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Children leaving the faith
Apologetics
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5 (More) Radical Ways to Make Sure Your Children Don’t Leave the Faith

In this insightful post, we explore the challenging issue of children leaving the church, prompted by a revealing survey. It offers a fresh perspective on faith formation,...

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Apologetics
6Comments

The Real Meaning of Proverbs 22:6 – How to Train Up a Child in the Way He Should Go

In this insightful blog, we delve into the profound challenges and emotional complexities faced by parents when their children's spiritual paths diverge from expectations....

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Apologetics
2Comments

The Problem With Overstating Your Case

In a world where passion and conviction often dominate religious discourse, it's crucial to find a harmonious balance. My recent encounter with a fervently convinced...

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Angels and Demons
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What we Don’t Know: Theological Thought of the Day – Fall of the Angels

Excerpt: Dive into an insightful exploration of the biblical narrative on the fall of angels. This post questions the conventional belief of a singular, irreversible fall,...

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Crypto Theology
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Crypto Theology 3 – My Battle with Sleep Paralysis as a Kid

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Angels and Demons
4Comments

Is Christian Polytheism Possible?

This post investigates the intriguing notion of Christian polytheism, tracing the shift from monolatry in the Old Testament to monotheism in the New Testament. It discusses...

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Credo House Ministries
Apologetics
3Comments

The Problem of God’s Hiddenness (Expecially for Charismatics)

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Apologetics
3Comments

“The Principle of Insufficient Reason”: Rescuing Atheism from Archaic Beliefs

In this exploration, we delve into the philosophical debate of the universe's origins through the lens of the Principle of Sufficient Reason and the fallacy of special...

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Prolegomena
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Challenging Wayne Grudem’s Definition of Systematic Theology

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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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