Theology Unplugged

Many misunderstand Sola Scriptura-some reducing it to "Scripture is the only authority" and others dismissing it as an impossible standard. But what does Sola Scriptura actually mean? In this episode, we define Sola Scriptura as the doctrine that Scripture alone is the uniquely God-breathed, infallible, and final revelation for matters of faith and salvation. While general revelation (nature and reason) provides true knowledge of God, only Scripture contains the special, verbal revelation necessary for understanding salvation and God's will.

We also tackle misconceptions, including the idea that Sola Scriptura rejects all tradition, denies reason, or requires Scripture to explicitly state every doctrine. Instead, we explore how Scripture and reason work together, why Sola Scriptura avoids the circularity problem, and why unwritten tradition lacks the verifiability needed for theological certainty. Even if Scripture itself declared tradition to be infallible, the core issue would remain-how do we know what true tradition is? Unlike Scripture, tradition lacks a fixed and traceable foundation, making it unreliable as a final authority.

Join us as we wrestle through these questions and lay out a clear and defensible definition of Sola Scriptura.

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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

In this episode, I present a decisive refutation of Roman Catholic authority, challenging the concept of apostolic succession and its claim to ultimate authority. Building on the six defenses I previously outlined for Roman Catholic theology, I demonstrate why this system, while pragmatic in certain respects, ultimately falls short. I argue that it is unnecessary, unbiblical, and there is a better, more faithful way to understand authority in the Church.

I explore the historical development of apostolic authority, tracing its origins and evolution with the help of clear, illustrative charts. You'll gain a deeper understanding of why the Roman Catholic model, though appealing to some, does not hold up under biblical or theological scrutiny. This episode offers a compelling alternative to the Roman Catholic framework, grounded in Scripture and a more effective vision for Church authority.

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Join us in exploring theology at a deeper level! Support this ministry or join one of our programs to continue learning and growing together.

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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

In this episode of Through Theology in a Year, C. Michael Patton explores the Roman Catholic view of authority, often referred to as Sola Ecclesia or what he calls the "Tri-Fold" view. This theological framework relies on three interconnected sources of authority: Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium. Michael walks through seven key arguments in defense of this position, presenting the logic, historical context, and challenges surrounding this Roman Catholic understanding of dual sources of revelation. Whether you are a Catholic, Protestant, or curious observer, this episode will help you better understand and engage with the Catholic theological system.

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Join us in exploring theology at a deeper level! Support this ministry or join one of our programs to continue learning and growing together.

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

In this episode of Theology Unplugged, Michael unpacks the recent controversy surrounding Wesley Huff's debate with Billy Carson, which led to Huff's appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast. While Huff passionately defended the reliability of biblical manuscripts, his claim that the Isaiah Scroll is "word for word identical" to Codex Leningradus sparked criticism. Michael explains why this statement was problematic, clarifies the remarkable accuracy of biblical manuscripts, and encourages listeners not to lose confidence in the transmission of Scripture. He also discusses reactions from figures like Alex O'Connor, RussianKD, and Gavin Ortlund, offering insights into the broader debate.

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Join us in exploring theology at a deeper level! Support this ministry or join one of our programs to continue learning and growing together.

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

Get the Manuscripts Replicas: https://www.credocourses.com/product-category/apparel/papyri/

Join Us Our Community as we go through the Church Fathers in a year: https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com/

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

In session 66 of Through Theology in a Year, titled Authority Across the Spectrum, we examined various perspectives on authority in the Christian faith. Using detailed charts, we defined and compared Sola Scriptura with Sola Ecclesia, Dual Source Theory, Regula Fide, and Nuda Scriptura. Each perspective was explored, including its rationale and implications for how Christians view authority in Scripture and tradition.

This session emphasizes the importance of balance, showing why Sola Scriptura stands as the safest and most stable position-avoiding the extremes while upholding Scripture's ultimate authority. Join us as we navigate these critical theological distinctions and set the stage for further exploration of Sola Scriptura in action.

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Join us in exploring theology at a deeper level! Support this ministry or join one of our programs to continue learning and growing together.

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

In session 65 of Through Theology in a Year, titled The Church Fathers and Authority, we explored how early church fathers like Tertullian, Irenaeus, Chrysostom, Augustine, and Athanasius understood the concept of authority. Together, we examined their balanced perspectives, recognizing Scripture as the ultimate authority while also valuing the significant role of tradition. By analyzing their writings and beliefs, we gained fresh insight into how the early church viewed authority and how these perspectives shape our understanding today. This session sets the stage for next time, as we delve into Sola Scriptura and its defense.

Get involved:

Join us in exploring theology at a deeper level! Support this ministry or join one of our programs to continue learning and growing together.

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

In this special edition, we step outside Through Theology in a Year to explore something different. First, we tackle Christianity versus other religions-what makes the Christian faith distinct in a world of competing beliefs? Then, we dive into an exciting new journey: Church Fathers in a Year, where we'll uncover the rich writings of early Christian thinkers and their relevance today. Finally, we highlight Papyrus 115 (P115), one of the oldest biblical manuscripts, and its fascinating place in the story of Scripture.

Through Theology in a Year: https://patristic-pathways.mn.co/share/2Uke3KAL5p4i3a9z?utm_source=manual

P115 Papyrus, Mark of the Beast 616:https://www.credocourses.com/product-category/apparel/papyri/

Get involved:

Join us in exploring theology at a deeper level! Support this ministry or join one of our programs to continue learning and growing together.

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

In this episode, I walk through the Development of Doctrine chart step by step, exploring how theology has progressed throughout church history. We discuss why doctrinal development is inevitable and how understanding this progression is essential for engaging theology today. While presenting an irenic perspective on various approaches, I argue that Sola Scriptura is the most natural and logical outcome of this framework. The Household of Scripture naturally fits into this progression-it doesn't produce it, but it arises as a natural result. Join me as we trace the church's history and its theological journey.

Get involved:

Join us in exploring theology at a deeper level! Support this ministry or join one of our programs to continue learning and growing together.

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

In this session of Through Theology in a Year (TTY), we dive into The Doctrinal Development Debate. How have Roman Catholics, Protestants, and Eastern Orthodox believers viewed the development of doctrine throughout history? This session is all about tracing our doctrinal DNA, understanding how theology has unfolded over time, and deciding how much room there is for growth within the bounds of Scripture. Each tradition approaches this differently, and it's absolutely vital to grasp these distinctions to navigate theological conversations today.

Get involved:

Join us in exploring theology at a deeper level! Support this ministry or join one of our programs to continue learning and growing together.

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

In this episode of Theology Unplugged, we're diving into the four types of doubt that can challenge your faith: intellectual, existential, temperamental, and obsessive-compulsive doubt (scrupulicity). Whether you're wrestling with big questions about the resurrection and Scripture, feeling a shift in how you believe, struggling with a melancholic temperament, or experiencing obsessive doubt that keeps you stuck, we cover it all. Doubt is not a one-size-fits-all experience, and understanding its nuances is key to walking through it with confidence and grace.

If you or someone you know is wrestling with these issues, this episode will offer clarity, encouragement, and some practical resources.

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