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Christian Life
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Before I Self-Flagellate

Do you ever feel like you’re not enough? I wrote this blog about my own struggles with self-doubt and guilt, and how Romans 7 gives me hope through Paul’s honesty and God’s grace.

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Christian Life
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Demonic Safe-Spaces

Judging others or being stuck in self-pity are traps. Discover how radical grace from Galatians 2:20 sets you free.

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Protestantism
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Protestantism’s Free Market Theology

Protestantism thrives in its messiness, driven by truth and diversity. Its free-market theology sharpens faith, fosters growth, and transforms lives.

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Reformation
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The Sola Ecclesia of Roman Catholic Authority

In this episode of Through Theology in a Year, we delve deep into the Roman Catholic view of authority. We explore its historical roots, unpack the concept of Sola Ecclesia or...

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Christian Life
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When You Hang on the Cross of a Bad Marriage: Lessons from the Early Church

Marriage is often a gift but can sometimes feel like an unbearable trial. For those facing difficult marriages, this post explores the historical lessons of grace, mercy, and...

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Christmas
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The One Story Elevator Gospel

The most important question of faith is simple yet life-changing: Who do you say Jesus is? This Christmas, reflect on His identity and share this essential truth with others.

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Christology
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Does Jesus Have a God?

Does Jesus have a God? This profound question invites us to explore the Trinity, Christ’s roles, and the mystery of His eternal submission.

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Credo House Ministries
Christian Life
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A Poetic Response to Acute and Chronic Suffering

Last month, I fell after getting out of the car. My kneecaps dislocated, locked, and then dislocated again. My body has had a mind of its own for a while now. As a writer with...

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Bibliology
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Season 2 “Through Theology in a Year” from Theology Unplugged is Out!

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Theology Unplugged

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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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