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Do Roman Catholic doctrines like purgatory, indulgences, or papal supremacy reflect the organic development of early Christian teaching—or are they later additions with no real roots in Scripture? In this episode of Wade in the Balance, Jonathan Brooks critically engages Joe Heschmeyer’s ranking of arguments against Catholicism, exploring what counts as legitimate doctrinal growth and what veers into theological invention. From the Chalcedonian box to Ephraim the Syrian, from Nestorianism to the office of the pope, we dig deep into church history, biblical authority, and how we distinguish between faithful continuity and dangerous departure.

If you've ever wondered whether “doctrinal development” is just a nice name for doctrinal drift, this conversation is for you.

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Martin Luther wasn’t trying to start a new church—he was trying to start a conversation. In this episode of Wade in the Balance, Jonathan Brooks and Matthew Duraski break down the real story behind the 95 Theses, challenge the myth of a fully-formed “Lutheran Luther” in 1517, and unpack how the Reformer’s theology actually developed over time. From lightning storms to excommunications, from indulgences to justification by faith, we explore the messy, fascinating, and often misunderstood early years of the Protestant Reformation.

Along the way, we respond to common Catholic critiques, highlight key historical turning points, and even reflect on the pastoral power of church discipline. If you think the Reformation was a single moment nailed to a door, think again.

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Martin Luther didn’t set out to start a new church—so how did we get here?

In this episode, Jonathan Brooks is joined by fellow PCA minister Matt Duraski for a no-holds-barred look at the Reformation, the myths surrounding Luther, and the infamous “44,000 denominations” claim. They tackle historical misunderstandings, Roman Catholic critiques, and the real reasons Protestant churches are so numerous (hint: it’s not just theological slap fights). From lightning storms and guilt-ridden monks to Bonclarken and Bible studies, this is a fun and thoughtful deep dive into how the church got so complicated—and why Christ is still building His Church.

References:
Original Video

Book Recommendations: Lyndal Roper, Martin Luther: Renegage and Prophet (New York: Random House, 2016). Timothy George, Theology of the Reformers (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2013). Michael Reeves, The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2009).

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