Kitchen Table Theology
Where Coffee, Conversation and Theology Meet
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Historical Theology
Episode 284: Intro to Historical Theology - Why Church History Matters
Historical theology is not history for history’s sake. It helps Christians ask an important question: Do we believe the same truths the church has always believed, or have we created something new? In this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Pastor Jeff Cranston introduces historical theology and explains why it matters for every follower of Jesus. Historical theology traces how believers throughout the centuries have understood, defended, debated, and articulated biblical truth. This includes major doctrines, important theologians, church history, creeds, confessions, and the theological controversies that helped shape the Christian faith.
The Patristic Period
After the apostles died, the church did not disappear. It continued to preserve, defend, and pass down the truth once delivered to the saints. In this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Pastor Jeff and Tiffany introduce Clement of Rome, one of the earliest Apostolic Fathers. They explain why Clement matters, what his letter to the Corinthian church reveals about early Christian belief, and how his writings point believers back to Scripture, humility, unity, and justification by faith in Christ alone.
Episode 286: The Didache Explained
Long before church history became filled with councils, creeds, and formal traditions, early Christians were already learning how to live as faithful followers of Jesus. In this episode, Pastor Jeff and Tiffany introduce the Didache, one of the most important early Christian writings outside the New Testament. They explain how this ancient document helps us understand the worship, discipleship, church practices, and spiritual priorities of believers in the first generations of the church.
Episode 287: Ignatius of Antioch - A Faith Bigger Than Life
Ignatius of Antioch lived so close to the time of the apostles that his life serves as a bridge between the New Testament church and the generations that followed. In this episode, Tiffany and Pastor Jeff introduce listeners to Ignatius of Antioch, an early church leader whose courage, writings, and final journey to Rome continue to challenge and encourage Christians today.
Episode 288: Irenaeus - Guarding the Gospel
Irenaeus lived at a time when the church was being attacked from the outside by persecution and from the inside by false teaching. In this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Pastor Jeff and Tiffany look at the life of Irenaeus, one of the early church’s most important defenders of the gospel. Connected closely to the apostles through Polycarp, Irenaeus helped preserve apostolic teaching, confront the rise of Gnosticism, and guide the church with both truth and grace.
Episode 289: Polycarp of Smyrna - Faithful Unto Death
Polycarp lived at a time when the early church was facing pressure from Rome, false teaching from within, and the growing challenge of preserving the message handed down by the apostles. In this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Pastor Jeff and Tiffany look at the life of Polycarp of Smyrna, one of the Apostolic Fathers and a direct link to the Apostle John. They discuss his role as bishop of Smyrna, his influence on Irenaeus, his defense of apostolic truth, and his faithful witness even unto death.
Episode 290: The Epistle of Barnabas - Seeing Jesus in All of Scripture
The Epistle of Barnabas is one of the earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament, offering a glimpse into how believers shortly after the apostolic age understood Scripture, Jesus, and the Christian life. In this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Pastor Jeff and Tiffany explore what the Epistle of Barnabas is and why the early church valued this document without recognizing it as Scripture. The letter reads the Old Testament through the lens of Christ, why Jesus is the fulfillment and center of God’s story, and how the “way of light” and the “way of darkness” remind believers that following Christ is not only about knowing truth, but walking in it.
Episode 291: Papias of Hieropolis - Lost Writings, Living Voice
When you think about what you believe as a Christian… where did those beliefs come from? For many, the trail leads back to the apostles, the earliest followers of Jesus, and church leaders like Papias of Hierapolis. Papias was connected to the Apostle John, knew Polycarp, and helped preserve early Christian teaching during the generation after the apostles. Though most of his writings have been lost, what remains gives us valuable insight into the origins of the Gospels, the importance of eyewitness testimony, and the early church’s commitment to passing down the truth about Jesus. This episode explores Papias’ life, writings, and lasting influence on Christian theology.
Episode 292: The Shepherd of Hermas - Wisdom, Warnings, and a Window into the Early Church
How should Christians approach an early church writing that is valuable, influential, and sometimes theologically troubling? The Shepherd of Hermas was one of the most widely read Christian writings of the 2nd century. Through visions, commandments, and parables, it called believers to repentance, holiness, generosity, and faithfulness in a culture that often pulled them in the opposite direction. But the book also raises serious theological questions. Here we examine the background, message, strengths, and weaknesses of The Shepherd of Hermas. We learn how studying it can deepen our understanding of the early church while strengthening our confidence in the authority of God’s Word.
Episode 293: The Letter to Diognetus - Explaining Christianity to the Roman World
The Roman world couldn’t figure Christians out. They weren’t pagans, they weren’t exactly Jews, and although they lived ordinary lives, there was something remarkably different about them. So, who were these early Christians, and what did they actually believe? In this episode, Tiffany and Pastor Jeff discuss the Letter to Diognetus, one of the earliest Christian writings addressed to a nonbeliever. They discuss how the letter defended Christianity in the Roman world, challenged pagan idolatry, distinguished Christianity from Judaism, and described believers as ordinary people whose lives were transformed by their heavenly citizenship.