In this episode of Theology Unplugged, I kick things off with a deep dive into the Pseudepigrapha—those fascinating ancient writings that didn’t make it into the biblical canon, but still show up all over early Christian thought. Then I shift into a raw retelling of a recent demonic night terror—an intense dream that left me rattled and reflecting on the reality of spiritual warfare.

After that, things take a different turn as I engage in a live theological debate with “Flavia Julia Constantina” (played by ChatGPT). We go head-to-head on two major doctrines: penal substitutionary atonement and baptismal regeneration. She brings the early church fire; I push back with Scripture and a theology that leaves space for development. It’s sharp, spontaneous, and fully unplugged.

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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

Today’s episode asks one of the most foundational and unsettling questions in theology: Is the canon of Scripture actually closed? Not whether it should be or whether it feels closed, but whether anyone—church, council, or community—has the authority to close it.

We walk through exploring the definition of canon, examine where the idea of a “closed canon” comes from, and ask who—if anyone—had the authority to make that call. In the end, we consider this: if canon is like prophecy—God-breathed, binding, and final—then it must be God, not man, who closes it. But what if God never said it was closed?

He hasn't spoken through a prophet or apostle in nearly 2,000 years. That silence may be the strongest evidence of closure—but it’s still silence, not a decree. If only God can close the canon, and he hasn’t, then maybe—just maybe—it’s still open in theory.

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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 of Theology Unplugged, we explore the spectrum of philosophical systems and how they shape our understanding of faith. From fideism to empiricism, existentialism to rationalism, we see that God engages with us through multiple avenues—not just one. What if He wants to make your faith more multi-dimensional? By understanding these frameworks, we can appreciate the richness of Christian thought and how different perspectives contribute to our walk with Christ.

Join us as we break down these key philosophical approaches, their historical figures, and how they connect to Scripture and the Christian life.

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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

Episode 74 of 'Through Theology in a Year' takes you on a journey through the intricacies of manuscript evaluation and Bible translation. We'll explore the three key elements that add value to any discovered manuscript, and then dive into how translation committees decide on their specific approaches. From the NIV to the ESV, the King James Version to The Message, we break down the differences and help you understand which translation might be right for you.

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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 explore the types of evidence we rely on when reconstructing the Old and New Testament texts. We delve into the history of the Old Testament manuscript tradition and examine why the Masoretic Text, specifically the Leningrad Codex, is so highly regarded. We also look at how scholars cross-reference this text with the Septuagint (LXX) and the Dead Sea Scrolls to ensure its accuracy and consistency. As an aside, we discuss the nomina sacra and demonstrate how the early Church, as seen in P66, held the belief that Christ was truly God. Join us for a fascinating discussion on the meticulous work of biblical text reconstruction!

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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

Welcome back to 'Through Theology in a Year.' Today, we're diving into 'Textual Criticism #2' with a specific English example to illustrate how different mistakes, both unintentional and intentional, were made in the early Church. We'll explore why scribes might deliberately alter texts based on their identity, motives, and audience. Tune in for an engaging discussion!

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

Courses 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 of Conversations with Tad, we dive into the humanity of Christ—what it truly meant for Jesus to walk among us, experience temptation, feel sorrow, and even wrestle with human limitations. As we talk, Tad has a realization that Jesus wasn’t just God in disguise but fully human in every way. This leads us into a deeper discussion on why Christ’s humanity matters for our faith, how it shapes our understanding of suffering, and what it means for our relationship with Him today. Along the way, we also explore other pressing questions about faith, doubt, and living as Christians in a complicated world.

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We'd love to hear your thoughts! Don't forget to like, comment, and share your insights. Join the discussion and let us know your perspective on these crucial topics.

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

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

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

Conversations with Tad is an ongoing dialogue between me and my good friend, Tad, as we explore faith, doubt, and the Christian journey. Tad became a Christian some time ago, and these conversations provide an honest and personal look at his experiences, struggles, and growth. We discuss theology, life, and what it means to follow Christ in a real and meaningful way. Whether you're a believer, a skeptic, or just curious, these episodes offer thoughtful and engaging discussions on faith and the Christian life.

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We'd love to hear your thoughts! Don't forget to like, comment, and share your insights. Join the discussion and let us know your perspective on these crucial topics.

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

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

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

What makes a church high church or low church? Is a formal, liturgical service more biblical than a simple, informal gathering? And how do different traditions—Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Congregational—approach church governance? In this episode, we explore the structures of church leadership, the theological debates around them, and why we should be open to different expressions of worship and governance. Maybe the Bible gives us more flexibility than we think.

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We'd love to hear your thoughts! Don't forget to like, comment, and share your insights. Join the discussion and let us know your perspective on these crucial topics.

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

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

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

Join us as we go through all the Patristic Church Fathers in a Year: https://throughthechurchfathers.com

In this episode of Theology Unplugged, we trace the history of systematic theology, from the early Apologists like Justin Martyr to modern biblical theology. Theology has evolved through philosophy, logic, Scripture, and experience, shifting from Platonic mysticism to Aristotelian scholasticism, from Reformation confessionalism to modern biblical theology.

We explore the great thinkers—Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, Athanasius, Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, Scotus, Ockham, Luther, Calvin, Melanchthon, Beza, Arminius, Gerhard, Barth, Bavinck, Vos, Hodge, Berkhof, Ryrie, Grudem—and how their reliance on philosophy, reason, or emotion shaped their theological systems. What drives theology today? Systematics or biblical theology? Propositions or redemptive history?

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We'd love to hear your thoughts! Don't forget to like, comment, and share your insights. Join the discussion and let us know your perspective on these crucial topics.

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

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

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