In this episode of Genesis Marks the Spot, Carey Griffel sits down with Dr. Matthew Bates—New Testament scholar and author of Salvation by Allegiance Alone, Gospel Allegiance, and Beyond the Salvation Wars. Together, they explore what it really means to proclaim Jesus as King, how allegiance reframes faith, and why justification should be seen as a benefit of the gospel rather than the gospel itself.

The conversation touches on:

• The difference between biblical theology and systematic theology
  
  


• How gospel allegiance compares with “lordship salvation” and “believing loyalty”
  
  


• Substitution, atonement, and representation in Paul’s letters
  
  


• Baptism, corporate identity, and the role of children in the believing community
  
  


• How Catholics and Protestants might find common ground
  
  

This dialogue bridges scholarship and discipleship, inviting us to think deeply about what the gospel is, what it isn’t, and how it calls us to live together as the people of God.

Links mentioned in the show:

• Dr. Matthew Bates’ website:  Matthew W. Bates  
  
  


• On Script Podcast:  OnScript   

On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/  

Website: genesismarksthespot.com   

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot   

Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan

Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/  

Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Win...

Chapters

• (00:00:00 ) - Introduction to Dr. Bates’ Work
• (00:06:12 ) - Matthew Bates’ Journey
• (00:10:53 ) - What Is Biblical Theology?
• (00:13:14 ) - The Gospel as Royal Allegiance
• (00:17:25 ) - Allegiance, Lordship Salvation, and Believing Loyalty
• (00:23:01 ) - Gospel, Holiness, and Priesthood
• (00:27:20 ) - Justification and the Gospel
• (00:33:20 ) - Cross-Shaped Love and Substitution
• (00:41:44 ) - Individual and Corporate Salvation
• (00:45:34 ) - Baptism and Allegiance
• (00:53:21 ) - Beyond the Salvation Wars
• (00:57:17 ) - Catholic Responses to the Book?
• (00:59:05 ) - Looking Ahead: Tracing Baptism-Adjacent Themes