Theology Unplugged

Today's episode asks one of the most foundational and unsettling questions in theology: Is the canon of Scripture actually closed? Not whether it should be or whether it feels closed, but whether anyone-church, council, or community-has the authority to close it. We walk through exploring the definition of canon, examine where the idea of a "closed canon" comes from, and ask who-if anyone-had the...

In this episode of Theology Unplugged, we explore the spectrum of philosophical systems and how they shape our understanding of faith. From fideism to empiricism, existentialism to rationalism, we see that God engages with us through multiple avenues-not just one. What if He wants to make your faith more multi-dimensional? By understanding these frameworks, we can appreciate the richness of Christ...

Episode 74 of 'Through Theology in a Year' takes you on a journey through the intricacies of manuscript evaluation and Bible translation. We'll explore the three key elements that add value to any discovered manuscript, and then dive into how translation committees decide on their specific approaches. From the NIV to the ESV, the King James Version to The Message, we break down the differences and...

Welcome back to 'Through Theology in a Year.' Today, we're diving into 'Textual Criticism #2' with a specific English example to illustrate how different mistakes, both unintentional and intentional, were made in the early Church. We'll explore why scribes might deliberately alter texts based on their identity, motives, and audience. Tune in for an engaging discussion! Get involved: Michael's publ...

In this episode of Conversations with Tad, we dive into the humanity of Christ-what it truly meant for Jesus to walk among us, experience temptation, feel sorrow, and even wrestle with human limitations. As we talk, Tad has a realization that Jesus wasn't just God in disguise but fully human in every way. This leads us into a deeper discussion on why Christ's humanity matters for our faith, how it...

Conversations with Tad is an ongoing dialogue between me and my good friend, Tad, as we explore faith, doubt, and the Christian journey. Tad became a Christian some time ago, and these conversations provide an honest and personal look at his experiences, struggles, and growth. We discuss theology, life, and what it means to follow Christ in a real and meaningful way. Whether you're a believer, a s...

What makes a church high church or low church? Is a formal, liturgical service more biblical than a simple, informal gathering? And how do different traditions-Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Congregational-approach church governance? In this episode, we explore the structures of church leadership, the theological debates around them, and why we should be open to different expressions of worship and...

In this episode of Theology Unplugged, we trace the history of systematic theology, from the early Apologists like Justin Martyr to modern biblical theology. Theology has evolved through philosophy, logic, Scripture, and experience, shifting from Platonic mysticism to Aristotelian scholasticism, from Reformation confessionalism to modern biblical theology. We explore the great thinkers-Irenaeus, T...

In this episode, we take a foundational look at textual criticism-the study of how the biblical text has been transmitted over time. Before we can confidently engage with Scripture, we must understand how it was copied, preserved, and passed down through history. Were there mistakes? What kinds of errors appear in manuscripts, and how do scholars identify and evaluate them? What materials were use...

In this episode, we dive into the Marburg Colloquy, exploring the pivotal theological debate between Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli. We'll examine the historical context of their Christological discussions, highlighting the fourteen points of agreement and the critical fifteenth point of contention: the nature of the Eucharist. We also discuss Zwingli's accusation that Luther deviated from Chalc...

In this final episode on Sola Scriptura, we bring together the key arguments that demonstrate why Scripture is the final and ultimate authority for faith and practice. We examine the Bereans in Acts 17, Paul's words in 2 Timothy 3:16, and the historical problems with relying on the Church as an equal or greater authority. By addressing common objections and reinforcing the biblical foundation of S...

Many misunderstand Sola Scriptura-some reducing it to "Scripture is the only authority" and others dismissing it as an impossible standard. But what does Sola Scriptura actually mean? In this episode, we define Sola Scriptura as the doctrine that Scripture alone is the uniquely God-breathed, infallible, and final revelation for matters of faith and salvation. While general revelation (nature and r...

In this episode, I present a decisive refutation of Roman Catholic authority, challenging the concept of apostolic succession and its claim to ultimate authority. Building on the six defenses I previously outlined for Roman Catholic theology, I demonstrate why this system, while pragmatic in certain respects, ultimately falls short. I argue that it is unnecessary, unbiblical, and there is a better...

In this episode of Through Theology in a Year, C. Michael Patton explores the Roman Catholic view of authority, often referred to as Sola Ecclesia or what he calls the "Tri-Fold" view. This theological framework relies on three interconnected sources of authority: Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium. Michael walks through seven key arguments in defense of this position, presenting the...

In this episode of Theology Unplugged, Michael unpacks the recent controversy surrounding Wesley Huff's debate with Billy Carson, which led to Huff's appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast. While Huff passionately defended the reliability of biblical manuscripts, his claim that the Isaiah Scroll is "word for word identical" to Codex Leningradus sparked criticism. Michael explains why this statement was...

In session 66 of Through Theology in a Year, titled Authority Across the Spectrum, we examined various perspectives on authority in the Christian faith. Using detailed charts, we defined and compared Sola Scriptura with Sola Ecclesia, Dual Source Theory, Regula Fide, and Nuda Scriptura. Each perspective was explored, including its rationale and implications for how Christians view authority in Scr...

In session 65 of Through Theology in a Year, titled The Church Fathers and Authority, we explored how early church fathers like Tertullian, Irenaeus, Chrysostom, Augustine, and Athanasius understood the concept of authority. Together, we examined their balanced perspectives, recognizing Scripture as the ultimate authority while also valuing the significant role of tradition. By analyzing their wri...

In this special edition, we step outside Through Theology in a Year to explore something different. First, we tackle Christianity versus other religions-what makes the Christian faith distinct in a world of competing beliefs? Then, we dive into an exciting new journey: Church Fathers in a Year, where we'll uncover the rich writings of early Christian thinkers and their relevance today. Finally, we...

In this episode, I walk through the Development of Doctrine chart step by step, exploring how theology has progressed throughout church history. We discuss why doctrinal development is inevitable and how understanding this progression is essential for engaging theology today. While presenting an irenic perspective on various approaches, I argue that Sola Scriptura is the most natural and logical o...

In this session of Through Theology in a Year (TTY), we dive into The Doctrinal Development Debate. How have Roman Catholics, Protestants, and Eastern Orthodox believers viewed the development of doctrine throughout history? This session is all about tracing our doctrinal DNA, understanding how theology has unfolded over time, and deciding how much room there is for growth within the bounds of Scr...

In this episode of Theology Unplugged, we're diving into the four types of doubt that can challenge your faith: intellectual, existential, temperamental, and obsessive-compulsive doubt (scrupulicity). Whether you're wrestling with big questions about the resurrection and Scripture, feeling a shift in how you believe, struggling with a melancholic temperament, or experiencing obsessive doubt that k...

In session 62 of Through Theology in a Year, we'll explore theological authority by examining 'Prima Scriptura' and 'Sola Fide.' We'll discuss the meaning of 'Prima Scriptura,' which sees Scripture as primary but in dialogue with tradition and reason, and 'Sola Fide,' the Protestant belief that salvation comes by faith alone. Additionally, we'll touch on how different Christian traditions-Roman Ca...

Description: In this special After Hours edition of Through Theology in a Year, part of Theology Unplugged, I take a closer look at the popular video "Why Be Catholic and Not Just Christian?" by Ascension Presents featuring Father Mike Schmitz. In the video, Father Schmitz argues that the key difference between Catholicism and other Christian traditions comes down to one thing: authority. Join me...

In this episode of Through Theology in a Year, we delve deep into the Roman Catholic view of authority. We explore its historical roots, unpack the concept of Sola Ecclesia or dual-source theory, and discuss the significance of Big-T and little-t tradition. We also examine the regula fidei, the Vincentian Canon, and the deposit of faith, all while breaking down the three-legged stool of Catholic a...

In this episode, I dive into Mar Mari Emmanuel's YouTube video, Mar Mari's Message to Protestants. Together, we unpack his critique of Protestantism, his evaluation of Martin Luther, and his reflections on the thousands of Protestant denominations. As a former bishop in the Assyrian Church of the East (now excommunicated), Mar Mari brings a unique perspective, but one that raises questions and inc...