White Horse Inn – Theology Q&A: Jonathan Edwards, Dispensationalism, Infant Baptism, and More

February 1, 2026 | Hosts: Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Bob Hiller, Walter R. Strickland II

Episode Overview

In this lively Q&A roundtable, the White Horse Inn crew responds to listener questions and comments drawn from their online platforms. The conversation covers a range of theological topics—ranging from the legacy of Jonathan Edwards, dispensationalism, deliverance ministries, and the meaning of infant baptism. The hosts bring wit, theological depth, and denominational perspective, emphasizing clarity, humility, and charity as they address hot-button issues while poking good-natured fun at themselves and each other.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who’s Most Likely to Become Catholic? (04:17–06:41)

• Listener Poll: A listener jokingly asks who among the four panelists will become Catholic first; the consensus points toward Justin Holcomb due to his "high view of tradition."
• Justin’s Response:
  • Affirms being “Catholic in the Nicene sense” (one holy catholic apostolic church), but remains devotedly Anglican.
  • Draws on historic worship, theological guardrails from the creeds and the Reformation, and personal journey from a charismatic background to Anglican liturgy.
  • Quote: “I am Catholic in the Nicene sense. One holy catholic, apostolic church already. I am like we all are. But I highlight being rooted in the ancient creeds and the Scriptures and the historic worship of the church.” (05:09)
• Good-natured banter follows, with jokes about liturgical dress and denominational stereotypes.

2. Jonathan Edwards: The C-Grade Controversy (08:10–13:51)

• Listener Outcry: Many listeners object to the show's previous ranking of Jonathan Edwards as a "C" in their theologian tier list.
• Mike Horton’s Analysis:
  • Edwards admired for defending Calvinist doctrines but critiqued for philosophical tendencies toward “pantheism/panentheism.”
  • Cites Charles Hodge’s claim that Edwards was a pantheist, clarifies the differences: “A pantheist believes everything is God. A panentheist believes that everything is in God in such a way that God and the world are mutually entwined...” (09:41)
  • Explains Edwards’ view that “everything that happens… is the direct and immediate act of God as a new creation, Continuous creation.” (12:46)
• Justin Holcomb:
  • Notes that Edwards’ views on providence “flatten things out,” verging on making God the author of everything—a problematic consequence for Reformed theology.
  • Adds playfully, “That’s problematic. And if people remember, what did pantheism get you in the ranking? It was a straight F, automatic F.” (10:27)
• Walter Strickland:
  • Appreciated Edwards for bridging “untethered individualism and emotionalism” in spirituality.
• The panel agrees: Edwards’ grade isn’t personal, reflects legitimate theological tensions, and the ranking show was intended to be fun as well as thought-provoking.

3. Dispensationalism: Heresy, Blasphemy, or Cult? (15:05–21:59)

• Question: Is dispensationalism a heresy, blasphemy, or cult?
• Walter Strickland & Panel Responses:
  • None of the above; the panel unanimously agrees that dispensationalism, while containing significant theological errors, does not rise to the level of heresy.
  • Walter: Grew up dispensationalist, sees it as “an earnest attempt to read the Bible but becomes very literal… It just leads us towards some very overly simplified interpretive moves in Scripture.” (16:41)
  • Mike Horton:
    • Dispensationalism’s main error: separates Israel and the Church, doesn’t read OT Christocentrically—“the biggest is you don’t read the Old Testament Christocentrically… you have this disconnect between Israel and the church. Those are… pretty significant errors in biblical theology.” (16:57)
  • Bob Hiller:
    • Introduces language categories: “orthodox” (creedal/faithful), “heterodox” (significant but not damnable error), and “heretical” (outside Christian faith).
    • Dispensationalism falls under “heterodox,” not heretical: “Nonetheless, I know plenty of good dispensationalists whose faith is entirely in Jesus Christ and they love the gospel and they believe salvation is through grace alone…” (18:29)
• General Take:
  • The panel emphasizes the need for nuance and charity in disagreement, reserving “heretic” for teachings attacking the gospel’s foundation.

4. Recommended Resources on 20th Century Theology (22:52–24:24)

• Listener Question: What books summarize modern theological movements?
• Panel’s Recommendations:
  • 20th Century Theology by Grenz and Olson
  • Roger Olson’s larger church history survey
  • James Wilson’s Modern Theology
  • “Know the Theologians” by Jennifer and David McNutt (edited by Justin Holcomb)

5. Charles Finney and Schleiermacher: Historical Connections (24:24–29:47)

• Listener’s Experience: Finney lionized in Pentecostal circles for revivalism, with little awareness of doctrinal issues.
• Did Finney Interact with Schleiermacher?
  • Mike Horton: No direct interaction; Finney didn’t attend seminary, was more influenced by Enlightenment rationalism and Kant, Pelagius.
  • Finney was both anti-supernatural (stressing means rather than miracle in regeneration) and hyper-supernatural (emphasizing immediate experience).
  • Bob Hiller & Justin Holcomb:
    • Connections exist in overemphasis on experience; Horace Bushnell called Finney the “American Schleiermacher.”
    • Helpful insight: Similar outcomes can spring from different philosophical sources.

6. Deliverance Ministries and Demonic Oppression (30:12–39:10)

• Listener Question: Thoughts on “deliverance ministries”?
• Justin Holcomb:
  • Outlines two schools: “power encounter” (confrontation/interrogation of demons) versus “truth encounter” (proclaiming biblical truths over demonic lies).
  • Cautions against demon obsession, citing C.S. Lewis’s warning of two extremes: ignoring them or overemphasizing them.
  • Advocates a scriptural, gospel-centered response: cry out to God, rest in the work of Christ, rely on prayer.
• Mike Horton:
  • Warns, “Don’t play with demons… but don’t be afraid of them, because Christ made a public spectacle of them on the cross. They have lost their power over you.” (33:33)
  • Stresses the importance of baptism: “Tell the devil, ‘I’m baptized!’”
• Walter Strickland:
  • Rejects interviewing demons: “They’re not truthful, so it’s not gonna be helpful anyway.”
  • Endorses a “truth encounter” approach—proclaiming the gospel truth, affirming Christ’s victory, and standing in one’s baptismal identity.
• Memorable Story (Justin): Shares about a woman who believed she was owned by Satan; the baptismal liturgy’s declarations (“You are sealed by the Spirit and marked as Christ’s own forever”) gave her assurance, functioning as the most powerful deliverance ministry. (36:10–36:52)
• Bob Hiller:
  • References the traditional exorcistic elements of baptismal liturgies, noting their theological richness.
  • Points to the hymn:
    “Satan, hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ. You can drop your ugly accusation, I am not so soon enticed…” (37:58)

7. Baptism, Children, and Complacency (39:11–44:51)

• Listener Comment: Raises issue of whether paedobaptists (those who baptize infants) become complacent in raising children spiritually, merely trusting the fact they were baptized.
  • Argues both paedobaptists and credobaptists should be active in nurturing faith, not complacent.
• Walter Strickland (resident Baptist):
  • Agrees; neither side should become complacent post-baptism. Affirms “fighting for our children’s hearts.”
• Mike Horton:
  • Stresses that infant baptism involves parental and church promises to raise children in faith.
  • God’s commitment to the child comes first: “God has obligated himself to this child. That is in our liturgy and in the Heidelberg Catechism, we say that is the first thing in baptism. The first thing in baptism is, what is God doing?” (42:50)
• Bob Hiller:
  • Clarifies that, for paedobaptists, assurance is in God’s promise attached to the sacrament—not magic or superstition:
    “It’s not because the kid got wet. It’s because God attached a promise to the water… we think that’s where the promise is attached.” (43:37)
• The conversation ends on the unity of Christian parents, regardless of view: both are called to fierce, loving instruction and dependence on God’s promise.

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• On Edwards and Providence:
  “Edwards denied the actual existence of anything but God. We are all God’s ideas.”
  — Mike Horton (09:41)
• On Dispensationalism:
  “Heterodox is probably the category we want to think about for dispensationalism… I know plenty of good dispensationalists whose faith is entirely in Jesus Christ… So we’ve got to be a little bit more charitable and cleaner with our language.”
  — Bob Hiller (18:29)
• On Deliverance:
  “He made [demons] a laughingstock. They are nothing. They have lost their power over you. And what a wonderful thing to tell people who their whole life long were in bondage to fear.”
  — Mike Horton (34:29)
• On Baptism’s Comfort:
  “You are marked as Christ’s own forever.”
  — Justin Holcomb (36:52)
• On Baptismal Assurance:
  “It’s not because the kid got wet. It’s because God attached a promise to the water.”
  — Bob Hiller (43:37)

Timestamps for Major Topics

• Listener poll & denominational jokes: 04:17–06:41
• Jonathan Edwards grade controversy: 08:10–13:51
• Dispensationalism: error or heresy? 15:05–21:59
• Books on modern theology: 22:52–24:24
• Finney, Schleiermacher, and revivalism: 24:24–29:47
• Deliverance ministries: 30:12–39:10
• Baptism and raising covenant children: 39:11–44:51

The White Horse Inn’s Takeaway

The tone throughout is informed, playful, and charitable—with sharp distinctions drawn but generous space given for Christian humility on “in house” debates. The panel consistently points their listeners back to God’s promises, the clarity of Scripture, and the importance of both intellectual and spiritual engagement in the life of faith.

If you want deep yet accessible theological conversation that doesn’t sacrifice brotherly love for polemics, this episode is an engaging must-listen.