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Christian Life
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Love Your Enemies (Reflections on Luke 6:27-28)

27. “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28. bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” LUKE 6:27-28 (ESV) Last Friday...

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Apologetics
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Misinterpreting 1 Peter 3:15: How We May Have “The Apologist’s Creed” Wrong

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with...

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Apologetics
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Bewildering Wisdom: Understanding Psalms and Eccesiaties in the Light of Proverbs

Introduction: Embarking on a Bible reading plan can often lead to unexpected discoveries and profound insights. As I found myself immersed in the Psalms and Proverbs during my...

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Christian Life
2Comments

What if Sanctification is Not Really About the Cessation of Sin?

Summary In our pursuit of sanctification, we often have a limited perspective on its true meaning and purpose. Sanctification, defined as “being set apart” or “made...

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Christian Life
1Comments

The Veiled Self: Understanding the Consequences of the First Sin on Intimate Connections

The story of the Garden of Eden holds profound significance. It recounts the origin of human beings, their harmonious relationship with their Creator, and the fateful choice...

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Funny
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Oh Crap! The Night I Found Myself Alone with a Gang in a Dark Alley

(Warning: personal, scatologically graphic, with no theological themes or conclusions and no redeeming value…but funny) The Chase When I was 17, me and my friends were...

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Anxious
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Anxious Mornings

I no longer want to live in fear of the day. Why do I experience such anxiety in the morning, dreading my problems, hating myself, and burdened with guilt for feeling anxious,...

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Church History
7Comments

11 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Reformation

The Reformation, a historic movement in the 16th century, radically upheaved the religious and cultural landscape of Europe and led to the establishment of Protestantism....

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Anthropology
8Comments

The Argument for the Existence of the Soul Based on Hypothetical Replication

The existence of the soul has been a subject of philosophical and metaphysical debate throughout history. While there is no definitive proof of the soul’s existence,...

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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.

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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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