Podcast
Theologically Driven
Hosted by Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary · EN
A podcast for those who want to know God through his word and have that knowledge drive their decisions. Learn more at dbts.edu.
31episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
When Two Churches Become One: Lessons from a Church Merger w/ David Doran Jr.
6d ago00:54:30Tap to summarizePastor David Doran Jr. of Resurrection Church in Lincoln Park joins Theologically Driven to talk about leading a church through a merger. Drawing on his own experience merging two congregations in 2019, David walks through why mergers are increasingly strategic for the church, the good reasons to merge (and the good reasons not to), how to tell whether two churches are truly compatible beyond their statements of faith, and the leadership traits — humility, honesty, and hard work — the process demands. He also unpacks the dangers that derail mergers (fragmentation, reminiscing, and dithering) and offers a memorable framework for the journey: dating, engagement, and marriage. A practical, honest conversation for pastors, church planters, and seminary students. Learn more about DBTS at https://dbts.edu
Transcribe →Financial Stewardship for Pastors and Seminary Students w/ John Aloisi
2w ago00:52:35Tap to summarizeFinancial planning for pastors doesn't require a big salary—it requires a plan. In this episode of Theologically Driven, Dr. John Aloisi joins us to talk about biblical financial stewardship for pastors, ministry leaders, and seminary students. We cover the one principle that matters most (spend less than you make and invest the difference), how to calculate your net worth and cash flow, the 4% rule for retirement planning, budgeting, where we agree and disagree with Dave Ramsey, Roth IRAs vs. traditional retirement accounts, and ministry-specific issues like parsonages, housing allowances, and opting out of Social Security. Whether you're decades into ministry or just starting seminary, these practical first steps will help you steward what God has given you.Theologically Driven is a podcast of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. Learn more at dbts.edu.
Transcribe →What Happens When a Culture Kills God? with Ryan Meyer and Jeremy Pittsley
3w ago01:04:01Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Theologically Driven, we review Carl Trueman's latest book, The Desecration of Man. Following The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self and Strange New World, Trueman argues that the West's rejection of God has led to the desecration of humanity itself, since humans bear God's image. We discuss his case that our culture's problem is not disenchantment but desecration, how technology has handed us godlike power over life and death (IVF, surrogacy, genetic screening, assisted suicide), why Protestants need a more robust anthropology, and where we think the book falls short on the gospel. Theologically Driven is a podcast of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. Learn more at dbts.edu.
Transcribe →The Content of Natural Law w/ Phil Cecil
4w ago00:43:18Tap to summarizeIs God's moral law written on every human heart? In this episode of Theologically Driven, host Phil Cecil continues the discussion of natural law, walking through the key New Testament passages—the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12, Paul's sermons in Acts 14 and 17, and Romans 1, 2, and 13—including the debated question of whether Romans 2:14–15 describes believing or unbelieving Gentiles. The conversation then turns to how human depravity fits with natural law, the content of natural law (life, family, community, and religion), the five ways it can be known, and its three primary uses for the Christian life and civil society.Theologically Driven is a podcast of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. Learn more or apply at dbts.edu.
Transcribe →A Biblical Defense of Natural Law w/ Phil Cecil
Jun 2500:36:58Tap to summarizeWhat does the Bible actually say about natural law? In part two of our three-part series, host Phil Cecil and his guest make the biblical case that God has woven a real, knowable moral order into creation — one that even unbelievers can perceive.Guided by three questions (Is there an objective moral order? Has it been revealed? Can the unregenerate perceive it?), they walk through the key Old Testament texts: the ordered creation and image of God in Genesis 1–2, the universal Noahic covenant and the institution of human government in Genesis 8–9, and the wisdom-in-creation theme of Proverbs 3 and 8. Along the way they explore why capital punishment is distinct from murder, the "two governments" framework, Solomon's famous judgment between two mothers, and Old Testament unbelievers like Abimelech and Jethro who clearly grasp God's moral order. They then turn to the New Testament, beginning with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6 and what our instinctive moral reactions reveal about the law written on the heart.The discussion continues in part three next week. Theologically Driven is a podcast of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. Learn more at dbts.edu.00:00 Introduction and recap 02:24 Three guiding arguments for natural law 06:16 Genesis 1–2: an ordered, purposeful creation 09:08 The image of God and human nature 13:33 The Noahic covenant and human government (Genesis 8–9) 20:53 Wisdom in creation: Proverbs 3 and 8 26:32 Solomon's judgment and the limits of "rules" 28:52 Unbelievers who perceive moral order: Abimelech and Jethro 32:13 Turning to the New Testament: Jesus in Matthew 6 35:06 What our moral instincts reveal 36:37 Wrapping up — and a look ahead to part 3
Transcribe →Natural Law and God's Two Governments w/ Phil Cecil
Jun 1800:40:47Tap to summarizeIn part one of a series on natural law, host Phil Cecil sits down to define natural law, distinguish it from natural theology and general revelation, trace why Protestants grew suspicious of it, and explore how it fits a dispensational, two-governments view of civil and redemptive life.Learn more about DBTS at https://dbts.edu
Transcribe →Helping Someone Who Is Deconstructing Their Faith w/ Dave Marriott
Jun 1100:43:13Tap to summarizeWhat should you do when someone you love says they're "deconstructing" their faith? In this episode of Theologically Driven, host Phil Cecil sits down with Pastor Dave Marriott of Lakewood Baptist Church, whose doctoral research focused on equipping the church to respond to deconstruction and deconversion. They discuss what true conversion is, the difference between deconstruction, deconversion, and a simple doctrinal shift, the four phases that typically lead someone away from the faith, and how the stories people tell about leaving Christianity often hide the real reasons. The conversation closes with practical help for church members walking alongside a doubting friend and for pastors who want to prepare their congregations before doubts take root.Learn more about DBTS at https://dbts.edu
Transcribe →What did Paul teach about slavery? w/ Ryan Meyer
Jun 400:32:11Tap to summarizeWhat did Paul actually teach about slavery — and does it speak to modern controversies? In this episode of Theologically Driven, host Phil Cecil continues his conversation with Dr. Meyer about Paul's view of slavery in the Greco-Roman world. They examine key passages in Ephesians, Colossians, 1 Timothy, Titus, and 1 Corinthians 7 to understand what Paul commanded of both slaves and masters, whether Paul ever encouraged slaves to seek freedom, and why the gospel — not social reform — was always his primary concern. The episode also addresses how Paul's principles undermine ancient slavery from within, why modern chattel slavery and sex trafficking stand directly condemned by his teaching, and what Chrysostom's reflection from AD 400 reveals about the eternal perspective Paul wanted believers to carry into every circumstance.
Transcribe →Slavery in the Greco-Roman World w/ Ryan Meyer
May 2800:26:15Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Theologically Driven, host Phil Cecil sits down with Dr. Ryan Meyer to explore one of the most challenging topics in New Testament studies: Paul's view of slavery. Before diving into Paul's letters, Dr. Meyer lays essential groundwork by unpacking what slavery actually looked like in the first-century Greco-Roman world — and it may surprise you.Dr. Meyer explains how slavery in Paul's day differed dramatically from the race-based chattel slavery of American history. In major Roman cities, up to a third of the population were enslaved. Slaves held roles ranging from household servants to doctors, teachers, ship captains, and city officials. Slavery was primarily a legal category, not an ethnic one, and manumission by age 30 was a reasonable expectation for many urban slaves.Yet none of that softens its fundamental evil. As Dr. Meyer puts it, what makes all slavery wrong — ancient or modern — is one image bearer owning another.This episode helps listeners avoid two common errors: minimizing how bad slavery was in order to defend Paul, or reading first-century texts through a purely modern lens. It's an honest, careful look at the historical context every reader of Paul's letters needs.
Transcribe →A History of the Reformation Part 2 w/ John Aloisi
May 2100:20:46Tap to summarizeToday on the podcast, we welcome Dr. John Aloisi to talk about the Protestant Reformation. Learn more about DBTS at https://dbts.edu
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