Know What You Believe with Michael Horton
Michael Horton
In the 21st century, the church faces some odd headwinds. Technological advancement is accelerating, congregations are fracturing, and things like astrology and New Age spirituality are becoming more mainstream. It's more important than ever to thoughtfully engage with cultural trends outside of the church and theological disagreements within the church.
"Know What You Believe with Michael Horton" is Sola Media's podcast dedicated to engaging today's thought leaders through response videos, interviews, apologetic discussion, and more.
In a combative media landscape, our goal is to provide clarity, find common ground, and help equip you to engage with trends and popular ideas from many of today's most prominent figures.
"Know What You Believe with Michael Horton" is Sola Media's podcast dedicated to engaging today's thought leaders through response videos, interviews, apologetic discussion, and more.
In a combative media landscape, our goal is to provide clarity, find common ground, and help equip you to engage with trends and popular ideas from many of today's most prominent figures.
Episodes
Mentioned books
53 snips
Apr 21, 2026 • 42min
Has the Culture War Replaced the Gospel? Harold Senkbeil and Lucas Woodford
Lucas Woodford, president of a Lutheran district and pastor-turned-writer, and Harold Senkbeil, seasoned pastor and author, discuss their book The Culture of God's Word. They talk about Scripture forming culture, avoiding mere cultural tailoring, faithful proclamation in a post-Christian age, catechesis, youth longing for substance, and balancing adaptive ministry with rooted conviction.
37 snips
Apr 7, 2026 • 59min
Why the Modern World Is at War with Human Nature
Carl Trueman, professor and author exploring modernity and the self. He traces the intellectual arc from the Renaissance to today. They discuss self-deification, how secular culture remains deeply spiritual, the influence of Hermeticism and thinkers like Nietzsche, and practical paths of consecration through creed, cult, and code.
35 snips
Mar 24, 2026 • 19min
Spiritual Formation and the Reformation: Comer, Willard, Calvin
A thoughtful comparison of contemporary spiritual formation influences like Comer and Willard with Reformation piety. Discussion of how Luther and Calvin united doctrine and life rather than separating them. Exploration of union with Christ, communal means of grace, and how public worship shapes private devotion and everyday service to neighbors.
51 snips
Mar 13, 2026 • 46min
Penance, Purgatory, and the Assurance of Salvation
Gavin Ortlund, pastor and theologian who highlights patristic and historical perspectives, joins the discussion. They examine penance, confession, and indulgences in church history. The conversation contrasts purgatory’s development with biblical hopes of immediate welcome into heaven. They also tackle assurance of salvation and how worship and sacraments shape confidence in God’s promises.
31 snips
Feb 18, 2026 • 50min
Ben Sasse on Life, Cancer, and the Gospel
Ben Sasse, former U.S. senator and early leader at Sola Media, gives a candid update on his stage 4 cancer and treatment. He and Michael Horton revisit early ministry days, explore the gospel’s shape, and reflect on how theology steadies public life, facing mortality, priorities, resurrection hope, and finding gratitude and humor amid suffering.
Feb 11, 2026 • 43min
A Triumphant Visible Church or a Weak Invisible Church?
Jordan Cooper, Reformed pastor and theologian, riffs on ecclesiology and Reformation debates. He and the panel define visible vs invisible church. They trace continuity through history, weigh essentials like Word and sacraments against changing structures, and wrestle with beauty, liturgy, and how externals serve the gospel.
8 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 1h 3min
What Caused Secularization? Yale Historian & Michael Horton on Radical Mystics and the Reformation
Carlos Eire, Yale historian of late medieval and early modern religious history, explores miracles, levitation, and how radical mystics shaped modern thought. They trace Renaissance magic, inquisitorial skepticism, and Reformation debates. The conversation highlights why many today lean spiritual-but-not-religious and how heterodox thinkers seeded modern enchantment.
Jan 20, 2026 • 40min
The Story Behind the Heidelberg Catechism with R. Scott Clark
R. Scott Clark, a professor of church history and author of a comprehensive commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism, shares insights into this essential Protestant text. He illustrates its historical significance and pastoral applications, such as its comforting message amidst 16th-century struggles. Clark delves into key themes like guilt, grace, and gratitude, emphasizing the importance of understanding justification and sanctification. He also highlights the catechism's balance of Reformed piety against pietism’s legalism, aiming to encourage deeper engagement with the text in modern faith communities.
7 snips
Jan 6, 2026 • 45min
Justified by Faith and Works? Defending Sola Fide with Gavin Ortlund & Jordan B. Cooper
Join Gavin Ortlund, a pastor and theologian, and Jordan B. Cooper, a biblical theologian and pastor, as they unpack the doctrine of justification by faith alone. They dive into the historical context of the Reformation, contrasting infused and imputed righteousness. Hear their insights on the courtroom imagery of Scripture and the pastoral assurance found in Christ. They tackle criticisms, emphasize the necessity of good works as evidence of true faith, and clarify the roles of faith and works in salvation, all while offering deep theological reflections.
12 snips
Dec 19, 2025 • 40min
Sola Gratia: Nature, Grace, Nominalism
Gavin Ortlund, a pastor and theologian known for his insights on sola gratia and assurance, joins Michael Horton and Jordan Cooper to tackle misconceptions of the Reformation. They discuss the roots of justification and explore the claim that it stems from medieval nominalism. Ortlund emphasizes the importance of union with Christ while clarifying biblical grace versus infused transformation. The trio also examines moral virtue within Protestantism, advocating for a revival of historic Protestant ethics through accessible resources.
