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In this episode, Rev. Jonathan Brooks and cohost Rev. Alex Lott respond to a provocative claim from Joe Heschmeyer of The Shameless Popery Podcast. Heschmeyer argues that the Protestant doctrine of Scripture is self-defeating because it supposedly leads to doctrinal unity — yet Protestants remain divided on what is “essential.” His argument runs as follows:

If the Protestant view of Scripture is correct, there will be unity on essential doctrines.

Protestants do not have unity on essential doctrines.
Conclusion: Therefore, the Protestant view of Scripture is false.

We take issue with both premises.

Not only do we challenge the assumption that sola scriptura necessitates perfect doctrinal agreement, but we also question whether Protestants truly lack unity on what is essential in the first place. We explore how Protestant theology has historically addressed the nature of doctrinal essentials and show why disagreement on secondary issues does not invalidate the authority of Scripture.

We also examine a Protestant response to the five versions of Heschmeyer’s central question:

What must Christians agree upon?

What must I believe to be a Christian?

What must I believe to be saved?

Which incorrect views are heretical, and which are tolerable?

Which incorrect views are damnable, and which are not?

This episode digs into the heart of how Protestants think about Scripture, doctrine, and unity — offering a robust biblical and theological defense of the Protestant tradition.

Tune in for a thoughtful and spirited conversation that pushes past caricatures and toward greater clarity on what Protestants really believe.

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In this episode, we take a close look at a popular Catholic critique of Protestantism, put forward by Catholic apologist Joe Heschmeyer. Heschmeyer argues:

1️⃣ If the Protestant view of Scripture is correct, there should be unity on essential doctrines.
2️⃣ There is not unity among Protestants on essential doctrines.
🔚 Therefore, the Protestant view of Scripture is incorrect.

He also claims that Protestantism ultimately rejects the authority and necessity of the Church, and that the very question, "Which doctrines are essential?" is the unraveling thread of the entire Protestant tradition.

But is this a fair and accurate representation of Protestant theology? Does disagreement among believers disprove the sufficiency of Scripture? And is the Catholic model immune to doctrinal division?

Join us as we explore these questions from a Protestant perspective—examining the assumptions behind Heschmeyer’s logic, the historical and biblical case for Sola Scriptura, and whether visible doctrinal unity is the right measuring stick for theological truth.

Whether you're Protestant, Catholic, or just curious, this episode offers a thoughtful and respectful dialogue around the foundations of authority, doctrine, and unity in the Church.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and join the conversation in the comments!

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Is Protestantism Dying?!?
That’s the question raised by @CameronRiecker — and in this episode of Weighed in the Balance, we’re responding directly from a Reformed Protestant perspective.

Rev. Jonathan Brooks weighs in on the claim that Protestantism is collapsing under the weight of disunity, doctrinal drift, and cultural irrelevance. Is the Reformation unraveling? Or is the picture more complex than the critics suggest?

In this episode, we explore:

• The roots of Protestant fragmentation — and whether it’s fatal
• Why church splits aren’t always a sign of failure
• The distinction between visible unity and theological faithfulness
• Whether Catholic unity is as strong as it appears

We’re not here to score points — we’re here to weigh every claim against the Word of God and offer clarity for those wrestling with the state of the Church today.

Like, subscribe, and share if you care about the future of Protestant Christianity — and drop your thoughts in the comments below!

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In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Rev. Jonathan Brooks (Presbyterian Church in America), Rev. Alex Lott (Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church), and philosophy graduate Josh Goodwin sit down to examine one of the most foundational — and controversial — doctrines of the Protestant Reformation: Sola Scriptura.

Roman Catholic theology teaches that Scripture and Tradition, interpreted by the Magisterium, are equal sources of divine authority. But Protestants argue that the Bible is the only infallible rule of faith and practice. So who's right?

We weigh claims like:

- Can the early Church Fathers be used to support the Protestant view?
- Is personal interpretation dangerous without an infallible Church?
- What do we actually mean by "Scripture alone"?

Whether you’re a committed Catholic, a curious Protestant, or just someone seeking truth, this episode will challenge you to consider what ultimate authority you’re standing on.

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Welcome to Weighed in the Balance!

In this very first episode, Rev. Jonathan Brooks introduces you to the heart behind the show: examining claims — whether religious, philosophical, or cultural — and testing them against the truth of Scripture. From the eloquent but misleading arguments of online influencers to deeply rooted theological traditions, Weighed in the Balance exists to help you spot error and cling to the truth.

You'll also meet Rev. Alex Lott, a pastor in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, and Josh Goodwin, a philosophy graduate bringing a thoughtful layman's perspective. Together, we weigh claims about Calvinism, Sola Scriptura, the deity of Christ, Roman Catholic theology, and more — because falsehoods can sound convincing if they aren't tested carefully.

Our Mission:
We aren’t here to tear people down with "facts and logic." We’re here to faithfully weigh claims in the light of Scripture— and to help you do the same.

Subscribe to stay prepared for the next time a false claim finds its way into your feed.

Got a claim you want us to weigh? Drop it in the comments!

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