Distinctive Christianity

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Paul Gutacker to discuss his book The Old Faith in a New Nation: American Protestants and the Christian Past. Given a construct of “biblicism” - the standard narrative of American evangelicalism often assumes or involves the ahistoric and anti-traditional. Yet, as Dr. Gutacker both argues and writes: “American Protestants never read, or argued over, the Bible alone.” What was the place, role, and priority of the past in the polemics of early American history? Indeed, how does the key role that history played in the arguments all throughout the period of 1780-1864 contribute to a proper understanding of the “democratization of American Christianity”? What were the sources so often studied and cited in debates among all the Christian denominations – as well as their historiographical tendencies and patterns of analysis? From many of the Founding Fathers to Baptist minister James P. Boyce and the founding of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary – to even Restorationism, or the “Christian movement” - the arguments among Christians are saturated with appeals to history, and past Christian thinkers. Indeed, “religious memory contributed to denominational competition”. Moreover, far from “biblicism” alone leading to an inevitable impasse during the crisis surrounding the Civil War, tradition was no more able to settle the debates regarding slavery and even the place of the Church, either. Listen in as we hear Dr. Gutacker take us into this, and even more regarding questions of the Great Tradition, the place of history, and even how the blind spots of the past may help us be more sensitive to the blind spots of the present.

Book: The Old Faith in a New Nation: American Protestants and the Christian Past

Also check out: Brazos Fellows

The Democratization of American Christianity by Nathan O. Hatch

The Civil War as a Theological Crisis by Mark Noll

How To Think by Alan Jacobs

Dominion by Tom Holland

Evangelicals and Tradition by D. H. Williams

The Spirit of Early Christian Thought; Liberty in the Things of God by Robert Louis Wilken

“General History of the Baptist Denomination” by David Benedict

In this episode, we welcome back and finish our interview with Bradley Campbell of God Loves Mormons (GLM) and the Mormonism Research Ministry (MRM). We ask Bradley about five more topics that indicate change over time in LDS teaching, what these changes indicate about the “official” teachings of the LDS church, and why it matters. Moreover, we discuss Joseph Smith’s King Follett Discourse, his most famous and important sermon – and ask whether it is Mormon doctrine. Indeed, we end with a discussion about the difficulty of determining “official doctrine” in the LDS theological system – and why it matters, especially from a Christian perspective.

God Loves Mormons (GLM; YouTube)

Mormonism Research Ministry (MRM)

Utah Christian Research Center (also here)

Videos:

- “5 More Things the LDS Church No Longer Teaches”

- “This One Sermon Might Prove That Joseph Smith was a Fraud”

- “Why do Christians seem to Misrepresent Mormonism?”

- “The LDS Church denied this for 100 years...until now”

Please check out our interview with Dr. Loren Pankratz about Blake Ostler’s revisionism about the King Follett Discourse.

Hear our previous interviews with Bradley here:

- LDS Theology: Past and Present (Part 1/2)

- LDS Theology: Past and Present (Part 2/2)

- On the LDS Presiding Patriarch

- Interviews Dr. Matthew Emadi about the Temple

In this episode, we welcome back and begin our interview with Bradley Campbell of God Loves Mormons (GLM) and the Mormonism Research Ministry (MRM). We ask Bradley about five more topics that indicate change over time in LDS teaching, what these changes indicate about the “official” teachings of the LDS church, and why it matters. Moreover, we discuss Joseph Smith’s King Follett Discourse, his most famous and important sermon – and ask whether it is Mormon doctrine. Indeed, we end with a discussion about the difficulty of determining “official doctrine” in the LDS theological system – and why it matters, especially from a Christian perspective.

God Loves Mormons (GLM; YouTube)

Mormonism Research Ministry (MRM)

Utah Christian Research Center (also here)

Videos:

- “5 More Things the LDS Church No Longer Teaches”

- “This One Sermon Might Prove That Joseph Smith was a Fraud”

- “Why do Christians seem to Misrepresent Mormonism?”

- “The LDS Church denied this for 100 years...until now”

Please check out our interview with Dr. Loren Pankratz about Blake Ostler’s revisionism about the King Follett Discourse.

Hear our previous interviews with Bradley here:

- LDS Theology: Past and Present (Part 1/2)

- LDS Theology: Past and Present (Part 2/2)

- On the LDS Presiding Patriarch

- Interviews Dr. Matthew Emadi about the Temple

In this episode, we welcome Tanner Talbot to discuss his LDS mission experience as documented in his article “The Arizona Tucson Mission Disaster: An LDS Church Cover Up?”. We begin with his upbringing in the LDS Church, as well as some of the cultural pressures and dynamics which are key to understanding the place and importance of serving an honorable full-time mission in and for the LDS church. We hear about some of the expectations and impressions communicated by the leadership and laity of the LDS church about what a mission experience will be – and then spend time hearing about what Tanner’s experience, on the ground, actually was. With dynamics such as perfect obedience leading to increased spirituality and church-growth-results being a constant message to the missionaries, we hear about what the moral state, and mental state, of many of these missionaries actually was – within what turned out to be something of a unique mission where the LDS church hid many who should not (for themselves, and for others) have been on such a mission. We hear of the mental and emotional turmoil (in addition to even physical danger) Tanner suffered as a result of what was, at best, negligence on the part of the LDS leadership – and what this did to Tanner, spiritually. We then turn to how Tanner eventually faced the full impact of his LDS mission – and how he was eventualy freed by the (Christian) Gospel and the Christ Jesus of the Bible.

Article:“The Arizona Tucson Mission Disaster: An LDS Church Cover Up?”

Also check out: A Call for Reform

- “The Great Apostasy Lie: A 2,000 Year Timeline of Saved By Faith Alone”

Other resources:

Recent LDS Statement on Translations

Check out the ESV Study Bible (also here)

Scribes and Scriptures by John Meade and Peter Gurry

Core Christianity by Michael Horton

Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Mache

The Freedom of a Christian; The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther

Institutes of the Christian Religion; “Letter to Cardinal Sadoleto” by John Calvin

An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins; Restoring Christ: Leaving Mormon Jesus for Jesus of the Gospels by Grant Palmer

Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith by Linda King Newell and Valeen Tippetts Avery

Publication of pictures of Seer Stone: here and here

“Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease” by Elder David Bednar

“The Church Impotent: The History and Theology of Dispensationalism” (Ancient Paths TV)

In this episode, Casey and Skyler discuss and critique the official 2026 LDS Come, Follow Me manual’s coverage of Exodus.

Please read (and even listen) to Exodus (ESV, KJV)

Come, Follow Me – Home and Church (Old Testament Manual)

Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

“Exceeding Great and Precious Promises” by Elder David A. Bednar

“The Reflection in the Water” by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Early Mormonism and the Magic World View by D. Michael Quinn

“This Is My Doctrine”: The Development of Mormon Theology by Charles Harrell

Wrestling the Angel by Terryl Givens

Joseph Smith As Scientist; A Rational Theology by Elder John A. Widtsoe

The Pentateuch: Life in the Presence of God by J. Daniel Hays

An Introduction to the Old Testament by Edward J. Young

Biblical Theology by Geerhardus Vos

Who Is God? by Richard Bauckham

The Meaning of the Pentateuch by John Sailhamer

The Bible Among the Myths by John Oswalt

Israel in Egypt; Ancient Israel in Sinai; “’These Things Happened’: Why a Historical Exodus Is Essential for Theology” by James K. Hoffmeier

Ancient Egypt in the Old Testament; Against the Gods by John Currid

Thanksgiving by David Pao

The Temple and the Church’s Mission by G.K. Beale

Westminster Shorter Catechism

The Heidelberg Catechism: A Historical, Theological and Pastoral Commentary by R. Scott Clark

God, Language and Scripture by Moises Silva

The Mystery of the Trinity by Vern Poythress

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God; Knowing God by J. I. Packer

In this episode, we welcome back Pastor Ed Romine to discuss his book The Booming Baritone Bell of England, specifically his third chapter: “The Christ-Centered Hermeneut: A Christ-Centered Hermeneutical Foundation for Spurgeon’s Evangelism”. What is Hermeneutics, and how should the methodological principles of interpretation be tuned to the type of text we are engaging with? Given Spurgeon’s view of the Bible, how does (and does not) that mean he interprets the Bible like any other book? What did Spurgeon mean by “spiritualizing” the text, and how did he think that should be limited when both interpreting and preaching the text of Scripture? Moreover, Ed gives us a sample of a worship service at The Metropolitan Tabernacle and how the Word of God was at the center. He also helps us understand the distinction between expositions and sermons, and gives us some insight and samples into how these played out for those attending. Ed writes, “For Spurgeon, all of the Bible speaks of Christ Jesus”. Listen in and hear how that was the case, and why that matters for today.

Book: The Booming Baritone Bell of England

Check out: First Baptist Church of Provo

Past interview with Dr. Romine about Spurgeon: Part One, Part Two

Other resources:

Tethered to the Cross by Thomas Breimaier

Spurgeon the Pastor by Geoffrey Chang

Interpreting Scripture with the Great Tradition; Contemplating God with the Great Tradition by Craig Carter

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Stephen Presley to discuss his book Irenaeus of Lyons: His Life and Impact. Who was Irenaeus (c. AD130-200), and why does he matter? From a deep engagement with the Bible, to a key figure in the development in both Biblical Theology and Apologetics – Irenaeus combines both the desire for rigorous analysis and pastoral care. What was his apologetic method, and how did he view the relationship between faith and reason, Scripture and philosophy? What was the “rule of faith”, and did he subordinate Scripture to tradition? Who was the God Irenaeus worshipped, and is it valid to call him “Trinitarian”? Dr. Presley takes us through some highlights from the gnostics – and how their errors are relevant to issues faced by Christians today, and how Irenaeus can aid us in understanding how to approach both the gnosticism being identified, and how the essentials of the Christian faith contrast and respond to him. How do Christians, on one hand, balance the unity and diversity of Christianity – and yet know where the line is between Christianity and what can fairly be deemed non-christian? Listen in as Dr. Presley takes us through this, as well as some basics of his anthropology, Christology and addresses the claims the Irenaeus believed men can become gods.

Book: Irenaeus of Lyons: His Life and Impact

Other books by Dr. Presley:

Cultural Sanctification: Engaging the World Like the Early Church

Biblical Theology in the Life of the Early Church

Irenaues: Against Heresies, The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching

Other resources:

LDS Gospel Topics Essay: “Becoming Like God”

Wrestling the Angel by Terryl Givens

The Gnostic New Age by April DeConick

“Irenaeus and Redemptive History” by James Dennison

Early Christian Doctrines by J.N.D. Kelly

Veritas by Ariel Sabar

A Christian’s Pocket Guide to Mary: Mother of God? by Leonardo De Chirico (and here)

Scourby: The Gospel of John

In this episode, we welcome back Pastor Jason Wallace of Ancient Paths TV to discuss some of his recent video “The Patristic Roots of the Reformed Faith”. Who was John Henry Newman and what does he represent to so many who likewise seek certainty in the midst of a chaotic and fallen world? What was his actual argument on the development of doctrine, and what are some reasons Protestants should be skeptical? What is really at stake in this moment in regard to the perfect storm of perfectionism, mysticism, distorted ecclesiology – and the activism that dominates so much of the frustration today? Listen in as Pastor Wallace takes us through the mess of history, and how Protestants should adhere to the standard that should be the basis upon which developments should be determined as legitimate and faithful, or innovative and destructive. Far from “ceasing to be Protestant” as we are “deep in history” – perhaps, the opposite is the case: To accept the truth of a messy history is to begin to be Protestant. Moreover, actually dealing with history exposes the twin errors of the fantasy of imagined unanimity and the false claim of apostasy and the need for restoration. Reform, not revolution, should be the Protestant cry - with the clear recognition about the necessary and fallible church being subject to the infallible Word of God. Far from needing a personal “burning of the bosom”, or prioritizing some ecclesiastic authority’s equivalent – the Apostolic authority is not found within one’s own heart, subjectively, nor is it found in a continuing (or restored) office, charismatically; rather, Christ and the Apostles’ authority are to be found in what we have that has truly and historically come from them in Scripture. Listen in as Pastor Wallace gives his earnest plea that the Christian message continues to be Christ and Him Crucified rather than either the hollow mysticism of a new monasticism, or a new Caesar and the tyranny of a “new Christendom”.

Video: “The Patristic Roots of the Reformed Faith”

Channel: Ancient Paths TV

“An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine” by John Henry Newman

• declared a “saint” by Pope Francis (Oct. 13, 2019)
• declared a “doctor” by Pope Leo XIV (Nov. 1, 2025)

“John Henry Newman, ‘doctor’ of the church. The most significant theological act by Leo XIV (so far)” by Leonardo De Chirico

Also mentioned:

“The Failure of Eastern Orthodoxy” (also here and here)

“Cyril Lucaris: Calvinist Patriarch/Orthodox Saint” (also here and here)

Also check out a previous interview here.

Other resources:

The Progress of Dogma by James Orr

Old and New by James Craik

The Courage to Be Protestant by David Wells

The Patristic Roots of Reformed Worship by Hughes Oliphant Old

Justified in Christ: The Doctrines of Peter Martyr Vermigli and John Henry Newman and Their Ecumenical Implications by Chris Castaldo

“No Longer Accretions. The Problem of Roman Catholicism in Dialogue with Gavin Ortlund”; Engaging Thomas Aquinas by Leonardo De Chirico

In this episode, we welcome Pastor Matthew Johnston to discuss his chapter in the recent book The Nicene Creed titled: “The Person of Jesus Christ”. What does the Nicene Creed teach about Jesus of Nazareth, and how does it aid us in terms of both grammar and guardrails? At the same time, what does it mean over time as both heresies and orthodoxy develops, and how should one understand the place of the creed over time? What was the main points at issue in the Christological debates between the Reformed, with their emphasis on the distinction of the two natures of Christ – and Roman Catholicism, with their emphasis on the unity of the two natures of Christ. Given texts like Mark 13.32 and Matthew 24.36, how should one understand the knowledge of Jesus – and what is the place of suffering given Christ’s divine (impassible) nature? Pastor Johnston takes us into this now-oft-forgotten debate between Calvin and Turretin and Robert Bellarmine which includes a Roman Catholic emphasis on “the doctrine of the beatific vision in Christ’s soul from conception”, and a Protestant emphasis on “the doctrine of Christ’s two states (status duplex) – humiliation and exaltation”. Moreover, these distinctions lead into differing conceptions of the sacraments and the church. Ultimately, we ask about whether Roman Catholics and Evangelicals truly confess and worship the same Jesus.

Book: The Nicene Creed: The Nature of Christian Unity and the Meaning of Gospel Words edited by Mark Gilbert and Leonardo De Chirico

Support Pastor Matthew Johnston here

Also check out the Reformanda Initiative:

- “Claiming Catholicity: What Does It Mean to Be Catholic?”

- “Is Rome a True Church? Wrestling with History, Reformers, and Rome Today”

Other resources:

“Robert Bellarmine and His Controversies with the Reformers: A Window on Post-Tridentine Roman Catholic Apologetics”; Engaging Thomas Aquinas; A Christian’s Pocket Guide to the Papacy by Leonardo De Chirico

“The Catholicity of Christianity and the Church” by Herman Bavinck

Nicaea and Its Legacy by Lewis Ayres

The Apostles’ Creed by Albert Mohler

Historical Theology (2 vol.) by William Cunningham

Union with Christ and the Life of Faith by Fred Sanders

Roman Catholic Theology and Practice: An Evangelical Assessment by Gregg Allison

In this episode, Casey and Skyler continue their discussion about, and critique of, the 2026 official LDS Come, Follow Me manual's coverage of Genesis.

Please read (and even listen) to Genesis (ESV, KJV)

Come, Follow Me – Home and Church (Old Testament Manual)

Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Messages of the First Presidency compiled by James Clark

A Rational Theology by Elder John Widtsoe

Doctrines of Salvation by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

Pearl of Great Price Commentary by Milton R. Hunter

Wrestling the Angel by Terryl Givens; The Pearl of Greatest Price: Mormonism’s Most Controversial Scripture by Terryl Givens with Brian Hauglid

“This Is My Doctrine”: The Development of Mormon Theology by Charles R. Harrell

Book of Abraham Apologetics: A Review and Critique by Dan Vogel

Mormons and the Bible by Philip Barlow

The Pentateuch: Life in the Presence of God by J. Daniel Hays

The Meaning of the Pentateuch by John Sailhamer

The Bible Among the Myths by John Oswalt

Interpreting Eden by Vern Poythress

An Introduction to the Old Testament by E.J. Young

Rethinking Genesis by Duane Garrett

Thinking Through Creation by Christopher Watkin

Genesis sermon series by Charlie Dennison

Against the Gods by John Currid

The Royal Priest by Matthew Emadi

From Prisoner to Prince by Samuel Emadi

Adam in the New Testament by J.P. Versteeg

The Imputation of Adam’s Sin by John Murray

Original Sin by Henri Blocher

God, Language and Scripture by Moises Silva

Genesis 1 Through the Ages by Stanely Jaki

Biblical Theology; Reformed Dogmatics by Geerhardus Vos

The Trinitarian Theology of Cornelius Van Til by Lane Tipton

An Introduction to Systematic Theology; Defense of the Faith by Cornelius Van Til

Reformed Dogmatics (4 vol.’s) by Herman Bavinck