The Old Roads Podcast

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?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores the historic Protestant teaching of justification by faith alone (sola fide). In contrast to any view of justification that makes our own works a contributing factor to our standing with God, sola fide affirms that Christ alone is our hope. But is “faith alone” a biblical teaching, and is it compatible with James’s notion of jus...

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores the meaning of the biblical doctrine of justification. Catholics understand this term to mean one thing, and Protestants another. The differences between them get to the very heart of the gospel and the basis on which our standing with God depends.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley answers questions from listeners about whether or not it is appropriate, in light of the second commandment, to view films with Jesus in them and about book recommendations based on his reading from 2025.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley continues pondering the mysteries of the Incarnation, this time addressing the question of whether or not it ended at Jesus’ ascension to Heaven or continues forever. Is God the Son still the God-man, or was that state only for the time of his earthly mission of redemption? And why would that matter for us?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley ponders the mysteries of the Incarnation by raising the question of whether or not God the Son departed from Heaven when he entered the world as Jesus of Nazareth. Can one who is God “leave” one place and go to another? If so, how? If not, what does it mean to say that the Son of man has descended to us from Heaven (John 3:13)?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley answers questions from listeners about what is and is not the sin of gluttony and whether or not a Christian school should ever observe the Lord’s Supper in a chapel service. Reference: Kevin DeYoung, “ But What About Gluttony? ”

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores how Calvinism, when rightly and biblically applied, affects real life. Do the doctrines of Calvinism lead to a lack of motivation for prayer, evangelism, and the pursuit of holiness? Far from it. In fact, Calvinistic doctrine, drawn from Scripture, fuels our motivation for these things and more.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley looks into biblical teaching on the so-called “five points of Calvinism.” Do these five points (total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints) reflect the Bible’s teaching about our sin and the grace of God in salvation?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores the topic of Calvinism, providing an overview of the history of this theological movement. What is Calvinism, and is it a fringe teaching that we should fear and oppose? Or does it have a home in the mainstream Christian tradition?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley answers questions from listeners about the proper context for administering the Lord’s Supper, advice for Christians going into the field of acting, and why people in the Bible were sometimes arrested for preaching.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley raises the question of non-Christian religions. Are they alternative paths to salvation? Or are they nothing but demonic lies? How does Scripture guide us to evaluate them?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley addresses the topic of inclusivism, the view that while Jesus is the only Savior of humanity, some may be saved by him without hearing the gospel verbally proclaimed. Is this view compatible with the teachings of Scripture?