Theological Sidebars

Ephesians 4:11-16 talks about 2 roles God has for the church: 1) pastors/leaders and 2) the role of the congregation. What is expected of both? What specifically must a Christian be doing? Bible Studies and Discussions from Ben Pate (PhD, Biblical Studies), Pastor of Royal Palms Baptist Church. For more on Royal Palms visit https://www. Royalpalms.org Visit Royal Palms' Youtube Channel to watch li...

What the are the Dead Sea Scrolls? What can they teach us about the Bibles we use today? Should they matter to the average Christian? Join us as we interview Dead Sea Scrolls scholar, Dr. Anthony Ferguson, pastor at 11th Street Baptist Church in Upland, Ca. For more info on Dr. Ferguson and 11th Street Baptist, visit - https://11thstreetbaptist.org/ Bible Studies and Discussions from Ben Pate (PhD...

Some students of the Bible, as well as teachers, feel insecure of their abilities to interpret because they do not know much of the historical backdrop of the text they are working in. How much history do you need to know to study the Bible? What is the value of history? Is it really essential to grasping the full meaning of the Scripture you are working through?  Listen in for answers to the...

What is the point of the "Jesus walking on the water" story? Is it in our gospels for entertainment purposes or does it mean to communicate something deeper for us? Bible Studies and Discussions from Ben Pate (PhD, Biblical Studies), Pastor of Royal Palms Baptist Church. For more on Royal Palms visit https://www. Royalpalms.org Visit Royal Palms' Youtube Channel to watch live and archived worship...

Matthew 14:13-18 shows us an interesting way that the disciples assessed the situation and then petitioned Jesus. They saw the reality of a situation and then told Jesus what to do. Does Jesus need our instructions and a list for how to work through a situation? How should we approach him in prayer?   Bible Studies and Discussions from Ben Pate (PhD, Biblical Studies), Pastor of Royal Palms B...

Is the Bible without error? What is the doctrine of inerrancy? Why is it important? Have SBC seminaries and colleges always dedicated to this? Join us for a very special episode featuring Dr. Rick Melick.   Dr. Melick is the Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Retired Director of Academic Graduate Programs (Ph. D./Th. M.) at Gateway Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention. Y...

In Matthew 13:56 it says the people were offended by Jesus. How might people be offended by Jesus today?  Ben interacts with a 2011 Barna study called, "Six Reasons Young Christians Leave Church." https://www.barna.com/research/six-reasons-young-christians-leave-church/ For Dr. Pate's Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9JPFkD4py19zE_P8OGBVOQ Visit OTXNT's New Youtube channel - https:...

Dr. Pate and Dr. Marquez discuss a recent article from Christianity Today, "Don’t Run for the School Board."  Should Christians stay out of local politics and just focus on discipleship? What should that even look like?  For Dr. Pate's Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9JPFkD4py19zE_P8OGBVOQ Visit OTXNT's New Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQf7ppCnBuWU8CsR0F...

In Matthew 13:47-50, Jesus talks about a coming judgment where the evil and the righteous will be separated and judged. This parable, inadvertently strikes at the heart of our cultural elevation of self-perception and autonomy. Who, then, is really righteous and who is really evil? For Dr. Pate's Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9JPFkD4py19zE_P8OGBVOQ Visit OTXNT's New Youtube channel -...

Why does Matthew include a similar parable with a similar explanation from Jesus in Matthew 13:47-40 (see also Matt 13:36-43)? Is it redundant or purposeful? Does repetition mean anything in the Bible? Matthew's repeating of a similar explanation by Jesus is meant to point us toward the importance of the message Jesus was communicating.  For Dr. Pate's Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channe...

Dr. Pate and Dr. Marquez discuss a recent discussion from the CrossPolitic podcast. An assertion made was that Baptist theology and its individualism is the cause of the modern transgender movement. Is there a real critique to be made on this or was it a careless comment? Join us for a discussion on baptism and the individual.    For a response and link to the original discussion vi...

In Matthew 13:44-46 Jesus teaches on the parables of the treasure and pearl of great price. He speaks of the great value of the kingdom of God. Do we value the kingdom this way? Does our practice demonstrate these truths? For Dr. Pate's Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9JPFkD4py19zE_P8OGBVOQ Visit OTXNT's New Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQf7ppCnBuWU8CsR0FHBdbA&nbs...

What does Romans 8:28 really teach? Does God really make all things work out for good? What is our good? For Dr. Pate's Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9JPFkD4py19zE_P8OGBVOQ Visit OTXNT's New Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQf7ppCnBuWU8CsR0FHBdbA  Bible Studies and Discussions from Ben Pate (PhD, Biblical Studies), Pastor of Royal Palms Baptist Church. For mor...

Do Christians have obligations for how to observe the Sabbath? Is Sabbath the same as Sunday? What should we do with Old Testament laws about the Sabbath? Join us for a discussion on Sabbath. For Dr. Pate's Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9JPFkD4py19zE_P8OGBVOQ Visit OTXNT's New Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQf7ppCnBuWU8CsR0FHBdbA  Bible Studies and Discussio...

Are people, biblically, viewed on a spectrum or does Jesus see us only in terms of two categories? Bible Studies and Discussions from Ben Pate (PhD, Biblical Studies), Pastor of Royal Palms Baptist Church. For Dr. Pate's YOUTUBE visit - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9JPFkD4py19zE_P8OGBVOQ For more on Royal Palms visit https://www. Royalpalms.org Visit Royal Palms' Youtube Channel to watch live...

What is a mark of a true disciple? What distinguishes the disciple from the crowd? Listen in for the answer. Bible Studies and Discussions from Ben Pate (PhD, Biblical Studies), Pastor of Royal Palms Baptist Church. For Dr. Pate's YOUTUBE visit - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9JPFkD4py19zE_P8OGBVOQ For more on Royal Palms visit https://www. Royalpalms.org Visit Royal Palms' Youtube Channel to...

A look at Matthew 13:22 shows us people who will claim to be followers of Christ but pursue everything else except his plans for them. These are sometimes referred to as carnal Christians - but this not true Christianity. How might someone get sucked down this road? Bible Studies and Discussions from Ben Pate (PhD, Biblical Studies), Pastor of Royal Palms Baptist Church. For Dr. Pate's YOUTUBE vis...

A look at Matthew 13:20-21 shows us people will fall away from pushback and persecution. It will not be just from a hard life, their persecution will come from holding to the Gospel and a biblical worldview.    Bible Studies and Discussions from Ben Pate (PhD, Biblical Studies), Pastor of Royal Palms Baptist Church.   For Dr. Pate's YOUTUBE visit - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC...

Did the Jonah story really happen? In order to ask that question we need to look at how Jesus understood the story (Matthew 12:38-42)   Bible Studies and Discussions from Ben Pate (PhD, Biblical Studies), Pastor of Royal Palms Baptist Church.   Visit OTXNT's New Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQf7ppCnBuWU8CsR0FHBdbA  For more on Royal Palms visit https://www...

Hear from Andrew and Ben what they experienced at the SBC annual meeting. Visit OTXNT's New Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQf7ppCnBuWU8CsR0FHBdbA  Bible Studies and Discussions from Ben Pate (PhD, Biblical Studies), Pastor of Royal Palms Baptist Church. For more on Royal Palms visit https://www. Royalpalms.org Visit Royal Palms' Youtube Channel to watch live and archived...

What is happening with church attendance since 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic?   Is this a real trend? What are we to make of it?  https://churchanswers.com/blog/five-reasons-your-current-church-attendance-is-the-new-normal/ Visit OTXNT's New Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQf7ppCnBuWU8CsR0FHBdbA  Bible Studies and Discussions from Ben Pate (PhD, Biblical St...

Do Christians really read the Bible? How important is it for our spiritual growth? How does Jesus deal with the Pharisees' bad theology? Visit OTXNT's New Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQf7ppCnBuWU8CsR0FHBdbA 

Does God choose or did I choose him in salvation? Does the Bible teach both? Visit OTXNT's New Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQf7ppCnBuWU8CsR0FHBdbA 

Dr. Pate and Dr. Marquez discuss the SCOTUS Roe V Wade leak.  Is this a good thing? Should Christians be celebrating the possible end to Roe v. Wade? What is behind the abortion agenda in our country? This and more in part 1.    See our video, "The Bible on Abortion" - https://youtu.be/5EdMI-2_A1M Visit OTXNT's New Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQf7ppCnBuWU8CsR0...

Why is it controversial to the world and sometimes in the church that Jesus is the only way to salvation? Is there any other way to be saved outside of Jesus? Visit OTXNT's New Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQf7ppCnBuWU8CsR0FHBdbA