A. Craig Troxel

The Communion of the Saints

Christ the Center — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. A. Craig Troxel, Robert G. den Dulk Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary California. Dr. Troxel delves into his thought-provoking chapter on the communion of the saints from Theology for Ministry, a festschrift for Dr. Sinclair Ferguson.

What does it mean to build a spiritual community within the church? How can pastors cultivate a culture of love, service, and mutual respect, reflecting the Spirit-endowed riches of Christ’s gifts and graces? Dr. Troxel explores these profound questions, emphasizing the “one another” commands, the forms of mutual service, and the essential role of love in the life of the church.

Dr. Troxel also sheds light on the transformative power of worship and the vital role of the Spirit of God in animating the hearts of God’s people. He concludes with a compelling vision of the communion of the saints as more than just a gathering of individuals—it’s a sacred communion of those set apart for divine privileges and consecrated purposes.

Whether you’re a pastor, theologian, or simply someone seeking to deepen your understanding of community within the Christian faith, this episode offers rich insights and practical wisdom. Join us for a conversation that touches the very heart of what it means to be part of the body of Christ.

Dr. Troxel is the author of With All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will Toward Christ (Crossway). His research interests include pastoral theology, Reformed spirituality, the doctrine of the church, and biblical teaching on the heart.

Chapters

0:07 Introduction
4:53 Preaching Courses at Westminster Seminary California
8:57 A Festschrift for Sinclair Ferguson
13:06 Studying the Doctrine of the Church
16:42 Building Community
25:41 Communion of the Saints
30:05 The Health of Our Ecclesiology
34:02 WCF Chapter 26 Of the Communion of the Saints
37:40 The Uniqueness of the Church
53:45 Encouraging Spiritual Vitality in the Church
57:34 Suggested Reading
1:06:03 Final Remarks
1:08:48 Conclusion

Participants: A. Craig Troxel, Camden Bucey

With All Your Heart

Christ the Center — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Dr. A. Craig Troxel speaks about With All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will toward Christ (Crossway, 2020). Whereas contemporary culture identifies the “heart” with feelings and emotions, Craig Troxel speaks about the range of uses of the word “heart” in the Bible. The heart knows, desires, and chooses. This fuller conception of “heart” helps us understand our battle with sin and the redemption that has been wrought by Jesus Christ.

Dr. Troxel is professor of practical theology at Westminster Seminary California. He previously served as pastor of Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, Illinois and Calvary Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

Participants: A. Craig Troxel, Camden Bucey

Prison Ministry

Christ the Center — Fri, 19 May 2017 04:00:54 +0000

Brett Mahlen speaks about his ministry to inmates at the Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois.

Participants: A. Craig Troxel, Brett Mahlen, Camden Bucey, Charles Williams, Robert Tarullo

The Life and Theology of Augustine

Christ the Center — Fri, 12 May 2017 04:00:04 +0000

Charles Williams speaks about the life and theology of one of Christianity’s greatest figures, Augustine. Mr. Williams is Associate Pastor at Bethel OPC in Wheaton, Illinois. WTSBooks.com has generously offered a copy of Augustine’s The Trinity for a giveaway. This is a handsome edition from New City Press. To enter your name for the giveaway, please signup for our email list. We’ll email the winner.

Participants: A. Craig Troxel, Camden Bucey, Charles Williams, Robert Tarullo

Reformed Spirituality

Christ the Center — Fri, 05 May 2017 04:00:40 +0000

Christ the Center hits the road for a series of episodes at Bethel OPC in Wheaton, Illinois. In our first of the series, A. Craig Troxel speaks about Reformed spirituality. Dr. Troxel is pastor of Bethel OPC in Wheaton and teaches adjunct at Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana and Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has taught courses on Reformed Spirituality at both institutions.

Participants: A. Craig Troxel, Camden Bucey, Charles Williams, Robert Tarullo

How Can I Know For Sure?

Christ the Center — Fri, 16 May 2014 05:00:25 +0000

Dr. David Garner comes to the program to speak about the topic of his new booklet, “How Can I Know For Sure?” from the Christian Answers to Hard Questions Series, published by P&R Publishing. Church members and especially college students are breathing in the air of popular postmodernism, and the question of certainty requires an answer. Dr. Garner argues that to find answers we must look to the Bible as God’s authoritative word for mankind. Dr. Garner is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA.

Participants: A. Craig Troxel, Camden Bucey, David Garner, Jared Oliphint

The Headship of Christ

Christ the Center — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 05:00:01 +0000

The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of discoursing with the Rev. Dr. Craig Troxel about ecclesiology, especially as it is grounded in the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ. Rev. Troxel is pastor of Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, IL. The discussion focused on the threefold office of Christ (munus triplex Christi) as prophet, priest, and king and how that connects with the doctrine, worship, and government of the church. The group also considered the relationship of the church to the kingdom of God and the church and mission.