Theology on Air

John Calvin, along with Martin Luther, is one of the two theological titans whose work most influenced the Reformation's outcome. Known best for fully embracing God's sovereignty and predestination, Calvin had great influence among the Swiss, the English, and the Puritans who made their way to America. We look at his life, work (often summarized by "TULIP") and  legacy. Thanks to Pastor Aaron...

Dr. Randy Hatchett of Houston Christian University (formerly Houston Baptist University) joins us to look at the Anabaptist and Baptist movements. While more dispersed than other Reformation movements, they pack a punch in their theological legacy and some of the juicier stories in Church history. Muenster, anyone? We look at how the name Baptist came to be used and the birth of modern Baptists. W...

Episcopal Rector Patrick Hall joins us to take a look at the English Reformation. While no one person is as responsible as this reformation as say, Martin Luther or John Calvin, several powerful personalities did fight for religious freedom in England, notably King Henry VIII, Elizabeth II, and Thomas Cranmer. We also look at the legacy of the Church of England as it has spread all over the world...

Three Lutheran pastors discuss the life and times of Martin Luther. Thanks to Prs. Richard Johnson and Ralph Hobratschk for joining Evan as they take a look at arguably the most significant of all the Reformers. We try to get behind the presenting issues of the Reformation (indulgences, purgatory, the sacraments) and look at the ongoing legacy of Luther. 

We look at the Bohemian reformer, Jan Hus, who closely followed John Wycliffe and who influenced Martin Luther. A noted preacher and critic of Catholic practices, Hus fought against corruption, indulgences, and ultimately Rome's own definition of the Church. Tried at the Council of Constance, his adherence to the scripture as the standard for Christian ethics would cost him his life.  

Part 2 of our series on Satanism and Conspiracy Theories was held Tuesday night. A member of the Satanic Temple of Houston dialogues with Pastor Evan Mcclanahan of First Lutheran on the differences between Christianity and Satanism. The panel includes frequent guests Paul Sloan and Beth White. 

John Wycliffe is really seen as the first of the major Reformers, the man who inspired Hus, who in turn inspired Luther. In the second half of the 14th century, Wycliffe challenged the church's right to own property, sell indulgences, the wisdom of begging friars, and Transubstantiation. He would work later in life to translate the Bible into English, his most famous achievement. 

In this first episode of our newly-formatted seasonal series, we introduce the topic of reform in the church and why it was needed. This season, we will be looking at the key Reformers of the Church: Wycliffe, Hus, Luther, Calvin, Wesley, the English Reformation and the Catholic Response. How did these men and movements change history and how are we still living in a post-Reformation world? We hop...

In April, Chris Date joined Theology on Tap in person to look at hell and different theological understandings of it. Does it exist? Do the evil simply cease to exist at some point? Is existence in hell eternal? There were so many questions we could not get to, Chris and another panelist from the live event, Pastor Juan Carlos Martinez, join us again to try to answer them. Juan Carlos espouses a t...

Christian Elliot joins TOT to look at conspiracy theories. Are any of them true? How can we know? Are they a distraction or even dangerous for the Christian? Are there malevolent forces secretly controlling EVERYTHING? Or maybe just a few things?

Pastor David Ritchie, author of "Why Do the Nations Rage?" joins Evan to look at nationalism and its demonic origins. Is America in the throes of a similarly dangerous Christian nationalist movement? Is America comparable to the biblical nations? What is the difference between patriotism and nationalism?  Side note: unfortunately, the Internet just died during the recording of this so there i...

Scientist, apologist, and author Melissa Cain Travis joins ToA to talk about Science, Faith, Math, and the Divine Design of Cosmic Resonance.

Evan sits down with attorney Bradley Pierce of Abolish Abortion Texas (AATX). AATX is working to abolish abortion totally in the state of Texas and that work necessarily raises many questions. Like, what do they mean by abolition? Are they working with pro-life groups? What kind of exceptions should be made and what kind of prosecution do they call for? To be clear, while Evan calls himself an abo...

How should Christians think about war? Is violence ever justified? Doesn't the Bible teach peace? What about Nazis, though? Putin? What does Jesus/the Bible say? Dr. Jeffrey Green walks us through ideas around just war theory, pacifism, and a Christian's response to war and violence. Then we'll have a group discussion where you can text your own questions in to our larger panel of pastors and prof...

Christian musician and minister Joel Michael Herbert joins Theology on Air to debate Deconstruction. What are the issues in Christianity that cannot be compromised? Is the Bible inerrant? Is there a new version of Christianity that is emerging?

Patrick, Sarah, and Evan look at a number of headlines that all revolve around the culture wars and discuss. 

Author and scholar David Capes joins us to take a look at Paul's lovely letter to the Philippians. We tackle the humility of Christ, being of one mind, and how much more we can do, or should do, through Christ who strengthens us. 

Nathan Greeley, a Lutheran author and apologist, and Myron B. Penner, author of "The End of Apologetics" join Evan to look at the topic of apologetics. Apologetics, or the defense of the Christian faith has varying schools and perspectives. Which one is right? More importantly, in a post-truth age, how do Christians even go about the task of apologetics? Thanks to Myron and Nathan for joining us!&...

We take a look at a quotable and important book of the New Testament with Juan Carlos Martinez, 1 Peter. Was it written by Peter? What does it mean that he is called the Rock? Was he the first pope? And what about that tough talk on suffering? 

Every month we look at headlines on our Around the Blackboard episode. Thanks to Vicar Joseph Yoo of Mosaic Pearland for joining us to look at some especially spicy topics.

Chris Date of Rethinking Hell joins us to look at the topic of, well, hell. Is it a real place? Who goes there and why? Or does eternal destruction really just mean a person ceases to exist. Or heck, is everyone saved? After a presentation from Chris, our panel weighs in. This was recorded April 4, 2022. 

J. Warner Wallace, cold case detective and author of "Person of Interest", joins Theology on Air to discuss his latest book. We ask the question, can you prove Jesus existed and rose from the dead without even using the Bible?

Apologist Mary Jo Sharp of Confident Christianity joins us to talk about her journey to faith, from faith, and back to faith again. What were the issues that she found most challenging and what were the answers she discovered? 

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church's Clay Brown joins Sarah and Evan to give an overview of Paul's masterpiece, Romans. 

Sarah and Evan review a recent lecture by John Warwick Montgomery on evidential apologetics and consider an alternative approach.