Learning the Fundamentals

About Learning the Fundamentals

The goal of this podcast is right in the title, to learn the fundamentals of the Christian faith together.

Publisher

Shepard Merritt

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Jul 2025

Latest episode

1 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Sept 2026

   The Trinity Explained Simply (Biblical Vocabulary Ep. 6)

   In today’s episode of Learning the Fundamentals, we continue our Biblical Vocabulary series with the word “Trinity.” There is only one true God. Scripture makes this abundantly clear: “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.” — Isaiah 46:9 Yet in the New Testament, God reveals Himself more fully. The Bible teaches that the one true God eternally exists as three distinct, coequal, and coeternal Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In this episode, we’ll examine the biblical foundation for the doctrine of the Trinity and consider what Scripture teaches about who God is. ____________________________ Daniel Faucett - Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries: https://www.scifr.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/ https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/ Shepard Merritt: https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/ https://www.tiktok.com/@shepard.merritt

2. 

   24 Apr 2026

   What You NEED to know About Baptism (Biblical Vocabulary Ep. 5)

   “Should I be baptized?”“Will baptism save me?”“I was baptized as a child, should I be re-baptized?”“What is baptism?”In today’s episode of Learning the Fundamentals, we will answer these questions and more as we continue our Biblical Vocabulary series by exploring the meaning of Baptism.____________________________ Daniel Faucett - Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries: https://www.scifr.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/ https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/ Shepard Merritt: https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/ https://www.tiktok.com/@shepard.merritt

3. 

   26 Nov 2025

   Eternal Life: Once Saved Always Saved? (Biblical Vocabulary Ep. 4)

   In today’s episode of Learning the Fundamentals, we continue our Biblical Vocabulary series by exploring the meaning of eternal life. You’ve likely heard the phrase, “Once saved, always saved.” It’s a widely held belief—and one surrounded by significant controversy. Since our focus today is eternal life, it’s also necessary to address the closely related doctrine of eternal security. Together, we’ll examine several key biblical passages to better understand what eternal life truly means and to consider whether the doctrine of eternal security is, in fact, biblical. ____________________________ Daniel Faucett - Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries: https://www.scifr.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/ https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/ Shepard Merritt: https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/ https://www.tiktok.com/@shepard.merritt

4. 

   18 Nov 2025

   Fight For Your Faith (Sermon Audio)

   This is the audio for a sermon I preached on 11/16/2025 last Ragland First Baptist Church.In this sermon, I examine a few significant moments in the life of Nehemiah to discuss the necessity of fighting the good fight of faith. I anchor my sermon on three main points: 1) We must know what we are fighting for - In order to defend our faith, we need to be educated on what we believe and why we believe it (1 Peter 3:15)2) We must know what we are fighting against - Our enemy is not physical, but spiritual (Ephesians 6:12)3) We must know who we are fighting for - Our motivation to fight is to honor God and defend our home (Nehemiah 4:14)_________________________Ragland First Baptist Church (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/Raglandfirst-------------------------------LINKS--------------------------------Science Faith & Reasoning podcast link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/science-faith-reasoning/Coffee with John Calvin Podcast link (An SFR+ Production hosted by Daniel Faucett) https://open.spotify.com/show/5UWb8SavK17HO8ERorHPYNLearning the Fundaments (An SFR+ Production hosted by Shepard Merritt): https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/shep304/----------------------------CONNECT-----------------------------https://www.scifr.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@shepard.merritt

5. 

   18 Nov 2025

   Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification Explained (Biblical Vocabulary Ep. 3)

   In today’s episode of Learning the Fundamentals, we continue our Biblical Vocabulary series with one of the most essential words in the Christian faith: Justification.We’ll explore what it truly means to be justified before God, how justification takes place, and the life-changing impact it has on every believer.To fully grasp this concept, we’ll also touch on two closely related terms—sanctification and glorification—examining how each one represents a vital stage in the believer’s salvation. Together, these three aspects give us a complete picture of God’s redemptive work on the believer. ____________________________________________________ Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries: https://www.scifr.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/ https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/ https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/

6. 

   3 Nov 2025

   The Law: What It Is and the Purpose It Serves (Biblical Vocab Ep. 2)

   In this episode of Learning the Fundamentals, we continue our Biblical Vocabulary series by examining the word “Law.” We will take a closer look at what the law is, why it was given, and how Scripture uses various terms to describe it. We’ll explore the meaning behind words such as the letter, commandments, and even Moses, and consider how each of them relate to the law. Together, we’ll reflect on the purpose the law serves in revealing God’s holiness and exposing human sin. _________________________ Daniel Faucett - Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries:https://www.scifr.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/Shepard Merritt:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/

7. 

   27 Oct 2025

   Sin: The Original Sin and the Condition of Humanity (Biblical Vocab ep. 1)

   In this episode, we launch a brand-new series on Learning the Fundamentals titled “Biblical Vocabulary.” The goal of this series is to clearly define and explain key biblical terms in a way that is both simple and easy to understand. As we journey through these foundational topics, we’ll build a solid framework for deepening our understanding of Scripture.To begin, we explore what the Bible teaches about sin—its origin, meaning, and impact on humanity. We’ll look closely at the original sin of Adam in the Garden of Eden and consider how that event continues to affect us today. Finally, we’ll uncover the divine solution to sin’s problem: Jesus Christ. While Adam’s disobedience brought death into the world, Christ’s perfect obedience and sacrifice on the cross offer life and salvation to all who believe in Him.Daniel Faucett - Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries:https://www.scifr.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/Shepard Merritt:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/

8. 

   11 Oct 2025

   How to Go To Heaven According to the Bible

   Many people have heard different and confusing messages about how to be saved, but the Bible makes it simple.In this video, we’ll go straight to Scripture to understand what the Bible says about salvation — why Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection are enough, and how you can know for sure that you’re forgiven and saved.This isn’t about religion, good works, or church traditions; it’s about the clear and powerful Gospel message found in God’s Word. Daniel Faucett - Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries:https://www.scifr.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/Shepard Merritt:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/

9. 

   1 Oct 2025

   This Is Why I Changed My Mind About KJV Onlyism (w/ Daniel Faucett)

   Thank you for joining us for this episode of Learning the Fundamentals! In this conclusion to our series on my journey out of KJV Onlyism and the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) movement, I’m joined once again by a familiar guest—Daniel Faucett. Together, we pick up where we left off in our earlier conversation on the Science, Faith, and Reasoning Podcast. 🎧 Listen to that first conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2P3Fn5Sxn9Wv7itgpu5RPB?si=VVT2TCIpQXW5ZU-UNgi6Bw We begin by exploring the history of Bible translation and the surprising irony in how that history relates to modern KJV Onlyism. From there, we take a closer look at three specific arguments often made by KJVO advocates—arguments I once believed myself, but have since come to understand were based on misunderstandings or misinformation. Our goal in this discussion is to offer thoughtful, respectful dialogue on important issues, while striving to remain calm, humble, and Christ-honoring throughout. Daniel Faucett - Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries: https://www.scifr.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/ https://www.insdtagram.com/danielfaucett1995/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScienceFaithReasoning Shepard Merritt: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShepMusic

10. 

    22 Sept 2025

    Legalism vs. Liberalism: Avoiding Extremities

    In this episode of Learning the Fundamentals, we explore two dangerous extremes in the Christian faith: legalism and liberalism. Both distort the gospel in different ways, leading us away from Christ. We will look at what the Bible has to say about this issue and discover how we are called to a balanced life of grace and truth. Daniel Faucett - Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries: https://www.scifr.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/ https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/ Shepard Merritt: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/

11. 

    15 Sept 2025

    The Danger of Spiritual Superiority: Pharisees and Fundamentalism

    In this episode of Learning the Fundamentals, we explore passages from the Gospel of John that reveal the Pharisees’ arrogance and unwillingness to be corrected. We then reflect on similar patterns of spiritual elitism within the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) movement today. With a heart for truth and love for those caught in these attitudes, this episode challenges us to lay down pride and embrace the humility that Christ calls His followers to. Daniel Faucett - Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries: https://www.scifr.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/ https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/ Shepard Merritt: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/

12. 

    8 Sept 2025

    How the IFB Changed My Life Forever

    Thank you for joining me for this special episode of Learning the Fundamentals. In many ways, this is the episode I envisioned when I first launched this series. After laying the necessary groundwork in earlier episodes, I’m now ready to dive into a deeply personal and reflective topic: How the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) movement affected my life. In this episode, I share how my involvement in the IFB has shaped my life—emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. I address some challenging and vulnerable themes, including personal transformation, insecurity, uncertainty, and damaged relationships. Through it all, I offer a perspective grounded in hope and growth. I believe God used my time in the IFB to deepen my understanding of Him, prepare me for future leadership in my home, and shape who I am today. While the path wasn’t always easy, I’m grateful for the lessons learned and the ways this experience has influenced my life and faith. Daniel Faucett - Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries: https://www.scifr.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/ https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/ Shepard Merritt: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/

13. 

    1 Sept 2025

    NIFB Doctrines I Still (kind of) Believe

    The New Independent Fundamental Baptist (NIFB) movement is characterized by several distinctive doctrines that shape its identity and set it apart from other groups. While I have previously discuessed many beliefs within this community that I no longer support, in this episode I focus on doctrines that I still hold to some extent. I will examine these in detail, highlighting both the aspects I affirm and the areas where I believe the NIFB takes its positions too far. Daniel Faucett - Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries: https://www.scifr.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/ https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/ Shepard Merritt: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/

14. 

    25 Aug 2025

    How the NIFB Affected Us Differently: A Conversation About Our Shared Experience (w/ Sloan Phillips)

    My friend Sloan Phillips and I were both introduced to the New Independent Fundamental Baptist movement around the same time. We were exposed to a lot of the same things but it impacted our lives in very different ways. In this episode, we have a healthy conversation discussing the ways that the NIFB changed our lives for the better, things we still agree/disagree with from the movement, and why it affected us differently. Daniel Faucett - Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries:https://www.scifr.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/Shepard Merritt:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/

15. 

    18 Aug 2025

    10 Red Flags I Noticed About my Experience in the NIFB (Pt. 2)

    In this episode, we will continue a two-part series where I am examining ten red flags I noticed during my involvement in the New Independent Fundamental Baptist movement. Many of these red flags will be dealing with characteristics/behavior from pastors and members of this community; However, I will also discuss a few red flags about myself that I have learned. My goal is to be transparent about my mindset throughout this process and reflect on the mistakes I made in an effort to discover truth and glorify God! Daniel Faucett - Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries: https://www.scifr.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/ https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/ Shepard Merritt: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/

16. 

    11 Aug 2025

    10 Red Flags I Noticed About my Experience in the NIFB (Pt. 1)

    In this episode, we begin a two-part series where I will be examining ten red flags I noticed during my involvement in the New Independent Fundamental Baptist movement. We will cover the first five red flags in this episode, and the remaining five in the next. Many of these red flags will be dealing with characteristics/behavior from pastors and members of this community; However, I will also discuss a few red flags about myself that I have learned. My goal is to be transparent about my mindset throughout this process and reflect on the mistakes I made in an effort to discover truth and glorify God! Daniel Faucett - Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries: https://www.scifr.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/ https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/ Shepard Merritt: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/

17. 

    4 Aug 2025

    10 Things I Like About the NIFB

    In this episode, we discuss 10 positive things about the NIFB. Since the purpose of this series is to completely unravel my experience with the controversial independent baptist movement, there will naturally be several episodes highlighting the negative aspects of the NIFB. While there are many things I disagree with, I do want to be diligent to acknowledge the positive. It is for this reason that we kick off episode two of Learning the Fundamentals on a positive note! Daniel Faucett - Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries: https://www.scifr.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/ https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/ Shepard Merritt: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/

18. 

    28 Jul 2025

    My Introduction to King James Onlyism and the NIFB

    Welcome to the first episode of Learning the Fundamentals! In this introduction, I discuss how I got involved with fundamentalism and King James Onlyism. Throughout this series we will discuss many truthful doctrines and good practices within this movement as well as expose some of the more negative aspects of it. Join me as I reflect on my journey through the IFB and learn the fundamentals of the Christian faith! Daniel Faucett - Science Faith and Reasoning Ministries: https://www.scifr.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencefaithandreasoning/ https://www.instagram.com/danielfaucett1995/ Shepard Merritt: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shepmusic_/

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