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Authenticity
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Be a Sinner — The Art of Sinning Boldly So We Can Love God Boldly

This post delves into the importance of authenticity, inspired by Chuck Swindoll's advice and Martin Luther's teachings, highlighting personal growth and the journey towards...

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Christmas
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10 Facts About Christmas to Read Today

Delve into ten intriguing facts about Christmas from a Christian perspective, revealing its rich history and deep-rooted traditions. From the unknown birthdate of Jesus to the...

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Angels and Demons
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Are Demons the Disembodied Spirits of the Nephilim?

This post delves into the diverse theological interpretations of demons, ranging from traditional Christian views of them as Fallen Angels to the intriguing theory that they...

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Uncategorized
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On Being a “De Facto” Cessationist

In this reflective piece, the concept of "de facto cessationism" is thoughtfully examined. The author navigates the complex terrain between traditional cessationism and an...

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Christmas Myths
Uncategorized
2Comments

Revising Our Christmas Story: 13 Things We Often Get Wrong About the Nativity

This insightful article dispels several myths surrounding the traditional nativity story. It clarifies misconceptions about the innkeeper, the nature of the inn, and the Wise...

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Christian Education
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The Great Oxford Evolution Debate that You May Not Know About

"Delve into the 1860 Great Oxford Evolution Debate, a landmark event in the history of science and theology. Discover the intense clash between Huxley's scientific evidence...

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Christian Life
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What is the Witness of the Spirit and Why Don’t I Have it?

Delve into the depths of Romans 8 as we explore the meaning of the 'witness of the Spirit' in Paul's teachings. Join us in this thoughtful examination of faith, suffering, and...

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Christian Life
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Avoid Every Appearance of Evil!

Christian Leaders and the Gray Areas of Godly Life When Christian leaders talk about how to live a godly life, they eventually turn to the gray areas those things that are...

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Crypto Theology
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Do You Believe in Ghosts? The Christian View of the Paranormal

Updated: 12-13-2023 The Explosion of Paranormal Shows I have a confession to make. Not sure if this is to you or to God, but here is goes: I love paranormal shows like Ghost...

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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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