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Anthropology
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Could Esau Choose God – This Calvinist’s Perspective

Introduction Someone asked if Esau had the ability not to sin in Romans 9. If I were strictly adhering to the Calvinist line, I would say that Esau had free will and the...

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Christian Life
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The Perils of Trying to Look God Eye to Eye

Introduction In our quest for certainty, we need to be careful not to find ourselves attempting to look God eye to eye. This is a problem I had and didn’t realize at the time....

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Credo House Ministries
Depression
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My Two Moms: Brenda Patton 1950-2024

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Apologetics
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What is Dialectical Theology and Why Should You Know About It?

Dialectical theology offers a vital approach for engaging diverse theological perspectives, fostering respectful dialogue, and disarming a polarized culture. Discover how this...

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Archaeology
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Why I Am a Conspiracy Theorist Who Does Not Really Believe Your Conspiracy

I just listened to an intriguing podcast about deep state, radical psychological warfare, secret societies, and mass manipulation that our society—indeed, the world—has been...

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Apologetics
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What is Dialectical Theology and Why Should You Know About It?

Dialectical theology offers a vital approach for engaging diverse theological perspectives, fostering respectful dialogue, and disarming a polarized culture. Discover how this...

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Bibliology
42Comments

Seven Common Fallacies of Biblical Interpretation

1. Preunderstanding Fallacy Believing you can interpret with complete objectivity, not recognizing that you have preunderstandings that influence your interpretation. There is...

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Christian Life
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Embracing Theological Depth: Why Big Words Matter

Understanding theology deeply necessitates the use of precise and sometimes complex terminology. This blog explores why “big words” in theology are essential, how they build...

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Current Issues in Theology
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Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology: Is There Really a Difference Anymore

Dive into the dynamic world of theological discourse as we explore the evolving dialogue between Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology. Discover how once-polar opposite...

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Theology Unplugged

Theology Unplugged
Theology Unplugged

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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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