Why am I concerned about the Upside-Down Kingdom Bible? 10 Qs with Mike Winger (Ep 42)
Jan 17, 2025
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Explore the controversial Upside-Down Kingdom Bible, critiquing its diverse authorship and the tension between modern social issues and traditional biblical interpretation. Discover insights on nurturing children's faith, the complexities of marriage and oaths, and the balance of sin and the Holy Spirit in personal transformation. Delve into the biblical perspectives on corporal punishment, and ponder why the disciples sometimes didn’t recognize the resurrected Jesus, offering a unique take on biblical narratives.
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Quick takeaways
The speaker expresses concerns about the theological transparency of the Upside Down Kingdom Bible while acknowledging its collaborative contributions from various theologians.
A significant theme in the Bible is the emphasis on God's grace, particularly addressing mental health, trauma, and grief to provide practical guidance.
The commentary strongly affirms conservative views on issues like abortion and sexual ethics, suggesting a lack of diverse perspectives on controversial topics.
Viewer questions reveal struggles with spiritual dilemmas, such as repentance and sin patterns, indicating a desire for clarity in faith-related challenges.
Deep dives
Introduction of the Upside Down Kingdom Bible
The Upside Down Kingdom Bible is a new study Bible released by Zondervan that presents content and notes aimed at helping readers understand scripture better. The speaker expresses concerns about the Bible while acknowledging that the translation itself is not new, highlighting that it comprises the notes and insights that distinguish it. It is designed for those seeking a reliable resource for biblical understanding, but the speaker clarifies that it may not meet the expectations of readers looking for extensive debates or denominational disagreements. Additionally, the Bible is mentioned to include a range of contributors, indicating a collaborative effort in its production.
Diverse Theology and Contributors
The Bible features contributions from a variety of theologians, many of whom hold differing views on crucial topics, suggesting a blend of perspectives. The speaker notes that some contributors are controversial, but also emphasizes the importance of acknowledging diverse viewpoints within Christianity. However, the speaker indicates that readers expecting a well-rounded theological discussion may not find it as balanced as anticipated. The contributors’ theological diversity does not necessarily reflect a corresponding range of opinions in the commentary, further complicating readers' expectations.
Strengths of the Bible
One notable strength of the Upside Down Kingdom Bible is its strong affirmation of God's grace, particularly in the context of Old Testament narratives. The speaker mentions sections dedicated to mental health, trauma, and grief, highlighting the Bible's sensitivity to the struggles individuals face in life. These topics aim to provide comforting and practical guidance for readers grappling with pain or hardship, suggesting an intention to help them process their experiences through a biblical lens. The speaker appreciates these aspects as beneficial contributions to the Bible’s overall content.
Controversial Topics: Abortion and Sexuality
The commentary on abortion within the Upside Down Kingdom Bible presents strong pro-life arguments, emphasizing humanity in terms of God’s image rather than arbitrary distinctions made by society. This aspect underscores a firm stance against abortion, contrasting views that have deemed it acceptable based on a person’s developmental stage. Similarly, the speaker indicates that the Bible reaffirms traditional views on sexual ethics, clearly stating that homosexual acts are sinful while affirming God’s design for marriage between a man and a woman. Despite some disagreements on other subjects, the speaker finds these positions to largely align with conservative Christian values.
Critiques of the Upside Down Kingdom Bible
The speaker critiques the marketing of the Upside Down Kingdom Bible as vague and ambiguous, suggesting it lacks adequate transparency regarding its theological agenda. Though marketed as a study Bible equipped with resources to address various modern dilemmas faced by Christians, the speaker argues that it often does not effectively explain biblical passages. Instead, important content is overshadowed by topical commentary that prioritizes contemporary issues over scriptural interpretation. This leads to concerns about whether the Bible successfully fulfills its purpose as a tool for deeper comprehension of the Word.
Lack of Theological Balance
A key concern discussed relates to the perceived biases inherent in the various contributions, particularly regarding social justice themes and political concerns. The commentary tends to reflect uniformity in viewpoints among the contributors, which may lead to a lack of representation for alternative perspectives. The speaker expresses that this compromises the overall integrity of the Bible as a study resource, failing to provide a balanced theological framework that includes multiple viewpoints on controversial issues. This unidimensional approach may mislead readers who expect a diverse and open-ended theological discourse.
Understanding Spiritual and Physical Realities
The speaker emphasizes that the text of the Upside Down Kingdom Bible strives to address the spiritual and physical realities of believers, encouraging readers to reflect on how scripture applies to everyday life. By exploring deep themes such as lament, grief, and the challenges of life, the Bible aims to connect with readers on many levels, acknowledging human struggles while offering a pathway toward understanding God's grace in their lives. The inclusion of articles focusing on practical aspects is seen as valuable, encouraging readers to apply scriptural principles in their daily experiences. However, the execution of these themes remains under scrutiny due to the aforementioned biases.
Viewer Questions on Various Topics
Viewers pose questions on various theological and practical topics, reflecting a wide range of concerns about faith, interpretation of scripture, and personal challenges in aligned with biblical principles. One question centers on the implications of repentance and sin patterns in believers' lives, showcasing the struggle many face in their spiritual walk amidst temptation and recurring sin. Another inquiry addresses the nature of relationships in heaven, suggesting an eagerness for understanding connections with loved ones after death. These discussions highlight ongoing quests for clarity and guidance in navigating complex biblical and modern dilemmas.
1. 0:03 {The Upside-Down Kingdom Bible} What are your thoughts on the newly released Zondervan NIV Upside-Down Kingdom Bible, edited by Dr. Preston Sprinkle? 2. 1:18:50 {Helping Children Grasp the Gospel} As a pastor to the youth for so long, what would you recommend parents do with their children to help them have a personal relationship with God? 3. 1:21:00 {Moses/Genesis: When/How?} When/how did Moses acquire the contents and narrative of Genesis? 4. 1:22:27 {Is Marriage an Oath?} James 5:12 says not to make oaths, but isn’t getting married making an oath? 5. 1:26:35 {Overcoming the Grip of Sin} What’s the balance between the Holy Spirit changing us, and us trying to do good works and love God? I just feel so stuck in my sin. I don’t know how to get out of this habit. I’m scared my repentance isn’t real. 6. 1:31:29 {Sin in the Millennium?} Will there be sin in the Millennium? Will that affect our glorified bodies and our lives in the Millennium? 7. 1:34:37 {Corporal Punishment: More Harm than Good?} I’m a new parent doing research. I’ve heard that the Bible supports corporal punishment, but also that scientific studies say corporal punishment has negative outcomes. How do you reconcile these two things? 8. 1:38:10 {Disciples: Not Recognizing Jesus?} There are some Scriptures where the disciples don’t recognize the resurrected Jesus. Is this because they are prevented by Jesus, or did He actually look different? 9. 1:41:29 {Water & Blood: 1 John 4} What is the significance of the water and the blood in 1 John 4:6, 8? 10. 1:45:03 {Relationships with Family in Eternity} What do you think our relationship will be like with family members in Heaven? Will we know each other? Will we still sort of be related? I know there won't be marriage.
11. (Bonus Q!) 1:46:45 Who's your favorite LOTR character? I bet it's Treebeard.
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