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. The One Verse That Convinced Me of Infant Baptism

    6D AGO

    The One Verse That Convinced Me of Infant Baptism

    Send a text In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, I explain how I became convinced that Scripture teaches infant baptism. Both Roman Catholic apologists and Baptist critics often claim that infant baptism cannot be defended from Scripture alone. John MacArthur made that case clearly and forcefully for decades. But what if the real issue isn’t a lack of biblical evidence — but a misunderstanding of what baptism actually is? In this video, I interact with several of MacArthur’s arguments and explain why I ultimately found them unconvincing. The turning point for me came down to a single question: what does Scripture say baptism is? We’ll look at: Why both sides in this debate appeal to ScriptureHow definitions of baptism shape the entire discussionColossians 2 and the relationship between baptism and circumcisionCovenant theology and the inclusion of believers’ childrenWhy the absence of one specific verse changed my mindMy goal is not to attack fellow Christians, but to carefully examine whether our beliefs can truly be supported from Scripture. If you find thoughtful, charitable theological discussion helpful, consider subscribing and joining the conversation. Question for viewers: What definition of baptism were you taught — and where do you see that definition in Scripture? 00:00 Introduction  01:10 Why this debate matters  03:00 Why interact with John MacArthur  05:50 MacArthur: Infant baptism is tradition, not Scripture  08:30 The key question: What is baptism?  10:45 MacArthur’s definition of baptism  13:30 The “missing verse” that changed my mind  15:40 Colossians 2 and covenant continuity  18:30 Baptism and circumcision compared  21:00 Why definitions determine conclusions  23:00 Responding to the “not in Scripture” claim  24:30 Final thoughts and viewer question Support the show Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!! Click here to find us everywhere!!

    26 min
  2. Are Bible Translations “Word-for-Word”? The KJV-Only Debate Examined

    FEB 3

    Are Bible Translations “Word-for-Word”? The KJV-Only Debate Examined

    Send us a text In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Jonathan Brooks examines a common claim in the KJV-only debate: that faithful Bible translations must follow a strict “word-for-word” method. Engaging arguments made by James Canupp and Jeff Cravat, this episode explores what the King James translators themselves believed about translation, how Hebrew and Greek actually work, and why “word-for-word” accuracy often misunderstands how language conveys meaning. Rather than polemics, this conversation aims at careful, charitable evaluation—asking whether the claims being made can truly hold up to scrutiny. Support the show Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!! Click here to find us everywhere!!

    28 min
  3. From Fundamentalism to the Reformed Faith (with Rev. Don Baker)

    JAN 28

    From Fundamentalism to the Reformed Faith (with Rev. Don Baker)

    Send us a text In this crossover episode, Jonathan is joined by his friend Rev. Don Baker—Presbyterian minister, YouTuber, and fellow former Independent Fundamentalist Baptist—for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up in Fundamentalism, wrestling with dispensationalism and King James-onlyism, and eventually embracing the Reformed faith. From Israel trips and rebaptisms in the Jordan River to covenant theology, worship, and Reformed ecclesiology, this episode explores how theology, history, and pastoral ministry intersect on the road to Presbyterianism. Links: Don Baker’s testimony / life story video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ajmKsFZJMU&feature=youtu.be A Case for Amillennialism – Kim Riddlebarger: https://a.co/d/fSja3P4 Desiring God (John Piper): https://a.co/d/goEF1No Ligonier Ministries (R.C. Sproul): https://www.ligonier.org/?srsltid=AfmBOopbmHe8H-lVfL78rGuV-_oCGCjnKDzW7lLl_4w_wmJYy-nMenMn Support the show Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!! Click here to find us everywhere!!

    1h 26m
  4. Does Preservation Require Re-Inspiration? A Critical Look at King James Onlyism

    JAN 20

    Does Preservation Require Re-Inspiration? A Critical Look at King James Onlyism

    Send us a text In this episode, I analyze Mitch Canupp’s rebuttal in the first question of the Canupp–Cravatt debate on King James Onlyism. After summarizing the structure of the debate and the opposing positions, I focus on Canupp’s central argument: that if God has preserved His Word, then that preservation must involve a re-inspired English translation—specifically, the King James Version. I evaluate this argument logically, showing that while the structure of Canupp’s reasoning may be valid, its premises are deeply flawed. I also address his attempts to cast doubt on the original biblical languages, his skepticism toward scholarly tools and lexicons, and his apparent rejection of a teaching office within the church. Along the way, I discuss the role of non-believing scholars in linguistic study, the proper place of the Holy Spirit’s illumination, and the difference between denying an infallible magisterium and denying teaching authority altogether. I conclude by explaining why the question is not whether Christians have a perfect Bible, but whether the King James Version alone can bear that claim. Support the show Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!! Click here to find us everywhere!!

    36 min
  5. Calm, Clear, and Devastating: A Masterclass in Debate | Weighed in the Balance Ep. 45

    JAN 13

    Calm, Clear, and Devastating: A Masterclass in Debate | Weighed in the Balance Ep. 45

    Send us a text What does a good theological argument actually look like? In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, I return to the 2021 debate between Nathan Cravat and Mitch Canupp—not to rehash personalities or score cheap points, but to use the debate itself as a case study in how arguments should (and should not) be made. Focusing on Cravat’s response to the opening question—“Do we have a perfect Bible today?”—I walk through what makes an argument strong: careful definitions, sound exegesis, historical awareness, logical consistency, and above all, clarity without cruelty. Along the way, we contrast this with the kinds of sloppy claims, moving goalposts, and shrinking definitions that often characterize weak positions. This episode is not an attack on individuals, nor is it a rant against the King James Version itself. Instead, it’s an exercise in discernment: learning how to recognize when an argument stands on Scripture—and when it’s propped up by rhetoric, conspiracy, or special pleading. If you care about truth, charity, and intellectual honesty—especially in theological debates—this episode is for you. Support the show Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!! Click here to find us everywhere!!

    33 min
  6. Why Weighed in the Balance Went Quiet — and What’s Coming Next

    12/26/2025

    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
  7. 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
  8. 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
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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
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Weighed in the Balance
  • Show Website
    Weighed in the Balance