Weighed in the Balance

Jonathan Brooks & Co
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Weighed in the Balance, the show where we weigh claims against scripture and see if they hold up, of if they fall flat. 

  1. Why Weighed in the Balance Went Quiet — and What’s Coming Next

    6D AGO

    Why Weighed in the Balance Went Quiet — and What’s Coming Next

    Send us a text Over the past year, Weighed in the Balance has focused on examining claims to see whether they can actually hold up to scrutiny. In this episode, Jonathan Brooks takes a step back to explain both why the podcast has been quieter in recent weeks—and where the show is headed next. Jonathan reflects on the realities of pursuing a Master of Theology, the significant increase in academic workload, and why stepping back briefly was necessary. But this episode is more than an update—it’s also a case study in how bad arguments often work, and why they can feel persuasive at first glance. Using real examples from online debates and apologetic exchanges, Jonathan walks through how “honest questions” can quietly smuggle in false assumptions, frame the discussion unfairly, or demand answers on terms that already concede the conclusion. Rather than simply rebutting individual claims, the episode models how to slow down, examine premises, and recognize when a question itself is the problem. Along the way, Jonathan explains how Protestant ecclesiology actually functions, why disagreements don’t automatically imply chaos, and how theological triage helps Christians distinguish between essentials, secondary disagreements, and issues that require separation without condemnation. This episode sets the stage for what’s coming next on Weighed in the Balance: deeper analysis, sharper tools for discernment, and continued engagement with arguments that deserve careful examination—not just quick reactions. Support the show Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!! Click here to find us everywhere!!

    16 min
  2. Bad Arguments Don't Need Rebuttals. They Need a Mirror.

    12/02/2025

    Bad Arguments Don't Need Rebuttals. They Need a Mirror.

    Send us a text In 2021, logic took a day off and apologetics Twitter held a debate. This episode reviews the infamous Bible-defense showdown featuring arguments so poorly formed they didn’t need rebuttals—they needed a mirror. Rather than analyzing who was right, this episode asks a better question: How do you recognize a terrible argument in the wild, no matter what side it comes from? By walking through real excerpts, claims, and rhetorical strategies from the 2021 debate (between Mitch Canupp and Nathan Cravatt), we uncover the anatomy of bad reasoning: Proof-texting without grammatical awarenessConfident claims with missing premisesAssertions louder than their evidenceAppeals to rhetoric over realityA theology argument smuggling in a logic problemThis is not about Bible translations.  It’s about argument translation—from nonsense into a lesson. Whether you’re a pastor, apologist, student, or someone who just wants to smell a bad argument before stepping in it, this episode will equip you with something better than ammunition: Discernment. Self-awareness. And a really shiny mirror. Support the show Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!! Click here to find us everywhere!!

    41 min
  3. How to Spot Bad Arguments: This Debate Is a Masterclass in What NOT to Do | Weighed in the Balance Ep. 42

    11/25/2025

    How to Spot Bad Arguments: This Debate Is a Masterclass in What NOT to Do | Weighed in the Balance Ep. 42

    Send us a text In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Jonathan uses the 2021 Cravatt–Canupp debate as a case study in how to recognize weak reasoning—no matter what issue is being discussed. This is not an attack on the King James Version. Instead, Jonathan walks through the debate to highlight common pitfalls: irrelevant tangents, historical inaccuracies, shifting the topic, attacking people instead of arguments, and redefining terms mid-stream. By analyzing what went wrong in this debate, listeners learn how to spot the same patterns in any conversation—whether theological, political, or personal. If you want to sharpen your ability to think clearly, evaluate claims, and hold arguments to the actual question being asked, this episode offers a practical, real-world example of how to do it. Original Video Support the show Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!! Click here to find us everywhere!!

    24 min

  4. 11/11/2025

    He Called Calvinism a False Gospel… Then Refused to Debate | Weighed in the Balance Ep. 41

    Send us a text In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Rev. Jonathan Brooks closes the book on the proposed debate with Phillip Parker—a discussion that could have clarified major misconceptions about Calvinism, grace, and the gospel itself. Instead, Parker declined, calling debate “a waste of time.” Jonathan takes listeners behind the scenes of what really happened, addressing why debates matter, what’s truly at stake when people call Calvinism “a false gospel,” and how misunderstanding Reformed theology leads to needless division among believers. It’s an honest, pastoral, and unapologetic reflection on faith, dialogue, and standing firm in truth without losing compassion. Support the show Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!! Click here to find us everywhere!!

    32 min
  5. He Mocked Calvinism… So I Invited Him to a Debate | Weighed in the Balance Ep. 40

    11/04/2025

    He Mocked Calvinism… So I Invited Him to a Debate | Weighed in the Balance Ep. 40

    Send us a text When an old acquaintance, Philip Parker, mocked Calvinism online, Jonathan Brooks didn’t fire back with insults—he offered a public debate. In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Jonathan explains why the challenge matters and what’s really at stake in the ongoing Calvinism vs. Arminianism controversy. He walks through common misconceptions about the Reformed view of grace and free will, showing that Calvinism doesn’t deny human choice—it reveals how God’s sovereign grace makes real choice possible. Jonathan also shares his vision for a respectful, Scripture-based dialogue that replaces memes and mockery with biblical reasoning.  If you’ve ever wondered whether Calvinism can stand up to scrutiny, or if Christians can disagree passionately without dividing, this episode shows how conviction and charity can meet in the same conversation. Support the show Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!! Click here to find us everywhere!!

    34 min
  6. Reformation Day Explained: Scripture, Controversy, and a Little Chaos | Weighed in the Balance | Special Episode

    10/31/2025

    Reformation Day Explained: Scripture, Controversy, and a Little Chaos | Weighed in the Balance | Special Episode

    Send us a text This Reformation Day, we let the conversation flow! From Luther and Erasmus debating Scripture, to the question of whether the Reformation led to the Enlightenment, we cover history, theology, and some hilarious side notes about church quirks. Jonathan, along with Alex and Matt talk private interpretation, visions, medieval philosophy, and what it really means for Scripture to be the ultimate authority. Whether you’re a history buff, a theology nerd, or just curious about Reformation Day, this episode is full of insights, laughs, and “aha” moments. Support the show Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!! Click here to find us everywhere!!

    1h 5m
  7. 5 Reformation Myths Catholics Keep Repeating | Weighed in the Balance Ep.39

    10/29/2025

    5 Reformation Myths Catholics Keep Repeating | Weighed in the Balance Ep.39

    Send us a text Reformation Week continues! Many people — Protestants and Catholics alike — repeat historical claims about Martin Luther and the Reformation that simply aren’t true. In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, we bust five of the most common myths: - Did the Reformation actually begin on October 31, 1517? - Was Luther trying to start a brand-new church? - Did Henry VIII launch the Reformation so he could dump his wife? - Do Protestants really believe in “easy-believism”? - Is Rome teaching salvation by works alone? Whether you’re Protestant, Catholic, or still exploring the theology behind the Reformation, this episode brings clarity, context, and the gospel itself back into focus. Join us as we cut through the caricatures and point to what Scripture teaches: salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Support the show Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!! Click here to find us everywhere!!

    29 min
  8. Faith Alone? It’s Really Christ Alone. Ep. 38

    10/23/2025

    Faith Alone? It’s Really Christ Alone. Ep. 38

    Send us a text In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Jonathan Brooks makes the case that justification by faith alone (sola fide) and salvation through Christ alone (solus Christus) are not two doctrines—but one glorious truth seen from different angles. Drawing on Romans 3 and the Ten Commandments, Jonathan shows how the law exposes our sin and drives us to Christ’s finished work, not our cooperation with grace. While Roman Catholic theology teaches that grace enables human effort toward salvation, the biblical gospel proclaims that Christ’s obedience alone saves—from start to finish. This episode isn’t just theology—it’s a call to rest in the Savior who kept the law perfectly, died in our place, and left nothing undone. Support the show Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!! Click here to find us everywhere!!

    22 min
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About

Weighed in the Balance, the show where we weigh claims against scripture and see if they hold up, of if they fall flat. 

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Brooks & Co
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Weighed in the Balance
  • Show Website
    Weighed in the Balance

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