Cage Free Theology

In this first installment of our multi-week series on the "Calvinism Explained: The Five Points of Calvinism," Clint Archer and Will Brannon dive into the "T" in TULIP: Total Depravity. They discuss why this doctrine is often misunderstood, where it originated historically, and—most importantly—what the Bible actually says about the human condition and our inability to seek God apart from His grace.

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👇 Jump to moments (chapters):
0:00 – Intro: What is Total Depravity?
0:30 – Starting the "Tulip" series: Why five points?
1:55 – John Calvin vs. Jacob Arminius
2:35 – How the five points were formulated
3:33 – Can Clint define Total Depravity in one sentence?
4:10 – Does it mean humans are as evil as possible?
4:42 – The "Poison in the Water" 
5:57 – Jeremiah 17:9 DON'T follow your heart
7:33 – Total Depravity vs. Complete Inability
7:50 – Deep Dive: Romans 8:7
9:16 – The "Spiritual Zombie" 
14:50 – Why a dog doesn't meow
16:40 – Why the Gospel is "folly" to the natural person
20:25 – The Doctrine of Original Sin
25:50 – Are Christians still totally depraved after salvation?

Are there still Apostles in the church today? In this episode of Cage-Free Theology, Clint Archer and Will Brannon dive deep into the biblical definition of an "Apostle." They distinguish between the general sense of being a "sent one" and the specific, capital-A office held by the original Twelve and the Apostle Paul.

The duo breaks down the strict biblical requirements for the office—including being an eyewitness of the resurrected Christ—and explains why this office was a unique foundation for the early church rather than an ongoing position. From discussing whether Judas was technically an Apostle to addressing modern claims from the Catholic Church and charismatic movements, this episode provides a clear, scriptural framework for understanding authority in the church today.

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👇 Jump to moments (chapters):
0:41 – Defining the Word: "Apostle" vs. "Sent One"
3:54 – Big "A", Apostles and the official office
5:35 – Do you know how many Apostles there were?
6:22 – James and Barnabas: "Big A" or Little "a"?
9:56 – Requirement 1 (Eyewitness of the Ministry)
11:03 – Requirement 2 (Witness of the Resurrection)
12:41 – Requirement 3 (Miraculous Signs/Powers)
16:37 – Did every Apostle receive direct Revelation?
20:50 – Why there are no Apostles today (Laatlammetjie)
24:29 – Catholics, Mormons, and the "Gift of Apostleship"

"Would you kick me out of your church?"  And what do you do when a fellow believer refuses to turn from sin? Today's episode of Cage-Free Theology provides a clear, compassionate, and biblical breakdown of one of the most misunderstood aspects of the Christian faith: church discipline. Pastors Clint Archer and Will Brandon clarify the process, explaining that it isn’t about "shunning" or "kicking people out," but rather a heart-wrenching pursuit of love intended to restore the individual and protect the purity of the church. 

Using Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 5 as their guide, they walk through the practical steps of handling unrepentant sin.  They discuss the vital role of church elders and the congregation in the restoration process and show how church discipline is actually a beautiful path toward healing and restoration.

Whether you're a pastor navigating a difficult situation or a church member who wants to understand how to love others through their deepest struggles, this episode offers the biblical clarity you need.  Tune in to see how the "hardest thing a church does" is often the most loving thing it can provide.

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👇 Jump to moments (chapters):
[00:00:00] – What Is Church Discipline And Why Does It Matter?
[00:00:33] – It’s Not "Amish shunning"
[00:01:11] – 2 Primary Goals: Restoration Of The Person & Purity Of The Church
[00:03:17] – The "Love vs. Discipline" False Dichotomy
[00:05:06] – Why You Should Look For A Church That Practices Discipline
[00:06:41] – Step 1: The Private, One-On-One Confrontation
[00:07:23] – Step 2: Bringing 2 Or 3 Witnesses To Confirm Facts
[00:08:41] – Does Discipline Apply to Non-Members?
[00:12:28] – Step 3: "Tell It To The Church"—The Members-Only Meeting
[00:14:14] – Step 4: Excommunication & Communion
[00:16:10] – 1 Corinthians 5: "Do Not Even Eat With Them"
[00:19:12] – 5 Years Of Discipline Leading To Restoration
[00:22:40] – Which Sins Qualify For Discipline? 
[00:26:10] – Handling Factious & Divisive People (Titus 3)
[00:32:18] – Trusting Your Elders Through The Process

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Is Artificial Intelligence a gift to the modern pastor or a threat to the integrity of the pulpit? In this episode of Cage-Free Theology, Clint Archer and Will Brannon dive into the ethics of using AI for Bible study and sermon preparation.

From the "Tower of Babel" risks of relying on technology to the practical benefits of using AI as a "digital intern" for research and illustrations, we explore where to draw the line. We discuss why the process of study is just as important as the final product and why the Holy Spirit’s work in the preacher can’t be automated.

Key Topics in this Episode:
   - Why "fetching" information is different from "creating" content.
    -The danger of losing critical thinking skills.
    -How tools like Logos are integrating AI responsibly.
    -The "dirty" feeling of AI-generated alliteration.
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👇 Jump to moments (chapters):
0:25 – Should pastors use AI for sermon prep?
1:16 – The Ark vs. The Tower of Babel
2:05 – Warning #1: Using AI to write the sermon for you
2:54 – The mandate for the preacher to be a "workman" - 2 Timothy 2:15
3:30 – Warning #2: The loss of pastoral authenticity and personal connection
4:55 – Warning #3: Short-circuiting the work of the Holy Spirit in the study process
6:51 – Is there a place for AI in closed countries with limited training?
8:18 – AI can erode the ability to think critically 
9:26 – AI as a tool to "fetch" information, not to "create" content
10:36 – Real examples
13:46 – AI integration in Bible software
15:52 – Is using AI for alliteration "cheating"?
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Is there a "perfect" translation, or are we just getting closer to the source? In this episode of Cage Free Theology, Clint Archer and Will Brannon break out of their usual translation debates to take a deep dive into the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB).

Today, we explore why our church is making the switch to the LSB, focusing on its commitment to literal accuracy and the specific decision to restore the name Yahweh to the Old Testament text.  They pull back the curtain on the pastoral, theological, and practical reasons for the change.
In this episode, we discuss:
• The Philosophy: What sets the LSB apart from other formal equivalence translations?
• The Consistency: How "word-for-word" can you actually get without losing the meaning?
• The Transition: Is it worth switching your primary study Bible for a new update?

Whether you're a Greek geek or just looking for a more faithful reading experience, grab a seat. It’s time to talk shop.

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👇 Jump to moments (chapters):
0:00 - Why is our church switching to the LSB? 
3:30 - Comparing the LSB to the NASB
4:44 - The Consistency Factor: Why "word-for-word" matters 
8:00 - Restoring the name Yahweh 
9:28 - The Preacher’s Dilemma 
11:28 - Congregational reaction 
13:00 - Formatting Wins
13:58 - The Logistics 
16:50 - Is the LSB too "niche" for the average churchgoer? 
19:37 - Avoiding doctrinal bias 
21:04 - Does a translation need to be a "Top 5" seller? 
23:11 - What the pastor's Bible says about the preaching