Dr. David A. deSilva on the Gospel, Wesleyan Theology, Archaeology, and the Global Methodist Church: Season 3, Episode 7 of the David Donnan Podcast

July 24, 2026

Editor’s Note: This episode was originally recorded in the summer of 2025. Some event references are now dated, but the conversation and theological content remain timeless.

Listen here, or iTunes, YouTube, or Spotify.

In this episode of The David Donnan Podcast, I sit down with renowned New Testament scholar Dr. David A. deSilva for a wide-ranging conversation about Scripture, theology, discipleship, and the life of the Church.

Our discussion begins with Dr. deSilva’s contribution to Five Views on the Gospel (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology), where he presents the Wesleyan understanding of the gospel. We explore what makes the Wesleyan vision unique, why it remains deeply biblical, and how it offers a compelling framework for understanding salvation, holiness, and the Christian life.

We also discuss Dr. deSilva’s work on Christian Faith and Doctrine: An Annotated Catechism for the Global Methodist Church, examining the importance of catechesis, theological formation, and helping believers grow in both knowledge and faithful discipleship.

From there, we turn to archaeology and the world of the New Testament through his book Archaeology and the Ministry of Paul: A Visual Guide. Dr. deSilva shares how historical discoveries enrich our understanding of Paul’s missionary journeys and help modern readers better appreciate the context of the biblical text.

Along the way we also discuss his notes in The CEB Study Bible with Apocrypha, his recent appearance on Disciple Dojo with James M. Smith, my blog post Should Global Methodists Pray for Pope Leo?, and his upcoming Journeys of Paul Cruise through Greece, Turkey, and Italy.

Whether you’re a pastor, Bible student, or simply someone who loves thoughtful conversations about Scripture and theology, this episode will deepen your appreciation for the richness of the Wesleyan tradition and the world of the New Testament.

In This Episode

The Wesleyan understanding of the gospel
Why Wesleyan theology still matters today
Five Views on the Gospel and the Counterpoints series
The Global Methodist Church’s Annotated Catechism
Catechesis and Christian discipleship
Archaeology and the ministry of the Apostle Paul
Reading Scripture in its historical context
The Apocrypha and The CEB Study Bible
Dr. deSilva’s appearance on Disciple Dojo
Should Global Methodists pray for Pope Leo?
The Educational Opportunities “Journeys of Paul” Cruise

Books and Resources Mentioned

About Dr. David A. deSilva

Dr. David A. deSilva is one of today’s leading New Testament scholars and serves as the Trustees’ Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary. He is the author of numerous books on the New Testament, early Christianity, biblical theology, and the Apocrypha, and is widely respected for making rigorous biblical scholarship accessible to pastors, students, and the Church.

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About David Wesley Donnan

I write online about Methodism, devotional insights, and personal reflections. My primary goal is to organize my thoughts and explore meaningful topics. Along the way, I hope my writing inspires and encourages others on their journey.

David Donnan