The Old Roads Podcast

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley answers questions about the Bible’s teaching on slavery, on the ethics of cussing, and on the “three days and three nights” reference to Jesus’ time in the tomb in Scripture.

References: “Does the Bible Support Slavery?” (a lecture by Peter Williams)

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley connects theology to the modern geopolitical issue of the existence of the modern state of Israel and its conflicts with its Arab neighbors. Should Christians support Israel for theological reasons, or for political reasons, or both? Or should Christians remain indifferent or even stand in opposition to Israel’s national aims?

References: “The Dangerous Secret Your Young Men Are Keeping: Neo-Nazi Thought Has Entered the Church” by Will Spencer

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley dives into the key biblical passage that addresses the question of Israel’s place in God’s plan: Romans 9-11. Is Israel still God’s chosen people? As Paul’s teaching demonstrates, that question cannot be answered in a simple way, but once you see God’s plan for Israel and the Gentiles unfolded in these key biblical chapters, the result is awe and wonder at the mysterious workings of God’s grace (Romans 11:33-36).

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley explores the diversity of views among Christians about the nation of Israel. Dispensationalism offers one perspective, and covenant theology offers a range of other perspectives. Tied into this question are different approaches to interpreting the Bible and different ways of fitting Old and New Testaments together, each leading to different ways of viewing the nation of Israel today.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley continues last week’s discussion about the “sons of God” in Genesis 6 by looking into two New Testament passages that mention angels and have been interpreted by some as a reference to Genesis 6. These two passages are 1 Peter 3:18-22 and Jude 5-7. Does either one of these New Testament texts, or both, give us a definitive interpretation of Genesis 6 and confirm the view that fallen angels did, in fact, once invade this world and marry human women?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley looks into three different interpretations of the “sons of God” mentioned in Genesis 6:1-4. Were these “sons of God” fallen angels who intermarried with human women? Or is there a better way to understand this passage?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley reports on the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in June of 2025. What were the highlights of the event? What were the greatest disappointments? And what do both mean for Southern Baptists moving forward?

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley raises the question of the place of patriotism in the Christian life. What is patriotism? Is it a virtue Christians should cultivate? Can it be taken too far? As we navigate life in this world of nations while also belonging to a heavenly kingdom, this subject merits careful thought.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley answers questions from listeners regarding the biblical command that women should not speak in church (1 Cor. 14:33), the nature of biblical inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility, and whether or not we will know our grandparents as grandparents in Heaven, or only as brothers and sisters.

In this episode of the Old Roads Podcast, Dr. Aaron O’Kelley compares and contrasts the Roman Catholic teaching on justification with the Protestant (and biblical) teaching. This historic debate between Protestants and Catholics helped clarify for us the central teaching of the gospel, namely, that we are declared right with God by faith in Christ alone, and not by anything we do.