Send us Fan Mail

What is the doctrine of the Trinity—and what does Scripture actually teach about it?

Before responding to anti-Trinitarian arguments, we need to establish what historic Trinitarian Christianity actually confesses. In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Jonathan lays the groundwork for next week's examination of an anti-Trinitarian presentation by walking through the biblical and historical foundations of the doctrine of the Trinity.

We begin with the foundational confession that there is one God, while also examining the biblical teaching that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct divine persons. We then consider how the New Testament develops the Old Testament revelation, particularly through the Shema and Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 8:6.

We also examine Daniel 7 and the figure of the Son of Man, considering how the passage presents a figure who is truly human yet exercises divine prerogatives and receives the kingdom of God.

Finally, we consider the importance of remembering that Jesus Christ is both truly God and truly man. The Chalcedonian Definition and Athanasian Creed provide helpful historical guardrails for understanding Christ's two natures and the Christian confession of one God in Trinity.

This episode is intended to provide the necessary background for next week's episode, where we will examine anti-Trinitarian objections and consider how a Trinitarian should respond.

If you find the episode helpful, please like the video, leave a comment, and subscribe to the channel. Those things genuinely help a small channel like this reach more people.

Come back next week as we evaluate anti-Trinitarian objections.

Support the show

Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!!

Click here to find us everywhere!!

Send us Fan Mail

Cameron Bertuzzi argues that if Protestants accept the New Testament canon, they must also accept the authority claims of the Roman Catholic Church. In this second installment, I examine that claim by looking more closely at the historical evidence.

We discuss:

• The councils of Hippo and Carthage
• Whether Rome "gave" us the New Testament canon
• Athanasius and the Old Testament canon
• The perpetual virginity of Mary
• Confession and absolution
• Priestly celibacy
• Infant baptism
• Rome as a court of appeal
• Why historical context matters when reading the Church Fathers

My argument is simple: many of the historical facts Cameron presents are true in isolation, but they are interpreted through a Roman Catholic framework that the evidence itself does not require.

If you're interested in church history, the canon of Scripture, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, or the Church Fathers, I hope this discussion is helpful.

If you enjoyed the episode, please like the video, subscribe, and join the discussion in the comments. I'd especially like to hear what early church evidence you believe presents the strongest challenge to Protestantism.

Listen to the full audio podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Support the show

Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!!

Click here to find us everywhere!!

Send us Fan Mail

For the third week, we're still asking what the doctrine of the perspicuity (clarity) of Scripture isn't.

That may sound tedious, but Turretin is doing exactly what a careful theologian should do: defining his terms before answering objections.

In this episode we finish the final two qualifications:

• Does Scripture have to be equally clear everywhere?
• Does the doctrine of Scripture's clarity eliminate pastors, preaching, study, prayer, or the ministry of the Holy Spirit?

Along the way we examine Augustine, 1 Peter 3, and why difficult passages do not undermine the Protestant doctrine of Scripture's perspicuity.

If you've wondered whether Protestants believe the Bible is "easy" or that Christians don't need teachers, this episode answers those misconceptions.

Support the show

Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!!

Click here to find us everywhere!!

Send us Fan Mail

Roman Catholic apologists often argue that Protestants cannot account for the canon of Scripture. If Scripture alone is our only infallible rule of faith, how do we know which books belong in the Bible?

In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Jonathan Brooks responds to Cameron Bertuzzi's recent challenge to Protestants on the canon of Scripture. Examining the historical evidence, the testimony of Eusebius, Origen, Athanasius, and the early church, Jonathan argues that the historical record is far more nuanced than is often presented.

Topics include:

• What Protestants actually mean by the canon of Scripture
• Why the canon is not an objection to sola Scriptura
• Eusebius' four categories of Christian writings
• The disputed books of the New Testament
• Origen's canon list
• Michael Kruger's Canon Revisited
• Why the canon does not require belief in the Roman Catholic Magisterium

This is Part 1 of a response. After recording, I realized there were several important claims in the final portion of Cameron's video that deserved additional interaction, so watch for Part 2 next week.

If you enjoy careful theological analysis, church history, and apologetics from a confessional Reformed perspective, consider subscribing.

Check out my Substack articles on the canon. Start here: https://trinitarianthoughts.substack.com/p/you-may-not-like-my-answer?r=4jx7vt

Support the show

Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!!

Click here to find us everywhere!!

Send us Fan Mail

What does the doctrine of the perspicuity of Scripture actually claim?

Continuing our study of Francis Turretin's Institutes of Elenctic Theology, we examine how Turretin carefully defines the question before defending the clarity of Scripture. Along the way, we consider Robert Bellarmine's objections, discuss why difficult passages do not undermine the doctrine, distinguish mysteries from truths necessary for salvation, and briefly compare differing views of Scripture in the PCA and the PC(USA).

This episode lays the groundwork for Turretin's positive argument by explaining exactly what the doctrine of Scripture's clarity does—and does not—teach.

Support the show

Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!!

Click here to find us everywhere!!

Send us Fan Mail

What exactly is Christian Nationalism? Is it simply a desire for Christian influence in society, or is it something more?

In this episode, Jonathan Brooks is joined by Rev. Matt Duraski to discuss one of the most debated topics in American evangelicalism. Together they examine:

• What Christian Nationalism actually is
• How it relates to theonomy
• Political liberalism vs. modern progressivism
• Whether America was founded as a Christian nation
• Why movements like Christian Nationalism appeal to many young Christians
• The biblical role of the Church in a divided culture
• Why the gospel—not political power—remains the Church's primary mission

Rather than offering partisan talking points, this conversation seeks to think carefully and biblically about the relationship between Christianity, politics, and the mission Christ has given His Church.

If you enjoy thoughtful theological conversations rooted in Scripture and the Reformed tradition, consider subscribing.

Weighed in the Balance is a podcast dedicated to examining whether popular claims can withstand careful biblical, historical, and theological scrutiny.

00:09 Journey into Reformed Theology
02:26 The Influence of Theonomy
05:20 Understanding Christian Nationalism
07:48 Defining Political Liberalism
10:02 The Complexity of Nationalism
12:43 The Dangers of Christian Nationalism
15:16 Moderation in Political Views
17:34 Historical Context of Liberalism
19:59 The Role of Christianity in Society
22:24 Critique of American Nationalism
24:55 The Balance of Faith and National Identity
35:01 Theological Foundations and Historical Context
36:47 Liberalism and Its Misconceptions
40:07 Christian Nationalism: Psychological Needs and Identity Crisis
43:13 Community and Belonging in Christian Nationalism
45:46 Reality Check: The True Nature of Christian Ministry
49:28 The Call to Love and Serve
52:43 The Dangers of Extremism in Christian Nationalism
55:47 Hope Beyond Politics: The Role of the Church
59:21 Conclusion: A Call to Genuine Faith and Action

Support the show

Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!!

Click here to find us everywhere!!

Send us Fan Mail

Roman Catholic and Protestant debates frequently become bogged down in discussions about Mary, the saints, church government, or other secondary issues. But beneath those disagreements lies a more fundamental question:

Is Scripture sufficiently clear to function as the Christian's final authority?

In this opening episode of a new series through Francis Turretin's Institutes of Elenctic Theology, we begin examining the classic Reformed doctrine of the perspicuity of Scripture. Turretin argues that while not every passage is equally easy to understand, everything necessary for salvation is clearly revealed in God's Word apart from unwritten tradition or an infallible ecclesiastical authority.

Topics include:

• The real dividing line between Rome and the Reformation
• Why Scripture's clarity matters
• Turretin's definition of perspicuity
• The work of the Holy Spirit in understanding Scripture
• The difference between difficult doctrines and essential truths
• Why this doctrine remains relevant today

Support the show

Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!!

Click here to find us everywhere!!

Send us Fan Mail

The Presbyterian Church in America recently released a pastoral letter from its Ad Interim Committee studying Christian Nationalism. Almost immediately, critics began claiming the report promotes compromise, liberalism, and even the destruction of biblical Christianity.

But does it?

In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, I read the pastoral letter, examine the historical claims being made against the PCA, and respond point-by-point to accusations that simply don't match the text.

We'll discuss:

• What the PCA study committee actually says
• Why "Christian Nationalism" is so difficult to define
• The difference between biblical political theology and extremist ideology
• The history behind the PCA's founding
• Why accuracy matters when criticizing another church

Whether you agree with every conclusion or not, Christians should care deeply about representing both Scripture and our neighbors truthfully.

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. What do you think the term "Christian Nationalism" means? Is it still a useful category, or has it become too broad to communicate clearly?

If you enjoy careful, charitable theological discussion, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode.

Support the show

Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!!

Click here to find us everywhere!!