old Testament figures may have experienced lesser revelations or theophanies. For instance, Moses saw God's glory but was told he could not see His face and live, indicating limits to human perception of divine nature. This distinguishes between a physical appearance and a spiritual understanding, suggesting a deeper, relational knowledge of God available through Jesus.
The Role of Jesus in Revelation
Jesus is presented as the ultimate revelation of God, embodying the fullness of God's nature in a way unparalleled in the Old Testament. New Testament writers indicate that while earlier individuals witnessed aspects of God's presence, they did not have the comprehensive revelation provided through Jesus. Passages such as John 1:18 express that Jesus, as the Son, makes the unseen God known, which aligns with the belief that He represents God's nature and character fully. This profound theological claim hinges on understanding the difference between historical theophanies and the full divine revelation manifest in Jesus.
The Nature of God’s Manifestation
Throughout the Old Testament, God appears in various forms, often through intermediaries like angels or in forms that do not fully express His essence. The discussion includes various biblical figures such as Jacob, Isaiah, and Moses, noting their encounters with divinity, which were significant yet incomplete. The complexity of these manifestations supports the idea that they were reflections rather than the fullness of God, akin to glimpses rather than a face-to-face relationship with His full glory. Understanding these instances reveals a progressive revelation of God leading to the definitive revelation through Christ.
Practical Implications for Believers
For modern believers, the implications of these insights reinforce the importance of embracing the full revelation of God as found in Jesus Christ. The New Testament emphasizes that trust in Jesus provides a unique relationship with God that was not possible through previous revelations. This understanding encourages believers to appreciate the depth of their spiritual knowledge and experience of God, which surpasses that of the Old Testament figures. Engaging with the Scriptures holistically and acknowledging the layers of divine revelation empowers believers to deepen their faith and understanding of God's nature.
Welcome to the new weekly stream! 10 questions every Friday at 1 p.m. Pacific Time.
Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:
0:00 - Intro 1. 4:41 {Has Anyone Seen God?} John 1:18 tells us, “No man has seen God at any time…” but in Genesis 32:30, Jacob says, “I have seen God face to face and my life is preserved.” Which is it? 2. 19:19 {Are we Equal with God in Heaven?} My wife had a question I did not know how to answer: If we are perfected at the end of time and perfect in God's presence, how are we not then equal with God? We realize that we will not be greater than God, but I am not sure how to explain this subject. 3. 22:35 {Godly Womanhood/Biblical Femininity} How does godly womanhood differ from godly manhood outside of marriage? How do we define biblical femininity, especially for the unmarried woman? Does discipleship look different for women? 4. 30:13 {The LXX More Reliable for Typology?} Is the Septuagint more reliable for finding Jesus in the Old Testament? S. Douglas Woodward & others say that messianic passages & timelines in the Masoretic Text were altered in 2nd century to keep Jews from converting to Christianity. 5. 35:52 {Effectively Caring for the Homeless} How are we expected to help homeless people in our modern culture? Are we still expected to invite strangers into our very homes as they did in Bible times? 6. 42:35 {Must We Have an Eschatological View?} Do you think it is important to have a view on eschatology? Can we just all agree that one day, if we believe in Jesus and what He did on the cross and abide in Him, that we will go to Heaven? 7. 47:34 {When was the Old Covenant in Effect?} Hebrews 8:13 says that the Old Covenant is becoming obsolete and about to disappear. Does this mean the Old Covenant was still in effect at the time this book was written? 8. 54:03 {Should Unequally Yoked Believers Bear Children?} I'm married to an unbeliever. I regret it and I worry that I’ve jeopardized my son's salvation! Would it be better not to have any more children in my “ungodly” marriage even though we'd like to have more? 9. 1:01:02 {Jesus Leaves & Advocate Comes – Modalism?} Why is the Advocate unable to come unless Jesus leaves (John 16:7)? Why does this not imply Modalism? 10. 1:05:41 {Believing in God but Not the Bible} How do I bring the Gospel to someone who believes there is a God, but rejects the Bible? My mom doesn’t believe God gave us the Bible and thinks that Christianity is man-made.
1:13:26 BONUS Q! What's your favorite video game?
LINKS:
Who is the Angel of the LORD in the Old Testament? Click Here
THE FINAL VIDEO in the Women in Ministry series is right here. This serves as both a summary of all the Bible teaches on the topic as well as answering all the questions about application that people have been asking for.
What the book of Acts teaches about Gentiles and Jews observing the Law: Click Here
