Tag: persecution

671. Lost 1k Subs When I Quit Teaching the Deity of Christ, Then God Showed Up (Knieshia)

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

When Knieshia came to question the doctrine of the Trinity, she had to make a decision. After she did the Bible study, she knew Jesus wasn’t God. She took a step of faith and began teaching her new understanding of the human Jesus. Overnight, she lost 500 subscribers on her YouTube channel. In time that Read more about 671. Lost 1k Subs When I Quit Teaching the Deity of Christ, Then God Showed Up (Knieshia)[…]

654. The Plight of a Restorationist (Matt Lovegrove)

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

Many Bible-believing churches are ridged keepers of tradition. They have a statement of faith, a historic confession, or old creeds that determine what people should and should not believe. There’s very little space for people to genuinely ask questions, investigate competing doctrines, and honestly change their minds over time. Today I’m speaking with Matt Lovegrove Read more about 654. The Plight of a Restorationist (Matt Lovegrove)[…]

653. Why I’m Convinced That Jesus Is the Human Messiah (Paul Robson)

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

Paul Robson was an upstanding Christian leader in a Bible-believing church when his friend upended his world by revealing that he no longer believed the Trinity was biblically true. Although Robson initially reacted negatively to such a departure from the norm, he eventually came to change his mind based on a thorough study of Scripture. Read more about 653. Why I’m Convinced That Jesus Is the Human Messiah (Paul Robson)[…]

650. Restoration Theology 16: Restoration Theology Can Change the World

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

This episode is part of the Restoration Theology class. Today is our last episode in our Restoration Theology class. Believe it or not, not everyone thinks restorationism is great. In fact, most Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, are against restorationism, preferring the confessional approach. Have you started to face objections and dismissive language when you Read more about 650. Restoration Theology 16: Restoration Theology Can Change the World[…]

626. Heroes of Faith: Esther (Sean Finnegan)

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

Heroes of Faith Series The book of Esther tells the story of a tragedy turned into a miraculous deliverance. But even more than that, it teaches us about courage. There are times in life when remaining faithful to God may cost you everything. What will you do if you find yourself in that kind of Read more about 626. Heroes of Faith: Esther (Sean Finnegan)[…]

552 Seminary Convinced Me the Trinity Is Wrong (Susanne Lakin)

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

From her childhood in a Jewish family to a 7-year stint with the Jehovah’s Witnesses to attending evangelical churches, Susanne Lakin never felt comfortable with the doctrine of the Trinity. She signed up to attend Phoenix Seminary, a conservative evangelical school, thinking they would help her finally get to the bottom of it. She was Read more about 552 Seminary Convinced Me the Trinity Is Wrong (Susanne Lakin)[…]

549 Read the Bible for Yourself 16: How to Read Revelation

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

This is part 16 of the Read the Bible For Yourself. Revelation is a complicated book of the Bible. It contains some of the most incredible and awe-inspiring descriptions of God’s throne room and the final paradise on earth. It also describes sinister mayhem, wanton destruction, and toe-curling persecution. How can we make sense of Read more about 549 Read the Bible for Yourself 16: How to Read Revelation[…]

545 Read the Bible for Yourself 12: How to Read Acts

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

This is part 12 of the Read the Bible For Yourself. Acts is an action-packed book full of excitement and wonder. We learn about the early expansion of the Church from a small group of ragged Christ-followers to dozens of house churches throughout major cities in the Mediterranean world. How did Christianity “go public”? The Read more about 545 Read the Bible for Yourself 12: How to Read Acts[…]

516 Sean Finnegan on Restoring Authentic Christianity (Tom Huszti)

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts Recently Tom Huszti interviewed me for his YouTube channel, the Unitarian Anabaptist. We talked about the importance of geography, archeology, and Greco-Roman history for interpreting the bible, especially the New Testament. Next we delved into early church history, starting with the earliest forms of Jewish Christianity Read more about 516 Sean Finnegan on Restoring Authentic Christianity (Tom Huszti)[…]

514 Aphrahat and Early Persian Christianity (Sam Tideman)

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

Although he’s one of the lesser known Christian authors of the fourth century, Aphrahat is extremely important for our understanding of early Persian Christianity prior to the advent of Islam in the region. Amazingly a full-length book of his survives, called The Demonstrations. In today’s interview I ask about Aphrahat’s beliefs in general and his Read more about 514 Aphrahat and Early Persian Christianity (Sam Tideman)[…]

503 Early Church History 21: The Dual Natures Controversy of the Fifth Century

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

This is part 21 of the Early Church History class. In the fifth century Christians waged a theological civil war that ended in a massive church split. The issue was over the dual natures of Christ. How was he both divine and human? Did he have a human soul and a divine soul? Did his Read more about 503 Early Church History 21: The Dual Natures Controversy of the Fifth Century[…]

490 Early Church History 10: Persecution of Early Christians

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

This is part 10 of the Early Church History class. The Roman government persecuted Christians for the first three centuries. In this episode, you’ll learn about various persecutions that flared up during the reigns of Trajan, Marcus Aurelius, Decius, Valerian, and Diocletian. We’ll also cover why Romans both despised and feared Christianity. Learning about the Read more about 490 Early Church History 10: Persecution of Early Christians[…]

488 Early Church History 8: Origen of Alexandria

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This is part 8 of the Early Church History class. Origen of Alexandria is the man behind the curtain. Although few Christians today would recognize his name, most denominations are still on a trajectory he initiated eighteen hundred years ago. His influences in theology, christology, eschatology, apologetics, textual criticism, asceticism, hermeneutics, and Christian philosophy are Read more about 488 Early Church History 8: Origen of Alexandria[…]

486 Early Church History 6: Apologists & Heresy Hunters

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

This is part 6 of the Early Church History class. In the latter half of the second century, two kinds of Christians arose to defend the faith. On the one hand, apologists wrote defenses of Christianity directed at the Roman government. They responded to rumors, arguing that Christians were decent people who should be shown Read more about 486 Early Church History 6: Apologists & Heresy Hunters[…]

481 Early Church History 1: Christianity in the First Century

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

This is part 1 of the Early Church History class. Introducing Early Church History Get answers to questions, like: Did early Christians prophecy and perform miracles? How do I research church history for myself? How did heaven replace paradise on earth? What happened to the Jewish Christians? How did the Trinity become mainstream? How did Read more about 481 Early Church History 1: Christianity in the First Century[…]

478 Unitarian Anabaptist (Tom Huszti)

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

When COVID first broke out many endeavored to put their extra time to good use. Tom Huszti began listening to podcasts. He was intensely curious about theology. Huszti came to question several key beliefs he had imbibed as a lifelong Anabaptist, living in rural Ohio. Eventually he saw that the church’s God and the bible’s Read more about 478 Unitarian Anabaptist (Tom Huszti)[…]

436 Salt and Light (Sean Finnegan)

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

In a world where self-identifying as a Christ-follower draws criticism, exclusion, and persecution, it’s important for us to remember the words of our Lord. He said we are salt and we are light. But, what does it mean to be salty and shining? In this message, my hope is that you’ll be challenged to stick Read more about 436 Salt and Light (Sean Finnegan)[…]

Salt & Light

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

We live in a challenging and draining time. The stock market is at a record high while many small businesses have closed permanently and those that remain are stymied by short staffing. Inflation is on the rise, supply shortages abound, and real-estate prices have skyrocketed. Additionally, societal problems continue to plague us from mass shootings Read more about Salt & Light[…]

367 Excommunicated for My Beliefs (Sam)

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

Sam who asked me not to use his last name for fear that he will get kicked out of his current church, tells his story of navigating evangelical Christianity as a biblical unitarian. He shares two sad stories of excommunication from a college ministry and a local church. As you might suspect, this harsh treatment Read more about 367 Excommunicated for My Beliefs (Sam)[…]

Facing Anxiety

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

Anxiety is on the rise in America.  Anxiety disorders afflict an astounding 40 million adults in the United States today according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.  Keeping in mind that these include only those with official diagnoses. The actual number of those vexed by chronic anxiety is likely much higher.  Beyond these Read more about Facing Anxiety[…]

135 The Fate of the Apostles (Sean McDowell)

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

Have you ever heard the martyrdom argument for the resurrection of Jesus?  It goes something like this.  Jesus’ apostles faced persecution and martyrdom for their confession that God raised Jesus from the dead, sealing their witness with their blood.  Why would they die for a lie?  Their martyrdom unequivocally proves that they sincerely believed in Read more about 135 The Fate of the Apostles (Sean McDowell)[…]

122 Reformations on the Continent (Five Hundred 7)

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

Zooming out, this episode casts a wide net to summarize how the movement started by Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin affected Europe over the next century. We’ll see how the Reformation took root in Germany, Scandinavia, and the Netherlands while simultaneously failing to find fertile ground in France, especially among those in power. Lastly, we’ll consider Read more about 122 Reformations on the Continent (Five Hundred 7)[…]

121 The Socinian Movement (Five Hundred 6)

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

In the 1500s scholars in northern Italy began questioning the traditional doctrine of the Trinity. Before long the Inquisition forced these burgeoning Italian biblical unitarians to flee, resulting in the spread of their ideas to other parts of Europe. The two most significant groups that emerged were the Polish Brethren and the Unitarian Church of Read more about 121 The Socinian Movement (Five Hundred 6)[…]

Podcast 62: Is the New Testament Trustworthy? (Apologetics 12)

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

Apologetics 12: New Testament Trustworthiness For the New Testament we can employ several of the same lines of reasoning as the Old Testament, though there are a couple more to consider like internal evidence and messianic prophecies that help bolster the case. Furthermore, many people’s lives have been changed by reading and believing the words Read more about Podcast 62: Is the New Testament Trustworthy? (Apologetics 12)[…]

Interview 6: Dale Tuggy’s Journey

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

In this interview with philosopher Dr. Dale Tuggy, I ask him questions about his personal spiritual journey.  Dr. Tuggy is an analytic philosopher who works on world religions and the doctrine of the Trinity.  He’s a tenured professor of philosophy at the State University of New York at Fredonia.  Furthermore, he runs a popular website Read more about Interview 6: Dale Tuggy’s Journey[…]

Podcast 37: Olivet Discourse (Historical Jesus 13)

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

Historical Jesus 13: Olivet Discourse Did Jesus predict the destruction of the Temple in a.d. 70?  Did he predict the end of the world?  Learn about Jesus’ Olivet Discourse and discover what he said about false Christs, persecution, the abomination of desolation, and the coming of the son of man. Course notes are available here.

Podcast 31: Disciples of Jesus (Historical Jesus 7)

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Historical Jesus 7: Disciples of Jesus What does Jesus expect of his followers?  What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?  What is the cost of discipleship?  Join me as I work through what Jesus said about his expectations and requirements of his disciples as well as the rewards he promises.  This is Read more about Podcast 31: Disciples of Jesus (Historical Jesus 7)[…]

Rico Tice on Persecution and Evangelism 2

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

Although, Tice’s book on evangelism leaves much to be desired, I found this quote sobering: When he sent his disciples out on their own for the first time to tell others about him, here’s how he described their mission: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.” (Matthew 10 v 16) That’s what Jesus Read more about Rico Tice on Persecution and Evangelism 2[…]

Rico Tice on Persecution and Evangelism

Posted on by Sean Finnegan

“There may not be persecution, but we’re in a culture of growing hostility to Christianity.  It’s not just apathy we face–it’s antipathy.  Many people really don’t like the gospel.  Sometimes they express that politely, sometimes not politely at all; but they don’t like it.  This shouldn’t really surprise us.  Think how incendiary much what we Read more about Rico Tice on Persecution and Evangelism[…]