Theology Unplugged

In this episode, we continue the defense of whether God still speaks today, diving deeper into the topic introduced last time. I provide nine of the best arguments for the continuation of God's direct communication, including biblical mandate, biblical precedent, historical continuation, and personal experience. Each argument is examined in light of Scripture, history, and theology, showing why many believe God continues to speak today in various ways.

In this episode, we dive into Special Revelation, exploring its role in the theological process and how it fits into our theological understanding. We’ll review the steps in the process and address some final pieces before fully integrating Special Revelation into the broader theological chart. We’ll also discuss the implications of ongoing Special Revelation—if it continues, how does that expand our understanding of the Bible, or should we broaden our view from simply the Bible to Special Revelation?

In this episode, we dive into Special Revelation, exploring its role in the theological process and how it fits into our theological understanding. We’ll review the steps in the process and address some final pieces before fully integrating Special Revelation into the broader theological chart. We’ll also discuss the implications of ongoing Special Revelation—if it continues, how does that expand our understanding of the Bible, or should we broaden our view from simply the Bible to Special Revelation?

In today’s QnA session, we dive deep into some of the most important and challenging questions in Christian theology. We explore everything from how mental illness affects someone's relationship with God to the divisions within Protestantism and how we maintain unity in the essentials. Join us as we also discuss the meaning behind Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, the origin of sin, and differences in views of free will. Whether you’re new to these topics or have been thinking about them for years, this episode is for you!

In this episode, we dive into the recent controversial statements made by Pope Francis regarding the possibility of salvation for non-Christians and atheists. We’ll explore why these comments have raised concerns among Protestants and others who question whether this could be potential heresy. To provide context, we’ll discuss the difference between ordinary and extraordinary teachings in the Catholic Church, breaking down what makes a papal statement infallible. We'll also look at the history of the Church, focusing on "bad popes," including those involved in scandals or heresy, and what that means for papal infallibility today. How can we understand Pope Francis's statements within the broader framework of Catholic tradition, and what does history teach us about the limits of papal authority? Join us as we put these questions into perspective.

In this episode, C. Michael Patton and Tad dive deep into the power of prayer, focusing on intercession and community prayer. They explore how interceding for others is an essential part of our spiritual lives and the profound impact that praying together as a community can have. From personal experiences to biblical insights, they discuss the effectiveness of prayer in both individual and collective contexts, highlighting its importance in fostering unity and deepening faith.

Welcome to *Theology Unplugged – Question and Answer Friday* with C. Michael Patton! In this episode, we’ll dive into several key topics: Christ’s fulfillment of the Law in Matthew 5 and its implications for our lives today, the challenges and nuances of Calvinism, including God’s sovereignty and human free will, and the importance of inerrancy as an essential doctrine. We’ll also discuss who the "gods" are in Psalm 82, how doctrinal essentials shape our faith, and the role of embracing the mysteries of faith in our spiritual journey.

In this episode, we put the Theological Process into practice using two key examples: the command to "Greet each other with a holy kiss" and the Doctrine of the Trinity. We'll walk through each step of the process—what did it mean then, what does it mean for all time, and how does it apply today? These examples help illustrate the balance between understanding ancient cultural contexts and grasping timeless theological truths. The goal is to see how theology, even with historical and cultural differences, still speaks to us today in profound ways.

In this session, we’ll explore the vital role emotions play in our theology, emphasizing their importance and how they intersect with key theological concepts like impassibility and the analogia entis. We will discuss how, far from being distractions, emotions help guide us toward deeper theological truths, while also exploring how God's impassibility relates to our emotional lives. Drawing from the works of Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, Aquinas, and others, we’ll examine how they understood the role of emotions and the divine nature, as well as how we can master our emotions in light of their teachings. This session highlights the balance between divine impassibility and human emotional experience, emphasizing the need to control emotions rather than be ruled by them.

In this episode, we explore the powerful role of experience as a source of theology. God's revelation often comes to us through events in our lives, shaping our understanding of Him in unique and personal ways. We'll distinguish experience from emotions, focusing on how God can guide us and speak to us through our life circumstances. While experience can provide profound insights, it must always be weighed and balanced with scripture, tradition, and reason to avoid subjectivity. Join us as we uncover the role of experience in forming a well-rounded and balanced theology.