Weighed in the Balance

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Roman Catholic apologists often argue that Protestants cannot account for the canon of Scripture. If Scripture alone is our only infallible rule of faith, how do we know which books belong in the Bible?

In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Jonathan Brooks responds to Cameron Bertuzzi's recent challenge to Protestants on the canon of Scripture. Examining the historical evidence, the testimony of Eusebius, Origen, Athanasius, and the early church, Jonathan argues that the historical record is far more nuanced than is often presented.

Topics include:

•  What Protestants actually mean by the canon of Scripture 
•  Why the canon is not an objection to sola Scriptura 
•  Eusebius' four categories of Christian writings 
•  The disputed books of the New Testament 
•  Origen's canon list 
•  Michael Kruger's Canon Revisited
•  Why the canon does not require belief in the Roman Catholic Magisterium 

This is Part 1 of a response. After recording, I realized there were several important claims in the final portion of Cameron's video that deserved additional interaction, so watch for Part 2 next week.

If you enjoy careful theological analysis, church history, and apologetics from a confessional Reformed perspective, consider subscribing.

Check out my Substack articles on the canon. Start here: https://trinitarianthoughts.substack.com/p/you-may-not-like-my-answer?r=4jx7vt

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What does the doctrine of the perspicuity of Scripture actually claim?

Continuing our study of Francis Turretin's Institutes of Elenctic Theology, we examine how Turretin carefully defines the question before defending the clarity of Scripture. Along the way, we consider Robert Bellarmine's objections, discuss why difficult passages do not undermine the doctrine, distinguish mysteries from truths necessary for salvation, and briefly compare differing views of Scripture in the PCA and the PC(USA).

This episode lays the groundwork for Turretin's positive argument by explaining exactly what the doctrine of Scripture's clarity does—and does not—teach.

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What exactly is Christian Nationalism? Is it simply a desire for Christian influence in society, or is it something more?

In this episode, Jonathan Brooks is joined by Rev. Matt Duraski to discuss one of the most debated topics in American evangelicalism. Together they examine:

• What Christian Nationalism actually is
 • How it relates to theonomy
 • Political liberalism vs. modern progressivism
 • Whether America was founded as a Christian nation
 • Why movements like Christian Nationalism appeal to many young Christians
 • The biblical role of the Church in a divided culture
 • Why the gospel—not political power—remains the Church's primary mission

Rather than offering partisan talking points, this conversation seeks to think carefully and biblically about the relationship between Christianity, politics, and the mission Christ has given His Church.

If you enjoy thoughtful theological conversations rooted in Scripture and the Reformed tradition, consider subscribing.

Weighed in the Balance is a podcast dedicated to examining whether popular claims can withstand careful biblical, historical, and theological scrutiny.

00:09 Journey into Reformed Theology
02:26 The Influence of Theonomy
05:20 Understanding Christian Nationalism
07:48 Defining Political Liberalism
10:02 The Complexity of Nationalism
12:43 The Dangers of Christian Nationalism
15:16 Moderation in Political Views
17:34 Historical Context of Liberalism
19:59 The Role of Christianity in Society
22:24 Critique of American Nationalism
24:55 The Balance of Faith and National Identity
35:01 Theological Foundations and Historical Context
36:47 Liberalism and Its Misconceptions
40:07 Christian Nationalism: Psychological Needs and Identity Crisis
43:13 Community and Belonging in Christian Nationalism
45:46 Reality Check: The True Nature of Christian Ministry
49:28 The Call to Love and Serve
52:43 The Dangers of Extremism in Christian Nationalism
55:47 Hope Beyond Politics: The Role of the Church
59:21 Conclusion: A Call to Genuine Faith and Action

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Roman Catholic and Protestant debates frequently become bogged down in discussions about Mary, the saints, church government, or other secondary issues. But beneath those disagreements lies a more fundamental question:

Is Scripture sufficiently clear to function as the Christian's final authority?

In this opening episode of a new series through Francis Turretin's Institutes of Elenctic Theology, we begin examining the classic Reformed doctrine of the perspicuity of Scripture. Turretin argues that while not every passage is equally easy to understand, everything necessary for salvation is clearly revealed in God's Word apart from unwritten tradition or an infallible ecclesiastical authority.

Topics include:

•  The real dividing line between Rome and the Reformation 
•  Why Scripture's clarity matters 
•  Turretin's definition of perspicuity 
•  The work of the Holy Spirit in understanding Scripture 
•  The difference between difficult doctrines and essential truths 
•  Why this doctrine remains relevant today

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The Presbyterian Church in America recently released a pastoral letter from its Ad Interim Committee studying Christian Nationalism. Almost immediately, critics began claiming the report promotes compromise, liberalism, and even the destruction of biblical Christianity.

But does it?

In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, I read the pastoral letter, examine the historical claims being made against the PCA, and respond point-by-point to accusations that simply don't match the text.

We'll discuss:

• What the PCA study committee actually says
 • Why "Christian Nationalism" is so difficult to define
 • The difference between biblical political theology and extremist ideology
 • The history behind the PCA's founding
 • Why accuracy matters when criticizing another church

Whether you agree with every conclusion or not, Christians should care deeply about representing both Scripture and our neighbors truthfully.

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. What do you think the term "Christian Nationalism" means? Is it still a useful category, or has it become too broad to communicate clearly?

If you enjoy careful, charitable theological discussion, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode.

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Keith Nestor says there were five Protestant beliefs he could no longer defend—and that those beliefs eventually led him into the Roman Catholic Church.

As a Presbyterian pastor, I watched his arguments carefully. Surprisingly, I agree that several of those beliefs are indefensible.

The problem is that they aren't actually historic Protestant doctrines.

In this episode we examine each of the five claims, compare them with Scripture and the Westminster Confession of Faith, and ask whether they really point toward Rome—or whether they're based on misunderstandings of Protestant theology.

Topics include:

• The visible and invisible church
 • Church authority
 • Sola Scriptura
 • The Lord's Supper
 • Perseverance of the saints
 • The papacy
 • Church history

If you enjoy thoughtful, charitable discussions about theology, subscribe and join the conversation.

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In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, we take a deep dive into the historical and theological relationship between the Reformer John Calvin and the early church father Ignatius of Antioch.

Recently, Roman Catholic creator Cameron Rieker claimed that Protestants "fear" Ignatius and that Calvin attempted to "erase him from history." But is that an accurate representation of the facts? We go straight to the primary sources—specifically Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion—to see who Calvin was actually arguing against and why he was skeptical of the Ignatian corpus in the 16th century.

In this video, we discuss:

• Context Matters: Why Calvin’s critique of Ignatius was aimed at Unitarians like Michael Servetus, not Roman Catholics.
• The Forgery Crisis: How Renaissance Humanism and the "Ad Fontes" movement led scholars to question spurious documents like the Donation of Constantine and the longer recension of Ignatius' letters.
• The Real Servetus Story: The complicated relationship between Calvin and Servetus, and the truth behind the Geneva trial.
• Apostolic Succession: Why Protestant ministers (including myself) hold to a biblical view of apostolic succession and the office of "overseer."
• The Eucharist: Why Ignatius' views on the Lord's Supper are entirely consistent with a Reformed understanding of the Real Presence by faith.

If you enjoy charitable theological discussion that prioritizes historical accuracy over clickbait claims, please like this video and subscribe to the channel. It truly helps more people discover these conversations.

What do you think? Does Ignatius' writing prove the Roman Catholic position, or is it being read out of context? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

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I received five all-caps comments from a skeptic that demanded a response. Today, we're putting those claims—from the trial of Jesus to the dating of the Gospels—under historical scrutiny.

Was Jesus a failed Revolutionary executed by the Romans for sedition?

Did Augustine change Christian doctrine to make it Manichaean and Neoplatonist?

Are the Gospels just “fan fiction”?

Why didn’t “everyone” see Jesus rise from the dead?

We tackle each of these topics, providing answers grounded in the facts of history and (just as important) the truth of Scripture.

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Is the King James Version the only trustworthy English Bible? How should Christians think about textual criticism, Bible translations, and the doctrine of preservation?

In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Jonathan Brooks is joined by Rev. Don Baker to bring the King James Onlyism series to a close. Having both grown up in Independent Fundamental Baptist churches, they discuss their experiences, common arguments made by KJV-Only advocates, and why faithful Christians can confidently trust God's Word without insisting on one English translation.

Topics include:

• Growing up in King James Only churches
 • The value of a shared theological vocabulary
 • Formal equivalence vs. dynamic equivalence
 • Translation philosophy and readability
 • Greek and Hebrew in Bible study
 • The longer ending of Mark and the woman caught in adultery
 • The Comma Johanneum (1 John 5:7)
 • Textual criticism and the preservation of Scripture
 • Why scholarship must remain subordinate to God's Word
 • Common parallels between King James Onlyism and Roman Catholic claims of infallibility

Our goal is not to attack those who love the King James Version. In fact, we both deeply appreciate the KJV and recognize its enormous influence on the English-speaking church. Rather, we seek to encourage Christians to trust God's providential preservation of Scripture and to approach these questions with charity and humility.

If you enjoy careful and charitable theological discussion, please like this video, subscribe, and share it with others.

00:00 Introduction to King James Onlyism

02:41 Personal Backgrounds in Fundamentalism

04:38 Debate Insights and Perspectives

07:18 The Impact of King James Onlyism on Faith

07:46 The Value of Shared Translations

09:52 Cultural and Linguistic Perspectives on Translation

12:52 Translation Philosophy: Formal vs. Dynamic Equivalence

15:19 The Importance of Context in Translation

18:13 Textual Variants and Their Implications

20:05 Authority in Translation: King James Onlyism vs. Scholarly Consensus

23:07 The Role of the Church in Transmission and Interpretation

25:00 Understanding Textual Evidence and Its Significance

27:22 Final Authority: Scholars vs. Original Texts

40:53 The Impact of Scholarship on the Church

41:10 Navigating Theological Liberalism and Scholarship

45:55 The Role of Pastors and Authority in Teaching

52:16 The Preservation of Scripture Through History

57:08 Understanding Bible Translations and Their Interpretations

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In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, we conclude the 2021 King James Onlyism debate between Nathan Cravatt and Mitch Canupp, focusing on a key moment involving Titus 2:13 and the translation of “our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

We walk through the Greek text, discuss the Granville Sharp construction, and examine claims about whether modern translations (like the ESV and NIV) weaken or strengthen Christ’s deity.

The discussion then shifts to a broader theological concern:
 What happens when translation philosophy becomes tied to questions of salvation and doctrinal fidelity?

This episode raises important questions about:

•  Bible translation and Greek grammar 
•  The Granville Sharp construction (Titus 2:13) 
•  Claims of doctrinal “watering down” 
•  King James Onlyism and theological boundaries 
•  Gospel clarity vs translation preferences 

Whether you’re interested in biblical languages, Reformed theology, or contemporary translation debates, this episode brings the discussion to a head.

00:00 Introduction to King James Onlyism Debate

01:48 Disappointment in Audience Response

04:10 Textual Differences and Translation Accuracy

11:32 Inconsistencies in Argumentation

23:57 The State of Humanity and the Gospel

28:14 The Centrality of Christ in Salvation

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