Theology Unplugged

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.

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 Faith 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!

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 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, 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 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 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 Faith in a year: https://throughthechurchfathers.com

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

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 Faith 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 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 of Through Theology in a Year, C. Michael Patton explores how the canon of Scripture was recognized rather than arbitrarily chosen. He challenges some common fables of canonicity-like the idea that books were accepted based purely on age, apostolic authorship, or language-and instead shows how the early church organically received certain writings as authoritative. It's not about creating a list but about recognizing what had already been carrying the weight of divine authority.

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 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 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.

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 Faith 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.

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 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 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.

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 Faith in a year: https://throughthechurchfathers.com

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