Tradition is beautiful—but not untouchable. This reflection explores how Protestantism preserves unity, freedom, and continual reformation within the Church.

Bad Theology in Heaven? Confessions of a Mystical Calvinist

Being a Calvinist isn't the struggle—it's being mistaken for *that* kind of Calvinist. This post explores "Mystical Calvinism," a way of holding the doctrines of grace with...

The Gospel is a Person, Not a Proposition

What if the Gospel isn’t primarily a formula, a set of doctrines, or even a carefully worded message—but a person? This post reflects on a real conversation with a homeless...

We Are All Only Armchair Theologians

Even the greatest theologians—giants like Augustine, Aquinas, and Calvin—only knew a sliver of the truth. Compared to God’s infinite wisdom, our knowledge is infinitesimal....

Personal (Michael Patton)

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Before I Self-Flagellate

Do you ever feel like you’re not enough? I wrote this blog about my own struggles with self-doubt and guilt, and how Romans 7 gives me hope through Paul’s honesty and God’s grace.

Understanding and Addressing Doubt

Explore the roots of spiritual doubt, from questions about salvation and God's love to struggles with the unforgivable sin and God's existence. Discover insights and...

The Night Before: Luther’s Anfechtung Before His “Here I Stand” Speech

“Orchestrated by Satan, But Permitted by Christ” “Orchestrated by Satan, but permitted By Christ.“ This is what Martin Luther called it: “Anfechtung,” a German...

by C Michael Patton

Depression

Doubt

Personal (Michael Patton)

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Giving Up On Life

About thirteen years ago, right after my dad died, I felt like I gave up on life. I wasn’t going to end my life because I knew from experience the impact that would have on my...

The Perils of Trying to Look God Eye to Eye

Introduction In our quest for certainty, we need to be careful not to find ourselves attempting to look God eye to eye. This is a problem I had and didn’t realize at the time....

Stop and Think: The Peril of Overstating All Our Christian Convictions

This post delves into the delicate balance of confidently sharing one's faith while embracing the humility to question and critically engage with deep-seated beliefs. It...

by C Michael Patton

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