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Calvinism
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Bad Theology in Heaven? Confessions of a Mystical Calvinist

Being a Calvinist isn't the struggle—it's being mistaken for *that* kind of Calvinist. This post explores "Mystical Calvinism," a way of holding the doctrines of grace with...

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Church
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Who’s Not Who in Church History: Felix Aptunga – The Bishop Who, Sadly, Got a Libellus

Felix Aptunga, an often-overlooked figure in church history, found himself at the center of one of the most significant early Christian controversies. During the brutal...

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Church History
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Orthodoxy Across the Spectrum: 6 Views of Orthodoxy

Where Do You Stand? Christians come to theology with different starting points—presuppositions that shape how we define faithfulness. That doesn’t make those presuppositions...

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Angels and Demons
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Are We Held Guilty for Adam’s Sin: Why Aquinas’ View that Angels are not a Species Matters

Are we really held guilty for Adam’s sin? Many wrestle with the fairness of imputed sin, but Thomas Aquinas offers a surprising and compelling angle. By exploring his view...

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Christology
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The Gospel is a Person, Not a Proposition

What if the Gospel isn’t primarily a formula, a set of doctrines, or even a carefully worded message—but a person? This post reflects on a real conversation with a homeless...

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Anthropology
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Won’t Heaven Be Boring?

Many wonder if heaven will be boring—an endless, unchanging existence. But what if heaven is filled with growth, learning, and endless discovery? This post explores how being...

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Apologetics
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Is Ridicule Ever a Legitimate Christian Tactic? (Don’t Answer Too Quickly!)

In this blog, we explore whether ridicule is a legitimate—and even necessary—tool for Christians. Drawing on Scripture and the teachings of Church Fathers like Augustine,...

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Addiction
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Gladiators and Strippers (And The Night I Closed My Eyes)

Alypius once despised the gladiator games—until one moment of weakness pulled him in. Augustine tells the story of his fall and God’s unexpected rescue.

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Apologetics
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The Hidden Hands: Amanuenses and the Letters Behind the Letters

This deep dive into ancient letter-writing practices explores how the use of amanuenses impacts our understanding of New Testament authorship, challenging modern assumptions...

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Theology Unplugged

Theology Unplugged
Theology Unplugged

Get your weekly dose of one of the longest-running theology podcasts there is.

Will the True Church Please Stand Up?
byC. Michael Patton

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 stop outsiders from ministering in Jesus’ name, call for fire from heaven on those who reject Christ, keep children away from Jesus, and argue over who deserves the seats of greatest honor. Jesus, however, repeatedly pushes back, showing that His kingdom is bigger than they imagined and His grace reaches farther than they expected.

This episode is a little different than usual. Rather than delivering a traditional monologue, Michael reads one of his recent blogs to his wife, Kristie, while she—and her dogs!—represent the audience. Think of it as a pilot episode for a possible new format. If your podcast app supports video, Michael highly recommends watching this episode rather than simply listening. Otherwise, you can watch it on YouTube or, for supporters, on Patreon.

Along the way, Michael argues that perhaps we have been asking the wrong question. Instead of beginning with lines, boundaries, and gatekeepers, perhaps we should begin with the center. The center is neither a denomination nor an institution. It is the person and work of Jesus Christ. The true church is ultimately defined not by self-appointed guardians, but by the confession Peter made: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Michael would love to know what you think of this new format. If you enjoy it—or if you have ideas for improving it—please leave a comment. Your feedback will help determine whether this becomes a regular feature of Theology Unplugged.

Get involved:
Michael’s public blog: https://credohouse.org
Courses and Manuscript Reproductions from Michael and other scholars: https://credocourses.com
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Support Michael and receive exclusive podcasts, courses, and much more: https://patreon.com/cmichaelpatton

Will the True Church Please Stand Up?
Will the True Church Please Stand Up?
2026-06-24
C. Michael Patton
86. Through Theology in a Year: Biblical Docetism
2026-06-16
C. Michael Patton
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  • 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 […]
  • 86. Through Theology in a Year: Biblical Docetism 2026-06-16
    In this episode, Michael introduces a new term for an old interpretive problem: Biblical Docetism. Borrowing from the ancient Christological heresy of Docetism—which denied the true humanity of Christ while affirming His deity—Michael argues that many Christians approach the Bible in a remarkably similar way. They affirm the divine origin of Scripture but neglect its […]

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