Theologically Driven

What did Paul actually teach about slavery — and does it speak to modern controversies? In this episode of Theologically Driven, host Phil Cecil continues his conversation with Dr. Meyer about Paul's view of slavery in the Greco-Roman world. They examine key passages in Ephesians, Colossians, 1 Timothy, Titus, and 1 Corinthians 7 to understand what Paul commanded of both slaves and masters, whether Paul ever encouraged slaves to seek freedom, and why the gospel — not social reform — was always his primary concern. The episode also addresses how Paul's principles undermine ancient slavery from within, why modern chattel slavery and sex trafficking stand directly condemned by his teaching, and what Chrysostom's reflection from AD 400 reveals about the eternal perspective Paul wanted believers to carry into every circumstance.

In this episode of Theologically Driven, host Phil Cecil sits down with Dr. Ryan Meyer to explore one of the most challenging topics in New Testament studies: Paul's view of slavery. Before diving into Paul's letters, Dr. Meyer lays essential groundwork by unpacking what slavery actually looked like in the first-century Greco-Roman world — and it may surprise you.

Dr. Meyer explains how slavery in Paul's day differed dramatically from the race-based chattel slavery of American history. In major Roman cities, up to a third of the population were enslaved. Slaves held roles ranging from household servants to doctors, teachers, ship captains, and city officials. Slavery was primarily a legal category, not an ethnic one, and manumission by age 30 was a reasonable expectation for many urban slaves.

Yet none of that softens its fundamental evil. As Dr. Meyer puts it, what makes all slavery wrong — ancient or modern — is one image bearer owning another.

This episode helps listeners avoid two common errors: minimizing how bad slavery was in order to defend Paul, or reading first-century texts through a purely modern lens. It's an honest, careful look at the historical context every reader of Paul's letters needs.

Today on the podcast, we welcome Dr. John Aloisi to talk about the Protestant Reformation.

Learn more about DBTS at https://dbts.edu

Today on the podcast, we welcome Dr. John Aloisi to talk about the Protestant Reformation.

Learn more about DBTS at https://dbts.edu

Host Phil Cecil continues his conversation with Dr. Mark Snoeberger on one of theology's most debated distinctions — the relationship between justification and sanctification. After reviewing the Roman Catholic view from last week, they turn to Holiness theologies, tracing their roots through Wesley. Dr. Snoeberger unpacks Wesley's "sequence of graces," the concept of a second work of grace, and why that framework falls short of the Reformation view — which holds justification and sanctification as distinct but inseparable benefits of union with Christ, both received at the moment of regeneration. A clear and accessible walk through a topic that matters for how every believer understands the Christian life.

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Preorder McCune's Systematic Theology of Biblical Christianity here.

What's the difference between justification and sanctification — and why does it matter? In this episode of Theologically Driven, host Phil Cecil sits down with Dr. Mark Snoeberger of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary to unpack two of the most important doctrines in Christian theology and explore how different traditions relate them to one another.

Dr. Snoeberger begins by carefully defining each term. Justification is the one-time, legal declaration that a sinner is righteous before God, grounded in the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ and received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Sanctification, by contrast, is the experiential process of being made holy — typically described in three phases: definitive (or initial) sanctification at conversion, progressive sanctification throughout the Christian life, and final sanctification or glorification.

From there, the conversation turns to the central question: how are justification and sanctification related? Dr. Snoeberger lays out three major positions:

• The Roman Catholic view, which absorbs sanctification into justification through an ongoing process of infused grace, sacraments, merit, and a final justification at the end of life.
• The Holiness/Keswick view, which divorces the two by inserting a "second work of grace."
• The Reformation view, which treats them as parallel, simultaneous benefits flowing from the believer's union with Christ.

This episode focuses on a thorough examination of the Roman Catholic position — including baptismal regeneration, the role of the sacraments, venial and mortal sins, purgatory, and why the Reformers' insistence on sola fide (faith alone) was such a watershed moment. Dr. Snoeberger also explains the "hopeful and causal relationship" Catholic theology draws between sanctification and final justification, and why this framework leaves believers without assurance.

Whether you're a pastor, student, or curious listener, this episode offers a clear, accessible introduction to a doctrine at the heart of the gospel and the Protestant Reformation.

Topics covered:

• Definitions of justification and sanctification
• Imputed vs. infused righteousness
• Definitive, progressive, and final sanctification
• Union with Christ and the duplex beneficium
• Roman Catholic soteriology, sacraments, and purgatory
• Venial and mortal sins
• Why Luther opposed the sale of indulgences

Theologically Driven is a podcast of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. Learn more at dbts.edu.

Today, we are joined by Ben and Wendy Russell to discuss how churches can serve kids with disabilities.

Learn more about DBTS at https://dbts.edu

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Kyle Dunham about the syncritistic tendencies of worship in ancient Israel.

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Today on the podcast, we talk with Dr. Ryan Meyer about holding fast in the book of Hebrews.

Learn more about the Master of Divinity program at DBTS at https://dbts.edu/mdiv

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Kyle Dunham about leadership in the book of Joshua.

Learn more about DBTS at https://dbts.edu