Theology for the People

What is the enduring legacy of the early church councils, and what role should they play in the lives of Bible-believing Christians today?

In this episode, host Nick Cady is joined again by Matt Pursely, Executive Pastor at Park Hill Church in San Diego, California and graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary with a focus on Historical Theology, to discuss what happened after Chalcedon, and why it matters for believers today.

We also discuss the views of William Lane Craig, who holds to a Neo-Apolinarian Christology which some see as being in conflict with Chalcedon. We explain what this view is, and how other early councils, such as Constantinople III speak to it.

We also explain the importance of the debate over monothylitism and dyathelitism and the question of impeccability vs. peccability and whether Jesus was truly tempted internally or if his temptations were merely external.

In this episode, Nick Cady in joined by Sebastian Frappier, to discuss his incredible journey from a professional acting career to planting a church in the highly secular city of Montreal, Quebec. Sebastian shares how a moment of spiritual emptiness led him to encounter Jesus through a Gideon Bible on Guadalupe Mountain in Texas. He reflects on his 12-year journey of preparation, the unique challenges of ministry in a post-Christian culture, and how his acting background informs his preaching and evangelism.

The conversation also covers the unique cultural and spiritual aspects of Quebec, effective evangelism strategies in Montreal, and the importance of discipleship in a context where biblical knowledge is minimal.

Sebastian offers practical advice for church planters in secular urban settings and shares how listeners can support Calvary Montreal’s mission.

• Sebastian’s Journey to Faith: From a successful acting career in Montreal to a transformative encounter with Jesus while reading the Sermon on the Mount in Texas.

• Ministry in Montreal: The challenges of pastoring in a highly secular, post-Christian city with less than 0.3% evangelical Christians.

• Acting and Preaching: How Sebastian’s training in method acting and the Meisner technique shapes his passionate, authentic approach to teaching the Bible.

• Cultural Context of Quebec: The impact of the Quiet Revolution, the decline of Catholicism, and the rise of humanism in Quebec’s spiritual landscape.

• Evangelism Strategies: The effectiveness of street and subway evangelism in Montreal, emphasizing authenticity and genuine relationships over large-scale events.

• Discipleship in a Secular Context: Focusing on basic biblical teachings and one-on-one discipleship due to limited biblical literacy among new believers.

• Challenges and Encouragement: Sebastian’s experience with a recent church split, the financial struggles of ministry in Quebec, and the joy of seeing individual souls saved.

• Call to Action: How listeners can pray for, support, or participate in short-term mission trips to support Calvary Montreal.

  
  

In this episode, Nick Cady and Shane Angland tackle the critical question: How did the Bible come to be?

They explore the formation of the biblical canon, addressing misconceptions, historical processes, and the theological significance of Scripture.

From the Old Testament’s roots in God’s redemptive work to the New Testament’s apostolic authority, this conversation offers clarity on why the Bible is trusted as God’s inspired Word.

They also discuss the Apocrypha, the Council of Trent’s impact, and how early Jewish and Christian communities recognized canonical texts.

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What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Does it happen simultaneously with salvation, or is it a subsequent experience? How should our understanding of the baptism with the Holy Spirit shape our practice in the church? In this episode, Pastor Nick Cady is interviewed by Dr. Alan Stoddard about this topic.

Alan is a pastor and church planter with over 25 years of ministry experience. Alan holds a Master’s Degree from Southwestern Seminary, and a Doctorate in preaching from Gordon Conwell. 

In this episode, Nick Cady sits down with Paul Hoffman, pastor and co-author of a new book on artificial intelligence and its implications for Christian faith.

Paul, joined by his co-author Sean O’Callaghan, an expert in transhumanism, explores the theological, ethical, and practical dimensions of AI.

From its potential to advance Bible translation to the risks of “Christian malformation,” they discuss how believers can engage AI selectively to foster human flourishing while staying rooted in the Imago Dei—the image of God.

Whether you’re a pastor, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about AI’s role in our world, this conversation will challenge you to think deeply about technology and discipleship.

Zhenya Chekushkin is a pastor from Western Ukraine and a longtime friend. Zhenya shares his unique story: growing up in a communist military family, coming to faith at 13, and now leading a church through the ongoing war in Ukraine.

From the fall of the Soviet Union to the rise of evangelicalism and the current conflict, Zhenya offers a firsthand perspective on how God is moving amid chaos—and how listeners can join in.

In this episode, Nick sits down in person with returning guest Shane to explore the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451), the fourth ecumenical council of the early church. Recorded live in Colorado during an Expositors Collective training weekend, this conversation traces the events leading up to Chalcedon, its theological breakthroughs, and its messy aftermath. From the fallout of the Council of Ephesus to the clash between the Alexandrian and Antiochian schools of Christology, Shane breaks down the stakes: how do we understand the two natures of Christ—human and divine—in one person?

The episode also tackles the political power plays, the deposition of bishops, and the schisms that followed, including the rise of the Oriental Orthodox churches. Plus, hear why Shane sees Chalcedon as both a triumph and a tragedy—and what it still teaches us today.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Definition of Chalcedon (available online for further reading).
• Bruce Shelley’s Church History in Plain Language (Fifth Edition).
• Augustine’s The Unity of the Church on the role and limits of councils.

In this episode, we continue our series on the first four ecumenical councils of the early church, diving into the Council of Ephesus (431 AD). Matthew Pursely joins us again to explore the theological debates surrounding Nestorius, the nature of Christ, and the implications of the hypostatic union—Jesus being fully God and fully man.

We discuss how this council addressed Nestorianism, affirmed Mary as the "Theotokos" (God-bearer), and shaped Christian understanding of communion and humanity’s connection to Christ.

Recommended Resources

For those wanting to dive deeper into the councils and related theology:

• Edward Siecienski – The Filioque: History of a Doctrinal Controversy
• Adonis Vidu – Exploring the Doctrine of Divine Inseparability
• John Behr – The Nicene Faith (2 volumes) and John the Theologian and the Mystery of Christ
• Kallistos Anatolios – Retrieving Nicaea
• John Henry Newman – Arians of the Fourth Century
• William Bright – Notes on the Canons of the First Four General Councils
• Todd Miles – Superheroes Can’t Save You: Epic Examples of Historic Heresies (compares heresies to superhero archetypes—highly recommended entry-level read).

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How did the early church come to a clear understanding of who Jesus is and how the Holy Spirit relates to the Father and the Son? And why did it take more than one council to settle these questions?

In this episode, I'm joined again by Matt Pursley, Executive Pastor at Park Hill Church in San Diego, CA, and an expert in historical theology. Last time, we discussed the Council of Nicaea, and in this episode, we continue the conversation by diving into the Second Ecumenical Council—Constantinople (381 AD).

We discuss why the Council of Constantinople was necessary even after Nicaea, the role of the Cappadocian Fathers in defining the Trinity, the Filioque controversy, and how this council still shapes our faith to this day.

What does it truly mean to experience the love of God? In a culture where love is often redefined and misunderstood, how can we anchor ourselves in the steadfast love that Scripture proclaims?

In this episode, I sit down with theologian, author, and pastor Sam Storms to talk about his latest book, The Steadfast Love of the Lord. We discuss how culture has distorted the meaning of love, the biblical concept of God's covenantal and unshakable love, and why love is meant to be more than just a doctrine we affirm—it’s meant to be a reality we feel.

We also explore how God's love transforms us, the tension between love and truth in our world today, and practical steps for keeping ourselves in the love of God.

Resources Mentioned:

Can AI be a helpful tool for pastors, or does it pose a risk to authenticity, integrity, and reliance on the Holy Spirit?

Welcome to Season 5 of Theology for the People!

Have you ever wrestled with doubts about your faith? If so, then you are in good company. The Bible contains several stories of men and women of faith who also had seasons in which they struggled with doubts.

How is expository Bible teaching different than non-expository teaching?

When we talk about “the Early Church” many people’s minds immediately go to the first generation of Christianity, recorded in the Book of Acts and addressed in the New Testament. But what happened after that, and why does it matter for Christians living today?

Matt Pursley is the Executive Pastor at Park Hill Church in San Diego, California. He has a Masters in Christian History, and in this episode, Matt and I discuss the First Council of Nicaea: what led to it and what it produced.

We address many of the common misconceptions about Nicaea, and we discuss the early heresies of Marcionism, Gnosticism, and Arianism, and why it’s important for Christians today to understand those heresies, and why they were rejected.

Along the way we also talk about Jordan Peterson, who Matt says is a modern Marcionite, and how the errors of both liberalism and fundamentalism have a similar origin.

What is a discipleship pathway, and how do you go about creating one? What is the process by which people grow spiritually, and how do we help them do that?

Leadership is a very popular topic in modern business discussions, but what does the Bible have to say about leadership? And is there a difference between the vision for leadership given in the Bible versus that which comes from the world?

Cameron Cole experienced every parent’s worst nightmare: they put their son to bed one night, and in the morning they awoke to find that he had died in his sleep.

However, the message of the Gospel, is that their son did indeed wake up in a greater and more profound way: he awoke to eternal life with Jesus, his Savior.

Is baptism a requirement for salvation? There are some Christian groups who say that it is, and others who say it isn’t. 

Do you know what sex robots, racism, and gender identity all have in common? In addition to being topics that are discussed in this episode, these topics are all related to the subject of Theological (or Biblical) Anthropology.

What role should creeds and confessions play in the life of a Christian or of a church? If we have the Bible, then why are creeds and confessions necessary at all?

Spiritual disciplines are intentional, repeated practices which help you to grow in relationship with God.

In this episode, I speak with my friend and colleague, Mike Neglia about his practice of journaling, and how it has benefited him spiritually.

We also talk about the practice of taking notes in church, the value of different types of notebooks, and other tactile things we can do, which will help us grow in our faith.

Taking a step into the unknown can be scary, and yet, when led by God, it can lead to incredible spiritual growth and benefits for your life.

Desiderius Erasmus is one of the most important figures in the history of the Protestant Reformation. He was a key thinker, and the compiler of many of the manuscripts that were used in translating the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into languages of the people. He was also in communication with many of the key figures of the reformation, like Martin Luther.

And yet, Erasmus stopped short of being a Reformer. In this episode, I speak with Shane Angland about this intriguing person, what contributions he made, and why he fell short.

Shane Angland is from Ennis, Ireland and holds a Masters of Divinity from Dallas Theological Seminary.

In the Parable to the Good Samaritan, Jesus concludes the parable with this phrase: “Go and Do Likewise.”

What then is the role of “acts of mercy” or providing for physical needs, in regard to the Great Commission we’ve received from Jesus: to go into the world and preach the Gospel to all people?

The internet is a tool that nearly everyone uses on a daily basis, but what impact does it have on us in regard to Christian discipleship? How have digital devices transformed the way that communities and churches, function, and what challenges do these technologies pose for us as individuals seeking to follow Jesus?

If you read the Bible in English, you may not realize all of the drama and sacrifices that went into getting the Bible translated into the English language. 

William Tyndale was an English biblical scholar and linguist who became a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation, until he was executed for his beliefs. Tyndale created the first English translation of the New Testament from the original Greek text and was working on translating the Old Testament from Hebrew. Much of his work can still be seen in the way the Bible is translated into English to this day. 

Who is the Holy Spirit, and how does an understanding of the person and work of the Holy Spirit contribute to our life and faith as believers in Jesus? 

How should we, as Christians think about mental health and mental illness? Are there ways in which the Bible gives us insights into treating mental illness, that go beyond what modern secular scholarship can provide?

For many people, the study of the “end times” can feel mysterious and disorienting. But, upon examination, what you find is that there are really only three main lenses through which people interpret the eschatological texts in the Bible.

Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known and beloved passages in the Bible. It is often read at funerals, or at times when people are in need of comfort. 

And yet, there is more to this Psalm than many people realize. According to my guest, David Gibson, Psalm 23 echoes the major themes of the Bible and foreshadows God’s saving work through Jesus - in a way that is wonderful, edifying, and encouraging. 

Rather than being a Psalm for death - he wants to show us how this is a passage about life, for those who follow Jesus!

In this episode, Nick Cady and Jason Cralley respond to the best arguments for Biblical Unitarianism, the a non-Trinitarian interpretation of biblical texts about who God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are.

In doing this, they look at the history of Arianism and Trinitarian formulations of who God is, including a discussion about Constantine and the First Council of Nicaea, and the Nicene Creed.

Further, they look into the arguments put forth regarding certain Biblical passages that Unitarians point to as evidence of God's non-trinitarian, or unitarian nature, and give a defense for trinitarian beliefs.

In recent years it has become increasingly popular for people who grew up in Christianity to go through a process of “deconstruction” in which they seek to examine and question the origins of their beliefs. 

Deconstruction isn’t always a bad thing, but the deconstruction movement, powered by social media, largely targets younger people and encourages them to cast off their Christiaan beliefs. 

In this episode, Nick Cady and Jason Cralley respond to questions on various topics, including how Christians should respond to Pride Month, whether humans will have the ability to sin in the age to come, how to serve God faithfully in an unsatisfying job, and how to respond to different situations in dating and marriage.

Have we over-emphasized the value of rest and Sabbath to the neglect of the biblical teaching on diligence and hard work?

On this episode, Nick Cady is joined by Tyler Fuss and Mike Neglia to discuss what the Bible has to say about the importance of diligence, the danger of sluggardliness, and how to know the difference between hard work and over-work.

Tyler studied theology at Denver Seminary and is now a business owner in Colorado. Mike is the lead pastor of Calvary Cork in Cork, Ireland and a student at Western Seminary. Mike also leads Expositors Collective, an initiative which seeks to raise up the next generation of expository Bible teachers, and he hosts the Expositors Collective Podcast.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

On this episode of Theology for the People, we dive into the topic of Russian Orthodox Christianity. 

My guest is Shane Angland. Shane is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, and he was also a missionary in Eastern Ukraine. 

The Raskol of 1666 was a schism that took place in the Russian Orthodox Church, which highlights some of the distinctive features of Orthodox theology, and Russian Orthodoxy theology uniquely. Furthermore, we talk about how Russian Orthodox theology plays a role in the current war in Ukraine.