In this session, we explore the structure of Roman Catholic authority from a Protestant perspective. What is the Magisterium, and how does it function alongside Scripture and Tradition? What does apostolic succession really mean, and how is infallibility understood? This episode aims to unpack the internal logic of Rome’s authority structure—not to caricature it, but to understand it. My goal is to help Protestants see how it fits together from within the Catholic system, while also offering points of reflection and challenge. If you've ever wondered why Catholics trust the Church in the way they do, this is a great place to start.

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Michael's public blog: https://credohouse.org

Courses and Manuscript Reproductions from Michael and other scholars: https://credocourses.com

Join us as we go through the great Fathers of the Faith in a year: https://throughthechurchfathers.com

Support me and get A LOT more stuff from C. Michael Patton: https://patreon.com/cmichaelpatton

In this episode, I step into unfamiliar territory as a Protestant: making the strongest possible case for the inclusion of the deuterocanonical books—those writings often labeled *Apocrypha* like *Tobit*, *Judith*, *Wisdom*, *Sirach*, and *1–2 Maccabees*.

I walk through the theological logic of the Catholic position: the organic relationship between Scripture and Church, the role of apostolic tradition, and why early liturgical use might point to divine inspiration. What if these books weren’t added later—but preserved for a reason?

Then, I shift perspectives and respond from a Protestant point of view. I wrestle honestly with the question: How do we define canon? Does apostolicity matter more than usage? Can moral usefulness be confused with divine authority?

No history yet—Athanasius, Jerome, Cajetan, and the rest will get their day. This episode is all about setting the theological stage.

This is the best Catholic argument I know. And it deserves a serious Protestant answer.

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In this first session of our series on Roman Catholicism, we explore its foundations from a Protestant perspective—graciously and truthfully. What is Rome? How did it develop? Why does it matter today? This series invites you to understand the structure, beliefs, and beauty of the Roman Catholic Church, even while wrestling with key differences. Let's get to know Rome—not as outsiders, but as informed family members in the broader story of Christianity.

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Michael's public blog: https://credohouse.org

Courses and Manuscript Reproductions from Michael and other scholars: https://credocourses.com

Join us as we go through the great Fathers of the Faith in a year: https://throughthechurchfathers.com

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In this session, we explore the definition and historical development of the biblical canon. What do we mean when we talk about "the canon of Scripture"? How did the Church recognize which books belonged in the Bible—and when?

We will trace the formation of the canon through:

– The early church’s criteria for recognizing Scripture

– The role of Church Fathers and early councils

– The distinction between inspired books and ecclesiastical writings

– Disputes over the Old and New Testament books

– The influence of figures like Athanasius, Jerome, and the Reformers

This teaching lays the historical foundation for understanding how the Church came to affirm the books that make up our Bible.

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Michael's public blog: https://credohouse.org

Courses and Manuscript Reproductions from Michael and other scholars: https://credocourses.com

Join us as we go through the great Fathers of the Faith in a year: https://throughthechurchfathers.com

Support me and get A LOT more stuff from C. Michael Patton: https://patreon.com/cmichaelpatton

Today we explore the legacy of one of the most powerful papal names in Church history—Leo. With the election of Leo the Fourteenth, many are asking what it means to choose that name. We walk through the legacies of Leo the First (Leo the Great), Leo the Third, Leo the Tenth, and Leo the Thirteenth—tracing a line from theological clarity and imperial coronations to Reformation crisis and modern renewal. This isn’t just Church history—it’s our story, and each Leo leaves behind a mark: some healed, some divided, some saved cities, and some changed the Church forever.

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Michael's public blog: https://credohouse.org

Courses and Manuscript Reproductions from Michael and other scholars: https://credocourses.com

Join us as we go though the great Fathers of the Fath in a year: https://throughthechurchfathers.com

Support me and get A LOT more stuff from C. Michael Patton: https://patreon.com/cmichaelpatton

In today’s episode, we dive into Genesis 6 and 1 Kings 22 to crash those neatly packaged theological assumptions. These passages remind us that God intentionally includes the bizarre and the unexpected in Scripture to keep us from getting too comfortable. Just because something is bizarre doesn’t mean it’s not real—our worldview as Christians must embrace the reality of the strange and supernatural. Get ready to have your theological boxes blown wide open!

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Michael's public blog: https://credohouse.org

Courses and Manuscript Reproductions from Michael and other scholars: https://credocourses.com

Join us as we go though the great Fathers of the Fath in a year: https://throughthechurchfathers.com

Support me and get A LOT more stuff from C. Michael Patton: https://patreon.com/cmichaelpatton

In this episode, we dive deep into one of the clearest and most haunting illustrations of sin in the Bible: Esau trading his birthright for “that red stuff.” What compels us to give up what matters most for something so empty and fleeting?

We’ll unpack how sin functions like spiritual impulse buying—a split-second decision that feels urgent but ends in regret. I’ll share a personal story about a season in my life when I traded the calling God gave me for the comfort of pain pills. We’ll also explore a father-son moment that reveals the heart of God in our worst trades—and how grace always leaves room for return.

If you’ve ever felt the ache of worthless choices or wondered what “red stuff” might be in your own cart, this episode is for you.

Get involved:

Michael's public blog: https://credohouse.org

Courses and Manuscript Reproductions from Michael and other scholars: https://credocourses.com

Join us as we go though the great Fathers of the Fath in a year: https://throughthechurchfathers.com

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In this episode of Theology Unplugged, C. Michael Patton explores one of the most personal and humorous tensions in his theological journey: what if we’re still wrong in heaven? What if glorification doesn’t mean omniscience, but sanctified curiosity?

From being kicked out of a Calvinist fellowship in the ’90s to debating theology over coffee with Arminians like Paul Copan and Wesleyans like Thomas Oden, Michael reflects on what it means to hold deep conviction without losing humility. He introduces the concept of Mystical Calvinism—a posture that embraces both the doctrines of grace and the infinite mystery of God.

Let’s get honest about where our theology actually comes from.

Get involved:

Michael's public blog: https://credohouse.org

Courses and Manuscript Reproductions from Michael and other scholars: https://credocourses.com

Join us as we go though the great Fathers of the Fath in a year: https://throughthechurchfathers.com

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When we ask, “Who is God?”, we often assume we’re going straight to the Bible. But we’re not. The truth is, every Christian pulls from at least 12 different sources—often unconsciously—when building their theology. In this episode, we look at how things like culture, tradition, emotions, friends, family, reason, pastors, creation, and theologians influence what we believe. Some of these are good. Some are dangerous. But all of them are real.

Let’s get honest about where our theology actually comes from.

Get involved:

Michael's public blog: https://credohouse.org

Courses and Manuscript Reproductions from Michael and other scholars: https://credocourses.com

Join us as we go though the great Fathers of the Fath in a year: https://throughthechurchfathers.com

Support me and get A LOT more stuff from C. Michael Patton: https://patreon.com/cmichaelpatton

Before we ask Who is God?, we have to answer a more foundational question: What is God? In this episode, we walk through four ways people—consciously or unconsciously—define “God”:

1. That Which We Worship – what we value most

2. A Celestial Being – something more powerful than us

3. The Creator (Unmoved Mover) – the source of all things

4. The Greatest Conceivable Being – the perfect, ultimate reality

We explore each with vivid examples, cultural references, and Scripture, helping us see that everyone has a "god"—even if they don’t call it that.

This is the groundwork for all theological clarity. If we don’t know what we mean by “God,” we’ll misunderstand everything else that follows.

Get involved:

Michael's public blog: https://credohouse.org

Courses and Manuscript Reproductions from Michael and other scholars: https://credocourses.com

Join us as we go though the great Fathers of the Fath in a year: https://throughthechurchfathers.com

Support me and get A LOT more stuff from C. Michael Patton: https://patreon.com/cmichaelpatton