The Bellator Christi Podcast

Brian Chilton
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  • CHRISTIANITY
The Bellator Christi Podcast

Bellator Christi: Taking Truth to the Arena of Ideas

  1. 12/08/2023

    S7E13 Genres of Biblical Literature

    By: Brian G. Chilton, M.Div., Ph.D. | December 7, 2023 S7E13 Genres of Biblical Literature on YouTube The following are the seven genres of biblical literature. * The Law (2%): Consists of laws, mandates, and codes. Look for the three kinds of laws in this portion of Scripture–religious laws, national laws, and moral laws. Even within the religious and national laws, a transcendent moral law is found. Look for the moral laws to find an application to your life as a believer in the new covenant of grace. * Historical Narrative (43% with the Gospels; 41% without): Understand the times, culture, background, and personalities. Look for the conflicts and how the conflicts were resolved. Also, look for the theological aspects of the story. How did God interact with the people of the time? What did God do? And what did God say? Read this section as a story. * Poetry (33%): Poetic elements are found throughout the entirety of Scripture. The prophets use poetry extensively. Even Jesus used poetry quite a bit. In fact, the favorite literary device of Jesus appeared to be antithetical parallelisms. Joachim Jeremias wrote the following about the teaching style of Jesus. In fact, antithetic parallelism occupies a considerable space in the sayings of Jesus. Even if we leave aside antitheses (e.g. Mark 2:17a, 17b; 10:45) and restrict ourselves to cases of antithetic parallelism (though in some cases the differentiation of these two categories could be a matter of dispute), we are led to the conclusion that in the synoptic gospels, antithetic parallelism occurs well over a hundred times in the sayings of Jesus. According to my counting it occurs as follows: 15 Mark: 30 times Logia common to Matthew and Luke: 34 times Additional instances in Matthew only: 44 times Additional instances in Luke only: 30 times * When studying poetry, it’s important to understand the poetic form, especially with chiasms. For chiasms, the centermost point gives the most important, if not the primary, message of the teaching. * Prophecy (c. 15%): Know the difference between foretelling (predictive prophecy) and forthtelling (preaching against the sins of the people of the time). The prophets were poetic and literary geniuses. Don’t neglect nor forsake the poetic elements of their teaching. Also, consider double fulfillments, such as the one found in Isaiah 7:14. * Bibliography/Gospels (2%): Read each passage in the scope of the entire story. Pay attention to the theological meaning of each story and teaching. Also, consider the primary emphasis of each evangelist. Matthew presented Jesus as the Messiah, Mark presented Jesus as the Son of God, Luke portrayed him as the Son of Man, and John highlighted Jesus’s identity as the Logos, or the Word. Look for key words and themes. * Epistles (7%): Evaluate the reason for why the letter was written. What was the problem at hand? Research the culture and history of the people involved and the intended recipients. Look for important key words. Also, search for creeds and hymns in the texts. * Apocalyptic (c. 1%): This form of literature is found in Revelation, Daniel, and portions of Isaiah and Ezekiel. Read texts of this genre with great humility. Connect the literature with the Old Testament, particularly Daniel and Jesus’s Olivet Discourse in Matthew. Place symbols under the theological microscope to find the deeper meanings of what was written. Likewise, look for divine titles. In my estimation, apocalyptic literature can be very encouraging if one keeps these things in mind. About the Author/Host of S7E13 Genres of Biblical Literature Brian G. Chilton is the founder of Bellator Christi Ministries and the co-host of t...

    54 min

  2. 12/01/2023

    S7Q3 The Question Zone Episode 3

    By: Brian Chilton and Curtis Evelo | November 30, 2023 S7Q3 The Question Zone Episode 3 on YouTube Question Zone Episode 3 “1) What does the title ‘the Father’ indicate about the first Person of the Trinity? Does this title relate to the economic Trinity? Or to the ontological Trinity? Or both? 2) What does the title ‘the Son’ indicate about the second Person of the Trinity? Does this title relate to the economic Trinity? Or to the ontological Trinity? Or both? 3) What does the title ‘the Holy Spirit’ indicate about the third Person of the Trinity? Does this title relate to the economic Trinity? Or to the ontological Trinity? Or both?” -Learning123 * Is baptism necessary for believers in the category of required or not for salvation? * What are the nature of baptisms and what is biblical or better yet supported by scripture? * I recently listened to a debate or discussion on oral traditions with Bart Ehrman https://www.premierunbelievable.com/unbelievable/unbelievable-bart-ehrman-vs-richard-bauckham-can-we-trust-eyewitness-testimony-in-the-biblical-accounts/16762.article and he stated that we cannot trust orally recorded accounts and stories.. knowing that this is your doctorate.. what can you say to help us understand oral tradition better…? * In that same debate Ehrman also was stating that the gospel accounts and it’s writers are not eyewitness accounts and we shouldn’t trust them as that * In your recent interview with Mark Phillips I had a question …How did the intertestamental period writings influence the time period and expectations of the messiah or the coming of the messiah? * What can we use as an apologetic out of the intertestamental writings that can help give an overall view of the culture and its expectations? About the Hosts Brian Chilton Brian G. Chilton is the founder of Bellator Christi Ministries and the co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast. Dr. Chilton earned a Ph.D. in the Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University (with high distinction), a M.Div. in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his B.S. in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); earned a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, and completed Unit 1 of Clinical Pastoral Education at Wake Forest University’s School of Medicine. Dr. Chilton is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society.  In his spare time, he enjoys reading, working out in his home gym, and watching football. He has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years and serves as a clinical chaplain. https://www.amazon.com/Laymans-Manual-Christian-Apologetics-Essentials/dp/1532697104  https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-about-Heaven-Difficult-Questions/dp/1666762687 Curtis Evelo Curtis Evelo is a cattle rancher at the E6 Hereford Ranch in St. Ignatius, Montana. He is the Co-Host and Producer of the Bellator Christi Podcast. He often teaches and speaks at his church Cornerstone Faith Center in St. Ignatius. Curtis provides a common-sense approach to Christianity as he contemplates the wonders of God’s creation in Big Sky Country.

    1h 7m

  3. 12/01/2023

    S7E12 The Historicity of the Bible (w. Dr. Michelle Johnson)

    By: Brian Chilton, Ph.D., and Michelle Johnson, Ph.D. | November 30, 2023 S7E12 The Historicity of the Bible with Dr. Michelle Johnson on YouTube S7E12 Historicity of the Bible * How do we determine if something is historically sound? * What factors prove the historicity of creation? * Is there any evidence to prove the biblical story of the Flood? * Do we have any historical reasons to believe in the existence of the patriarchs? * What evidence do we have for the Exodus? * Was King David a real historical person? * What evidence do we have for the incarnation and existence of Jesus of Nazareth? * Are there reasons to believe that the resurrection of Jesus was a historical event? * How does the historicity of these events impact our belief in the divine inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture? About Your Hosts Brian Chilton Brian G. Chilton is the founder of Bellator Christi Ministries and the co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast. Dr. Chilton earned a Ph.D. in the Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University (with high distinction), a M.Div. in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his B.S. in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); earned a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, and completed Unit 1 of Clinical Pastoral Education at Wake Forest University’s School of Medicine. Dr. Chilton is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society.  In his spare time, he enjoys reading, working out in his home gym, and watching football. He has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years and serves as a clinical chaplain. https://www.amazon.com/Laymans-Manual-Christian-Apologetics-Essentials/dp/1532697104  https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-about-Heaven-Difficult-Questions/dp/1666762687 Michelle Johnson Michelle Johnson earned a Ph.D. in Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University. She also earned her M.A. in Theological Studies and her M.Div. in Professional Ministries at Liberty University. Michelle graduated from the University of Minnesota with her undergraduate degrees. She and her husband Steve live in Mankato, Minnesota, where she also serves in women’s ministries. In addition to her love of theology and apologetics, Michelle also has a passion for historical studies, particularly the theology of the Patristics. When she is not spending time reading or writing, Michelle can often be found dreaming of her next travel adventure or enjoying a great cup of coffee. Michelle Johnson serves as the Executive Vice-President and Managing Editor of Bellator Christi Ministries. Check out the last episode at the following link: https://bellatorchristi.com/2023/11/16/s7e11-intertestamental-period-w-dr-mark-phillips/ (c) 2023. Bellator Christi a class="a2a...

    1h 8m

  4. 11/17/2023

    S7E11 Intertestamental Period (w. Dr. Mark Phillips)

    By: Brian Chilton, Ph.D., and Mark Phillips, D.Min. | November 16, 2023 S7E11 Intertestamental Period (w. Dr. Mark Phillips) on YouTube Topics Discussed on S7E11 Intertestamental Period (w. Dr. Mark Phillips) * What do we mean by the “Intertestamental period”? * During this time, a collection of books were written known as the apocrypha. What are some of these books and what are they about? * Around this time, another was written called the pseudepigrapha. What were some of the more notable books in this collection and what do they discuss? * Can these books help us learn more about the New Testament? If so, how? * Do any churches accept either the apocrypha or pseudepigrapha as canonical? * Why do Protestants reject these works as canonical?   The Bellator Christi Podcast is available on several podcasting apps, including those listed below. Click subscribe to hear the latest episodes, and take Bellator Christi Podcast with you on the go. iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/the-bellator-christi-podcast-46294890/ Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZWxsYXRvcmNocmlzdGkuY29tL2ZlZWQvcG9kY2FzdA iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bellator-christi-podcast/id1192956139 TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Religion–Spirituality-Podcas/The-Bellator-Christi-Podcast-p869689/?topicId=344862484   About the Host Brian G. Chilton is the founder of Bellator Christi Ministries and the co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast. Dr. Chilton earned a Ph.D. in the Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University (with high distinction), a M.Div. in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his B.S. in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); earned a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, and completed Unit 1 of Clinical Pastoral Education at Wake Forest University’s School of Medicine. Dr. Chilton is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society.  In his spare time, he enjoys reading, working out in his home gym, and watching football. He has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years and serves as a clinical chaplain. https://www.amazon.com/Laymans-Manual-Christian-Apologetics-Essentials/dp/1532697104  https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-about-Heaven-Difficult-Questions/dp/1666762687 About the Guests Dr. Mark Phillips serves as the Vice President of Academics at Tri-State Bible College. He earned a Doctor of Ministry degree in Apologetics at Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Phillips is also a pastor and lives with his wife and family in Proctorville, Ohio.     If you missed the last episode of the Bellator Christi Podcast, you can find it by clicking the following link: https://bellatorchristi.com/2023/11/09/s7e10-creating-the-canon-w-dr-benjamin-laird-and-dr-leo-percer/   (c) 2023. Bellator Christi. a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?

    56 min

  5. 11/10/2023

    S7E10 Creating the Canon (w. Dr. Benjamin Laird and Dr. Leo Percer)

    By: Brian Chilton, Ph.D., Benjamin Laird, Ph.D., and Leo Percer, Ph.D. | November 9, 2023 S7E10 Creating the Canon on YouTube Questions Covered on S7E10 Creating the Canon (w. Dr. Benjamin Laird and Dr. Leo Percer) * When we speak of the New Testament canon, what do we mean? (Laird and Percer) * In your book, Creating the Canon, you mention the methods that the NT writers likely used when writing their books. How did the writers go about formulating their documents? (Laird) * You mentioned that the writing of the NT books was a collaborative process. What did you mean by that? (Laird) * Who were the original readers of the NT writings? (Laird and Percer) * How did the 27 books of the NT form into one collaborative canonical collection? (Laird) * Percer, we have discussed various aspects that the early church looked for when they determined which books were inspired and belonged in the canon. What were some of those criteria? (Percer) * What role did theological controversies hold in the formulation of the NT canon? (Laird) * How confident are you in that we have the correct books in the NT canon? (Laird and Percer) The Bellator Christi Podcast is available on several podcasting apps, including those listed below. Click subscribe to hear the latest episodes, and take Bellator Christi Podcast with you on the go. iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/the-bellator-christi-podcast-46294890/ Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZWxsYXRvcmNocmlzdGkuY29tL2ZlZWQvcG9kY2FzdA iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bellator-christi-podcast/id1192956139 TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Religion–Spirituality-Podcas/The-Bellator-Christi-Podcast-p869689/?topicId=344862484   About the Host Brian G. Chilton is the founder of Bellator Christi Ministries and the co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast. Dr. Chilton earned a Ph.D. in the Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University (with high distinction), a M.Div. in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his B.S. in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); earned a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, and completed Unit 1 of Clinical Pastoral Education at Wake Forest University’s School of Medicine. Dr. Chilton is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society.  In his spare time, he enjoys reading, working out in his home gym, and watching football. He has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years and serves as a clinical chaplain. https://www.amazon.com/Laymans-Manual-Christian-Apologetics-Essentials/dp/1532697104  https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-about-Heaven-Difficult-Questions/dp/1666762687 About the Guests Dr. Benjamin Laird joined the faculty of Liberty University in 2011 and currently serves as Associate Professor of Biblical Studies. A native of Denver, Colorado, Dr. Laird teaches a variety of courses in New Testament and Greek. He is a second-generation Liberty alumnus and lives in Lynchburg with his wife and their five children. In addition to his teaching experience, he has served in various capacities in the church inclu...

    56 min

  6. 11/03/2023

    S7E9 Oral Traditions and the Dependability of God’s Word

    By: Brian G. Chilton, Ph.D., M.Div. | November 2, 2023 S7E9 Oral Traditions and the Dependability of God’s Word on YouTube   S7E9 Oral Traditions and the Dependability of God’s Word (Article) What Do We Mean by “Oral Traditions?” When we speak of “oral traditions,” we are speaking of stories that are important to a person and community that are passed along from one generation to another. Before stories were written down on paper, communities often transmitted stories to their children that existed from numerous generations of the past. Most assuredly, most of the stories that we find in the Bible originated with oral traditions. Even in the most literate of cultures, a person does not walk around with a pen and paper, documenting everything that is seen. Neither do most normal people walk around with a video recorder, taping everything they see. When important events transpire, historians—serving as detectives—interview eyewitnesses to compile information to accurately recreate the event. Since the reports stem from eyewitness accounts and may not be recorded for some time after the event, then the story is initially told and spread by an oral tradition, or an oral account, of what happened.   Do Oral Traditions Work the Same as the Telephone Game? Living in a written culture, I was suspicious when I first learned about oral traditions. Like many, I assumed that oral traditions must work comparably to the old schoolyard game “Telephone.” Telephone is played when a person tells Person A a story. Then, Person A tells Person B, Person B tells Person C, and so on until it reaches the last person in the line. By the time the information is told by the last person, the story has completely changed from what Person A said. The funny game shows that information is not always accurately and precisely communicated from one person to another. However, oral traditions do not operate in the same manner because communities are involved with storytelling. People from the group can correct the storyteller if he or she tells the story incorrectly. Anyone married knows that our wives will quickly correct us if we say something that is not right. Imagine how much more self-correction occurs within an entire community.   Is There a Model That Best Describes How Oral Traditions Work? Three models have been offered to describe how the transmission of oral traditions works. Informal Uncontrolled Model (Bultmann and German School) First, there is the view held by the German theological school which was defended by one Rudolf Bultmann. The German school defended a position known as the informal uncontrolled model. By “informal,” they indicate that no one was assigned the role of the guardians of the tradition. As such, no hierarchy existed, and no one necessarily preserved the story. By “uncontrolled,” the information was not necessarily memorized, resulting in each group adding to the tradition as they saw fit. Bultmann notes the existence of NT prophets who likely held that when they spoke, they spoke for Jesus. To a great degree, Bultmann’s model does resemble the classic game of Telephone more than the others. Most troubling, Bultmann asserts that “I do not indeed think that we can know almost nothing concerning the life and personality of Jesus, since the early Christian sources show no interest in either, are moreover fragmentary and often legendary; and other sources about Jesus do not exist” (Bultmann, Jesus and the Word, 13). When examining the NT texts and the similarity they hold with rabbinic practices, strong doubt is cast upon the Bultmannian viewpoint. This was true of the Scandinavian school led by Harald Riesenfeld and Birger Gerhardsson. They advocated a view known as the formal controlled model. The transmission of the Jesus traditions was formal in the sense that they were entrusted to the dis...

    34 min

  7. 10/27/2023

    S7Q2 The Question Zone (Episode 2)

    By: Curtis Evelo and Brian G. Chilton, Ph.D. | October 26, 2023 The dynamic duo return for another episode of the Question Zone. On this edition, a variety of topics were discussed from how to know when to leave a church to current events. S7Q2 The Question Zone (Episode 2) on YouTube 1: Brian, part of your latest podcasts and interview with Dr.Huff…. Inspiration of the text, I have this question: With as much information there is about the biblical cannon and how we received the Biblical texts, why is it that this is one of the most sticking points for unbelievers ? 2: Archeological evidence is becoming more and more a proof of the accuracy of the text of the Bible. Is there one recent archaeological find that really excites you and what is the significance of it? 3: Recently, some evangelical Christians have had some pastoral and apologetic leaders come out against certain aspects of the faith and others experiences. What is the potential reason for this ? 4: Can we expect to hear God in a personal way? 5: Should we expect to see miracles today? 6: Documented miracles: With these types of evidence of miracles why are so many prominent people coming out so strongly against them? 7: What was the historical view of miracles? And what did they see ? 8: “current events “With the war in Israel we are seeing a large uprise in support for Hamas and a turning away from Israel what is the significance of this? About the Hosts Curtis Evelo is a cattle rancher at the E6 Hereford Ranch in St. Ignatius, Montana. He is the Co-Host and Producer of the Bellator Christi Podcast. He often teaches and speaks at his church Cornerstone Faith Center in St. Ignatius. Curtis provides a common-sense approach to Christianity as he contemplates the wonders of God’s creation in Big Sky Country. Curtis serves as an Assistant Vice President of Broadcasting at Bellator Christi Ministries, a contributor, and the co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast. His research interests include Jewish studies in the New Testament, Old Testament typologies, and studies on free will.   Brian G. Chilton is the founder of Bellator Christi Ministries and the co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast. Dr. Chilton earned a Ph.D. in the Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University (with high distinction), a M.Div. in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his B.S. in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); earned a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, and completed Unit 1 of Clinical Pastoral Education at Wake Forest University’s School of Medicine. Dr. Chilton is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society.  In his spare time, he enjoys reading, working out in his home gym, and watching football. He has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years and serves as a clinical chaplain. https://www.amazon.com/Laymans-Manual-Christian-Apologetics-Essentials/dp/1532697104  https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-about-Heaven-Difficult-Questions/dp/1666762687 To hear the previous episode of the Question Zone, click the following link: https://bellatorchristi.com/2023/09/28/s7q1-the-question-zone-with-curtis-evelo-episode-1/ (c) 2023. Bellator Christi. a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fbellatorchristi.com%2F2023%2F10%2F26%2Fs7q2-the-question-zone-episode-2%2F&linkname=S7Q2%20The%20Question%20Zone%20%28Episode%202%29" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noope...

    1 hr

  8. 10/27/2023

    S7E8 Inerrancy: Does It Matter?

    By: Brian G. Chilton, Ph.D., M.Div. and T. J. Gentry, Ph.D., D.Min. | October 26th, 2023 S7E8 Inerrancy: Does It Matter? on YouTube * Last week, we discussed the three I’s of Scripture: inspiration, infallibility, and inerrancy. Briefly define each “I” for us. * Why does it seem that inerrancy gets the most pushback of all three “I’s”? * Why is inerrancy still important to maintain in a world that is growing increasingly hostile to its concept? * One of the big problems facing inerrancy consists of so-called contradictions in the biblical narrative. How can we best work through these contradictions? * This may be a bit of a controversial question, but one that needs to be addressed. Why does it seem that many even in the evangelical world seem to ignore or reject biblical inerrancy? * How might a rejection of biblical inerrancy lead to other problems?   About Our Host Brian G. Chilton is the founder of Bellator Christi Ministries and the co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast. Dr. Chilton earned a Ph.D. in the Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University (with high distinction), a M.Div. in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his B.S. in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); earned a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, and completed Unit 1 of Clinical Pastoral Education at Wake Forest University’s School of Medicine. Dr. Chilton is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society.  In his spare time, he enjoys reading, working out in his home gym, and watching football. He has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years and serves as a clinical chaplain. https://www.amazon.com/Laymans-Manual-Christian-Apologetics-Essentials/dp/1532697104  https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-about-Heaven-Difficult-Questions/dp/1666762687 About Our Guest Dr. Thomas J. Gentry (aka., TJ Gentry) serves as the pastor of First Christian Church of West Frankfort, Illinois, the Assistant Vice President of Publishing and Communications, and the Assistant Editor of Bellator Christi Ministries. He formerly served as the Executive Editor of MoralApologetics.com. Dr. Gentry is a world-class scholar holding 5 doctorate degrees and 6 masters degrees. Additionally, he is a prolific writer as he has published 7 books including Pulpit Apologist, Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord, and You Shall Be My Witnesses: Reflections on Sharing the Gospel. Be on the lookout for two additional books that he will soon publish. In addition to his impressive resume, Dr. Gentry proudly served his country as an officer in the United States Army and serves as a martial arts instructor.   Catch the last episode of the Bellator Christi Podcast by clicking the following link: https://bellatorchristi.com/2023/10/19/s7e7-theopneustos-and-biblical-inspiration/ (c) 2023. Bellator Christi.   a class="a2a_button_printfriendly" href=...

    53 min
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About

Bellator Christi: Taking Truth to the Arena of Ideas

Information

  • Creator
    Brian Chilton
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2023
  • Episodes
    374
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2018. Brian Chilton. Bellator Christi.
  • Show Website
    The Bellator Christi Podcast

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