The Daily Theologian

Ep. #11 | Timothy Berg | What is a Baptist?

In this episode, Tim Berg and I sit down once again to tackle a foundational question: What actually makes someone a Baptist? We walk through the common misconceptions—especially the popular BAPTIST acronym—and examine where those categories fall short as true defining markers. Rather than settling for surface-level distinctives, we explore a historically rooted understanding of Baptist identity grounded in doctrine, church polity, covenant membership, and confessional theology. Along the way, we clarify key terms, address widespread misunderstandings, and challenge assumptions many of us grew up with. Even if you think you already know what makes someone Baptist, the answers may surprise you—and reshape how you think about Baptist history and identity moving forward. If you call yourself a Baptist, this conversation is essential for helping you preserve theological clarity, historical integrity, and faithfulness to the convictions that shape your denominational identity.00:00:08 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okakVoeENt8&t=8s] - Intro00:06:10 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okakVoeENt8&t=370s] - Various Definitions of “Baptist”00:17:58 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okakVoeENt8&t=1078s] - The BAPTISTS Acronym 00:23:26 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okakVoeENt8&t=1406s] - Priesthood of THE Believer vs ALL Believers00:31:01 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okakVoeENt8&t=1861s] - Sacraments vs Ordinances 00:39:35 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okakVoeENt8&t=2375s] - ISTS (Finishing the Acronym)00:47:26 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okakVoeENt8&t=2846s] - Critiquing the BAPTISTS Acronym01:01:54 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okakVoeENt8&t=3714s] - Did Baptists always Immerse?01:22:37 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okakVoeENt8&t=4957s] - Various Positions on the Lord’s Supper01:41:32 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okakVoeENt8&t=6092s] - Summarizing Problems with the Acronym 01:51:38 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okakVoeENt8&t=6698s] - An Alternative Definition Rooted in History02:56:03 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okakVoeENt8&t=10563s] - Conclusion & ResourcesBIBLIOGRAPHY: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1prcURZeFplUVNOZllJUENrRU5HM0c3cmNrQXxBQ3Jtc0ttQkNqVnI3eWZ4bWRWVk5PakdCUmR3d0NzVk03V2RYRksxTkg4aTJtN1p1Y1l0Y1BzUEdieWlybzVOSTBNQmkzamVPMW5GaWRxZTVQa0RNSmRTNmlYX0dVUlRYcC1fc3RZRE9UWHcyTnBPeV9MV2U1NA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fdocument%2Fd%2F1AMs5bQXqfjZN1A55Z7_rCfbaSTmHvPYkGyN4WMAd3xs%2Fedit%3Fusp%3Dsharing&v=okakVoeENt8]

Ep. #10 | Dr. Leighton Flowers | To Whom Does God Provide Salvation?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Leighton Flowers to discuss Calvinism, Provisionism, and the long-standing theological questions surrounding divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Dr. Flowers shares his personal journey from being a committed Calvinist to becoming one of the leading voices defending a non-Calvinistic soteriology. We explore the core claims of Calvinism, Arminianism, and Pelagianism. Dr. Flowers carefully walks through Romans 9, examining how this pivotal chapter should be interpreted and he rejects its traditional Calvinistic reading. This discussion engages both the philosophical and biblical dimensions of the issue, challenging listeners to think carefully about sovereignty, grace, free will, and the nature of God’s saving provision. 00:00:08 - Introduction 00:03:47 - Journey Out of Calvinism 00:19:42 - Provisionism 00:37:28 - Calvinism 00:44:26 - Sovereignty00:54:01 - Arminianism 00:58:04 - Pelagianism 01:04:14 - Hyper-Calvinism 01:12:28 - Prevenient Grace 01:19:07 - Romans 9 01:41:41 - Resources & Closing   RESOURCES Follow Dr. Flowers on X: https://x.com/Soteriology101?s=20 [https://x.com/Soteriology101?s=20] Dr. Flowers’ Website: https://soteriology101.com [https://soteriology101.com/] Dr. Flowers’ YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@soteriology101?si=bsw_ovQeFeF7XPHs [https://youtube.com/@soteriology101?si=bsw_ovQeFeF7XPHs]  BOOKS Dr. Flowers’ Book: The Potter's Promise: A Biblical Defense of Traditional Soteriology (https://a.co/d/00c0ZL9I [https://a.co/d/00c0ZL9I]) Calvinism: A Biblical and Theological Critique by David L. Allen (https://a.co/d/08Dv1xJm [https://a.co/d/08Dv1xJm]) Liberating Romans from Reformed Captivity: A Critical Evaluation of Calvinism’s Interpretation of Paul’s Letter by David L. Allen (https://a.co/d/01VseJYU [https://a.co/d/01VseJYU]) The Spiritual Condition of Infants: A Biblical-Historical Survey and Systematic Proposal by Adam Harwood (https://a.co/d/0hKGyIo2 [https://a.co/d/0hKGyIo2]) Christian Theology: Biblical, Historical, and Systematic by Adam Harwood (https://a.co/d/09UZhAgq [https://a.co/d/09UZhAgq])

Ep. #9 | Dr. Tim Stratton | Libertarian Freedom & The Problem of Evil

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tim Stratton to discuss Molinism, libertarian free will, and why the debate over determinism is far more than a theological technicality. Dr. Stratton shares his journey from being a convinced Calvinist to becoming a Molinist, explaining the key turning points that forced him to rethink exhaustive divine determinism. We explore the philosophical foundations behind free will, the implications of different views of time, and how these ideas affect apologetics, evangelism, and even how we understand spiritual warfare, highlighting why a logically coherent theology matters for faithfully defending Christianity. 00:00:08 - Intro 00:10:51 - Theories of Time 00:34:43 - Dr. Stratton’s intro to Apologetics 00:44:18 - From MMA to Philosophy  00:58:35 - From Determinism to Libertarian Freedom 01:18:40 - Intro to The Problem of Evil  01:28:19 - Calvinism is Incompatible with God’s Love 01:41:38 - Emotional and Logical Responses 01:53:43 - Libertarian Freedom & the Problem of Evil 02:10:05 - Defining Libertarian Free Will 02:23:33 - What is Molinism? 02:39:57 - What is Middle Knowledge? 02:50:31 - Scriptural Evidence for Middle Knowledge 02:55:26 - Resources & Conclusion RESOURCES Follow Dr. Stratton on X: https://a.co/d/057cUPEj [https://a.co/d/057cUPEj]  Dr. Stratton’s Website: https://www.freethinkingministries.com [https://www.freethinkingministries.com/] Dr. Stratton’s YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@freethinkingministries?si=qJIZiwjUkTGTk3K8 [https://youtube.com/@freethinkingministries?si=qJIZiwjUkTGTk3K8]  BOOKS Dr. Stratton’s Book: Human Freedom, Divine Knowledge, and Mere Molinism: A Biblical, Historical, Theological, and Philosophical Analysis (https://a.co/d/02uqDxNz [https://a.co/d/02uqDxNz]) Faith Examined: New Arguments for Persistent Questions, Essays in Honor of Dr. Frank Turek by Clark R. Bates (https://a.co/d/0fULDN4c [https://a.co/d/0fULDN4c]) Luis de Molina: The Life and Theology of the Founder of Middle Knowledge by Kirk MacGregor (https://a.co/d/057cUPEj [https://a.co/d/057cUPEj])

Ep. #8 | Dr. Michael Svigel | A Defense of Premellinial Theology

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Michael Svigel, Chair and Professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, to discuss a biblical defense of premillennial theology. Drawing from his extensive work in patristics and church history, Dr. Svigel explains how early Christian interpretation sheds light on Revelation 20 and the millennium. We walk carefully through the key interpretive issues that divide premillennialism, amillennialism, and postmillennialism, and Dr. Svigel lays out the hermeneutical differences behind these views, arguing that a consistent historical-grammatical approach best accounts for the text. This conversation is both exegetically detailed and historically informed, offering clarity on one of the most debated areas of Christian theology. If you’ve ever wrestled with how to interpret Revelation or wondered how the early church understood the millennium, this episode will sharpen your thinking. 00:00:08 - Intro 00:02:22 - What is Mellenial Theology? 00:14:05 - Is there a number that will trigger the second coming? 00:20:45 - Interpreting Revelation 20 00:47:22 - Hermeneutical Method for Revelation 01:13:30 - Understanding Different Eschatological Views 01:23:59 - The Fathers on the Future 01:31:33 - The Rapture  01:55:37 - Books & Resources  01:59:32 - Practical Implications of Premillinialism 02:12:18 - Closing RESOURCES Dr. Svigel’s Book, The Fathers on the Future: https://a.co/d/0hUN6SaX [https://a.co/d/0hUN6SaX]  Dr. Svigel’s Website: https://fathersonthefuture.com [https://fathersonthefuture.com] Follow Dr. Svigel on X: https://x.com/Svigel?s=20 [https://x.com/Svigel?s=20]

Ep. #7 | Dir. Michael Ray Lewis | Universe Designed Film

In this episode, I talk with filmmaker Michael Ray Lewis, director of the apologetics documentary Universe Designed. Michael shares his powerful testimony of coming from atheism to faith in Christ, and how the very evidence that convinced him of God’s existence became the backbone of his film. We also discuss the greatest resistances people often have to Christianity as well as the most compelling arguments that point to God. We dive into the behind-the-scenes process of creating the film, the challenges of theatrical release, and why he believes the Christian film industry often struggles. This conversation is both inspiring and equipping—a must-listen for anyone passionate about apologetics or using media to point people to Christ. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:47 - Testimony - From Atheist to Christian 00:12:57 - Greatest Resistance to Christ 00:30:48 - Most Compelling Argument 00:43:39 - Biggest Resistance to Conversion 00:46:26 - Process of Creating the Film 00:50:02 - Theatrical Release Requirements 00:53:12 - The Problem with Angel Studios 01:02:04 - Current State of the Christian Film Industry 01:09:39 - Does the Film Affirm YEC or OEC? 01:19:27 - Alternatives to a Theatrical Release 01:21:19 - Recommended Books and Resources 01:24:14 - How to Get Better at Sharing your Faith 01:29:11 - Closing Help fund the production! (https://universedesigned.com/donate/)  Follow the progress and learn more on: The Website (https://universedesigned.com/?mc_cid=a4529020a4&mc_eid=b7180f11f4) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/universedesigned) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/universedesigned/) Youtube (https://youtube.com/@universedesigned2741) FILM DETAILS Directed by: Michael Ray Lewis Featuring: Stephen Meyer, Alisa Childers, J. Warner Wallace, Gregory Koukl, Frank Turek, Hugh Ross, Lance Waldie, Mary Jo Sharp, Allen Parr, Michael Licona, Larry Evans, Fazale Rana, Derrick Bledsoe, Jeffrey Zweerink, and Travis Dickinson Music used in the trailer: Height of the Mountain by Colossus Midnight Mystery by DeKibo RECOMMENDED BOOKS: I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Norman L. Geisler & Frank Turek (https://a.co/d/5jDeLqv)  Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Gregory Koukl (https://a.co/d/c75cU3g)