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Christian Life
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The Shadow Code: Unveiling the Veiled Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

Delving into AI's complexities, this post navigates the intersection of faith, technology, and the critical need for ethical scrutiny.

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Christian Life
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The Anatomy of Faith – Defining What Faith Really is All About

Introduction: Exploring the essence of faith reveals a complex interplay of knowledge, conviction, and consent. It’s not merely an abstract feeling but a structured...

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Christian Life
3Comments

Why Study the Bible When I Don’t Understand What I Read? Exploring the Surprising Similarities Between Bible Study and Dreams

Discover how dreams and Bible study intertwine for deep spiritual growth, offering insights into emotional and psychological well-being.”

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Christian Life
3Comments

Your Guide to Interpreting Christianese

Yes, it is time for our update to the Christianese Dictionary 1. “Heads bowed, eyes closed . . .”: During a church service, you may hear a preacher abruptly break...

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Christian Life
45Comments

How My Passion for Ministry Almost Ended My Marriage

In this heartfelt post, a seminary student recounts the journey of reconciling his missionary calling with his family's needs, highlighting the transformative power of...

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Christian Life
34Comments

The Parable of the Life Preserver

This post delves into the core aspects of Christian faith—knowledge, assent, and trust—highlighting their importance in the discipleship process and the journey towards a...

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Christian Life
2Comments

The Gait of a Broken Faith – A Message to Those Who Doubt Your Christian Faith

In 'The Gait of a Broken Faith: Encouragement for Those Who Doubt,' we delve into the transformative power of questioning one's beliefs. It's a candid exploration of how...

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Christian Philosophy
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Every Source of Theology Explained through an Analogy of a Hospital

Understanding Theology Through a Medical Analogy Exploring the depths of theology and its various disciplines can sometimes feel like navigating a labyrinth. To simplify this...

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Apologetics
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A Word About the “Dumb Ox” and His “Five Ways”

Exploring St. Thomas Aquinas' 5 Ways provides a deep dive into medieval philosophical thought and its lasting impact on Christian theology. Aquinas, a pivotal figure in the...

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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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