Theology for the Rest of Us

Theology for the Rest of Us

Theology For The Rest of Us gives quick simple answers to some of the toughest and most asked questions about God, Christianity, and the Bible. We answer questions on a variety of topics related to theology in a way that any person can understand, not just theology experts. This podcast is hosted by author and pastor Kenny Ortiz. This show covers topics such as systematic theology, prayer, new covenants, baptism, tithing, love, sex, gambling, legalism, spiritual gifts, the resurrection of Jesus, church history, relationships, fasting, Calvinism and Arminianism, eschatology, common heresies, the importance of global missions, and even some political topics. Episodes feature experts such as David Mathis, Andy Stanley, Aubrey Sampson, Don Whitney, Preston Sprinkle, Nate Akin, Barnabas Piper, and several other pastors, leaders, and content creators.

Episodes

297: “Total Depravity”: The Heart of the Debate

January 6, 2025
In this episode Kenny again tackles the "Calvinism and Arminianism" debate (which happens to be one of the most heated debates amongst Protestants). Herein episode 297, Kenny unpacks the doctrine of "total depravity" and explains how this doctrine is at the heart of the debate. What is Total depravity? Total depravity is the doctrine that asserts that 100% of a human being's soul, mind, and will are radically impacted and corrupte...
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296: Calvinism vs. Arminianism: Are We Even Asking the Right Question?

June 24, 2024 • 17 mins
In this episode Kenny tackles one of the most heated debates amongst evangelicals: Calvinism vs. Arminianism. Kenny gives the history of Calvinism and Reformed theology, and then explains the Dutch Remonstrance movement that came out of the Reformed movement and would give birth to the theological system we now call Arminianism and led to the debates at the Synod of Dort. Finally, Kenny explains that the "Calvinism vs. Arminianis...
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295: What Are the 5 Points of Calvinism? What is TULIP?

June 21, 2024 • 22 mins
In this episode Kenny explains the historical origins and evolution of Calvinist soteriology. He then explains that the acronym TULIP is a helpful tool to remember the five main points of Calvinism: T- Total Depravity U- Unconditional Election L- Limited Atonement I- Irresistible Grace P-Perseverance of the Saints
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294: What are the Five Solas? Why do they Matter?

June 6, 2024 • 19 mins
In this episode Kenny explains the heart of Protestant theology, which can be summed up in five key theological statements known as "The Five Solas." The Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation distinguished the 16th century Protestant Reformers from the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. They include: Sola scriptura (Scripture alone), Solus Christus (Christ alone), Sola fide (Faith alone), Sola gratia (Grace alone), and Sol...
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293: What is Reformed Theology? Is it the Same as Calvinism?

June 5, 2024 • 26 mins
In this episode, Kenny briefly explains and outlines the history and essence of Reformed Theology (also known as Calvinism). This podcast episode is designed to be a foundational episode, laying the foundation for future episodes of the podcast that dive deeper into this topic. Kenny argues that there were four types of Protestants in the 1500s: Lutherans, Anabaptists, Anglicans, and Reformed/Calvinists. To hold to "Reformed Theol...
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292: The Podcast is Back & Kindness is Not Niceness

May 31, 2024
After a four year hiatus, Kenny Ortiz is resurrecting the "Theology for the Rest of Us" podcast. He gives an update on his life. Then, he comes back strong by asking the question, "What is kindness?" He makes it clear that niceness is not the same as kindness. We are called to be kind, but often times many Christians confuse niceness with kindness, which can be quite detrimental.
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291: Navigating Different Social-Distancing Convictions

April 28, 2020 • 9 mins
In this episode, Kenny tackles the reality that there will be various opinions and convictions from different people in our lives and churches as we make attempts to return to some sense of normalcy in the coming weeks and months. This is going to require wisdom and grace. Instead of demands, expectations, social pressures, harshness, judgmental attitudes, or virtue-signaling, Christians ought to actually lead the way with kindnes...
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290: Reacting to COVID-19 on Social Media

April 28, 2020 • 17 mins
In this episode, Kenny encourages and challenges listeners to be very careful with what they post on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Christians are posting things that seem to be motivated by fear, politics, or conspiracy theories, and these sorts of posts tend to cause us to lose credibility. This behavior misrepresents Jesus and potentially jeopardizes our ability to share the gospel. In this moment in history, p...
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289: These Are Not Uncertain Times! (What About COVID-19?)

April 26, 2020 • 23 mins
Currently, the world is facing a global pandemic—the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In the midst of the panic, fear, and frustrations there are many different responses. One common phrase used by many is the statement, "These are 'uncertain' times." However, for the Christian—the genuine believer in Christ—nothing is uncertain. In this episode, Kenny makes clear that the believer never has anything to worry about. No matter what we...
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288: Are Short-Term Missions a Waste?

November 5, 2019 • 14 mins
Each year North American evangelicals spend millions of dollars on short-term missions trips. A recent listener of the podcast asked whether or not this is appropriate? Would it be better for us to simply pool our monies and send it overseas? In essence, short-term missions can be very effective, if done right. However, most short-term missions are done wrong. They often have the wrong goals and wrong peoples in mind. This makes m...
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287: How Much Money Should I Be Giving?

October 31, 2019 • 7 mins
In this episode, Kenny answers the question: "How Much Money Should I Be Giving?" In essence, Kenny makes it clear that there's no precise set amount that we ought to give, but instead we ought to give generously and seek to invest in the things that lead to effective ministry. Christians ought to seek to give cheerfully. There is no need to feel obligated or guilty about giving, but instead we ought to seek to be prayerful and mi...
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286: What Does it Mean to be ‘Saved’?

October 28, 2019 • 8 mins
In this episode, Kenny tackles the word "saved" and how it's utilized by many contemporary evangelicals. In addition, Kenny covers the prominent Christian adage that "we are saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved."
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285: Why Did God Allow Sin?

October 17, 2019 • 7 mins
People often ask, "Why did God allow Adam to sin in the first place?" Many have wondered, if God knew that sin would cause such devastation to humanity, and such eternal consequences, then why did God did allow it happen? Couldn't he have stopped it? Couldn't God had created Adam without the ability to sin? This is the same line of thinking that came from a regular listener by email, and Kenny tackles this topic herein this episod...
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284: What Types of Things Should We Pray For?

August 12, 2019 • 15 mins
This episode is a sequel to the previous episode. In episode 283 Kenny responded to an email that had asked about how Christians ought to pray. Here in this episode, Kenny explains how the Lord's Prayer (Mt. 6:9-13; Lk. 11:2-4) is a road map and template for how Christians ought to approach God in prayer. "Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in h...
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283: Should We Recite Specific Prayers?

August 8, 2019 • 12 mins
In this episode, Kenny answers an email from a regular listener about prayer. The email asked if Christians ought to recite specific prayers, such as the Lord's Prayer or other prayers modeled for us in the Bible, or whether it is okay to pray for informal prayers. Kenny makes clear that the prayers that we pray to God are less about reciting specific words, and are more about the sentiments of our hearts whenever we are engaging i...
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282: Did Christianity Copy From Pagan Religions?

August 6, 2019 • 17 mins
Some skeptics claim that Christianity stole its fundamental claims from preexisting pagan religions. In this episode, Kenny responds to this claim, making it clear that there is absolutely no scholarly or authentic evidence for any such assertions or conclusions. Kenny outlines some of the examples that some skeptics bring up, showing clearly how we know that such attacks are false. Kenny even makes the point that there are no maj...
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281: Did Jesus Really Exist?

July 25, 2019 • 20 mins
Was Jesus a real person? Did he actually exist? Is there evidence that Jesus was a real historical person? Yes, Jesus was indeed a real person. And, yes, there is plenty of evidence for this. In fact, the evidences for this is overwhelming. Jesus being a real historical person has not ever been in question throughout history until very recently. Even religious skeptics throughout the ages have accepted the reality of a man named J...
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TEDx Talk: “How to be a Great Mentor”

July 13, 2019 • 1 min
In May 2019, Bethany Global University hosted a TEDx event. At that event, Kenny Ortiz was one of the communicators. TEDx Talk entitled: "How to be a Great Mentor." Watch on YouYube: http://bit.ly/OrtizTEDx2019    
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280: Do We Need Scholars to Really Understand the Bible?

June 28, 2019 • 20 mins
There have been moments when some well-meaning evangelicals have challenged certain scholars merely on the basis that those scholars just so happen to be scholars, as if scholarship itself is bad. Sometimes certain Christians act as if scholars are all bad, or that scholarship is somehow the enemy of quality spiritual experience. The reason why some Christians advocate against scholarship is because they sometimes feel frustrated ...
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279: Is God in Hell?

June 21, 2019 • 7 mins
In this episode Kenny answers a question from a listener about the omnipresence of God, and whether or not God is in hell. Sometimes modern evangelicals frequently use the term "separated" from God to explain the state of those in hell, but herein Kenny explains that God is actually indeed in hell and that the torment of hell is actually originating from a portion of God that unrepentant sinners rightly face, mainly God's wrath. ...
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