Fresh Content
655. God Spoke to Himself in Genesis 1.26 (Sam Mansfield)
To whom was God speaking in Genesis 1.26 when he said, “Let us make humanity in our image”? My guest today, Sam Mansfield of Adelaide, South Australia, has found six different answers to this question. In the following interview, I ask him about his recent presentation at the inaugural Australian Unitarian Christian Alliance conference, called Read more about 655. God Spoke to Himself in Genesis 1.26 (Sam Mansfield)[…]
654. The Plight of a Restorationist (Matt Lovegrove)
Many Bible-believing churches are ridged keepers of tradition. They have a statement of faith, a historic confession, or old creeds that determine what people should and should not believe. There’s very little space for people to genuinely ask questions, investigate competing doctrines, and honestly change their minds over time. Today I’m speaking with Matt Lovegrove Read more about 654. The Plight of a Restorationist (Matt Lovegrove)[…]
653. Why I’m Convinced That Jesus Is the Human Messiah (Paul Robson)
Paul Robson was an upstanding Christian leader in a Bible-believing church when his friend upended his world by revealing that he no longer believed the Trinity was biblically true. Although Robson initially reacted negatively to such a departure from the norm, he eventually came to change his mind based on a thorough study of Scripture. Read more about 653. Why I’m Convinced That Jesus Is the Human Messiah (Paul Robson)[…]
652. The Spirit as Christ’s Alter Ego (Sean Finnegan)
One of the largest and most intriguing blocks of teaching in the Gospel of John is the upper room discourse in chapter 13-17. This block of time begins with the washing of the disciples’ feet (13) and ends with Jesus’s high-priestly prayer (17). In the middle chapters (14-16), we encounter Jesus preparing his followers for Read more about 652. The Spirit as Christ’s Alter Ego (Sean Finnegan)[…]
651. Translating the Holy Spirit (Sean Finnegan)
Have you ever heard the expression “a smoking gun”? It comes from an earlier era of guns when black powder produced a good cloud of smoke each time someone fired the weapon. Originally a smoking gun referred to a situation when someone was caught with the weapon in hand, still emitting smoke. The implication of Read more about 651. Translating the Holy Spirit (Sean Finnegan)[…]
650. Restoration Theology 16: Restoration Theology Can Change the World
This episode is part of the Restoration Theology class. Today is our last episode in our Restoration Theology class. Believe it or not, not everyone thinks restorationism is great. In fact, most Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, are against restorationism, preferring the confessional approach. Have you started to face objections and dismissive language when you Read more about 650. Restoration Theology 16: Restoration Theology Can Change the World[…]
649. Restoration Theology 15: A Method to Evaluate Doctrines
This episode is part of the Restoration Theology class. Today is the capstone episode of this entire class on Restoration Theology. We’re going to put together what we’ve learned so far into a twenty-question diagnostic. The purpose of this method is to evaluate any Christian belief or practice. You can use it on your own Read more about 649. Restoration Theology 15: A Method to Evaluate Doctrines[…]
648. Restoration Theology 14: Comparative Theology and Alternative Doctrines
This episode is part of the Restoration Theology class. About a year ago I was listening to a podcast that said black plastic cookware comes from recycled electronics. Such plastics are loaded with chemicals like fire retardants and should not be used in cooking. I was thinking about the black plastic spatula our family Read more about 648. Restoration Theology 14: Comparative Theology and Alternative Doctrines[…]
647. Restoration Theology 13: Historical Theology and Doctrinal Precedents
This episode is part of the Restoration Theology class. As we continue through our survey of the major branches of theology, we come to the subject of doctrinal precedents. Who has believed a particular idea before? Were there any Christians who held position x in the past? Who were they? If the majority of Read more about 647. Restoration Theology 13: Historical Theology and Doctrinal Precedents[…]
646. Restoration Theology 12: Analytic Theology and Logical Evaluation
This episode is part of the Restoration Theology class. Restoration Theology is an approach that brings together good hermeneutics and good theology. We’ve talked a great deal about hermeneutics, which how to interpret the Bible well, and now we’re working our way through all the major branches of theology. In previous episodes, we’ve looked Read more about 646. Restoration Theology 12: Analytic Theology and Logical Evaluation[…]
645. Restoration Theology 11: Systematic Theology and Biblical Coherence
This episode is part of the Restoration Theology class. Whereas last time we focused on differences and development, today our goal is to perceive the final form of a doctrine. Because restorationists believe God inspired scripture, we recognize that amidst the diversity we can also detect coherence. Although there were many authors, there was Read more about 645. Restoration Theology 11: Systematic Theology and Biblical Coherence[…]
644. Restoration Theology 10: Biblical Theology and Progressive Revelation
This episode is part of the Restoration Theology class. The Bible is a collection of sixty-six books, written by dozens of authors over centuries. It did not drop from heaven, nor did it arrive all in one generation. No, God slowly revealed the Christian scriptures over time. As a result, we find development within Read more about 644. Restoration Theology 10: Biblical Theology and Progressive Revelation[…]
643. Restoration Theology 9: Applying Scripture in Your Context
This episode is part of the Restoration Theology class. Although one of the most overlooked aspects of hermeneutics, figuring out how to apply scripture to your own context today is extremely important. If you interpret the Bible well, but never ask the question, “How does this affect me?” what good does it do you? Read more about 643. Restoration Theology 9: Applying Scripture in Your Context[…]
642. Restoration Theology 8: Interpreting Scripture in Its Historical Context
This episode is part of the Restoration Theology class. There’s no getting around it. The Bible is a historical book. The events it describes occurred in history. What’s more, biblical history isn’t just limited to a single period of time. No, it stretches over thousands of years. As a result, it’s critical that you Read more about 642. Restoration Theology 8: Interpreting Scripture in Its Historical Context[…]
641. Restoration Theology 7: Interpreting Scripture in Its Literary Context
This episode is part of the Restoration Theology class. What’s the difference between reading the Bible and studying it? Reading the Bible is like surfing on the waves, following the general flow of thought as you go. Studying the Bible is more like swimming underwater, perhaps with scuba gear to enable you to investigate matters Read more about 641. Restoration Theology 7: Interpreting Scripture in Its Literary Context[…]
640. Restoration Theology 6: Bible Translation and Detecting Bias
This episode is part of the Restoration Theology class. Would you agree that every translation of the Bible has some sort of bias in it? Even the most literal translations have a good deal of bias baked into them. What can we do? Well, you could learn Hebrew and Greek so you can read the Read more about 640. Restoration Theology 6: Bible Translation and Detecting Bias[…]
Restorationist Manifesto
Read the restorationist manifesto to learn about how to approach scripture and doctrine so that you can minimize deception and get as close as possible to apostolic first century Christianity.
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This book exposes six major cultural currents that are tugging at all of us, including hyper-individualism, tolerance, progress, scientism, consumerism, and patriotism. For each I illustrate the paradigm with a couple of examples from the culture before discussing the benefits and detriments. Lastly, I deconstruct the idea and show how Christianity provides a better way. Subscribe to the Restitutio email list and we’ll send you this e-book for free!