Theology Unplugged

In this episode of Theology Unplugged, C. Michael Patton explores one of the most personal and humorous tensions in his theological journey: what if we’re still wrong in heaven? What if glorification doesn’t mean omniscience, but sanctified curiosity?

When we ask, “Who is God?”, we often assume we’re going straight to the Bible. But we’re not. The truth is, every Christian pulls from at least 12 different sources—often unconsciously—when building their theology. In this episode, we look at how things like culture, tradition, emotions, friends, family, reason, pastors, creation, and theologians influence what we believe. Some of these are good. Some are dangerous. But all of them are real.

Dive into a profound exploration of how we define 'God' without even realizing it. The discussion kicks off with the foundational question of God's nature, featuring various definitions, from creator to the greatest being. It delves into our everyday worship and what we cherish, provoking thoughts on materialism versus spirituality. The conversation also touches on the perils of idolatry and how our perceptions influence our understanding of the divine. Finally, embrace the mysterious essence of God that transcends human insight and sparks spiritual growth.

In this episode of Through Theology in a Year, C. Michael Patton explores how the canon of Scripture was recognized rather than arbitrarily chosen. He challenges some common fables of canonicity—like the idea that books were accepted based purely on age, apostolic authorship, or language—and instead shows how the early church organically received certain writings as authoritative. It's not about creating a list but about recognizing what had already been carrying the weight of divine authority.

In this episode of Theology Unplugged, I kick things off with a deep dive into the Pseudepigrapha—those fascinating ancient writings that didn’t make it into the biblical canon, but still show up all over early Christian thought. Then I shift into a raw retelling of a recent demonic night terror—an intense dream that left me rattled and reflecting on the reality of spiritual warfare.

Today’s episode asks one of the most foundational and unsettling questions in theology: Is the canon of Scripture actually closed? Not whether it should be or whether it feels closed, but whether anyone—church, council, or community—has the authority to close it.

In this episode of Theology Unplugged, we explore the spectrum of philosophical systems and how they shape our understanding of faith. From fideism to empiricism, existentialism to rationalism, we see that God engages with us through multiple avenues—not just one. What if He wants to make your faith more multi-dimensional? By understanding these frameworks, we can appreciate the richness of Christian thought and how different perspectives contribute to our walk with Christ.

Episode 74 of 'Through Theology in a Year' takes you on a journey through the intricacies of manuscript evaluation and Bible translation. We'll explore the three key elements that add value to any discovered manuscript, and then dive into how translation committees decide on their specific approaches. From the NIV to the ESV, the King James Version to The Message, we break down the differences and help you understand which translation might be right for you.

Welcome back to 'Through Theology in a Year.' Today, we're diving into 'Textual Criticism #2' with a specific English example to illustrate how different mistakes, both unintentional and intentional, were made in the early Church. We'll explore why scribes might deliberately alter texts based on their identity, motives, and audience. Tune in for an engaging discussion!

In this episode of Conversations with Tad, we dive into the humanity of Christ—what it truly meant for Jesus to walk among us, experience temptation, feel sorrow, and even wrestle with human limitations. As we talk, Tad has a realization that Jesus wasn’t just God in disguise but fully human in every way. This leads us into a deeper discussion on why Christ’s humanity matters for our faith, how it shapes our understanding of suffering, and what it means for our relationship with Him today. Along the way, we also explore other pressing questions about faith, doubt, and living as Christians in a complicated world.