The Church Grammar podcast engages theology and the church in a fresh way, centered on wide-ranging conversations with scholars and Bible teachers.
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Brandon Smith and Kevin Vanhoozer discuss literal and spiritual readings of Scripture, Protestant hermeneutics and retrieval, and how Christian higher education can survive. Read Kevin’s books: https://shorturl.at/DeyyR Watch this on YouTube at youtube.com/@churchgrammar Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seek to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education through seminars with close, one-on-one mentoring during the writing phase. Production and editing: Cody Barnhart. Brandon D. Smith is Chair of the Ho
Brandon Smith and Gavin Ortlund discuss 12 misconceptions about Protestants and Baptists, including: Protestants invented a new church, sola scriptura is anti-tradition, Protestants removed books from the Bible, and Baptists reject sacraments. Check out Gavin’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthUnites Watch this on YouTube at youtube.com/@churchgrammar Resources: – What It Means to Be Protestant by Gavin Ortlund: https://amzn.to/4c8m2fq – Taught by God: Ancient Hermeneutics for the Modern Church by Brandon Smith: https://amzn.to/4t9yG3S – Amidst Us Our Beloved Stands by Michael Ha
Brandon Smith debunks four common myths about Nicaea: (1) Nicaea invented the Trinity; (2) Nicaea invented the New Testament; (3) Constantine invented orthodoxy; (4) Nicaea was Athanasius vs. Arius. Watch this on YouTube at youtube.com/@churchgrammar. Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seek to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education through seminars with close, one-on-one mentoring during the writing phase. Production and editing: Cody Barnhart. Brandon D. Smith is Chair of the Hobbs School of Theolo
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Mark Smith of the University of Cambridge. We discuss Nicaea’s reception and authority in Ephesus and Chalcedon (1:30), exegetical arguments around the early councils and creeds (9:50), Protestant reception of the creeds (24:48), and more. Read his book, The Idea of Nicaea. We’re now on YouTube! Please subscribe and share: youtube.com/@churchgrammar Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seek to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education through seminars with close, o
In this video, Brandon Smith offers six reasons why he is a Baptist. These six reasons are a basic foundation for Baptist beliefs that most Baptists historic and modern can affirm. For a helpful introduction to Baptist theology, see Emerson and Stamps, The Baptist Vision. We’re now on YouTube! Please subscribe and share. Find the channel at: youtube.com/@churchgrammar Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seek to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education through seminars with close, one-on-one mentoring d
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Matthew Levering of Mundelein Seminary. We discuss Catholic beliefs on topics such as how to agree and disagree with the Pope and Catholic doctrine (1:03), the latest discussions about Mary as Co-Redemptrix (23:19), the possibility of Catholic-Protestant unity (32:39), and more. Read his books. We’re now on YouTube! Please subscribe and share. Find the channel at: youtube.com/@churchgrammar Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seek to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robus
As a way to honor and memorialize Daniel Treier (1972–2025), this is a megapod episode of his four appearances on Church Grammar: (00:17) – Brandon’s reflections on Dan’s life (03:43) – On Theological Interpretation and Longsuffering Sports Fandom (2/7/19) (42:58) – On Evangelical Theology, Christian Formation, and Sports Heroes (2/10/20) (1:13:41) – Theological Interpretation: On Definitions, Commentaries, and Reading Recommendations (6/28/21) (2:01:41) – On Christology and Scripture (12/12/23) *** We’re expanding to YouTube! Please subscribe and share, as we’ll be launching in 2026. Find the
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Jamin Goggin of Talbot School of Theology. We discuss pastoral power (2:35), pastoral confession (11:37), pastoral pride (25:02), and more. Get the book here. *** We’re expanding to YouTube! Please subscribe and share, as we’ll be launching in 2026. Find the channel at: youtube.com/@churchgrammar Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seek to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education through seminars with close, one-on-one mentoring during the writing phase. Producer
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Joshua Heavin and Caleb Wait of the Passages podcast. We discuss the genesis of their Passages podcast on Nicaea (1:29), the Nicene Creed in our different Christian traditions and denominations (13:05), and more. We’re expanding to YouTube! Please subscribe and share, as we’ll be launching in 2026. Find the channel at: youtube.com/@churchgrammar Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seek to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education through seminars with close, one-o
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Mark Gignilliat of Beeson Divinity School and Dr. Heath Thomas of Oklahoma Baptist University. We discuss foundational hermeneutical assumptions about canon, time, and providence (2:33), allegory, typology, and figural readings (23:04), and more. Read their latest book. Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seek to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education through seminars with close, one-on-one mentoring during the writing phase. Producer: Cody Barnhart. Intro musi
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Andrew Walker of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. We discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk (1:41), the various coalitions in and future of conservative politics (12:21), Christian influence on politics from a Baptist perspective (36:36), and more. Read Andrew's books. Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seek to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education through seminars with close, one-on-one mentoring during the writing phase. Producer: Ryan Modisett
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Stephen Presley of the Center for Religion, Culture, & Democracy. We discuss retrieving biblical theology and cultural engagement in the early church (1:31), hermeneutics and methodology (13:03), the church fathers and the Christian life today (36:42), and more. Read Stephen's books. Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seek to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education through seminars with close, one-on-one mentoring during the writing phase. Producer: Ryan Modise
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Jennifer Frey. We discuss how classical education and the Great Books benefit students (1:26), the role of curiosity and wonder in formation and education (21:27), books that capture students' attention (43:51), and more. Read Jennifer's books. Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seek to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education through seminars with close, one-on-one mentoring during the writing phase. Producer: Ryan Modisette. Intro music: Purple Dinosaur by nob
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Erik Lundeen of Christ Our Redeemer Seminary. We discuss the literal sense in the Reformation era (3:49), Christian and Jewish commentaries' impact on the Reformation (13:35), Calvin and other Reformers as bridges to the modern period (34:11), and more. Read Erik's book. Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seek to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education through seminars with close, one-on-one mentoring during the writing phase. Producer: Ryan Modisette. Intro mu
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Kelly Kapic of Covenant College. We discuss productivity in Christianity and according to the world (2:21), theological anthropology and the good life (4:17), Chalcedonian Christology and our humanity (8:17), dealing with friendship, sexuality, and relationships in a fallen world (15:24), healthy time management and productivity (31:55), and more. Check out Kelly's books. Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seek to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education through
This episode is a conversation with Dr. James Wood of Redeemer University. We discuss postliberal political theory (3:56), the church's witness in the world (22:49), Christian nationalism and church/state relations (40:19), and more. Check out James's podcast, The Civitas Podcast. Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seek to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education through seminars with close, one-on-one mentoring during the writing phase. Producer: Ryan Modisette. Intro music: Purple Dinosaur by nobigd
This episode is a conversation with Dr. David Hogg of Phoenix Seminary. We discuss studying medieval theology before it was cool (2:42), the relationship between Nicaea and the Medieval period (9:43), the papacy in Christian history (19:25), the relationship between the Reformation and the Medieval period (27:41), what evangelicals can learn from the Medieval period (34:14), and more. Check out his book on Anselm of Canterbury. This episode is sponsored by Logos. Try the newest version for free for two months(!): www.logos.com/cg. Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gate
This episode is a repost of our conversation with Dr. Matthew Levering of Mundelein Seminary. We discuss becoming a Christian and his path to Catholicism (4:40), major doctrines Catholics and Protestants agree on (14:22), what Catholics believe about justification by faith (15:50), the veneration of Mary (22:13), and the role and authority of the Pope (40:15), the necessity of the Reformation and where we can find unity among disagreement (55:06), and more. Buy Matthew's books. *Note: Dr. Levering mentioned “final cause” during the justification portion of the discussion but meant, of course,
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Steven Duby of Phoenix Seminary. We discuss writing a theological commentary with various disciplines involved (2:30), insights from biblical studies and authorial intent(s) (9:50); history of interpretation and theological debates in Habakkuk (16:54); tips for preaching Habakkuk (39:40), and more. Buy Steven's new commentary on Habakkuk. Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seeks to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education with close, one-on-one mentoring during
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Matthew Emerson of Oklahoma Baptist University. We discuss paedobaptism and catholicity, changing liturgy in the church, Baptists and the state, and more. Buy Matt's new book with Luke Stamps, The Baptist Vision. This episode is sponsored by Logos. Try the newest version for free for two months(!): www.logos.com/cg. Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seeks to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education with close, one-on-one mentoring during the writing phase. Chec
This episode is a conversation with Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P. of the Angelicum. We discuss biblical and theological interpretation in the 20th century (2:32), the relationship between literal and spiritual senses in interpreting Exodus (12:33), metaphysics and Scripture (34:56), Catholic-Protestant dialogue (47:44), and more. Buy Fr. Thomas Joseph's commentary. This episode is sponsored by Logos. Try the newest version for free for two months(!): www.logos.com/cg. Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seeks to blend the best of American and Brit
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Scott Williams of the University of North Carolina–Asheville. We discuss divine self-knowledge (3:30), Nicaea and the Trinity in the Sixth Ecumenical Council (36:02), Henry of Ghent's contribution to trinitarian theology (58:30), and more. Read Scott's book and visit his website. This episode is sponsored by Logos. Try the newest version for free for two months(!): www.logos.com/cg. Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seeks to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust educa
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Samuel Emadi of Hunsinger Lane Baptist Church. We discuss Joseph in the history of interpretation (4:44), Joseph in biblical theology and typology (9:59), advice for preaching (48:31), and more. Read Samuel's books. This episode is sponsored by Logos. Try the newest version for free for two months(!): www.logos.com/cg. Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which seeks to blend the best of American and British programs by balancing a broad, robust education with close, one-on-one mentoring during the writing phase. C
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Rhyne Putman of Williams Baptist University. We discuss the importance of Jesus's genealogies and his role as the "virgin-born king" (3:48), the virgin birth in the Christian tradition (11:54), the biblical and theological importance of the virgin birth (14:31), Protestants and Mary (22:42), the importance of the virgin birth today (30:20), and more. Buy Rhyne's books. This episode is sponsored by Logos. Try the newest version for free for two months(!): www.logos.com/cg. Church Grammar is presented by the PhD and ThM programs at Gateway Seminary, which
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Ryan Fields of Faith Evangelical Free Church. We discuss becoming a free church pastor (2:14), a definition of catholicity (7:02), a definition of and argument for a free church (11:38), catholicity in the free church (24:43), the local and eschatological implications of catholicity (37:37), and more. Buy Ryan's book. Check out Brandon’s recent books: The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP Academic, 2022), The Biblical Trinity (Lexham, 2023), The Trinity in the Canon (B&H Academic, 2023), and Taught by God: Ancient Hermeneutics for the Modern Church
