Grafted Theology

Grafted Theology
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Grafted Theology explores the deep and transformative truths of the Christian faith.

  1. Jul 5

    Episode 44: Did the Early Church Have Bishops, Priests, and Deacons?

    Did the earliest Christians believe the Church should be led by bishops, presbyters, and deacons, or was the threefold ministry a later development?In this episode, we examine the historical and biblical evidence surrounding church leadership in the first three centuries of Christianity. Drawing from the writings of Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp of Smyrna, Irenaeus of Lyons, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Hippolytus, Cyprian of Carthage, and other pre-Nicene sources, we explore how the earliest Christians understood the offices of bishop, presbyter, and deacon.We also examine key New Testament passages, including Acts 6, Acts 14, Acts 20, Philippians 1, 1 Timothy, and Titus, to investigate whether the foundations of the threefold ministry can be found within the apostolic age itself.Was episcopal leadership a later innovation, or did the early Church view it as part of the apostolic order it had inherited?Join us as we explore the evidence and ask what the earliest generations of Christians actually believed about church government, apostolic authority, and the structure of Christian ministry.

    56 min

  2. Jun 11

    Episode 43: Did the Early Church Believe in Apostolic Succession?

    Did the earliest Christians believe in apostolic succession, or was it a later development introduced centuries after the apostles? In this episode, we examine the historical and biblical evidence surrounding one of the most debated topics in church history. Beginning with the earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament, we explore the testimony of Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Hegesippus, Irenaeus of Lyons, Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian of Carthage, and other pre-Nicene sources. We investigate whether these writers viewed apostolic succession as a later innovation or as part of the Church's inherited apostolic structure. We also examine key biblical passages often cited in discussions of apostolic succession, including the appointment of Joshua, the replacement of Judas, the commissioning of the apostles, the laying on of hands, and Paul's instructions to Timothy and Titus. The goal is not to defend a particular denomination but to answer a historical question: What did the earliest Christians actually believe about apostolic continuity, church authority, and the preservation of apostolic teaching? Blog Article

    1h 3m

  3. May 31

    Episode 42: How Should We Study the Early Church?

    How should we evaluate what the earliest Christians actually believed? In this opening episode, we set out the historical method that will guide this entire series. Instead of assuming that any single Church Father represents the whole Church, we ask how historians can responsibly identify beliefs that were widely held across the pre-Nicene Christian world (before AD 325). We look at the kinds of evidence that matter most when studying early Christianity: proximity to the apostolic era, geographical spread across major Christian centers, consistency across generations, claims of apostolic origin, and the careful use of both agreement and silence in the historical record. This episode is not an argument for specific doctrines, but a framework for how the evidence will be evaluated moving forward. The goal is to clarify the method before turning to individual beliefs in later episodes. Understanding that method is essential for any serious study of the early Church, especially when different Christian traditions appeal to the same historical sources while reaching different conclusions.

    12 min

  4. Apr 23

    Episode 41: Was Christ forsaken on the cross? - Matt. 27:46

    Many people believe that Christ was forsaken by the Father on the cross. Today we take a quick look at Scripture to see if this is true.

    5 min

  5. Apr 8

    Episode 40: Romans 9 in Context - A Non-Calvinist Reading

    This episode of Grafted Theology tackles Romans 9, one of the most disputed chapters in the Bible, often used to support the Calvinistic views of unconditional election and predestination. I walk through a faithful, non-Calvinist reading, arguing that the chapter is about God’s covenant faithfulness, not a deterministic framework for individual salvation. Discover how Paul defines true Israel by faith in Christ, not ethnic lineage, and why righteousness is attained by faith, not works of the law.Article version of this episode: https://grafted-theology.blogspot.com/2025/07/romans-9-in-context.htmlWho Did God Foreknow in Romans 8:28–30: https://youtu.be/SIfOMkqerAwPharaoh’s hard heart: https://youtu.be/C6b-dqx2-A8

    1h 41m

  6. Mar 18

    Episode 39: Who Did God Foreknow? Romans 8:28–30 Explained

    What does “foreknew” mean in Romans 8:29? Does this passage teach unconditional election, or is Paul describing something else?In this episode, we examine Romans 8:28–30 in context and argue that Paul is not explaining how individuals are chosen for salvation, but what God has planned for those who love Him. Instead of a deterministic reading, we explore how “foreknew” connects to the faithful remnant and God’s covenant people in Romans 8–11. You’ll see why: - “Foreknew” does not mean “predetermined” - The focus is on the destiny of believers, not their selection - God’s purpose is to conform His people to Christ Blog Article: https://grafted-theology.blogspot.com/2025/07/who-did-god-foreknow-non-calvinist-look.html

    29 min

  7. Feb 22

    Episode 38: Penal Substitution vs. the Trinity and Christology

    In this episode, I explain why I believe the Reformed doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA) creates significant tension with the Trinity and historic Christology. Atonement and Union with Christ Article PSA's Tension with the Trinity and Christology Article

    30 min

  8. Feb 15

    Episode 37: Atonement and Union with Christ - Part 5: Additional Objections and Final Summary

    This is part 5, the final episode in this multi part series where we look at a recent article I released titled “Atonement and Union with Christ”. In this particular episode I cover sections: "Additional Objections" and "Final Summary." This is an audio version of my article so if you would like to give it a read the link is below. Atonement Article: https://grafted-theology.blogspot.com/2026/01/atonement-and-union-with-christ.html

    33 min
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Grafted Theology explores the deep and transformative truths of the Christian faith.

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  • Creator
    Grafted Theology
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Grafted Theology
  • Show Website
    Grafted Theology