Reformed Forum

Vos Group — The Christian’s Hope (1 Pet. 1:3–5)

Christ the Center — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 15:13:35 +0000

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey leads a discussion with Lane Tipton and Danny Olinger on Geerhardus Vos’s sermon, “The Christian’s Hope,” from his book Grace and Glory. The group explores the profound eschatological themes of 1 Peter 1:3-5, examining the nature of Christian hope as rooted in the resurrection of Christ and the believer’s heavenly inheritance. They unpack how this hope should shape the Christian life, influencing how we view suffering, earthly success, and our ultimate calling. The conversation highlights how Vos’s insights are still relevant for modern Reformed believers, particularly in a world distracted by temporal concerns. Tune in for a rich discussion on how our eschatological hope fuels a life of faithful pilgrimage toward the new heavens and new earth.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
05:01 The Pilgrim Life and 1 Peter 1:3–5
07:49 The Historical Context of 1904
10:42 The Nature of Hope
21:15 The Christian Perspective on American and European Culture
27:02 Postmillennialism and Amillennialism
35:14 The Characteristics of the Heavenly Inheritance
40:48 The Powerful Witness of Christian Hope
48:17 Christ’s Blessing upon the Church
53:42 The Christian Purpose
57:42 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Danny Olinger, Lane G. Tipton

Van Til and the Foundation of Christian Ethics

Christ the Center — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we welcome Scott J. Hatch, author of Reformed Forum’s latest publication, Van Til and the Foundation of Christian Ethics: A God-Centered Approach to Moral Philosophy, to consider the profound relationship between theology and ethics as articulated by Cornelius Van Til. In addition to providing an original treatment of the subject, Hatch has also edited a critical edition of Van Til’s Christian-Theistic Ethics, which is included as a lengthy appendix in this volume. This never before been available, and anyone interested in the thought of Cornelius Van Til should surely get a copy for their library.

This insightful conversation illuminates Van Til’s unique approach to Christian ethics, emphasizing a God-centered moral philosophy grounded in the doctrine of the self-contained ontological Trinity. Hatch explores Van Til’s critique of moral relativism and how his theological framework offers a compelling solution to ethical dilemmas, contrasting with the perspectives of other ethicists and theologians.

The episode promises to enrich understanding of Christian ethics through the lens of Reformed theology, challenging believers to consider the foundational role of the Triune God in all moral considerations. Join us for a thought-provoking exploration of how Cornelius Van Til’s groundbreaking work continues to shape contemporary discussions on Christian ethics, offering a robust, God-centered approach that speaks to the challenges of modern moral relativism.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:04:12 Being Introduced to Cornelius Van Til’s Theology and Apologetics
00:09:54 Versions of Van Til’s Ethics
00:21:24 The Uniqueness of Van Til’s Ethical Approach
00:28:42 Ethics and the Doctrine of God
00:36:44 Alasdair MacIntryre and Critiques of Moral Relativism
00:45:11 Critiques and Misunderstandings of Van Til’s Ethics
00:53:29 Van Til’s Value for Future Generations
00:59:13 For Further Study
01:03:54 Conclusion

Links

Participants: Camden Bucey, Scott Hatch

Vos Group #83 — John’s Baptism of Jesus

Christ the Center — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Today, we turn to pages 318–322 of Vos’ Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to explore the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Our goal is to offer a nuanced understanding by identifying both the similarities and differences between John’s baptism of Jesus and the baptisms John performed upon the people.

Vos aims to steer clear of two misconceptions: the first being that Jesus’ baptism and the people’s baptisms were entirely distinct events, and the second that they were essentially the same.

The baptism of Jesus holds dual significance. Firstly, it serves as a public and objective revelation of the Holy Spirit’s glory, manifested as the Spirit descended from heaven onto Jesus. Secondly, it has a sacramental meaning for Jesus himself, as he received something from the Spirit that furthered his earthly mission, which was a journey of suffering leading to glory.

In addition, we’ll examine the connection between Jesus’s baptism and his role as the Messiah, offering insights into both pneumatology—the study of the Holy Spirit—and eschatology—the study of end times.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
00:37 Discussing the Recent Course on Aquinas’ Trinitarian Theology
09:49 John’s Baptism of Jesus
23:22 The Redemptive-Historical Roles of Jesus and John
27:05 Jesus Identifies with His People
29:55 The Objective Office of Messiah
41:42 The Descent of the Spirit upon Jesus
46:54 The Sacramental Significance of Jesus Baptism
50:31 The Beginning of the New Creation
58:49 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Common Operation of the Holy Spirit: Common Grace

Theology Simply Profound — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 21:16:38 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. We begin a new section entitled, “The Doctrine of the Application of the Work of Redemption.” However, before getting to the work of the Spirit in applying salvation to believers, Berkhof discusses the common operation of the Holy Spirit.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Atonement Through Christ, Part 2

Theology Simply Profound — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 20:33:40 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. We conclude our discussion of chapter 17, “The Atonement Through Christ.”

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Atonement Through Christ, Part 1

Theology Simply Profound — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 19:59:26 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. In chapter 17, “The Atonement Through Christ,” we begin to discuss what the atonement means, the need for the atonement, and how satisfaction of God is made through the atonement.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Offices of Christ

Theology Simply Profound — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 03:51:21 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. In chapter 16, “The Offices of Christ,” we delve into the topic of the threefold offices of Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Summary of Christian Doctrine: The States of Christ, Part 2

Theology Simply Profound — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 12:53:30 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Chapter 15, “The States of Christ,” is where Berkhof considers Christ in his state of humiliation and exaltation. In this episode, they finish their discussion of Christ’s humiliation including the credal phrase, “descended into hell,” and discuss Christ’s exaltation.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Summary of Christian Doctrine: The States of Christ, Part 1

Theology Simply Profound — Tue, 23 May 2023 16:40:58 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Chapter 15, “The States of Christ,” is where Berkhof considers Christ in his state of humiliation and exaltation. This episode we discuss Christ’s state of humiliation.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Names and Natures of Christ

Theology Simply Profound — Wed, 03 May 2023 01:40:48 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Chapter 14 brings us to a new section called, “The Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ.” Berkhof first deals with a discussion of “The Names and Natures of Christ.”

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Summary of Christian Doctrine: Man in the Covenant of Grace

Theology Simply Profound — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 22:38:14 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Chapter 13 brings us to a discussion of the second part of “Man in in the Covenant of Grace, ” moves us beyond the Covenant of Redemption to the Covenant of Grace.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

New Publications: June 2023

Esther Hayter — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 14:41:59 +0000

Do Not Be True to Yourself: Countercultural Advice for the Rest of Your Life

Kevin De Young

Most speeches addressed to high school and college students follow a similar theme: march to the beat of your own drum. This may sound encouraging on the surface, but Scripture exhorts believers to submit their lives to the will of God, not their own desires. Christian students need gospel-centered truth to guide them on their journey toward independence.

In this collection of inspiring sermons nd graduation speeches, Kevin DeYoung delivers a motivational, biblical call to young people: serve God faithfully—and if necessary, counter-culturally—in the next season of your life. Do Not Be True to Yourself includes practical advice for cultivating a Christ-centered worldview in every area of adult life, including relationships, work, church participation, and spiritual growth, making it a transformational resource for mentoring students.

Crossway. 80 pages. Paperback. Available now.

How to Read and Understand the Psalms

Bruce K. Waltke & Fred G. Zaspel

Written over the course of 1,000 years, the book of Psalms is a collection of religious poetry voicing a wide variety of human emotions expressed in different genres—imprecatory psalms, psalms of praise, and more. It has become one of the most popular books of the Bible, but most readers have only a surface level understanding of the Psalms and how it fits into the larger historical and scriptural context.

In How to Read and Understand the Psalms, Bruce K. Waltke and Fred G. Zaspel give readers tools to learn how to properly interpret and internalize the Psalms. Developed primarily from decades of lectures by Waltke, they explain the various types of psalms, Hebrew poetry, rhetorical techniques, and more. Armed with these tools, believers will discover how the 150 psalms can further fuel their knowledge and love of God.

Crossway. 608 pages. Hardcover w/jacket. Available June 20, 2023.

Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age

Rosaria Butterfield. Foreword by Kevin De Young.

Modern culture is increasingly outspoken against a biblical understanding of what it means to be a woman. Even some Christians, swayed by the LGBTQ+ movement, have rejected God’s word on issues of sexuality and gender in favor of popular opinion. In light of these pressures, it’s more important than ever to help women see the truth about who God created them to be.

In this powerful book, Rosaria Butterfield uses Scripture to confront 5 common lies about sexuality, faith, feminism, gender roles, and modesty often promoted in our secular culture today. Written in the style of a memoir, this book explores Butterfield’s personal battle with these lies—interwoven with cultural studies, literary criticism, and theology—to help readers see the beauty in biblical womanhood, marriage, and motherhood.

Crossway. 368 pages. Hardcover w/jacket. Available September 12, 2023.

Summary of Christian Doctrine: Man in the Covenant of Grace

Theology Simply Profound — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 16:04:15 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Chapter 13 brings us to a discussion of “Man in in the Covenant of Grace.” We’ll take this chapter in two parts: the Covenant of Redemption and then the Covenant of Grace.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

New Publications: March 2023

Esther Hayter — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 20:18:06 +0000

The Holy Spirit

Robert Letham; foreword by Cornelis P. Venema

The Holy Spirit is God and indivisible from the Father and the Son. Robert Letham thus develops a holistic and canonical view of the Spirit in the context of the Trinity, the person and work of Christ, and redemption. Heeding the cumulative wisdom of God’s people through the ages, he touches on disputed matters with care and grace—ultimately providing a deeply biblical, irenic, and engaging contribution to our understanding of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

P&R Publishing. 376 pages. Paperback. Available now.

Biblical Theology: A Canonical, Thematic, and Ethical Approach

Andreas J. Köstenberger & Gregory Goswell

Pastors, thoughtful Christians, and students of Scripture must learn how to carefully read and understand the Bible, but it can be difficult to know where to start. In this clear, logical guide, Andreas J. Köstenberger and Gregory Goswell explain how to interpret Scripture from three effective viewpoints: canonical, thematic, and ethical.

Biblical Theology is arranged book by book from the Old Testament (using the Hebrew order) through the New Testament. For each text, Köstenberger and Goswell analyze key biblical-theological themes, discussing the book’s place in the overall storyline of Scripture. Next, they focus on the ethical component, showing how God seeks to transform the lives of his people through the inspired text. Following this technique, readers will better understand the theology of each book and its author.

Crossway. 1,016 pages. Hardcover w/jacket. Available March 21, 2023.

Personality & Worldview

J. H. Bavinck; translated and edited by James Eglinton; foreword by Timothy Keller

Modern evangelicals differ on their concept of “worldview.” Many have varying definitions of it and some even consider it to be a wholly unhelpful term in understanding the world around them. This volume by Johan Herman Bavinck examines the relationship between the soul, each human’s unique personality, and worldview―acknowledging the importance of worldview while recognizing the dangers if worldviews are misapplied.

Personality and Worldview by J. H. Bavinck, nephew and student of Dutch Reformed theologian Herman Bavinck, creates a distinction between a worldvision (which all people have) and a worldview (which only few have in a mature and wise way). Profoundly influenced by the works of St. Augustine, Bavinck challenges readers to allow the gospel to reshape their worldviews and their personalities as they pursue godly wisdom. Translated into English for the first time by James Eglinton, Bavinck’s accessible prose, personal applications, and more will greatly serve pastors, students, and laypeople alike.

Crossway. 208 pages. Hardcover w/jacket. Available April 18, 2023.

Summary of Christian Doctrine: Man in the State of Sin

Theology Simply Profound — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:37:24 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. We come to the third section of this book entitled, “The Doctrine of Man in Relation to God.” Chapter 12 of this third section brings us to a discussion of “Man in the State of Sin,” including topics like the origin of sin, the nature of sin, and the connection between Adam’s and that of his natural descendants.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Summary of Christian Doctrine: Man in His Original State, Part 2

Theology Simply Profound — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 02:19:50 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. We come to the third section of this book entitled, “The Doctrine of Man in Relation to God.” This third section begins with chapter 11, “Man in His Original State.” We discuss the second two topics concerning the image of God and the Covenant of Works.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Summary of Christian Doctrine: Man in His Original State, Part 1

Theology Simply Profound — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:22:51 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. We come to the third section of this book entitled, “The Doctrine of Man in Relation to God.” This third section begins with chapter 11, “Man in His Original State.” We discuss the first two topics concerning the nature of man and the origin of the soul.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Summary of Christian Doctrine: Providence

Theology Simply Profound — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:13:30 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the second section, The Doctrine of God and Creation, chapter 10 continues the section called, “The Works of God,” where Berkhof opens up the doctrine of providence.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Summary of Christian Doctrine: Creation, Part 2

Theology Simply Profound — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 14:49:21 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the second section, The Doctrine of God and Creation, chapter 9 continues the section called, “The Works of God,” where Berkhof opens up the work of God in this chapter on “Creation.”

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

1689 Federalism and the Old Covenant

Christ the Center — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Carlton Wynne, Jeremy Boothby, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey discuss 1689 Federalism and the old covenant. Continuing an ongoing conversation carried over several podcast episodes and YouTube videos, the panel interacts with views presented by Sam Renihan, Richard Barcellos, and Brandon Adams in “Two-Tier Typology and OT Salvation.” They responded specifically to Christ the Center episode 736 (John Owen, Jeremiah 31, and the Relationship between the Old and New Covenants) from last year, in which Camden Bucey spoke with Carlton Wynne and Will Wood at RTS Atlanta. That episode followed many of the covenant theological themes expressed by Jeremy Boothby in Christ the Center episode 693 (Typology and Covenant Membership in Hebrews).

After surveying views presented by Nehemiah Coxe, Paul Jewett, and David Kingdon, the conversation focuses on the relationship of old covenant types to the accomplishment of redemption wrought by Jesus Christ in the new covenant.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:10:18 Taxonomy of Reformed Baptist Views: Nehemiah Coxe
00:19:35 Paul King Jewett
00:20:51 David Kingdon
00:22:49 Sam Renihan
00:29:34 An Exclusively National and Carnal Significance of Covenant
00:39:36 Kinds of Obedience in the Old Covenant
00:49:01 Works and the Unregenerate
00:54:00 How Were Old Testament Believers Saved?
01:04:57 Symbolism, Typology, and Means of Grace
01:21:19 Two Religions
01:24:38 Hebrews 9–10
01:32:21 Christ Is the Substance of the Old Covenant
01:43:53 Christ’s Mediation in the Covenants
01:49:40 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Jeremy Boothby, Lane G. Tipton

Summary of Christian Doctrine: Creation, Part 1

Theology Simply Profound — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 23:25:58 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the second section, The Doctrine of God and Creation, chapter 9 continues the section called, “The Works of God,” where Berkhof opens up the work of God in this chapter on “Creation.”

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Divine Decrees

Theology Simply Profound — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 22:59:05 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the second section, The Doctrine of God and Creation, chapter 8 starts a new section called, “The Works of God,” where Berkhof begins to open up the work of God in his divine decrees and common objections to subjects such as election and reprobation.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Trinity

Theology Simply Profound — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 22:35:12 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the second section, The Doctrine of God and Creation, the seventh chapter on “The Trinity,” sets before us the Biblical doctrine of the Trinity.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Attributes of God, Part 2

Theology Simply Profound — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 11:10:26 +0000

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the second section, The Doctrine of God and Creation, the sixth chapter on “The Attributes of God,” sets before us the Incommunicable and Communicable attributes of God. In this episode, we discuss God’s communicable attributes.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo