Seminary Unboxed
By Matt Ayars
Seminary UnboxedAug 03, 2023
The Book of Jude with Dr. Andy Miller
Dr. Miller joins the podcast to discuss his new book "Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude."
Contender is available on Amazon here:
https://a.co/d/4gVBcMZ
Revelation 7b - The Multitude
Dr. Ayars discusses the multitude in heaven.
Revelation 7 - The 144,000
In this episode Dr. Ayars discusses Revelation 7 and the 144,000.
Revelation 6 - The First Six Seals
A brief overview of the meaning behind the four apocalyptic horsemen, the martyrs, and the earthquake.
A Discussion on the Inerrancy of Scripture
In this episode, Dr. Matt Ayars, Dr. Andy Miller III, Dr. Steve Blakemore, and Dr. Murray Vasser discuss the doctrine of inerrancy. They answer questions like, "Should Wesleyan's use the term 'inerrancy'"? "Does the doctrine of inerrancy die the death of a thousand qualifications?" "Is the doctrine a contemporary doctrine?"
Revelation 5 - The Worship of the Lamb
In this episode, Dr. Ayars exegetes Revelation 5, where Jesus, the slain lamb, is worshipped because of his obedience and ultimately redemptive work. He alone fulfills God's redemptive purposes in the world.
Revelation 4 - The Four Beasts and the Elders Worship God the Father
In this episode, Dr. Ayars interprets the meaning of the fours creatures around the throne and the theological basis for their worship.
A Theology of AI: God, the Human Soul, and the Threat of AI
In this episode of Seminary Unboxed, Dr. Matt Ayars and Dr. Steve Blakemore discuss a theology of artificial intelligence. The discussion ranges from the what makes humanity unique, how AI is not and will never be God, the notions of love, personhood, and even the eschatological threat of artificial intelligence informed by notions from the book of Revelation. Dr. Steve Blakemore is Professor of Christian thought and theology at Wesley Biblical Seminary (wbs.edu). Dr. Matt Ayars is President and Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Wesley Biblical Seminary. Link to Dr. Blakemore’s book Recovering the Soul: Aquinas's and Spinoza's Surprising and Helpful Affinity on the Nature of Mind-Body Unity: https://www.amazon.com/Recovering-Soul-Aquinass-Surprising-Mind-Body/dp/1532698127/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1687805662&sr=8-1
The Holy Spirit is God
In this episode, Dr. Ayars discusses how the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is divine by considering the incommunicable divine attributes of the Holy Spirit (i.e., all-powerful, all-knowing, not restricted by time and space), the divine titles of the Holy Spirit and that for the Holy Spirit to truly represent the divine Presence, he must be God.
The Holy Spirit & the Trinity
In this episode Dr. Ayars explains the basic notions to the Trinity and how the Holy Spirit fits into the bigger trinitarian framework.
Church Tradition and the Holy Spirit
In this episode, Dr. Ayars talks about the church tradition and doctrine as a source of information when studying the Holy Spirit. Church tradition is not human invention/teaching to be added to the Scriptures; rather, church tradition is the Church's attempt, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to preserve in concise language the apostolic witness of the New Testament. We can rely on the creeds when they say that the Holy Spirit "eternally proceeds from the Father through Son.
The Holy Spirit - The Scripture as The Source
In this episode, Dr. Ayars explains his convictions about the Bible as the primary source for studying the Holy Spirit. As a text that is inspired/authoritative, inerrant, sufficient, clear, and unified, the Bible is the authority for finding out what the Holy SPirit reveals about himself in that very text.
The Holy Spirit - Introduction and the Holiness of God
In this episode Dr. Ayars summarizes the introduction to his book, The Holy Spirit: An Introduction where he discusses the holiness of God as the starting point for understanding the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit: An Introduction - Why I Wrote the Book
In this episode, Dr. Ayars explains why he wrote the book on the Holy Spirit.
The Throne in Heaven - Part 1 (Rev. 4:1–6a)
In this episode we look at the meaning of John’s being called to heaven, the door to heaven, and the various features surrounding God the Father’s presence in throne room. Why a rainbow? Why the colors for carnelian, jasper and emerald? Why flashes of lightening and thunder? This episode explains all of these elements as understood by the original auidience as informed by the broader witness of the Scriptures, namely, the book of Ezekiel and the Psalms.
The Letter to the Church in Laodicea (Rev. 3:14–22)
Christ rebukes the church in Laodicea because they are neither cold nor hot, meaning that they neither bring refreshment (cold) nor healing (hot) to the thirsty and diseased world around them. They are blind to their own sin, but Jesus extends grace by asking them to allow him to return to their assembly!
The Letter to the Church at Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7–13)
John writes to the church at Philadelphia, a faithful church, but with little power. He promises them that he will preserve them through tribulation and that the reward for their faithfulness will be eternity in the presence of God.
The Letter to the Church at Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6)
Dr. Ayars discusses the letter to the church at Sardis. The Christians in Sardis have the reputation of being alive but they are dead (still enslaved to sin). Christ calls them to be watchful lest they miss out on Christ’s return and final redemption.
The Letter to the Church at Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29)
In this episode, Dr. Ayars exegetes Revelation 2:18-29. He emphasizes that the even church is not a place safe from judgment for those who live in open rebellion against God. He also highlights that tolerance for sin in the church receives rebuke from the Son of God.
Letter to the Church at Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11)
Dr. Ayars continues his series in Revelation, covering the Letter to the Church at Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11).
Letter to the Church at Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7)
Dr. Ayars continues his journey through the book of Revelation by examining the letter to the church at Ephesus.
The Vision of the Son of Man (Rev. 1:9-20)
Dr. Ayars continues his series in Revelation, diving into John's inaugural vision.
Persecution and the Spirit on the Lord's Day (Rev. 1:9-11)
Dr. Ayars examines Revelation 1:9-11.
Greeting to the Seven Churches (Rev. 1:4-8)
Discussion on John's greeting to the seven churches in Asian.
The Seven Spirits Before the Throne and the Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5-6)
Revelation 1 continued - the seven spirits and the faithful witness of Jesus.
Asbury Revival with Isaiah Friedeman
Dr. Ayars talks to Isaiah Friedeman, who is on the front lines of the Asbury Revival going on right now in Wilmore, Kentucky.
The Letter to the Universal Church (Rev. 1:4)
Dr. Ayars continues his series in Revelation.
The Prologue to the Letter (Rev. 1:1-3)
Dr. Murray Vasser guest hosts Seminary Unboxed and walks through Revelation 1:1-3.
Revelation- Distant Future, Past, or Present
Dr. Ayars continues his introduction to the book of Revelation.
Revelation- When was it written?
Dr. Ayars continues his series on Revelation exploring its authorship date.
Revelation- Interpreting Apocalyptic Literature
One this episode of Seminary Unboxed, Dr. Ayars teaches on the genre of Revelation.
Revelation- Who wrote it?
Dr. Ayars begins his series on the book of Revelation.
Seminary and the Marketplace with Ethan Kelly
WBS Vice President for Business Affairs, Ethan Kelly, joins the podcast.
"Here Are Your Gods" - Faithful Discipleship in Idolatrous times with Chris Wright
In this episode, Dr. Chris Wright joins the podcast to discuss his new book, "Here are your Gods."
Five Things Theologians wish Biblical Scholars Knew with Hans Boersma
Hans Boersma joins the podcast to discuss the five things theologians wish biblical scholars knew.
Spiritual Warfare and Exorcism w/ Pete Bellini
Pete Belinni joins the Seminary Unboxed podcast to talk about his new book, The X-Manuel.
Roger Olson- Against Liberal Theology
Dr. Roger Olson joins the Seminary Unboxed podcast to discuss his new book, "Against Liberal Theology."
Bill Bellinger on Old Testament Theology
Dr. Bill Bellinger joins the podcast to talk about his new book "Introducing Old Testament Theology."
Michael Brown and Cancel Culture
Dr. Michael Brown joins the podcast to discuss how Christians should respond to cancel culture.
Dr. Eve Tibbs and the Eastern Orthodox Church
In this interview, Dr. Matt Ayars and Dr. Eve Tibbs discuss the similarities and differences between Eastern Orthodox and Wesleyan-Arminian traditions.
Brandon Crowe on the Perfect Life of Jesus
Dr. Brandon Crowe joins the podcast to discuss the reason behind the perfect life of Jesus.
Ephraim Radner- All Thy Lights Combine
Ephraim Radner, co-editor of All Thy Lights Combine, joins Dr. Ayars on this installment of Seminary Unboxed.
Chris Hays- God and Guns
Chris Hays, co-editor of Gods and Guns, joins the Seminary Unboxed podcast.
Dan Block and Covenant
Dan Block discusses his new book Covenant: The Framework of God's Grand Plan of Redemption
Ken Collins on Jesus the Stranger
Dr. Matt Ayars invites Dr. Ken Collins onto the podcast to discuss his new book, Jesus the Stranger, and discuss Collin's view of entire sanctification.
Stuart Kellogg and the Post Covid Church
This episode of Seminary Unboxed features Stuart Kellogg, author of The Post Covid Church.
Ryan Danker and Wesleyan Political Theology
In this episode of the Seminary Unboxed podcast, Dr. Matt Ayars sits down with Ryan Danker who specializes in Wesleyan theology in the public square.
Steve Tsoukalas and the Trinity
Steve Tsoukalas joins us to discuss his work on the Trinity.
Sandra Richter and the Epic of Eden
Dr. Sandra Richter joins us to discuss her book the Epic of Eden.
Michael Bird and Hierarchy within the Trinity
Michael Bird joins the podcast to discuss the Trinity.