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Apologetics
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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...

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Church History
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5 Christian Traditions and Symbols Associated with the Satanic You May Have Wrong

This post delves into commonly misunderstood aspects of Christian tradition and their origins, from the true meaning of "Lucifer" and the significance of "Xmas," to...

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Difficult Issues in Scripture
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Taking the Lord’s Name in Vain – What Does it Really Mean?

In this thought-provoking exploration, we delve deep into the Third Commandment—"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain"—unveiling its rich layers and...

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Christian Life
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The Danger of Romanticizing Suicide

“Suicide isn’t logical,” J. told me, matter-of-factly, in a recent session. I was sitting on the comfy couch in his office, sinking into its cushions, flabbergasted he would...

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Charismatic
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Seeking Divine Confirmation: The Wisdom of Requesting Signs from God

Want to see more of my posts? I’m now over at Patreon. Join my mission or subscribe for free . Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign...

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Anxious
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The Secrets of the Secret Place – Vol 1

This is a new blog from “Angie.” She is a friend whose journal she has allowed me to read from time to time. I asked her if it’d be OK if I started posting some of these on...

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Credo House of Theology
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The Credo House is Coming!

Discover Credo House, where coffee and theology blend seamlessly. Engage with profound, accessible teachings in a welcoming environment, fostering community and spiritual...

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Christian Life
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The Grinch Who Stole America

This post delves into the concept of Christian nationalism, examining its biblical roots and the structured hierarchy of love from God to nation, inspired by the Israelites'...

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Credo House Ministries
Christian Life
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Come Boldly to the Throne of Grace, Even If You Panic

A few years ago—February 11, 2019, to be exact—I tried to kill myself with sleeping pills on a lazy afternoon. Obviously, it didn’t work. I fell asleep, not wanting or...

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Theology Unplugged

Theology Unplugged
Theology Unplugged

Get your weekly dose of one of the longest-running theology podcasts there is.

85. Through Theology in a Year: Can Scripture Mean More Than Its Author Intended?
byC. Michael Patton

In this episode, Michael explores one of the most fascinating questions in biblical interpretation: Can Scripture mean more than its human author intended? If God is the ultimate Author of Scripture, is it possible for Him to communicate truths that transcend the conscious awareness of the biblical writers while remaining faithful to their intended meaning?

Along the way, Michael introduces the concept of “Biblical Docetism”—a tendency among many Bible-believing Christians to emphasize the divine element of Scripture while neglecting its genuinely human character. Drawing an analogy from the ancient Christological heresy of Docetism, he argues that many interpreters approach the Bible as if it simply dropped from heaven, overlooking the personalities, literary styles, historical settings, and intentions of the biblical authors. This often results in serious hermeneutical errors and a misunderstanding of how God chose to communicate through human writers.

Michael also examines the doctrine of sensus plenior (“fuller sense”), asking whether a biblical text can legitimately mean more than the human author consciously understood. Can God intend meanings that transcend the author’s awareness? If so, what limits govern interpretation? The discussion leads to a deeper appreciation of the relationship between divine authorship, human authorship, and the nature of biblical inspiration itself.

Ultimately, Michael argues that Scripture, like Christ, possesses both a divine and human dimension. A faithful doctrine of inspiration must account for both without sacrificing either. The result is a richer understanding of how God speaks through His Word and why responsible interpretation requires attention to both the divine Author and the human authors He employed.

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 me and get A LOT more stuff from C. Michael Patton: https://patreon.com/cmichaelpatton

85. Through Theology in a Year: Can Scripture Mean More Than Its Author Intended?
85. Through Theology in a Year: Can Scripture Mean More Than Its Author Intended?
2026-06-11
C. Michael Patton
84. Through Theology in a Year: Theories of Inspiration
2026-06-10
C. Michael Patton
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  • 85. Through Theology in a Year: Can Scripture Mean More Than Its Author Intended? 2026-06-11
    In this episode, Michael explores one of the most fascinating questions in biblical interpretation: Can Scripture mean more than its human author intended? If God is the ultimate Author of Scripture, is it possible for Him to communicate truths that transcend the conscious awareness of the biblical writers while remaining faithful to their intended meaning? […]
  • 84. Through Theology in a Year: Theories of Inspiration 2026-06-10
    In this episode, Michael examines the major theories of biblical inspiration and asks one of the most important questions in theology: Where does inspiration reside? Is Scripture merely the product of exceptionally gifted men? Does the Holy Spirit simply elevate human insight? Is only part of the Bible inspired? Are some passages more inspired than […]

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