Kitchen Table Theology
Where Coffee, Conversation, and Theology Meet. During my 40 years in ministry, I’ve developed an increasing burden for what I sense to be an increase in biblical illiteracy, not only among those in our churches, but also in the young men and women entering the ministry. Conversely, I am hopeful, because I also sense a hunger from people to learn and know biblical truth and the things of God has revealed to us in Scripture. Our Kitchen Table Theology team has developed a list of over 150 doctrinal topics which I, along with one of my cohosts, Jen Denton or Tiffany Coker, examine weekly. Our goal is to educate and share biblical truth on the same level as if we were sitting at your kitchen table with a Bible and a pot of southern pecan coffee in front of us. Welcome to the table!
Kitchen Table Theology
294 How We Got Here...And Where We're Going Next
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Through our study of the Patristic Period, we’ve seen how the earliest Christians followed Jesus, defended the truth, structured the church, and lived out Scripture.
Tiffany and Pastor Jeff reflect on the most important themes from the historical theology series and how the faith of the early church continues to speak to Christians today.
They also introduce the questions that will guide the next series: Where did Scripture come from? How were the books of the Bible recognized? Why were some writings excluded? And why can we confidently trust the Bible we hold today?
Chapters:
01:40 People and Writings from the Patristic Period
We revisit early church fathers such as Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Papias, and Irenaeus, along with writings including the Didache and the Shepherd of Hermas.
03:45 Why Church History Still Matters
The earliest Christian writings reveal how believers wrestled with questions about following Christ, worship, evangelism, caring for one another, and defending the truth.
05:00 Church History as the Blueprints of the Christian Faith
The New Testament provides the foundation, while early Christian writings help us understand how believers first put biblical truth into practice.
06:05 The Early Church’s Focus on Jesus Christ
Despite suffering and theological challenges, early Christians continually returned to Christ’s death, resurrection, return, and the hope believers have in Him.
09:05 The Unchanging Mission of the Church
Cultures, buildings, technology, and methods change, but the church’s calling to preach Christ, teach Scripture, proclaim the gospel, and care for God’s people remains the same.
11:05 Did the Church Decide Which Books Belonged in the Bible?
Tiffany and Pastor Jeff explain the important distinction between creating Scripture and recognizing the authority Scripture already possessed.
13:25 What Today’s Christians Can Learn from the Early Church
The challenges faced by early believers remind Christians to remain rooted in Christ, grounded in Scripture, and faithful amid persecution, false teaching, and cultural change.
14:30 Introducing the Next Series: How Did We Get the Bible?
The next series will explore the canon of Scripture, lost books, the Gospel of Thomas, the Apocrypha, early church councils, and why Christians can trust the Bible.
“ Christianity isn’t built on myths or legends. It's rooted in historical events, faithful witness, and above all, the revelation of God to mankind.” – Pastor Jeff Cranston
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Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!