Grafted Theology

Did the earliest Christians believe the Church should be led by bishops, presbyters, and deacons, or was the threefold ministry a later development? In this episode, we examine the historical and biblical evidence surrounding church leadership in the first three centuries of Christianity. Drawing from the writings of Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp of Smyrna, Irenaeus of Lyons, Clement of Alexandria...

Did the earliest Christians believe in apostolic succession, or was it a later development introduced centuries after the apostles? In this episode, we examine the historical and biblical evidence surrounding one of the most debated topics in church history. Beginning with the earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament, we explore the testimony of Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, H...

How should we evaluate what the earliest Christians actually believed? In this opening episode, we set out the historical method that will guide this entire series. Instead of assuming that any single Church Father represents the whole Church, we ask how historians can responsibly identify beliefs that were widely held across the pre-Nicene Christian world (before AD 325). We look at the kinds of...

Many people believe that Christ was forsaken by the Father on the cross. Today we take a quick look at Scripture to see if this is true.

This episode of Grafted Theology tackles Romans 9, one of the most disputed chapters in the Bible, often used to support the Calvinistic views of unconditional election and predestination. I walk through a faithful, non-Calvinist reading, arguing that the chapter is about God’s covenant faithfulness, not a deterministic framework for individual salvation. Discover how Paul defines true Israel by f...

What does “foreknew” mean in Romans 8:29? Does this passage teach unconditional election, or is Paul describing something else? In this episode, we examine Romans 8:28–30 in context and argue that Paul is not explaining how individuals are chosen for salvation, but what God has planned for those who love Him. Instead of a deterministic reading, we explore how “foreknew” connects to the faithful re...

In this episode, I explain why I believe the Reformed doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA) creates significant tension with the Trinity and historic Christology. Atonement and Union with Christ Article PSA's Tension with the Trinity and Christology Article

This is part 5, the final episode in this multi part series where we look at a recent article I released titled “Atonement and Union with Christ”. In this particular episode I cover sections: "Additional Objections" and "Final Summary." This is an audio version of my article so if you would like to give it a read the link is below. Atonement Article: https://grafted-theology.bl...

This is part 4 of a multi part series where we look at a recent article I released titled “Atonement and Union with Christ”. In this particular episode I cover the sections: "The Nature of Christ’s Representation," "The Causal Role of Union with Christ," "Double Imputation and Its Problems," "The Incoherence of Penal Substitution in Light of Union With Christ,&qu...

This is part 3 of a multi part series where we look at a recent article I released titled “Atonement and Union with Christ”. In this particular episode I cover the sections: "The Purpose for Atonement," "The Meaning of Atonement," and "How God Deals With Sin." This is an audio version of my article so if you would like to give it a read the link is below. Atonement Ar...

This is part 2 of a multi part series where we look at a recent article I released titled “Atonement and Union with Christ”. In this particular episode I cover the sections: "What Makes Penal Substitutionary Atonement Unique" and "Comparing Two Frameworks." This is an audio version of my article so if you would like to give it a read the link is below. Atonement Article: https:...

This is part 1 of a multi part series where we look at a recent article I released titled “Atonement and Union with Christ”. In this particular episode I cover the sections: "Intro," "What Is the Gospel?," "Core Affirmations Shared Across Historic Christianity," "Shared Biblical Reasons Christ Gave His Life," and "Atonement Theories and the Gospel.&quot...

Why did Pharaoh’s heart become hard? Many assume God simply overrode Pharaoh’s will to make him resist, but that’s not how the biblical story unfolds. Instead, Scripture presents a process in which Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his own heart before God ever took action. Pharaoh was not a passive figure in his rebellion—he actively resisted God’s word time after time. Only after this persistent defia...

The question of how God relates to human sin and evil has long challenged theologians and believers alike. Many assume that God, in His sovereignty, must meticulously determine (ordain or decree) every event, including sinful acts. Some even argue that if God foreknows all things, then He must causally or effectually determine evil. But Scripture paints a very different picture: God is holy, good,...

I believe that 1 Corinthians 10:13 presents a major problem for Calvinistic determinism. It teaches that God gives believers a real way of escape rather than the illusion of it.

In this episode I cover the common Calvinist question, "Why do some believe and others don't?"

In today's episode I cover how Acts 19:1-7 doesn't support baptismal regeneration as some believe.

There has been much debate among Christians and various denominations about the role of baptism in relation to salvation. Is it salvific or is it as an outward expression of an inward spiritual reality? I hope that this study will be helpful to you in answering this question.

Today we’re on part five in this short series on salvation where I'll be covering Sanctification and Glorification.

Today I'll be doing a short teaching on faith and regeneration!

We’re continuing to work through this short series on salvation by covering repentance and justification.

Is Total Depravity (Total Inability) true? One of the most frequently used passages to support this concept of Total Depravity is Ephesians 2:1-3, but does this passage actually support this particular theological view?

Welcome to Grafted Theology where we explore the deep and transformative truths of the Christian faith. I’m your host Drew Whitton and today we are doing a short episode on God’s Sovereignty. This isn’t meant to be super extensive or comprehensive but just simply covering some basics. However, in the future I do plan to go much further on this very topic. So thanks for joining me for this episode...

It's my 12th wedding anniversary and I just wanted to share some things that I have found to be helpful in our marriage!

Today we are continuing on the topic of sin and the consequences of the fall in this episode of Grafted Theology.