The Old Roads Podcast

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores the differences between the old covenant and the new with reference to the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of new covenant believers. What privileges do we have today that Old Testament saints did not have? How does this magnify the redeeming work of Christ on our behalf?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley answers questions from listeners about how Christians can speak truthfully about the Bible’s teaching on homosexuality without being harsh, how we can know God is there for us during hard times, and what Jesus means when he speaks of Elijah coming in Matthew 17:10-12.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley looks into the controversial passage describing a 1,000 year period during which Satan is bound and Christian martyrs reign with Christ. This passage has long divided theological camps into premillennial, postmillennial, and amillennial. What do these differing views argue, and what is the best approach to interpreting Revelation 20?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores the interesting ways the book of Revelation uses numbers: seven and multiples of seven; three and one-half (or its equivalents), twelve and multiples of twelve, and the mysterious number 666. Do these numbers carry symbolic meaning that can give us deeper insight into what the book is telling us?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley gives an overview of the entire book of Revelation, arguing that the center of it is found in the vision of the Lamb in chapter 5, and then showing how the storyline of the book unfolds from there. When understood rightly, Revelation does not give us details for a prophecy chart, but rather a new way of seeing the world.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley gives an overview of four different interpretive approaches to the book of Revelation and argues that one of them makes the book much easier to understand and read profitably.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley answers questions from listeners about how Christians can keep our minds quiet and focused in a world of so much noise, the limits of religious liberty, and Paul’s use of the past tense verb “glorified” in Romans 8:30.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley offers some basic principles for how Christians should think about AI and use it profitably. With any new technology, finding the ethical boundaries for using it in light of Scripture is essential for any Christian believer, and AI has now opened up a world of exciting possibilities as well as previously unforeseen pitfalls.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley offers guidance, drawing from Cal Newport’s book Digital Minimalism, on how to use smartphones, social media, and other digital technologies with intentionality rather than allowing them to shape us in destructive ways.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley addresses the question of what the Bible teaches us about technology. Is technology good, bad, or capable of both? What role does it play in God’s plan for us, and what dangers might it pose?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley answers questions from listeners about how Christians who live and work primarily around other Christians can fulfill the Great Commission, whether or not Baptist churches should allow paedobaptist Christians into membership, and how we can guard our hearts from thinking that God owes us blessings for our faithfulness.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores the differences between those who call themselves “pro-life” and those who describe themselves as “abortion abolitionists.” Although both groups oppose abortion, they have found themselves at odds with one another in recent times. What are the issues that divide them, how should we evaluate those issues, and can we forge unity b...

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores the current state of American society on the issue of abortion after the Dobbs decision of 2022 struck down Roe v. Wade. Did that court decision end the need for the pro-life movement, or are there still battles to be fought for the sake of human life in America?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley addresses the question of what it means to be pro-life. Is the mission of the pro-life movement focused on a narrow set of issues, or is it right to say that it expands into matters such as healthcare, public welfare, etc.? And why does it matter?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley answers questions from listeners about whether or not sacrifice is essential to all true worship, the mysterious origin of Cain’s wife, and how we can define sin when believers have different personal convictions.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley talks through a final rule for accurate biblical interpretation, one that helps us see each passage in light of the whole Bible. Protestants believe that the Bible is its own best interpreter, so how can we read the Bible with that principle in view?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley continues walking through a set of rules for accurate biblical interpretation to help listeners grow in their ability to read the Bible well and submit their lives to the voice of God in Scripture. Part 2 focuses on how we can determine what key words in a passage mean, how we can look for important grammatical connections, and how some...

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley begins walking through a set of rules for accurate biblical interpretation to help listeners grow in their ability to read the Bible well and submit their lives to the voice of God in Scripture. Part 1 focuses on the importance of different kinds of literature in the Bible, the context of a passage, and its historical background.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley addresses an important question in biblical interpretation, namely, whether a passage of Scripture can have more than one legitimate meaning. When we read certain passages with fresh eyes and feel like it has communicated something new to us, does that mean the Bible’s meaning can be different for different people? Or is every passage li...

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley answers questions from listeners about apparent inconsistencies in the Bible, the possibility that the gospel might be heard through dreams and visions, and whether or not God’s plan can ever be delayed by lack of human obedience.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores some specific biblical texts on Christian growth, or sanctification, in conversation with the Wesleyan and Keswick views of this subject discussed in previous episodes. What does Scripture say growth in the Christian life actually looks like?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley looks into another popular model of sanctification known as “higher life theology,” which came from Bible conferences held in Keswick, England. In this view, some Christians may have Jesus as Savior only, but not as Lord. Is that a legitimate understanding of the biblical teaching on sanctification?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley dives into the topic of sanctification, beginning with an explanation and critique of John Wesley’s unique doctrine of “Christian perfection.” This discussion raises questions related to the nature of God’s work in our lives and how much progress we can expect to see during our earthly life.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley answers questions from listeners about whether or not God’s love for all people is the same, a Christian view of self-defense, and the origin of John’s baptism.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores the practical implications for the doctrine of justification by faith alone. How does this teaching affect our relationship with God, our grasp of his love for us, and our sense of security in him? How does it affect the way we relate to others, especially considering that they, like us, are sinners?