The Partners and Citizens Podcast

Historical Background of Solus Christus

Lecture Title: Sola Christus: The Historical Background of Christ AloneSpeaker: Pastor Matthew CastroSeries: The Five Solas of the Reformation – Equip Summer ClassLesson 3 Duration: 75 minutes
Description:In this engaging and historically rich lecture, Pastor Matthew Castro explores the historical and theological development of Sola Christus—Christ Alone—as a core doctrine of the Protestant Reformation. Focusing on the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement, the session traces how early church fathers understood the cross, highlighting key theories such as recapitulation, ransom, and penal substitution.
Pastor Castro examines the shift in medieval theology that elevated the role of sacraments, penance, and the authority of the Church in applying Christ’s work to the believer. He explains how doctrines like purgatory and indulgences arose, especially through the teachings of figures like Aquinas, Anselm, and Pope Gregory the Great. The lecture also shows how cultural pressures—such as death during the Black Plague—shaped widespread fear and theological confusion, leading to the rise of practices like paying for indulgences.
The session culminates in the Reformers’ bold assertion that Christ’s work is not only necessary but fully sufficient, applied to believers by grace through faith alone. Pastor Castro critiques the Catholic view of salvation as grace plus works and emphasizes the Reformation’s recovery of the gospel message: full atonement is found in Christ alone.
Key Themes:
Historical views of the atonement (early church to medieval period)
Development of purgatory and indulgences
The role of the sacraments in medieval Catholicism
The Reformation’s defense of justification by faith in Christ alone
The spiritual implications of union with Christ
 

Citizens of Heaven with Jay Thompson

Guest: Jay Thompson, Director of Influencers Mid-South
In this deeply honest conversation, Matt Castro sits down with Jay Thompson of Influencers Ministries to explore what it means to live as a citizen of heaven in a world marked by exhaustion, insecurity, and quiet desperation. Drawing from personal stories and ministry experience, Jay reflects on the power of abiding in Christ, the unique struggles men face, and the difference between behavior modification and spiritual transformation. Together, they discuss identity, intimacy with Christ, and the ongoing call to die to self and depend fully on the Holy Spirit.

The Theology of Sola Scriptura

In this episode, Pastor Greg unpacks the theological foundation of Sola Scriptura—Scripture alone as the highest authority for faith and life. Building on last week's historical overview, this lesson explores how the Bible stands above tradition, councils, and personal opinion. From Galatians to modern-day challenges, listeners are equipped to understand and defend the enduring truth that God's Word is sufficient, clear, and alive today.

Partners in the Gospel with Tinsley Heston

In this inaugural episode of the Partners and Citizens podcast, Matt Castro introduces a new series centered on gospel partnership and Christian citizenship, themes drawn from Paul's letter to the Philippians. Joined by his friend and co-contributor Tinsley Heston, Matt explains the vision for the podcast: to host conversations with friends and ministry partners about missions and politics—two areas where Christian identity as citizens of heaven intersects with real-world engagement.
The conversation critiques the modern obsession with public platform and celebrity influence, challenging listeners to value obscurity, sacrifice, and servanthood. Drawing on examples from Scripture, history, and personal missions experience, Matt and Tinsley argue that God's kingdom often advances not through public figures but through hidden faithfulness, as seen in the lives of little-known missionaries and biblical figures like Philip and Paul.
The episode concludes with book recommendations for further reading, including Twelve Faithful Men and From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya, and a call to embrace gospel partnership not just with finances, but with personal presence, prayer, and shared sacrifice.

The History of Sola Scriptura

This episode introduces the first of five solas of the Reformation, focusing on the historical background of Sola Scriptura—Scripture alone—as the final authority for the church. Pastor Matt Castro begins with an overview of the Protestant Reformation as a renewal movement, not merely a protest against the Catholic Church. He outlines four key Protestant principles:
Acknowledging the good in the pre-Reformation church,
Recognizing post-Reformation errors,
The necessity of continual reform,
Upholding faith alone and Scripture alone.
The lesson traces the church’s development from the apostolic era through the Middle Ages, highlighting how Scripture’s authority was gradually displaced by papal power and church tradition. Pastor Castro details pivotal moments such as the rise of the papacy, the Council of Nicaea, the Crusades, the Great Schism, and the invention of the printing press—all setting the stage for Martin Luther’s rediscovery of the gospel in Romans.

Election 2024 Analysis with Special Guest, Michael Ebbs

In this special episode of A Pastor and His Newspaper, host Dr. Castro is joined by Michael Ebbs, a newcomer to the podcasting world, to discuss the stunning outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. With Donald Trump winning a non-consecutive second term, Dr. Castro and Michael explore how the electoral map unfolded unexpectedly, with Trump sweeping every battleground state. Together, they analyze key election issues, such as the economy, immigration, and democracy concerns, which resonated with voters and impacted results in pivotal states like Pennsylvania.
Tune in as Dr. Castro and his special guest, Michael Ebbs, reflect on Trump's impressive electoral college victory and surprising popular vote win, the significance of his mandate, and shifts in voter demographics. Join us for an insightful conversation about what this election means for America moving forward.

Waiting on the Edge of a Battle: Election Day Eve

On the eve of the election day, this episode covers the final thoughts and reflections on the day before a highly anticipated and contentious election. Dr. Castro discusses the political landscape and encourages listeners to reflect on the importance of voting while maintaining faith in God's sovereignty. Here are some key takeaways:
Close Election Dynamics: He observes how tight the race is, not only for the presidency but also for critical Senate and House races. Dr. Castro points out the importance of these congressional races, noting their impact on the balance of power and legislation in the coming term.
House and Senate Races: He provides a rundown on potential Senate seat flips, such as in West Virginia and Montana, which could impact party control. He also emphasizes that Congress is more than an extension of the presidency and plays an essential role in the lawmaking process.
Swing States and National Polls: The episode highlights battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, where both presidential candidates are polling within razor-thin margins. The outcome will likely hinge on which party's base shows up more motivated.
Praying for Leaders and the Nation: Dr. Castro calls for listeners to pray for the candidates and government leaders, especially that they recognize and submit to a higher authority beyond politics. He encourages believers to be steadfast in faith and prayer, regardless of the election outcome.
Historical Reference: Dr. Castro closes by referencing a meme about the tension before battle from Lord of the Rings, likening it to the sense of suspense before Election Day.
In this episode, listeners are reminded that the political process is temporary, but faith and trust in a sovereign God provide a lasting foundation. Through prayer and thoughtful engagement, believers can approach this election with both hope and humility.

Rising Tide: Exploring the Growth of the American Economy

In this episode of A Pastor and His Newspaper, Dr. Castro discusses the intersection of immigration and the economy as a key issue in the upcoming election. He argues that immigration is not just a security or human rights issue, but a critical economic factor that can help drive U.S. growth. Dr. Castro explores how both political parties have missed opportunities to address immigration in a way that boosts the economy, especially post-pandemic, as America outpaces other global powers in economic recovery. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective on economic cycles, reminding listeners to keep their trust in God rather than the market or political outcomes. The episode concludes with reflections on the role of faith in uncertain economic times.

How Privacy in the Voting Booth Shapes Our Choices and Values

In this episode, we explore the powerful influence of anonymity in the voting booth and how it shapes our choices on critical issues. With a spotlight on Missouri’s upcoming vote on abortion, we delve into the tension between personal values, privacy, and the moral implications of voting in secret. What happens when voters are free from scrutiny, and how does that impact decisions affecting the unborn? Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion.

The Pro-Abortion Candidate

In this episode, we dive into the campaign strategy of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, who has remained relatively quiet on most policy issues while making her stance on abortion crystal clear. Harris has positioned herself as the pro-abortion candidate, seemingly centering her campaign on this singular issue. We discuss the implications of a presidential candidate from a major political party staking their entire platform on abortion. What does this narrow vision say about America’s future? Tune in for a thoughtful analysis.