BibleThinker Podcast Ep. 44

Episode Title: Wrong about the gift of prophecy: 10 Qs with Mike Winger
Host: Mike Winger
Date: February 8, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Mike Winger tackles ten listener-submitted questions, engaging primarily with controversial and practical issues in Christian theology. The main theme centers on the biblical nature of prophecy—specifically, whether New Testament prophecy must always be positive and encouraging (a common teaching in some charismatic circles, such as Bethel Church). Mike addresses recent teachings, examines biblical evidence, and branches into additional questions about Christian practices, doctrinal issues, and interpretations of key Scriptures.

Main Discussion: Must Prophecy Always Be Positive?

[00:00–32:00]

Key Points

• Context & Importance:
  Mike opens with a question: Is the gift of prophecy always supposed to be positive? He connects it to approaches like those of Chris Vallotton (a teacher at Bethel Church), who asserts prophecy should never be negative.

• Quote – Chris Vallotton on Prophecy:

  “New Testament prophecy encourages and builds up people. It doesn’t condemn or speak negatively to them. We should never allow people who are ministering in the gift of prophecy to speak negatively into the lives of others… the goal of the gift of prophecy is to bring out the best in people.”
  — [03:40]

• Mike’s Response:
  Mike argues this is an “extra biblical rule” not actually found in Scripture, emphasizing that prophecy in both Old and New Testaments often included warnings, calls to repentance, and conviction of sin. False positivity, he warns, can lead to harm (as in Jeremiah’s day).

• Biblical Evidence Against “Only Positive” Prophecy:

  • Old Testament Examples:

    • Isaiah pronounces judgment for the purpose of upbuilding and restoration, though the words are “negative.”

      “These negative words are for their upbuilding, encouragement and consolation. It is meant to restore them.” — [13:10]

    • Nathan confronts David with his sin through a prophetic story (2 Samuel 12).

    • God’s word to Eli via Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:13 is distinctly negative—judgment for the sins of his house.

  • New Testament Examples:

    • Book of Revelation:
      Prophecies to churches include stern rebukes—e.g., “you have fallen from your first love” (Rev 2, Ephesus); warnings of judgment if there is no repentance (Pergamum, Thyatira, Jezebel).

    • Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 4–5):
      Peter’s prophecy exposes their sin; they die as a divine judgment.

      “You don’t get much more negative than ‘you’re going to die right now.’” — [27:00]

    • 1 Corinthians 14:24–25:
      Prophecy brings conviction and disclosure of secrets, not just comfort.

• Why Does Bethel/Charismatic Teaching Insist on “Positive Only”?
  Mike suggests (strongly) that this creates a falsely “safe” and affirming environment, but at the cost of authenticity and actual accountability; it also paves the way for faked prophecy, as described in Bethel’s documented practices.

• Memorable Quote:

  “When you muzzle prophecy, you muzzle the Holy Spirit. Unless you’re faking prophecy…”
  — [25:40]

• Illustrative “Positivity Gone Wrong” Story:
  Mike recounts an incident where students, instructed to always give “positive prophecies” to strangers, accidentally encouraged someone to persist in behavior (becoming Wiccan) that directly contradicted biblical teaching.

  “When you combine this spaghetti-against-the-wall... and always positive, you create monsters.” — [31:20]

Conclusion

Prophecy is not biblically required to be always positive. Sometimes God’s most loving rebuke is negative; withholding honest confrontation leads to harm.

Other Listener Questions & Insights

2. Is Praying Over Houses or Objects Superstitious?

[32:00–35:30]

• Is it biblical to dedicate houses/objects in prayer, or is this superstition?
  • There is some biblical precedent (e.g., temple dedication), but not a prescribed formula. Don’t make it into ritualism or superstition (like burying statues or using “holy” oil arbitrarily).
  • Quote:

    “Just don’t be weird. My advice… Just don’t be weird.” — [35:20]

3. Time vs. Money: Can I Give Time Instead of Tithing?

[35:30–42:40]

• Is it okay to give time instead of money to the church, especially if giving money causes debt?
  • The 10% tithe is not a New Testament rule; giving is about generosity and proportionality.
  • Providing financially takes priority if your pastor is full-time. Volunteering time is valuable, but not equivalent to meeting financial needs.
  • Provide for your family first—don’t become “narcissistic” about lifestyle, but balance sacrifice with basic responsibility.
  • Memorable Moment: Mike describes youthful sacrificial giving (“I gave $1 out of my $10 lunch money…”), stressing that God honors giving in proportion to means, not amount.

    “Jesus gave us the story of the widow’s mite… our giving is seen in ratio to what we have.”
    — [41:40]

4. Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1–14)

[42:40–51:00]

• Mike unpacks the parable:
  • The Father (God) prepares a wedding (salvation in Christ), but the invited guests (Israel) refuse, mistreating messengers. The invitation then goes to all (Gentiles).
  • The man without the wedding garment represents those present for the benefits, not a genuine relationship with Christ, paralleling the “wheat and tares.”
  • Quote:

    “There may be some who are not really Christians. They’ve come for the feast, but not for the wedding.”
    — [50:10]

5. Should I Get Re-Baptized After Falling Away?

[51:00–58:00]

• If a Christian fell away and returns, should they be baptized again?
  • If first baptism was not genuine/understood, a second is appropriate. If it was real, trust in Christ’s reconciling work—re-baptism is unnecessary.
  • No strict biblical rule against it, but local church leaders should help discern.
  • Quote:

    “Unless you can say the first baptism was illegitimate, I wouldn’t recommend getting baptized again.” — [56:30]

6. Is God Selfish? (Psalm 106:8 / Motive for the Cross)

[58:00–01:06:00]

• Some object that everything God does seems ultimately self-exalting.
  • God has self-concern but is not selfish in the human, carnal sense—He acts from love, and glorification is a byproduct.
  • The Trinity distinguishes Christian understanding—God exalts the Son, the Son glorifies the Father; it’s relational.
  • Quote:

    “Never has God been given an ounce of glory that He did not fully deserve. Yet I have...” — [01:04:58]

7. Does Belief That Baptism is Required for Remission of Sins (Acts 2:38) = Heresy?

[01:06:00–01:18:40]

• Is it heretical to think baptism is required for forgiveness, per Acts 2:38?
  • Mike argues from Acts 10–11 (the salvation of Cornelius): Cornelius and his household receive the Holy Spirit before baptism, proving baptism follows, but doesn’t cause salvation.
  • The teaching is a mistake, not a damning heresy if someone believes, so long as they’re not trusting works for salvation.
  • Quote:

    “It is not something that you have to do or else you aren’t saved... That is not a biblical teaching.” — [01:15:30]

8. Are Vows Made in Sin Still Binding? (Ecclesiastes 5:5)

[01:18:40–01:23:00]

• In general, “let your yes be yes,” but if a vow itself is wicked (“I vow to leave my wife”), fulfilling it would add sin to sin; don’t fulfill evil vows.
  • Examples: Jephthah’s foolish vow (Judges 11), Old Testament provision for nullifying certain vows (Numbers 30).

9. Is Isaiah 14 about Satan or the King of Babylon?

[01:23:00–01:27:50]

• The taunt begins against the king of Babylon, but due to the grandiose, “fallen from heaven” language (v.12: “O Day Star, son of dawn”), it may also symbolically refer to Satan.
  • Mike is open to both views, but accepts that it likely also references the spiritual power behind Babylon.
  • Quote:

    “Symbolically, the discussion of the King of Babylon has transitioned into a discussion that applies to Satan.” — [01:27:10]

10. Did David Violate Deuteronomy 24 by Reuniting with Michal?

[01:27:50–01:31:30]

• Deuteronomy 24: if a man divorces his wife, and she remarries, he can’t take her back. In David’s case, he never divorced Michal—she was given away by Saul, so the law may not strictly apply.
• Alternatively, it could have been a violation and, if so, David was wrong. The situation is ambiguous.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Discernment isn’t just the ability to see the difference between right and wrong, but between right and almost right.” — [11:00]
• “[Prophecy] is not always positive… Sometimes the most life-changing moments are when I am called out for something I’ve done wrong.” — [16:30]
• “You can’t tell the Lord what He’s allowed to say, that’s why [prophecy isn’t always positive].” — [31:40]
• “Just don’t be weird.” (advice on spiritual practices) — [35:20]
• “Jesus is the Judge: if you haven’t put your faith and trust in Him, you need to.” — [47:20]
• “If you haven’t been baptized and you’re a Christian, you need to go do it.” — [53:30]
• “Never has God been given an ounce of glory that He did not fully deserve.” — [01:04:58]
• “When you muzzle prophecy, you muzzle the Holy Spirit. Unless you’re faking prophecy…” — [25:40]
• Story of positive-only prophecy accidentally affirming someone’s entry into Wicca — [31:00]

Episode Flow (with Timestamps)

• 00:00 – 32:00: Main Topic—Is Prophecy Always Positive?
• 32:00 – 35:30: Question 2—Praying Over Houses/Objects
• 35:30 – 42:40: Question 3—Giving Time Instead of Money
• 42:40 – 51:00: Question 4—Parable of the Wedding Feast
• 51:00 – 58:00: Question 5—Re-Baptism After Falling Away
• 58:00 – 01:06:00: Question 6—Is God Selfish?
• 01:06:00 – 01:18:40: Question 7—Baptism for Remission of Sins
• 01:18:40 – 01:23:00: Question 8—Vows Made in Sin
• 01:23:00 – 01:27:50: Question 9—Isaiah 14 & Satan
• 01:27:50 – 01:31:30: Question 10—David and Michal

Tone & Style

Faithful to Mike’s forthright, biblically-rooted style—he is direct, careful not to caricature opponents, and quick to emphasize grace and charity even with strong disagreements. He peppers the episode with practical advice, historical insights, and personal anecdotes, always steering listeners back to Scripture over extra-biblical rules.

Summary Prepared by Podcast Summarizer AI – For listeners who haven’t caught the episode, these notes present the full breadth and key details of Mike’s teaching and advice in Ep. 44.