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Theology Unplugged

Theology Unplugged

Written by: C. Michael Patton
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About this listen
 Join C. Michael Patton and friends for Theology Unplugged, a weekly podcast that dives deep into Christian theology, exploring challenging questions, and offering insightful discussions to deepen your faith. Discover the truth, embrace the journey, and engage with thought-provoking topics every week.C. Michael Patton Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Spirituality
Episodes
  • Is 100% Assurance Necessary? Ryan Hemelaar, Doubt, and the Gospel

    Is 100% Assurance Necessary? Ryan Hemelaar, Doubt, and the Gospel
    Oct 31 2026
    Must you be 100% certain of your salvation to be truly saved? Can someone have genuine saving faith while struggling with doubt? And can Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians be saved despite holding theological views of justification that Protestants believe are seriously mistaken?

    In this episode of Theology Unplugged, C. Michael Patton reads and expands upon his recent article examining the evangelistic approach of Ryan Hemelaar and NeedGod.net. While expressing deep admiration for Ryan's extraordinary commitment to evangelism and his defense of the Protestant Gospel, Michael raises two significant theological and pastoral concerns.

    First, does the absence of complete assurance indicate the absence of saving faith? Ryan's evangelistic method asks people how certain they are that they will go to heaven. Michael examines the potential danger of assuming that someone who answers anything less than 100% is necessarily unsaved. Drawing upon his own experience using a similar method while attending Dallas Theological Seminary, he explains why he has come to reconsider that assumption.

    At the heart of the discussion is a crucial distinction between assurance and security. Assurance is our subjective confidence in salvation. Security is the objective reality of our position in Christ. A believer may struggle terribly with assurance while remaining completely secure in the hands of Christ (John 10:27–29). Our doubts do not weaken the Shepherd's grip.

    Second, Michael considers whether a person must possess a correct understanding of justification by faith alone to be saved. While vigorously defending sola fide, sola gratia, and sola scriptura, he argues that holding an erroneous doctrine of justification is not necessarily identical to personally relying upon works for salvation. Can someone genuinely trust Christ while holding theological convictions that are inconsistent with that trust?

    Drawing on Galatians, Luke 18, Mark 9, and other biblical passages, Michael explores the mystery of salvation, the dangers of confusing theological precision with saving faith, and the importance of extending grace without compromising the Gospel.

    This episode is both a respectful theological disagreement with Ryan Hemelaar and a pastoral encouragement to Christians who struggle with doubt, religious scrupulosity, and uncertainty about their salvation.

    The central conviction is simple: We are saved by Christ alone through faith alone, not by the precision of our understanding of how He saves us.

    This episode is also presented in video format for YouTube, with additional commentary accompanying the reading of the original article.

    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 through the great Fathers of the Faith in a year: https://throughthechurchfathers.com
    Support Michael and receive exclusive podcasts, courses, and much more: https://patreon.com/cmichaelpatton
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    Less than 1 minute
  • 91 – Can Miracles Be Trusted? Testing Extraordinary Claims

    91 – Can Miracles Be Trusted? Testing Extraordinary Claims
    Oct 23 2026
    How do we know whether a miracle really happened? Can extraordinary claims be tested? And if a miracle appears to be genuine, does that mean we should believe the message associated with it?

    In this episode of Theology Unplugged, Michael Patton examines one of the most important questions in Christian apologetics: How do we evaluate claims of the supernatural, both inside and outside Christianity?

    The Bible is filled with miracles. From the miracles of Moses and the prophets to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, miraculous events play a central role in authenticating God's revelation. But extraordinary claims are not limited to Christianity. Throughout history, people from different religions and backgrounds have reported healings, apparitions, possessions, and encounters with seemingly supernatural beings.

    Michael considers several fascinating historical cases, including:

    • The Miracle of Calanda (1640) — A Spanish man's amputated leg was reportedly restored, and the event was formally investigated and declared miraculous by Catholic authorities.
    • Our Lady of Fatima (1917) — Thousands gathered in Portugal after three children predicted a public miracle, leading to extraordinary reports of the sun spinning and appearing to plunge toward the earth.
    • Our Lady of Zeitoun (1968–1971) — Large crowds of Christians and Muslims reportedly witnessed luminous apparitions above a Coptic Orthodox church in Egypt.
    • The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel (1975–1976) — A disturbing and extensively documented German exorcism case that eventually resulted in a criminal trial and inspired The Exorcism of Emily Rose.
    • The Ariel School Encounter (1994) — Dozens of schoolchildren in Zimbabwe reported seeing an unidentified craft and unusual beings, with their testimony documented by investigators and journalists.

    What should Christians do with these accounts? Should we dismiss them because they don't fit our theology? Should we accept them simply because they have numerous witnesses? Or is there a better way to evaluate the evidence?

    Michael explores the relationship between miracles, evidence, worldview, and previously established revelation. Drawing particularly from Deuteronomy 13, Matthew 12, and 2 Corinthians 11, he explains why even a genuine extraordinary event does not automatically authenticate the religious message associated with it.

    The central principle is simple: God may build on what He has revealed, but He will never perform a miracle to make a lie out of what He has already said.

    A discussion about evidence, supernatural claims, theological discernment, and the challenge of defending the miraculous foundations of Christianity without abandoning intellectual honesty.

    Explore the Project:

    Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com

    Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton

    Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com

    Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Credo House Update and New Book Announcement

    Credo House Update and New Book Announcement
    Oct 16 2026
    What's happening with Credo House? What does the future hold for the ministry, our books, and our ongoing theological projects?

    In this episode of Theology Unplugged, Michael Patton gives a general update on Credo House Ministries, current projects, and plans for the future.

    Michael announces the release of Todd Stories: Coloring Book and discusses plans for future theological children's books designed to introduce young readers to important truths of the Christian faith.

    He also addresses the future of Credo House itself. Is a physical Credo House still part of the vision? What might the ministry look like moving forward, and how will its mission continue to develop?

    There's also an update on Through the Church Fathers in a Year, the ongoing project of reading through some of the most important writings in Christian history, along with a discussion of Michael's latest blog post, "Bad Theology Is Not Necessarily Sin." The article explores why theological error does not always arise from rebellion or sinful motives, but can also result from human limitations, misunderstanding, and the process of growing in theological knowledge.

    A brief update on where things stand, what's coming next, and the continuing mission of helping people understand and grow in their Christian faith.

    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 through the great Fathers of the Faith in a year: https://throughthechurchfathers.com
    Support Michael and receive exclusive podcasts, courses, and much more: https://patreon.com/cmichaelpatton
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    Less than 1 minute
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