Theology Project with Matt O’Reilly

The Global Methodist Church is considering adopting a new doctrinal statement called the Articles of Faith. In this conversation, Dr. David Watson sits down with Dr. Matt O'Reilly to discuss WHY we're looking at this, how we got to this point, and where things go from here. We answer some of the questions that have come up in the last few weeks and reflect on the purpose of this confessional statement. Jason Vickers compares the EUB Confession with the Articles of Religion: https://archives.gcah.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/d695ad25-f74a-4934-a569-04b4163e6e6f/content Dr. David Watson is President of Asbury Theological Seminary and Chair of the Discipleship, Doctrine, and Just Ministry Commission. He is the author of Scripture and the Life of God (https://amzn.to/48XaRE4) and Faith and Fire (https://amzn.to/488gAH2) coauthored with Kevin Watson. GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com Music: "Steps" by Anno Domini Beats - Used with permission. This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.  

In this clip, Dr. Matt O'Reilly explains the difference between "going to heaven when you die" and the biblical teaching of future bodily resurrection. If you've ever wondered what the Bible says about life after death, this episode is for you.    MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle)   Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS   MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe       This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.      

Is Christianity True? In a world filled with questions, doubts, and competing truth claims, many people wonder whether Christianity can still be trusted. In this sermon, Matt O’Reilly explores one of the most common and pressing questions people ask about faith: Is Christianity true? Along the way, he names the real objections people raise—about science, suffering, hypocrisy in the church, the reliability of the Bible, and the fear that faith requires blind belief. Rather than dismissing these questions or offering quick intellectual fixes, this message invites listeners to step back and consider a deeper question that the Gospel itself raises: Can Jesus be trusted? Drawing from the scene of Jesus’ trial—where Pilate famously asks, “What is truth?”—this sermon shows that Christianity does not ultimately present truth as a mere argument or proposition, but as a person. And that person reveals the truth not by coercion or force, but through self-giving love. You don’t have to have all the answers to experience love. You can trust someone who is willing to bleed for you. This message is especially for: Those who are skeptical, curious, or questioning Christianity Those who feel torn between faith and doubt Those who have been hurt or disillusioned by the church Christians who want a more humble, patient, and loving way to engage hard questions If you’ve ever wondered whether Jesus can be trusted, this sermon invites you to consider the truth revealed in love, and to explore your questions within a community shaped by grace. GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOK Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN     This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.  

A lot of people assume Romans 9 obviously teaches the Calvinist doctrine of unconditional election. They think it means that God selected a set and unchangeable number of people to save and passed over the rest. If you're among the chosen, congratulations. If you're not, well... In this episode, Dr. Matt O'Reilly explains why Romans 9 does not, in fact, teach unconditional individual election. Rather, the apostle Paul sets forth in Romans 9 a vision of corporate election (the group as a whole is chosen) in which individuals may move into and out of the elect group. MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle)   Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS   MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe   Music used with permission - "Steps" by Anno Domini Beats   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.      

Who is Jesus—and what did he come to do? Luke 2 doesn’t answer those questions with abstract theology or lofty claims. It answers them with a story. In this episode, we slow down and listen carefully to Luke’s Christmas narrative—not as sentimental background music for the season, but as a bold theological proclamation. In a world ordered by emperors, censuses, power, and prestige, Luke introduces Jesus in a radically different key: born in obscurity, laid in a manger, announced not to elites but to shepherds on the margins. So who is Jesus, really? And what kind of mission begins this way? Drawing on the Jesus' birth narrative in the Gospel of Luke, we explore how Luke presents Jesus as the true Lord whose identity stands in quiet but profound contrast to the rulers of his age. And we ask what Jesus came to do—not merely to offer private comfort or future escape, but to inaugurate God’s saving reign through humility, peace, and faithfulness. This episode invites you to hear Luke 2 with fresh ears and deeper attention—to see how the identity and mission of Jesus are woven together from the very beginning, and why that still matters for how we understand the gospel today.   Merry Christmas!   MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOK Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Music used with permission - "Steps" by Anno Domini Beats  

People frequently wonder whether they should be rebaptized. Usually, it's for one of two reasons. Either they were baptized as an infant, and they ask if they should be baptized as part of their profession of faith. Or they were baptized before they got serious about following Jesus and, having later committed to serious discipleship, wonder if they should rebatized In this video, Dr. Jonathan Powers (Asbury Seminary) and Dr. Matt O'Reilly explain WHY pastors should not rebaptize people and HOW to shepherd people through the questions   MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOK Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.  

In Scripture, holiness is never just about rule-keeping — it’s about participating in the character of God, living love perfected in Christ, and flourishing as a whole person in relationship with God and neighbor. Too often in the wider church, though, holiness gets misunderstood as legalistic rule observance. That understanding leads to burdens, shame, and a distorted picture of the gospel. In this video, I unpack how the Bible, and the Wesleyan tradition in particular, reframes holiness not as legalism but as human flourishing. We walk through how holiness: reflects God’s character toward us calls us into life-giving love for God and neighbor aligns with deep, true happiness as envisioned in Scripture Whether you grew up hearing holiness taught as legalistic rule-keeping or you’re seeking a richer, more biblical vision of discipleship, this conversation will help you think differently about what it means to be holy. 📖 Holiness isn’t about following a checklist — it’s about becoming like Jesus and flourishing as his people.   READ "The New Birth" by John Wesley https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-45-the-new-birth/ MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOK Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe Music used with permission - "Steps" by Anno Domini Beats This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.  

In this episode of Theology Project, Dr. Matt O’Reilly sits down with Dr. Andy Miller III, President of Wesley Biblical Seminary, for an honest and forward-looking conversation about pastoral education in the Global Methodist Church. We explore the value of the MDiv, options for the future of the Course of Study, and how robust theological training shapes healthier leaders, stronger churches, and more faithful ministry. Dr. Miller brings clarity to current debates around seminary education, offers practical wisdom for pastors considering further study, and shares WBS’s vision for forming leaders who can preach the gospel, shepherd the church, and engage culture with confidence and conviction. If you care about clergy preparation, the future of Methodist ministry, or the theological integrity of the church, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Help pastors finish seminary DEBT-FREE: Check out the Global Methodist Foundation of North Alabama: https://www.gmfna.org Hear more from Andy Miller - Check out his podcast: More to the Story - https://www.youtube.com/@andymilleriii Here's a link to the BRAND NEW BOOK from the WBS faculty - Sanctitas et Scriptura: https://amzn.to/3MpBrxz Apply to STUDY at WBS: https://www.wbs.edu GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOK Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN(print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle)   📬 Subscribe to Theology Project for more: https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe   MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF   Music used with permission - "Steps" by Anno Domini Beats   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.  

Most people think they know the central message of Romans: justification by faith. It’s beautiful, and it’s true. But what if it’s not actually the main goal of the letter? In this video, we take a closer look at the often-overlooked theme that frames the entire book of Romans from beginning to end—the obedience of faith. Paul opens with it. Paul closes with it. And he structures the whole letter around it. Could it be that justification isn’t the destination of salvation, but the doorway into a transformed life under the reign of Jesus? And could our narrow focus on justification have kept us from seeing the bigger purpose Paul had in mind? In this deep-dive, you’ll learn: 🔹 Why Paul bookends Romans with “the obedience of faith” 🔹 How obedience and faith work together—not in competition 🔹 Why “works” language makes us nervous, and why Paul isn’t nervous 🔹 How justification functions as the means toward a greater end 🔹 What Romans reveals about Christian formation and discipleship If you want to understand the message of Romans in a fresh, compelling way—and see how Paul’s vision speaks directly into Christian life today—this episode is for you. 👉 Read the full article on Theology Project: https://www.theologyproject.online/post/the-message-of-romans-you-re-not-likely-to-hear   📬 Subscribe to Theology Project for more: https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe   👍 If this helped you see Romans differently, hit LIKE 🕊️ Share it with someone who loves Scripture 🔔 And subscribe for more biblical theology, preaching insights, and New Testament scholarship MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF   #Romans #Paul #BibleStudy #JustificationByFaith #ObedienceOfFaith #NewTestament #TheologyProject #ChristianDiscipleship #BiblicalTheology Music used with permission - "Steps" by Anno Domini Beats   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.  

Is 1 Thessalonians 4 teaching the rapture—or something else entirely? In this Theology Project video, we explore the historical and theological context of Paul’s words and argue that the passage describes the ascension of resurrected believers to welcome Christ as he returns in glory, not a secret rapture or escape from earth. We examine 1 Thessalonians 4 in light of Daniel 7 and New Testament ascension theology to show why this passage points to union with Christ in his ascension—not removal from the world. Check out Patrick Schreiner's book on the ascension: https://amzn.to/4e6SXQC GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Music: Steps by Anno Domini Beats used with permission.

What did John Wesley really believe about baptism? In this episode, Dr. Matt O’Reilly sits down with Dr. Jonathan Powers of Asbury Theological Seminary to explore Wesley’s "Treatise on Baptism" and his deeply sacramental understanding of this sacred act. Together, they unpack why Wesley believed baptism is a means of grace—not merely a symbol—and how it relates to new birth and discipleship in as a member of the new covenant. Along the way, they charitably contrast the Wesleyan/Methodist view with believer’s baptism (credobaptism) and discuss why Wesley still baptized infants as an expression of God’s prevenient grace. If you’ve ever wondered how baptism fits into salvation, or what it means to say it’s a means of grace, this conversation will help you think more deeply about water, Spirit, and faith in the Wesleyan tradition. BUY Jonathan's new book: New Life in the Risen Christ: A Wesleyan Theology of Baptism https://amzn.to/46Xr6R7 READ Wesley's Treatise on Baptism: https://www.whdl.org/sites/default/files/resource/7387091/pp.%20188-201%20%28A%20treatise%20on%20baptism%29.pdf?language=en WATCH my conversation with Ryan Danker on Wesley's view of the Lord's Supper: https://youtu.be/Ob4FEPsKpMw?si=MHGghZriNQjKf974 GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com Music: "Steps" by Anno Domini Beats - Used with permission. This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.  

It's common in the baptism debate to hear that the Greek word for "baptize" means "to immerse." In this video, we take a look at John Wesley's somewhat snarky rebuttal of that very dubious claim. The full interview with Dr. Jonathan Powers posts on Monday. We work through John Wesley's "Treatise on Baptism" -- SUBSCRIBE NOW so you don't miss it! BUY Jonathan's new book: New Life in the Risen Christ: A Wesleyan Theology of Baptism https://amzn.to/46Xr6R7 READ Wesley's Treatise on Baptism: https://www.whdl.org/sites/default/files/resource/7387091/pp.%20188-201%20%28A%20treatise%20on%20baptism%29.pdf?language=en WATCH my conversation with Ryan Danker on Wesley's view of the Lord's Supper: https://youtu.be/Ob4FEPsKpMw?si=MHGghZriNQjKf974 GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.    

How often should Christians take Holy Communion? In this video, we look at how John Wesley would answer that question. In his sermon “The Duty of Constant Communion,” Wesley insisted that the Lord’s Supper isn’t optional. It’s a command of Christ and a means of grace. In this episode, Dr. Matt O’Reilly sits down with Dr. Ryan Danker, Director of the John Wesley Institute in Washington, D.C., to explore why Wesley believed constant communion was essential for Christian life and growth. Together they discuss the theology, history, and practical implications of Wesley’s commitment to attending the Lord's Supper as often as possible. READ THE SERMON: The Duty of Constant Communion https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-101-the-duty-of-constant-communion/ BOOKS BY DR. RYAN DANKER: Wesley and the Anglicans: Political Division in Early Evangelicalism https://amzn.to/48udLB7 Exploring a Wesleyan Political Theology https://amzn.to/4q5HCpB The Next Methodism: Theological, Social, and Missional Foundations for Global Methodism https://amzn.to/43eKOp4 The Faith Once Delivered https://amzn.to/3ISGaGw VISIT THE JOHN WESLEY INSTITUTE https://nextmethodism.org GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com Music: "Steps" by Anno Domini Beats - Used with permission. This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

What do we mean when we talk about grace? In this episode, Dr. Matt O'Reilly explains some common misconceptions about the biblical concept of grace. You'll learn why we shouldn't talk about KINDS of grace, and that grace isn't a thing outside of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Get UPDATES from Theology Project: https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Music: Steps by Anno Domini Beats

What’s the difference between common grace and prevenient grace? Are these concepts compatible or contradictory? In this video, we explore how God’s grace works in Wesleyan and Reformed theology, unpacking the meaning of prevenient grace and its relationship to common grace. Discover how grace shapes salvation and human response! GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS Dr. Matt O'Reilly is Lead Pastor of Christ Church in Birmingham, Alabama, Director of Research at Wesley Biblical Seminary, and a senior fellow of the Center for Pastor Theologians.  This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

How much did John Wesley shape C. S. Lewis’s vision of Narnia? In this interview clip, Dr. Jerome Van Kuiken and Dr. Matt O'Reilly explore the surprising ways Lewis may have drawn on Wesley’s theology of creation and animal life. Lewis cites Wesley’s sermon The General Deliverance" in The Problem of Pain when wrestling with the suffering of animals—a full decade before writing The Chronicles of Narnia. We discuss how Wesley’s eschatological hope for the renewal of creation echoes in Lewis’ portrayal of talking beasts, the dignity of Aslan’s creatures, and the deep moral order of Narnia. If you’re interested in the connections between theology, literature, and the imagination, this conversation will give you a fresh lens on Lewis, Wesley, and the hope of a redeemed creation. This is a clip from a longer conversation. Listen to the whole thing here: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-xu9pu-194517a Or watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uLWdjlWMCek Read "The General Deliverance by John Wesley: https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-60-the-general-deliverance/ Read The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis: https://amzn.to/4pjCY7g Dr. Jerome Van Kuiken is a member of the faculty at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Dr. Matt O'Reilly is Lead Pastor of Christ Church Birmingham in Alabama.  This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

In this episode, Dr. Matt O’Reilly talks with Dr. Brian Yeich about John Wesley’s sermon The General Spread of the Gospel. Wesley envisions a future of global gospel advance grounded in the holiness of God’s people. While often overlooked today, Wesley’s optimistic eschatology—sometimes described as postmillennial—offers a powerful reminder: holiness is essential to the mission of the church. Read "The General Spread of the Gospel" NOW:  https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-63-the-general-spread-of-the-gospel/ Wesley called holiness the “grand depositum” God entrusted to Methodists. He also warned that the lack of holiness in the church is the “grand stumbling block” to the conversion of the nations. What can Wesley teach us about the hope of gospel expansion, the urgency of sanctification, and the mission of the church in our own time?   More about Dr. Brian Yeich Brian’s passion is helping people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ whether it is in the context of the community, the local church, or the academy. He is an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church, Trinity Conference, and has pastored 11 years in both large and small congregations as well as a church re-start. Including his previous role at Asbury Theological Seminary as Assistant Provost, Brian has over eight years in theological education leadership. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at Asbury Theological Seminary and Wesley Biblical Seminary teaching in the areas of Church History, Wesley Studies, and Pastoral Formation. Brian is currently appointed as Missional Discipleship Coordinator with World Methodist Evangelism in partnership with the Inspire Movement, a missional discipleship network based in the United Kingdom. Along with his wife, Misty, Brian works with congregations and church leaders to mentor and train them in developing cultures of missional discipleship in their contexts through Inspire Bands and House Fellowships. He completed his PhD under the supervision of Dr. Philip R. Meadows with the University of Manchester/Cliff College (England) in the spring of 2015. Brian’s PhD research focused on the doctrine of Christian perfection and its implications for the theology and practice of evangelism under the title, The Doctrine of Christian Perfection as a Vision for Evangelism. He is a contributor to The Faith Once Delivered produced by the Next Methodism summit. Brian holds a B.S. in Management and a M.B.A from Louisiana Tech University. He also holds a M.Div. and D.Min. from Asbury Theological Seminary.  He enjoys tinkering on cars, technology, and spending time with his family.   GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.  

Who are the four horsemen of the apocalypse? The question is hotly debated. In this episode of Theology Project, Dr. Matt O'Reilly answers the question based on clues in the text of Revelation 6. It turns out...one of the riders may not be who you thought.  My FAVORITE BOOKS on Revelation 1. Revelation by Robert Mulholland https://amzn.to/42c2SAz 2. Reading Revelation Responsibly by Michael Gorman https://amzn.to/40ccHM7 3. Revelation for Everyone by N.T. Wright https://amzn.to/42riQHp   GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Romans 9-11 are often seen as Calvinism's silver bullet. It is assumed that these chapters by the apostle Paul make Arminian theology untenable and that Arminians have to explain away their plain meaning. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. In this episode, I'll explain why my Arminian theology is built on Romans 9-11 (and Romans 8), not built in spite of them.  Resources Mentioned in this Episode Paul and the Resurrected Body by Matt O'Reilly Brian Abasciano's three volumes on Romans 9 (Arminian Interpretation) Paul's Use of the Old Testament in Romans 9:1-9 Paul's Use of the Old Testament in Romans 9:10-18 Paul's Use of the Old Testament in Romans 9:19-24 ----- GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jerome Van Kuiken (Oklahoma Wesleyan University) to discuss John Wesley’s profound sermon "The General Deliverance." This sermon tackles one of the hardest questions in Christian theology: How can a just and loving God respond to a world filled with unjust suffering? Wesley’s reflections on one aspect of the problem of evil. He argues that God’s justice and mercy extend not only to humanity but to all creation (including animals), offering a hopeful vision of redemption and renewal. In our conversation, Dr. Van Kuiken unpacks Wesley’s approach to theodicy, the question of suffering in Christian thought, and the ultimate hope of God’s deliverance for both people and the created order. We also talk about John Wesley's influence on C. S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain and the Chronicles of Narnia.  👉 Whether you’re a pastor, theologian, or simply wrestling with the question of evil and suffering, this discussion offers rich theological insight and practical hope. 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of theology, Scripture, and contemporary issues. Books by Jerome Van Kuiken The Creed We Need: Nicene Faith for Wesleyan Witness The Judas We Never Knew: A Study on the Life and Letter of Jude Read "The General Deliverance" by John Wesley  https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-60-the-general-deliverance/   Did John Wesley's eschatology develop from heaven to new creation? Randy Maddox takes up that question in Responsible Grace, pages 252-253. Get it here: https://amzn.to/4mXdrhZ   ------- GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

In this clip from my conversation with Joel Lawrence, president of the Center for Pastor Theologians (CPT), we talk about the upcoming 10th Annual CPT Conference: Good Shepherds – Pastoral Identity and the Future of the Church. Listen to the whole conversation here. The CPT is focused on forming pastor theologians to shepherd the church in our complex world. We equip pastors as theologians, grounding local church ministry in robust yet accessible theology. From the conference website: "The church needs good shepherds, pastors who serve the body of Christ from a deeply rooted identity. We are at a pivotal time for the American church, a time when it is critical for pastors to be humble shepherds providing theological wisdom for the church as she navigates our complex world." I’m honored to be one of the plenary speakers at this year’s gathering. In our conversation, Joel shares why the CPT chose this theme, what pastors can expect, and why recovering a biblical vision of shepherding is critical for the health of the church today. 👉 Learn more about CPT and the Good Shepherds Conference: https://www.cptconference.com/ If you’re a pastor, theologian, or church leader who cares about the future of the church, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. ------- GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

The Book of Revelation can feel mysterious and overwhelming, but understanding it doesn’t have to be. In this video, we explore three essential keys to unlock its meaning. First, pay attention to the Jewish context—Revelation is rich with Old Testament imagery that shapes its message. Second, don’t read it as a strict timeline or chronological order—it’s a symbolic and cyclical vision. Finally, and most importantly, Revelation is about Jesus—His victory, His reign, and His call to faithful discipleship. Join us as we dive into these insights and discover the powerful message of hope and redemption Revelation offers! My FAVORITE BOOKS on Revelation 1. Revelation by Robert Mulholland https://amzn.to/42c2SAz 2. Reading Revelation Responsibly by Michael Gorman https://amzn.to/40ccHM7 3. Revelation for Everyone by N.T. Wright https://amzn.to/42riQHp   GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

We typically think of heaven as a place of happiness and serenity. The strange thing is that we get a glimpse of some people who died and went to heaven in Revelation 6...but they are not happy about it. Why is that? What do they want? Why are they dissatisfied? Those are the questions we're looking at in this episode of Theology Project.  🧠 FREE RESOURCE: 4 Practices to Build Trust on Your Staff Good leadership depends on trust. Whether you lead a church, nonprofit, or workplace team, download my free guide with four practical practices to strengthen trust on your staff. 👉 Download here: https://theologyproject.kit.com/buildtrust     GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

What if leadership is NOT about making decisions? What if it's about facilitating a co-creative process? In this clip, Dr. Tom Tumblin (Asbury Theological Seminary) explores what co-creative leadership is, why it matters, and how it can reshape your ministry team into a collaborative, Spirit-led force for the kingdom. You’ll hear how moving from control to co-creation builds trust, empowers others, and creates space for shared vision and mission. If you’re a pastor or church leader who wants to lead more effectively without burning out or bottlenecking your team—this conversation is for you. LISTEN TO THE WHOLE CONVERSATION: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-2ifms-192007c ----- 🛠️ FREE RESOURCE: "4 Practices to Build Trust on Your Staff" Whether you’re leading a large, medium, or small church, trust is the foundation of healthy leadership. I’ve created a free resource outlining four practical and proven strategies to help you build trust with your team and take your leadership to the next level. 👉 Download it here: https://theologyproject.kit.com/buildtrust ----- 📚 Recommended Resources on Co-Creation: 📌The Way of the Co-Creative Leader by Steffan Surdek https://amzn.to/40m1o59 📌Brave Together: Lead by Design, Spark Creativity, and Shape the Future with Power of Co-Creation by Deaver and Clawson https://amzn.to/4eWnK3f 📌 Lead More, Control Less: 8 Advanced Leadership Skills that Overturn Convention by Marvin R. Weisbord and Sandra Janoff (on co-creative leadership) https://amzn.to/4m1Ad87 📌 Co-Creation…: 13 Myths Debunked: A Practical Guide by Hans Begeer & Lesley Vanleke https://amzn.to/4kR6OMR ----- GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Did you know the modern State of Israel wasn’t originally going to be called “Israel”? In this clip from my interview with Dr. Jason Staples, he explains the surprising history of how the nation’s name came about. Staples walks us through several alternative names that were proposed, and even reads from President Harry Truman’s notes, where “Israel” was penciled in at the very last minute.   This historical detail not only sheds light on modern politics but also raises important questions about the meaning of “Israel” in Scripture and how it relates—or doesn’t relate—to the modern state.   📘 Check out the full interview with Jason Staples here → https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-32b8x-1932da7 📗 Get Jason’s Book: Paul and the Resurrection of Israel → https://amzn.to/3HDUMc0   🧠 FREE RESOURCE: 4 Practices to Build Trust on Your Staff Good leadership depends on trust. Whether you lead a church, nonprofit, or workplace team, download my free guide with four practical practices to strengthen trust on your staff. 👉 Download here: https://theologyproject.kit.com/buildtrust   🔔 Subscribe for more interviews that connect biblical scholarship with the issues of today: [Insert channel link] GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Why are pastors the de facto theological leaders of the church? What is a pastor theologian? Why do we need pastors to embrace their theological identity? In this episode, we'll hear from Dr. Joel Lawrence, who is president of the Center for Pastor Theologians (CPT). We talk about the difference between academic theology and ecclesial theology, and why the natural home of theology is the church.  Check out the CPT website: https://www.pastortheologians.com/ Join us for the CPT conference: https://www.cptconference.com/ ----- FREE RESOURCE: "4 Practices to Build Trust on Your Staff" Whether you’re leading a large, medium, or small church, trust is the foundation of healthy leadership. I’ve created a free resource outlining four practical and proven strategies to help you build trust with your team and take your leadership to the next level. 👉 Download it here: https://theologyproject.kit.com/buildtrust ----- GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe BOOKS FROM MATT O'REILLY Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/4orssKw Dr. Matt O'Reilly is Lead Pastor at Christ Church in Birmingham, Alabama, Director of Research at Wesley Biblical Seminary, and a Senior Fellow the Center for Pastor Theologians.   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Pastors are more than sermon-givers—they are called to be theologians. In this sneak peek from my conversation with Joel Lawrence, president of the Center for Pastor Theologians, we explore why the theological vocation of the pastor is essential for the church today. The full conversation is COMING SOON - don't miss it. Check out the CPT website: https://www.pastortheologians.com/ Join us for the CPT conference: https://www.cptconference.com/ ----- FREE RESOURCE: "4 Practices to Build Trust on Your Staff" Whether you’re leading a large, medium, or small church, trust is the foundation of healthy leadership. I’ve created a free resource outlining four practical and proven strategies to help you build trust with your team and take your leadership to the next level. 👉 Download it here: https://theologyproject.kit.com/buildtrust ----- GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe BOOKS FROM MATT O'REILLY Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/4orssKw Dr. Matt O'Reilly is Lead Pastor at Christ Church in Birmingham, Alabama, Director of Research at Wesley Biblical Seminary, and a Senior Fellow the Center for Pastor Theologians. Music: "Steps" by Anno Domini Beats   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

What does it mean to be deeply rooted in the Christian faith while also embracing the distinctive gifts of the Methodist tradition? In this episode, Dr. Jason Vickers joins me to discuss his new book, Profoundly Christian, Distinctly Methodist. We explore how the Methodist movement emerged as a Spirit-led renewal within the wider body of Christ, why Wesleyan theology offers a compelling vision for the church today, and how these convictions can shape our worship, preaching, and mission. Jason reflects on the core doctrinal commitments that Methodists share with the broader Christian tradition and the unique emphases—such as holiness of heart and life—that give Methodism its distinctive character. Whether you are a lifelong Methodist, new to the tradition, or simply curious about its theological DNA, this conversation will deepen your understanding of how Methodism can serve the whole church in the 21st century. Get the book HERE: https://my.seedbed.com/product/profoundly-christian-distinctly-methodist/  

Is the meaning of “Israel” obvious? That question was hotly debated recently by Senator Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson. In this Theology Project interview, Dr. Jason Staples takes us deep into what the Bible actually says about Israel, the Jews, the Hebrews, and how Paul redefines everything in Romans 9–11. Dr. Staples is the author of Paul and the Resurrection of Israel, a groundbreaking book that challenges how Christians and others have traditionally understood Paul’s view of Israel in relation to the church. 🛠️ FREE RESOURCE: "4 Practices to Build Trust on Your Staff" Whether you’re leading a large, medium, or small church, trust is the foundation of healthy leadership. I’ve created a free resource outlining four practical and proven strategies to help you build trust with your team and take your leadership to the next level. 👉 Download it here: https://theologyproject.kit.com/buildtrust   📘 Books by Jason Staples: Paul and the Resurrection of Israel https://amzn.to/44G0XEa The Idea of Israel in Second Temple Judaism https://amzn.to/4kz3p5d GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.  

Across the Wesleyan-Methodist family, something remarkable is happening: churches and denominations are rediscovering the heart of their theological heritage—holiness. In this video, Matt O'Reilly and Bill Ury reflect on how various Wesleyan groups are recovering a robust, life-giving vision of holiness rooted in grace, love, and transformation. This isn’t about legalism or moralism. It’s about reclaiming the beauty of being made holy in Christ. 📘 Check out my book Free to Be Holy: https://amzn.to/4fdWwW4 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on holiness, theology, and discipleship: https://www.youtube.com/theologyprojectonline ▶️ Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/SX2oIq7NtIA ------------------- 🛠️ FREE RESOURCE: "4 Practices to Build Trust on Your Staff" Whether you’re leading a large, medium, or small church, trust is the foundation of healthy leadership. I’ve created a free resource outlining four practical and proven strategies to help you build trust with your team and take your leadership to the next level. 👉 Download it here: https://theologyproject.kit.com/buildtrust ------------------- GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Watch the whole discussion here: https://youtu.be/lAtmxFIIXIs In this clip, Dr. Matt O'Reilly and Dr. Bill Ury discuss how forgiveness of sin and justification by faith are sometimes set up as the main point of Christianity and key books of the Bible like Romans. What is the point of Christianity? Matt and Bill explain how Christian faith is about being drawn more deeply into the life of God such that his presence makes us holy. Justification by faith is the means to the end of sanctification. GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS     This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

What are the enemy’s most effective strategies—and how can Christians resist them? In this conversation, Dr. Jason Vickers joins me to unpack John Wesley’s sermon Satan’s Devices and explore the timeless tactics the devil uses to discourage, divide, and derail believers. We discuss how Wesley’s 18th-century insights still speak with power today, why temptation is often unrecognized, and what practical steps we can take to stand firm in faith. If you’ve ever wondered how Satan works in the details of everyday life—or how to recognize his schemes before they take root—this interview will give you biblical wisdom and pastoral insight for the fight. ----- 🛠️ FREE RESOURCE: "4 Practices to Build Trust on Your Staff" Whether you’re leading a large, medium, or small church, trust is the foundation of healthy leadership. I’ve created a free resource outlining four practical and proven strategies to help you build trust with your team and take your leadership to the next level. 👉 Download it here: https://theologyproject.kit.com/buildtrust ----- Read the sermon -- "Satan's Devices" by John Wesley Grab Jason's new book coauthored with Ryan Barnett -- Profoundly Christian, Distinctly Methodist GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

What does neuroscience have to do with following Jesus? In this conversation, psychiatrist and author Dr. Curt Thompson unpacks how brain science helps us understand—and experience—spiritual formation more deeply. Drawing from his groundbreaking work in Anatomy of the Soul, The Soul of Shame, and The Soul of Desire, Dr. Thompson explores the connections between relationships, the mind, and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. We discuss why spiritual growth is not just about information but also about embodied practices, community, and the rewiring of neural pathways over time. Curt offers practical ways to engage both science and Scripture to become more fully alive in Christ. If you’ve ever wondered how the latest insights from neuroscience can enrich your walk with God, this conversation will open your eyes to a more integrated—and hopeful—vision of Christian formation. Get the Books The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices that Can Transform Your Life and Relationships The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe about Ourselves   GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

The mark of the beast? The rapture? The second coming? The four horsemen of the apocalypse? In this episode, Dr. Matt O'Reilly tackles these questions and more from the pages of the New Testament book of Revelation.  ----- FREE RESOURCE: "4 Practices to Build Trust on Your Staff" Whether you’re leading a large, medium, or small church, trust is the foundation of healthy leadership. I’ve created a free resource outlining four practical and proven strategies to help you build trust with your team and take your leadership to the next level. 👉 Download it here: https://theologyproject.kit.com/buildtrust ----- GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle)   Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS   Dr. Matt O'Reilly is Lead Pastor at Christ Church in Birmingham, Alabama, Director of Research at Wesley Biblical Seminary, and a Senior Fellow the Center for Pastor Theologians.   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

What if God’s grace was already at work in you—before you ever knew it? In this clip, Dr. Bill Ury unpacks one of the most powerful and underappreciated truths in Wesleyan theology: prevenient grace. This is the grace that goes before—before faith, before repentance, before we even realize we need saving. It’s the divine initiative that makes human response possible. Whether you’ve grown up in church or are just beginning to explore the Christian faith, understanding prevenient grace changes everything. It reframes how we think about free will, salvation, and the relentless love of God who moves first—always. 🌀 Want more content like this? Be sure to subscribe and explore the full interview on the Wesleyan order of salvation. Full Interview: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-vrvfs-191d1d4    

Can co-creative leadership transform your church? In this conversation with Dr. Tom Tumblin (Asbury Theological Seminary), we explore what co-creative leadership is, why it matters, and how it can reshape your ministry team into a collaborative, Spirit-led force for the kingdom. You’ll hear how moving from control to co-creation builds trust, empowers others, and creates space for shared vision and mission. If you’re a pastor or church leader who wants to lead more effectively without burning out or bottlenecking your team—this conversation is for you. ----- 🛠️ FREE RESOURCE: "4 Practices to Build Trust on Your Staff" Whether you’re leading a large, medium, or small church, trust is the foundation of healthy leadership. I’ve created a free resource outlining four practical and proven strategies to help you build trust with your team and take your leadership to the next level. 👉 Download it here: https://theologyproject.kit.com/buildtrust ----- 📚 Recommended Resources on Co-Creation: 📌The Way of the Co-Creative Leader by Steffan Surdek https://amzn.to/40m1o59 📌Brave Together: Lead by Design, Spark Creativity, and Shape the Future with Power of Co-Creation by Deaver and Clawson https://amzn.to/4eWnK3f 📌 Lead More, Control Less: 8 Advanced Leadership Skills that Overturn Convention by Marvin R. Weisbord and Sandra Janoff (on co-creative leadership) https://amzn.to/4m1Ad87 📌 Co-Creation…: 13 Myths Debunked: A Practical Guide by Hans Begeer & Lesley Vanleke https://amzn.to/4kR6OMR ----- GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

What does it really mean to take the Lord’s name in vain? In this episode, Dr. Carmen Imes joins Theology Project to challenge the common assumption that the third commandment is only about swearing. Drawing from her book Bearing God’s Name, she shows how this command is actually about identity, mission, and representing God well in the world. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to truly honor God’s name, this conversation will open your eyes. Books by Carmen Imes Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters     This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

What is salvation, and how do Wesleyans understand its depth and scope? In this episode, Dr. Matt O’Reilly sits down with Dr. Bill Ury for an engaging discussion on the Wesleyan/Methodist order of salvation. Together, they unpack key aspects of this transformative journey, including prevenient grace, justification, sanctification, and more. You'll learn how justification relates to the new birth and why grace is not a thing. Explore how the Wesleyan understanding of salvation emphasizes God’s grace at every stage, the question of free will, and the believer’s call to holiness. Learn how John Wesley’s insights into salvation continue to inspire Methodists and Christians around the world to pursue a life marked by faith, love, and spiritual growth. This conversation delves into questions like: How does grace lead us to salvation? What role does sanctification play in our spiritual journey? And how can Wesleyan theology offer hope and clarity in today’s world? Perfect for Methodists, pastors, theologians, and anyone curious about Christianity or the Bible, this video will deepen your understanding of God’s saving work and its practical relevance for daily life. Along with his wife, Diane, Dr. Bill Ury serves as National Ambassador for Holiness with the Salvation Army. He is a sought after speaker and author of multiple books. Before coming to the Salvation Army, Bill served as a pastor and was a professor of theology at Wesley Biblical Seminary for 25 years. Books by Bill Ury Christology as Theology https://amzn.to/4ga86AJ The Bearer: Forgiving as Christ https://amzn.to/4fFTn0q Trinitarian Personhood https://amzn.to/4i0lAAC   Brand New Books by Matt O'Reilly Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification Print: https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN Kindle: https://amzn.to/47pttuz Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS This page may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Did John Calvin misread Paul in Romans 9–11? In this interview with Dr. Jason Staples, we explore how Paul’s argument about Israel challenges the foundations of Calvinistic theology — especially the doctrine of individual predestination. Dr. Staples, author of Paul and the Resurrection of Israel, shows how Paul is not talking about individuals being eternally elected or condemned, but about God’s covenant faithfulness to Israel as a people even after their rebellion. He offers a vision of election in which Israel is chosen in order to be God's instrument of blessing to the nations. This corporate view of election, grounded in Israel’s story of exile and promised restoration, stands in contrast to the individualistic and deterministic framework often found in Reformed interpretations of Romans 9–11. If you’re wrestling with questions about predestination, election, and God’s justice — or if you’re looking for a reading of Romans that aligns with Wesleyan and Arminian theology — this conversation offers a thoughtful, biblically grounded alternative. 📗 Get Jason’s Book: Paul and the Resurrection of Israel → https://amzn.to/4kx24vC 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations that connect biblical scholarship with real-life faith and ministry: https://www.youtube.com/@TheologyProjectOnline   ---------- GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly   VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.