Truth Unites - podcast cover

Truth Unites

Gavin Ortlundwww.truthunites.org
Truth Unites promotes gospel assurance through theological depth. Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) serves as President of Truth Unites and Theologian-in-Residence at Immanuel Church. Support: https://truthunites.org/donate/ https://www.patreon.com/truthunites

Episodes

Buddhism: A Christian Response

In  this video I offer a Christian response to Buddhism, focusing on the way  each religion responds to the same fundamental human question, but with  a diametrically different answer. Truth Unites is a mixture of apologetics and theology, with an irenic focus. Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai. SUPPORT: Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/truthunites One time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/trut...

Jan 07, 202223 min

Response to Trent Horn on Purgatory

In this video I respond to Trent Horn's response to my video on  purgatory. I address (1) how Trent frames the discussion, (2) his  distinction between the "core essence" and "secondary details" of  purgatory, and then (3) the evidence from church history, particularly  the church fathers, demonstrating that even the minimal conception of  postmortem cleansing is not universal (or anywhere close to it)  throughout church history. See Trent's video here: https://www....

Jan 07, 20221 hr 1 min

Existentialism: A Christian Response

In this video I offer a Christian response to existentialism, especially focusing on the writings of Albert Camus. Truth Unites is a mixture of apologetics and theology, with an irenic focus. Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai. SUPPORT: Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/truthunites One time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/truthunites FOLLOW: Twitter: https://twitter.com/gavinortlund Facebook: https://www.faceb...

Dec 23, 202121 min

Why Shepherds? Christmas Devotional

Here is a Christmas devotional about the humility of God displayed in  the incarnation, as seen through the angels' appearance to the shepherds  in Luke 2. Truth Unites is a mixture of apologetics and theology, with an irenic focus. Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai. SUPPORT: Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/truthunites One time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/truthunites FOLLOW: Twitter: https://t...

Dec 23, 20215 min

Baptists Are Retrieving the Great Tradition (With Matt Emerson and Luke Stamps)

Here I talk with Matt Emerson and Luke Stamps about the exciting work of the Center for Baptist Renewal, why it is important for Baptists to engage in theological retrieval, whether Baptists can have a high view of the sacraments, and more.  Check out the Center for Baptist Renewal: http://www.centerforbaptistrenewal.com/ Check out the book Matt and Luke edited, Baptists and the Christian Tradition: https://www.amazon.com/Baptists-Christian-Tradition-Evangelical-Catholicity/dp/1433650614 Tr...

Dec 15, 20211 hr 4 min

Christ's Intercession: A Neglected Doctrine

Christ's intercession is one of the most nourishing and simultaneously  most neglected doctrines in Christian theology. In this video I give an  overview of what it means and then recount three practical uses of the  doctrine. The thumbnail picture is from "Christ in the Garden of  Gethsemane" by Arkhip Ivanovich Kuindzhi.    The article referenced in the video:  https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/the-voice-of-his-blood-christs-intercession-in...

Dec 13, 202122 min

Purgatory: A Protestant Perspective

Roman Catholic apologists often appeal to church history to support  Catholic teaching concerning purgatory. Many Protestants are less  familiar with church history on this question, and tend to focus on  making biblical arguments. In this video I offer an overview of a  Protestant perspective on purgatory, putting special focus on the  development of this doctrine throughout church history. Truth Unites is a mixture of apologetics and theology, with an irenic focus. Gav...

Dec 07, 20211 hr 17 min

Get To Know Suan Sonna

Suan Sonna has become a friend of mine since our debate on the papacy at  Capturing Christianity. He is a brilliant and kind young Catholic  apologist. I found it fascinating to pick his brain about his life,  faith, intellectual development, and theological insights. My favorite  quote came from 53:32: "God is such a deep mystery, and it's a mystery  that never stops giving." Beautiful!  Subscribe to Suan's YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCN...

Nov 28, 20211 hr 11 min

Response to Lofton and Little on Augustine

In  this video I respond to criticisms from Michael Lofton and Keith Little concerning my proposal that Augustine affirmed the Protestant notion of  sola Scriptura. The page number for the Henry May citation is 52. Truth Unites is a mixture of apologetics and theology, with an irenic focus. Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai. SUPPORT: Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/truthunites One time donation: https://www...

Nov 26, 202134 min

Why I Wrote a Book on Whether God Exists

In this video I share about my new book, Why God Makes Sense in a World that Doesn't: The Beauty of Christian Theism.   You can order the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Makes-Sense-World-That-Doesnt-ebook/dp/B08XLT3HP7 Truth Unites is a mixture of apologetics and theology, with an irenic focus. Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai. SUPPORT: Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/truthunites One time donation: http...

Nov 24, 202126 min

The Waldensians: Forerunners of the Reformation

People sometimes claim that Protestant views were new to the 16th  century, but in fact there were many proto-Protestant groups throughout  the medieval era that anticipated Protestant concerns. Here I give an  overview of one such group, the Waldensians, followers of Peter Waldo  (12th century). I cove a bit of their history and some of the  persecutions they faced, and then a bit of their theology. Truth Unites is a mixture of apologetics and theology, with an irenic f...

Nov 24, 202122 min

Did Augustine Affirm Sola Scriptura?

In this video I suggest that St. Augustine affirmed the essential content of the Protestant notion of sola Scriptura--that is, the view that the Bible alone is the infallible rule for Christian faith and  practice. I first offer a plea not to caricature sola Scriptura, and then work through three passages in Augustine's writings. Finally, I point to similar support of sola Scriptura in John Chrysostom. Truth Unites is a mixture of apologetics and theology, with an irenic focus. Gavin O...

Nov 24, 202126 min

On Owen Strachan, William Lane Craig, and the Historical Adam

William Lane Craig's recent treatment of the historical Adam generated  some critical feedback, but much of it rests upon a misunderstanding of  Bill's position. Here I respond to Owen Strachan's critique.   Bill's article: https://www.firstthings.com/article/2021/10/the-historical-adam  Owen's critique: https://owenstrachan.substack.com/p/a-response-to-william-lane-craig?justPublished=true  Bill's book: https://www.amazon.com/Quest-Historical-Adam-Scientific-Exploration...

Nov 24, 202115 min

The Lord's Supper: A Reformed View

The Lord's Supper (or the Eucharist) is one of the chief points of division among Christians of different church traditions. Protestants are often seen as having a lower view of the Lord's Supper, in contrast to the non-Protestant traditions. But historical Protestant views are more complicated. Here I offer an overview of a Reformed view of the Lord's Supper, drawing from five observations of Thomas Watson's helpful book on this topic. Truth Unites is a mixture of apologetics and theology, with...

Nov 23, 202120 min

Response to Critics: Augustine on Scripture

In this video I respond to various reactions to my previous video on Augustine and sola Scriptura. I explain why I'm responding, and then canvas Augustine's views of Scripture, tradition, and the church. See the original video here: https://youtu.be/Q6ZAa0gNMvE Truth Unites is a mixture of apologetics and theology, with an irenic focus, hosted by Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) author and Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai. SUPPORT: Become a Patreon: https://www.patre...

Nov 17, 202127 minSeason 1Ep. 4

Relics: A Protestant Critique

One of the issues that divides Catholics and Protestants is the veneration of relics. But many people are unfamiliar with the exact nature of the Protestant concern. Here I try to lay out a basic overview of what motivates Protestants on this topic. Truth Unites is a mixture of apologetics and theology, with an irenic focus, hosted by Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) author and Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai. SUPPORT: Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/truth...

Nov 10, 202129 minSeason 1Ep. 1

An Orthodox Priest Becomes an Evangelical Pastor

Rev. Joshua Schooping shares his journey from being an Orthodox Priest to becoming an evangelical Protestant pastor. Truth Unites is a mixture of apologetics and theology, with an irenic focus, hosted by Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) author and Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai. SUPPORT: Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/truthunites | One time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/truth... FOLLOW: Twitter: https://twitter.com/gavinortlund Facebook: http...

Nov 10, 20211 hr 10 minSeason 1Ep. 2

William Lane Craig Defends His View on the Historical Adam

In this interview William Lane Craig explains his views concerning the historical Adam and Eve, the proper interpretation of Genesis 1-11, and how Christians should respond to scientific claims concerning human origins. He also responds to some common questions about his new book on the historical Adam.   See Craig's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Quest-Historic... Also referenced is Jack Collins' book Reading Genesis Well: https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Genesi...   Truth Unites is ...

Nov 10, 202145 minSeason 1Ep. 3