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Theologically Driven

Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary

A podcast for those who want to know God through his word and have that knowledge drive their decisions. Learn more at dbts.edu.

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  • 22 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 33 min
  • English

Episodes 22

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  • S1 · E252
    Thursday · 27 min

    Biblical Counseling and the Local Church w/ Jacob Elwart

    On this episode of Theologically Driven, we talk with Dr. Jacob Elwart about biblical counseling and the local church. Register for E3 at https://e3pc.org Learn more about DBTS at https://dbts.edu

  • S1 · E248
    August 20 · 13 min

    New McCune Systematic Theology of Biblical Christianity w/ Ryan Meyer

    Regular Baptist Press and Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary are pleased to announce the release of the one-volume McCune Systematic Theology of Biblical Christianity. Purchase it on the RBP website. RBP: https://www.rbpstore.org/Products/5702/a-systematic-theology-of-biblical-christianity?srsltid=AfmBOoqk_nX1Ugzby6kyLzMkyPr08f8Nlhnz4CoIR7UPJzBtXK_UBFxg Learn more about DBTS at https://dbts.edu

  • S1 · E247
    August 13 · 32 min

    The Church and Missions w/ Jeremy Pittsley

    What is a missionary, biblically speaking—and why should the local church, not the individual, be at the center of missions? In this episode of Theologically Driven, Phil Cecil is joined by Jeremy Pittsley, a Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary professor and former missionary to Kenya, to unpack a biblical theology of church and missions. Jeremy walks through the definitions of "church" and "missionary" from Acts 13 and 16, explains why sending must come from a local congregation, and lays out the core task of a missionary: gospel proclamation, gathering believers into local churches, and raising up indigenous leadership. Whether you're a pastor shaping your church's missions strategy, a missionary raising support, or just want a clearer biblical framework for missions, this episode offers grounded, practical theology drawn straight from the book of Acts. Learn more about Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary and fall class registration at dbts.edu.

  • S1 · E246
    August 6 · 37 min

    Answering Objections to Animal Sacrifices in the Millennial Kingdom w/ Jeremy Pittsley

    Does a literal sacrificial system in Ezekiel 40–48 contradict the finality of Christ's sacrifice in Hebrews? Jeremy Pittsley walks through the main interpretations of the millennial temple and answers the three most common objections to taking Ezekiel literally: that it's a retrogression to the Mosaic system, that it redefines atonement, and that it denigrates the sufficiency of Christ. Theologically Driven is a podcast of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. Learn more at dbts.edu.

  • S1 · E245
    July 30 · 32 min

    On Writing w/ Mark Snoeberger

    Does writing still matter once you're out of seminary? Dr. Mark Snoeberger joins Theologically Driven to make the case that good thinking and good writing go hand in hand — and that a well-researched paper is closer to a sermon than most pastors realize. He covers why every preacher should manuscript, how to write for the church instead of the academy, the discipline of setting work aside and returning with fresh eyes, and how to take criticism without falling apart. He also gives a candid assessment of AI: helpful for editing and bibliography, dangerous for composition, and no substitute for the insight that only comes from doing the work yourself. Theologically Driven is a podcast of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. Learn more at dbts.edu.

  • S1 · E244
    July 23 · 54 min

    When Two Churches Become One: Lessons from a Church Merger w/ David Doran Jr.

    Pastor 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

  • S1 · E243
    July 16 · 52 min

    Financial Stewardship for Pastors and Seminary Students w/ John Aloisi

    Financial 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.

  • S1 · E242
    July 9 · 1 hr 4 min

    What Happens When a Culture Kills God? with Ryan Meyer and Jeremy Pittsley

    In 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.

  • S1 · E241
    July 2 · 43 min

    The Content of Natural Law w/ Phil Cecil

    Is 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.

  • S1 · E240
    June 25 · 36 min

    A Biblical Defense of Natural Law w/ Phil Cecil

    What 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

  • S1 · E239
    June 18 · 40 min

    Natural Law and God's Two Governments w/ Phil Cecil

    In 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

  • S1 · E238
    June 11 · 43 min

    Helping Someone Who Is Deconstructing Their Faith w/ Dave Marriott

    What 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

  • S1 · E237
    June 4 · 32 min

    What did Paul teach about slavery? w/ Ryan Meyer

    What 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.

  • S1 · E236
    May 28 · 26 min

    Slavery in the Greco-Roman World w/ Ryan Meyer

    In 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.

  • S1 · E233
    May 7 · 32 min

    The Reformational View of Justification and Sanctification w/ Mark Snoeberger

    Host Phil Cecil continues his conversation with Dr. Mark Snoeberger on one of theology's most debated distinctions — the relationship between justification and sanctification. After reviewing the Roman Catholic view from last week, they turn to Holiness theologies, tracing their roots through Wesley. Dr. Snoeberger unpacks Wesley's "sequence of graces," the concept of a second work of grace, and why that framework falls short of the Reformation view — which holds justification and sanctification as distinct but inseparable benefits of union with Christ, both received at the moment of regeneration. A clear and accessible walk through a topic that matters for how every believer understands the Christian life. Learn more about the DBTS summer schedule here.

Showing 1–20 of 22 episodes