Reformed Forum

Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution

Christ the Center — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0000

We welcome Darryl G. Hart back to Christ the Center to discuss Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution, published by the University of Notre Dame Press. Hart traces the transatlantic story of Presbyterianism from the Reformation through the age of revolutions, asking why Presbyterian polity so often became a political irritant in Britain, Ireland, North America, and beyond.

The conversation ranges from Calvin’s Geneva and the French Reformed connection to the Scottish Covenanters, the English civil wars, John Witherspoon, the American founding, the 1788 revision of the Westminster Confession, and contemporary debates over Christian nationalism. Along the way, Hart helps us see how questions of church government, civil authority, establishment, liberty, and public memory are bound up with the church’s confession that Christ alone is head of his church.

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Chapters

0:00 Introduction and the road to episode 1,000
2:00 Protestants and Patriots and the Presbyterian question
3:10 The project’s origins and teaching the big picture
5:12 Calvin’s ecclesiastical ordinances and Presbyterian polity
7:26 Was the American Revolution a Presbyterian revolution?
10:12 Lumpers, splitters, and Presbyterian identity
11:09 Reformed and Presbyterian: why the names matter
15:01 Presbyterians, nationalism, and the godly society
16:12 Covenanters, national covenanting, and regicide
19:31 Geneva, exiles, and the French connection
22:26 The true Presbyterian revolutionary moment: the 1630s and 1640s
24:21 Why Scotland became a Presbyterian laboratory
28:29 Why England and Scotland became Reformed rather than Lutheran
30:52 What did Presbyterians want? Church independence and state support
34:43 The Glorious Revolution, moderation, and establishment compromises
39:15 Regium donum, Canada, Ireland, and voluntary giving
42:34 John Witherspoon and Presbyterian moderation in the American founding
48:16 Revising Westminster Confession chapter 23
55:30 American Heretics, Two Sons of Oil, and anti-liberal Presbyterianism
60:30 Further conversations and Protestants and Patriots
65:05 Independence Hall, historic preservation, and public memory
70:07 Conclusion

Resources mentioned

Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution by D. G. Hart
University of Notre Dame Press interview with D. G. Hart
American Heretics by Jerome Copulsky
Two Sons of Oil by Samuel B. Wylie
Independence National Historical Park

Participants: Camden Bucey, Darryl G. Hart

Vos Group #108 — Kingdom and Church (The Finale)

Christ the Center — Fri, 01 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000

In this concluding installment of Vos Group’s extended journey through Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton reflect on one of the most significant themes in Vos’s account of redemptive history: the relationship between the kingdom of God and the church. Focusing especially on Matthew 16 and Jesus’s promise, “I will build my church,” they explain that Christ is not introducing an unrelated people, but bringing the covenant people of God into a new, eschatological mode of existence through his death, resurrection, ascension, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

The church is not a mere institutional add-on to the kingdom. Rather, in its inaugurated form, the church is the kingdom of God as constituted by the Spirit of the ascended Christ. The episode also explores the church’s indestructible life, the meaning of the “gates of hell,” the centrality of the means of grace, and the already/not-yet character of the kingdom’s coming. Along the way, Camden and Lane also mark the end of this long-running series on Biblical Theology and preview the next phase of Vos Group on The Teaching of Jesus concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church.

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Chapters

00:00:08 Introduction and Vos Group finale
00:01:06 Save the date for the 1,000th episode celebration
00:07:23 Transition from Biblical Theology to The Teaching of Jesus concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church
00:09:01 Matthew 16 and the meaning of “my church”
00:12:14 Continuity and redemptive-historical newness in the church
00:15:28 Pentecost, Acts 2, and the constitution of the church
00:21:56 The church after Christ’s ascension and the new mode of life in the Spirit
00:29:23 The indestructible life of the kingdom and the gates of hell
00:35:29 The means of grace, preaching, and the keys of the kingdom
00:36:52 The nearness of the kingdom and inaugurated eschatology
00:42:10 The church is not merely instrumental to some higher kingdom purpose
00:49:20 The church as the kingdom of God in inaugurated form
00:53:20 Pilgrim identity and longing for consummation
00:56:42 Closing reflections and upcoming resources

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane Tipton

Vos Group #107 — Kingdom and Church

Christ the Center — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton continue their study of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology. Turning to Vos’s treatment of the kingdom of God and the church, they explore the importance of Caesarea Philippi, Peter’s confession, and Christ’s promise, “I will build my church.”

Lane explains why Vos sees this moment as a decisive redemptive-historical transition: The kingdom of God, proclaimed and embodied in Christ, begins to assume its ecclesial form. Together, Camden and Lane discuss the church as the kingdom in its present historical expression, the role of the Spirit poured out from the ascended Christ, and the distinction between the kingdom’s inaugurated and consummated forms.

They also consider how Vos’s teaching helps clarify ongoing theological questions concerning the kingdom of grace and glory, the already-and-not-yet structure of redemptive history, the thought of Meredith Kline, and the strengths and weaknesses of more recent reductionist or two-kingdom approaches.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and transition into Vos on the kingdom and the church
01:46 The kingdom as the sphere of blessedness
05:39 Caesarea Philippi as a redemptive-historical turning point
08:16 Peter’s confession and “I will build my church”
10:26 The church as the kingdom in its present historical form
15:26 The kingdom in its inaugurated and consummated forms
18:10 The kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory
22:32 Kline and the “heavenization” of the church
26:50 Two-kingdom theology and Christ’s mediatorial reign
29:53 Reductionist views of the kingdom
36:30 The kingdom, the church, and redemptive-historical development
43:45 Measuring the kingdom’s progress in the world
49:30 Final reflections and concluding thoughts

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Beyond Wittenberg: How the Reformation Reached Austria, Hungary, and Transylvania

Contributing Editors — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 14:50:44 +0000

In April, Camden Bucey will be speaking at the Reformed Colloquium in Budapest organized by Westminster Seminary UK. Ahead of that trip, here’s a big‑picture guide to how the Reformation spread into Central and Eastern Europe—especially the Austrian Habsburg lands, Hungary, and Transylvania.

Many of us learned the Reformation through familiar lanes: Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, England, and Scotland. Central Europe shares the same theological currents, but the story often turns on different hinges: dynasties and estates, borderlands and war, and overlapping jurisdictions. If you’ve ever wondered why the map gets complicated the moment you head southeast from Wittenberg, this is for you.

The Same Reformation, Different Pressure Points

One way to summarize the region is that politics and confession were inseparable—not because theology didn’t matter, but because the structures that protected (or suppressed) reform were often political bodies: rulers, city councils, and noble estates.

Astrid von Schlachta describes the Austrian dynamic in a sentence that could serve as a thesis for much of Central Europe:

“The Reformation created fundamental political conflicts and competition between Catholic sovereigns trying to centralize and consolidate power and the noble Estates and other local authorities aiming to broaden their autonomy at the expense of Habsburg sovereignty.” (Astrid von Schlachta, “The Austrian Lands,” p. 70)

This helps to make sense of where reform advances quickly, where it stalls, and why Catholic renewal later proved so effective in some places.

Hungary After Mohács (1526): Why There Isn’t Just “One” Hungarian Reformation

If you only remember one date for the region, make it 1526 and the Battle of Mohács. After the battle, Hungary’s political situation fractured—and with it the pathways by which Protestant ideas took root.

“Following the Battle of Mohács in 1526, the territory of the Holy Crown of Hungary was divided. The subsequent development of Protestantism took four paths in the territories of Habsburg Hungary, Transylvania, Ottoman-occupied Hungary, and in Croatia.” (Márta Fata, “The Kingdom of Hungary and Principality of Transylvania”, p. 92)

That “four paths” line is clarifying. It means the Reformation’s spread in Hungary can’t be told as a single national settlement the way we might tell the English or Scottish story. Instead, reform moved through a patchwork of territories—some under Habsburg rule, some under Ottoman occupation, and some within the distinctive political arrangement of Transylvania.

In broad strokes, Central Europe had many of the same confessional strains as other regions:

Lutheran influence was often predominant in the Austrian lands.
Reformed currents also circulated widely (especially as networks of print and education expanded).
Anabaptists were part of the Central European story (Austria, Tyrol, and the Moravian corridor in particular).
Catholic reform (including new institutional forms, schools, and orders) reshaped the region—sometimes through persuasion, sometimes through law and coercion.

Yet Von Schlachta provides a compact snapshot of the particular Austrian blend: “Although, the influence of the Lutheran Reformation was predominant, Austria also felt the impact of other Protestant movements including Anabaptism.” (p. 70) In other words: if your mental map is “Luther → Germany → Lutheran,” this region will stretch it. It’s more accurate to picture a busy crossroads of preaching, print, migration, and patronage.

Transylvania is especially important for understanding why Central Europe doesn’t fit the stereotype of “one ruler, one confession.” The political setting mattered. Fata notes, “Transylvania . . . evolved into a vassal state of the Ottoman Empire.” (p. 93) That doesn’t mean “Ottoman rule = forced conversion.” It does mean the levers of power and enforcement looked different than in many Western settings. The result was a confessional landscape that could be diverse, contested, and (at points) legally managed rather than uniformly imposed.

The Big Picture

Here is a basic timeline:

1517 — Luther’s 95 Theses.
1526 — Mohács; a major hinge for Hungary.
1527 — Ferdinand I elected king in Hungary; church resources redirected toward war finance (Companion, ch. 4, p. 93).
1555 — Peace of Augsburg (imperial context).
1604–1606 — Bocskai revolt (confessional/political conflict in Hungary; see the Companion chronology and ch. 4 for context).
1648 — Westphalia; major phase of confessional war closes.

Central Europe helps us remember that the Reformation was not only a doctrinal controversy; it was a long process of church formation under pressure—sometimes pressure from kings, sometimes from estates, sometimes from war and shifting borders.

The history of Central and Eastern Europe invites patient listening—to the witness of the past and to the life of Reformed churches in the region today—and it can sharpen the way Christians tell the Reformation story as a whole, not as a narrow Western narrative but as one providential work of God in and for his church.

Vos Group #106 — Repentance

Christ the Center — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we continue engaging Geerhardus Vos’s treatment of repentance and the righteousness of the kingdom. The discussion begins by clarifying the close relationship between faith and repentance: Both are saving graces, sovereignly gifted by God, inseparably joined in conversion, yet not identical. Faith uniquely receives and rests upon Christ for justification, while repentance—though necessary—never functions as the instrument of union with Christ or the ground of God’s verdict. This careful distinction protects the gospel from subtle moralism and keeps repentance in its proper place as fruit flowing from mercy apprehended in Christ.

Vos then situates repentance within Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom: Repentance corresponds to the kingdom’s righteousness-aspect, just as faith corresponds to its power-aspect. Repentance is not a meritorious condition for entry, but the moral-spiritual “fitness” that belongs to life under God’s righteous reign. The episode explores Vos’s “vernacular of repentance” in the Gospels—regret, inner reversal, and outward turning—showing that biblical repentance is comprehensive, God-centered, and transformative. Far from mere remorse or isolated moral adjustment, repentance is a whole-life reorientation toward God, forming a people whose inner and outer life increasingly reflects the righteousness of the kingdom.

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Chapters

00:00 2026 Raleigh, NC Seminar
02:19 Introduction
04:40 Faith and Repentance
11:42 The Connection to the Kingdom of God
16:05 The Logical and Instrumental Priority of Faith
22:19 Aspects of the Kingdom
32:47 The Vernacular of Repentance
37:05 The Universal Demand of Repentance
46:36 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #105 — Our Lord’s Critique of Jewish Ethics

Christ the Center — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton discuss a deceptively brief but theologically weighty section of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology, exploring Jesus’s critique of first-century Jewish ethics. Far from addressing merely surface-level moral failures, Vos shows that Jesus exposes a deeper religious collapse—one marked by practical deism and pervasive self-centeredness. When God’s glory is displaced as the center of ethical life, obedience becomes external, fragmented, and ultimately irreligious.

This conversation presses the listener to consider how these same distortions reappear across church history and into the present—whether in moralistic fundamentalism, liberal Protestant ethics, or debates surrounding the New Perspective on Paul. The antidote Vos commends is not tighter rules or refined casuistry, but a recovery of true religion: life coram Deo, grounded in union with Christ, animated by delight in God himself as our supreme reward. In Christ, obedience is restored to its proper place as worship, flowing from grace rather than self-reliance.

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Chapters

00:07 Introduction
07:32 Jesus’s Critique of Jewish Ethics
18:07 Common Distortions of Ethics
32:55 Modern Expressions of the Same Error
40:46 Von Harnack and the Essence of Christianity
44:08 The New Perspective on Paul
49:35 The Antidote
52:28 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #104 — Divine Sovereignty and the Sphere of Righteousness

Christ the Center — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this installment of Vos Group, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton explore pages 392–395 of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology and his rich, God-centered understanding of righteousness within the kingdom of God. They emphasize that true righteousness is never a human-centered moral construct but is rooted entirely in the character, will, and sovereign rule of the triune God. Vos contrasts biblical righteousness with pagan and modern distortions that treat ethics as merely horizontal or civic. Instead, righteousness is what agrees with, pleases, and exists for God—meaning believers live every moment coram Deo, before His face, in covenant fellowship.

The episode also unpacks how righteousness relates organically to the coming of God’s kingdom: it is concurrent with God’s reign, a gift worked by the Spirit, and graciously rewarded for Christ’s sake. Camden and Lane draw out the pastoral comfort that Christ—who possesses unlimited dominion—reigns not only from heaven but also within the hearts of His people. This kingdom reality transforms daily obedience into worship, participation in God’s redemptive purposes, and hopeful anticipation of our final inheritance in Him.

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Chapters

00:07 Introduction
08:49 Righteousness Is God-Centered
16:42 Living Before the Face of God
28:03 The Kingdom of God and Righteousness
32:45 Participating in the Kingdom
40:52 Righteousness and God’s Sovereign Rule
43:55 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #103 — Faith in the Gospel of John

Christ the Center — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton explore Geerhardus Vos’s profound treatment of faith in the Gospel of John (pp. 390–392 of Biblical Theology). Vos unfolds faith not as an abstract belief but as a living, continuous union with the incarnate and ascended Truth—Jesus Christ Himself. John’s theology binds faith and truth together: the Son comes down from heaven as the true light, true bread, true vine, and the Truth (John 1:9; 6:32; 15:1; 14:6). Faith, therefore, is a Spirit-wrought communion with the heavenly reality revealed in Him.

Tipton and Bucey trace how this Johannine vision lifts believers from the shadowy worship of the old covenant to true, eschatological worship “in spirit and in truth.” Faith beholds Christ even now, anticipating the beatific vision. In contrast to philosophical or impersonal notions of truth, Vos insists that truth is personal, Trinitarian, and heavenly—rooted in the self-revealing God. Thus, saving faith is not blind trust but an intimate, knowing participation in the life of the risen Christ, a foretaste of the age to come.

New Book by Lane Tipton: Introduction to the Theology and Apologetics of Van Til

We are pleased to announce the release of an important new book, Introduction to the Theology and Apologetics of Van Til by Lane Tipton. This is the first in a scheduled eight-part series of books on Van Til that correspond to our Fellowship in Reformed Apologetics.

Dr. Tipton has taught eight video courses that work through the entire range of Van Til’s theology and apologetics. Each of the courses is available for free through Reformed Academy and on YouTube. And now you can get the first book in the series.

If you order by November 30, 2025 and you can get the second book in the series, The Trinitarian Theology of Cornelius Van Til for only $4.99!

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Chapters

00:07 Introduction
01:44 New Book: Introduction to the Theology and Apologetics of Cornelius Van Til
11:11 Faith in the Gospel of John
16:19 Defining Truth According to the Son
26:49 Heaven and the Truth
29:44 The Typological Dimension of Truth
34:32 Faith as the Human Relation to Truth
37:35 Faith Anticipates the Glorified Christ
40:56 Faith, Unbelief, and Knowledge
44:25 Faith and Beholding the Lord
46:48 Scripture and the Truth
52:00 The Need for More Redemptive-Historical Study in John
57:40 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #102 — Faith as Related to the Kingdom’s Power

Christ the Center — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this installment of Vos Group, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton explore Geerhardus Vos’s treatment of “faith as the correlate of kingdom power” from pages 387–390 of Biblical Theology. Moving beyond vague spiritualism or self-generated “manifestation,” they unpack Vos’s insight that faith is not a creative force but a receptive grace. Faith does not actualize the kingdom—it receives it.

Christ’s miracles reveal the omnipotent power of God in redemptive form—beneficent and gracious acts for the good of sinners. These miracles elicit trust not because of any magical quality in faith itself, but because they manifest the glory and compassion of the Redeemer who speaks them into being. Faith, then, is the Spirit-given response of the regenerate heart—a resting and receiving upon the miracle-working Christ who is both the author and perfecter of our faith.

In contrast to modern distortions that treat faith as self-empowerment, Vos directs us to the true object of faith—Christ alone. Faith is entirely dependent on divine omnipotence and grace. It is the instrument by which we are united to Christ and brought to maturity in him, sustained by the same omnipotent power that once stilled the storm and raised the dead.

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00:07 Introduction
06:32 Faith and the Kingdom
10:13 Faith Is the Corresponding Response to God’s Power
12:26 Miracles Are Beneficent and Elicit Trust
16:57 The Power of the Word
22:59 The Elements of Saving Faith
29:12 Unbelief
34:24 Preaching Christ without Doctrine
37:01 The Offense of Unbelief
41:36 The Vocabulary of Faith
50:30 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #101 — The Essence of the Kingdom

Christ the Center — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 05:00:42 +0000

In this installment of the Vos Group, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton continue their deep dive into Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. Together they explore Vos’s treatment of the essence of the kingdom of God (pp. 385–387), drawing connections to his “Doctrine of the Covenant in Reformed Theology.”

This conversation highlights Vos’s thoroughly theocentric vision—where creation, redemption, and faith all center upon the glory of God. Dr. Tipton unpacks how this framework distinguishes Reformed theology from other traditions, and how the kingdom manifests historically through the power of the Holy Spirit. The discussion further shows how Vos integrates covenant, kingdom, and eschatology, pointing us to our inheritance in Christ and the glory of God as our ultimate portion.

Whether you are a pastor, student, or thoughtful layperson, this episode will help you see more clearly how Vos unites themes of covenant and kingdom in a way that sharpens our understanding of Christ and strengthens our hope in his coming reign.

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Chapters

0:00 Word and Deed
2:19 Introduction
7:29 Vos on the Doctrine of the Covenant
20:10 Jesus’ Use of the Term “the Kingdom of God”
30:15 Power Is Central to the Kingdom of God
33:36 The Role of the Spirit in the Kingdom
48:36 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #100 — The Two-Sided Conception of the Kingdom

Christ the Center — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this milestone 100th installment of Vos Group, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton turn to page 381 of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to explore the “two-sided conception of the kingdom.” Together they unpack Vos’s insights into the already/not yet dynamic of the kingdom of God—its present spiritual reality and its future consummate glory.

Along the way, they engage with historical-critical objections, consider the role of John the Baptist, reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ parables, and highlight the religious nature of the kingdom as forgiveness, communion with God, and eternal life in Christ. This discussion not only brings clarity to Vos’s redemptive-historical vision but also deepens our understanding of Christ’s reign now and in the age to come.

As the Vos Group nears completion of Biblical Theology, Camden and Lane also share exciting news about what’s next: a new series through Vos’s The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church.

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Chapters

00:07 Introduction
10:26 The Two-Sided Conception of the Kingdom
26:43 The Kingdom of God within You
31:18 The Arrival of the Present Kingdom
37:44 The Parables of the Kingdom
47:37 The Gradual Progression of the Kingdom
54:47 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #99 — Millennial Views and Modern Theories of the Kingdom

Christ the Center — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this installment of the Vos Group, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton turn to pages 378–381 of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, focusing on Jesus’ teaching and the eschatology of the kingdom. They explore the vital biblical distinction between the “already” and “not yet” aspects of the kingdom of God, examining how this two-age structure stands in contrast to various eschatological systems, including premillennialism, postmillennialism, and what Vos labels “ultra-eschatology.”

Tipton and Bucey analyze Vos’s critique of these systems, highlighting the theological implications of denying either the inaugurated or consummated dimensions of the kingdom. They also discuss the resurrection, the second coming of Christ, and the theological coherence of amillennialism within the Reformed tradition. In the course of the discussion, they reflect on the life and teaching of Dr. Robert B. Strimple, affirming his Christ-centered theological pedagogy and lasting influence.

Listeners will find this episode a robust and thought-provoking engagement with biblical theology, eschatology, and Reformed orthodoxy.

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Chapters

[00:00] Mid-America Reformed Seminary Center for Missions and Evangelism Conference
[01:30] Introduction
[02:45] Remembering Dr. Robert Strimple
[09:03] The Two-Stage Kingdom
[20:32] Albert Schweitzer and Ultra-Eschatology
[25:30] Postmillennialism and Gradualism
[33:42] Measuring the Kingdom’s Advance
[38:58] Vos on Premillennialism
[48:32] Premillennialism and the Westminster Standards
[58:45] Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Van Til Group #16 — A Response to Keith Mathison, Part 2

Christ the Center — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey is joined once again by Lane Tipton and Carlton Wynne for a substantive follow-up to their earlier discussion of Keith Mathison’s Toward a Reformed Apologetic: A Critique of the Thought of Cornelius Van Til. In the months since their first review, Dr. Mathison published a blog response, prompting deeper analysis and clarification.

Together, Drs. Bucey, Tipton and Wynne explore key critiques Mathison levels against Van Til, especially the claims of epistemological idealism and the so-called “omniscience requirement” for true knowledge. The panel addresses these concerns with thoughtful care, highlighting Van Til’s emphasis on covenantal epistemology, the distinction between psychological and ethical knowledge, and the non-neutrality of unbelieving thought.

The episode also tackles Mathison’s treatment of common grace and the antithesis—core concepts in Van Til’s apologetic system. Does Van Til teach that unbelievers attain true knowledge by way of common grace? What is the actual function of common grace in a fallen world? And how does Van Til preserve the absolute ethical antithesis between belief and unbelief without denying shared external reality or meaningful engagement?

This is a clarifying and edifying conversation for anyone interested in Reformed theology, presuppositional apologetics, or the legacy of Cornelius Van Til.

Mentioned Resources

Keith Mathison, Toward a Reformed Apologetics
Cornelius Van Til, The Defense of the Faith
Cornelius Van Til, Common Grace and the Gospel
Follow-up blog post by Dr. Mathison

Topics Covered

Epistemological holism and the “omniscience thesis”
Idealist influence and Van Til’s use of borrowed terminology
The meaning of “true knowledge” in covenantal context
The image of God, suppression of truth, and natural revelation
Common grace and its relationship to knowledge and antithesis
The continuing relevance of Van Til’s apologetic method

Watch on YouTube

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
02:56 – Upcoming General Assembly
03:45 – Overview of Keith Mathison’s Book and Blog Response
05:06 – Main Concerns: Common Grace, Antithesis, and Epistemology
07:12 – Van Til’s Doctrine of Knowledge and Ethical Implications
09:13 – Response to Mathison’s Critique and Blog Post
12:34 – The ‘Omniscience Thesis’ in Dr. Mathison’s Reading
17:18 – Clarifying True Knowledge in Van Til’s View
23:04 – Idealism, Epistemological Holism, and Formal Influence
28:36 – Borrowed Capital vs. Replanting from Idealism
33:13 – Ethical Antithesis and Knowledge Suppression
42:12 – Common Grace: Misunderstanding and Clarification
47:13 – Van Til’s View: Knowledge Precedes Common Grace
54:11 – True Knowledge and the Ethical Rebellion of Man
59:28 – Common Grace and Inconsistent Suppression
66:10 – Antithesis in Every Sphere of Life
69:55 – Common Grace Doesn’t Suspend Total Depravity
71:48 – Looking Ahead to Reconstructed Theistic Proofs

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

Vos Group #98 — The Kingdom in the Gospels

Christ the Center — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 05:00:00 +0000

What did Jesus mean when he spoke of “the kingdom of God” or “the kingdom of heaven?” In this episode, we turn to Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology, pages 375–378, where he unpacks the theological and biblical contours of the kingdom in the Gospels. Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey explore the critical distinction Vos draws between the abstract and concrete senses of the kingdom, the Old Testament background, and how the kingdom becomes incarnate in the person and work of Christ.

Together, we discuss

the kingdom as God’s sovereign reign vs. a redemptive realm,
how the Reformed categories regnum essentiale, regnum personale, and regnum spirituale frame our understanding,
the significance of Matthew’s phrase “kingdom of heaven,”
the kingdom’s embodiment in the incarnate Christ and its expression in the church,
the dangers of under- or over-realized eschatologies.

This episode offers rich theological insight and practical clarity for pastors, students, and anyone seeking to understand the kingdom according to Scripture and sound Reformed theology.

Watch on YouTube

Chapters

01:11 Introduction
01:44 Theological Topics in Romans
06:03 The Kingdom of God in the Gospels
12:59 Important Distinctions
24:58 Jesus’ Sense of the Kingdom in the Gospels
31:51 The Kingdom and the Church
36:25 Avoiding Under- and Over-Realized Eschatologies
40:34 Matthew and the Kingdom of Heaven
53:10 The Kingdom and Worship on the Lord’s Day
58:25 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #97 — The Kingdom of God in the Old Testament

Christ the Center — Fri, 02 May 2025 05:00:23 +0000

In this installment of our Vos Group series, Camden Bucey welcomes Lane Tipton back to the studio for an in-depth discussion on Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology (pp. 372–374), focusing on the Kingdom of God. Together, they explore how the concept of the kingdom is foundational to Jesus’ public ministry and central to redemptive history.

Drawing from Vos’s text and the broader Reformed tradition, Lane and Camden unpack the eschatological character of the kingdom, its redemptive nature, and its Old Testament foundations. They trace how this theme unfolds from the prophets to the teachings of Christ, addressing modern misconceptions—ranging from liberal moralism to dispensational literalism—and emphasizing the kingdom’s spiritual and heavenly dimensions.

Listeners will gain fresh insight into key theological categories such as inaugurated eschatology, the continuity of redemptive history, and the contrast between earthly and heavenly expectations of the Messiah. Whether you’re new to Vos or a long-time student of Reformed theology, this episode offers deep encouragement and clarity on a subject that lies at the very heart of Scripture.

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Chapters

00:07 Introduction
04:35 The Kingdom of God in the Ministry of Jesus
07:12 The Eschatological and Redemptive Nature of the Kingdom
19:08 Kingdom Language in John vs. Synoptics
28:01 Salvation, Discipleship, and the Call to Radical Obedience
34:19 Kingdom in the Old Testament: Present and Future Dimensions
40:59 Future Kingdom in the OT: Abstract, Historical, Messianic
45:57 Jewish Expectations vs. Jesus’ Teaching on the Kingdom
52:13 Christ’s Kingdom: Heavenly, Spiritual, and Redemptive
57:08 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #96 — The Divine Majesty, Greatness, and Righteousness

Christ the Center — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey continue their discussion of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology, focusing on pages 369–371. This section addresses Jesus’ teaching on the divine majesty and greatness, the retributive righteousness of God, and the implications for true religion.

Lane Tipton explains how Vos maintains the biblical tension between God’s transcendent majesty and his loving condescension. They discuss how Vos’s doctrine of God stands against the errors of theological liberalism, which often reduces the divine character to a single attribute of love divorced from holiness and righteousness. The conversation highlights how Jesus’ teaching does not abandon the concept of divine retribution but presents it as an essential and irreducible aspect of God’s nature.

Drawing connections to the contemporary theological landscape, Camden and Lane address modern tendencies to elevate divine love to the exclusion of justice. They also explore the ways in which Reformed theology provides a robust foundation for understanding God’s attributes in their fullness, without compromising his immutability or impassibility.

Listen in as they unpack Vos’s profound insights and demonstrate how they continue to speak to modern theological debates.

Watch on YouTube.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
07:41 Vos’s Critique of Liberalism
11:32 The Attributes of God
17:02 The Impassibility of God and Its Importance
28:19 True Religion and God’s Transcendence
33:04 The Retributive Righteousness of God
44:51 Practical Application
49:53 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #95 — Jesus’s Teaching on Divine Fatherhood

Christ the Center — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode we turn to Geerhardus Vos’s discussion on divine fatherhood as presented in Biblical Theology (pp. 365–369). Vos masterfully traces the theme of God’s fatherhood from the Old Testament to the New, demonstrating both its continuity and the profound transformation it undergoes in Jesus’ teaching.

We explore key theological distinctions, including:

The development from a national to an individual application of fatherhood
The redemptive, rather than universal, nature of divine sonship
Jesus’ unique relationship with the Father and its implications for believers
The eschatological significance of adoption into God’s family

Along the way, we challenge modern misconceptions about the fatherhood of God and discuss why Vos firmly rejects the notion of universal divine fatherhood. Join us as we uncover the richness of this biblical doctrine and consider its implications for the Christian life.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
05:31 The Divine Fatherhood of God
10:37 Biblical References to God as Father
14:13 God as a Father to the Nation of Israel
17:26 The Scope of Divine Fatherhood
21:38 Divine Fatherhood Is Not a Macro-Attribute
24:26 The Redemptive and Eschatological Nature of Divine Fatherhood
29:45 God Relating to Believers as Father
34:23 Clarifications on Alleged Universal Fatherhood
38:37 Expansion of the Concept in the New Covenant
43:50 The Practical Import of Divine Fatherhood
46:59 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #94 — Jesus’s View of the Old Testament and Doctrine of God

Christ the Center — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we open pp. 360–365 of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology to discuss his profound insights into Jesus’s relationship with the Old Testament. How did Christ use the Scriptures in his teaching? What did he mean when he said he came to “fulfill” the law? And how does his doctrine of God affirm the continuity of divine revelation from the Old to the New Testament?

Whether you’re a student of Reformed theology, a pastor, or simply curious about the biblical foundations of Christ’s teaching, this episode offers a rich and insightful exploration of key theological themes. Tune in now and be equipped to see Scripture through the lens of redemptive history.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
09:08 Claims that Questions the Authenticity and Historicity of the Gospel of John
15:20 Disjunctive Views of the Old and New Testaments
21:04 Spirit and Truth
28:25 Jesus as Fulfillment of the Old Testament
38:46 Continuity between Old and New Covenants
42:44 Jesus’s Doctrine of God
49:11 Recap of Major Points
51:01 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Van Til Group #15 — A Critique of Mathison’s Toward a Reformed Apologetics

Christ the Center — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Christ the Center, we engage in a thoughtful and rigorous discussion of Keith Mathison’s book, Toward a Reformed Apologetics: A Critique of the Thought of Cornelius Van Til. Carlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey critically examine Mathison’s interpretation of Van Til, particularly in relation to idealism, epistemology, and the noetic effects of sin.

Throughout this episode, we explore key themes, including:

The Alleged Influence of Idealism: Did Van Til borrow philosophical categories from absolute idealism, or did he consistently maintain a Reformed, biblically grounded epistemology?
The Nature of Human Knowledge: Did Van Til argue that humans must know everything in order to know anything? Or is this a misreading of his critique of unbelieving thought?
The Ethical Antithesis in Epistemology: How does covenant theology shape Van Til’s apologetic system, and why is the ethical nature of knowledge crucial for understanding his method?
The Role of Coherence and Correspondence in Van Til’s Thought: Did Van Til adopt an idealist coherence theory of truth, or did he reject both coherence and correspondence theories as traditionally conceived?

We also discuss broader implications for Reformed apologetics, the challenges of properly interpreting Van Til, and why these theological debates matter for defending the Christian faith today. While critiquing Mathison’s arguments, we affirm the importance of engaging in these discussions with charity and precision.

Join us as we work through these foundational issues and lay the groundwork for future conversations on Mathison’s book and Van Til’s apologetic legacy.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:07:17 Points of Appreciation for Mathison’s Book
00:13:04 Must Man Know All Things to Knowing Anything about Anything?
00:33:14 The Covenantal-Ethical Nature of Knowledge
00:51:11 The Influence of Idealism upon Van Til
01:01:54 Propositional Jenga
01:12:25 Borrowed Capital
01:18:42 Correlativism or One-Circle Thinking
01:23:10 The Coherence Theory of Truth
01:34:09 Conclusion

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

Vos Group #93 — Truth in the Gospel of John

Christ the Center — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we consider the profound theological insights of Geerhardus Vos as found in pp. 355–360 of his Biblical Theology. Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton explore the Johannine concept of truth, which transcends human-centered definitions like coherence or correspondence theories. Instead, John presents truth as an intrinsic, divine attribute embodied in the Logos, Jesus Christ, and rooted in heavenly realities.

The discussion highlights how Jesus is both the fulfillment and culmination of the Old Testament, uniting Christocentrism and Christotelism to show that all Scripture points to him. From heavenly realities and earthly shadows to worship in Spirit and truth, the episode unpacks the eschatological depth of John’s Gospel and the organic unity of God’s redemptive revelation.

We also reflect on Jesus’ own hermeneutic, his attitude toward Scripture as the “most orthodox of the orthodox,” and how his approach undergirds the Reformation’s emphasis on the open access of Scripture to all people. This rich conversation will deepen your understanding of biblical theology, worship, and the relationship between the Old and New Testaments.

Join us as we uncover how Christ is not only the center but also the goal of all Scripture, illuminating God’s unified message of redemption across the ages.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
05:27 Upcoming Oklahoma City Seminar
10:12 True and Truth in the Gospel of John
19:57 Heavenly Realities and Earthly Shadows
31:47 Jesus’ Attitude toward the Old Testament
35:16 Christo-Centrism and Christotelism
47:28 The Fulfillment of the Scriptures
55:26 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

The 2024 Christmas Extravaganza

Christ the Center — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Join us for the Reformed Forum Christmas Extravaganza 2024, a four-hour special filled with lively theological discussion, reflections on the past year, and a look ahead to what’s in store for 2025. Hosted by Camden Bucey, this festive livestream features contributions from regular panelists Lane Tipton, Bob Tarullo, Jim Cassidy, Carlton Wynne, and special guests like Ruth Huang, a Mid-America Reformed Seminary student working on translating Reformed resources into Chinese.

Explore topics ranging from the state of the church worldwide to the joys and challenges of ministry in different cultural contexts. Enjoy special segments with Pamela York performing jazz piano, Kurt Vetterli sharing insights on ministry in Switzerland, and James Chu discussing the challenges and opportunities for ministry in the Philippines. These moments provide a global perspective on the Reformed faith and the work of the church across cultures.

Plus, enjoy games, giveaways, and reflections on Reformed theology, all delivered with the warmth and camaraderie of the Reformed Forum community. Whether you’re a long-time listener or discovering us for the first time, this episode captures the heart of our mission: to equip believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Visit ReformedForum.org/donate to support our year-end campaign and help us continue providing free theological resources worldwide.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

00:00:00 Sponsor: Five More Talents
00:01:04 Introduction
00:33:58 Ruth Huang and the Church in Asia
01:08:04 Steve Schmidt Hosts Wits & Wagers
01:44:12 Joe Cristman’s Top Books of 2024
02:18:56 Ministry and Campaign Update with Ryan Noha
02:28:38 Pamela York Plays Jazz
02:47:56 Kurt Vetterli on Ministry in Switzerland
03:11:19 Brad Isbell with the Top Stories of 2024
03:29:35 James Chu on Ministry in the Philippines
03:59:05 Wrap-Up and Announcement of Giveaway Winners

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy, Lane G. Tipton, Mark A. Winder, Robert Tarullo

Vos Group #92 — Parables and Allegories

Christ the Center — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Christ the Center, we continue our Vos Group series with an in-depth discussion on Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology, focusing on Jesus’ use of parables and allegories on pages 352–355. Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton explore the unique role of parables in Jesus’ teaching, emphasizing the contrast between parables and allegories and unpacking their function, purpose, and the theological depth within each form.

They also discuss the eschatological significance of the natural-spiritual parallel Vos identifies, highlighting how Jesus’ parables point to a heavenly reality beyond earthly expectations. The conversation also touches on the implications for Christian eschatology and the proper focus of hope within reformed thought.

Join us as we explore the richness of Vos’s thought and its relevance for understanding Jesus’ mission and message. Listen now to deepen your grasp of the parabolic teaching method and its place in Reformed theology, and catch up on past Vos Group episodes.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
03:27 Parables and Allegories
17:31 The Purpose of Parables
30:07 The Natural-Spiritual Parallel
38:44 John’s Theological Distinction
51:24 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Van Til Group #14 — Ethics and the Christian Philosophy of Reality

Christ the Center — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 05:00:00 +0000

In pp. 77–79 of The Defense of the Faith (first edition), Cornelius Van Til addresses the fundamental differences between Christian and non-Christian perspectives on ethics, particularly focusing on the role of the will of God as foundational to ethical systems. Van Til begins by asserting that God’s will is absolute and self-determinative. God is eternally good, not becoming good through a process, but being so by his very nature. Unlike humans, God does not have to achieve goodness; it is intrinsic to his eternal character. Therefore, God is both absolutely necessary and absolutely free.

Van Til introduces a key distinction between Christian and non-Christian viewpoints. Christians uphold the concept of an absolutely self-determinative God, who is the necessary presupposition for all human activity. Non-Christian ethics, however, assume that if the Christian God were real, he would stifle ethical activity. This is because non-theistic views perceive God and man as having wills conditioned by an environment, implying that God must also achieve goodness through a process.

Van Til critiques Platonic philosophy, noting that Plato’s conception of “the Good” was ultimate, but his god was not. For Plato, “the Good” was abstract and separated from a fully personal God, leaving the ultimate reality as dependent on the element of Chance. Thus, even if Plato spoke of the Good, it was not self-determined or sovereign in the Christian sense. Modern idealist philosophers tried to build on Platonic thought by proposing an “absolutely self-determinative Experience,” but ultimately failed, according to Van Til, because they made God dependent on the space-time universe, blending time and eternity. As a result, God became dependent on external processes rather than being sovereign over them.

The core ethical difference between Christianity and non-Christian systems is the acceptance or rejection of an ultimately self-determinative God. Van Til argues that without the presupposition of God as absolute, there can be no coherent or purposeful human experience, including ethics. The absolute sovereignty of God is not a hindrance to human responsibility but rather its foundation.

Van Til makes a point to distinguish Christian doctrine from philosophical determinism. While both affirm necessity, philosophical determinism is impersonal, suggesting that everything is determined by blind, impersonal forces. Christianity, in contrast, asserts that the ultimate reality is personal; God’s sovereign will underlies the possibility of genuine human freedom and responsibility.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:05:31 Ethics and the Christian Philosophy of Reality
00:11:45 The Christian Conception of God
00:18:02 The Absolute Contrast between Christian and Non-Christian Ethics
00:29:48 Contrasts with Platonism
00:47:18 Contrast with Idealism
00:52:10 The Central Ethical Distinction
00:55:22 Contrast with Philosophical Determinism
01:05:11 Conclusion

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

Vos Group #91 — The Development and Method of Jesus’s Teaching

Christ the Center — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we open Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments (pp. 348–352), exploring insights on the development and method of Jesus’s teaching. We examine Vos’s distinction between subjective and objective development, discussing why Vos rejects the idea that Jesus’s understanding evolved over time. Instead, we explore the progression of Jesus’s teachings as a deeper unfolding of divine truth, perfectly aligned with his dual nature as both fully divine and fully human.

We also explore the unique teaching methods Jesus employed during his ministry, focusing on his use of parables and concrete imagery to communicate the mysteries of the kingdom of God. From the simple similitudes comparing natural processes to spiritual realities, to the complex parables proper, Vos illustrates how Jesus’s teachings were both profound and adaptable, responding to the readiness of his disciples and the opposition of his critics.

Join us as we unpack these key theological themes and discuss the implications of Vos’s analysis for understanding the unchanging yet progressively revealing nature of Christ’s teaching ministry. Learn how the divine and human natures of Christ shape his perfect teaching and how Vos’s theological insights continue to challenge modern interpretations of Jesus’s life and ministry.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

[00:07] Introduction
[01:48] Development in Jesus’s Teaching
[04:53] Subjective Development of Jesus’s Teaching
[17:38] Objective Development of Jesus’s Teaching
[34:03] The Method of Jesus’s Teaching
[38:46] Teaching through Parables
[50:13] Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

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

Vos Group #90 — Four Divisions of Revelation by Christ

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

Join us as we discuss the four divisions of revelation by Christ beginning on p. 344 in Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. We will unpack Vos’s comprehensive categorization of revelation by Christ, which he divides into four distinct yet interconnected periods:

Natural or General Revelation: Extending from creation and continuing indefinitely, revealing God’s nature and attributes through the world around us.
Old Testament Revelation: Spanning from the entrance of sin to the incarnation, highlighting God’s redemptive plan through the history and prophecy of the Old Testament.
Revelation during Christ’s Earthly Ministry: Covering his life, teaching, miracles, death, resurrection, and ascension, manifesting the fullness of God in human form.
Revelation through His Chosen Servants: Extending from Christ’s ascension to the death of the last apostle, communicated through the inspired writings and teachings of his disciples under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

We explore how these revelations unfold in a linear, biblical-theological manner, emphasizing Christ’s activity before and after the incarnation. We discuss the significance of natural revelation, the pivotal moments of Old Testament prophecy, the profound truths revealed during Christ’s ministry, and the ongoing impact of apostolic teaching.

Listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for the coherence and unity of God’s redemptive plan as revealed in Scripture. We also reflect on the continuing relevance of these revelations for the church today and how they inform our worship, theology, and daily living.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:02:34 The Essential Revelatory Function of the Logos
00:04:50 The Four Divisions of Revelation by Christ
00:13:11 Natural/General Revelation
00:26:36 The Prologue to John’s Gospel
00:33:25 Revelation under the Economy of the Old Testament
00:44:05 Revelation in Jesus’ Public Ministry
00:47:14 Character- and Word-Revelation
00:58:04 Revelation Post-Ascension
01:01:01 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #89 — The Various Aspects of Christ’s Revealing Function

Christ the Center — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 05:00:00 +0000

In chapter 5 of Geerhardus Vos’ Biblical Theology (pp. 343ff), the focus is on the various aspects of Jesus’ revelation during his public ministry. Vos argues that the revelation mediated by Jesus is often mistakenly confined to his earthly life, ignoring his pre-existence and post-existence, both of which are integral to the comprehensive scheme of divine revelation.

Vos outlines that Jesus’ earthly revelation functioned within a specific framework, implying limitations that did not exist in his pre-existent and post-existent states. These limitations were not due to any inadequacy in Jesus’ knowledge or power but were part of a divine scheme that required a progressive unfolding of revelation. Vos emphasizes that Jesus did not intend to reveal the entire volume of divine truth during his earthly ministry but functioned as a pivotal link within the continuum of revelation that includes both the Old and New Testaments.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:04:31 The Revelation of Jesus
00:20:57 The Generation of the Son
00:32:51 The Son as a Divine Person
00:44:07 Jesus’ Post-Existence
00:48:25 The Progressive Covenantal Character of Christ’s Ministry
00:55:24 Beyond the Incarnation
01:01:34 Kenosis
01:08:20 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Van Til Group #13 — Roman Catholic and Evangelical Views of Sin and Human Consciousness

Christ the Center — Fri, 24 May 2024 05:00:00 +0000

In this installment of Van Til Group, we turn to pp. 73–77 of Cornelius Van Til’s classic book, The Defense of the Faith. In this section, Van Til critiques both Roman Catholicism and certain strands of Evangelicalism for their approach to human autonomy and the nature of sin.

Van Til argues that Roman Catholicism, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, assigns too much autonomy to human consciousness, even before the Fall, which undermines the Scriptural notion of authority and total depravity. He contends that Aquinas views fallen man as not entirely different from Adam in paradise, thus diminishing the need for grace.

Similarly, Van Til criticizes C.S. Lewis, representing a segment of Evangelical thought, for conflating metaphysical and ethical issues and for not adequately emphasizing human disobedience to God as the root of ethical problems. Both perspectives, according to Van Til, fail to uphold the biblical doctrine that only through faith and complete reliance on the triune God of Scripture can true ethical behavior be achieved.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:04:48 Support Reformed Forum
00:10:35 A Christian Philosophy of Behavior
00:18:48 Roman Catholicism as Halfway between Christianity and Paganism
00:28:38 The Relationship between Natural and Special Revelation
00:41:36 The Natural vs the Supernatural End of Created Man in Thomistic Theology
01:02:45 Evangelicalism and C. S. Lewis’s Views
01:13:11 Conclusion

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

Vos Group #88 — Temptability and Peccability

Christ the Center — Fri, 03 May 2024 05:00:00 +0000

In this thought-provoking episode, we dive deep into the intriguing account of Jesus’ temptation by Satan in the wilderness. Join us as we explore the profound insights offered by Geerhardus Vos on pages 339–342 in his work Biblical Theology and unpack the ultimate issue at stake in this cosmic confrontation: Who should be God, and whose Messiah would Jesus be?

We grapple with the perplexing questions surrounding Jesus’ temptability and peccability. How could a sinless Jesus be tempted, and what does this imply about his ability to sin? We examine Vos’s argument that the things Satan suggested were not inherently sinful, only wrong due to God’s prohibition, and consider how this differs from modern interpretations that see the temptations as allurements towards a worldly, political messianic role.

Vos’s work invites us to ponder the profound mystery of a fully human Jesus who is intimately united with the Holy Spirit and possesses a divine nature. We consider how these unique aspects of Jesus’ identity make his sinlessness even more unthinkable than Adam’s, and we wrestle with the implications for our understanding of Jesus’ impeccability.

Through a careful analysis of Vos’s insights and a lively discussion of the theological complexities involved, we aim to shed light on this pivotal moment in Jesus’ earthly mission and its significance for our faith. Join us as we explore the depths of Jesus’ commitment to the path of humiliation and suffering, and the ultimate triumph of his messianic glory.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:02:33 Calvinism: The Plan of Salvation
00:07:31 Camden’s Trip to Budapest and Vienna
00:14:09 Temptability and Peccability
00:22:50 Bavinck and Vos on the Person of the Son
00:37:59 The Nature of Jesus’ Temptation
00:42:48 Other Theories of the Messianic Nature of the Temptation
00:46:41 Christ’s Victory Comes through Suffering unto Glory
00:52:06 Satan’s Intent to Circumvent Redemption
01:00:17 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #87 — Deuteronomy and the Temptation of Jesus

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

In this installment of Vos Group, we turn to p. 336 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, focusing on the temptations of Jesus Christ. This discussion ventures into the heart of Jesus’ wilderness temptations, offering a rich, theological analysis that challenges and enlightens. We consider the strategic use of Old Testament quotations by Jesus during his confrontation with Satan, underscoring the deep, theological significance of these moments.

This episode not only unpacks the unique messianic nature of Jesus’s temptations but also firmly opposes a moralizing interpretation, instead highlighting the redemptive work accomplished through Christ’s victory over sin. Through a careful examination of Jesus as the obedient Son and true Israel, this episode reveals the layers of meaning in these biblical narratives, connecting them to broader themes of redemption, covenant theology, and the Christian life. As we understand Jesus’ role as the mediator who binds and spoils the strong man, this episode encourages believers to find their identity in Christ, resting in his victorious work on our behalf.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
04:44 Jesus’ Temptation as a Prime Example of His Earthly Ministry
08:43 The Wilderness Temptation
17:10 The Temple Temptation
23:05 The Mountain Temptation
28:44 The Emphases of Matthew and Luke
38:38 Overcoming in Jesus and Entering Paradise
45:01 Looking Ahead
48:11 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Van Til Group #12 — The Christian Philosophy of Behavior

Christ the Center — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0000

In this installment of Van Til Group, we turn to the section of Defense of the Faith (pp. 69–72), which begins the chapter titled “The Christian Philosophy of Behavior.” This section outlines the Christian perspective on ethics, drawing from the Reformed confessions to emphasize that human actions, or behavior, should aim to glorify God. It presents a confessional scheme focusing on three key aspects: the highest good (summum bonum) that humans should strive for, the criterion for achieving this good (which must be based on God’s revealed will in Scripture), and the motivation for pursuing this good, highlighting the necessity of faith and regeneration by the Holy Spirit for genuine ethical action.

The chapter then considers the relationship between ethics and the Christian philosophy of knowledge. It asserts that understanding God’s nature is fundamental to grasping the essence of Christian ethics, with God’s absolute personality serving as the ultimate interpretative category for human existence. This perspective contrasts with non-Christian views by emphasizing that the good is defined by God’s nature and will, rather than existing independently.

The section on “Man as Made in God’s Image” discusses the original moral perfection of humanity, created in the image of the Godhead, and underscores the derivative nature of human moral consciousness. Unlike non-Christian ethics, which may view moral consciousness as the ultimate arbiter of good, Christian ethics sees it as reliant on divine revelation. This foundational difference in epistemology between Christian and non-Christian thought underscores the Christian belief in a receptive rather than creative construction of moral knowledge, with humanity’s moral nature and external revelation jointly guiding ethical understanding.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:04:56 The Christian View of Ethics
00:21:06 Motive, Standard, and Goal
00:32:02 The Summum Bonum
00:39:44 The Euthyphro Dilemma
00:45:13 God’s Nature and Will
00:51:58 Man Made in the Image of God
00:55:53 Christian Epistemology
01:08:58 Conclusion

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

Vos Group #86 — The Lord’s Temptation and Our Own

Christ the Center — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0000

In this installment of our Vos Group, we turn to pp. 335–336 of Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to explore the uniquely messianic nature of these temptations, examining how Christ’s experiences differ significantly from human temptations. A key theme of this passage is the comparison of Christ’s temptation with Adam’s, emphasizing Christ’s role as the second Adam and the federal head encountering temptation.

Vos warns against a moralizing interpretation of the temptations, instead focusing on their theocentric character and their relation to true religion. The episode further explores the role of the Holy Spirit in these temptations, particularly in empowering Christ and highlighting the inauguration of the kingdom of God.

The discussion is rich in its exploration of redemptive history, connecting Christ’s wilderness temptations to the broader biblical narrative, from Adam’s failure to Israel’s typological sonship, leading to Christ’s successful fulfillment of God’s commands as the obedient Son of God. This comprehensive analysis aims to deepen understanding of Christ’s work and encourages listeners to appreciate the significance of these biblical events in the context of the entire history of salvation.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
04:32 The Religious Character of Jesus’ Temptations
09:39 Jesus’ Temptation Compared and Contrasted with Adam’s
16:40 Encouragement for Sinners
19:54 The Nature of the Temptations and Jesus’ Use of the Law
25:25 Satan’s Strategy in Tempting Jesus
32:33 Israel’s Temptation and Christ as the Obedient Son of God
40:21 The Work of the Spirit in Jesus’ Temptation
53:08 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #85 — The Temptation in the Wilderness

Christ the Center — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0000

In this installment of Vos Group, Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey discuss pp. 330–333 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. In this section, Vos focuses on the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, a pivotal event in the Gospels. Vos examines various interpretations and challenges to the historicity and objectivity of this event, discussing theories that view it as mythological or parabolic. He argues for its historical and objective reality, using scriptural references such as Matthew 12:29 to support his view. Vos emphasizes the dual nature of the event as both a temptation by Satan and a probation by God, underscoring its importance in the Messianic mission of Jesus. He contrasts this with the temptation of Adam in Genesis, noting differences in their respective contexts and purposes. Vos also explores the implications of the event on the understanding of Jesus’ sinlessness and His role in atonement. Throughout, he maintains a theological perspective that situates the temptation within the broader narrative of redemption and Christ’s mission.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:06:31 Jesus’ Temptation in the Wilderness
00:10:46 Myth and the Liberal Interpretation of Scripture
00:19:08 Matthew 12 and the Binding of the Strong Man
00:27:16 Eschatology and the Kingdom of God
00:30:28 The Impeccability of Jesus
00:51:34 Jesus Historically Casts Out Demons
00:53:28 The Holy Spirit, Messianic Sonship, and the Kingdom of God
00:59:00 Practical Applications of Jesus’ Temptation
01:05:34 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #84 — John the Baptist’s Testimony of Jesus

Christ the Center — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 18:00:11 +0000

In this installment of Vos Group, Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey discuss pp. 322–329 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. In this section, Vos discusses John’s testimony of Jesus after his baptism.

The testimony of John the Baptist as depicted in the Gospel of John emphasizes Jesus’ unique divine nature and eternal preexistence, distinguishing him from all others in redemptive history. This underlines John’s role as the one preparing the way for Jesus, who fulfills Old Testament prophecies as the sacrificial Lamb of God. It also highlights the immutable deity of Christ, who, despite his incarnation, remains unchanged in his divine person and essence. The narrative showcases Jesus’ baptism as an act of vicarious repentance and affirms his authority to bestow the Spirit, underscoring the theological depth of his identity and mission as witnessed by John the Baptist.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
07:00 The Pre-Existence of Christ Revealed at His Baptism
12:10 Christ before and after John
15:36 John 1:15, 30
26:12 Malachi 3 and the Trinity
30:43 The Ecumenical Tradition and Scripture
33:42 Divine Relationality
39:32 The Immutability of the Person of the Son
44:16 The Religious Significance of Christ’s Divinity
49:34 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

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

Christianity and Liberalism: The Church

Christ the Center — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 05:00:00 +0000

We welcome John Muether and Danny Olinger to discuss the seventh and final chapter of Machen’s classic book, Christianity and Liberalism. The chapter highlights the importance of the church as the most important social institution in Christianity. Machen argues that the church is not only concerned with saving individual souls but also with education and the maintenance of social life in this world. He critiques the liberal view of the church as a mere human institution and emphasizes the importance of the church as the body of Christ.

The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for Christians to be united in the Church and the incompatibility of liberalism and Christianity on this question. Overall, the chapter provides a detailed and insightful analysis of the theological and biblical foundations of the church.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:02:24 Upcoming Projects on Meredith G. Kline
00:06:36 Christianity and Liberalism: The Church
00:12:46 Ecclesiology and Unbelief in the Church
00:16:52 Is Machen Representative of Other Presbyterians?
00:23:20 The PCUSA Losing Its Presbyterian Identity
00:29:10 The Source of the “Nones”
00:40:08 The True Presbyterian Church of the World
00:47:57 Hymns in the Back of the Hymnal
01:07:04 Rest from Strife
01:09:37 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Danny Olinger, John Muether

Christianity and Liberalism: Salvation

Christ the Center — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Danny Olinger and Camden Bucey discuss the sixth chapter of Machen’s classic book, Christianity and Liberalism. In this chapter, J. Gresham Machen explores the differences between the liberal and Christian views of salvation. He argues that liberalism finds salvation in man, while Christianity finds it in an act of God. Machen critiques the moral influence theory of the atonement, which denies the substitutionary character of Christ’s death and the wrath of God. In contrast, he emphasizes the need for a propitiation for sin and the centrality of the cross of Christ in the Christian view of salvation.

Machen concludes that the doctrine of salvation is essential to the Christian faith and that liberalism and Christianity are fundamentally incompatible on this question. The chapter provides a clear and detailed analysis of the theological and biblical foundations of the Christian view of salvation, and highlights the importance of this doctrine for the Christian life.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:05:40 Review of Christianity and Liberalism
00:09:28 The Liberal View of Salvation
00:16:14 Liberalism, Roman Catholicism, and the Atonement
00:26:24 The Significance of What Christ Did
00:31:47 Fundamentalism and Social Progress
00:34:30 Theological Categories
00:40:08 The Goal and Fruit of Liberalism
00:44:45 Machen and Hymns
00:54:09 Heavenly-Mindedness
01:02:11 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Danny Olinger

Vos Group #82 — More on John the Baptist

Christ the Center — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000

We turn to pp. 315–318 of Geerhardus Vos’s book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to discuss revelation connected with John the Baptist. Our discussion examines the complexities of John’s role in the grand scheme of Biblical theology, unearthing profound insights about revelation and prophecy. We explore John’s unique connection with Elijah, and the significance of his testimony to Jesus and baptism.

Join us as we ponder Vos’s interpretation of Biblical revelation, shedding light on how it relates to the shadowy figure of John the Baptist. We navigate the delicate interplay between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment, guided by the astute scholarship of Vos.

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:49 Thoughts on Studying Vos
00:14:10 John the Baptist and Elijah
00:21:50 Dispensational Interpretations of OT Prophecy
00:30:11 Repent in Preparation of the Coming of Christ
00:34:37 John’s Baptism
00:43:47 The OT Background to the Baptism of John
00:51:27 Considering John’s Baptism Redemptive-Historically
01:01:50 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #81 — Revelation Connected with John the Baptist

Christ the Center — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0000

We turn to pp. 311–314 of Geerhardus Vos’s book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to discuss revelation connected with John the Baptist. In this section, we are reminded of the importance of being methodologically self-conscious in our biblical theology. Vos provides valuable insights into John the Baptist’s mission and his place in the unfolding of God’s plan of salvation.

Through an exposition of Matthew 11:2-15, we explore Jesus’ correction of mistaken views and his explanation of John’s significance as “more than a prophet” as well as Vos’ biblical theology, emphasizing the redemptive event as preceding the interpretive word. Whether you’re a biblical scholar or simply interested in the history of special revelation, this episode is sure to provide you with valuable insights and a deeper understanding of John the Baptist’s role in the unfolding of God’s plan of salvation.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:01:32 Join Our New Online Community
00:07:37 New Course Available on Van Til and Barth
00:16:10 Vos, John the Baptist, and Methodological Considerations
00:23:32 Baldensperger and the History of Religions School
00:29:04 John the Baptist in Luke 1
00:36:54 Baldensperger’s View of Luke 1–3
00:44:45 The Christian Philosophy of History
00:50:14 John the Baptist in Matthew 11:2–15
00:57:46 John and Impending Judgment
01:01:45 John Living under the Old Covenant
01:05:46 Rejoicing in Suffering for Christ
01:18:16 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Christianity and Liberalism: Christ

Christ the Center — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +0000

On the 100th anniversary of the publication of Christianity and Liberalism, we consider J. Gresham Machen’s critique of the liberal theological perspective on Jesus Christ, contrasting it with the traditional, orthodox Christian view. Machen argues that liberal theology often misrepresents Christ as a mere teacher of righteousness and neglects his divine aspects and teachings. He counters that Christ is not merely an example, but the very object of Christian faith. He also challenges liberal theologians’ struggle to reconcile Jesus’s sinlessness with their evolutionary worldview and argues against a deistic view of God, advocating instead for theism which allows for both God’s works of creation and providence. Machen discusses the issue of miracles in relation to Christian faith, asserting that one cannot selectively believe in parts of Christ’s life, such as dismissing the virgin birth. Ultimately, Machen invites the reader to believe upon Christ as portrayed in Scripture.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
04:15 Reflecting on Machen and the Doctrine of Christ
10:47 Machen’s Writing Style
19:02 The Messianic Self-Consciousness
24:07 Modern Christologoy
32:16 Jesus Is Not a Mere Example but the Object of Faith
38:23 Miracles and the Supernatural Kingdom
44:41 Addressing Perennial Errors
48:40 Pastoral Considerations
56:34 Conclusion

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

Van Til Group #11 — Sin and Its Curse

Christ the Center — Fri, 26 May 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Carlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey turn to pp. 63–67 of Cornelius Van Til’s The Defense of the Faith to discuss the Christian theory of knowledge. In this section, Van Til speaks of the effects of sin and its curse upon human knowledge.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:05:07 The Effects of Sin
00:21:08 God Is Self-Sufficient and Self-Complete
00:37:24 Aspects of Non-Christian Thought
00:48:40 The Contradiction of a Developing Absolute
00:56:57 Three Types of Consciousness
00:58:49 Kuyper and Common Grace
01:03:23 Conclusion

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

Van Til Group #10 — Man’s Knowledge of the World

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

Carlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey turn to pp. 58–63 of Cornelius Van Til’s The Defense of the Faith to discuss the Christian theory of knowledge. In this section, Van Til speaks of man’s knowledge of the world.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
08:29 Review Up to This Point
12:59 Man’s Knowledge of God and of His Environment
19:29 Human Knowledge Is Entirely Dependent upon God
22:29 Theology Proper and the Image of God
33:27 Types of Knowledge of God
41:29 Human Knowledge Can Be True though Never Comprehensive
43:39 Realism and Anti-Realism
52:39 The Mysterious Depth Dimension to All Human Knowledge
56:09 The Full Bucket
58:52 Conclusion

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

Christianity and Liberalism: The Bible

Christ the Center — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 05:00:00 +0000

This is the 100th anniversary of the publication of J. Gresham Machen’s book, Christianity and Liberalism. Danny Olinger and Camden Bucey speak with Alan Strange about the fourth chapter of Machen’s classic, which addresses the Bible.

In this chapter, Machen addresses those who would seek to maintain that what we hold in our hearts about Christ can remain true no matter what the facts of history actually show. These people subjectivize Christianity—making it a function of personal experience. Machen, however, emphasizes the importance of the historical fact of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection and the Bible’s inspired, inerrant, and infallible testimony to this work.

In the course of conversation, the panelists discuss several liberal theologians and the events in American Presbyterianism that led up to 1923, when Christianity and Liberalism was published. These include Friedrich Schleiermacher, Albrecht Ritschl, Wilhelm Herrmann, and the case of Charles Augustus Briggs.

Dr. Alan Strange is Professor of Church History and Theological Librarian at Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana and an associate pastor at First Church (OPC) in South Holland, Illinois.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
02:12 Machen on the Bible
05:56 Liberalism and the Bible in 19th and 20th Century Presbyterianism
14:05 The Supernatural in History
17:41 Hodge and Liberalism’s Approach to the Bible
31:13 Machen, Hodge, and the Spirituality of the Church
33:52 Experience, Tradition, and Scripture
38:42 What Jesus Believes about Scripture
41:51 Addressing Liberals within the Church
50:22 Machen Thought the Liberalism Might Leave
52:42 Without the Bible, We are Left with Chaotic Anthropology
57:06 Conclusion

Participants: Alan Strange, Camden Bucey, Danny Olinger

Vos Group #80 — Aspects of the Nativity

Christ the Center — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

We turn to pp. 309–310 of Geerhardus Vos’s book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to discuss aspects of the nativity. The convergence of the coming of Jehovah and the coming of the Messiah is found in Jesus Christ and revealed particularly at the time of the nativity. Two Old Testament roots support this convergence: the circle of Mary and Joseph, who stand in the line of David, and the circle of Zacharias and Elizabeth, where the idea of Jehovah’s coming prevails.

Additionally, Vos notes that the name “Jesus” means “Jehovah is Salvation,” signifying Jesus’ divine identity as the one who delivers his people from the guilt and power of sin. Finally, Vos emphasizes that the inclusion of the Gentiles into God’s covenant people is another important aspect of Jesus’ redemptive work revealed with the incarnation.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
01:31 The Coming of the Son of David
11:41 The Coming of the Lord
15:43 John the Baptist’s Ministry
21:45 The Name of “Jesus”
27:54 Simeon and the Inclusion of the Gentiles
36:42 Jesus Has No Earthly Father
39:52 Creation and Incarnation
50:09 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Christianity and Liberalism: God and Man

Christ the Center — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0000

This is the 100th anniversary of the publication of J. Gresham Machen’s book, Christianity and Liberalism. Danny Olinger and Camden Bucey speak with Lane Tipton about the third chapter of Machen’s classic, which addresses the relationship between God and man.

In this chapter Machen responds to the theological views of Schleiermacher and Von Harnack, which focus on religious experience rather than God’s supernatural acts in history. Machen argues that the doctrine of God and man revealed in Scripture is the basis for the gospel. It forms the presuppositional substructure of Christianity, to which modern liberalism is diametrically opposed. He affirms a natural knowledge of God in conscience and history. Jesus’ use of the words of prophets and psalmists reveals the character of God and gives significance to the Old Testament heritage of Jesus’ teaching. Machen envisions this revealed theology as the “root of Christianity,” not a natural religion, and one that rests on the teaching of the Old Testament as interpreted by Jesus Christ and his apostles.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:07:34 Machen and the Shorter Catechism
00:12:12 Schleiermacher and Von Harnack
00:30:15 Liberalism, Barthianism, and Knowing God
00:35:49 The Universal Fatherhood of God and the Universal Brotherhood of Man
00:44:54 The Problem with Liberalism’s Doctrine of God
00:53:00 Machen Considered Liberalism as Pantheistic
01:02:08 Christian Experience with the Living God
01:08:07 Conclusion

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

Christianity and Liberalism: Doctrine

Christ the Center — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0000

This is the 100th anniversary of the publication of J. Gresham Machen’s book, Christianity and Liberalism. Danny Olinger and Camden Bucey welcome D. G. Hart to discuss the second chapter of Machen’s classic, which addresses doctrine. The heart of the matter is that Christianity is a supernatural religion built on the fact that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, accomplished redemption for his people in history. Machen understood that both are essential: the supernatural and the fact that it occurs in history. Machen wrote:

But if any one fact is clear, on the basis of this evidence, it is that the Christian movement at its inception was not just a way of life in the modern sense, but a way of life founded upon a message. It was based, not upon mere feeling, not upon a mere program of work, but upon an account of facts. In other words it was based upon doctrine (Machen, Christianity and Liberalism, 20).

And from the beginning, the meaning of the happening was set forth; and when the meaning of the happening was set forth then there was Christian doctrine. “Christ died”—that is history; “Christ died for our sins”—that is doctrine. Without these two elements, joined in an absolutely indissoluble union, there is no Christianity (Machen, Christianity and Liberalism, 27).

Running the Race

Christ the Center — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +0000

We discuss Geerhardus Vos’s sermon on Hebrews 12:1–3, “Running the Race,” from his collection Grace and Glory: Sermons Preached at Princeton Seminary.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
01:11 Historical Context
06:06 Doctrine and Exhortation
18:05 A Cloud of Witnesses
21:19 The Imagery of Running
24:40 Union with the Ascended Christ
29:24 A Grumbling Spirit
38:27 Run the Race with Patience
45:23 The Sermon Ends on an Indicative
53:00 Conclusion

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

Christianity and Liberalism: Introduction

Christ the Center — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Danny Olinger and Camden Bucey discuss the preface and introduction to J. Gresham Machen’s book, Christianity and Liberalism. This is the 100th anniversary of the publication of this important work. In this episode, we discuss the historical circumstances that led Machen to address the Ruling Elders Association of Chester Presbytery. His address was eventually expanded to become this classic work.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:01:55 The Significance of the Book
00:07:17 Historical Background
00:27:43 Conservatives and Moderates
00:40:19 Modernity
00:51:42 Modern Art, Science, and H. G. Wells
00:57:31 The Rights of Individuals
01:06:23 What Christianity Is
01:09:25 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Danny Olinger

Vos Group #79 — Aspects of Revelation at the Nativity

Christ the Center — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0000

We turn to pp. 306–308 of Geerhardus Vos’s book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to discuss revelation connected with the nativity. From the various texts that range from the annunciation of the angel to Joseph to the prophecy of Anna, Vos takes the “characteristic features” of these narratives and arranges them in a topical manner.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
10:32 Continuity with the Old Testament
20:02 Revelation as an Organism
30:29 The New Redemptive Character of Revelation
36:04 The Absence of Political Aspects
47:18 The Absence of Legalism
53:37 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #78 — Revelation Connected with the Nativity

Christ the Center — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0000

We turn to pp. 305–306 of Geerhardus Vos’s book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to discuss revelation connected with the nativity. Throughout history, God interprets his supernatural works with his inspired Word. At this critical moment in history, the coming of Christ the redeemer, the Lord reveals himself further to his people.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
03:23 The New Testament and Critical Scholarship
12:20 The Incarnation and the History of Special Revelation
19:43 Dogmatic Considerations Regarding the Pre-Existent Messiah
37:46 Supernatural Acts in History
49:14 The Prophecy of Zacharias
54:48 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Reformed Forum

Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution

Chapters

Resources mentioned

Vos Group #108 — Kingdom and Church (The Finale)

Chapters

Vos Group #107 — Kingdom and Church

Chapters

Beyond Wittenberg: How the Reformation Reached Austria, Hungary, and Transylvania

The Same Reformation, Different Pressure Points

Hungary After Mohács (1526): Why There Isn’t Just “One” Hungarian Reformation

The Big Picture

Further Reading

Vos Group #106 — Repentance

Chapters

Vos Group #105 — Our Lord’s Critique of Jewish Ethics

Chapters

Vos Group #104 — Divine Sovereignty and the Sphere of Righteousness

Chapters

Vos Group #103 — Faith in the Gospel of John

New Book by Lane Tipton: Introduction to the Theology and Apologetics of Van Til

Chapters

Vos Group #102 — Faith as Related to the Kingdom’s Power

Vos Group #101 — The Essence of the Kingdom

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Vos Group #100 — The Two-Sided Conception of the Kingdom

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Vos Group #99 — Millennial Views and Modern Theories of the Kingdom

Chapters

Van Til Group #16 — A Response to Keith Mathison, Part 2

Mentioned Resources

Topics Covered

Chapters

Vos Group #98 — The Kingdom in the Gospels

Chapters

Vos Group #97 — The Kingdom of God in the Old Testament

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Vos Group #96 — The Divine Majesty, Greatness, and Righteousness

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Vos Group #95 — Jesus’s Teaching on Divine Fatherhood

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Vos Group #94 — Jesus’s View of the Old Testament and Doctrine of God

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Van Til Group #15 — A Critique of Mathison’s Toward a Reformed Apologetics

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Vos Group #93 — Truth in the Gospel of John

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The 2024 Christmas Extravaganza

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Vos Group #92 — Parables and Allegories

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Van Til Group #14 — Ethics and the Christian Philosophy of Reality

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Vos Group #91 — The Development and Method of Jesus’s Teaching

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

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Vos Group #90 — Four Divisions of Revelation by Christ

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Vos Group #89 — The Various Aspects of Christ’s Revealing Function

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Van Til Group #13 — Roman Catholic and Evangelical Views of Sin and Human Consciousness

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Vos Group #88 — Temptability and Peccability

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Vos Group #87 — Deuteronomy and the Temptation of Jesus

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Van Til Group #12 — The Christian Philosophy of Behavior

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Vos Group #86 — The Lord’s Temptation and Our Own

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Vos Group #85 — The Temptation in the Wilderness

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Vos Group #84 — John the Baptist’s Testimony of Jesus

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Vos Group #83 — John’s Baptism of Jesus

Chapters

Christianity and Liberalism: The Church

Chapters

Christianity and Liberalism: Salvation