This episode is a conversation with Dr. Erik Lundeen of Christ Our Redeemer Seminary. We discuss the literal sense in the Reformation era (3:49), Christian and Jewish commentaries’ impact on the Reformation (13:35), Calvin and other Reformers as bridges to the modern period (34:11), and more. Read Erik’s book . Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary , which seek to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education through ...
Aug 03, 2025•58 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Kelly Kapic of Covenant College. We discuss productivity in Christianity and according to the world (2:21), theological anthropology and the good life (4:17), Chalcedonian Christology and our humanity (8:17), dealing with friendship, sexuality, and relationships in a fallen world (15:24), healthy time management and productivity (31:55), and more. Check out Kelly’s books . Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary , which ...
Jul 08, 2025•43 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. James Wood of Redeemer University. We discuss postliberal political theory (3:56), the church’s witness in the world (22:49), Christian nationalism and church/state relations (40:19), and more. Check out James’s podcast, The Civitas Podcast . Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary , which seek to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education through seminars with close, one-on-on...
Jun 16, 2025•1 hr 8 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. David Hogg of Phoenix Seminary. We discuss studying medieval theology before it was cool (2:42), the relationship between Nicaea and the Medieval period (9:43), the papacy in Christian history (19:25), the relationship between the Reformation and the Medieval period (27:41), what evangelicals can learn from the Medieval period (34:14), and more. Check out his book on Anselm of Canterbury . This episode is sponsored by Logos . Try the newest version for fre...
May 27, 2025•43 min
This episode is a repost of our conversation with Dr. Matthew Levering of Mundelein Seminary. We discuss becoming a Christian and his path to Catholicism (4:40), major doctrines Catholics and Protestants agree on (14:22), what Catholics believe about justification by faith (15:50), the veneration of Mary (22:13), and the role and authority of the Pope (40:15), the necessity of the Reformation and where we can find unity among disagreement (55:06), and more. Buy Matthew’s books . *Note: Dr. Lever...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 11 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Steven Duby of Phoenix Seminary. We discuss writing a theological commentary with various disciplines involved (2:30), insights from biblical studies and authorial intent(s) (9:50); history of interpretation and theological debates in Habakkuk (16:54); tips for preaching Habakkuk (39:40), and more. Buy Steven’s new commentary on Habakkuk . Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary , which seeks to blend the best of America...
Mar 31, 2025•45 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Matthew Emerson of Oklahoma Baptist University. We discuss paedobaptism and catholicity, changing liturgy in the church, Baptists and the state, and more. Buy Matt’s new book with Luke Stamps, The Baptist Vision . This episode is sponsored by Logos . Try the newest version for free for two months(!): www.logos.com/cg . Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary , which seeks to blend the best of American and British program...
Mar 07, 2025•58 min
This episode is a conversation with Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P. of the Angelicum. We discuss biblical and theological interpretation in the 20th century (2:32), the relationship between literal and spiritual senses in interpreting Exodus (12:33), metaphysics and Scripture (34:56), Catholic-Protestant dialogue (47:44), and more. Buy Fr. Thomas Joseph’s commentary . This episode is sponsored by Logos . Try the newest version for free for two months(!): www.logos.com/cg . Church Grammar is presen...
Feb 11, 2025•56 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Scott Williams of the University of North Carolina–Asheville. We discuss divine self-knowledge (3:30), Nicaea and the Trinity in the Sixth Ecumenical Council (36:02), Henry of Ghent’s contribution to trinitarian theology (58:30), and more. Read Scott’s book and visit his website . This episode is sponsored by Logos . Try the newest version for free for two months(!): www.logos.com/cg . Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Semi...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 7 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Samuel Emadi of Hunsinger Lane Baptist Church. We discuss Joseph in the history of interpretation (4:44), Joseph in biblical theology and typology (9:59), advice for preaching (48:31), and more. Read Samuel’s books . This episode is sponsored by Logos . Try the newest version for free for two months(!): www.logos.com/cg . Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary , which seeks to blend the best of American and British prog...
Jan 08, 2025•54 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Rhyne Putman of Williams Baptist University. We discuss the importance of Jesus's genealogies and his role as the "virgin-born king" (3:48), the virgin birth in the Christian tradition (11:54), the biblical and theological importance of the virgin birth (14:31), Protestants and Mary (22:42), the importance of the virgin birth today (30:20), and more. Buy Rhyne's books. This episode is sponsored by Logos. Try the newest version for free for two months(!): w...
Dec 12, 2024•41 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Ryan Fields of Faith Evangelical Free Church. We discuss becoming a free church pastor (2:14), a definition of catholicity (7:02), a definition of and argument for a free church (11:38), catholicity in the free church (24:43), the local and eschatological implications of catholicity (37:37), and more. Buy Ryan's book. Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP Academic, 2022), The Biblical Trinity (Lexham, 2023), The Trini...
Oct 17, 2024•48 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. We discuss his new book on hermeneutics (2:24), reflections on decades of studying hermeneutics (26:57), issues that still need to be tackled in the study of hermeneutics (35:36), and more. Buy Kevin's books. Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP Academic, 2022), The Biblical Trinity (Lexham, 2023), The Trinity in the Canon (B&H Academic, 2023), and Taught by...
Aug 01, 2024•43 min
This episode is a conversation with Winston Hottman originally posted at the Center for Baptist Renewal podcast. We discuss Athanasius's Life of Antony and two works by Gregory of Nyssa: The Life of Moses and The Life of Macrina. Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP Academic, 2022), The Biblical Trinity (Lexham, 2023), The Trinity in the Canon (B&H Academic, 2023), and Taught by God: Ancient Hermeneutics for the Modern Church (B&H Academic, 2024). ...
Jul 10, 2024•50 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Stephen Presley of the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Dr. Ched Spellman of Cedarville University. We discuss all things Irenaeus of Lyons, including his cultural and ecclesiological context (2:30), big picture themes in his writings (7:30), the rule of faith then and now (12:53), parallels between the second century and today's society (46:44), and more. Buy Stephen's books and Ched's books. Ch...
May 27, 2024•52 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Thomas Schreiner of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He returns to discuss the Book of Revelation, including why he wrote his new commentary (2:12), recapitulation and symbolism in the book (6:12), the book's relationship to related extrabiblical material (15:36), authorship of the book (22:27), a fresh take on the millennium (29:31), and more. Buy Tom's books. Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP Academic,...
Jan 08, 2024•1 hr
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Daniel Treier of Wheaton College. We discuss Christology in Scripture and the Christian Tradition (2:20), Christology and communion with God (11:18), union with Christ and adoption (21:43), the incarnation and its implications (24:45), Christ and his relationship to the Holy Spirit (31:34), the relationship between Christ's two natures (37:57), Christ and catholicity in the church (45:26), and more. Buy Dan's books. Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Tr...
Dec 12, 2023•50 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Ross Inman of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. We discuss his journey into philosophy (1:58), a definition for philosophy as a way of life (7:58), the practicality of philosophy (or lack thereof) (12:36), the relationship between philosophy, theology, and biblical interpretation (33:58), and more. Buy Ross's books. Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP Academic, 2022), The Biblical Trinity (Lexham, 2023), an...
Nov 08, 2023•49 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Craig Bartholomew of the Kirby Laing Centre and Dr. Heath Thomas of Oklahoma Baptist University. We discuss a theological reading of the Minor Prophets (1:27), problems with interpreting the Minor Prophets (16:40), Jesus and Jonah (22:36), the Trinity in the OT and the Minor Prophets (30:24), and more. Buy their new book, The Minor Prophets: A Theological Introduction (IVP Academic, 2023). Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revela...
Oct 18, 2023•40 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Kyle Strobel of Talbot School of Theology and Dr. Zachary Bowden of Cedarville University. We discuss Jonathan Edwards on the Trinity and creation (2:24), salvation and the Christian life (23:46), slaveholding (39:07), and more. Buy Kyle's books and read Zachary's contribution to Historical Theology for the Church. Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP Academic, 2022), The Biblical Trinity (Lexham, 2023), and The Trin...
Sep 13, 2023•57 min
This episode is a repost of a conversation with Dr. Fred Sanders of Biola University. We discuss the names for the Holy Spirit in Scripture (2:16), the seeming "silence" of the Spirit in major moments in the biblical narrative (5:17), the Spirit in the OT (15:40), the Trinity in salvation (20:34), theological retrieval (24:30), the Trinity and theological education (31:30), and more. Buy Fred's books. Church Grammar is presented by B&H Academic and the Christian Standard Bible. Intro music: ...
Jul 21, 2023•37 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Todd Hains of Lexham Press. We discuss what the Reformation was all about (4:28), Luther's relationship to the church fathers and the rule of faith (15:44), Luther's interpretive instincts and his doctrine of the Word (35:02), Lutheranism's contribution to the church today (59:42), and more. Buy Todd's books. Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP Academic, 2022) and The Biblical Trinity (Lexham, 2023). Church Grammar ...
Jul 07, 2023•1 hr 11 min
This episode is a conversation with Collin Hansen of The Gospel Coalition. We discuss writing a book about Tim Keller during his last days (1:41), his major influences (13:25), projecting his legacy (27:07), lessons from his life and ministry (32:50), and more. Buy Collin's books. Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP Academic, 2022) and The Biblical Trinity (Lexham, 2023). Church Grammar is presented by the Christian Standard Bible and Cedarville Universit...
Jun 20, 2023•54 min
This episode is a repost of a conversation with Dr. Lynn Cohick of Houston Christian University. We discuss becoming a scholar (5:30), the present and future of the United Methodist Church (9:40), being a female scholar in evangelicalism (14:15), women in the early church (38:30), and more. Buy Lynn's books. Check out Brandon’s new book: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation: Seeing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in John’s Apocalypse (IVP Academic, 2022). You can also preorder his next one, The Bi...
May 03, 2023•45 min
This episode is a conversation with Fr. John Behr of the University of Aberdeen. We discuss his transition from St. Vladimir's Seminary to the University of Aberdeen (2:35), how to read John's Gospel (4:00), the authorship of John's Gospel (9:13), John as "the high priest of Pascha" (16:22), the relationship between the Gospel accounts of the Lord's Supper (27:00), the fuller meaning of "it is finished" (28:44), and recovering the ancient Easter (52:45). Buy John's books. Check out Brandon’s new...
Apr 07, 2023•59 min
This episode is a short talk based on my post at the Center for Baptist Renewal, "The Trinity and Blaspheming the Holy Spirit." Read it here. Check out Brandon’s new book: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation: Seeing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in John’s Apocalypse (IVP Academic, 2022). You can also preorder his next one, The Biblical Trinity. Church Grammar is presented by the Christian Standard Bible and Cedarville University’s Graduate School. Intro music: Purple Dinosaur by nobigdyl. Produ...
Mar 27, 2023•11 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Daniel Treier of Wheaton College. We discuss sports heroes (3:29), defining evangelical theology (6:16), the Nicene Creed and theological method (9:10); the Ten Commandments as moral formation (12:00), the Lord’s Prayer as spiritual formation (14:16), the Trinitarian shape of theology (19:00), and more. Buy Dan’s books. Check out Brandon’s new book: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation: Seeing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in John’s Apocalypse (IVP Academi...
Feb 01, 2023•34 min
Today's episode features a discussion about my new book with Madison Pierce of Western Theological Seminary. You can purchase the book here and also preorder my next one, The Biblical Trinity, here. Church Grammar is presented by the Christian Standard Bible and Cedarville University's Graduate School. Intro music: Purple Dinosaur by nobigdyl. Producer: Katie Larson. Brandon D. Smith is Assistant Professor of Theology & New Testament at Cedarville University, a co-founder of the Center for B...
Jan 16, 2023•47 min
This episode is a conversation with Fr. Thomas Weinandy. We discuss the making of the Jesus Becoming Jesus series (1:50), the Synoptic Gospels' contribution to Christology and Trinitarian theology (11:14), Christology and Trinitarian theology in John's Gospel (22:49), immutability and impassibility in the incarnation (42:50), and more. Read Thomas's books. Check out Brandon's new book: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation: Seeing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in John's Apocalypse (IVP Academic, ...
Jan 02, 2023•56 min
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Trevin Wax of the North American Mission Board. We discuss our years serving and podcasting together (2:32), the definition of orthodoxy (6:13), the inclusivity of orthodoxy and the exclusivity of heresy (10:08), orthodoxy and cultural engagement (24:28). Buy Trevin's books and his new podcast, Reconstructing Faith. Church Grammar is presented by the Christian Standard Bible and Cedarville University's Graduate School. Intro music: Purple Dinosaur by nobig...
Dec 01, 2022•53 min
