The Old Roads Podcast

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores the topic of pluralism, the view that all religions lead ultimately to the same place. How does pluralism measure up to the Bible’s teachings? Is Jesus Christ the only savior of humanity, or are there other pathways to God as well?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley answers questions about whether or not Jesus ever faced discouragement and the importance of studying the Bible in the original languages.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores the paradox of grief for the death of believing loved one. On the one hand, we rejoice for what our believing loved ones now experience in the presence of the Lord. But on the other hand, death itself remains something to lament. Is the death of a believer something we should view as good or bad?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley follows the topic of death to its ultimate conclusion: resurrection. What is the final hope to which believers can look in the face of death? And what about unbelievers? Understanding death in the context of God’s plan to raise the dead gives us a fuller picture of his saving work in Christ.

In this special edition of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley reflects on recent violent events in America, including the assassination of Charlie Kirk. As Christians think through these events, how should we respond? More specifically, how should we pray?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley looks into the biblical teaching on what human beings experience after death, a condition theologians call the “intermediate state.” While we are accustomed to speaking of death being followed by Heaven or Hell, the Bible actually speaks in more nuanced ways about this important topic.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores the topic of death from a theological perspective. What are the various dimensions of death that have been imposed on humanity, and what has God done in Jesus Christ to deliver us from them?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley answers questions about the Bible’s teaching on slavery, on the ethics of cussing, and on the “three days and three nights” reference to Jesus’ time in the tomb in Scripture. References: “ Does the Bible Support Slavery? ” (a lecture by Peter Williams)

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley connects theology to the modern geopolitical issue of the existence of the modern state of Israel and its conflicts with its Arab neighbors. Should Christians support Israel for theological reasons, or for political reasons, or both? Or should Christians remain indifferent or even stand in opposition to Israel’s national aims? References...

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley dives into the key biblical passage that addresses the question of Israel’s place in God’s plan: Romans 9-11. Is Israel still God’s chosen people? As Paul’s teaching demonstrates, that question cannot be answered in a simple way, but once you see God’s plan for Israel and the Gentiles unfolded in these key biblical chapters, the result i...

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores the diversity of views among Christians about the nation of Israel. Dispensationalism offers one perspective, and covenant theology offers a range of other perspectives. Tied into this question are different approaches to interpreting the Bible and different ways of fitting Old and New Testaments together, each leading to differ...

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley continues last week’s discussion about the “sons of God” in Genesis 6 by looking into two New Testament passages that mention angels and have been interpreted by some as a reference to Genesis 6. These two passages are 1 Peter 3:18-22 and Jude 5-7. Does either one of these New Testament texts, or both, give us a definitive interpretation...

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley looks into three different interpretations of the “sons of God” mentioned in Genesis 6:1-4. Were these “sons of God” fallen angels who intermarried with human women? Or is there a better way to understand this passage?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley reports on the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in June of 2025. What were the highlights of the event? What were the greatest disappointments? And what do both mean for Southern Baptists moving forward?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley raises the question of the place of patriotism in the Christian life. What is patriotism? Is it a virtue Christians should cultivate? Can it be taken too far? As we navigate life in this world of nations while also belonging to a heavenly kingdom, this subject merits careful thought.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley answers questions from listeners regarding the biblical command that women should not speak in church (1 Cor. 14:33), the nature of biblical inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility, and whether or not we will know our grandparents as grandparents in Heaven, or only as brothers and sisters.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley compares and contrasts the Roman Catholic teaching on justification with the Protestant (and biblical) teaching. This historic debate between Protestants and Catholics helped clarify for us the central teaching of the gospel, namely, that we are declared right with God by faith in Christ alone, and not by anything we do.

In this special edition of The Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O'Kelley responds to  an essay by Jason Edwards, published in Baptist News Global , arguing for LGBTQ inclusion in the church. What hidden assumptions lie behind the argument of this essay, and how should Christians think through this issue? Mentioned in the podcast are three previous episodes that address the issue of homosexuality in th...

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores the Roman Catholic teaching on Mary. What do Catholics believe about her, and why do they pray to her? Are there any theological problems with the Catholic teachings and practices related to Mary?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explains the Roman Catholic teaching on the nature and authority of Scripture and Tradition. Why does this issue matter so much, and why do Protestants affirm that Scripture alone (sola Scriptura) is our infallible source of authority?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores the Roman Catholic teaching about the office of the Pope. What is his role and authority, according to Roman Catholic doctrine? And how does it line up with the teaching of Scripture?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley answers questions from listeners regarding when a human being receives a soul, demon possession in the Gospels, and the biggest issues coming up at this year’s annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explains the meaning of the Reformation slogan sola gratia, “by grace alone.” We do not arrive at a true doctrine of salvation by grace alone unless we first understand the full extent of sin’s power over us and its effects on us. The Bible’s radical doctrine of sin corresponds to its radical doctrine of grace.

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In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores two doctrines in relation to sin: hereditary guilt and hereditary corruption. Does the Bible teach that we are born into the world already guilty? Does it teach that we are already predisposed to sin? If we don’t understand Adam’s sin rightly, we will miss important truths about Christ’s redemptive work for us.