Theology Unplugged

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.

Conversations with Tad is an ongoing dialogue between me and my good friend, Tad, as we explore faith, doubt, and the Christian journey. Tad became a Christian some time ago, and these conversations provide an honest and personal look at his experiences, struggles, and growth. We discuss theology, life, and what it means to follow Christ in a real and meaningful way. Whether you're a believer, a skeptic, or just curious, these episodes offer thoughtful and engaging discussions on faith and the Christian life.

What makes a church high church or low church? Is a formal, liturgical service more biblical than a simple, informal gathering? And how do different traditions-Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Congregational-approach church governance? In this episode, we explore the structures of church leadership, the theological debates around them, and why we should be open to different expressions of worship and governance. Maybe the Bible gives us more flexibility than we think.

In this episode of Theology Unplugged, we trace the history of systematic theology, from the early Apologists like Justin Martyr to modern biblical theology. Theology has evolved through philosophy, logic, Scripture, and experience, shifting from Platonic mysticism to Aristotelian scholasticism, from Reformation confessionalism to modern biblical theology.

In this episode, we take a foundational look at textual criticism-the study of how the biblical text has been transmitted over time. Before we can confidently engage with Scripture, we must understand how it was copied, preserved, and passed down through history. Were there mistakes? What kinds of errors appear in manuscripts, and how do scholars identify and evaluate them? What materials were used for copying the Bible? What were the characteristics of the scribes who preserved the text before the invention of the printing press? And what about modern Bible versions-can we trust them?

In this episode, we dive into the Marburg Colloquy, exploring the pivotal theological debate between Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli. We'll examine the historical context of their Christological discussions, highlighting the fourteen points of agreement and the critical fifteenth point of contention: the nature of the Eucharist. We also discuss Zwingli's accusation that Luther deviated from Chalcedonian orthodoxy. Join us as we unpack this significant moment in Reformation history.

In this final episode on Sola Scriptura, we bring together the key arguments that demonstrate why Scripture is the final and ultimate authority for faith and practice. We examine the Bereans in Acts 17, Paul's words in 2 Timothy 3:16, and the historical problems with relying on the Church as an equal or greater authority. By addressing common objections and reinforcing the biblical foundation of Sola Scriptura, this episode provides a closing defense of why Scripture must stand above all other authorities.

Many misunderstand Sola Scriptura-some reducing it to "Scripture is the only authority" and others dismissing it as an impossible standard. But what does Sola Scriptura actually mean? In this episode, we define Sola Scriptura as the doctrine that Scripture alone is the uniquely God-breathed, infallible, and final revelation for matters of faith and salvation. While general revelation (nature and reason) provides true knowledge of God, only Scripture contains the special, verbal revelation necessary for understanding salvation and God's will.

In this episode, I present a decisive refutation of Roman Catholic authority, challenging the concept of apostolic succession and its claim to ultimate authority. Building on the six defenses I previously outlined for Roman Catholic theology, I demonstrate why this system, while pragmatic in certain respects, ultimately falls short. I argue that it is unnecessary, unbiblical, and there is a better, more faithful way to understand authority in the Church.