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Credo House of Theology
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Resurrecting the Credo House Cafe: We Need You!

The Vision Imagine walking into a unique cafe where the very walls inspire and affirm Christian teachings – that’s the Credo House cafe. Rooted deeply in...

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Addiction
7Comments

Can Christians Drink Alcohol: The Spectrum of Belief in the Church

Two Christian fellows walk into a bar. Not only is it an excellent place to watch the game, but it’s also a prime location to meet those who need Christ the most....

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Anxious
1Comments

The Masks We Wear: The Tragedy of Feeling Alone in a Crowded Room

I know what it feels like to believe you are the only one going through this pain or that particular agony. Or, more accurately, that you are the only one who handles it so...

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Christian Life
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Why Can’t I Change? Maybe Change is Not Getting Better But Getting StrongerAbout

Explore the transformative journey of self-growth and spiritual fortification through enduring life's challenges. Delve into the subtle strength and resilience developed...

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Anatomy of Belief
5Comments

Is Our Gospel Sinking or Saving? A Parable of the Anatomy of Faith

The Parable Four people are drowning and are given a life-preserver. The first one looks at it and says, “I don’t believe it’s a life-preserver, and I don’t believe it can...

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Christian Philosophy
2Comments

Is Belief in God a Properly Basic Belief?

Have you ever wondered whether belief in God could be considered a “Properly Basic Belief”? If you’re not familiar with the term, don’t worry;...

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Christian Life
33Comments

On Losing Followers Due to My Last Blog

My last blog caused me to lose some Patron supporters. This was due to the disappointment that I was not everything they thought I was. I don’t want to kid with you:...

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Anxious
35Comments

Physically Overweight and Spiritually Underweight: Chronicles of My Shame

I sit here writing this, finding it hard to type as my hands are shaking. I don’t know why. It’s not as if the essence of what I’m about to convey is a...

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Anthropology
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We Have Met the Enemy: Not to Say We Told You So, But . . .

Here are the grammatical corrections: Much of the maligned predictions of those who see a theological difference between men and women are coming home to roost. When we fail...

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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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