
Church Grammar
The Church Grammar podcast engages theology and the church in a fresh way, centered on wide-ranging conversations with scholars and Bible teachers.
Latest episodes

Aug 1, 2024 • 43min
Kevin Vanhoozer on Hermeneutics, Theology, and the Transfiguration
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. We discuss his new book on hermeneutics (2:24), reflections on decades of studying hermeneutics (26:57), issues that still need to be tackled in the study of hermeneutics (35:36), and more. Buy Kevin's books.
Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP Academic, 2022), The Biblical Trinity (Lexham, 2023), The Trinity in the Canon (B&H Academic, 2023), and Taught by God: Ancient Hermeneutics for the Modern Church (B&H Academic, 2024).
You can also preorder Beholding the Triune God by Brandon and Matthew Emerson.
Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seeks to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education with close, one-on-one mentoring during the writing phase.
Producer: Ryan Modisette. Intro music: Purple Dinosaur by nobigdyl.
Brandon D. Smith is Chair of the Hobbs School of Theology & Ministry and Associate Professor of Theology & Early Christianity at Oklahoma Baptist University, a co-founder of the Center for Baptist Renewal, and writes things. You can follow him on Twitter at @brandon_d_smith.
*** This podcast is designed to discuss all sorts of topics from various points of view. Therefore, guests’ views do not always reflect the views of the host, his church, or his institution.

Jul 10, 2024 • 50min
Allegory, Asceticism, and Early Christian Biographies with Winston Hottman
This episode is a conversation with Winston Hottman originally posted at the Center for Baptist Renewal podcast. We discuss Athanasius's Life of Antony and two works by Gregory of Nyssa: The Life of Moses and The Life of Macrina.
Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP Academic, 2022), The Biblical Trinity (Lexham, 2023), The Trinity in the Canon (B&H Academic, 2023), and Taught by God: Ancient Hermeneutics for the Modern Church (B&H Academic, 2024).
You can also preorder Beholding the Triune God by Brandon and Matthew Emerson.
Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seeks to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education with close, one-on-one mentoring during the writing phase.
Producer: Ryan Modisette. Intro music: Purple Dinosaur by nobigdyl.
Brandon D. Smith is Chair of the Hobbs School of Theology & Ministry and Associate Professor of Theology & Early Christianity at Oklahoma Baptist University, a co-founder of the Center for Baptist Renewal, and writes things. You can follow him on Twitter at @brandon_d_smith.
*** This podcast is designed to discuss all sorts of topics from various points of view. Therefore, guests’ views do not always reflect the views of the host, his church, or his institution.

May 27, 2024 • 52min
Stephen Presley and Ched Spellman on Irenaeus and Christian Cultural Engagement
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Stephen Presley of the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Dr. Ched Spellman of Cedarville University. We discuss all things Irenaeus of Lyons, including his cultural and ecclesiological context (2:30), big picture themes in his writings (7:30), the rule of faith then and now (12:53), parallels between the second century and today's society (46:44), and more. Buy Stephen's books and Ched's books.
Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP Academic, 2022), The Biblical Trinity (Lexham, 2023), The Trinity in the Canon (B&H Academic, 2023), and Taught by God: Ancient Hermeneutics for the Modern Church (B&H Academic, 2024).
You can also preorder Beholding the Triune God by Brandon and Matthew Emerson.
Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seeks to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education with close, one-on-one mentoring during the writing phase.
Producer: Ryan Modisette. Intro music: Purple Dinosaur by nobigdyl.
Brandon D. Smith is Chair of the Hobbs School of Theology & Ministry and Associate Professor of Theology & Early Christianity at Oklahoma Baptist University, a co-founder of the Center for Baptist Renewal, and writes things. You can follow him on Twitter at @brandon_d_smith.
*** This podcast is designed to discuss all sorts of topics from various points of view. Therefore, guests’ views do not always reflect the views of the host, his church, or his institution.

Jan 8, 2024 • 1h
Thomas Schreiner on Revelation with a Fresh Take on the Millennium
In this episode, Dr. Thomas Schreiner discusses his new commentary on Revelation, including his fresh take on the millennium. They explore themes in the book, symbolism, authorship, and its relation to extrabiblical material. The guest also shares his journey in wrestling with eschatological positions and highlights the self-destructive nature of evil.

Dec 12, 2023 • 50min
Daniel Treier on Christology and Scripture
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Daniel Treier of Wheaton College. We discuss Christology in Scripture and the Christian Tradition (2:20), Christology and communion with God (11:18), union with Christ and adoption (21:43), the incarnation and its implications (24:45), Christ and his relationship to the Holy Spirit (31:34), the relationship between Christ's two natures (37:57), Christ and catholicity in the church (45:26), and more. Buy Dan's books.
Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP Academic, 2022), The Biblical Trinity (Lexham, 2023), and The Trinity in the Canon (B&H Academic, 2023).
Church Grammar is presented by the Christian Standard Bible. Get 40% off on up to 3 full price CSB Bibles at LifeWay.com with promo code CGCSB.
Producer: Ryan Modisette. Intro music: Purple Dinosaur by nobigdyl.
Brandon D. Smith is Chair of the Hobbs School of Theology & Ministry and Associate Professor of Theology & Early Christianity at Oklahoma Baptist University, a co-founder of the Center for Baptist Renewal, and writes things. You can follow him on Twitter at @brandon_d_smith.
*** This podcast is designed to discuss all sorts of topics from various points of view. Therefore, guests’ views do not always reflect the views of the host, his church, or his institution.

Nov 8, 2023 • 49min
Ross Inman on Christian Philosophy as a Way of Life
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Ross Inman of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. We discuss his journey into philosophy (1:58), a definition for philosophy as a way of life (7:58), the practicality of philosophy (or lack thereof) (12:36), the relationship between philosophy, theology, and biblical interpretation (33:58), and more. Buy Ross's books.
Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP Academic, 2022), The Biblical Trinity (Lexham, 2023), and The Trinity in the Canon (B&H Academic, 2023).
Church Grammar is presented by the Christian Standard Bible. Get 40% off on up to 3 full price CSB Bibles at LifeWay.com with promo code CGCSB.
Producer: Ryan Modisette. Intro music: Purple Dinosaur by nobigdyl.
Brandon D. Smith is Assistant Professor of Theology & New Testament at Cedarville University, a co-founder of the Center for Baptist Renewal, and writes things. You can follow him on Twitter at @brandon_d_smith.
*** This podcast is designed to discuss all sorts of topics from various points of view. Therefore, guests’ views do not always reflect the views of the host, his church, or his institution.

Oct 18, 2023 • 40min
Craig Bartholomew and Heath Thomas on Reading the Minor Prophets Theologically
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Craig Bartholomew of the Kirby Laing Centre and Dr. Heath Thomas of Oklahoma Baptist University. We discuss a theological reading of the Minor Prophets (1:27), problems with interpreting the Minor Prophets (16:40), Jesus and Jonah (22:36), the Trinity in the OT and the Minor Prophets (30:24), and more. Buy their new book, The Minor Prophets: A Theological Introduction (IVP Academic, 2023).
Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP Academic, 2022), The Biblical Trinity (Lexham, 2023), and The Trinity in the Canon (B&H Academic, 2023).
Church Grammar is presented by the Christian Standard Bible. Get 40% off on up to 3 full price CSB Bibles at LifeWay.com with promo code CGCSB.
Producer: Ryan Modisette. Intro music: Purple Dinosaur by nobigdyl.
Brandon D. Smith is Assistant Professor of Theology & New Testament at Cedarville University, a co-founder of the Center for Baptist Renewal, and writes things. You can follow him on Twitter at @brandon_d_smith.
*** This podcast is designed to discuss all sorts of topics from various points of view. Therefore, guests’ views do not always reflect the views of the host, his church, or his institution.

Sep 13, 2023 • 57min
Jonathan Edwards (If You Can Keep Him) with Kyle Strobel and Zachary Bowden
This episode features Dr. Kyle Strobel and Dr. Zachary Bowden discussing Jonathan Edwards. Topics include Edwards' views on the Trinity and creation, salvation and the Christian life, and his complex stance on slaveholding. The speakers also explore Edwards' influence on determinism and compatibilism, his theological views shaped by personal and pastoral context, and how he stokes confidence in God through the marvelous beauty of Christ.

Jul 21, 2023 • 37min
Fred Sanders on the Holy Spirit and the Trinity in Salvation (Repost)
This episode is a repost of a conversation with Dr. Fred Sanders of Biola University. We discuss the names for the Holy Spirit in Scripture (2:16), the seeming "silence" of the Spirit in major moments in the biblical narrative (5:17), the Spirit in the OT (15:40), the Trinity in salvation (20:34), theological retrieval (24:30), the Trinity and theological education (31:30), and more. Buy Fred's books.
Church Grammar is presented by B&H Academic and the Christian Standard Bible. Intro music: Purple Dinosaur by nobigdyl. Producer: Katie Larson.
Brandon D. Smith is Assistant Professor of Theology & New Testament at Cedarville University, Editorial Director for the Center for Baptist Renewal, and writes things. You can follow him on Twitter at @brandon_d_smith.
*** This podcast is designed to discuss all sorts of topics from various points of view. Therefore, guests’ views do not always reflect the views of the host, his church, or his institution.

Jul 7, 2023 • 1h 11min
Todd Hains on Luther and Biblical Interpretation
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Todd Hains of Lexham Press. We discuss what the Reformation was all about (4:28), Luther's relationship to the church fathers and the rule of faith (15:44), Luther's interpretive instincts and his doctrine of the Word (35:02), Lutheranism's contribution to the church today (59:42), and more. Buy Todd's books.
Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP Academic, 2022) and The Biblical Trinity (Lexham, 2023).
Church Grammar is presented by the Christian Standard Bible and Cedarville University’s Graduate School. Producer: Ryan Modisette. Intro music: Purple Dinosaur by nobigdyl.
Brandon D. Smith is Assistant Professor of Theology & New Testament at Cedarville University, a co-founder of the Center for Baptist Renewal, and writes things. You can follow him on Twitter at @brandon_d_smith.
*** This podcast is designed to discuss all sorts of topics from various points of view. Therefore, guests’ views do not always reflect the views of the host, his church, or his institution.