Category: Egyéb

Unlocking Scripture: Six Keys for Faithful Bible Interpretation – with Jon Nielson

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Everyone who reads the Bible engages in interpretation whether they realize it or not – so how do we do it faithfully and well?

In this episode, Pastor Jon Nielsen of Christ Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, Illinois joins to discuss his latest book, Understanding God’s Word, the third installment in his Theology Basics series. 

John shares his background in ministry, from campus work at Princeton to serving in Wheaton, and unpacks the essentials of biblical hermeneutics. 

He introduces six key tools—Context, Construction, Christ, Clarity, Courtroom, and Crux—for interpreting and applying Scripture faithfully. We also explore common mistakes in Bible study, the doctrine of the clarity of Scripture, and how believers can approach God’s Word with confidence.

Follow Theology for the People on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@theologyforthepeople

Click here to listen to the episode, or listen in the embedded player below.

Unlocking Scripture: Six Keys for Faithful Bible Interpretation – with Jon Nielson – Theology for the People

Everyone who reads the Bible engages in interpretation whether they realize it or not – so how do we do it faithfully and well?In this episode, Pastor Jon Nielsen of Christ Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, IL joins to discuss his latest book, Understanding God's Word, the third installment in his Theology Basics series. John shares his background in ministry, from campus work at Princeton to serving in Wheaton, and unpacks the essentials of biblical hermeneutics. He introduces six key tools—Context, Construction, Christ, Clarity, Courtroom, and Crux—for interpreting and applying Scripture faithfully. We also explore common mistakes in Bible study, the doctrine of the clarity of Scripture, and how believers can approach God’s Word with confidence.Follow Theology for the People on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theologyforthepeople

I have also started posting more on the Theology for the People YouTube channel. You can watch this interview on video here:

Why Epistemology Matters More than Ever – with Miles DeBenedictis

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In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I am joined by Pastor Miles DiBenedictus of ⁠Cross Connection Church⁠ in Escondido, California.

Miles is a PhD student at Southern Seminary studying AI ethics, and in this discussion, they explore the topic of epistemology: what it is, why it matters, and how it affects everything from how we read the Bible to how we navigate truth in a world of misinformation and digital confusion. 

Whether you’re new to the term or already intrigued by philosophy, this conversation will help you think more clearly about how we know what we know—and why that matters for following Jesus today.

Click here to listen to the episode, or listen in the embedded player below.

Why Epistemology Matters More Than Ever – with Miles DeBenedictis – Theology for the People

In this episode, Pastor Nick Cady interviews Pastor Miles DiBenedictus of Cross Connection Church in Escondido, California.Miles is a PhD student at Southern Seminary studying AI ethics, and in this discussion, they explore the topic of epistemology: what it is, why it matters, and how it affects everything from how we read the Bible to how we navigate truth in a world of misinformation and digital confusion. Whether you're new to the term or already intrigued by philosophy, this conversation will help you think more clearly about how we know what we know—and why that matters for following Jesus today.Follow Miles on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pastormilesVisit Miles' website: https://pastormiles.com/

I have also started posting more on the Theology for the People YouTube channel. You can watch this interview on video here:

After Chalcedon: The Role of Early Church Councils for Evangelicals Today – with Matt Pursely

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What is the enduring legacy of the early church councils, and what role should they play in the lives of Bible-believing Christians today?

In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I am joined once again by Matt Pursely, Executive Pastor at Park Hill Church in San Diego, California and graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary with a focus on Historical Theology, to discuss what happened after the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD), and why it matters for believers today.

We also discuss the views of William Lane Craig, who holds to a Neo-Apolinarian Christology which many see as being in conflict with Chalcedon. We explain his view, and how other early councils, such as Constantinople III, speak to it.

We also explain the importance of the debate over monothylitism and dyathelitism and the question of impeccability vs. peccability and whether Jesus was truly tempted internally or if his temptations were merely external.

Click here to listen to the episode, or listen in the embedded player below.

After Chalcedon: The Role of the Early Church Councils for Evangelicals Today – with Matt Pursely – Theology for the People

What is the enduring legacy of the early church councils, and what role should they play in the lives of Bible-believing Christians today?In this episode, host Nick Cady is joined again by Matt Pursely, Executive Pastor at Park Hill Church in San Diego, California and graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary with a focus on Historical Theology, to discuss what happened after Chalcedon, and why it matters for believers today.We also discuss the views of William Lane Craig, who holds to a Neo-Apolinarian Christology which some see as being in conflict with Chalcedon. We explain what this view is, and how other early councils, such as Constantinople III speak to it. We also explain the importance of the debate over monothylitism and dyathelitism and the question of impeccability vs. peccability and whether Jesus was truly tempted internally or if his temptations were merely external. Subscribe to the Theology for the People YouTube Channel here.Visit the Theology for the People website here.

I have also started posting more on the Theology for the People YouTube channel. You can watch this interview on video here:

Ministry in French Canada: A Pastor’s Journey from ShowBiz to the Secular City – with Sébastien Frappier

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In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I speak with Sébastien Frappier his incredible journey from a professional acting career to planting a church in the highly secular city of Montreal, Quebec.

Sebastian shares how a moment of spiritual emptiness led him to encounter Jesus through a Gideon Bible on Guadalupe Mountain in Texas. He reflects on his 12-year journey of preparation, the unique challenges of ministry in a post-Christian culture, and how his acting background informs his preaching and evangelism.

The conversation also covers the unique cultural and spiritual aspects of Quebec, effective evangelism strategies in Montreal, and the importance of discipleship in a context where biblical knowledge is minimal.

Sebastian offers practical advice for church planters in secular urban settings and shares how listeners can support Calvary Montreal’s mission.

Key Topics:

• Sebastian’s Journey to Faith: From a successful acting career in Montreal to a transformative encounter with Jesus while reading the Sermon on the Mount in Texas.

• Ministry in Montreal: The challenges of pastoring in a highly secular, post-Christian city with less than 0.3% evangelical Christians.

• Acting and Preaching: How Sebastian’s training in method acting and the Meisner technique shapes his passionate, authentic approach to teaching the Bible.

• Cultural Context of Quebec: The impact of the Quiet Revolution, the decline of Catholicism, and the rise of humanism in Quebec’s spiritual landscape.

• Evangelism Strategies: The effectiveness of street and subway evangelism in Montreal, emphasizing authenticity and genuine relationships over large-scale events.

• Discipleship in a Secular Context: Focusing on basic biblical teachings and one-on-one discipleship due to limited biblical literacy among new believers.

• Challenges and Encouragement: Sebastian’s experience with a recent church split, the financial struggles of ministry in Quebec, and the joy of seeing individual souls saved.

• Call to Action: How listeners can pray for, support, or participate in short-term mission trips to support Calvary Montreal.

• Calvary Montreal Website: calvarymontreal.com – Find information on the church, how to get involved, and support their mission.

Click here to listen to the episode, or listen in the embedded player below.

Ministry in French Canada: Church Planting in Montreal, Quebec – with Sebastien Frappier – Theology for the People

In this episode, Nick Cady in joined by Sebastian Frappier, to discuss his incredible journey from a professional acting career to planting a church in the highly secular city of Montreal, Quebec. Sebastian shares how a moment of spiritual emptiness led him to encounter Jesus through a Gideon Bible on Guadalupe Mountain in Texas. He reflects on his 12-year journey of preparation, the unique challenges of ministry in a post-Christian culture, and how his acting background informs his preaching and evangelism. The conversation also covers the unique cultural and spiritual aspects of Quebec, effective evangelism strategies in Montreal, and the importance of discipleship in a context where biblical knowledge is minimal. Sebastian offers practical advice for church planters in secular urban settings and shares how listeners can support Calvary Montreal’s mission.Sebastian’s Journey to Faith: From a successful acting career in Montreal to a transformative encounter with Jesus while reading the Sermon on the Mount in Texas.Ministry in Montreal: The challenges of pastoring in a highly secular, post-Christian city with less than 0.3% evangelical Christians.Acting and Preaching: How Sebastian’s training in method acting and the Meisner technique shapes his passionate, authentic approach to teaching the Bible.Cultural Context of Quebec: The impact of the Quiet Revolution, the decline of Catholicism, and the rise of humanism in Quebec’s spiritual landscape.Evangelism Strategies: The effectiveness of street and subway evangelism in Montreal, emphasizing authenticity and genuine relationships over large-scale events.Discipleship in a Secular Context: Focusing on basic biblical teachings and one-on-one discipleship due to limited biblical literacy among new believers.Challenges and Encouragement: Sebastian’s experience with a recent church split, the financial struggles of ministry in Quebec, and the joy of seeing individual souls saved.Call to Action: How listeners can pray for, support, or participate in short-term mission trips to support Calvary Montreal.Calvary Montreal Website: calvarymontreal.com – Find information on the church, how to get involved, and support their mission.Subscribe to Theology for the People for more inspiring conversations about faith and ministry.Share this episode with friends or your church community to raise awareness about the mission in Montreal.Visit the Theology for the People website at theologyforthepeople.com

A New Way to Listen to the Theology for the People Podcast: Now on YouTube

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YouTube recently introduced a Podcast feature, and so I went ahead and created a Theology for the People YouTube Channel.

With YouTube now hosting podcasts, I might be motivated to post more video podcasts in the future.

Subscribe to Theology for the People on YouTube here, or for those of you on a desktop browser, you can listen to the embedded playlist below:

How Did We Get the Bible? Exploring the Formation of the Biblical Canon – with Shane Angland

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In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I speak with Shane Angland about the question of how we got the Bible in its current form.

Shane has been a recurring guest on the podcast, and he has a keen mind and knowledge of historical theology. Shane lives in Ennis, Ireland where he serves at Ennis Evangelical Church. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Dallas Theological Seminary, and has served as a missionary in Ukraine.

From the formation of the Old and New Testaments to the question of the Apocrypha, to the impact of the Council of Trent, this conversation offers clarity on why the Bible is trusted as God’s inspired Word.

Key Topics Discussed

  • What is the Canon?
    • Definition: The canon is the list of inspired, authoritative Scriptures distinguished from other valuable writings.
    • Theological foundation: Scripture is “breathed forth” by God, carrying unique authority for the church (2 Timothy 3:16).
  • Old Testament Canon Formation
    • Begins with God’s redemptive acts, particularly after the Exodus and Sinai covenant (Exodus 24, Deuteronomy 31).
    • Jewish recognition of inspired texts from Moses to Malachi, with a prophetic silence post-Persian era.
    • Josephus and first-century Jewish consensus on 22 books (equivalent to the 39 books in modern Old Testaments).
    • No explicit criteria articulated, but guided by the Holy Spirit and covenantal context.
  • The Apocrypha and Deuterocanonical Books
    • Includes books like Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, 1 & 2 Maccabees, Baruch, and additions to Esther and Daniel.
    • Historical debate: Some early Christians (e.g., Augustine) accepted these books, while others (e.g., Jerome) did not, aligning with Jewish tradition.
    • Council of Trent (1546): Roman Catholic Church dogmatically defined these books as canonical, partly in response to Reformation emphasis on scriptural authority (e.g., for doctrines like purgatory).
    • Eastern Orthodox churches maintain an open canon, avoiding infallible rulings.
  • New Testament Canon Formation
    • Tied to the new covenant and apostolic authority, with writings by or connected to apostles (e.g., Mark linked to Peter, Luke to Paul).
    • Criteria: Apostolic origin, Christ-centered message, and widespread church use in worship.
    • Early recognition: By the late first century, apostolic writings were distinguished (e.g., Clement’s letters vs. Paul’s epistles).
    • By the second century, 22–23 of the 27 books were widely accepted, with minor debates on smaller texts (e.g., 2 Peter, 3 John).
  • Misconceptions Addressed
    • Myth: The Council of Nicaea (325 CE) decided the canon. Reality: Nicaea focused on church governance, not canon selection.
    • Myth: Early Christians chose from hundreds of gospels. Reality: The four canonical gospels were the earliest, apostolic, and widely used.
    • Gnostic “gospels” (e.g., Gospel of Judas) lack historical or apostolic credibility and were not serious contenders.
  • Why the Delay in Formal Canon Lists of the New Testament?
    • The early church was decentralized, persecuted, and lacked centralized authority to compile lists.
    • Canonical texts were illegal, and possession could lead to martyrdom (e.g., 180 CE Carthage trial).
    • Earliest clear list: Athanasius’ Easter Letter (367 CE), reflecting existing church consensus.
  • Confidence in Scripture
    • The Bible’s unity across 66 books, three languages, and 1,500 years testifies to its divine inspiration.
    • The early church’s careful discernment reflects wisdom, not uncertainty.
    • Romans 3:2 affirms the Jewish role in preserving the Old Testament oracles, reinforcing trust in the canon’s reliability.

Resources Mentioned

  • Michael Kruger’s work on the canon (e.g., Canon Revisited).
  • Josephus’ Against Apion for first-century Jewish canon insights.
  • Augustine’s On Christian Doctrine.

Quotable Moments

  • “The canon begins with God’s work of redemption, not human decisions.” – Shane
  • “The church doesn’t establish the canon; it recognizes it through the Holy Spirit.” – Shane
  • “The Bible’s coherent message across 1,500 years is a miracle of God’s inspiration.” – Shane

Click here to listen to the episode, or listen in the embedded player below.

How Did We Get the Bible? Exploring the Formation of the Biblical Canon – with Shane Angland Th.M – Theology for the People

In this episode, Nick Cady and Shane Angland tackle the critical question: How did the Bible come to be? They explore the formation of the biblical canon, addressing misconceptions, historical processes, and the theological significance of Scripture. From the Old Testament’s roots in God’s redemptive work to the New Testament’s apostolic authority, this conversation offers clarity on why the Bible is trusted as God’s inspired Word. They also discuss the Apocrypha, the Council of Trent’s impact, and how early Jewish and Christian communities recognized canonical texts.Connect with Theology for the PeopleWebsite: theologyforthepeople.comFollow on X: @nickcady

What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit – with Dr. Alan Stoddard

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In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I speak with Dr. Alan Stoddard, who interviews me about the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Does it happen simultaneously with salvation, or is it a subsequent experience? How should our understanding of the baptism with the Holy Spirit shape our practice in the church?

Alan is a pastor and church planter with over 25 years of ministry experience. Alan holds a Master’s Degree from Southwestern Seminary, and a Doctorate in preaching from Gordon Conwell. 
Both Nick and Alan serve as Adjunct Professors at Calvary Chapel Bible College. Alan also teaches at Rockbridge Seminary. Nick and Alan also serve on the Leadership Team of Expositors Collective.
This year, on Easter Sunday, Alan launched a new church plant called Imagine Church in Cressen, Texas.

In this episode, Nick and Alan discuss the prepositional approach to understanding the Spirit’s work, and how it helps to address some common questions and even some misconceptions about the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Resources to check out:
• Perspectives on Spirit Baptism – book, recommended by Alan
• Article by Nick: “Is the “Baptism in the Spirit” the Same as Being “Filled” With the Holy Spirit? Yes and No. Here’s Why”
• Subscribe to the Theology for the People Podcast for more episodes.

Click here to listen to the episode, or listen in the embedded player below.

What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit – with Dr. Alan Stoddard – Theology for the People

What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Does it happen simultaneously with salvation, or is it a subsequent experience? How should our understanding of the baptism with the Holy Spirit shape our practice in the church? In this episode, Pastor Nick Cady is interviewed by Dr. Alan Stoddard about this topic.Alan is a pastor and church planter with over 25 years of ministry experience. Alan holds a Master’s Degree from Southwestern Seminary, and a Doctorate in preaching from Gordon Conwell. Both Nick and Alan serve as Adjunct Professors at Calvary Chapel Bible College. Alan also teaches at Rockbridge Seminary. Nick and Alan also serve on the Leadership Team of Expositors Collective. This year, on Easter Sunday, Alan launched a new church plant called Imagine Church in Cressen, Texas.In this episode, Nick and Alan discuss the prepositional approach to understanding the Spirit’s work, and how it helps to address some common questions and even some misconceptions about the baptism of the Holy Spirit.Resources to check out: Perspectives on Spirit Baptism – book, recommended by AlanArticle by Nick: "Is the “Baptism in the Spirit” the Same as Being “Filled” With the Holy Spirit? Yes and No. Here’s Why"Subscribe to Theology for the People for more episodes.Visit the Theology for the People website and blog

Seeing Jesus in the Psalms through Hebrews – with Daniel Stevens

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In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I speak with Daniel Stevens, who is Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Boyce College (the undergraduate college of Southern Seminary) and author of Songs of the Son: Reading the Psalms with the Author of Hebrews. 

In this episode, Daniel shares how his accidental dive into Hebrews sparked a decade-long passion, revealing how the Psalms prophetically point to Jesus. 
We talk about the question of who wrote Hebrews, and why it matters — and we talk about how reading the Psalms through the lens of Hebrews can deepen our worship and appreciation of Jesus.

Notable Quotes:
• Daniel on Hebrews’ Use of Psalms: “When the author to the Hebrews wanted to make an argument about Jesus, one of the most common places that he goes is to the Psalms.”
• On Christological Reading: “It’s not reading something into it, it’s reading what’s there and reasoning from it.”
• On Hebrews’ Argument: “It’s not comparing bad to good… it’s good to better.”
• For Believers: “If these Psalms aren’t first about us, but about a thing that Jesus has done for us… we can worship Him in finding them.”

More Resources: Follow Daniel on X

Click here to listen to the episode, or listen in the embedded player below.

Seeing Jesus in the Psalms through Hebrews – with Daniel Stevens – Theology for the People

Daniel Stevens is Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Boyce College and author of Songs of the Son: Reading the Psalms with the Author of Hebrews. In this episode, Daniel shares how his accidental dive into Hebrews sparked a decade-long passion, revealing how the Psalms prophetically point to Jesus. We talk about the question of who wrote Hebrews, and why it matters — and we talk about how reading the Psalms through the lens of Hebrews can deepen our worship and appreciation of Jesus.Notable QuotesDaniel on Hebrews’ Use of Psalms: “When the author to the Hebrews wanted to make an argument about Jesus, one of the most common places that he goes is to the Psalms.”On Christological Reading: “It’s not reading something into it, it’s reading what’s there and reasoning from it.”On Hebrews’ Argument: “It’s not comparing bad to good… it’s good to better.”For Believers: “If these Psalms aren’t first about us, but about a thing that Jesus has done for us… we can worship Him in finding them.”More Resources: Follow Daniel on XConnect with Us:Subscribe to Theology for the People for more episodes.Visit the Theology for the People website and blog

AI & the Imago Dei: Considering the Potentials and Pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence from a Christian Perspective – with Paul A. Hoffman

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In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I speak with Paul Hoffman, a pastor and the co-author of a new book on artificial intelligence and its implications for Christian faith.

Paul, and his co-author Sean O’Callaghan, an expert in transhumanism, explores the theological, ethical, and practical dimensions of AI.

From its potential to advance Bible translation to the risks of “Christian malformation,” they discuss how believers can engage AI selectively to foster human flourishing while staying rooted in the Imago Dei—the image of God.

Whether you’re a pastor, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about AI’s role in our world, this conversation will challenge you to think deeply about technology and discipleship.

Paul Hoffman is a graduate of and Adjunct Professor at Gordon Conwell Seminary, and a pastor at Evangelical Friends Church in Newport, Rhode Island.

Paul previously joined Theology for the People to discuss his book Preaching to a Divided Nation with Matthew Kim. Listen to that episode here.

Click here to listen to THIS episode, or listen in the embedded player below.

AI & the Imago Dei: Considering the Potentials and Pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence from a Christian Perspective – with Paul A. Hoffman – Theology for the People

In this episode, Nick Cady sits down with Paul Hoffman, pastor and co-author of a new book on artificial intelligence and its implications for Christian faith. Paul, joined by his co-author Sean O’Callaghan, an expert in transhumanism, explores the theological, ethical, and practical dimensions of AI. From its potential to advance Bible translation to the risks of “Christian malformation,” they discuss how believers can engage AI selectively to foster human flourishing while staying rooted in the Imago Dei—the image of God. Whether you’re a pastor, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about AI’s role in our world, this conversation will challenge you to think deeply about technology and discipleship.Guest Bio:Paul Hoffman is a pastor at Evangelical Friends Church in Newport, Rhode Island. Paul previously joined Theology for the People to discuss his book Preaching to a Divided Nation with Matthew Kim. Listen to that episode here.Connect with Paul:Church Website: efcnewport.comSocial Media: https://x.com/pastorhoffman77Visit theologyforthepeople.com

How God is at Work in Ukraine – with Zhenya Chekushkin

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In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I speak with Zhenya Chekushkin: a pastor from Western Ukraine and a longtime friend. Zhenya shares about his experience of growing up in a communist military family in the Soviet Union, coming to faith at age 13, and now leading a church through the ongoing war in Ukraine.

From the fall of the Soviet Union to the rise of evangelicalism and the current conflict, Zhenya offers a firsthand perspective on how God is moving amid chaos—and how listeners can join in.

How You Can be Involved and Support:
◦ Financially: Donate to the Ukraine Relief Fund at whitefieldschurch.com under the giving tab.
◦ In Person: Short-term mission trips (conferences, camps, building projects) or longer-term ministry—contact Jenia via White Fields or social media.
◦ Church Planting: Opportunities available with Calvary Chapel Ukraine’s support. See: cultivatechurchplanting.com
• Stay Updated: Email calvarychapelukraine@gmail.com to join Zhenya’s newsletter list (every 2-3 months).

Film Mention: The Book of Eli – A post-apocalyptic tale of a man preserving the Bible, reflecting on morality without God (not sponsored, just Zhenya’s pick!)

Click here to listen to the episode, or listen in the embedded player below.

How God is at Work in Ukraine – with Zhenya Chekushkin – Theology for the People

Zhenya Chekushkin is a pastor from Western Ukraine and a longtime friend. Zhenya shares his unique story: growing up in a communist military family, coming to faith at 13, and now leading a church through the ongoing war in Ukraine. From the fall of the Soviet Union to the rise of evangelicalism and the current conflict, Zhenya offers a firsthand perspective on how God is moving amid chaos—and how listeners can join in.Support Options:Financially: Donate to the Ukraine Relief Fund at whitefieldschurch.com under the giving tab.In Person: Short-term mission trips (conferences, camps, building projects) or longer-term ministry—contact Jenia via White Fields or social media.Church Planting: Opportunities available with Calvary Chapel Ukraine’s support—reach out for details.Stay Updated: Email calvarychapelukraine@gmail.com to join Zhenya's newsletter list (every 2-3 months).Film Mention: The Book of Eli – A post-apocalyptic tale of a man preserving the Bible, reflecting on morality without God (not sponsored, just Zhenya's pick!).Connect with Us:Subscribe to Theology for the People podcastVisit the Theology for the People website at theologyforthepeople.com