Designed for RE teachers and open to all listeners, to explore and navigate Christian theology within the new RE curriculum directory for Catholic Schools, Academies and Colleges in England and Wales. A podcast by Heythrop Institute in collaboration with London Jesuit Centre, hosted by Dr John Moffatt SJ.

S1E1: Creation - Revelation and Interpretation

Story Behind "Theology Unpacked"

In this episode of Theology Unpacked, Dr John Moffatt SJ takes us on a journey to guess intelligently what author(s) meaning for Genesis 1 and connections with ancient Middle-Eastern narratives. What is a myth?

S1E3: In a beginning

Christianity in Crisis - 5 Conclusion to the Course

In this episode of Theology Unpacked, Dr John explores how the Gospel of John introduces Jesus as the divine Word (Logos), blending Jewish scripture and Greek philosophy. 

Unlike the human-focused narratives in Matthew and Luke, John presents the Word God’s wisdom and ordering force—is both with God and is God, becoming flesh in Jesus. This concept lays the foundation for early Christian theology, especially the development of the Trinity.

Prophecy and Promise | Pt 4 The Birth of Christian Theology | E1: In the Beginning was the Word

In this podcast episode, Dr John Moffatt SJ explores how early Jewish and Christian thinkers used scriptural interpretation and philosophical ideas to understand the divine nature of Jesus. It addresses the puzzles of God’s oneness and two persons called ‘God’—Elohim and YHWH—examining the theological tensions this created. 

He highlights how spaces in the Jewish thought-world at the time of Jesus—such as varying views on the heavenly realm, divine titles, and messianic figures—made room for interpreting Jesus as a divine being worthy of worship.

S5E2: The Word was with God and the Word was God

In this podcast episode, Dr John Moffatt SJ examines the ambiguities in New Testament writings and the diverse early Christian interpretations of who Jesus is, shaped by both Jewish scripture and Greek philosophy. These differing views gave rise to both creative speculation and controversial teachings, prompting the development of early creedal statements like the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed, which emphasised Jesus' humanity, divinity, and continuity with the God of Israel.

S5E3: Hard Questions and Heresies

In this episode of Theology Unpacked, Dr John Moffatt SJ explores how the Council of Nicaea (325) marked a turning point in Christian theology, introducing philosophical language into its core beliefs—declaring that Jesus, the Son of God, is homoousios (“of the same being”) with the Father to define Christ’s divinity.

Prophecy and Promise | Pt 4 The Birth of Christian Theology | E4: The Same Being

In this episode of Theology Unpacked, Dr John Moffatt SJ explores the development of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, from the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople to the theological contributions of figures like the Cappadocians and Augustine. 
Using philosophical terms and analogies, it explains how Christians came to understand one God in three distinct yet united persons—Father, Son, and Spirit—whose identities are defined by their relationships.
Artistic and liturgical expressions, such as Rublev’s icon, complement this theology by visually conveying the unity and diversity of the divine in ways that resonate with both scripture and spiritual experience.

Prophecy and Promise | Pt4 The Birth of Christian Theology | E5 Three Persons and One God

In this episode of Theology Unpacked, Dr John Moffatt SJ traces how early Christians wrestled with expressing the mystery at the heart of their faith: that Jesus is both truly God and truly human.
From Ignatius of Loyola’s vision of the Trinity to the clash between Cyril of Alexandria and Nestorius of Antioch. Dr John traces how the Church arrived at the Council of Chalcedon definition in 451: one person in two natures, fully divine and fully human. It's a journey from analysis back to contemplation and mystery.

Prophecy and Promise | Pt 4 The Birth of Christian Theology | E6: Truly God and Truly Human

Courses in Theology, Philosophy, Spirituality and Justice

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