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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.

87. Through Theology in a Year: Evidencing Inspiration
byC. Michael Patton

How can we be certain that the Bible is inspired? What evidence supports the Christian claim that the Scriptures are uniquely the Word of God? In this episode of Theology Unplugged, Michael begins examining the cumulative case for biblical inspiration, including Scripture’s self-attestation, its uniqueness, its historicity, its prophetic character, the testimony of Christ, its life-changing power, and the testimony of the Holy Spirit.

Michael begins with Scripture’s testimony concerning itself. The Bible repeatedly claims to speak the words of God, but self-attestation cannot stand alone as the entire argument. Simply saying that the Bible is inspired because the Bible says it is inspired would appear circular. Nevertheless, self-attestation is a necessary part of the evidence. If Scripture truly is the Word of God, there can be no higher authority by which its divine inspiration may be authenticated. As Hebrews says of God, because He had no one greater by whom to swear, He swore by Himself.

The episode also considers the remarkable uniqueness of the Bible: a collection of 66 books, written by more than 40 authors from very different backgrounds, in three languages, on three continents, over approximately 1,500 years. Despite these differences, the books form a unified theological and redemptive story unlike any other collection of literature.

Michael then turns to the historicity of Scripture and explains the importance of examining both internal and external evidence. Christianity does not ask people to accept its historical claims merely because the Bible is inspired. Rather, the historical claims themselves—most importantly, the resurrection of Jesus Christ—must be investigated. If the resurrection occurred as a historical event, Christianity is true whether or not someone has already accepted a complete doctrine of biblical inspiration.

Finally, Michael begins considering the internal evidence for Scripture’s historical reliability, especially its striking honesty. The biblical writers consistently record the sins, doubts, embarrassments, and failures of their own heroes. David murders, Peter denies Christ, the apostles abandon Him, Abraham and Sarah doubt, Jonah runs, Noah becomes drunk, and Israel repeatedly rebels. These are not the kinds of carefully polished stories normally produced to glorify a nation, its leaders, or its founders. Scripture also preserves apparently incidental details that are difficult to explain as deliberate legendary embellishments.

This episode begins a larger cumulative argument. No single evidence by itself establishes everything Christians believe about inspiration, but together these evidences provide substantial reasons for believing that the Scriptures are what they claim to be: the written Word of God.

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

87. Through Theology in a Year: Evidencing Inspiration
87. Through Theology in a Year: Evidencing Inspiration
2026-07-15
C. Michael Patton
Will the True Church Please Stand Up?
2026-06-24
C. Michael Patton
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  • 87. Through Theology in a Year: Evidencing Inspiration 2026-07-15
    How can we be certain that the Bible is inspired? What evidence supports the Christian claim that the Scriptures are uniquely the Word of God? In this episode of Theology Unplugged, Michael begins examining the cumulative case for biblical inspiration, including Scripture's self-attestation, its uniqueness, its historicity, its prophetic character, the testimony of Christ, its […]
  • Will the True Church Please Stand Up? 2026-06-24
    What happens when we become convinced that our church, our tradition, or our denomination is the official gatekeeper of the kingdom of God? In this episode of Theology Unplugged, Michael explores a surprising pattern that runs throughout the Gospels. Again and again, the disciples appoint themselves as the guardians of God's kingdom. They try to […]

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