Reformed Forum

Perspectives on Pentecost

Camden Bucey — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:00:54 +0000

Christ the Center revisited with Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, professor of biblical and systematic theology, emeritus, at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, about the significance of Pentecost for redemptive history and the life of the church. Drawing from his book Perspectives on Pentecost and his “Acts and Paul” lecture notes, Dr. Gaffin explained the place of Pentecost as the culmination of that complex of events surrounding the person and work of Jesus Christ which includes his incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension. Pentecost, then, occurs as part of the accomplishment of redemption and is therefore unrepeatable although its significance and effects reverberate throughout the Christian life. This is a rich biblical theological discussion that will repay frequent rehearsals.

episode photo by knowhimonline

Books by Richard B. Gaffin, Jr.

Family and Sabbath

Camden Bucey — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Darryl G. Hart and Camden Bucey converse about family and Sabbath through the writings of Wendell Berry.

Books by Wendell Berry

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 – Whatever You Do (John Currie)

Camden Bucey — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:27:45 +0000

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

John Currie is Director of Alumni Relations and Educational Advancement at Westminster Theological Seminary and an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Counseling Difficult Cases

Camden Bucey — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:00:46 +0000

The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of conversing with Dr. George Scipione, professor of pastoral theology and director of the Biblical Counseling Institute at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA about the necessity of pastoral counseling that is biblical. Specifically, discussion was had about hard cases calling for both learning and practical wisdom. Among the many issues raised was the importance of counseling and a proper ecclesiology. Clearly the conversation scratched the surface of this important issue.

Creating Culture

Camden Bucey — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:49 +0000

The panel continues to examine the theological foundations for engaging culture.

Book 1, Chapter 14, Sections 7-11: In the Creation of the World…

Camden Bucey — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:00:46 +0000

Sections

7. A kind of prefects over kingdoms and provinces, but specially the guardians of the elect. Not certain that every believer is under the charge of a single angel. Enough, that all angels watch over the safety of the Church.
8. The number and orders of angels not defined. Why angels said to be winged.
9. Angels are ministering spirits and spiritual essences.
10. The heathen error of placing angels on the throne of God refuted. 1. By passages of Scripture.
11. Refutation continued. 2. By inferences from other passages. Why God employs the ministry of angels.

John 2:12-22 – A New Temple (Nick Batzig)

Camden Bucey — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 13:08:45 +0000

After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days. 13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Nick Batzig is pastor of New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Richmond Hill, GA.

Theological Prayer

Camden Bucey — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:00:56 +0000

The panel discusses the relationship of theology to prayer by focusing on Colossians. Jim, Nick, and Camden explore Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae and think about the relationship of theology to prayer. Paul’s prayers, especially in the book of Colossians, provide a wonderful example for all believers whether they pray to the Lord in public and private worship.

Youth and Campus Ministry

Camden Bucey — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:00:23 +0000

Dr. Scott Oliphint explains his own experience in youth ministry and the practicality of a seminary education for youth and campus ministers.

A Theology of Culture

Camden Bucey — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0000

The panel examines the theological foundations for engaging culture.

Galatians 2:11-16 – Justification by Faith Alone (J. Mark Sallade)

Camden Bucey — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 05:00:27 +0000

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” 15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

A Tour of Studio B

Camden Bucey — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:49:44 +0000

A behind-the-scenes look at Reformed Forum’s alternate recording location and a discussion of some of the recording gear.

The 100th Episode

The Christian Lover

Camden Bucey — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:00:48 +0000

Michael Haykin, Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, speaks about his book The Christian Lover: The Sweetness of Love and Marriage in the Letters of Believers. In the book Haykin collects letters from one or both parties in twelve significant relationships from church history including Luther, Calvin as well as lesser-known figures.

Thoughts on American Presbyterianism

Camden Bucey — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:09:54 +0000

Darryl G. Hart shares a few thoughts on American Presbyterianism including the modernist-fundamentalist debates of the early 20th century and the historical developments of women in office.

Book 1, Chapter 14, Sections 1-6: In the Creation of the World…

Camden Bucey — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:00:51 +0000

1. The mere fact of creation should lead us to acknowledge God, but to prevent our falling away to Gentile fictions, God has been pleased to furnish a history of the creation. An impious objection, Why the world was not created sooner? Answer to it. Shrewd saying of an old man.
2. For the same reason, the world was created, not in an instant, but in six days. The order of creation described, showing that Adam was not created until God had, with infinite goodness made ample provision for him.
3. The doctrine concerning angels expounded. 1. That we may learn from them also to acknowledge God. 2. That we may be put on our guard against the errors of the worshippers of angels and the Manichees. Manicheeism refuted. Rule of piety.
4. The angels created by God. At what time and in what order it is inexpedient to inquire. The garrulity of the Pseudo-Dionysius.
5. The nature, offices, and various names of angels.
6. Angels the dispensers of the divine beneficence to us.

Job 38 – Did God Will This? Thoughts on Haiti (Jim Cassidy)

Camden Bucey — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:00:27 +0000

1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements- surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, 9 when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, 10 and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, 11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’? 12 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, 13 that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? 14 It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment. 15 From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken. 16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? 17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? 18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this. 19 “Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness, 20 that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home? 21 You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great! 22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, 23 which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war? 24 What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth? 25 “Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt, 26 to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man, 27 to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground sprout with grass? 28 “Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew? 29 From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the frost of heaven? 30 The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. 31 “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion? 32 Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth1 in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? 33 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth? 34 “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover you? 35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’? 36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind? 37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, 38 when the dust runs into a mass and the clods stick fast together? 39 “Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, 40 when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in their thicket? 41 Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?

Shepherding Ministry

Camden Bucey — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:00:57 +0000

The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of talking with Dr. Tim Witmer, professor of practical theology, coordinator of the PT department, and supervisor of the mentored ministry program at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia as well as pastor of Crossroads Community Church (PCA) in Upper Darby, PA, about his new book, The Shepherd Leader: Achieving Effective Shepherding in Your Church (P&R). The discussion revolved around the importance of formal and informal shepherding in the church by pastors and elders (and assisted by deacons) so that all members of a congregation are cared for. The book and the related courses at WTS stem from Dr. Witmer’s doctoral work at Reformed Theological Seminary and his extensive church planting and revitalization experience. This program demonstrates that sound doctrine produces sound practice.

Epistemology and a Two-Kingdoms View

Camden Bucey — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:00:34 +0000

Darryl G. Hart and Camden Bucey discuss the relationship of various Christian epistemologies to a two-kingdoms approach to Christ and culture.

post photo by Joel Bedford

Book 1, Chapter 13, Sections 26-29: The Unity of the Divine Essence…

Camden Bucey — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:30 +0000

Sections

26. Previous refutations further explained.
27. Reply to certain passages produced from Irenaeus. The meaning of Irenaeus.
28. Reply to certain passages produced from Tertullian. The meaning of Tertullian.
29. Anti Trinitarians refuted by ancient Christian writers; e.g., Justin, Hilary. Objections drawn from writings improperly attributed to Ignatius. Conclusion of the whole discussion concerning the Trinity.

John 11:1-45 – Healing and Revealing (David Chilton)

Camden Bucey — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:00:34 +0000

1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”

38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him,

This sermon was delivered at Reformation Orthodox Presbtyerian Church in Oviedo, FL.