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What is worship, and who decides how it should be done? In this episode, Jonathan Brooks and Ryan Biese discuss the biblical definition of worship, the regulative principle, and how modern evangelical practices compare to historic Reformed theology.

00:00 Introduction and General Assembly discussion
12:55 What is worship? Definition and biblical meaning
16:28 Creation and redemption as grounds for worship
21:27 Normative principle of worship explained
25:55 Regulative principle of worship explained
28:16 Nadab and Abihu and unauthorized worship
29:54 Jeroboam, the golden calves, and false worship
33:21 How worship declines when not regulated by Scripture
37:49 Modern evangelical worship and emotionalism
39:47 Worship as response to objective truth

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In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, I respond to Mitch Canupp’s speech from the King James Only debate. His argument raises familiar claims about King James I, Westcott and Hort, and textual variants in modern Bible translations—but do those claims actually address the question being debated?

We examine key passages such as John 7:8, Matthew 5:22, 1 Timothy 3:16, and the Comma Johanneum (1 John 5:7), and discuss how textual criticism works, what manuscript evidence exists, and why no central doctrine of Christianity depends on a disputed variant.

My goal is not to attack individuals, but to evaluate arguments carefully, honestly, and in light of the best available evidence.

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In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, we return to the 2021 debate between Mitch Canup and Nathan Cravat to examine the second major question:

Which Bible on the market today contains the words of God?

This question gets to the heart of the King James Only controversy and the doctrine of Scripture itself. If God has preserved His Word—as Christians confess—where do we find it today? Is it confined to one English translation, or is God’s Word preserved in the original languages and faithfully conveyed through accurate translations?

In this episode, we carefully analyze Cravat’s opening argument, including:

• What it means to call a translation “the Word of God”
• Whether all translations are created equal
• How textual variants actually affect the New Testament
• The difference between preservation and re-inspiration
• Why less than 1% of textual variants meaningfully impact the text

We also discuss the importance of evidence, manuscript history, and theological consistency when evaluating claims about Bible preservation.

If you’re interested in careful, charitable theological discussion—especially on issues like Bible translation, textual criticism, and KJV-Onlyism—you’re in the right place.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments:
Do you believe only one translation can rightly be called God’s Word? Why or why not?

👍 Like & subscribe if you find thoughtful theological analysis helpful.
🔔 New episodes released weekly.

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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 Scripture
• How definitions of baptism shape the entire discussion
• Colossians 2 and the relationship between baptism and circumcision
• Covenant theology and the inclusion of believers’ children
• Why the absence of one specific verse changed my mind

My 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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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