Theology Project with Matt O’Reilly

Matt O’Reilly
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Christianity

Dive deep into thoughtful conversations on faith, scripture, and the Christian life with interviews from leading theologians, authors, and pastors. Whether you’re exploring big questions or seeking practical wisdom, this podcast brings you the rich insights of the Theology Project in a fresh audio format.

  1. Why are we talking about NEW Articles of Faith in the Global Methodist Church? with Dr. David Watson

    Apr 21

    Why are we talking about NEW Articles of Faith in the Global Methodist Church? with Dr. David Watson

    The Global Methodist Church is considering adopting a new doctrinal statement called the Articles of Faith. In this conversation, Dr. David Watson sits down with Dr. Matt O'Reilly to discuss WHY we're looking at this, how we got to this point, and where things go from here. We answer some of the questions that have come up in the last few weeks and reflect on the purpose of this confessional statement. Jason Vickers compares the EUB Confession with the Articles of Religion: https://archives.gcah.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/d695ad25-f74a-4934-a569-04b4163e6e6f/content Dr. David Watson is President of Asbury Theological Seminary and Chair of the Discipleship, Doctrine, and Just Ministry Commission. He is the author of Scripture and the Life of God (https://amzn.to/48XaRE4) and Faith and Fire (https://amzn.to/488gAH2) coauthored with Kevin Watson. GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com Music: "Steps" by Anno Domini Beats - Used with permission. This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

    50 min
  2. What does the Bible say about heaven, resurrection, and life after death?

    Jan 16 ·  Bonus

    What does the Bible say about heaven, resurrection, and life after death?

    In this clip, Dr. Matt O'Reilly explains the difference between "going to heaven when you die" and the biblical teaching of future bodily resurrection. If you've ever wondered what the Bible says about life after death, this episode is for you.    MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle)   Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS   MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe       This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

    8 min
  3. Is Christianity True?

    Jan 14

    Is Christianity True?

    Is Christianity True? In a world filled with questions, doubts, and competing truth claims, many people wonder whether Christianity can still be trusted. In this sermon, Matt O’Reilly explores one of the most common and pressing questions people ask about faith: Is Christianity true? Along the way, he names the real objections people raise—about science, suffering, hypocrisy in the church, the reliability of the Bible, and the fear that faith requires blind belief. Rather than dismissing these questions or offering quick intellectual fixes, this message invites listeners to step back and consider a deeper question that the Gospel itself raises: Can Jesus be trusted? Drawing from the scene of Jesus’ trial—where Pilate famously asks, “What is truth?”—this sermon shows that Christianity does not ultimately present truth as a mere argument or proposition, but as a person. And that person reveals the truth not by coercion or force, but through self-giving love. You don’t have to have all the answers to experience love. You can trust someone who is willing to bleed for you. This message is especially for: Those who are skeptical, curious, or questioning Christianity Those who feel torn between faith and doubt Those who have been hurt or disillusioned by the church Christians who want a more humble, patient, and loving way to engage hard questions If you’ve ever wondered whether Jesus can be trusted, this sermon invites you to consider the truth revealed in love, and to explore your questions within a community shaped by grace. GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOK Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN     This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

    41 min
  4. Why Calvinism Misunderstands Election in Romans 9

    Jan 12

    Why Calvinism Misunderstands Election in Romans 9

    A lot of people assume Romans 9 obviously teaches the Calvinist doctrine of unconditional election. They think it means that God selected a set and unchangeable number of people to save and passed over the rest. If you're among the chosen, congratulations. If you're not, well... In this episode, Dr. Matt O'Reilly explains why Romans 9 does not, in fact, teach unconditional individual election. Rather, the apostle Paul sets forth in Romans 9 a vision of corporate election (the group as a whole is chosen) in which individuals may move into and out of the elect group. MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle)   Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS   MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe   Music used with permission - "Steps" by Anno Domini Beats   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

    8 min
  5. How do you answer these two questions about Christmas?

    12/26/2025

    How do you answer these two questions about Christmas?

    Who is Jesus—and what did he come to do? Luke 2 doesn’t answer those questions with abstract theology or lofty claims. It answers them with a story. In this episode, we slow down and listen carefully to Luke’s Christmas narrative—not as sentimental background music for the season, but as a bold theological proclamation. In a world ordered by emperors, censuses, power, and prestige, Luke introduces Jesus in a radically different key: born in obscurity, laid in a manger, announced not to elites but to shepherds on the margins. So who is Jesus, really? And what kind of mission begins this way? Drawing on the Jesus' birth narrative in the Gospel of Luke, we explore how Luke presents Jesus as the true Lord whose identity stands in quiet but profound contrast to the rulers of his age. And we ask what Jesus came to do—not merely to offer private comfort or future escape, but to inaugurate God’s saving reign through humility, peace, and faithfulness. This episode invites you to hear Luke 2 with fresh ears and deeper attention—to see how the identity and mission of Jesus are woven together from the very beginning, and why that still matters for how we understand the gospel today.   Merry Christmas!   MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOK Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Music used with permission - "Steps" by Anno Domini Beats

    12 min
  6. Why We Do Not Rebaptize - Grace Doesn't Expire!

    12/22/2025 ·  Bonus

    Why We Do Not Rebaptize - Grace Doesn't Expire!

    People frequently wonder whether they should be rebaptized. Usually, it's for one of two reasons. Either they were baptized as an infant, and they ask if they should be baptized as part of their profession of faith. Or they were baptized before they got serious about following Jesus and, having later committed to serious discipleship, wonder if they should rebatized In this video, Dr. Jonathan Powers (Asbury Seminary) and Dr. Matt O'Reilly explain WHY pastors should not rebaptize people and HOW to shepherd people through the questions   MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOK Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

    8 min
  7. Holiness Isn’t Legalism — It’s Human Flourishing

    12/19/2025

    Holiness Isn’t Legalism — It’s Human Flourishing

    In Scripture, holiness is never just about rule-keeping — it’s about participating in the character of God, living love perfected in Christ, and flourishing as a whole person in relationship with God and neighbor. Too often in the wider church, though, holiness gets misunderstood as legalistic rule observance. That understanding leads to burdens, shame, and a distorted picture of the gospel. In this video, I unpack how the Bible, and the Wesleyan tradition in particular, reframes holiness not as legalism but as human flourishing. We walk through how holiness: reflects God’s character toward us calls us into life-giving love for God and neighbor aligns with deep, true happiness as envisioned in Scripture Whether you grew up hearing holiness taught as legalistic rule-keeping or you’re seeking a richer, more biblical vision of discipleship, this conversation will help you think differently about what it means to be holy. 📖 Holiness isn’t about following a checklist — it’s about becoming like Jesus and flourishing as his people.   READ "The New Birth" by John Wesley https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-45-the-new-birth/ MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOK Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe Music used with permission - "Steps" by Anno Domini Beats This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

    10 min
  8. Reversing Decline, More MDivs, and the Future of Seminary with Dr. Andy Miller

    12/12/2025

    Reversing Decline, More MDivs, and the Future of Seminary with Dr. Andy Miller

    In this episode of Theology Project, Dr. Matt O’Reilly sits down with Dr. Andy Miller III, President of Wesley Biblical Seminary, for an honest and forward-looking conversation about pastoral education in the Global Methodist Church. We explore the value of the MDiv, options for the future of the Course of Study, and how robust theological training shapes healthier leaders, stronger churches, and more faithful ministry. Dr. Miller brings clarity to current debates around seminary education, offers practical wisdom for pastors considering further study, and shares WBS’s vision for forming leaders who can preach the gospel, shepherd the church, and engage culture with confidence and conviction. If you care about clergy preparation, the future of Methodist ministry, or the theological integrity of the church, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Help pastors finish seminary DEBT-FREE: Check out the Global Methodist Foundation of North Alabama: https://www.gmfna.org Hear more from Andy Miller - Check out his podcast: More to the Story - https://www.youtube.com/@andymilleriii Here's a link to the BRAND NEW BOOK from the WBS faculty - Sanctitas et Scriptura: https://amzn.to/3MpBrxz Apply to STUDY at WBS: https://www.wbs.edu GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOK Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN(print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle)   📬 Subscribe to Theology Project for more: https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe   MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF   Music used with permission - "Steps" by Anno Domini Beats   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

    47 min
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5
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Dive deep into thoughtful conversations on faith, scripture, and the Christian life with interviews from leading theologians, authors, and pastors. Whether you’re exploring big questions or seeking practical wisdom, this podcast brings you the rich insights of the Theology Project in a fresh audio format.

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