Sean Finnegan

Full video restitutio.org/?p=10004 Understanding 'theology' starts with its Greek roots: 'theos' (God) and 'logos' (word/account). It's your understanding of God, or any biblical subject, often discussed as 'theology proper' for God specifically. #BiblicalTheology #Christianity

Today is our last episode in our Restoration Theology class. Believe it or not, not everyone thinks restorationism is great. In fact, most Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, are against restorationism, preferring the confessional approach. Have you started to face objections and dismissive language when you talk to others about restoration theology yet? If not, you will. Today, I want to familiarize you with the kinds of criticisms they make against us and give you some thoughts on how to answer them. Then we’ll transition our focus to consider three advantages of restorationism, including that it provides a stable identity, a way forward for unity, and evangelistic opportunities. In the end, I believe restoration theology is not just an excellent way to evaluate your beliefs; I believe it’s also the key to changing the world! restitutio.org/?p=10081

Full video: restitutio.org/?p=10003 Applying biblical rules? Remember context is key. Ensure your situation matches the original, particulars align, it coheres with the NT, and it's broadly applicable to all Christians, not just you. #BiblicalInterpretation #ChristianLiving

Full video: restitutio.org/?p=10003 Paul advised Christians not to sue each other, but to find wise leaders within the church to mediate disputes. This doesn't mean Christians can never sue; it means resolving conflicts internally first. #ChristianLiving #ConflictResolution

Full video: restitutio.org/?p=10003 Applying biblical truths hinges on "comparable particulars." Do your circumstances match the original hearers'? If the Bible says "Honor your parents" and you have parents, the application is direct. #BibleStudy #Application

Today is the capstone episode of this entire class on Restoration Theology. We’re going to put together what we’ve learned so far into a twenty-question diagnostic. The purpose of this method is to evaluate any Christian belief or practice. You can use it on your own doctrines to refine what you believe, or you can apply it to others. In what follows I’m going to run through the method a total of three times. First, I’ll simply list off the twenty questions. Then I’ll take two theological books and run through the method twice more. My hope is that once I’m done with this, you will understand how to use the diagnostic. Ultimately, my prayer is that this method will provide Christians from all kinds of backgrounds a more systematic and comprehensive approach to figure out what to believe. This method is how we do restoration theology–how we restore authentic Christianity. I hope you will find it helpful. restitutio.org/2026/04/23/649…

Full video: restitutio.org/?p=10003 Understanding ancient texts requires avoiding anachronisms. A text can't mean what it never could have meant to its original authors or readers. For example, the word 'accord' 20 centuries ago meant 'in the same place,' not a car.

Full video: restitutio.org/?p=10003 We often approach the Bible as academic study, but R.C. Sproul reminds us: *we* are the object of its criticism. It's not just information; it's a call to live differently and see the world anew. #BiblicalTruth #Theology #SpiritualGrowth

Full video: restitutio.org/?p=10003 True scripture study requires humility. It's about letting the Bible reshape your views, not just defending your own. Approach with an open heart and mind. #BibleStudy #Faith

Full video: restitutio.org/?p=10003 Humility is key. Be open to being wrong, especially when faced with teachings you dislike, like Jesus' radical stance on forgiveness. Holding onto grudges, even precious ones, goes against His word. Let it go. #Humility #Forgiveness

Full video: restitutio.org/?p=10003 Many Christians unconsciously use an intuitive approach to Bible interpretation. This can lead to spiritualizing or allegorizing texts, ignoring context, or simply moving on. Proper application follows rules for consistent scripture engagement.

Full video: restitutio.org/?p=10003 Understanding historical context is crucial for true Christian faith. We must grasp its original meaning to avoid misinterpretations and ensure we're genuinely following biblical teachings today. #BiblicalStudies #Faith #Christianity

About a year ago I was listening to a podcast that said black plastic cookware comes from recycled electronics. Such plastics are loaded with chemicals like fire retardants and should not be used in cooking. I was thinking about the black plastic spatula our family used regularly. I imagined how each time it was heating up, bad chemicals were leeching into our food. This information caused me to doubt something I had never thought of before. I did some looking around online and found that there were other options. There are metal spatulas, silicone spatulas, and even wooden spatulas. I weighed the merits of each and purchased one. When it arrived by mail, I threw out the old black plastic one. You probably employ this kind of reasoning all the time. However, when it comes to deeply cherished beliefs, we tend to be quite resistant to hearing criticisms or having doubts. We are often unaware of what the other theological options are. Most of us are underexposed to other Christian ways of thinking outside of our group. Today my goal is to convince you that looking at other options and evaluating your own beliefs over against them is worthwhile for you to do. Furthermore, I want to–as always–share a method that you can use to do this process on your own. I believe that when you have the courage to allow yourself to doubt your beliefs, you will benefit by either discarding falsehood or strengthening those that are true. restitutio.org/?p=10061

Full video at restitutio.org/?p=9996 Understanding the historical setting of a Bible book is key to accurate interpretation. It helps avoid anachronisms by clarifying ancient assumptions and worldviews. Learn the context, read correctly. #BibleStudy #Context

Full video at restitutio.org/?p=9996 Unlock Bible insights with AI! Ask chatbots for historical context on books like Esther. Get immediate outlines on historical settings, key figures, and cultural backgrounds in seconds. It's an incredible tool for deeper understanding.

Full video at restitutio.org/?p=9996 Discover the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (ZIBBC), an incredible resource for understanding the ancient world's relevance to biblical verses. Painstakingly compiled by Christian scholars. #BibleStudy #AncientHistory

Full video at restitutio.org/?p=9996 Geography is mostly stable, but it can change. Understanding these shifts is key to understanding history. #Geography #History

Full video at restitutio.org/?p=9996 Ancient Egypt wasn't monolithic. Understanding it requires specifying the era—3100 BC to 30 BC is vastly different from the 1400 BC of the Exodus. Context is key, as later periods may not reflect earlier realities.

Full video at restitutio.org/?p=9996 Understanding ancient texts requires adapting to their cultural context, not imposing modern meanings. Recovering the 'cognitive environment' helps grasp the Israelite perspective, revealing how they thought differently.

As we continue through our survey of the major branches of theology, we come to the subject of doctrinal precedents. Who has believed a particular idea before? Were there any Christians who held position x in the past? Who were they? If the majority of the church no longer holds to a certain belief, what happened? When I was in high school, I thought history was terribly boring. Learning the names of dead American presidents or about European wars never appealed to me. You may feel this way too. However, right from my first time encountering Christian history, I felt different. Perhaps that was a gift of God. Or maybe it's because Christian history is family history. I was learning about my ancestors in the faith--the good, the bad, and the ugly. Today you're going to learn a method to do historical theology. This will empower you to test your beliefs in the laboratory of history and see who held them previously. Such an exercise is important in our quest for doctrinal truth. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do. restitutio.org/?p=10051