In this special crossover episode with Dead Presbyterians Society recorded at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Camden Bucey joins Jonathan Master, President of Greenville Seminary, for a conversation on the life,
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
In this episode, Dan Ragusa speaks about Letters from America (Reformed Forum). Between 1935 and 1940, Cornelius Van Til (1895–1987) wrote twenty-four letters from America for the Dutch
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
Winter’s Death[1] by Geerhardus Vos
Here lies the Winter hated,
Goliath-like prostrated,
Whom David’s stone laid low.
Recovered from earth’s chillness,
Spring uses the first stillness
To put left-over illness
Beneath the thin-grown snow. His efforts
In this episode we welcome church historian Stephen O. Presley to explore the life, theology, and enduring relevance of Irenaeus of Lyons. Writing in the latter half of the second
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
Dr. C. N. Willborn, pastor of Covenant PCA in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, speaks about the life, ministry, and enduring theological legacy of John Lafayette Girardeau—a figure often hidden in the
As Christ the Center closes out another year of weekly theological conversation, this special episode reflects on God’s faithfulness throughout 2025 by revisiting the most-watched and most-listened-to episodes of the
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
In this rich conversation, Camden Bucey sits down with Dr. Chad Van Dixhoorn—historian, pastor, and professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte—to explore the remarkable work and enduring wisdom of
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
I had the privilege of participating in a panel discussion on Danny Olinger’s excellent biography of Geerhardus Vos at the Presbyterian Scholars Conference, held at Harbor House, Wheaton College, on
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
Autumn1 By Geerhardus Vos Translated by Daniel Ragusa Still lingers golden autumn, still stand harvest colors,
Ripening in field, still roams through woods and gardens
A lovely postlude
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
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
Summer1
By Geerhardus Vos Translated by Daniel Ragusa
Though thousands of signs do brim
That he the land has graced,
How shall I ever find him?
Where do his
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob returns to a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. Chapter 9, “The Kingdom
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
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
Leonardo De Chirico and Mark Gilbert join the program to discuss the enduring significance of the Nicene Creed as it marks its 1700th anniversary. Drawing from their recent edited volume,
In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. J. Brandon Burks, pastor of Christ Reformed Church (URCNA) in Florence, Kentucky, to discuss his recent article published in
In this livestream from May 9, 2025, Camden Bucey discusses various topics related to Reformed theology, including updates on the upcoming Reformed Forum Theology Conference, an overview of his new
In this episode of Christ the Center, we’re joined by Kurt Vetterli, pastor of an ERKWB congregation in Basel, and Florian Weicken, pastor of an EPCEW congregation in Zürich, for
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
In this episode, Danny Olinger and Camden Bucey explore a pivotal moment in the history of American Presbyterianism: the Special Commission of 1925 and its investigation into the doctrinal unrest
In this thought-provoking episode, we welcome back Dr. Leonardo De Chirico, a leading Reformed evangelical theologian and pastor in Rome, for a consideration of the legacy and ongoing influence of
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
In this special episode of Christ the Center, we commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS) with special guests Dr. Maynard Koerner and Wayne
In this episode we welcome Dr. Jean Decorvet and Dr. Kenneth Stewart to explore The Geneva Réveil, a significant yet often overlooked nineteenth-century evangelical revival that reshaped French-speaking Protestantism and
In our weekly livestream for March 7, 2025, Camden Bucey first speaks with Jonathan Master about the upcoming Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary conference focused on pastoral ministry. They explore the
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
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 this conversation, Camden Bucey, Ryan Noha, Lane Tipton, and Scott Cook discuss various themes surrounding Reformed apologetics, particularly focusing on the critique of Cornelius Van Til’s thought as presented
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
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
This special year-end episode highlights the top 10 most-viewed episodes and webinars from 2024. We work through key moments from discussions on Reformed theology and history. These clips showcase rich
In this episode of Christ the Center, Daniel Ragusa leads us in a consideration of nativity through the lens of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology. As this season prompts reflection on the incarnation
Join Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy in this special live-streamed episode of Christ the Center. From discussing the “first annual” Reformed Forum Christmas Extravaganza to regional meetups and exciting book
Danny Olinger, John Muether, Darryl Hart, and Camden Bucey explore the life and legacy of J. Gresham Machen, discussing Richard E. Burnett’s provocative book, Machen’s Hope: The Transformation of a
Introduction Richard Burnett’s Machen’s Hope: The Transformation of a Modernist in the New Princeton represents an ambitious effort to offer a fresh perspective on a significant Presbyterian figure—one who is
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
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
In this episode, we are joined by Jeffrey C. Tuomala, Professor of Law at Liberty University, to examine two landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions in light of two articles by
In this episode of Christ the Center, we welcome Rev. Hank Bowen, pastor of First Reformed Church in Aberdeen, South Dakota, for an insightful conversation on the Reformed Church in
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
In Reclaiming the ‘Dark Ages’: How the Gospel Light Shone from 500–1500 (Christian Focus), authors Iain Wright and Yannick Imbert challenge the popular Protestant perception of the Middle Ages as
Rev. Dr. Daniel Ragusa, pastor of Messiah’s Reformed Fellowship in New York City joins Camden Bucey for this thoughtful episode of Christ the Center. Together, they explore the profound impact
In this episode, we speak with Dr. David Noe, the translator, and Dr. Chad Van Dixhoorn, the editor, behind the newly released English edition of John Arrowsmith’s remarkable work, Plans
In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey speaks with Dr. David Noe, pastor of Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids and former faculty member at Calvin University.
In the first issue of The Presbyterian Guardian, the editors shared their desire and justification for the new paper.
We hope that this paper will make its way on merit
In 1936, at the first General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of America—later renamed the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC)—official greetings were received from the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church
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
In this episode, we commemorate the centennial of the Auburn Affirmation, exploring its profound impact on the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the broader Christian community. We explore the theological crossroads
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
Camden Bucey provides a preview of our upcoming symposium scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2024. In this event, we will explore pivotal moments and figures in the history of the Reformed
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
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,
Geerhardus Vos mounted a heavenly vantage point from which he surveyed the world and all its happenings. From the high tower of God’s Word, he saw with eagle-eye clarity the
In this enlightening episode, we discuss the nuances of conscience and confessional identity during the Reformation. Joined by Dr. Timothy Scheuers, we turn our attention to the transformative period of
During our symposium, “Crossroads of Conviction,” D. G. Hart had a spirited exchange with Timon Cline regarding establishmentarianism. With respect to the American founding, Dr. Hart made a comment
In this episode, we sit down with David Hall, Senior Pastor of Midway Presbyterian Church in Powder Springs, GA, and a prolific author, to discuss his latest book, Irony and
Since 2008, we have been taking time around New Year’s Day to bring you some of the top moments from the preceding year. We have several great clips lined up
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob returns to a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. Chapter 8, “The Essence
After recording a course on the subject for Reformed Academy, Dr. Carlton Wynne comes to the podcast studio to discuss John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion. Topics covered include
Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey reflect on the recent Reformed Forum Theology Conference on J. Gresham Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism before turning to a discussion of their new booklet,
Richard Gamble and Jeff McDonald join us again. On this episode, McDonald introduces several significant points about William Jennings Bryan, including his early life and upbringing in a strong evangelical
Camden Bucey recently lectured on “The Importance of Van Til for Today” for the OPC’s Presbytery of Michigan and Ontario at Harvest OPC in Wyoming, MI. Jim Cassidy and Camden discuss the
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
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
Ryan Noha and Camden Bucey discuss two new courses from Reformed Academy as well as the new online community and several upcoming events. Camden, Jim Cassidy, and Lane Tipton will
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
Sean Morris joins us to speak about the pastoral theology of John Knox. Known as the thunderous voice of the Scottish Reformation, Knox is a towering figure whose impact still
Dr. Jonathan Master speaks about his book, Reformed Theology (P&R Publishing), which is part of the Blessings of the Faith series edited by Jason Helopoulos. Master provides a concise and
Brian DeJong speaks about his biography of Arthur Franklin Perkins, a Presbyterian minister serving in Merrill, Wisconsin in the 1920s and 1930s. For his bold stand for truth, and against
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,
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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
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
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
On the heels of teaching a course on Cornelius Van Til’s interpretation of the theology of Karl Barth, Lane Tipton speaks with Camden Bucey about Barth’s theology and the surprising
Following invention of the first internal combustion engine driven motorcar by Carl Benz in Germany in 1886, there were many home-shop tinkerers creating horseless carriages as they anticipated prosperous careers
Brian DeJong explores the history of Presbyterianism in Wisconsin by focusing on several key figures in the development Presbyterian churches in the area. In 1821, the Stockbridge Mohican Indians relocated
Today we welcome Cory C. Brock and N. Gray Sutanto to speak about their book, Neo-Calvinism: A Theological Introduction (Lexham Academic), which is an excellent initiation and explication
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.
Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey bring in the New Year with a discussion of bible reading plans, tools, and strategies. They preview several of the projects that lay ahead at
Since 2008, we have been taking a beat around New Year’s Day to bring you some of the top moments from the preceding year. We have several great clips lined
Donald Fortson and Kenneth Stewart speak about their book, Reformed and Evangelical across Four Centuries (Eerdmans), in which they tell the story of the Presbyterian church in the United
Jeff McDonald discusses Melvin Grove Kyle and the growth of the League of Evangelical Students (LES) founded by J. Gresham Machen and Princeton Seminary students in 1925. Both Kyle and
Carlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey turn to pp. 54–58 of Cornelius Van Til’s The Defense of the Faith to discuss the Christian theory of knowledge. In this section,
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob returns to a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. In chapter 7, “The
In this episode, we bring you the third plenary address from our 2022 Theology Conference wherein we considered, “The Covenantal Tale of Creation, Christ, and Consummation: The Life and Work
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob returns to a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. In chapter 6, “The
Dr. Arlin Migliazzo speaks about Henrietta Mears, who was arguably the single most influential woman in the shaping of modern evangelicalism. Key figures in the early modern evangelical movement like
This the second installment of a quarterly series of interviews highlighting the Lord’s work in the lives and ministries of our Reformed Forum faculty. Lane Tipton, Fellow of Biblical and
Harrison Perkins speaks about Samuel Miller’s views on Presbyterianism. Dr. Perkins has edited a new edition of Miller’s Presbyterianism: Its History, Doctrine, Government, and Worship, which has been published by
Dr. Vern Poythress speaks about the study of history and historiography from a Christian perspective. In his book, Redeeming Our Thinking about History: A God-Centered Approach (Crossway), Dr. Poythress emphasizes
Where is Christ’s body now? In short, that is the question behind our conversation today with K. J. Drake, the author of The Flesh of the Word: The extra Calvinisticum
Reformed militancy is something that comes up when you consider J. Gresham Machen because he was known to be a fighter. He defended it and militancy for noble, worthwhile causes
You can contrast the deeper Modernist conception of Karl Barth to the deeper Protestant conception of Vos and the deeper Catholic conception of Aquinas. For Vos, Adam comes from God,
The Modernist-Fundamentalist Controversy occurred in the 1920s. When I teach it, I typically talk about the social aspects of it, the high points being the Scopes Trial of 1925 and
Brad Isbell (@ChortlesWeakly) briefly steps away from the General Assembly floor, Twitter, and Presbycast to jump on another podcast mic to speak with Camden Bucey about the PCA General
The more than two-hundred-fifty-page PDF document available for download at the end of this introduction is a table that includes seven columns of information about each of 1268 book reviews
Dr. D. G. Hart speaks about the Old School-New School Controversy in the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, which lasted from 1837 to 1870 in the North.
Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 289–296 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. In this section, Vos introduces several significant interpretive practices which are
The Old Side/New Side controversy occurred in colonial presbyterianism between 1741 and 1758 with a couple of stages in between. It was a controversy that grew out of the first—I
On May 21, 1922, Harry Emerson Fosdick preached a sermon titled “Shall the Fundamentalists Win?” that helped spark the modernist-fundamentalist controversy. Fosdick was a Baptist minister serving as an associate
This the first installment of a quarterly series of interviews highlighting the Lord’s work in the lives and ministries of our Reformed Forum faculty. Up first is Jim Cassidy, president
Carlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey open Cornelius Van Til’s book, The Defense of the Faith to pages 43–47. Van Til addresses the unity and diversity within creation before
Dr. Dominic Aquila joins Camden Bucey to speak about the history of Presbyterian publications. While they focus primarily on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Dr. Aquila connects this storied history
Lane Tipton speaks about his new course on Van Til’s doctrine of revelation, which is the third course in our Fellowship in Reformed Apologetics. In this course, Dr. Tipton covers:
At the invitation of B. B. Warfield (and the suggestion of Geerhardus Vos), Abraham Kuyper delivered the Stone Lectures at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1898. In these lectures, he presented
In 1992, Charles G. Dennison published three articles in the Mid-America Journal of Theology. These were based upon a series he delivered at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Dennison identifies three eras
Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey discuss the value of reading and studying the works of B. B. Warfield. Jeff has written an article in our forthcoming newsletter wherein he identifies
Dr. R. Carlton Wynne leads us in a study of Jeremiah 31 and the relationship between the Old and New Covenants. In discussing typology and symbolism, Wynne describes the views
It’s that time of year again. Since 2008, we have been taking a beat around New Year’s Day to bring you some of the top moments from the preceding year.
Dr. Christiane Tietz speaks about her tremendous biography, Karl Barth: A Life in Conflict (Oxford University Press, 2021). Dr. Tietz is Professor for Systematic Theology at the Institute of Hermeneutics
Sandy Finlayson speaks about the life and ministry of Thomas Chalmers. Finlayson is the author of Chief Scottish Man: The Life and Ministry of Thomas Chalmers (Evangelical Press). Thomas Chalmers
Patrick O’Banion joins us to speak about Girolamo Zanchi and his book, The Spiritual Marriage between Christ and His Church and Every One of the Faithful. O’Banion translated and introduced
Jim Cassidy delivers a plenary address from the annual Reformed Forum Theology Conference, which was hosted October 8–9 at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas. Cassidy investigates the ontological assumptions which
Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 267–269 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to consider the collective sin of the nation during the time
Jeff Waddington reviews Jonathan Edwards and the Immediacy of God by John Carrick. Jonathan Edwards is one of the outstanding figures in the history of the Christian church—he was, quite
Roman Catholicism entered the mainstream of American national life the morning following the November 8, 1960 election when John F. Kennedy won and became the president. While it may seem
Jeff Waddington reviews A Goodly Heritage: The Secession of 1834 by Cornelis Pronk. In A Goodly Heritage, Cornelis Pronk surveys the history of the Secession of 1834, beginning with the
Danny Olinger delivers an address at the 2021 Reformed Forum Theology Conference. The event was held October 8–9, 2021 at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas. The conference theme was, “The
The beatific vision (1 John 3:2) is the consummation of God’s relationship with his people. While Christians of all traditions acknowledge this blessed future to some degree, there are significant
Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 264–266 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to consider the collective sin of the nation during the time
After discussing their trips to Colombia with OPC foreign missions, Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey explore the influence of modernism upon Roman Catholicism and American Presbyterianism. Modernism led to many
Danny Olinger and John Muether join Camden Bucey to speak about the early history of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the forces within the young ecclesiastical body desiring broader influence
Carlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey open Cornelius Van Til’s book, The Defense of the Faith to pages 33–39 wherein Van Til discusses the doctrine of salvation. Van Til is insistent
Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey discuss the 48th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, which recently adjourned in St. Louis, Missouri, and look forward to the 87th General
Jim Cassidy discusses Therefore the Truth I Speak: Scottish Theology, 1500–1700 by Donald Macleod. The Scottish church was forever altered by the arrival of the Reformation in the sixteenth century.
Dr. Stephen J. Nichols speaks about the life and legacy of Dr. R. C. Sproul. Dr. Nichols has written a biography of Dr. Sproul, which has recently been published by
Camden Bucey speaks about Murray Forst Thompson’s tract, The Auburn Betrayal, which provides historical and theological context for the Auburn Affirmation, an important document in early twentieth-century American Presbyterianism. The tract
We turn to the third sermon in Grace and Glory, a collection of sermons Geerhardus Vos preached at the Miller Chapel of Princeton Theological Seminary. In “Seeking and Saving the
Durham, James. Commentary on Revelation: Volume 2, Lectures on Chapters 4–11 (Reformation Heritage Books, May 2021). 504 pages. $50.00. Hardcover.Guinness, Os. The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai’s Revolutionary Faith and
DeYoung, Kevin. Men and Women in the Church: A Short, Biblical, Practical Introduction (Crossway, April 2021). 176 pages. $19.99. Paperback.Gronewoller, Brian. Rhetorical Economy in Augustine’s Theology (Oxford University Press, April
Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton discuss Lefferts A. Loetscher, The Broadening Church: A Study of Theological Issues in the Presbyterian Church Since 1869 (University of Pennsylvania Press, 1954). This book
Dr. Crawford Gribben speaks about his book, Survival and Resistance: Christian Reconstruction in the Pacific Northwest (Oxford University Press), in which he describes the migration of conservative evangelicals to the
Rev. Dr. Bruce Pass discusses Herman Bavinck as a sytematic theologian and the role Christology plays within his theological system. Throughout his career, Bavinck identified different central dogma but developed
The main events of the Diet of Worms relating to Luther took place from 16 to 18 April 1521. This year marks the 500th anniversary of the Diet of Worms,
The following books are on our radar for April 15, 2021. Greidanus, Sidney. Preaching Christ from Leviticus: Foundations for Expository Sermons (Eerdmans, March 2021). 344 pages. $35.00. Paperback.Ryken, Leland and Mathes,
The following books are on our radar for April 8, 2021. Barrett, Matthew. Simply Trinity: The Unmanipulated Father, Son, and Spirit (Baker, March 2021). 368 pages. $24.99. Paperback. Van Dam, Cornelis. In
These are the books on our radar for April 1, 2021. Kuyper, Abraham. On Business and Economics (Lexham; Acton Institute, February 2021). From the Abraham Kuyper Collected Works in Public Theology
Lane Tipton discusses “Van Til’s Trinitarian Theology,” the latest on-demand video course released with Reformed Academy. Designed to equip the student to engage critically central issues in
Ryan Noha brings his collection of Van Til books to the studio for show-and-tell. Join us for a surreal Reformed home shopping network experience. This was recorded in the summer
Danny Olinger, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey discuss Geerhardus Vos’s sermon, “Hungering and Thirsting after Righteousness” from Matthew 5:6. This sermon is included in Grace and Glory: Sermons Preached at
We briefly summarize and review Michael A. G. Haykin, “‘The Best Friend in the Worst Time’: Pandemics in Church History” The Banner of Truth Magazine, No. 689, February 2021, pp.
Dr. William Dennison, pastor of Emmanuel OPC in Kent, Washington, speaks about J. Gresham Machen’s theological method as disclosed through his radio addresses just a few years prior to his
Rev. Dr. David Noe joins us to speak about John Calvin, God or Baal: Two Letters on the Reformation of Worship and Pastoral Service (Reformation Heritage Books), which includes
Matthew Vogan speaks about David Dickson’s Sermons on Jeremiah’s Lamentations (Naphtali Press Special Editions & Reformation Heritage Books). Mr. Vogan is General Manager of Reformation Scotland, a charitable trust
C. N. Willborn speaks about the spirituality of the church, the doctrine which affirms that the Church is a spiritual institution with spiritual aims. It is not administered according to
Since Christ the Center began nearly thirteen years ago, we have taken time to look back on the highlights of the year. Continuing the update to our tradition from last year,
Harrison Perkins discusses the theology and historical context of James Ussher with particular attention to the development of the confessional understanding of the covenant of works. Ussher was the Church of
Cory Brock describes how Herman Bavinck interacted with and appropriated the theology of Friedrich Schleiermacher throughout his academic career. There is a significant shift toward a more pronounced and direct
Lane Tipton, Carlton Wynne, and Camden Bucey discuss pages 25–29 of Cornelius Van Til’s book, The Defense of the Faith. In this section, Van Til details the doctrine of God
Dr. John Bower speaks about constructing a critical edition of the Westminster Confession of Faith using four historical authoritative texts and several other sources. Bower has done a tremendous service
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob continues a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. In chapter 5,
We turn to pages 243–244 of Geerhardus Vos’s book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to discuss the prophet’s view of God’s relation to time and space. In terms of
Dr. James Eglinton speaks about the life and thought of Herman Bavinck. Eglinton has written a superb biography of Bavinck that has been published by Baker Academic. Bavinck and other
In an age of skepticism, Fredrich Schleiermacher wanted to cast religion in a manner that would be relevant and respected. In Episode 86 Jim Cassidy and Mark Winder discuss how
John Witherspoon (1723–1794) was an eighteenth-century Scottish-American Presbyterian minister and signer of the United States Declaration of Independence. In this episode, we speak with Robert S. Null about Witherspoon’s theology
In the spirit of our Vos Group episodes, we begin a concurrent venture into Cornelius Van Til’s book, The Defense of the Faith. Carlton Wynne joins Lane Tipton and Camden
Jim Cassidy speaks about Karl Barth and his relationship with idealism. On the heels of Lane Tipton’s recent course, Introduction to the Theology and Apologetics of Cornelius Van Til, the
We turn to pp. 238–243 of Vos’s book, Biblical Theology, to speak about the Old Testament prophets and their understanding of the nature and attributes of God. Vos affirms that
In this episode, we discuss a new online course wherein Dr. Lane G. Tipton teaches a thorough introduction to the theology and innovative apologetic method of Cornelius Van Til (1895–1987),
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob continues a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. In chapter 4,
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob continues a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. In chapter 3,
William Reddinger speaks about strands of resistance theory in the American Revolution, considering Lockean, Continental, and Anglo interpretations of Romans 13. Dr. Reddinger has authored “The American Revolution, Romans
For the 200th episode of Theology Simply Profound, Bob begins a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. In
Danny Olinger and Camden Bucey discuss Graham Greene’s novel, The Power and the Glory, which raises many questions about the nature of faith, ordination, and the sacraments through the lens
After having created Adam in his image and placing him in the Garden of Eden, God entered into a covenant with him (Gen. 2:16–17). In Westminster Confession of Faith 7.1,
In his first apology (ca. 150–155 A.D.), Justin Martyr wrote an early account of ancient Christian worship, describing ancient practices regarding the sacraments and Lord’s Day worship. It was written
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob finishes reading from the 1922 edition of Grace and Glory, a collection of sermons delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary by Geerhardus Vos. The sixth of
What was worship like in the early church? Did it differ significantly from our present practices? A letter written by a Roman official in 112 AD provides a window into
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob continues reading from the 1922 edition of Grace and Glory, a collection of sermons delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary by Geerhardus Vos. The fifth of
In 1894, B. B. Warfield published an article in which he compared the views of the Westminster divines and the Reformers on the mode of inspiration. According to Warfield, the
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob continues reading from the 1922 edition of Grace and Glory, a collection of sermons delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary by Geerhardus Vos. The third of
These [pagan] philosophers in their appearance of wisdom [schijnwijsheid] had only imagined things about God and about the way to the supreme good, which these teachers would mix with the Gospel, as do also the scholastic teachers in the Papacy, whereby the simplicity and straightforwardness of the saving doctrine of the Gospel is considerably darkened and distorted.
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob continues reading from the 1922 edition of Grace and Glory, a collection of sermons delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary by Geerhardus Vos. The second of
I often receive questions about Barth’s views on the Bible, which admittedly is a challenging topic. According to Karl Barth, the Bible is not revelation. The Bible is one of
On February 7, 1951, Cornelius Van Til wrote an insightful letter to neo-evangelical theologian Carl F. H. Henry. While it was written sixty-nine years ago, the letter demonstrates Van Til’s
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob continues reading from the 1922 edition of Grace and Glory, a collection of sermons delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary by Geerhardus Vos. The fourth of
We take a brief break from our regular schedule in Geerhardus Vos’s book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to discuss Vos’s sermon “Rabboni,” on John 20:16. This sermon is
It is a great strength of our Presbyterian and Reformed ethos that we are historically conscious. We enjoy history and pride ourselves on being self-consciously rooted in the past. Confessional and conservative
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob begins reading the 1922 edition of Grace and Glory, a collection of sermons delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary by Geerhardus Vos. The first
Carlton Wynne and Charles Williams speak about the new edition of Herman Bavinck’s The Wonderful Works of God published by Westminster Seminary Press. The book was first published in English
I recently watched The Two Popes, a film written by Anthony McCarten and directed by Fernando Meirelles available on Netflix. The movie recounts the relationship between Joseph Ratzinger and Jorge
We turn to pages 224–229 of Vos’s book, Biblical Theology, to speak about the intra-mental state of the prophet, by which Vos means to inquire into “how the soul felt
Since Christ the Center began nearly twelve years ago, we have taken time to look back on the highlights of the year. Given that we now post highlights from each
David Woollin of Reformation Heritage Books and Matthew Robinson of Media Gratiae discuss Puritan: All of Life to the Glory of God. Centered around a feature-length film, the full box
Alan D. Strange, Imputation of the Active Obedience of Christ in the Westminster Standards. Explorations in Reformed Confessional Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2019. Pp. xviii + 154.
Jeff Waddington, Glen Clary, and Lane Tipton speak with Camden Bucey about his book, Karl Rahner, and contemporary issues regarding Rahner, modern Roman Catholicism, and contemporary theology. Arguably the
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads from his 1923 edition of J. Gresham Machen’s classic work, Christianity and Liberalism, Chapter 7, The Church.
Participants: Robert Tarullo
James Eglinton, Nathaniel Gray Sutanto, and Cory Brock speak about Herman Bavinck’s book, Christian Worldview. Sutanto, Eglinton, and Brock together have translated and edited this work and Crossway has brought
Carl Trueman joins us to speak about Socinianism, a non-Trinitarian system of doctrine that arose out of the Radical Reformation and developed in Poland during the 16th and 17th centuries.
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads from his 1923 edition of J. Gresham Machen’s classic work, Christianity and Liberalism, Chapter 6, Salvation.
Participants: Robert Tarullo
Christianity is based in history. Contrary to the teaching of classic liberalism, without the historical fact of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, Christianity is nothing. Moreover, God has been working
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads from his 1923 edition of J. Gresham Machen’s classic work, Christianity and Liberalism, Chapter 5, Christ.
Participants: Robert Tarullo
Dr. Alan Strange discusses the Westminster Assembly and the Westminster Standards and whether they affirmed the imputation of Christ’s active obedience as necessary for our justification. Strange has written, The
Todd M. Rester speaks about the theology of Petrus Van Mastricht (1630–1706). Dr. Rester has served as a translator of Mastricht’s Theoretical-Practical Theology, which is being published by Reformation Heritage
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads from J. Gresham Machen’s 1923 classic work, Christianity and Liberalism, Chapter 4, The Bible.
Participants: Robert Tarullo
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads from J. Gresham Machen’s 1923 classic work, Christianity and Liberalism, Chapter 3, God and Man.
Participants: Robert Tarullo
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads from J. Gresham Machen’s 1923 classic work, Christianity and Liberalism, Chapter 2, Doctrine.
Participants: Robert Tarullo
Darryl G. Hart speaks about J. Gresham Machen’s classic work, Christianity and Liberalism. In becoming familiar the content and historical context of this book, people will gain an understanding not
This week on Theology Simply Profound, we begin a series of readings of J. Gresham Machen’s 1923 classic book, Christianity and Liberalism.
Participants: Robert Tarullo
Travis Fentiman and James M. Garretson speak about the new book, God, Creation, and Human Rebellion: Lecture Notes of Archibald Alexander from the Hand of Charles Hodge (Reformation Heritage Books).
Jeffrey S. McDonald speaks about his book, John Gerstner and the Renewal of Presbyterian and Reformed Evangelicalism in Modern America (Wipf & Stock, 2017). It is published in the
We welcome Richard M. Gamble, Professor of History, Anna Margaret Ross Alexander Chair in History and Politics at Hillsdale College, to speak about Julia Ward Howe’s poem, which came to
The Eunomians were followers of Eunomius (c. 335–c. 393), and have been characterized as neo-Arians. They denied that an eternally begotten Son could be consubstantial with the Father, and therefore,
Danny Olinger, author of Geerhardus Vos: Reformed Biblical Theology, Confessional Presbyterian, joins us for a special conversation. We take a brief break from Vos’s book Biblical Theology to discuss the
On February 5, 1923, J. Gresham Machen addressed the Moody Bible Institute Founder’s Week Conference in Chicago with a lecture entitled, “Christianity vs. Modern Liberalism.” This week on Theology Simply
Carl Trueman speaks about the Marburg Colloquy, a meeting called by Philip I of Hesse to unite the Protestant states in a political alliance. To accomplish such a union, he
Today we provide an introduction to the doctrine of justification with a consideration of several basic categories. We begin with a confessional doctrine of justification from the Westminster Standards. We
As is our annual custom, we’ve selected several clips from the episodes we released over the last year. We spoke with many people and had many fascinating conversations. I hope
William Perkins (1558–1602), often called “the father of Puritanism,” was a master preacher and teacher of Reformed, experiential theology. Greg Salazar speaks about Perkins’s works on predestination and his influence
Cory Brock and Nathaniel Gray Sutanto speak about Herman Bavinck’s Philosophy of Revelation (Hendrickson Publishers). Drs. Brock and Sutanto have edited a new annotated edition of Bavinck’s Stone Lectures, which were
Danny Olinger speaks about the life and thought of Geerhardus Vos. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. has identified Vos as the father of Reformed biblical theology and we take the time
Glen Clary compares and contrasts the Reformation liturgies of Martin Bucer, John Calvin, and John Knox. Studying each of these helps us to understand the significance of worship reformed according
Rev. Danny E. Olinger lectures on the connection Geerhardus Vos and J. Gresham Machen. This lesson was taught at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois as part of the
Camden Bucey delivers the concluding address at the Reformed Forum 2018 Theology Conference at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois.
Glen Clary delivers a plenary address at the Reformed Forum 2018 Theology Conference at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois. Download the handouts.
Participants: Glen Clary
Dominic Legge, O. P. speaks about the deep connection between Thomas’s Christology and his trinitarian theology. Dr. Legge is Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the Thomistic Institute
Jim Cassidy delivers a plenary address at the Reformed Forum 2018 Theology Conference at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois. Download the handout.
Participants: Jim Cassidy
Jeff Waddington spoke at the fifth annual Reformed Forum Conference, which was held October 5–7, 2018 at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois. The theme of the conference was “Seeing God:
Lane Tipton delivers the first plenary address at the Reformed Forum 2018 Theology Conference at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois. Download the lecture notes to follow along.
Participants:
Dr. Whitney Gamble speaks about antinomianism and the Westminster Assembly. She has written Christ and the Law: Antinomianism at the Westminster Assembly, which is part of the Studies on the Westminster
Dr. Lawrence Feingold brings us a Catholic’s perspective on Thomas Aquinas and the important connection between his doctrines of the Eucharist and the Beatific Vision. Dr. Feingold is Associate Professor of
Jim Cassidy previews his address at the 2018 Reformed Forum conference by speaking about Barth on the analogy of being and the analogy of faith and how his views relate
On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads J. Gresham Machen’s address as printed in The Princeton Theological Review, Volume 11 issue 1, 1913, “Christianity and Culture.”
Participants:
Dan Ragusa introduces us to the theological method of Petrus Van Mastricht, Dutch Reformed theologian, who maintained consistent Reformed orthodoxy against Cartesian influences. Van Mastricht wrote a polemic against Balthasar
We have compiled a list of suggested reading to help those coming to the 2018 Theology Conference. We realize people like have neither the time nor financial budget to work
We discuss how a return to sola scriptura through confessional Reformed theology spares us from the errors of Roman Catholicism and modernism. Reformed covenant theology, broadly considered, is facing a
Darryl G. Hart, Distinguished Associate Professor of History at Hillsdale College, joins us to speak about his book, Still Protesting: Why the Reformation Matters (Reformation Heritage Books). This book addresses the divide
“And though this world with devils filled, should threaten to undo us…”—so penned Luther in his famous hymn A Mighty Fortress is Our God. But on what epistemological basis could
David Owen Filson joins us to speak about Dr. J. Oliver Buswell, theologian and former president of Wheaton College and Covenant College and Seminary.
The great Dutch theologian of the Nadere Reformatie, Petrus van Mastricht (1630-1706), has only recently been introduced to the English-speaking world with the publication of his Theoretica-practica theologia (Theoretical and Practical
Pierce Taylor Hibbs speaks about language and the Trinity. His book, The Trinity, Language, and Human Behavior: A Reformed Exposition of the Language Theory of Kenneth L. Pike is available in
This week’s Theology Simply Profound provides another reading from the works of J. Gresham Machen. Since we’ve begun a series on the Biblical teaching of the atonement, Bob is reading Machen’s, “The
Jeff Waddington was recently a guest on the Iron Sharpens Iron program with Chris Arnzen. Listen as Jeff speaks about his book, The Unified Operations of the Human Soul: Jonathan Edwards’
Part of a good transcendental critique must be drawing the lines between the dots for people to see clearly. If I have any critique of Van Til, it
We speak with Dr. Stephen G. Myers about Ebenezer Erskine and the important events of Presbyterian history with which he was involved.Dr. Myers is Professor of Historical Theology at Puritan
In this episode, we speak to David Woollin of Reformation Heritage Books about several new and exciting projects from the publisher.
Participants: Camden Bucey, David Woollin,
With Rob nursing a cold, this week’s Theology Simply Profound provides another reading from the works of J. Gresham Machen. Since we’ve begun a series on the Biblical teaching of the
William VanDoodewaard speaks to us about Martin Bucer, John Knox, and the development of pastoral care during the Reformation. Dr. VanDoodewaard is professor of church history at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Jonathan Gibson and Mark Earngey speak about Reformation worship. Their new book Reformation Worship: Liturgies from the Past for the Present, is an irenic plea for the Church (and especially her
While at the Shepherds Conference Rob was able to talk with Matthew Robinson from Media Gratiae. They were able to discuss how Media Gratiae was started as well as a
Alan Strange speaks about the doctrine of the spirituality of the church in the ecclesiology of Charles Hodge and how it was formed in the years leading up to and
With Rob on assignment at the T4G conference, this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound provides a reading of J. Gresham Machen’s essay, “The Responsibility of the Church in Our New Age.”
“Yet the Aristotelianism of Rome, with its idea of potentiality, offers, we are bound to think, a point of contact with the underlying philosophy of Dialecticism. Rome occupies an
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob had an opportunity to sit down with the Rev. Dr. Ryan M. McGraw to talk about John Owen and his major writings. Following
Michael J. Kruger joins us to speak about his book, Christianity at the Crossroads: How the Second Century Shaped the Future of the Church in which he examines how Christianity took
Jim Cassidy discusses Darren O. Sumner’s book, Karl Barth and the Incarnation: Christology and the Humility of God. Dr. Cassidy wrote a review article on the book in the Fall
Danny Olinger speaks about the life of E. J. Young, long-time Professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary. Davis Young has written a wonderful biography of his father, For
Camden and Erica Bucey discuss several helpful books for parents as they disciple their children and women in a variety of study group settings. They offer brief notices of several
Camden Bucey and Ryan Noha serve brief notice on several new books from P&R Publishing and a worthwhile biography.
Martin Greschat (Stephen E. Buckwalter, trans.), Martin Bucer: A Reformed and
In The New Modernism Van Til identifies the Theology of Crisis with “dialectical theology.” But what is dialectical theology? Van Til explains that dialectical theology is
For those of you who’ve been with us for some time know we like to take an hour or so at the end of the year to look back on
Jeff Stivason joins us to speak about his article, “Benjamin B. Warfield and True Church Unity,” published in the Westminster Theological Journal 79 (2017): 327–43. He argues that Warfield developed
As we continue to unpack Van Til’s review of Zerbe’s book we come to the second part of the review, which concerns Barth’s epistemology. Van Til opens with an
When I first heard about Barth’s concept of the “wholly other” God, it sounded perfectly orthodox. Barth’s emphasis on the qualitative difference between God and man struck me as
Today, Rob and Bob commemorate the 500th anniversary Protestant Reformation with a discussion of the ongoing need for influence of the Reformation in the life of the church today. Happy Reformation
In the last post we began to consider Van Til’s first published criticism of Barth. It was set in the context of a book review.[1] There we
The adult Sunday school lesson from the Reformed Forum 2017 Theology Conference held at Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Grayslake, Illinois.
Participants: Jeff Waddington
This episode was recorded just prior to our 2017 Theology Conference on The Reformation of Apologetics. We discuss the theological approach of scholasticism as it pertains to Thomas Aquinas, the
The Reformation of Apologetics, Session #5 Reformed Forum 2017 Theology Conference Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Participants: Camden Bucey
The Reformation of Apologetics, Session #4 Reformed Forum 2017 Theology Conference Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Participants: Lane G. Tipton
Dan Ragusa speaks about Herman Bavinck’s Trinitarian theology and its implications for a revelational epistemology and worldview. Bavinck argues for an organic connection between general and special revelation, which results
The Reformation of Apologetics, Session #2 Reformed Forum 2017 Theology Conference Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC) Download the handouts.
Participants: K. Scott Oliphint
The Reformation of Apologetics, Session #1 Reformed Forum 2017 Theology Conference Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC) Download the handouts.
Participants: K. Scott Oliphint
This episode was recorded live at our 2017 Theology Conference on The Reformation of Apologetics. In celebration of the five-hundredth anniversary of the Reformation and the thirtieth anniversary of the
Jeff Waddington spoke about Van Til and the archetype/ectype distinction during our 2017 Theology Conference VIP dinner at Market House on the Square in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Participants: Jeff
Today we welcome Chad Van Dixhoorn to speak about his book, God’s Ambassadors: The Westminster Assembly and the Reformation of the English Pulpit, 1643–1653 in which he describes how the
It is often assumed that The New Modernism (1946) is Van Til’s first published writing in which he evaluates Barth’s thought. Actually Van Til first
Our resident book hound, Ryan Noha, speaks about several rare books to be added to the Reformed Forum online store.
Select Titles:
Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Resurrection and Redemption: A
This year marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. On Oct 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg. We typically
For Van Til no form of unbelief escapes the charge of rationalism. Irrationalism is only a disguised form of rationalism. But before getting to that, it might help to
Teaching on the eternal state of the world to come may sound from the outset to be speculative and useless for practical living in the present. How can heavenly contemplation
Last week we talked about Barth’s “absolutely other” god. There we noted how Barth begins with an unknown and unknowable god. In other words, he begins with the god
Chad and Emily Van Dixhoorn visit Christ the Center to speak about Confessing the Faith: Study Guide. This is a helpful guide to Confessing the Faith: A
It is often said that Barth believed in a god who was “wholly other.” It’s an oft repeated phrase, but rarely understood. Van Til would say “absolutely other.” By that
In chapter 3 of Christian Apologetics Van Til addresses the issue of the “point of contact” (Anknüpfungspunkt). That is to say, the point at which the believer may make contact
Both Van Til and Barth rejected all forms of bare theism. That is, they denied a generic view of God. Both believed this “god” was an idol. This is the
Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey discuss theological methodology in light of Calvin’s view of natural theology. As a starting point for the discussion, they turn to Thiago M. Silva’s article,
The Westminster Larger Catechism defines justifying faith as
a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit and Word of God, whereby he, being convinced of
Saving faith is the instrument by which the whole person is united to the whole Christ in the unbreakable bond of the Holy Spirit. I am not my own, confesses the believer,
Now we begin to make a definite turn toward Barth in Van Til’s writing. Thus far this blog series has been a smattering of topics arising from my rereading
Van Til used the word “scholasticism” (or its other variations) as shorthand for Thomistic dualism (and with it the medieval synthesis of Christian and pagan thought). In short Thomistic
This post is a kind of follow-on from a previous post about “as-suchness.” In The New Synthesis Van Til writes:
Paul does not discuss
We took to Facebook to broadcast a live Q&A session. With questions submitted through email and the live comment thread, we covered Lord’s Day observance, fasting and gluttony, and membership
There is still a great deal of confusion out there concerning the difference between orthodox Reformed theology and the theology of Karl Barth. Are they not the same? Is
Camden Bucey reviews Yves Congar’s The Meaning of Tradition.
Participants: Camden Bucey
The triumph of the eternal decree of God over history is just as much a problem as the triumph of history over the eternal decree. In an attempt
It is often assumed that Karl Barth’s thought is the antithesis of medieval scholasticism. It is true that Barth is exceedingly critical of Aquinas. But does Barth offer us
Chris Castaldo compares the respective doctrines of justification of the Reformer Peter Martyr Vermigli and the Roman Catholic John Henry Cardinal Newman. Castaldo is the author of Justified in Christ:
I am always edified when I read Van Til. I am also always challenged to conform my thinking to the Holy Scriptures and the Reformed faith. But I am
In June 2011, we spoke with Bill Dennison, Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Covenant College, about Transformationalism and Christian Higher Education. In that episode, we touched upon his article, “
Who says Van Til is impractical? I would argue that Van Til in all his writing always has an eye towards the church. All of his theologizing, all of
In his writings, Van Til used what has now become a defunct moniker to describe an early 20th century theological movement surrounding Karl Barth and
Going hand-in-hand with what we said in a previous post about rendering God not God, Van Til points up how unbelieving thought assumes a neutral view of reality, and
Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey revisit Paul Woolley’s article, “Discontent!” as it pertains to the ministry of the church. Woolley presents two forms of discontent in the church that
In a previous post, we considered the way in which Geerhardus Vos’ doctrine of Christ impacted his redemptive-historical hermeneutic for reading the Old Testament. In the triune God’s eternal counsel
Van Til is a master at exegeting unbelief. This is helpful for apologetics. If we do not understand the unbeliever in a biblical way, inevitably our approach to defending the
Darryl G. Hart speaks about J. Gresham Machen and his use of media throughout the modernist-fundamentalist controversy. Westminster Seminary Press has recently published a series of radio addresses by
We at the Reformed Forum have a burning desire to see Christ as preeminent in all things. We believe that the Scriptures reveal to us Christ, from Genesis to Revelation.
Following Kuyper and Bavinck, Van Til so emphasized the antithesis between believer and unbeliever that many have concluded that Van Til cuts the unbeliever off from
I’ve come again, afresh, to the writings of Cornelius Van Til. Lord willing, my plan is to compose a monograph on Van Til’s critique of Karl Barth over the
Charles Williams speaks about the life and theology of one of Christianity’s greatest figures, Augustine. Mr. Williams is Associate Pastor at Bethel OPC in Wheaton, Illinois. WTSBooks.com has generously offered
Today we welcome Daniel Ragusa, to speak about the Westminster Standards and their teaching of the self-sufficient and self-contained triune God of Scripture. Ragusa begins with Westminster Confession of Faith
While many in the Christian tradition prepare to celebrate Good Friday and Easter Sunday this week and next, we turn to consider the meaning of the gospel. Paul describes the
Earlier this week, we exhibited at The Gospel Coalition 2017 Conference, “No Other Gospel: Reformation 500 and Beyond” in Indianapolis. We were able to share 900 copies of our new book
This week we’re at The Gospel Coalition 2017 Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. We’re meeting many new people and telling them about our mission to assist the Church in her call to
James Ussher (1581-1656) was one of the most influential Reformed theologians of the seventeenth century. He adroitly contended throughout his life against Roman Catholicism on various platforms, whether writing, preaching or
In our previous article I discussed section I of the Canons of Dort, to show how it presents and prescribes the proper way to teach about election. In this final
Today we speak about John Murray’s “The Attestation of Scripture,” a chapter in The Infallible Word. Scripture attests to its own character and authority. Being God’s Word and our ultimate authority,
Introduction
In a previous article I pointed out that the Canons of Dort not only define the content of Reformed doctrine, but also direct the way in which it is
Introduction
The Canons of Dort are one of official standards of the Reformed churches. They were written in the early 1600s, when the young Reformed Church in the Netherlands had
Today we speak with Austin Reed about Karl Barth’s theology of election. Austin is a student at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and walks us through a critical review of Karl Barth’s Infralapsarian
On this episode, we are joined by Ryan McGraw, who speaks about the foundational role and practical significance of Trinitarian theology to John Owen. Dr. McGraw is Professor of Systematic
As we head into our tenth year of Christ the Center, we look back at some of our favorite guests and moments from 2016.
Episodes
425 — David VanDrunen, God’s
In the second part of this special two-part episode, we discuss the observation of Christmas. This subject is perennially debated in the Reformed community. In this segment of our conversation,
In this special two-part episode, we discuss the observation of Christmas. This subject is perennially debated in the Reformed community. Listen as we discuss the historical, theological, and the practical
Patricia Clawson and Diane Olinger speak about the new book from the OPC’s Committee for the Historian. Choosing the Good Portion: Women of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church captures the stories of
Mark Vander Hart and Cornelis P. Venema join us to speak about the Reformed church in Latvia. Mark Vander Hart is Associate Professor of Old Testament Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Cornelis Venema
Cornelis P. Venema joins us to speak about his book By His Spirit and Word: How Christ Builds His Church (Reformed Fellowship, Inc.). Venema engages in an extended exposition on
East of Eden considers Jonathan Edwards’s sermon, “Blessed Struggle,” which was delivered in 1735.
Participants: David Filson, Jeff Waddington, Nick Batzig
We know that on October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, igniting a continent-wide reformation of the church. But what was he thinking?
On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the church door in Wittenberg. These were dark, dark days; the gospel had been shackled by the superstitions and idolatries
We speak with Gregg Allison and Chris Castaldo about their excellent book The Unfinished Reformation: What Unites and Divides Catholics and Protestants after 500 Years (Zondervan, 2016). Rev. Dr. Allison is
On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the church door in Wittenberg. These were dark, dark days; the gospel had been shackled by the superstitions and idolatries
On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the church door in Wittenberg. These were dark, dark days; the gospel had been shackled by the superstitions and idolatries
On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the church door in Wittenberg. These were dark, dark days; the gospel had been shackled by the superstitions and idolatries
On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the church door in Wittenberg. These were dark, dark days; the gospel had been shackled by the superstitions and idolatries
We speak with William Boekestein about the Swiss reformer, Ulrich Zwingli. Ulrich Zwingli was a leader of the Reformation in Switzerland. His efforts in reforming doctrine and practice serve as examples
East of Eden considers Jonathan Edwards’s sermon “The Sorrows of the Bereaved Spread before Jesus,” which was delivered in 1741.
Participants: David Filson, Jeff Waddington, Nick
Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. speaks about Calvin’s views on the Sabbath. In this conversation, we look to Dr. Gaffin’s book Calvin and the Sabbath: The Controversy of Applying the
Cornelius Van Til concludes his chapter on Scripture in his Introduction to Systematic Theology with a note of pastoral wisdom.
It is not sufficient … to instruct the church in certain
We introduce two new books from InterVarsity Press: Created and Creating: A Biblical Theology of Culture by William Edgar and Contours of the Kuyperian Tradition: A Systematic Introduction by Craig Bartholomew.
Dr. Michael J. Kruger speaks with us about A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament. This volume introduces each New Testament book in the context of the whole canon of Scripture,
We speak with Daniel R. Hyde. Rev. Hyde is pastor of Oceanside URC in Oceanside, California. He has written an article examining the Synod of Dort’s doctrine of the Sabbath, titled “Regulae
Dispensationalism is a system of doctrine that views human history as divided into distinct eras (or dispensations). In each of these dispensations, God provides a unique test to humanity. Repeatedly,
St. Gregory of Nyssa, Anti-Apollinarian Writings. The Fathers of the Church: A New Translation, vol. 131. Translated by Robin Orton. Washington: The Catholic University of America Press, 2015. Pp. xxiii
Occasionally, I am asked about the difference between the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and my denomination, the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). I’ve had different thoughts about this during my
Dr. Keith Stanglin joins us to speak about the theology of Jacobus Arminius. Arminius was a Dutch theologian who served as a professor of theology at the University of Leiden.
Sections
1. Absurd fictions of opponents first refuted, and then certain passages of Scripture explained. Answer by a negative. Confirmation of the answer.
2. Another absurdity of Aristotle and Pelagius.
Today we welcome Iain H. Murray to the program to discuss his new biography, J. C. Ryle: Prepared to Stand Alone. In 1957, Rev. Murray co-founded the Banner of Truth
Sections
1. Connection of this chapter with the preceding. Augustine’s similitude of a good and bad rider. Question answered in respect to the devil.
2. Question answered in respect to
Dr. Alan Strange is professor of church history and apologetics at Mid-America Reformed Seminary and associate pastor of New Covenant Community Church in Joliet, Illinois. Dr. Strange sits with us to speak
Van Til’s trinitarian theology is at the heart of his apologetic. Yet there are several aspects of his theology difficult to understand and others that are left undeveloped. We speak with
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, we reflect upon the life and ministry of her oldest minister, 103 year-old Rev. John P. Galbraith. Galbraith was
Reformed theologians have regularly underscored the relationship between Word and sacraments. The sacraments are appended to the Word for the purpose of confirming or sealing it. The sacraments do not
Oscar Cullmann wrote several treatises on the subject of Christian worship. His treatise entitled Baptism in the New Testament was originally published in 1950 and was
In his “Summary of Doctrine Concerning the Ministry of the Word and the Sacraments,” Calvin articulates the idea of union and communion with Christ through the means of grace.
The
What was the Communion service like in Calvin’s Geneva? One Catholic who attended a service gave the following description.
Three or four times a year, according to the will of
According to some Pauline scholars, 1 Corinthians 10:14–22 “has been remarkably underused in most churches’ theology and liturgy of the Lord’s Supper.”[1] Theologians and liturgiologists tend to focus on what
Hughes Oliphant Old has been publishing articles and books on the subject of worship since the 1970s. [See select bibliography below.] His book entitled Worship Reformed According to Scripture is hands
In Calvin’s thinking, the signs of the sacraments should be distinguished from the realities which they signify, but they should not be separated from them. First Corinthians 10:1-4 says,
For
Here’s my very brief introduction to baptism in the Didache. This topic deserves several articles, and I plan on following up with it in later posts. Stay tuned!
What does
The Odes of Solomon is the earliest collection of Christian hymns. The forty-two odes in the collection were most likely composed in the late first or early second century by
Rumor has it that when Pope Leo X read Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, he said, “What drunken German wrote this?” It is also rumored that when Martin Luther read Jason
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my teacher Dr. Hughes Oliphant Old and reflecting on his insights into Reformed worship. Here are some of my favorite quotes from his
The teaching of the Lord through the twelve apostles to the Gentiles:[1]
1:1There are two ways, one of life and one of death. And there is a great
Now that Easter is over, this is a good opportunity to reflect on what just happened yesterday and to share some thoughts on the origin of the church calendar. As
The oldest extant Easter sermon from the ancient church is a sermon preached by Melito, the bishop of Sardis in Asia Minor at the end of the second century. This sermon
In 1550, the Scottish Reformer John Knox wrote a brief summary of the Reformed doctrine of the Lord’s Supper. Knox entitled his document
Here is briefly declared in a summary, according
What would it have been like to worship with the saints at Rome in the middle of the second century? One can only imagine how thrilling it must have been
In 1873, “Archbishop Philotheos Bryennios was browsing in the library of the Greek Convent of the Holy Sepulchre in Istanbul when, by chance, he noticed the text of the Didache
Most students of the Reformation recognize that Martin Luther discovered (more accurately re-discovered) the doctrine of justification by faith alone and that Ulrich Zwingli discovered the symbolic interpretation of the Lord’s
I’ve often heard that while the classical Reformers such as Martin Bucer, John Calvin and John Knox favored weekly Communion, their spiritual heirs (particularly, the Reformed experientialists of the seventeenth
One of the primary goals of the Protestant Reformation was to reform the worship of the church according to Scripture, the only infallible authority. The Reformers gave careful attention
In St. Peter’s Cathedral in Geneva there is a plaque commemorating the life and ministry of John Calvin, which simply describes him as “servant of the Word of God.”[1] Truly,
East of Eden considers the Theology and experiential application of Jonathan Edwards’s sermon “Self-Examination and the Lord’s Supper” from 1 Corinthians 11:28–29 and delivered first March 21, 1731.
Participants: David Filson,
Today we open the email inbox and address a variety of your questions. We touch on Van Til and Vos on culture, neo-Calvinism, theological anthropology, and whether Christians and Muslims
In his superb book The Whole Christ, Sinclair Ferguson reminds us of an absolutely critical point of salvation:
The benefits of the gospel (justification, reconciliation, redemption, adoption) were being separated from
We discuss the latest issue of the Confessional Presbyterian Journal, which contains contributions from John Murray, Carl Trueman, Mark Jones, Glen Clary, and many others.
Articles
“John Murray” by Danny
Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey discuss reading lists, New Year’s resolutions, church planting, and much more in this free form discussion.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff
Darryl Hart reviews Awakening the Evangelical Mind: An Intellectual History of the Neo-Evangelical Movement written by Owen Strachan and published by Zondervan. Hart is Visiting Professor of History at Hillsdale College
We ring in the New Year with a retrospective of 2015, bringing to you highlights from twelve of our favorite episodes of the year.
370 — Donald Macleod, Understanding the Atonement
Today we welcome Dr. John Bolt to speak about his new book Bavinck on the Christian Life: Following Jesus in Faithful Service. Dr. Bolt is the Jean and Kenneth Baker
Sections
10. A fourth Objection. Answer. Fifth Objection. Answer. Answer confirmed by many passages of Scripture, and supported by a passage from Augustine. 11. Perseverance not of ourselves, but of
Being that we do not know the exact year John Knox was born, that means we can stretch out the celebration of his 500th for multiple years! Scholars continue to
Bill Dennison brings together the worlds of apologetics and biblical theology just as Cornelius Van Til did with the teaching of his beloved professor Geerhardus Vos. Dr. Dennison serves as
Today we speak with D. G. Hart, Glen Clary, and John Terpstra about the relationship between revivalism and Reformed piety. Looking at the history of revival and its influence on
In the 1908 Stone Lectures delivered at Princeton Seminary, Bavinck develops a sustained reflection on the function and necessity of divine revelation. The lectures were compiled as the Philosophy of
Perhaps you will remember from the last post, according to Jenson, Israel’s hope, as well as our own, is for participation in God’s own reality, which is nothing less than
May the day come, and come soon, when American fundamentalists will stop being content with the minimum of God’s truth and start proclaiming the maximum.
—Ned B. Stonehouse, “Stars
In our last post, (a while back!) I argued that Jenson had in fact compromised the creator creature distinction and I said that we would flesh that out a bit,
Reformed Forum turns to the mailbag, answering several of the questions we’ve received over the last few months. In this episode, we get into covenant apologetics, biblical theology, baptism, different
Looking forward to the Covenantal Apologetics Colloquium, I thought I might share some reflections on the uniqueness of Covenantal Apologetics (CA) and, in that sense, on what makes it worthy
Today we speak with Dr. K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania about Cornelius Van Til’s book Common Grace and the Gospel (P&R
Dr. William Edgar details the French Reformation and the Huguenots, connecting it through history in order to teach us about God’s plan for his church amidst struggle. Dr. Edgar is Professor of
In the last post we asked if Jenson had gone beyond Barth. Has he temporalized eternity? Jenson is certainly bolder in his assertions linking eternity and time, but has he
Thus far in this series we have looked at the life of Barth as well as begin to explore his theology as well. In particular we have shown how Christ
Tony Reinke joins us to speak about Newton on the Christian Life: To Live Is Christ, a new book in Crossway’s Theologians on the Christian Life series. Newton was a brilliant letter
This is the third part of a four part series on the life and thought of Karl Barth. After completing a brief biography, we now turn to examine his thought.
In our previous post, part 1, we introduced our thesis and opened with the beginning of Barth’s life. We pick up here with his years from the beginning of his
In our last post we left two questions begging to be asked. First, how can Jenson talk about ontological truth statements in Scripture? Second, how is he able to identify
“Christ is All: An Introduction to the Life and Thought of Karl Barth”1
Part I
Introduction and Thesis
A. Introduction
You are reading the first installment of
By now it should be understood by the reader that for Jenson, God is the act of utterance.[1] For Jenson, as I argued in my last post, God
The panel discusses Jonathan Edwards’s sermon, “A Divine and Supernatural Light” delivered at Northampton and subsequently published in 1734.
Participants: David Filson, Jeff Waddington,
I stated my basic contention in the last post. It was simply this, Robert Jenson, adopting Barth’s theological notion of time and eternity and taking that understanding to its logical
When Karl Barth was once asked to comment on the reception of his theology in America, he noted that a bright young American scholar named Robert Jenson had rightly grasped
The doctrine of election is the sum of the Gospel because of all words that can be said or heard it is the best. CD II/1, 3
In a recent
Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Dane Ortlund to speak about Jonathan Edwards’s views of the Christian life. Ortlund is Senior Vice President of Bible Publishing at Crossway and the author of
Nick Batzig, Jeff Waddington, and David Filson discuss a sermon by Jonathan Edwards circa 1747.
Participants: David Filson, Jeff Waddington, Nick Batzig
In this episode, we speak with Samuel Renihan about the doctrine of divine impassibility. Rev. Renihan is the pastor of Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in La Mirada, California and the
It was in the fall of the year 2000. My professor had strolled rather awkwardly into the classroom with a very large stack of papers cradled in his arm. He
Barth’s theology, fairly early on, received the label “neo-orthodox.” Barth himself rejected the label (CD III.3, xii). It is regarded by some today as a misnomer. As early as 1972,
Jeff Waddington compares Alvin Plantinga and Jonathan Edwards on the perennial anthropological question regarding the relationship between the intellect and the will. In 2000, distinguished Christian philosopher Alvin Plantinga offered
Eberhard Busch describes Barth’s approach to theological prolegomena:
he saw the prolegomena as being a first step into the subject-matter itself, bringing about a first clarification of what revelation was
Dr. Carl Trueman joins us to speak about his book Luther on the Christian Life, in which he paints a portrait of Martin Luther through his historical context, theological system, and approach
Carlton Wynne leads us into the world of modern theology by introducing the theology of Wolfhart Pannenberg. Pannenberg (1928–2014) was a leading systematic theologian who introduced an innovative relationship between eschatology and
Speaking theologically, what was Dietrich Bonhoeffer? Was he a German liberal or might we label him a conservative evangelical Christian? Bonhoeffer’s use of Kantian Transcendentalism as a theological beginning point
Having begun with Kant’s concept of the transcendental unity of apperception in order to establish God’s immanence Bonhoeffer was brought up against a potential philosophical problem. Kant’s Transcendentalism had a
Michael Allen and Scott Swain discuss whether Christians and churches can be both catholic and Reformed. In their book Reformed Catholicity: The Promise of Retrieval for Theology and Biblical Interpretation (Baker
Laurence O’Donnell, III, a Cornelius Van Til scholar and critic, has labeled Van Til’s trinitarian theology “idiosyncratic.” He made this remark with respect to Van Til’s conception of the trinity as
In our last post we concluded that juxtaposing Bonhoeffer against himself might not be the most useful way to determine whether the man was a pietistic evangelical or a German
It’s that time of year again—the time when the latest issue of The Confessional Presbyterian Journal is published. We discuss the new issue and celebrate the journal’s continued focus on historic confessional presbyterianism. This
President Obama may some day, if not already, rue the day he compared the Crusades to the current terror tactics of ISIS. But, was his comparison completely off-based?
Several well-circulated
Within a year of my profession of faith I came into contact with Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The owner of the local Christian bookstore gave me a copy of The Cost of
Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey speak about theophanies before turning to pages 72–76 of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology to speak about the Angel of Jehovah, or the Angel of the Lord. The
In a previous post, I gave a brief historical sketch of the movement from nineteenth century absolute idealism to twentieth century analytic philosophy. In this post, I will survey the
Jeff Waddington introduces several new or recent books, includes titles on Junius, Jonathan Edwards, and Cornelius Van Til.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington
My initial thought was to put briefly into writing a few introductory comments toward a redemptive historical response to a purified ecclesiology—positively stated, to articulate the starting point for an
This week, Dr. Gregg Allison gives an evangelical perspective of Roman Catholic theology. In his recent book, Roman Catholic Theology and Practice: An Evangelical Assessment,
Historia Ecclesia will now be featuring audio of the series of posts “Presbyterians of the Past,” by Barry Waugh. This week, we highlight A.T. McGill, a Princeton Seminary professor from
James W. Scott speaks about the question of whether Machen himself wrote a history of the Presbyterian conflict that led to his defrocking, and accidentally, his death. His articles
Huldrych Zwingli was a Swiss priest who served most notably in Zürich. His story is not unlike other Reformers. Zwingli came from a prosperous family of farmers from eastern Switzerland.
This Reformation Day, Pastor Glen Clary speaks about Ulrich Zwingli, leader in the reform of Christian worship at the time of the Reformation. Pastor Clary highlights “the affair of the
Sections
5. Though man has still the faculty of willing, there is no soundness in it. He falls under the bondage of sin necessarily, and yet voluntarily. Necessity must be
Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy discuss the significance of the Reformation in its own time and its continuing relevance for today.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy
Christ the Center regular Dr. Jim Cassidy discusses the present state of Calvinism in evangelical Christianity. Following up on a previous Christ the Center and
In this episode, Nick, Jeff and Dave sit down to discuss Jonathan Edwards’s sermon, “Joseph’s Great Temptation and Glorious Deliverance” based on Genesis 39:12. In this sermon Edwards unpacks the theology
Drs. Michael Haykin and Jeffrey Robinson Sr. join us to speak about John Calvin and Calvinism’s legacy in missions. Their book To the
Reformed Forum contributor Nick Batzig speaks about Jonathan Edwards: “Preaching Christ in the Song of Songs.” This talk was given at the 2014 Jonathan Edwards for the Church conference. Read More »
Dr. William Schweitzer speaks about Jonathan Edwards: “Faithful Ministers are Conduits of the Means of Grace.” This talk was given at the 2014 “Jonathan Edwards for the Church
Dr. Douglas Sweeney speaks about Jonathan Edwards on the Divinity, Necessity, and Power of the Word of God in the World, from the 2014 “Jonathan Edwards for the Church Conference.”
Dr. Chad B. Van Dixhoorn visits Christ the Center to speak about his forthcoming book, Confessing the Faith: A Reader’s Guide to the Westminster Confession (Banner
Bryan Winter discusses the relationship between Dutch immigrants and the American Presbyterian Church, particularly as seen in the ministry of the Dutch secessionist minister, Peter Zonne. Winter is an attorney
Dr. Alan Strange comes to the program to discuss the animus imponentis. Animus imponentis is a legal term that refers to the meaning of the words of an oath or confession that is
A recent firestorm has arisen within the blogosphere concerning an alleged failure by Karl Barth. It was initiated by Matthew Rose over at First Things here, responded to by IVP
Dr. David Garner comes to the program to speak about the topic of his new booklet, “How Can I Know For Sure?” from
In light of the recent discussion on “The Future of Protestantism,” I thought I would post Machen’s take on church unity as he deals with this
Today we speak with Glen Clary about his DMin dissertation titled, “Celebrating Holy Communion According to the Customs of the Ancient Church: A Reformed Communion Liturgy Based on the Eucharistic Liturgy
Dr. Randall J. Pederson offers a helpful method for resolving the perennial challenge of defining Puritanism. Pederson suggests that Wittgenstein’s concept of familienähnlichkeit (family resemblance) provides a perspective “that within seventeenth-century
Though it is often remarked that Hodge’s theological method is more rationalistic than many Reformed theologians would like it to be, Hodge often drives us back to the only true
Reformed Forum founders Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy, and Jeff Waddington speak about the Old and New Calvinisms. As the speaker for the annual Gaffin lecture, John Piper recently spoke at
Jim Cassidy reviews The Bonhoeffer Reader (Fortress Press) edited by Clifford Green and Michael DeJonge. From the Publisher: For the first time, a representative collection of all Bonhoeffer’s
John Piper’s recent Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. Lecture at Westminster Theological Seminary was vintage Piper: passionate, learned, articulate, and just right. The connection between Calvinism, sovereign grace, justification by faith
“I am part of the New Calvinism, and feel a fatherly responsibility to continually speak into it dimensions of truth that I think it needs to hear. As a part
Jeffrey A. Stivason speaks about B.B. Warfield’s doctrine of inspiration. In his doctoral dissertation, From Inscrutability to Concursus: Benjamin B. Warfield’s Theological Construction of Inspiration’s Mode from 1880 to 1915., Pastor Stivason
Jim Cassidy reviews Christology, Ancient and Modern: Explorations in Constructive Dogmatics (Zondervan) edited by Oliver Crisp and Fred Sanders.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy
As promised, I now offer a list of several scholarly works on Jonathan Edwards that I think are must reads. Please remember that there are now over 4,000 items of
Being interested in learning more about the theology of Karl Barth can be an overwhelming experience. Where does one begin? I would like to offer here just five books to
Keeping up with books, articles, blog posts, and podcasts-not to mention conferences- about New England pastor-theologian Jonathan Edwards seems like a nearly impossible task. The noted Edwards annotated bibliographer M.
I recently had the opportunity to listen to Al Mohler’s fascinating interview with Dr. Marsden on Thinking in Public. The two spoke about Dr. Marsden’s latest book, The Twilight of
Learning is an important part of Christian stewardship. You have been given a mind, and God desires that we grow in our understanding of him and his gospel. Growing as
With the growth of Reformed ideas comes a jockeying to define what “Reformed” is and is not; or more frequently, who is and who is not. One hot topic has been
In “The Peace Which Christ Gives His True Followers,” Edwards calls us to listen in on the most affectionate and affecting discourse Christ gave (Jn 14:27), in which he promised
Dr. Michael J. Kruger speaks with Christ the Center about his recent book, The Question of Canon: Challenging the Status Quo in the New Testament
David Owen Filson speaks about Dr. J. Oliver Buswell, theologian and former president of Wheaton College and Covenant College and Seminary. A fundamentalist involved with J.
We begin the New Year with a look at some of our best clips from 2013. Listen to the full episodes of the clips we’ve chosen to include by using
Caroline Weerstra speaks with Christ the Center about the Peniel Bible Conference, based on her article “The Early History of Peniel Bible Conference, Part 1: Zeal Without Knowledge (1933-1938).” The camp
It’s often argued that because of the political climate, the Scottish commissioners to the Westminster Assembly had full rein over the Westminster Assembly and the confessional documents it produced. In
Dr. Mark Jones returns to Christ the Center to revive seventeenth-century wisdom about antinomianism from his forthcoming book Antinomianism: Reformed Theology’s Unwelcome Guest?. Antinomian thinking
Kyle Padden and Paul Maxwell join Jonathan Brack and Charles Williams to discuss the importance and value of reading the Apostolic Fathers. Particular attention is given to the letters of
Dr. James Bratt speaks about Abraham Kuyper: Modern Calvinist, Christian Democrat (Eerdmans). Dr. Bratt places Kuyper in historical context and clarifies Kuyper’s thought and
Jonathan Edwards preached “What Is Believing in Christ?” to his congregation of three hundred Native Americans in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The sermon on Mark 16:15-16 is characteristic of Edwards’ pastoral sensitivity
Darryl G. Hart returns to the program to speak about the history of Calvinism from his new book, Calvinism: A History. The episode gives a taste
East of Eden continues a discussion of the life and ministry of Jonathan Edwards. See here for part 1 of
East of Eden discusses the life and ministry of Jonathan Edwards, including a survey of biographies of Jonathan Edwards. Follow up in a couple weeks for Part 2. Biographies of
In the seventh episode of Faith of our Fathers, Jonathan Brack and Charles Williams discuss the dangers of Docetism. Docetism was a late first/early second century heresy that denied the
Sections
1. The intellect and will of the whole man corrupt. The term flesh applies not only to the sensual, but also to the higher part of the soul. This demonstrated from
Sections
21. Fourth argument. Scripture ascribes the glory of our adoption and salvation to God only. The human intellect blind as to heavenly things until it is illuminated. Disposal of
In the sixth episode of Faith of our Fathers, Jonathan Brack and Charles Williams discuss two of the earliest heresies in church history: Ebionism and Adoptionism. The Ebionites regarded Jesus
Dr. K. Scott Oliphint reviews Calvin, Classical Trinitarianism, and the Aseity of the Son by Brannon Ellis and published by Oxford University Press. In this excellent volume, Ellis investigates the
Jason Pickard reviews Classical Christian Doctrine: Introducing the Essentials of the Ancient Faith by Ronald E. Heine and published by Baker Academic.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jason Pickard
In the fifth episode of Faith of our Fathers, Jonathan Brack and Charles Williams provide an introductory overview to early church heresies, pointing both to the appeals they make, and
In this episode, Jeff Waddington covers God Is a Communicative Being: Divine Communicativeness and Harmony in the Theology of Jonathan Edwards by William M. Schweitzer and published by T&T Clark.
In recent church polity debates among Presbyterians and Particularists, the bulk of the argumentation is paid towards analysis of New Testament proof texts. Matthew 16, 18, and Acts 15 are
The Christ the Center panel gather for an informal discussion about Jonathan Edwards and his treatment of the question of how Adam, who was created in righteousness and holiness and
Sections 14-20
14. The power of the intellect, secondly, with regard to the arts. Particular gifts in this respect conferred on individuals, and attesting the grace of God.
15. The
Camden Bucey and David Owen Filson speak about several new books, and journal, and one interesting out-of-print title.
Links
The Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Reclaiming the Psalter: Praying
David Filson reviews Matthew Levering’s recent book, The Theology of Augustine: An Introductory Guide to His Most Important Works. For thoughtful students of Church History and Historical Theology, who may
In the fourth episode of Faith of our Fathers, Jonathan Brack and Charles Williams provide an overview of the shape, extent, and intensity of the Roman Empire’s persecution of the
In the third episode of Faith of our Fathers, Jonathan Brack and Charles Williams explore the growing tensions and eventual separation between Judaism and Christianity in the first century—explaining how
In the second episode, Jonathan Brack and Charles Williams discuss how to begin studying church history, and provide a bird’s-eye view of the first six centuries of Christianity.
Participants:
Sections
9. The language of the ancient writers on the subject of Free Will is, with the exception of that of Augustine, almost unintelligible. Still they set little or no
Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Scott Manetsch to the program to speak about Reformed pastoral ministry and his book Calvin’s Company of Pastors: Pastoral Care and the Emerging Reformed
In this inaugural episode of Faith of Our Fathers, Charles Williams and Jonathan Brack discuss a Christian approach to studying history. They seek to explore the basic question: What value is
Dr. Diane Poythress joins us to speak about the important reformer of Basel, Johannes Oecolampadius. Though Oecolampadius’ influence was extraordinary, many English-speaking historians and theologians are not familiar with his
The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals have released the first two episodes of The Mortification of Spin with Carl Trueman and Todd Pruitt. It’s billed as a bi-weekly casual conversation about things that
Just a few weeks ago, Carl Trueman introduced me to Scott Manetsch’s new book Calvin’s Company of Pastors: Pastoral Care and the Emerging Reformed Church, 1536-1609. While initially interested, I
An interview with Kyle Strobel regarding his recently released Jonathan Edwards’s Theology: A Reinterpretation.
Participants: Jeff Waddington, Kyle Strobel, Nick Batzig
The reorganization of Princeton Theological Seminary was a key event in the American Presbyterian modernist-fundamentalist controversy of the early 20th century. The seminary was governed by a board of directors, who
Jonathan Edwards preached “Christ the Spiritual Sun” in May 1739. It was based on Malachi 4:1-2. The doctrine of the sermon was “that the same spiritual Sun, whose beams are
Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey introduce several recent titles worth mentioning.
Stephen R. Holmes, Quest for the Trinity: The Doctrine of God in Scripture, History and Modernity
G. R.
Dr. Paul Kjoss Helseth, Professor of Christian Thought at Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota, joins the panel at Christ the Center to speak about Old Princeton and right reason. Many in the Reformed
In this episode, we review Christosis: Pauline Soteriology in Light of Deification in Irenaeus and Cyril of Alexandria by Ben C. Blackwell and published by Mohr Siebeck. Dr. Blackwell is
Listen as Jeff Waddington reviews B. B. Warfield’s Scientifically Constructive Theological Scholarship by David P. Smith and published by Pickwick. Smith seeks to correct the perception that Warfield relies upon a
Originally preached in April 1738, Jonathan Edwards’ sermon “Jesus Christ: The Same Yesterday, To-day, and Forever” expounds Hebrews 13:6. Edwards draws out the doctrine that Jesus Christ is the same
In this episode, Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy discuss the 2012 issue of the Confessional Presbyterian Journal. The issue contains two highlights. The first is the articles section which consists
This week the East of Eden crew examine Jonathan Edwards’ sermon “Safety, Fullness, and Sweet Refreshment, to be Found in Christ” based upon Isaiah 32:2. In this sermon Edwards unpacks the types
In this episode Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy discuss the Fall 2012 issue of the Westminster Theological Journal. Of special interest is the article by Jim Scott on Machen and
We begin the New Year with a look at some of our best clips from 2012. Listen to the full episodes of the clips we’ve chosen to include by using
Dr. Paul Lim, Associate Professor of the History of Christianity, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, and Affiliate Professor of History at Vanderbilt University, speaks about his book Mystery Unveiled: The Crisis
In this episode, Jim Cassidy and Mark Winder catch up with John Muether to talk about his forthcoming book on the life of B.B. Warfield, the great old Princeton theologian.
In this episode, we review James E. McGoldrick’s Presbyterian and Reformed Churches: A Global History published by Reformation Heritage Books. Publisher’s Description: In 1905, Westminster Press published History of the Presbyterian
In 1730 Jonathan Edward preached a sermon on Matthew 5:8 in which he gave consideration to the redemptive blessing which God bestows upon the pure in heart, namely, an all
In February 1740, at the heat of the first Great Awakening, Jonathan Edwards preached The Character of Paul an Example to Christians. In this sermon on Philippians 3:11 Edwards unpacked Paul’s
In 1739, at the brink of the Great Awakening in Northampton, Jonathan Edwards preached a sermon in which he challenged his congregation with regard to their own commitment to a careful and
Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Mark Jones to the program to speak about puritan theology. With Joel Beeke, Mark has co-authored an exciting new book from Reformed
Preached as a sacrament service sermon in August 1736 and later included as the fifth and final sermon in Discourses on Various Important Subjects, “The Excellency of Christ” is based
On this episode, we welcome Rev. Dr. Carl R. Trueman to discuss the important role of creeds and confessions in the church through his book The Creedal Imperative. Dr. Trueman
Originally preached sometime in 1739, Jonathan Edwards’ sermon Christ’s Agony provides a deep analysis of Luke 22:44 and Christ’s agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Edwards notes that Christ
In last week’s episode of the podcast “Office Hours,” Scott Clark interviews John Fesko regarding his recent book, Beyond Calvin: Union with Christ and Justification in Early Modern Reformed Theology
In this episode we interview Dr. Ken Minkema, the executive editor at the Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University, with regard to the formation of the Center and
Rev. William R. Edwards speaks about John Flavel and union with Christ. Edwards has written an article titled “John Flavel on the Priority of Union with Christ: Further Historical Perspective
Originally preached in Northampton in 1735, and then preached again in 1752, The Most High, a Prayer Hearing God was preached on a fast appointed on the account of epidemical sickness at
Originally preached in Northampton in the fall of 1730, and later preached at Boston for the Harvard convocation week Thursday lecture on 8 July 1731, God Glorified in Man’s Dependence
The podcast East of Eden: The Biblical and Systematic Theology of Jonathan Edwards inaugurates the series with a close reading of the sermon “East of Eden” which Edwards preached in
The Rev. Dr. Robert McKelvey unfolds the theology of one of John Bunyan’s classic allegories, The Holy War. Rev. McKelvey is Pastor of Westminster Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Windber, PA and
In 1946, the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary published a symposium on the doctrine of Scipture titled The Infallible Word. Cornelius Van Til’s contribution, an essay titled “Nature and
It is a common feature of American evangelicalism for people to share a personal testimony of the Lord’s work in one’s life. Often, this is presented in a standardized form
The Christ the Center panel met with Dr. Barry Waugh, editor of the recent publication Letters from the Front: J. Gresham Machen’s Correspondence from World War I, about the fascinating
Seeing that our interview with Darryl Hart on the regulative principle was released today, I figure I should go all in and just make it a DGH day. The culture
The Westminster Confession of Faith 1.6 says, “The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down
The Christ the Center panel discusses a forthcoming new podcast entitled East of Eden: Discussions in the Biblical and Systematic Theology of Jonathan Edwards, which should appear, Lord willing, this summer. The panel
In this 200th year of Princeton Theological Seminary, it seems appropriate to read the latest biography of Charles Hodge penned by Andrew Hoffecker. Charles Hodge: The Pride of Princeton is
I just received a copy of Barry Waugh’s new book of Machen letters. Letters from the Front: J. Gresham Machen’s Correspondence from World War I (P&R Publishing) looks to be a fascinating
Andrew Moody sat down with Dr. Steve Lawson at a recent conference for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. This is a fun discussion about exposition, church history, and a host
Rev. Dr. Mark Jones joins us to speak about diversity and debates within Puritanism. A healthy view of polemics has fallen on hard times, and Dr. Jones reminds us of
Dr. W. Andrew Hoffecker describes the life and influence of Charles Hodge, one of the giants of American Presbyterianism. Dr. Hoffecker has written a fantastic biography titled Charles Hodge: Pride
William Boekestein speaks about the history of the Heidelberg Catechism. Rev. Boekestein is pastor of Covenant Reformed Church in Carbondale, PA and the author of The Quest for Comfort: The
Jim and Camden speak about several new offerings from Naphtali Press. But a majority of the discussion focused on the latest issue of The Confessional Presbyterian Journal. The journal is a
Dr. Carl Trueman, Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary, describes the historical context leading up to the creation of the King James Bible. This year
Cornelius Van Til was an early and significant critic of Karl Barth, yet many contemporary Barthians reject his criticism. Several contributions in the recent book Karl Barth and American
Jim Cassidy speaks about the basic contours of Karl Barth’s theology. Karl Barth and American Evangelicalism, edited by Bruce L. McCormack and Clifford B. Anderson, is a recent contribution to
Darryl G. Hart returns to explore Barthianism in America. Darryl Hart has contributed to Karl Barth and American Evangelicalism, edited by Bruce L. McCormack and Clifford B. Anderson, is an
In this episode, Darryl G. Hart speaks about his latest book From Billy Graham to Sarah Palin: Evangelicals and the Betrayal of American Conservatism. Hart argues that evangelicals ought to reclaim
In this special episode, Christ the Center welcomes Kim Tran and Yannick Imbert from the Faculté Jean Calvin in Aix-en Provence to speak about the history and current state of
Christ the Center is very pleased to welcome Sandy Finlayson to the program to discuss his book Unity & Diversity: The Founders of the Free Church of Scotland. Mr. Finlayson
Dr. Carl Trueman, Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary, returns to Christ the Center to speak about the republication of his book The Reformation: Yesterday,
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church was formed in 1936 out of the modernist-fundamentalist controversy at a time when figures such as J. Gresham Machen were struggling with liberal influences at Princeton
The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of interviewing Rev. Dr. Robert Davis Smart, senior minister of Christ Church (PCA) in Bloomington, IL, and author of the recently released Jonathan
Dr. Craig Biehl shares his work on Jonathan Edwards’ views pertaining to Christ’s merit. Biehl’s dissertation has been published as a book titled The Infinite Merit of Christ: The Glory
Camden Bucey and Jeff Waddington discuss the Council of Chalcedon and its key contribution to orthodox theology – a formulation of the hypostatic union.
Participants: Camden Bucey,
Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey speak about Francis Turretin and his insights into the much debated topic of right reason. Theologians have debated the effects of sin upon the mind.
Sean Michael Lucas, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, MS, speaks about his book Robert Lewis Dabney: A Southern Presbyterian Life. Dr. Lucas also previously taught church history
K. Scott Oliphint explores the issue of divine and human knowledge as it relates to the Clark/Van Til controversy. Dr. Oliphint is Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster
In this brief episode, Camden Bucey discusses the Van Tilian interpretive tradition. Cornelius Van Til was an influential figure in the development of a distinctively Reformed apologetic. Camden Bucey discusses
Westminster Theological Seminary was founded in 1929 as a result of denominational conflict within the Presbyterian Church in the USA. J. Gresham Machen brought together several men in an attempt
Carl Trueman comes on to discuss his recent book, Histories and Fallacies: Problems Faced in the Writing of History, and other issues relating to historiography and a philosophy of history.
Ron Gleason discusses his new intellectual biography of Herman Bavinck. The book, titled Herman Bavinck: Pastor, Churchman, Statesman, and Theologian, is published by Presbyterian and Reformed Publishers.
Links
R. Scott Clark, Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California, discusses his essay in Always Reformed, the recent festschrift for Dr. Robert Godfrey. The collection is
Darryl G. Hart visits with the panel of Christ the Center once again. On this episode Dr. Hart speaks about his latest essay found in Always Reformed, a festschrift written
Anthony Bradley discusses his book, Liberating Black Theology: The Bible and the Black Experience in America, which is a revised form of his dissertation he did while a PhD student
Jeff Waddington speaks about Jonathan Edwards’ theological anthropology. He distinguishes Edwards’ approach from that of Thomas Aquinas and explains its significance for apologetics.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff
Bill Dennison discusses the possibility of a personal acquaintance between J. Gresham Machen and Rudolf Bultmann. Both men are key figures in opposing wings of Protestantism. Machen being the figurehead
Dr. Carl Trueman, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Westminster Theological Seminary, and Dr. Peter A. Lillback, President of Westminster, discuss the proper relationship of Christianity to the political sphere.
Christ the Center discusses the developments in Roman Catholic theology that came with Vatican II. In this episode, we welcome an able panel including Nathan Shannon, who wrote a ThM
Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey open the subject of Van Til’s criticisms of Karl Barth. Van Til was one of Barth’s earliest English-writing critics, and his criticisms are found in
Darryl G. Hart speaks about the storied histories of the Presbyterian and Reformed churches. Dr. Hart has authored A Secular Faith: Why Christianity Favors the Separation of Church and State,
Dr. Barry Horner joins the program to discuss John Bunyan’s classic The Pilgrim’s Progress. Horner has thought deeply on the subject and has written a book of his own titled
Bob LaRocca leads a discuss on Thomas Aquinas’ Second Way. The Second Way is an argument for the existence of God from efficient causes. The flow of the argument is
Fred Zaspel is the author of the soon to be released volume on the theology of B.B. Warfield, published by Crossway titled The Theology of B.B. Warfield: A Systematic Summary.
Bob LaRocca brings Thomas Aquinas’ famous first way to the table. Thomas’ ways have become staples in apologetic discussions.
Participants: Bob LaRocca, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan
Nick Batzig, Josh Walker and Michael Dewalt talked with Dr. Steve Lawson, senior pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, about his book The Unwavering Resolve of
The Christ the Center panel was joined by Dr. Chad Van Dixhoorn, associate pastor of Grace OPC in Vienna, VA and senior research fellow at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge,
Darryl G. Hart speaks about the storied histories of the Presbyterian and Reformed churches.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Darryl G. Hart
Darryl G. Hart concludes his series on J. Gresham Machen with a lesson on assessing this great figure in American Presbyterianism.
Participants: Darryl G. Hart
James Dolezal reviews a new book from Russell L. Friedman, Medieval Trinitarian Thought from Aquinas to Ockham.
Participants: Camden Bucey, James Dolezal
Darryl Hart discusses more about early 20th century liberalism and Machen’s fight for the history of Scripture and the importance of the doctrine contained therein.
Participants: Camden Bucey,
Machen deals with Charles Erdman and Robert Speer in the fight against sentimentality. Dr. Darryl G. Hart taught this lesson at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Glenside, PA where he
Darryl Hart continues his series on J. Gresham Machen looking at Machen and the Independent Board of Presbyterian Foreign Missions. The independent board was created as a reaction to the
Or roughly, “The Making of Van Til.” Camden Bucey builds a case that Machen is the principal historical reason for Cornelius Van Til becoming the influential reformed apologist he became.
In this lesson, Dr. Hart touches upon Harry Emerson Fosdick, the ordination of liberals, the five fundamentals and the Auburn Affirmation.
Participants: Darryl G. Hart
In 1923, J. Gresham Machen published Christianity and Liberalism. In the book Machen argued that liberalism was not another form of Christianity, but indeed was a different religion. Darryl G.
Darryl G. Hart speaks about Machen and the Plan of Organic Union. This is part four of a series on Machen taught at Calvary OPC in Glenside, PA. post photo
Darryl G. Hart speaks about Machen’s experience through World War I. This is part three of a series on Machen taught at Calvary OPC in Glenside, PA.
Participants: Darryl
Darryl G. Hart continues his course on J. Gresham Machen at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Glenside, PA. Hart explore several key aspects to Machen’s family and early life.
Participants:
Darryl G. Hart begins a new course on J. Gresham Machen at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Glenside, PA.
Participants: Darryl G. Hart
Darryl G. Hart and Camden Bucey converse about family and Sabbath through the writings of Wendell Berry.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Darryl G. Hart
Michael Haykin, Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, speaks about his book The Christian Lover: The Sweetness of Love and Marriage in the Letters of
Darryl G. Hart shares a few thoughts on American Presbyterianism including the modernist-fundamentalist debates of the early 20th century and the historical developments of women in office.
Participants: Camden
Darryl G. Hart and Camden Bucey discuss the relationship of various Christian epistemologies to a two-kingdoms approach to Christ and culture. post photo by Joel Bedford
Participants: Camden Bucey
R. Scott Clark visits Christ the Center again to speak about Caspar Olevianus’ An Exposition of the Apostle’s Creed. Dr. Clark is Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at
Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Joel Beeke to discuss Meet the Puritans, which he wrote with Randall J. Pederson. This volume is a wonderful collection of short
When approaching the question of credo-baptism during the Reformation, James Dolezal argues for viewing three distinct categories: Anabaptists, general baptists, and particular baptists. The theological differences between these groups are
Given that Reformation Day is near, we thought it would be time to focus our attention on the monk with the mallet. Carl Trueman, Vice President for Academic Affairs and
Dr. Joseph A. Pipa, Jr. visits Christ the Center to speak about William Perkins’ role in the development of Puritan preaching. Pipa argues that Perkins’ overall influence and his book
Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey play clips of Keith Olberman, R.C. Sproul and The Onion. The clips provide fodder for a discussion that touches on Christianity and politics, presuppositional apologetics,
Mark A. Noll discusses his latest book The New Shape of World Christianity: How American Experience Reflects Global Faith. Dr. Noll is Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History at the
The panelists of Christ the Center recently talked with Rev. Dr. Guy Richard, senior minister of First Presbyterian Church (PCA) of Gulfport, MS, about his new study, The Supremacy of
Thabiti Anyabwile, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman joins the panel to discuss Lemuel Haynes and black theology. Anyabwile has edited May We Meet in the Heavenly
We discuss several new and forthcoming books and comment on two audio clips. The first comes from the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA and touches on Galileo’s relationship to the
Christ the Center discusses some aspects of the life and thought of Medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas. Specifically Thomas’ doctrine of God and the nature/grace distinction come in for consideration. Especially
In honor of John Calvin’s 500th anniversary, the General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church held a pre-Assembly conference on the subject of John Calvin. The Rev. Dr. Richard B.
Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Seminary California and host of the White Horse Inn radio program joins Christ the Center to discuss
The Christ the Center panel had a fascinating conversation with Rev. Danny Olinger, general secretary for the Committee on Christian Education for the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and editor of The
Rev. James O’Brien, pastor of Reedy River PCA, joins with the Christ the Center panel for a discussion of all things Puritan. Rev. O’Brien shares his wisdom gained from years
The Christ the Center panel had the distinct privilege of recently interviewing Dr. Michael A. G. Haykin, professor of church history and Biblical spirituality at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in
The Pentecostal Movement had two main roots: a Wesleyan and a non-Wesleyan root. In the Wesleyan tradition, Phoebe Palmer represents the movement well. She picked up on the doctrine of
In this episode of Christ the Center the panel interviews Dr. William Dennison, professor of interdisciplinary studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA, about his recent publication The Young
Lane G. Tipton joins the panel again to discuss Cornelius Van Til’s particular formulation of Trinitarian theology. Dr. Tipton is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary (PA)
The Christ the Center panel once again had the privilege of meeting with Dr. Stephen Nichols, Research Professor of Christianity and Culture at Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School, this
Christ the Center was pleased to have Darryl G. Hart back to talk about his book Deconstructing Evangelicalism. Hart points out that Evangelicalism actually is an umbrella term used to
The panel of Christ the Center had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Philip Graham Ryken, Senior Minister of historic Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, with regard to his doctoral dissertation,
Dr. Peter Lillback, President of Westminster Theological Seminary, in Philadelphia, Pa., Senior Minister of Proclamation Presbyterian Church, in Bryn Mawr, PA, and President of the Providence Forum, talked with the
Christ the Center welcomes Dr. Carl Trueman, vice president for academic affairs and professor of historical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and author of several books including The
John Muether, professor of church history and director of the library at Reformed Theological Seminary/Orlando and historian of the OPC, talks with the Christ the Center panel about his recent
The Christ the Center panelists interact with Dr. John Carrick, associate professor of applied and doctrinal theology at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, about his latest volume The Preaching of Jonathan
Rev. Dr. Ron Gleason, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA) of Yorba Linda, CA converses with the Christ the Center panel about the forthcoming volume Reforming and Conforming? and his
The Christ the Center panelists engage Dr. K. Scott Oliphint, professor of apologetics and systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, in a wide-ranging discussion about Cornelius Van Til
July 10, 2009 marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin. In honor of this great theologian, the Calvin 500 Project has produced a blog, two books (
Christ the Center discusses the ministry of David Martyn Lloyd-Jones and the Emerging Church with Martin Downes, pastor of Christ Church Deeside. Downes, who also is webmaster of the popular
The Christ the Center panelists interact with Dr. Darryl G. Hart about Dr. Fundamentalis, J. Gresham Machen. Machen, erstwhile professor of NT at Princeton Theological Seminary until its reorganization in
We had the opportunity to sit down with Jeff Jue, Associate Professor of Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary. Dr. Jue is an expert on the eschatological views of the
J. Ligon Duncan, Senior Minister at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS joins us to talk about the Westminster Confession of Faith. Dr. Duncan is the general editor of a
R. Scott Clark, Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California, joins us to discuss his forthcoming book Recovering the Reformed Confession.
Panel
R. Scott Clark
Jeff
Join us as we speak with Mark Garcia, author of Life in Christ: Union with Christ and Twofold Grace in Calvin’s Theology, regarding the theological implications of union with Christ
Augustine is the most influential theologian in the Western church. His works have become the foundation for much of the Western church’s thinking. Join us as we sit down for
Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey sit down to discuss aspects of Jonathan Edwards’ thinking including his eschatology, affectional psychology and trinitarian theology.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington
In the early 19th century, a controversy arose in American Presbyterianism over evangelistic method and doctrines such as the imputation of Adam’s sin. One group identified as the Old School
The group continues their discussion of Cornelius Van Til by examining Van Til’s critique of the theology of Karl Barth. Van Til’s two books The New Modernism and Christianity and
Cornelius Van Til (1895-1987) developed a unique approach to apologetics which stemmed from a solid foundation in reformed theology and a background in Idealist philosophy. His method has been called
Jim and Camden discuss the 20th century theologian Karl Barth and the main themes of his influential theology.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy
In this special crossover episode with Dead Presbyterians Society recorded at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Camden Bucey joins Jonathan Master, President of Greenville Seminary, for a conversation on the life,
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
In this episode, Dan Ragusa speaks about Letters from America (Reformed Forum). Between 1935 and 1940, Cornelius Van Til (1895–1987) wrote twenty-four letters from America for the Dutch
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
Winter’s Death[1] by Geerhardus Vos
Here lies the Winter hated,
Goliath-like prostrated,
Whom David’s stone laid low.
Recovered from earth’s chillness,
Spring uses the first stillness
To put left-over illness
Beneath the thin-grown snow. His efforts
In this episode we welcome church historian Stephen O. Presley to explore the life, theology, and enduring relevance of Irenaeus of Lyons. Writing in the latter half of the second
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
Dr. C. N. Willborn, pastor of Covenant PCA in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, speaks about the life, ministry, and enduring theological legacy of John Lafayette Girardeau—a figure often hidden in the
As Christ the Center closes out another year of weekly theological conversation, this special episode reflects on God’s faithfulness throughout 2025 by revisiting the most-watched and most-listened-to episodes of the
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
In this rich conversation, Camden Bucey sits down with Dr. Chad Van Dixhoorn—historian, pastor, and professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte—to explore the remarkable work and enduring wisdom of
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
I had the privilege of participating in a panel discussion on Danny Olinger’s excellent biography of Geerhardus Vos at the Presbyterian Scholars Conference, held at Harbor House, Wheaton College, on
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
Autumn1 By Geerhardus Vos Translated by Daniel Ragusa Still lingers golden autumn, still stand harvest colors,
Ripening in field, still roams through woods and gardens
A lovely postlude
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
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
Summer1
By Geerhardus Vos Translated by Daniel Ragusa
Though thousands of signs do brim
That he the land has graced,
How shall I ever find him?
Where do his
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob returns to a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. Chapter 9, “The Kingdom
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
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
Leonardo De Chirico and Mark Gilbert join the program to discuss the enduring significance of the Nicene Creed as it marks its 1700th anniversary. Drawing from their recent edited volume,
In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. J. Brandon Burks, pastor of Christ Reformed Church (URCNA) in Florence, Kentucky, to discuss his recent article published in
In this livestream from May 9, 2025, Camden Bucey discusses various topics related to Reformed theology, including updates on the upcoming Reformed Forum Theology Conference, an overview of his new
In this episode of Christ the Center, we’re joined by Kurt Vetterli, pastor of an ERKWB congregation in Basel, and Florian Weicken, pastor of an EPCEW congregation in Zürich, for
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
In this episode, Danny Olinger and Camden Bucey explore a pivotal moment in the history of American Presbyterianism: the Special Commission of 1925 and its investigation into the doctrinal unrest
In this thought-provoking episode, we welcome back Dr. Leonardo De Chirico, a leading Reformed evangelical theologian and pastor in Rome, for a consideration of the legacy and ongoing influence of
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
In this special episode of Christ the Center, we commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS) with special guests Dr. Maynard Koerner and Wayne
In this episode we welcome Dr. Jean Decorvet and Dr. Kenneth Stewart to explore The Geneva Réveil, a significant yet often overlooked nineteenth-century evangelical revival that reshaped French-speaking Protestantism and
In our weekly livestream for March 7, 2025, Camden Bucey first speaks with Jonathan Master about the upcoming Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary conference focused on pastoral ministry. They explore the
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
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 this conversation, Camden Bucey, Ryan Noha, Lane Tipton, and Scott Cook discuss various themes surrounding Reformed apologetics, particularly focusing on the critique of Cornelius Van Til’s thought as presented
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
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
This special year-end episode highlights the top 10 most-viewed episodes and webinars from 2024. We work through key moments from discussions on Reformed theology and history. These clips showcase rich
In this episode of Christ the Center, Daniel Ragusa leads us in a consideration of nativity through the lens of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology. As this season prompts reflection on the incarnation
Join Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy in this special live-streamed episode of Christ the Center. From discussing the “first annual” Reformed Forum Christmas Extravaganza to regional meetups and exciting book
Danny Olinger, John Muether, Darryl Hart, and Camden Bucey explore the life and legacy of J. Gresham Machen, discussing Richard E. Burnett’s provocative book, Machen’s Hope: The Transformation of a
Introduction Richard Burnett’s Machen’s Hope: The Transformation of a Modernist in the New Princeton represents an ambitious effort to offer a fresh perspective on a significant Presbyterian figure—one who is
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
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
In this episode, we are joined by Jeffrey C. Tuomala, Professor of Law at Liberty University, to examine two landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions in light of two articles by
In this episode of Christ the Center, we welcome Rev. Hank Bowen, pastor of First Reformed Church in Aberdeen, South Dakota, for an insightful conversation on the Reformed Church in
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
In Reclaiming the ‘Dark Ages’: How the Gospel Light Shone from 500–1500 (Christian Focus), authors Iain Wright and Yannick Imbert challenge the popular Protestant perception of the Middle Ages as
Rev. Dr. Daniel Ragusa, pastor of Messiah’s Reformed Fellowship in New York City joins Camden Bucey for this thoughtful episode of Christ the Center. Together, they explore the profound impact
In this episode, we speak with Dr. David Noe, the translator, and Dr. Chad Van Dixhoorn, the editor, behind the newly released English edition of John Arrowsmith’s remarkable work, Plans
In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey speaks with Dr. David Noe, pastor of Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids and former faculty member at Calvin University.
In the first issue of The Presbyterian Guardian, the editors shared their desire and justification for the new paper.
We hope that this paper will make its way on merit
In 1936, at the first General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of America—later renamed the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC)—official greetings were received from the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church
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
In this episode, we commemorate the centennial of the Auburn Affirmation, exploring its profound impact on the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the broader Christian community. We explore the theological crossroads
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
Camden Bucey provides a preview of our upcoming symposium scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2024. In this event, we will explore pivotal moments and figures in the history of the Reformed
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
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,
Geerhardus Vos mounted a heavenly vantage point from which he surveyed the world and all its happenings. From the high tower of God’s Word, he saw with eagle-eye clarity the
In this enlightening episode, we discuss the nuances of conscience and confessional identity during the Reformation. Joined by Dr. Timothy Scheuers, we turn our attention to the transformative period of
During our symposium, “Crossroads of Conviction,” D. G. Hart had a spirited exchange with Timon Cline regarding establishmentarianism. With respect to the American founding, Dr. Hart made a comment
In this episode, we sit down with David Hall, Senior Pastor of Midway Presbyterian Church in Powder Springs, GA, and a prolific author, to discuss his latest book, Irony and
Since 2008, we have been taking time around New Year’s Day to bring you some of the top moments from the preceding year. We have several great clips lined up
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob returns to a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. Chapter 8, “The Essence
After recording a course on the subject for Reformed Academy, Dr. Carlton Wynne comes to the podcast studio to discuss John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion. Topics covered include
Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey reflect on the recent Reformed Forum Theology Conference on J. Gresham Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism before turning to a discussion of their new booklet,
Richard Gamble and Jeff McDonald join us again. On this episode, McDonald introduces several significant points about William Jennings Bryan, including his early life and upbringing in a strong evangelical
Camden Bucey recently lectured on “The Importance of Van Til for Today” for the OPC’s Presbytery of Michigan and Ontario at Harvest OPC in Wyoming, MI. Jim Cassidy and Camden discuss the
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
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
Ryan Noha and Camden Bucey discuss two new courses from Reformed Academy as well as the new online community and several upcoming events. Camden, Jim Cassidy, and Lane Tipton will
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
Sean Morris joins us to speak about the pastoral theology of John Knox. Known as the thunderous voice of the Scottish Reformation, Knox is a towering figure whose impact still
Dr. Jonathan Master speaks about his book, Reformed Theology (P&R Publishing), which is part of the Blessings of the Faith series edited by Jason Helopoulos. Master provides a concise and
Brian DeJong speaks about his biography of Arthur Franklin Perkins, a Presbyterian minister serving in Merrill, Wisconsin in the 1920s and 1930s. For his bold stand for truth, and against
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,
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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
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
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
On the heels of teaching a course on Cornelius Van Til’s interpretation of the theology of Karl Barth, Lane Tipton speaks with Camden Bucey about Barth’s theology and the surprising
Following invention of the first internal combustion engine driven motorcar by Carl Benz in Germany in 1886, there were many home-shop tinkerers creating horseless carriages as they anticipated prosperous careers
Brian DeJong explores the history of Presbyterianism in Wisconsin by focusing on several key figures in the development Presbyterian churches in the area. In 1821, the Stockbridge Mohican Indians relocated
Today we welcome Cory C. Brock and N. Gray Sutanto to speak about their book, Neo-Calvinism: A Theological Introduction (Lexham Academic), which is an excellent initiation and explication
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.
Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey bring in the New Year with a discussion of bible reading plans, tools, and strategies. They preview several of the projects that lay ahead at
Since 2008, we have been taking a beat around New Year’s Day to bring you some of the top moments from the preceding year. We have several great clips lined
Donald Fortson and Kenneth Stewart speak about their book, Reformed and Evangelical across Four Centuries (Eerdmans), in which they tell the story of the Presbyterian church in the United
Jeff McDonald discusses Melvin Grove Kyle and the growth of the League of Evangelical Students (LES) founded by J. Gresham Machen and Princeton Seminary students in 1925. Both Kyle and
Carlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey turn to pp. 54–58 of Cornelius Van Til’s The Defense of the Faith to discuss the Christian theory of knowledge. In this section,
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob returns to a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. In chapter 7, “The
In this episode, we bring you the third plenary address from our 2022 Theology Conference wherein we considered, “The Covenantal Tale of Creation, Christ, and Consummation: The Life and Work
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob returns to a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. In chapter 6, “The
Dr. Arlin Migliazzo speaks about Henrietta Mears, who was arguably the single most influential woman in the shaping of modern evangelicalism. Key figures in the early modern evangelical movement like
This the second installment of a quarterly series of interviews highlighting the Lord’s work in the lives and ministries of our Reformed Forum faculty. Lane Tipton, Fellow of Biblical and
Harrison Perkins speaks about Samuel Miller’s views on Presbyterianism. Dr. Perkins has edited a new edition of Miller’s Presbyterianism: Its History, Doctrine, Government, and Worship, which has been published by
Dr. Vern Poythress speaks about the study of history and historiography from a Christian perspective. In his book, Redeeming Our Thinking about History: A God-Centered Approach (Crossway), Dr. Poythress emphasizes
Where is Christ’s body now? In short, that is the question behind our conversation today with K. J. Drake, the author of The Flesh of the Word: The extra Calvinisticum
Reformed militancy is something that comes up when you consider J. Gresham Machen because he was known to be a fighter. He defended it and militancy for noble, worthwhile causes
You can contrast the deeper Modernist conception of Karl Barth to the deeper Protestant conception of Vos and the deeper Catholic conception of Aquinas. For Vos, Adam comes from God,
The Modernist-Fundamentalist Controversy occurred in the 1920s. When I teach it, I typically talk about the social aspects of it, the high points being the Scopes Trial of 1925 and
Brad Isbell (@ChortlesWeakly) briefly steps away from the General Assembly floor, Twitter, and Presbycast to jump on another podcast mic to speak with Camden Bucey about the PCA General
The more than two-hundred-fifty-page PDF document available for download at the end of this introduction is a table that includes seven columns of information about each of 1268 book reviews
Dr. D. G. Hart speaks about the Old School-New School Controversy in the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, which lasted from 1837 to 1870 in the North.
Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 289–296 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. In this section, Vos introduces several significant interpretive practices which are
The Old Side/New Side controversy occurred in colonial presbyterianism between 1741 and 1758 with a couple of stages in between. It was a controversy that grew out of the first—I
On May 21, 1922, Harry Emerson Fosdick preached a sermon titled “Shall the Fundamentalists Win?” that helped spark the modernist-fundamentalist controversy. Fosdick was a Baptist minister serving as an associate
This the first installment of a quarterly series of interviews highlighting the Lord’s work in the lives and ministries of our Reformed Forum faculty. Up first is Jim Cassidy, president
Carlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey open Cornelius Van Til’s book, The Defense of the Faith to pages 43–47. Van Til addresses the unity and diversity within creation before
Dr. Dominic Aquila joins Camden Bucey to speak about the history of Presbyterian publications. While they focus primarily on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Dr. Aquila connects this storied history
Lane Tipton speaks about his new course on Van Til’s doctrine of revelation, which is the third course in our Fellowship in Reformed Apologetics. In this course, Dr. Tipton covers:
At the invitation of B. B. Warfield (and the suggestion of Geerhardus Vos), Abraham Kuyper delivered the Stone Lectures at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1898. In these lectures, he presented
In 1992, Charles G. Dennison published three articles in the Mid-America Journal of Theology. These were based upon a series he delivered at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Dennison identifies three eras
Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey discuss the value of reading and studying the works of B. B. Warfield. Jeff has written an article in our forthcoming newsletter wherein he identifies
Dr. R. Carlton Wynne leads us in a study of Jeremiah 31 and the relationship between the Old and New Covenants. In discussing typology and symbolism, Wynne describes the views
It’s that time of year again. Since 2008, we have been taking a beat around New Year’s Day to bring you some of the top moments from the preceding year.
Dr. Christiane Tietz speaks about her tremendous biography, Karl Barth: A Life in Conflict (Oxford University Press, 2021). Dr. Tietz is Professor for Systematic Theology at the Institute of Hermeneutics
Sandy Finlayson speaks about the life and ministry of Thomas Chalmers. Finlayson is the author of Chief Scottish Man: The Life and Ministry of Thomas Chalmers (Evangelical Press). Thomas Chalmers
Patrick O’Banion joins us to speak about Girolamo Zanchi and his book, The Spiritual Marriage between Christ and His Church and Every One of the Faithful. O’Banion translated and introduced
Jim Cassidy delivers a plenary address from the annual Reformed Forum Theology Conference, which was hosted October 8–9 at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas. Cassidy investigates the ontological assumptions which
Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 267–269 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to consider the collective sin of the nation during the time
Jeff Waddington reviews Jonathan Edwards and the Immediacy of God by John Carrick. Jonathan Edwards is one of the outstanding figures in the history of the Christian church—he was, quite
Roman Catholicism entered the mainstream of American national life the morning following the November 8, 1960 election when John F. Kennedy won and became the president. While it may seem
Jeff Waddington reviews A Goodly Heritage: The Secession of 1834 by Cornelis Pronk. In A Goodly Heritage, Cornelis Pronk surveys the history of the Secession of 1834, beginning with the
Danny Olinger delivers an address at the 2021 Reformed Forum Theology Conference. The event was held October 8–9, 2021 at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas. The conference theme was, “The
The beatific vision (1 John 3:2) is the consummation of God’s relationship with his people. While Christians of all traditions acknowledge this blessed future to some degree, there are significant
Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 264–266 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to consider the collective sin of the nation during the time
After discussing their trips to Colombia with OPC foreign missions, Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey explore the influence of modernism upon Roman Catholicism and American Presbyterianism. Modernism led to many
Danny Olinger and John Muether join Camden Bucey to speak about the early history of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the forces within the young ecclesiastical body desiring broader influence
Carlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey open Cornelius Van Til’s book, The Defense of the Faith to pages 33–39 wherein Van Til discusses the doctrine of salvation. Van Til is insistent
Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey discuss the 48th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, which recently adjourned in St. Louis, Missouri, and look forward to the 87th General
Jim Cassidy discusses Therefore the Truth I Speak: Scottish Theology, 1500–1700 by Donald Macleod. The Scottish church was forever altered by the arrival of the Reformation in the sixteenth century.
Dr. Stephen J. Nichols speaks about the life and legacy of Dr. R. C. Sproul. Dr. Nichols has written a biography of Dr. Sproul, which has recently been published by
Camden Bucey speaks about Murray Forst Thompson’s tract, The Auburn Betrayal, which provides historical and theological context for the Auburn Affirmation, an important document in early twentieth-century American Presbyterianism. The tract
We turn to the third sermon in Grace and Glory, a collection of sermons Geerhardus Vos preached at the Miller Chapel of Princeton Theological Seminary. In “Seeking and Saving the
Durham, James. Commentary on Revelation: Volume 2, Lectures on Chapters 4–11 (Reformation Heritage Books, May 2021). 504 pages. $50.00. Hardcover.Guinness, Os. The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai’s Revolutionary Faith and
DeYoung, Kevin. Men and Women in the Church: A Short, Biblical, Practical Introduction (Crossway, April 2021). 176 pages. $19.99. Paperback.Gronewoller, Brian. Rhetorical Economy in Augustine’s Theology (Oxford University Press, April
Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton discuss Lefferts A. Loetscher, The Broadening Church: A Study of Theological Issues in the Presbyterian Church Since 1869 (University of Pennsylvania Press, 1954). This book
Dr. Crawford Gribben speaks about his book, Survival and Resistance: Christian Reconstruction in the Pacific Northwest (Oxford University Press), in which he describes the migration of conservative evangelicals to the
Rev. Dr. Bruce Pass discusses Herman Bavinck as a sytematic theologian and the role Christology plays within his theological system. Throughout his career, Bavinck identified different central dogma but developed
The main events of the Diet of Worms relating to Luther took place from 16 to 18 April 1521. This year marks the 500th anniversary of the Diet of Worms,
The following books are on our radar for April 15, 2021. Greidanus, Sidney. Preaching Christ from Leviticus: Foundations for Expository Sermons (Eerdmans, March 2021). 344 pages. $35.00. Paperback.Ryken, Leland and Mathes,
The following books are on our radar for April 8, 2021. Barrett, Matthew. Simply Trinity: The Unmanipulated Father, Son, and Spirit (Baker, March 2021). 368 pages. $24.99. Paperback. Van Dam, Cornelis. In
These are the books on our radar for April 1, 2021. Kuyper, Abraham. On Business and Economics (Lexham; Acton Institute, February 2021). From the Abraham Kuyper Collected Works in Public Theology
Lane Tipton discusses “Van Til’s Trinitarian Theology,” the latest on-demand video course released with Reformed Academy. Designed to equip the student to engage critically central issues in
Ryan Noha brings his collection of Van Til books to the studio for show-and-tell. Join us for a surreal Reformed home shopping network experience. This was recorded in the summer
Danny Olinger, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey discuss Geerhardus Vos’s sermon, “Hungering and Thirsting after Righteousness” from Matthew 5:6. This sermon is included in Grace and Glory: Sermons Preached at
We briefly summarize and review Michael A. G. Haykin, “‘The Best Friend in the Worst Time’: Pandemics in Church History” The Banner of Truth Magazine, No. 689, February 2021, pp.
Dr. William Dennison, pastor of Emmanuel OPC in Kent, Washington, speaks about J. Gresham Machen’s theological method as disclosed through his radio addresses just a few years prior to his
Rev. Dr. David Noe joins us to speak about John Calvin, God or Baal: Two Letters on the Reformation of Worship and Pastoral Service (Reformation Heritage Books), which includes
Matthew Vogan speaks about David Dickson’s Sermons on Jeremiah’s Lamentations (Naphtali Press Special Editions & Reformation Heritage Books). Mr. Vogan is General Manager of Reformation Scotland, a charitable trust
C. N. Willborn speaks about the spirituality of the church, the doctrine which affirms that the Church is a spiritual institution with spiritual aims. It is not administered according to
Since Christ the Center began nearly thirteen years ago, we have taken time to look back on the highlights of the year. Continuing the update to our tradition from last year,
Harrison Perkins discusses the theology and historical context of James Ussher with particular attention to the development of the confessional understanding of the covenant of works. Ussher was the Church of
Cory Brock describes how Herman Bavinck interacted with and appropriated the theology of Friedrich Schleiermacher throughout his academic career. There is a significant shift toward a more pronounced and direct
Lane Tipton, Carlton Wynne, and Camden Bucey discuss pages 25–29 of Cornelius Van Til’s book, The Defense of the Faith. In this section, Van Til details the doctrine of God
Dr. John Bower speaks about constructing a critical edition of the Westminster Confession of Faith using four historical authoritative texts and several other sources. Bower has done a tremendous service
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob continues a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. In chapter 5,
We turn to pages 243–244 of Geerhardus Vos’s book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to discuss the prophet’s view of God’s relation to time and space. In terms of
Dr. James Eglinton speaks about the life and thought of Herman Bavinck. Eglinton has written a superb biography of Bavinck that has been published by Baker Academic. Bavinck and other
In an age of skepticism, Fredrich Schleiermacher wanted to cast religion in a manner that would be relevant and respected. In Episode 86 Jim Cassidy and Mark Winder discuss how
John Witherspoon (1723–1794) was an eighteenth-century Scottish-American Presbyterian minister and signer of the United States Declaration of Independence. In this episode, we speak with Robert S. Null about Witherspoon’s theology
In the spirit of our Vos Group episodes, we begin a concurrent venture into Cornelius Van Til’s book, The Defense of the Faith. Carlton Wynne joins Lane Tipton and Camden
Jim Cassidy speaks about Karl Barth and his relationship with idealism. On the heels of Lane Tipton’s recent course, Introduction to the Theology and Apologetics of Cornelius Van Til, the
We turn to pp. 238–243 of Vos’s book, Biblical Theology, to speak about the Old Testament prophets and their understanding of the nature and attributes of God. Vos affirms that
In this episode, we discuss a new online course wherein Dr. Lane G. Tipton teaches a thorough introduction to the theology and innovative apologetic method of Cornelius Van Til (1895–1987),
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob continues a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. In chapter 4,
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob continues a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. In chapter 3,
William Reddinger speaks about strands of resistance theory in the American Revolution, considering Lockean, Continental, and Anglo interpretations of Romans 13. Dr. Reddinger has authored “The American Revolution, Romans
For the 200th episode of Theology Simply Profound, Bob begins a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. In
Danny Olinger and Camden Bucey discuss Graham Greene’s novel, The Power and the Glory, which raises many questions about the nature of faith, ordination, and the sacraments through the lens
After having created Adam in his image and placing him in the Garden of Eden, God entered into a covenant with him (Gen. 2:16–17). In Westminster Confession of Faith 7.1,
In his first apology (ca. 150–155 A.D.), Justin Martyr wrote an early account of ancient Christian worship, describing ancient practices regarding the sacraments and Lord’s Day worship. It was written
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob finishes reading from the 1922 edition of Grace and Glory, a collection of sermons delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary by Geerhardus Vos. The sixth of
What was worship like in the early church? Did it differ significantly from our present practices? A letter written by a Roman official in 112 AD provides a window into
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob continues reading from the 1922 edition of Grace and Glory, a collection of sermons delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary by Geerhardus Vos. The fifth of
In 1894, B. B. Warfield published an article in which he compared the views of the Westminster divines and the Reformers on the mode of inspiration. According to Warfield, the
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob continues reading from the 1922 edition of Grace and Glory, a collection of sermons delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary by Geerhardus Vos. The third of
These [pagan] philosophers in their appearance of wisdom [schijnwijsheid] had only imagined things about God and about the way to the supreme good, which these teachers would mix with the Gospel, as do also the scholastic teachers in the Papacy, whereby the simplicity and straightforwardness of the saving doctrine of the Gospel is considerably darkened and distorted.
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob continues reading from the 1922 edition of Grace and Glory, a collection of sermons delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary by Geerhardus Vos. The second of
I often receive questions about Barth’s views on the Bible, which admittedly is a challenging topic. According to Karl Barth, the Bible is not revelation. The Bible is one of
On February 7, 1951, Cornelius Van Til wrote an insightful letter to neo-evangelical theologian Carl F. H. Henry. While it was written sixty-nine years ago, the letter demonstrates Van Til’s
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob continues reading from the 1922 edition of Grace and Glory, a collection of sermons delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary by Geerhardus Vos. The fourth of
We take a brief break from our regular schedule in Geerhardus Vos’s book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to discuss Vos’s sermon “Rabboni,” on John 20:16. This sermon is
It is a great strength of our Presbyterian and Reformed ethos that we are historically conscious. We enjoy history and pride ourselves on being self-consciously rooted in the past. Confessional and conservative
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob begins reading the 1922 edition of Grace and Glory, a collection of sermons delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary by Geerhardus Vos. The first
Carlton Wynne and Charles Williams speak about the new edition of Herman Bavinck’s The Wonderful Works of God published by Westminster Seminary Press. The book was first published in English
I recently watched The Two Popes, a film written by Anthony McCarten and directed by Fernando Meirelles available on Netflix. The movie recounts the relationship between Joseph Ratzinger and Jorge
We turn to pages 224–229 of Vos’s book, Biblical Theology, to speak about the intra-mental state of the prophet, by which Vos means to inquire into “how the soul felt
Since Christ the Center began nearly twelve years ago, we have taken time to look back on the highlights of the year. Given that we now post highlights from each
David Woollin of Reformation Heritage Books and Matthew Robinson of Media Gratiae discuss Puritan: All of Life to the Glory of God. Centered around a feature-length film, the full box
Alan D. Strange, Imputation of the Active Obedience of Christ in the Westminster Standards. Explorations in Reformed Confessional Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2019. Pp. xviii + 154.
Jeff Waddington, Glen Clary, and Lane Tipton speak with Camden Bucey about his book, Karl Rahner, and contemporary issues regarding Rahner, modern Roman Catholicism, and contemporary theology. Arguably the
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads from his 1923 edition of J. Gresham Machen’s classic work, Christianity and Liberalism, Chapter 7, The Church.
Participants: Robert Tarullo
James Eglinton, Nathaniel Gray Sutanto, and Cory Brock speak about Herman Bavinck’s book, Christian Worldview. Sutanto, Eglinton, and Brock together have translated and edited this work and Crossway has brought
Carl Trueman joins us to speak about Socinianism, a non-Trinitarian system of doctrine that arose out of the Radical Reformation and developed in Poland during the 16th and 17th centuries.
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads from his 1923 edition of J. Gresham Machen’s classic work, Christianity and Liberalism, Chapter 6, Salvation.
Participants: Robert Tarullo
Christianity is based in history. Contrary to the teaching of classic liberalism, without the historical fact of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, Christianity is nothing. Moreover, God has been working
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads from his 1923 edition of J. Gresham Machen’s classic work, Christianity and Liberalism, Chapter 5, Christ.
Participants: Robert Tarullo
Dr. Alan Strange discusses the Westminster Assembly and the Westminster Standards and whether they affirmed the imputation of Christ’s active obedience as necessary for our justification. Strange has written, The
Todd M. Rester speaks about the theology of Petrus Van Mastricht (1630–1706). Dr. Rester has served as a translator of Mastricht’s Theoretical-Practical Theology, which is being published by Reformation Heritage
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads from J. Gresham Machen’s 1923 classic work, Christianity and Liberalism, Chapter 4, The Bible.
Participants: Robert Tarullo
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads from J. Gresham Machen’s 1923 classic work, Christianity and Liberalism, Chapter 3, God and Man.
Participants: Robert Tarullo
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads from J. Gresham Machen’s 1923 classic work, Christianity and Liberalism, Chapter 2, Doctrine.
Participants: Robert Tarullo
Darryl G. Hart speaks about J. Gresham Machen’s classic work, Christianity and Liberalism. In becoming familiar the content and historical context of this book, people will gain an understanding not
This week on Theology Simply Profound, we begin a series of readings of J. Gresham Machen’s 1923 classic book, Christianity and Liberalism.
Participants: Robert Tarullo
Travis Fentiman and James M. Garretson speak about the new book, God, Creation, and Human Rebellion: Lecture Notes of Archibald Alexander from the Hand of Charles Hodge (Reformation Heritage Books).
Jeffrey S. McDonald speaks about his book, John Gerstner and the Renewal of Presbyterian and Reformed Evangelicalism in Modern America (Wipf & Stock, 2017). It is published in the
We welcome Richard M. Gamble, Professor of History, Anna Margaret Ross Alexander Chair in History and Politics at Hillsdale College, to speak about Julia Ward Howe’s poem, which came to
The Eunomians were followers of Eunomius (c. 335–c. 393), and have been characterized as neo-Arians. They denied that an eternally begotten Son could be consubstantial with the Father, and therefore,
Danny Olinger, author of Geerhardus Vos: Reformed Biblical Theology, Confessional Presbyterian, joins us for a special conversation. We take a brief break from Vos’s book Biblical Theology to discuss the
On February 5, 1923, J. Gresham Machen addressed the Moody Bible Institute Founder’s Week Conference in Chicago with a lecture entitled, “Christianity vs. Modern Liberalism.” This week on Theology Simply
Carl Trueman speaks about the Marburg Colloquy, a meeting called by Philip I of Hesse to unite the Protestant states in a political alliance. To accomplish such a union, he
Today we provide an introduction to the doctrine of justification with a consideration of several basic categories. We begin with a confessional doctrine of justification from the Westminster Standards. We
As is our annual custom, we’ve selected several clips from the episodes we released over the last year. We spoke with many people and had many fascinating conversations. I hope
William Perkins (1558–1602), often called “the father of Puritanism,” was a master preacher and teacher of Reformed, experiential theology. Greg Salazar speaks about Perkins’s works on predestination and his influence
Cory Brock and Nathaniel Gray Sutanto speak about Herman Bavinck’s Philosophy of Revelation (Hendrickson Publishers). Drs. Brock and Sutanto have edited a new annotated edition of Bavinck’s Stone Lectures, which were
Danny Olinger speaks about the life and thought of Geerhardus Vos. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. has identified Vos as the father of Reformed biblical theology and we take the time
Glen Clary compares and contrasts the Reformation liturgies of Martin Bucer, John Calvin, and John Knox. Studying each of these helps us to understand the significance of worship reformed according
Rev. Danny E. Olinger lectures on the connection Geerhardus Vos and J. Gresham Machen. This lesson was taught at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois as part of the
Camden Bucey delivers the concluding address at the Reformed Forum 2018 Theology Conference at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois.
Glen Clary delivers a plenary address at the Reformed Forum 2018 Theology Conference at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois. Download the handouts.
Participants: Glen Clary
Dominic Legge, O. P. speaks about the deep connection between Thomas’s Christology and his trinitarian theology. Dr. Legge is Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the Thomistic Institute
Jim Cassidy delivers a plenary address at the Reformed Forum 2018 Theology Conference at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois. Download the handout.
Participants: Jim Cassidy
Jeff Waddington spoke at the fifth annual Reformed Forum Conference, which was held October 5–7, 2018 at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois. The theme of the conference was “Seeing God:
Lane Tipton delivers the first plenary address at the Reformed Forum 2018 Theology Conference at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois. Download the lecture notes to follow along.
Participants:
Dr. Whitney Gamble speaks about antinomianism and the Westminster Assembly. She has written Christ and the Law: Antinomianism at the Westminster Assembly, which is part of the Studies on the Westminster
Dr. Lawrence Feingold brings us a Catholic’s perspective on Thomas Aquinas and the important connection between his doctrines of the Eucharist and the Beatific Vision. Dr. Feingold is Associate Professor of
Jim Cassidy previews his address at the 2018 Reformed Forum conference by speaking about Barth on the analogy of being and the analogy of faith and how his views relate
On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads J. Gresham Machen’s address as printed in The Princeton Theological Review, Volume 11 issue 1, 1913, “Christianity and Culture.”
Participants:
Dan Ragusa introduces us to the theological method of Petrus Van Mastricht, Dutch Reformed theologian, who maintained consistent Reformed orthodoxy against Cartesian influences. Van Mastricht wrote a polemic against Balthasar
We have compiled a list of suggested reading to help those coming to the 2018 Theology Conference. We realize people like have neither the time nor financial budget to work
We discuss how a return to sola scriptura through confessional Reformed theology spares us from the errors of Roman Catholicism and modernism. Reformed covenant theology, broadly considered, is facing a
Darryl G. Hart, Distinguished Associate Professor of History at Hillsdale College, joins us to speak about his book, Still Protesting: Why the Reformation Matters (Reformation Heritage Books). This book addresses the divide
“And though this world with devils filled, should threaten to undo us…”—so penned Luther in his famous hymn A Mighty Fortress is Our God. But on what epistemological basis could
David Owen Filson joins us to speak about Dr. J. Oliver Buswell, theologian and former president of Wheaton College and Covenant College and Seminary.
The great Dutch theologian of the Nadere Reformatie, Petrus van Mastricht (1630-1706), has only recently been introduced to the English-speaking world with the publication of his Theoretica-practica theologia (Theoretical and Practical
Pierce Taylor Hibbs speaks about language and the Trinity. His book, The Trinity, Language, and Human Behavior: A Reformed Exposition of the Language Theory of Kenneth L. Pike is available in
This week’s Theology Simply Profound provides another reading from the works of J. Gresham Machen. Since we’ve begun a series on the Biblical teaching of the atonement, Bob is reading Machen’s, “The
Jeff Waddington was recently a guest on the Iron Sharpens Iron program with Chris Arnzen. Listen as Jeff speaks about his book, The Unified Operations of the Human Soul: Jonathan Edwards’
Part of a good transcendental critique must be drawing the lines between the dots for people to see clearly. If I have any critique of Van Til, it
We speak with Dr. Stephen G. Myers about Ebenezer Erskine and the important events of Presbyterian history with which he was involved.Dr. Myers is Professor of Historical Theology at Puritan
In this episode, we speak to David Woollin of Reformation Heritage Books about several new and exciting projects from the publisher.
Participants: Camden Bucey, David Woollin,
With Rob nursing a cold, this week’s Theology Simply Profound provides another reading from the works of J. Gresham Machen. Since we’ve begun a series on the Biblical teaching of the
William VanDoodewaard speaks to us about Martin Bucer, John Knox, and the development of pastoral care during the Reformation. Dr. VanDoodewaard is professor of church history at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Jonathan Gibson and Mark Earngey speak about Reformation worship. Their new book Reformation Worship: Liturgies from the Past for the Present, is an irenic plea for the Church (and especially her
While at the Shepherds Conference Rob was able to talk with Matthew Robinson from Media Gratiae. They were able to discuss how Media Gratiae was started as well as a
Alan Strange speaks about the doctrine of the spirituality of the church in the ecclesiology of Charles Hodge and how it was formed in the years leading up to and
With Rob on assignment at the T4G conference, this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound provides a reading of J. Gresham Machen’s essay, “The Responsibility of the Church in Our New Age.”
“Yet the Aristotelianism of Rome, with its idea of potentiality, offers, we are bound to think, a point of contact with the underlying philosophy of Dialecticism. Rome occupies an
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob had an opportunity to sit down with the Rev. Dr. Ryan M. McGraw to talk about John Owen and his major writings. Following
Michael J. Kruger joins us to speak about his book, Christianity at the Crossroads: How the Second Century Shaped the Future of the Church in which he examines how Christianity took
Jim Cassidy discusses Darren O. Sumner’s book, Karl Barth and the Incarnation: Christology and the Humility of God. Dr. Cassidy wrote a review article on the book in the Fall
Danny Olinger speaks about the life of E. J. Young, long-time Professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary. Davis Young has written a wonderful biography of his father, For
Camden and Erica Bucey discuss several helpful books for parents as they disciple their children and women in a variety of study group settings. They offer brief notices of several
Camden Bucey and Ryan Noha serve brief notice on several new books from P&R Publishing and a worthwhile biography.
Martin Greschat (Stephen E. Buckwalter, trans.), Martin Bucer: A Reformed and
In The New Modernism Van Til identifies the Theology of Crisis with “dialectical theology.” But what is dialectical theology? Van Til explains that dialectical theology is
For those of you who’ve been with us for some time know we like to take an hour or so at the end of the year to look back on
Jeff Stivason joins us to speak about his article, “Benjamin B. Warfield and True Church Unity,” published in the Westminster Theological Journal 79 (2017): 327–43. He argues that Warfield developed
As we continue to unpack Van Til’s review of Zerbe’s book we come to the second part of the review, which concerns Barth’s epistemology. Van Til opens with an
When I first heard about Barth’s concept of the “wholly other” God, it sounded perfectly orthodox. Barth’s emphasis on the qualitative difference between God and man struck me as
Today, Rob and Bob commemorate the 500th anniversary Protestant Reformation with a discussion of the ongoing need for influence of the Reformation in the life of the church today. Happy Reformation
In the last post we began to consider Van Til’s first published criticism of Barth. It was set in the context of a book review.[1] There we
The adult Sunday school lesson from the Reformed Forum 2017 Theology Conference held at Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Grayslake, Illinois.
Participants: Jeff Waddington
This episode was recorded just prior to our 2017 Theology Conference on The Reformation of Apologetics. We discuss the theological approach of scholasticism as it pertains to Thomas Aquinas, the
The Reformation of Apologetics, Session #5 Reformed Forum 2017 Theology Conference Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Participants: Camden Bucey
The Reformation of Apologetics, Session #4 Reformed Forum 2017 Theology Conference Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Participants: Lane G. Tipton
Dan Ragusa speaks about Herman Bavinck’s Trinitarian theology and its implications for a revelational epistemology and worldview. Bavinck argues for an organic connection between general and special revelation, which results
The Reformation of Apologetics, Session #2 Reformed Forum 2017 Theology Conference Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC) Download the handouts.
Participants: K. Scott Oliphint
The Reformation of Apologetics, Session #1 Reformed Forum 2017 Theology Conference Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC) Download the handouts.
Participants: K. Scott Oliphint
This episode was recorded live at our 2017 Theology Conference on The Reformation of Apologetics. In celebration of the five-hundredth anniversary of the Reformation and the thirtieth anniversary of the
Jeff Waddington spoke about Van Til and the archetype/ectype distinction during our 2017 Theology Conference VIP dinner at Market House on the Square in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Participants: Jeff
Today we welcome Chad Van Dixhoorn to speak about his book, God’s Ambassadors: The Westminster Assembly and the Reformation of the English Pulpit, 1643–1653 in which he describes how the
It is often assumed that The New Modernism (1946) is Van Til’s first published writing in which he evaluates Barth’s thought. Actually Van Til first
Our resident book hound, Ryan Noha, speaks about several rare books to be added to the Reformed Forum online store.
Select Titles:
Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Resurrection and Redemption: A
This year marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. On Oct 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg. We typically
For Van Til no form of unbelief escapes the charge of rationalism. Irrationalism is only a disguised form of rationalism. But before getting to that, it might help to
Teaching on the eternal state of the world to come may sound from the outset to be speculative and useless for practical living in the present. How can heavenly contemplation
Last week we talked about Barth’s “absolutely other” god. There we noted how Barth begins with an unknown and unknowable god. In other words, he begins with the god
Chad and Emily Van Dixhoorn visit Christ the Center to speak about Confessing the Faith: Study Guide. This is a helpful guide to Confessing the Faith: A
It is often said that Barth believed in a god who was “wholly other.” It’s an oft repeated phrase, but rarely understood. Van Til would say “absolutely other.” By that
In chapter 3 of Christian Apologetics Van Til addresses the issue of the “point of contact” (Anknüpfungspunkt). That is to say, the point at which the believer may make contact
Both Van Til and Barth rejected all forms of bare theism. That is, they denied a generic view of God. Both believed this “god” was an idol. This is the
Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey discuss theological methodology in light of Calvin’s view of natural theology. As a starting point for the discussion, they turn to Thiago M. Silva’s article,
The Westminster Larger Catechism defines justifying faith as
a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit and Word of God, whereby he, being convinced of
Saving faith is the instrument by which the whole person is united to the whole Christ in the unbreakable bond of the Holy Spirit. I am not my own, confesses the believer,
Now we begin to make a definite turn toward Barth in Van Til’s writing. Thus far this blog series has been a smattering of topics arising from my rereading
Van Til used the word “scholasticism” (or its other variations) as shorthand for Thomistic dualism (and with it the medieval synthesis of Christian and pagan thought). In short Thomistic
This post is a kind of follow-on from a previous post about “as-suchness.” In The New Synthesis Van Til writes:
Paul does not discuss
We took to Facebook to broadcast a live Q&A session. With questions submitted through email and the live comment thread, we covered Lord’s Day observance, fasting and gluttony, and membership
There is still a great deal of confusion out there concerning the difference between orthodox Reformed theology and the theology of Karl Barth. Are they not the same? Is
Camden Bucey reviews Yves Congar’s The Meaning of Tradition.
Participants: Camden Bucey
The triumph of the eternal decree of God over history is just as much a problem as the triumph of history over the eternal decree. In an attempt
It is often assumed that Karl Barth’s thought is the antithesis of medieval scholasticism. It is true that Barth is exceedingly critical of Aquinas. But does Barth offer us
Chris Castaldo compares the respective doctrines of justification of the Reformer Peter Martyr Vermigli and the Roman Catholic John Henry Cardinal Newman. Castaldo is the author of Justified in Christ:
I am always edified when I read Van Til. I am also always challenged to conform my thinking to the Holy Scriptures and the Reformed faith. But I am
In June 2011, we spoke with Bill Dennison, Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Covenant College, about Transformationalism and Christian Higher Education. In that episode, we touched upon his article, “
Who says Van Til is impractical? I would argue that Van Til in all his writing always has an eye towards the church. All of his theologizing, all of
In his writings, Van Til used what has now become a defunct moniker to describe an early 20th century theological movement surrounding Karl Barth and
Going hand-in-hand with what we said in a previous post about rendering God not God, Van Til points up how unbelieving thought assumes a neutral view of reality, and
Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey revisit Paul Woolley’s article, “Discontent!” as it pertains to the ministry of the church. Woolley presents two forms of discontent in the church that
In a previous post, we considered the way in which Geerhardus Vos’ doctrine of Christ impacted his redemptive-historical hermeneutic for reading the Old Testament. In the triune God’s eternal counsel
Van Til is a master at exegeting unbelief. This is helpful for apologetics. If we do not understand the unbeliever in a biblical way, inevitably our approach to defending the
Darryl G. Hart speaks about J. Gresham Machen and his use of media throughout the modernist-fundamentalist controversy. Westminster Seminary Press has recently published a series of radio addresses by
We at the Reformed Forum have a burning desire to see Christ as preeminent in all things. We believe that the Scriptures reveal to us Christ, from Genesis to Revelation.
Following Kuyper and Bavinck, Van Til so emphasized the antithesis between believer and unbeliever that many have concluded that Van Til cuts the unbeliever off from
I’ve come again, afresh, to the writings of Cornelius Van Til. Lord willing, my plan is to compose a monograph on Van Til’s critique of Karl Barth over the
Charles Williams speaks about the life and theology of one of Christianity’s greatest figures, Augustine. Mr. Williams is Associate Pastor at Bethel OPC in Wheaton, Illinois. WTSBooks.com has generously offered
Today we welcome Daniel Ragusa, to speak about the Westminster Standards and their teaching of the self-sufficient and self-contained triune God of Scripture. Ragusa begins with Westminster Confession of Faith
While many in the Christian tradition prepare to celebrate Good Friday and Easter Sunday this week and next, we turn to consider the meaning of the gospel. Paul describes the
Earlier this week, we exhibited at The Gospel Coalition 2017 Conference, “No Other Gospel: Reformation 500 and Beyond” in Indianapolis. We were able to share 900 copies of our new book
This week we’re at The Gospel Coalition 2017 Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. We’re meeting many new people and telling them about our mission to assist the Church in her call to
James Ussher (1581-1656) was one of the most influential Reformed theologians of the seventeenth century. He adroitly contended throughout his life against Roman Catholicism on various platforms, whether writing, preaching or
In our previous article I discussed section I of the Canons of Dort, to show how it presents and prescribes the proper way to teach about election. In this final
Today we speak about John Murray’s “The Attestation of Scripture,” a chapter in The Infallible Word. Scripture attests to its own character and authority. Being God’s Word and our ultimate authority,
Introduction
In a previous article I pointed out that the Canons of Dort not only define the content of Reformed doctrine, but also direct the way in which it is
Introduction
The Canons of Dort are one of official standards of the Reformed churches. They were written in the early 1600s, when the young Reformed Church in the Netherlands had
Today we speak with Austin Reed about Karl Barth’s theology of election. Austin is a student at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and walks us through a critical review of Karl Barth’s Infralapsarian
On this episode, we are joined by Ryan McGraw, who speaks about the foundational role and practical significance of Trinitarian theology to John Owen. Dr. McGraw is Professor of Systematic
As we head into our tenth year of Christ the Center, we look back at some of our favorite guests and moments from 2016.
Episodes
425 — David VanDrunen, God’s
In the second part of this special two-part episode, we discuss the observation of Christmas. This subject is perennially debated in the Reformed community. In this segment of our conversation,
In this special two-part episode, we discuss the observation of Christmas. This subject is perennially debated in the Reformed community. Listen as we discuss the historical, theological, and the practical
Patricia Clawson and Diane Olinger speak about the new book from the OPC’s Committee for the Historian. Choosing the Good Portion: Women of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church captures the stories of
Mark Vander Hart and Cornelis P. Venema join us to speak about the Reformed church in Latvia. Mark Vander Hart is Associate Professor of Old Testament Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Cornelis Venema
Cornelis P. Venema joins us to speak about his book By His Spirit and Word: How Christ Builds His Church (Reformed Fellowship, Inc.). Venema engages in an extended exposition on
East of Eden considers Jonathan Edwards’s sermon, “Blessed Struggle,” which was delivered in 1735.
Participants: David Filson, Jeff Waddington, Nick Batzig
We know that on October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, igniting a continent-wide reformation of the church. But what was he thinking?
On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the church door in Wittenberg. These were dark, dark days; the gospel had been shackled by the superstitions and idolatries
We speak with Gregg Allison and Chris Castaldo about their excellent book The Unfinished Reformation: What Unites and Divides Catholics and Protestants after 500 Years (Zondervan, 2016). Rev. Dr. Allison is
On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the church door in Wittenberg. These were dark, dark days; the gospel had been shackled by the superstitions and idolatries
On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the church door in Wittenberg. These were dark, dark days; the gospel had been shackled by the superstitions and idolatries
On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the church door in Wittenberg. These were dark, dark days; the gospel had been shackled by the superstitions and idolatries
On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the church door in Wittenberg. These were dark, dark days; the gospel had been shackled by the superstitions and idolatries
We speak with William Boekestein about the Swiss reformer, Ulrich Zwingli. Ulrich Zwingli was a leader of the Reformation in Switzerland. His efforts in reforming doctrine and practice serve as examples
East of Eden considers Jonathan Edwards’s sermon “The Sorrows of the Bereaved Spread before Jesus,” which was delivered in 1741.
Participants: David Filson, Jeff Waddington, Nick
Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. speaks about Calvin’s views on the Sabbath. In this conversation, we look to Dr. Gaffin’s book Calvin and the Sabbath: The Controversy of Applying the
Cornelius Van Til concludes his chapter on Scripture in his Introduction to Systematic Theology with a note of pastoral wisdom.
It is not sufficient … to instruct the church in certain
We introduce two new books from InterVarsity Press: Created and Creating: A Biblical Theology of Culture by William Edgar and Contours of the Kuyperian Tradition: A Systematic Introduction by Craig Bartholomew.
Dr. Michael J. Kruger speaks with us about A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament. This volume introduces each New Testament book in the context of the whole canon of Scripture,
We speak with Daniel R. Hyde. Rev. Hyde is pastor of Oceanside URC in Oceanside, California. He has written an article examining the Synod of Dort’s doctrine of the Sabbath, titled “Regulae
Dispensationalism is a system of doctrine that views human history as divided into distinct eras (or dispensations). In each of these dispensations, God provides a unique test to humanity. Repeatedly,
St. Gregory of Nyssa, Anti-Apollinarian Writings. The Fathers of the Church: A New Translation, vol. 131. Translated by Robin Orton. Washington: The Catholic University of America Press, 2015. Pp. xxiii
Occasionally, I am asked about the difference between the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and my denomination, the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). I’ve had different thoughts about this during my
Dr. Keith Stanglin joins us to speak about the theology of Jacobus Arminius. Arminius was a Dutch theologian who served as a professor of theology at the University of Leiden.
Sections
1. Absurd fictions of opponents first refuted, and then certain passages of Scripture explained. Answer by a negative. Confirmation of the answer.
2. Another absurdity of Aristotle and Pelagius.
Today we welcome Iain H. Murray to the program to discuss his new biography, J. C. Ryle: Prepared to Stand Alone. In 1957, Rev. Murray co-founded the Banner of Truth
Sections
1. Connection of this chapter with the preceding. Augustine’s similitude of a good and bad rider. Question answered in respect to the devil.
2. Question answered in respect to
Dr. Alan Strange is professor of church history and apologetics at Mid-America Reformed Seminary and associate pastor of New Covenant Community Church in Joliet, Illinois. Dr. Strange sits with us to speak
Van Til’s trinitarian theology is at the heart of his apologetic. Yet there are several aspects of his theology difficult to understand and others that are left undeveloped. We speak with
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, we reflect upon the life and ministry of her oldest minister, 103 year-old Rev. John P. Galbraith. Galbraith was
Reformed theologians have regularly underscored the relationship between Word and sacraments. The sacraments are appended to the Word for the purpose of confirming or sealing it. The sacraments do not
Oscar Cullmann wrote several treatises on the subject of Christian worship. His treatise entitled Baptism in the New Testament was originally published in 1950 and was
In his “Summary of Doctrine Concerning the Ministry of the Word and the Sacraments,” Calvin articulates the idea of union and communion with Christ through the means of grace.
The
What was the Communion service like in Calvin’s Geneva? One Catholic who attended a service gave the following description.
Three or four times a year, according to the will of
According to some Pauline scholars, 1 Corinthians 10:14–22 “has been remarkably underused in most churches’ theology and liturgy of the Lord’s Supper.”[1] Theologians and liturgiologists tend to focus on what
Hughes Oliphant Old has been publishing articles and books on the subject of worship since the 1970s. [See select bibliography below.] His book entitled Worship Reformed According to Scripture is hands
In Calvin’s thinking, the signs of the sacraments should be distinguished from the realities which they signify, but they should not be separated from them. First Corinthians 10:1-4 says,
For
Here’s my very brief introduction to baptism in the Didache. This topic deserves several articles, and I plan on following up with it in later posts. Stay tuned!
What does
The Odes of Solomon is the earliest collection of Christian hymns. The forty-two odes in the collection were most likely composed in the late first or early second century by
Rumor has it that when Pope Leo X read Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, he said, “What drunken German wrote this?” It is also rumored that when Martin Luther read Jason
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my teacher Dr. Hughes Oliphant Old and reflecting on his insights into Reformed worship. Here are some of my favorite quotes from his
The teaching of the Lord through the twelve apostles to the Gentiles:[1]
1:1There are two ways, one of life and one of death. And there is a great
Now that Easter is over, this is a good opportunity to reflect on what just happened yesterday and to share some thoughts on the origin of the church calendar. As
The oldest extant Easter sermon from the ancient church is a sermon preached by Melito, the bishop of Sardis in Asia Minor at the end of the second century. This sermon
In 1550, the Scottish Reformer John Knox wrote a brief summary of the Reformed doctrine of the Lord’s Supper. Knox entitled his document
Here is briefly declared in a summary, according
What would it have been like to worship with the saints at Rome in the middle of the second century? One can only imagine how thrilling it must have been
In 1873, “Archbishop Philotheos Bryennios was browsing in the library of the Greek Convent of the Holy Sepulchre in Istanbul when, by chance, he noticed the text of the Didache
Most students of the Reformation recognize that Martin Luther discovered (more accurately re-discovered) the doctrine of justification by faith alone and that Ulrich Zwingli discovered the symbolic interpretation of the Lord’s
I’ve often heard that while the classical Reformers such as Martin Bucer, John Calvin and John Knox favored weekly Communion, their spiritual heirs (particularly, the Reformed experientialists of the seventeenth
One of the primary goals of the Protestant Reformation was to reform the worship of the church according to Scripture, the only infallible authority. The Reformers gave careful attention
In St. Peter’s Cathedral in Geneva there is a plaque commemorating the life and ministry of John Calvin, which simply describes him as “servant of the Word of God.”[1] Truly,
East of Eden considers the Theology and experiential application of Jonathan Edwards’s sermon “Self-Examination and the Lord’s Supper” from 1 Corinthians 11:28–29 and delivered first March 21, 1731.
Participants: David Filson,
Today we open the email inbox and address a variety of your questions. We touch on Van Til and Vos on culture, neo-Calvinism, theological anthropology, and whether Christians and Muslims
In his superb book The Whole Christ, Sinclair Ferguson reminds us of an absolutely critical point of salvation:
The benefits of the gospel (justification, reconciliation, redemption, adoption) were being separated from
We discuss the latest issue of the Confessional Presbyterian Journal, which contains contributions from John Murray, Carl Trueman, Mark Jones, Glen Clary, and many others.
Articles
“John Murray” by Danny
Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey discuss reading lists, New Year’s resolutions, church planting, and much more in this free form discussion.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff
Darryl Hart reviews Awakening the Evangelical Mind: An Intellectual History of the Neo-Evangelical Movement written by Owen Strachan and published by Zondervan. Hart is Visiting Professor of History at Hillsdale College
We ring in the New Year with a retrospective of 2015, bringing to you highlights from twelve of our favorite episodes of the year.
370 — Donald Macleod, Understanding the Atonement
Today we welcome Dr. John Bolt to speak about his new book Bavinck on the Christian Life: Following Jesus in Faithful Service. Dr. Bolt is the Jean and Kenneth Baker
Sections
10. A fourth Objection. Answer. Fifth Objection. Answer. Answer confirmed by many passages of Scripture, and supported by a passage from Augustine. 11. Perseverance not of ourselves, but of
Being that we do not know the exact year John Knox was born, that means we can stretch out the celebration of his 500th for multiple years! Scholars continue to
Bill Dennison brings together the worlds of apologetics and biblical theology just as Cornelius Van Til did with the teaching of his beloved professor Geerhardus Vos. Dr. Dennison serves as
Today we speak with D. G. Hart, Glen Clary, and John Terpstra about the relationship between revivalism and Reformed piety. Looking at the history of revival and its influence on
In the 1908 Stone Lectures delivered at Princeton Seminary, Bavinck develops a sustained reflection on the function and necessity of divine revelation. The lectures were compiled as the Philosophy of
Perhaps you will remember from the last post, according to Jenson, Israel’s hope, as well as our own, is for participation in God’s own reality, which is nothing less than
May the day come, and come soon, when American fundamentalists will stop being content with the minimum of God’s truth and start proclaiming the maximum.
—Ned B. Stonehouse, “Stars
In our last post, (a while back!) I argued that Jenson had in fact compromised the creator creature distinction and I said that we would flesh that out a bit,
Reformed Forum turns to the mailbag, answering several of the questions we’ve received over the last few months. In this episode, we get into covenant apologetics, biblical theology, baptism, different
Looking forward to the Covenantal Apologetics Colloquium, I thought I might share some reflections on the uniqueness of Covenantal Apologetics (CA) and, in that sense, on what makes it worthy
Today we speak with Dr. K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania about Cornelius Van Til’s book Common Grace and the Gospel (P&R
Dr. William Edgar details the French Reformation and the Huguenots, connecting it through history in order to teach us about God’s plan for his church amidst struggle. Dr. Edgar is Professor of
In the last post we asked if Jenson had gone beyond Barth. Has he temporalized eternity? Jenson is certainly bolder in his assertions linking eternity and time, but has he
Thus far in this series we have looked at the life of Barth as well as begin to explore his theology as well. In particular we have shown how Christ
Tony Reinke joins us to speak about Newton on the Christian Life: To Live Is Christ, a new book in Crossway’s Theologians on the Christian Life series. Newton was a brilliant letter
This is the third part of a four part series on the life and thought of Karl Barth. After completing a brief biography, we now turn to examine his thought.
In our previous post, part 1, we introduced our thesis and opened with the beginning of Barth’s life. We pick up here with his years from the beginning of his
In our last post we left two questions begging to be asked. First, how can Jenson talk about ontological truth statements in Scripture? Second, how is he able to identify
“Christ is All: An Introduction to the Life and Thought of Karl Barth”1
Part I
Introduction and Thesis
A. Introduction
You are reading the first installment of
By now it should be understood by the reader that for Jenson, God is the act of utterance.[1] For Jenson, as I argued in my last post, God
The panel discusses Jonathan Edwards’s sermon, “A Divine and Supernatural Light” delivered at Northampton and subsequently published in 1734.
Participants: David Filson, Jeff Waddington,
I stated my basic contention in the last post. It was simply this, Robert Jenson, adopting Barth’s theological notion of time and eternity and taking that understanding to its logical
When Karl Barth was once asked to comment on the reception of his theology in America, he noted that a bright young American scholar named Robert Jenson had rightly grasped
The doctrine of election is the sum of the Gospel because of all words that can be said or heard it is the best. CD II/1, 3
In a recent
Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Dane Ortlund to speak about Jonathan Edwards’s views of the Christian life. Ortlund is Senior Vice President of Bible Publishing at Crossway and the author of
Nick Batzig, Jeff Waddington, and David Filson discuss a sermon by Jonathan Edwards circa 1747.
Participants: David Filson, Jeff Waddington, Nick Batzig
In this episode, we speak with Samuel Renihan about the doctrine of divine impassibility. Rev. Renihan is the pastor of Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in La Mirada, California and the
It was in the fall of the year 2000. My professor had strolled rather awkwardly into the classroom with a very large stack of papers cradled in his arm. He
Barth’s theology, fairly early on, received the label “neo-orthodox.” Barth himself rejected the label (CD III.3, xii). It is regarded by some today as a misnomer. As early as 1972,
Jeff Waddington compares Alvin Plantinga and Jonathan Edwards on the perennial anthropological question regarding the relationship between the intellect and the will. In 2000, distinguished Christian philosopher Alvin Plantinga offered
Eberhard Busch describes Barth’s approach to theological prolegomena:
he saw the prolegomena as being a first step into the subject-matter itself, bringing about a first clarification of what revelation was
Dr. Carl Trueman joins us to speak about his book Luther on the Christian Life, in which he paints a portrait of Martin Luther through his historical context, theological system, and approach
Carlton Wynne leads us into the world of modern theology by introducing the theology of Wolfhart Pannenberg. Pannenberg (1928–2014) was a leading systematic theologian who introduced an innovative relationship between eschatology and
Speaking theologically, what was Dietrich Bonhoeffer? Was he a German liberal or might we label him a conservative evangelical Christian? Bonhoeffer’s use of Kantian Transcendentalism as a theological beginning point
Having begun with Kant’s concept of the transcendental unity of apperception in order to establish God’s immanence Bonhoeffer was brought up against a potential philosophical problem. Kant’s Transcendentalism had a
Michael Allen and Scott Swain discuss whether Christians and churches can be both catholic and Reformed. In their book Reformed Catholicity: The Promise of Retrieval for Theology and Biblical Interpretation (Baker
Laurence O’Donnell, III, a Cornelius Van Til scholar and critic, has labeled Van Til’s trinitarian theology “idiosyncratic.” He made this remark with respect to Van Til’s conception of the trinity as
In our last post we concluded that juxtaposing Bonhoeffer against himself might not be the most useful way to determine whether the man was a pietistic evangelical or a German
It’s that time of year again—the time when the latest issue of The Confessional Presbyterian Journal is published. We discuss the new issue and celebrate the journal’s continued focus on historic confessional presbyterianism. This
President Obama may some day, if not already, rue the day he compared the Crusades to the current terror tactics of ISIS. But, was his comparison completely off-based?
Several well-circulated
Within a year of my profession of faith I came into contact with Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The owner of the local Christian bookstore gave me a copy of The Cost of
Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey speak about theophanies before turning to pages 72–76 of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology to speak about the Angel of Jehovah, or the Angel of the Lord. The
In a previous post, I gave a brief historical sketch of the movement from nineteenth century absolute idealism to twentieth century analytic philosophy. In this post, I will survey the
Jeff Waddington introduces several new or recent books, includes titles on Junius, Jonathan Edwards, and Cornelius Van Til.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington
Publisher’s Description
In this balanced volume, Gregg Allison–an evangelical theologian and church historian–helps readers understand the nuances of Roman Catholic teaching. Walking through the official Catechism of the Catholic Church,
Publisher’s Description
China is now home to more evangelical believers than any other nation, and the church continues to grow and make inroads in every level of Chinese society. Such
My initial thought was to put briefly into writing a few introductory comments toward a redemptive historical response to a purified ecclesiology—positively stated, to articulate the starting point for an
This week, Dr. Gregg Allison gives an evangelical perspective of Roman Catholic theology. In his recent book, Roman Catholic Theology and Practice: An Evangelical Assessment,
Historia Ecclesia will now be featuring audio of the series of posts “Presbyterians of the Past,” by Barry Waugh. This week, we highlight A.T. McGill, a Princeton Seminary professor from
James W. Scott speaks about the question of whether Machen himself wrote a history of the Presbyterian conflict that led to his defrocking, and accidentally, his death. His articles
Huldrych Zwingli was a Swiss priest who served most notably in Zürich. His story is not unlike other Reformers. Zwingli came from a prosperous family of farmers from eastern Switzerland.
This Reformation Day, Pastor Glen Clary speaks about Ulrich Zwingli, leader in the reform of Christian worship at the time of the Reformation. Pastor Clary highlights “the affair of the
Sections
5. Though man has still the faculty of willing, there is no soundness in it. He falls under the bondage of sin necessarily, and yet voluntarily. Necessity must be
Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy discuss the significance of the Reformation in its own time and its continuing relevance for today.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy
Publisher’s Description
In his recent book How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher From Galilee historian Bart Ehrman explores a claim that resides at the heart of
Christ the Center regular Dr. Jim Cassidy discusses the present state of Calvinism in evangelical Christianity. Following up on a previous Christ the Center and
In this episode, Nick, Jeff and Dave sit down to discuss Jonathan Edwards’s sermon, “Joseph’s Great Temptation and Glorious Deliverance” based on Genesis 39:12. In this sermon Edwards unpacks the theology
Drs. Michael Haykin and Jeffrey Robinson Sr. join us to speak about John Calvin and Calvinism’s legacy in missions. Their book To the
Reformed Forum contributor Nick Batzig speaks about Jonathan Edwards: “Preaching Christ in the Song of Songs.” This talk was given at the 2014 Jonathan Edwards for the Church conference. Read More »
Publisher’s Description
The aim of this book is no less than to provide an account of the unfolding of the mind of God in history, through the successive agents of
Publisher’s Description
In Confessing the Faith, Chad Van Dixhoorn offers a fresh look at a classic statement of the Reformed faith. The Westminster Confession of Faith finds itself in the first
Publisher’s Description
Despite our love for the Bible, emphasis on the cross, and passion for evangelism, many evangelicals ironically neglect that which is central to the gospel. In our preaching,
Dr. William Schweitzer speaks about Jonathan Edwards: “Faithful Ministers are Conduits of the Means of Grace.” This talk was given at the 2014 “Jonathan Edwards for the Church
Dr. Douglas Sweeney speaks about Jonathan Edwards on the Divinity, Necessity, and Power of the Word of God in the World, from the 2014 “Jonathan Edwards for the Church Conference.”
Dr. Chad B. Van Dixhoorn visits Christ the Center to speak about his forthcoming book, Confessing the Faith: A Reader’s Guide to the Westminster Confession (Banner
Bryan Winter discusses the relationship between Dutch immigrants and the American Presbyterian Church, particularly as seen in the ministry of the Dutch secessionist minister, Peter Zonne. Winter is an attorney
Dr. Alan Strange comes to the program to discuss the animus imponentis. Animus imponentis is a legal term that refers to the meaning of the words of an oath or confession that is
A recent firestorm has arisen within the blogosphere concerning an alleged failure by Karl Barth. It was initiated by Matthew Rose over at First Things here, responded to by IVP
Dr. David Garner comes to the program to speak about the topic of his new booklet, “How Can I Know For Sure?” from
In light of the recent discussion on “The Future of Protestantism,” I thought I would post Machen’s take on church unity as he deals with this
Today we speak with Glen Clary about his DMin dissertation titled, “Celebrating Holy Communion According to the Customs of the Ancient Church: A Reformed Communion Liturgy Based on the Eucharistic Liturgy
Dr. Randall J. Pederson offers a helpful method for resolving the perennial challenge of defining Puritanism. Pederson suggests that Wittgenstein’s concept of familienähnlichkeit (family resemblance) provides a perspective “that within seventeenth-century
Recommended by Lane Tipton of Westminster Theological Seminary. See all of Dr. Tipton’s recommendations.
Publisher’s Description
An analysis of questions pertaining to textual and higher criticism, with the purpose to vindicate
Recommended by Richard B. Gaffin of Westminster Theological Seminary. See all of Dr. Gaffin’s recommendations. Listen to a lecture by Dr. Richard Gaffin entitled The Role of the Kingdom of
Though it is often remarked that Hodge’s theological method is more rationalistic than many Reformed theologians would like it to be, Hodge often drives us back to the only true
Reformed Forum founders Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy, and Jeff Waddington speak about the Old and New Calvinisms. As the speaker for the annual Gaffin lecture, John Piper recently spoke at
Jim Cassidy reviews The Bonhoeffer Reader (Fortress Press) edited by Clifford Green and Michael DeJonge. From the Publisher: For the first time, a representative collection of all Bonhoeffer’s
John Piper’s recent Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. Lecture at Westminster Theological Seminary was vintage Piper: passionate, learned, articulate, and just right. The connection between Calvinism, sovereign grace, justification by faith
“I am part of the New Calvinism, and feel a fatherly responsibility to continually speak into it dimensions of truth that I think it needs to hear. As a part
Jeffrey A. Stivason speaks about B.B. Warfield’s doctrine of inspiration. In his doctoral dissertation, From Inscrutability to Concursus: Benjamin B. Warfield’s Theological Construction of Inspiration’s Mode from 1880 to 1915., Pastor Stivason
Publisher’s Description
This widely acclaimed introduction to modern Christian thought, formerly published by Prentice Hall, provides full, scholarly accounts of the major movements and thinkers, theologians and philosophers in the
Publisher’s Description
A major study reevaluating the primary sources of the post-Reformation period to determine how consistent they are with the thinking of the Reformers on theological prolegomena.
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Religious life in early America is often equated with the fire-and-brimstone Puritanism best embodied by the theology of Cotton Mather. Yet, by the nineteenth century, American theology had
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At a time when men and women were prepared to kill – and be killed – for their faith, the Reformation tore the Western world apart. Acclaimed as
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In this, the first of his five-volume opus, Pelikan traces the development of Christian doctrine from the first century to the seventh.
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This revised edition of the standard history of the first great period in Christian thought has been thoroughly updated in the light of the latest historical findings. Dr.
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Seeking a Better Country is a readable and lively survey of American Presbyterianism since its founding in 1706. Its aim is not to celebrate but to understand how
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Combining seamless synthesis of original material with updated scholarship, The European Reformations 2nd edition, provides the most comprehensive and engaging textbook available on the origins and impacts of
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Written by a preeminent religious historian, this book provides an introduction to early Christian thought. Focusing on major figures such as St. Augustine and Gregory of Nyssa, as
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This first volume of the penguin history of the church looks at the beginning of the Christian movement during the first centuries AD and at the explosive force
Jim Cassidy reviews Christology, Ancient and Modern: Explorations in Constructive Dogmatics (Zondervan) edited by Oliver Crisp and Fred Sanders.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy
“Both the beginner and seasoned reader will benefit from Bahnsen’s lucid presentation. “ – Dr. Lane Tipton, Westminster Theological Seminary “I commend this book to all who seek to think
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The purpose of this collection of essays is to set in the foreground the necessity of exegetical and theological foundations for any Reformed, Christian apologetic. A Reformed apologetic
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“Best of Van Til under one cover” Bahnsen’s exposition and Interaction with critics of Van Til.
About the Author
Greg L. Bahnsen (MDiv, ThM, Westminster Theological Seminary;
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This book is a compilation of several of Dr. Bahnsen’s published works on Christian apologetics, including his Apologetics syllabus, articles on practical apologetic problems (like the problem of
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J. Gresham Machen was a famed Christian scholar about whom Moody Monthly said this: “Machen’s lifelong plea for holding forth the Word of God and the Christ of the Bible
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The theological foundations of Van Til’s defense of the faith are set forth here as the unified system of truth to which believers are committed and with which
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In partnership with the Dutch Reformed Translation Society, Baker Academic is proud to offer in English for the very first time all four volumes of Herman Bavinck’s complete Reformed
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Volume 1 contains the most important of John Murray’s shorter writings and addresses between the years 1935 and 1973. They have been placed together in this opening volume
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Listen to a lecture by Sinclair Ferguson entitled The Theology of Calvin in His Institutes. Requires a free account at Westminster Theological Seminary Listen to a
From the Forward
These lectures by Dr. Benjamin B. Warfield offer a lucid and penetrating analysis of God’s plan of salvation from sin. They form a valuable companion to a systematic
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The atonement lies at tht every center of the Christian faith. The free and sovereign love of God is the source of the accomplishment of redemption, as the
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In this book, Dr. Vos’ reflects on the Epistle to the Hebrews and its theological themes. In chapter 1, Vos explains why the outstanding feature of the Epistle
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The uniqueness of Vos’s emphasis on the centrality of the covenantal work of Jesus Christ in history and our possession of that work through His mediation draws us
As promised, I now offer a list of several scholarly works on Jonathan Edwards that I think are must reads. Please remember that there are now over 4,000 items of
Being interested in learning more about the theology of Karl Barth can be an overwhelming experience. Where does one begin? I would like to offer here just five books to
Keeping up with books, articles, blog posts, and podcasts-not to mention conferences- about New England pastor-theologian Jonathan Edwards seems like a nearly impossible task. The noted Edwards annotated bibliographer M.
I recently had the opportunity to listen to Al Mohler’s fascinating interview with Dr. Marsden on Thinking in Public. The two spoke about Dr. Marsden’s latest book, The Twilight of
Learning is an important part of Christian stewardship. You have been given a mind, and God desires that we grow in our understanding of him and his gospel. Growing as
With the growth of Reformed ideas comes a jockeying to define what “Reformed” is and is not; or more frequently, who is and who is not. One hot topic has been
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Did the New Testament canon arise naturally from within the early Christian faith? Were the books written as Scripture, or did they become Scripture by a decision of
In “The Peace Which Christ Gives His True Followers,” Edwards calls us to listen in on the most affectionate and affecting discourse Christ gave (Jn 14:27), in which he promised
Dr. Michael J. Kruger speaks with Christ the Center about his recent book, The Question of Canon: Challenging the Status Quo in the New Testament
David Owen Filson speaks about Dr. J. Oliver Buswell, theologian and former president of Wheaton College and Covenant College and Seminary. A fundamentalist involved with J.
We begin the New Year with a look at some of our best clips from 2013. Listen to the full episodes of the clips we’ve chosen to include by using
Caroline Weerstra speaks with Christ the Center about the Peniel Bible Conference, based on her article “The Early History of Peniel Bible Conference, Part 1: Zeal Without Knowledge (1933-1938).” The camp
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It is a common view that the Westminster Assembly was dominated by Scots pursuing their nationalistic goals to the disadvantage of a desperate English Parliament. But in Covenanted
It’s often argued that because of the political climate, the Scottish commissioners to the Westminster Assembly had full rein over the Westminster Assembly and the confessional documents it produced. In
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an·ti·no·mi·an (noun)— One who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation.
Dr. Mark Jones returns to Christ the Center to revive seventeenth-century wisdom about antinomianism from his forthcoming book Antinomianism: Reformed Theology’s Unwelcome Guest?. Antinomian thinking
Kyle Padden and Paul Maxwell join Jonathan Brack and Charles Williams to discuss the importance and value of reading the Apostolic Fathers. Particular attention is given to the letters of
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Includes contributions from Michael A. G. Haykin, Paul Helm, Lee Gatiss, Carl R. Trueman, Paul R. Williamson, J. Alec Motyer, Thomas R. Schreiner, Donald Macleod, Robert Letham, Stephen
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In this first full-scale English biography of Abraham Kuyper, the highly influential religious and political leader of Dutch Calvinists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, historian
Dr. James Bratt speaks about Abraham Kuyper: Modern Calvinist, Christian Democrat (Eerdmans). Dr. Bratt places Kuyper in historical context and clarifies Kuyper’s thought and
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This new collection of Reformed thinkers’ writings from the Reformation to today brings together key documents on the inerrancy of Scripture in one readable volume. One of the
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This briskly told history of Reformed Protestantism takes these churches through their entire 500-year history–from sixteenth-century Zurich and Geneva to modern locations as far flung as Seoul and
Jonathan Edwards preached “What Is Believing in Christ?” to his congregation of three hundred Native Americans in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The sermon on Mark 16:15-16 is characteristic of Edwards’ pastoral sensitivity
Darryl G. Hart returns to the program to speak about the history of Calvinism from his new book, Calvinism: A History. The episode gives a taste
East of Eden continues a discussion of the life and ministry of Jonathan Edwards. See here for part 1 of
East of Eden discusses the life and ministry of Jonathan Edwards, including a survey of biographies of Jonathan Edwards. Follow up in a couple weeks for Part 2. Biographies of
In the seventh episode of Faith of our Fathers, Jonathan Brack and Charles Williams discuss the dangers of Docetism. Docetism was a late first/early second century heresy that denied the
Sections
1. The intellect and will of the whole man corrupt. The term flesh applies not only to the sensual, but also to the higher part of the soul. This demonstrated from
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21. Fourth argument. Scripture ascribes the glory of our adoption and salvation to God only. The human intellect blind as to heavenly things until it is illuminated. Disposal of
In the sixth episode of Faith of our Fathers, Jonathan Brack and Charles Williams discuss two of the earliest heresies in church history: Ebionism and Adoptionism. The Ebionites regarded Jesus
Dr. K. Scott Oliphint reviews Calvin, Classical Trinitarianism, and the Aseity of the Son by Brannon Ellis and published by Oxford University Press. In this excellent volume, Ellis investigates the
Jason Pickard reviews Classical Christian Doctrine: Introducing the Essentials of the Ancient Faith by Ronald E. Heine and published by Baker Academic.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jason Pickard
In the fifth episode of Faith of our Fathers, Jonathan Brack and Charles Williams provide an introductory overview to early church heresies, pointing both to the appeals they make, and
In this episode, Jeff Waddington covers God Is a Communicative Being: Divine Communicativeness and Harmony in the Theology of Jonathan Edwards by William M. Schweitzer and published by T&T Clark.
In recent church polity debates among Presbyterians and Particularists, the bulk of the argumentation is paid towards analysis of New Testament proof texts. Matthew 16, 18, and Acts 15 are
The Christ the Center panel gather for an informal discussion about Jonathan Edwards and his treatment of the question of how Adam, who was created in righteousness and holiness and
Sections 14-20
14. The power of the intellect, secondly, with regard to the arts. Particular gifts in this respect conferred on individuals, and attesting the grace of God.
15. The
Camden Bucey and David Owen Filson speak about several new books, and journal, and one interesting out-of-print title.
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The Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Reclaiming the Psalter: Praying
David Filson reviews Matthew Levering’s recent book, The Theology of Augustine: An Introductory Guide to His Most Important Works. For thoughtful students of Church History and Historical Theology, who may
In the fourth episode of Faith of our Fathers, Jonathan Brack and Charles Williams provide an overview of the shape, extent, and intensity of the Roman Empire’s persecution of the
In the third episode of Faith of our Fathers, Jonathan Brack and Charles Williams explore the growing tensions and eventual separation between Judaism and Christianity in the first century—explaining how
In the second episode, Jonathan Brack and Charles Williams discuss how to begin studying church history, and provide a bird’s-eye view of the first six centuries of Christianity.
Participants:
Sections
9. The language of the ancient writers on the subject of Free Will is, with the exception of that of Augustine, almost unintelligible. Still they set little or no
Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Scott Manetsch to the program to speak about Reformed pastoral ministry and his book Calvin’s Company of Pastors: Pastoral Care and the Emerging Reformed
Publisher’s Description: How did a community that was largely invisible in the first two centuries of its existence go on to remake the civilizations it inhabited, culturally, politically, and intellectually?
In this inaugural episode of Faith of Our Fathers, Charles Williams and Jonathan Brack discuss a Christian approach to studying history. They seek to explore the basic question: What value is
Dr. Diane Poythress joins us to speak about the important reformer of Basel, Johannes Oecolampadius. Though Oecolampadius’ influence was extraordinary, many English-speaking historians and theologians are not familiar with his
The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals have released the first two episodes of The Mortification of Spin with Carl Trueman and Todd Pruitt. It’s billed as a bi-weekly casual conversation about things that
Just a few weeks ago, Carl Trueman introduced me to Scott Manetsch’s new book Calvin’s Company of Pastors: Pastoral Care and the Emerging Reformed Church, 1536-1609. While initially interested, I
An interview with Kyle Strobel regarding his recently released Jonathan Edwards’s Theology: A Reinterpretation.
Participants: Jeff Waddington, Kyle Strobel, Nick Batzig
The reorganization of Princeton Theological Seminary was a key event in the American Presbyterian modernist-fundamentalist controversy of the early 20th century. The seminary was governed by a board of directors, who
Jonathan Edwards preached “Christ the Spiritual Sun” in May 1739. It was based on Malachi 4:1-2. The doctrine of the sermon was “that the same spiritual Sun, whose beams are
Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey introduce several recent titles worth mentioning.
Stephen R. Holmes, Quest for the Trinity: The Doctrine of God in Scripture, History and Modernity
G. R.
Dr. Paul Kjoss Helseth, Professor of Christian Thought at Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota, joins the panel at Christ the Center to speak about Old Princeton and right reason. Many in the Reformed
In this episode, we review Christosis: Pauline Soteriology in Light of Deification in Irenaeus and Cyril of Alexandria by Ben C. Blackwell and published by Mohr Siebeck. Dr. Blackwell is
Listen as Jeff Waddington reviews B. B. Warfield’s Scientifically Constructive Theological Scholarship by David P. Smith and published by Pickwick. Smith seeks to correct the perception that Warfield relies upon a
Originally preached in April 1738, Jonathan Edwards’ sermon “Jesus Christ: The Same Yesterday, To-day, and Forever” expounds Hebrews 13:6. Edwards draws out the doctrine that Jesus Christ is the same
In this episode, Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy discuss the 2012 issue of the Confessional Presbyterian Journal. The issue contains two highlights. The first is the articles section which consists
This week the East of Eden crew examine Jonathan Edwards’ sermon “Safety, Fullness, and Sweet Refreshment, to be Found in Christ” based upon Isaiah 32:2. In this sermon Edwards unpacks the types
In this episode Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy discuss the Fall 2012 issue of the Westminster Theological Journal. Of special interest is the article by Jim Scott on Machen and
We begin the New Year with a look at some of our best clips from 2012. Listen to the full episodes of the clips we’ve chosen to include by using
Dr. Paul Lim, Associate Professor of the History of Christianity, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, and Affiliate Professor of History at Vanderbilt University, speaks about his book Mystery Unveiled: The Crisis
In this episode, Jim Cassidy and Mark Winder catch up with John Muether to talk about his forthcoming book on the life of B.B. Warfield, the great old Princeton theologian.
In this episode, we review James E. McGoldrick’s Presbyterian and Reformed Churches: A Global History published by Reformation Heritage Books. Publisher’s Description: In 1905, Westminster Press published History of the Presbyterian
In 1730 Jonathan Edward preached a sermon on Matthew 5:8 in which he gave consideration to the redemptive blessing which God bestows upon the pure in heart, namely, an all
In February 1740, at the heat of the first Great Awakening, Jonathan Edwards preached The Character of Paul an Example to Christians. In this sermon on Philippians 3:11 Edwards unpacked Paul’s
In 1739, at the brink of the Great Awakening in Northampton, Jonathan Edwards preached a sermon in which he challenged his congregation with regard to their own commitment to a careful and
Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Mark Jones to the program to speak about puritan theology. With Joel Beeke, Mark has co-authored an exciting new book from Reformed
Preached as a sacrament service sermon in August 1736 and later included as the fifth and final sermon in Discourses on Various Important Subjects, “The Excellency of Christ” is based
On this episode, we welcome Rev. Dr. Carl R. Trueman to discuss the important role of creeds and confessions in the church through his book The Creedal Imperative. Dr. Trueman
Publisher’s Description: Recent years have seen a number of high profile scholars converting to Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy while a trend in the laity expresses an eclectic hunger for tradition.
Publisher’s Description: A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life offers a groundbreaking treatment of the Puritans’ teaching on most major Reformed doctrines, particularly those doctrines in which the Puritans made significant contributions. Since
Originally preached sometime in 1739, Jonathan Edwards’ sermon Christ’s Agony provides a deep analysis of Luke 22:44 and Christ’s agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Edwards notes that Christ
In last week’s episode of the podcast “Office Hours,” Scott Clark interviews John Fesko regarding his recent book, Beyond Calvin: Union with Christ and Justification in Early Modern Reformed Theology
In this episode we interview Dr. Ken Minkema, the executive editor at the Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University, with regard to the formation of the Center and
Rev. William R. Edwards speaks about John Flavel and union with Christ. Edwards has written an article titled “John Flavel on the Priority of Union with Christ: Further Historical Perspective
Originally preached in Northampton in 1735, and then preached again in 1752, The Most High, a Prayer Hearing God was preached on a fast appointed on the account of epidemical sickness at
Originally preached in Northampton in the fall of 1730, and later preached at Boston for the Harvard convocation week Thursday lecture on 8 July 1731, God Glorified in Man’s Dependence
The podcast East of Eden: The Biblical and Systematic Theology of Jonathan Edwards inaugurates the series with a close reading of the sermon “East of Eden” which Edwards preached in
The Rev. Dr. Robert McKelvey unfolds the theology of one of John Bunyan’s classic allegories, The Holy War. Rev. McKelvey is Pastor of Westminster Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Windber, PA and
In 1946, the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary published a symposium on the doctrine of Scipture titled The Infallible Word. Cornelius Van Til’s contribution, an essay titled “Nature and
It is a common feature of American evangelicalism for people to share a personal testimony of the Lord’s work in one’s life. Often, this is presented in a standardized form
The Christ the Center panel met with Dr. Barry Waugh, editor of the recent publication Letters from the Front: J. Gresham Machen’s Correspondence from World War I, about the fascinating
Seeing that our interview with Darryl Hart on the regulative principle was released today, I figure I should go all in and just make it a DGH day. The culture
Publisher’s Description: Never before published, here is a glimpse into the formative years of a great campaigner for the faith … and a stirring example of how the faith of
The Westminster Confession of Faith 1.6 says, “The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down
The Christ the Center panel discusses a forthcoming new podcast entitled East of Eden: Discussions in the Biblical and Systematic Theology of Jonathan Edwards, which should appear, Lord willing, this summer. The panel
In this 200th year of Princeton Theological Seminary, it seems appropriate to read the latest biography of Charles Hodge penned by Andrew Hoffecker. Charles Hodge: The Pride of Princeton is
I just received a copy of Barry Waugh’s new book of Machen letters. Letters from the Front: J. Gresham Machen’s Correspondence from World War I (P&R Publishing) looks to be a fascinating
Publisher’s Description: Charles Hodge (1797-1878) is regarded by many as the most significant American theologian of the nineteenth century. He drove forward the rapid growth of theological education and contributed to
Andrew Moody sat down with Dr. Steve Lawson at a recent conference for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. This is a fun discussion about exposition, church history, and a host
Rev. Dr. Mark Jones joins us to speak about diversity and debates within Puritanism. A healthy view of polemics has fallen on hard times, and Dr. Jones reminds us of
Dr. W. Andrew Hoffecker describes the life and influence of Charles Hodge, one of the giants of American Presbyterianism. Dr. Hoffecker has written a fantastic biography titled Charles Hodge: Pride
William Boekestein speaks about the history of the Heidelberg Catechism. Rev. Boekestein is pastor of Covenant Reformed Church in Carbondale, PA and the author of The Quest for Comfort: The
Jim and Camden speak about several new offerings from Naphtali Press. But a majority of the discussion focused on the latest issue of The Confessional Presbyterian Journal. The journal is a
Dr. Carl Trueman, Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary, describes the historical context leading up to the creation of the King James Bible. This year
Cornelius Van Til was an early and significant critic of Karl Barth, yet many contemporary Barthians reject his criticism. Several contributions in the recent book Karl Barth and American
Jim Cassidy speaks about the basic contours of Karl Barth’s theology. Karl Barth and American Evangelicalism, edited by Bruce L. McCormack and Clifford B. Anderson, is a recent contribution to
Darryl G. Hart returns to explore Barthianism in America. Darryl Hart has contributed to Karl Barth and American Evangelicalism, edited by Bruce L. McCormack and Clifford B. Anderson, is an
In this episode, Darryl G. Hart speaks about his latest book From Billy Graham to Sarah Palin: Evangelicals and the Betrayal of American Conservatism. Hart argues that evangelicals ought to reclaim
In this special episode, Christ the Center welcomes Kim Tran and Yannick Imbert from the Faculté Jean Calvin in Aix-en Provence to speak about the history and current state of
Christ the Center is very pleased to welcome Sandy Finlayson to the program to discuss his book Unity & Diversity: The Founders of the Free Church of Scotland. Mr. Finlayson
Dr. Carl Trueman, Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary, returns to Christ the Center to speak about the republication of his book The Reformation: Yesterday,
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church was formed in 1936 out of the modernist-fundamentalist controversy at a time when figures such as J. Gresham Machen were struggling with liberal influences at Princeton
The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of interviewing Rev. Dr. Robert Davis Smart, senior minister of Christ Church (PCA) in Bloomington, IL, and author of the recently released Jonathan
Dr. Craig Biehl shares his work on Jonathan Edwards’ views pertaining to Christ’s merit. Biehl’s dissertation has been published as a book titled The Infinite Merit of Christ: The Glory
Camden Bucey and Jeff Waddington discuss the Council of Chalcedon and its key contribution to orthodox theology – a formulation of the hypostatic union.
Participants: Camden Bucey,
Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey speak about Francis Turretin and his insights into the much debated topic of right reason. Theologians have debated the effects of sin upon the mind.
Sean Michael Lucas, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, MS, speaks about his book Robert Lewis Dabney: A Southern Presbyterian Life. Dr. Lucas also previously taught church history
K. Scott Oliphint explores the issue of divine and human knowledge as it relates to the Clark/Van Til controversy. Dr. Oliphint is Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster
In this brief episode, Camden Bucey discusses the Van Tilian interpretive tradition. Cornelius Van Til was an influential figure in the development of a distinctively Reformed apologetic. Camden Bucey discusses
Westminster Theological Seminary was founded in 1929 as a result of denominational conflict within the Presbyterian Church in the USA. J. Gresham Machen brought together several men in an attempt
Carl Trueman comes on to discuss his recent book, Histories and Fallacies: Problems Faced in the Writing of History, and other issues relating to historiography and a philosophy of history.
Ron Gleason discusses his new intellectual biography of Herman Bavinck. The book, titled Herman Bavinck: Pastor, Churchman, Statesman, and Theologian, is published by Presbyterian and Reformed Publishers.
Links
R. Scott Clark, Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California, discusses his essay in Always Reformed, the recent festschrift for Dr. Robert Godfrey. The collection is
Darryl G. Hart visits with the panel of Christ the Center once again. On this episode Dr. Hart speaks about his latest essay found in Always Reformed, a festschrift written
Anthony Bradley discusses his book, Liberating Black Theology: The Bible and the Black Experience in America, which is a revised form of his dissertation he did while a PhD student
Jeff Waddington speaks about Jonathan Edwards’ theological anthropology. He distinguishes Edwards’ approach from that of Thomas Aquinas and explains its significance for apologetics.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff
Bill Dennison discusses the possibility of a personal acquaintance between J. Gresham Machen and Rudolf Bultmann. Both men are key figures in opposing wings of Protestantism. Machen being the figurehead
Dr. Carl Trueman, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Westminster Theological Seminary, and Dr. Peter A. Lillback, President of Westminster, discuss the proper relationship of Christianity to the political sphere.
Christ the Center discusses the developments in Roman Catholic theology that came with Vatican II. In this episode, we welcome an able panel including Nathan Shannon, who wrote a ThM
Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey open the subject of Van Til’s criticisms of Karl Barth. Van Til was one of Barth’s earliest English-writing critics, and his criticisms are found in
Darryl G. Hart speaks about the storied histories of the Presbyterian and Reformed churches. Dr. Hart has authored A Secular Faith: Why Christianity Favors the Separation of Church and State,
Dr. Barry Horner joins the program to discuss John Bunyan’s classic The Pilgrim’s Progress. Horner has thought deeply on the subject and has written a book of his own titled
Bob LaRocca leads a discuss on Thomas Aquinas’ Second Way. The Second Way is an argument for the existence of God from efficient causes. The flow of the argument is
Fred Zaspel is the author of the soon to be released volume on the theology of B.B. Warfield, published by Crossway titled The Theology of B.B. Warfield: A Systematic Summary.
Bob LaRocca brings Thomas Aquinas’ famous first way to the table. Thomas’ ways have become staples in apologetic discussions.
Participants: Bob LaRocca, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan
Nick Batzig, Josh Walker and Michael Dewalt talked with Dr. Steve Lawson, senior pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, about his book The Unwavering Resolve of
The Christ the Center panel was joined by Dr. Chad Van Dixhoorn, associate pastor of Grace OPC in Vienna, VA and senior research fellow at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge,
Darryl G. Hart speaks about the storied histories of the Presbyterian and Reformed churches.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Darryl G. Hart
Darryl G. Hart concludes his series on J. Gresham Machen with a lesson on assessing this great figure in American Presbyterianism.
Participants: Darryl G. Hart
James Dolezal reviews a new book from Russell L. Friedman, Medieval Trinitarian Thought from Aquinas to Ockham.
Participants: Camden Bucey, James Dolezal
Darryl Hart discusses more about early 20th century liberalism and Machen’s fight for the history of Scripture and the importance of the doctrine contained therein.
Participants: Camden Bucey,
Machen deals with Charles Erdman and Robert Speer in the fight against sentimentality. Dr. Darryl G. Hart taught this lesson at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Glenside, PA where he
Darryl Hart continues his series on J. Gresham Machen looking at Machen and the Independent Board of Presbyterian Foreign Missions. The independent board was created as a reaction to the
Or roughly, “The Making of Van Til.” Camden Bucey builds a case that Machen is the principal historical reason for Cornelius Van Til becoming the influential reformed apologist he became.
In this lesson, Dr. Hart touches upon Harry Emerson Fosdick, the ordination of liberals, the five fundamentals and the Auburn Affirmation.
Participants: Darryl G. Hart
In 1923, J. Gresham Machen published Christianity and Liberalism. In the book Machen argued that liberalism was not another form of Christianity, but indeed was a different religion. Darryl G.
Darryl G. Hart speaks about Machen and the Plan of Organic Union. This is part four of a series on Machen taught at Calvary OPC in Glenside, PA. post photo
Darryl G. Hart speaks about Machen’s experience through World War I. This is part three of a series on Machen taught at Calvary OPC in Glenside, PA.
Participants: Darryl
Darryl G. Hart continues his course on J. Gresham Machen at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Glenside, PA. Hart explore several key aspects to Machen’s family and early life.
Participants:
Darryl G. Hart begins a new course on J. Gresham Machen at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Glenside, PA.
Participants: Darryl G. Hart
Darryl G. Hart and Camden Bucey converse about family and Sabbath through the writings of Wendell Berry.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Darryl G. Hart
Michael Haykin, Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, speaks about his book The Christian Lover: The Sweetness of Love and Marriage in the Letters of
Darryl G. Hart shares a few thoughts on American Presbyterianism including the modernist-fundamentalist debates of the early 20th century and the historical developments of women in office.
Participants: Camden
Darryl G. Hart and Camden Bucey discuss the relationship of various Christian epistemologies to a two-kingdoms approach to Christ and culture. post photo by Joel Bedford
Participants: Camden Bucey
R. Scott Clark visits Christ the Center again to speak about Caspar Olevianus’ An Exposition of the Apostle’s Creed. Dr. Clark is Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at
Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Joel Beeke to discuss Meet the Puritans, which he wrote with Randall J. Pederson. This volume is a wonderful collection of short
When approaching the question of credo-baptism during the Reformation, James Dolezal argues for viewing three distinct categories: Anabaptists, general baptists, and particular baptists. The theological differences between these groups are
Given that Reformation Day is near, we thought it would be time to focus our attention on the monk with the mallet. Carl Trueman, Vice President for Academic Affairs and
Dr. Joseph A. Pipa, Jr. visits Christ the Center to speak about William Perkins’ role in the development of Puritan preaching. Pipa argues that Perkins’ overall influence and his book
Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey play clips of Keith Olberman, R.C. Sproul and The Onion. The clips provide fodder for a discussion that touches on Christianity and politics, presuppositional apologetics,
Mark A. Noll discusses his latest book The New Shape of World Christianity: How American Experience Reflects Global Faith. Dr. Noll is Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History at the
The panelists of Christ the Center recently talked with Rev. Dr. Guy Richard, senior minister of First Presbyterian Church (PCA) of Gulfport, MS, about his new study, The Supremacy of
Thabiti Anyabwile, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman joins the panel to discuss Lemuel Haynes and black theology. Anyabwile has edited May We Meet in the Heavenly
We discuss several new and forthcoming books and comment on two audio clips. The first comes from the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA and touches on Galileo’s relationship to the
Christ the Center discusses some aspects of the life and thought of Medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas. Specifically Thomas’ doctrine of God and the nature/grace distinction come in for consideration. Especially
In honor of John Calvin’s 500th anniversary, the General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church held a pre-Assembly conference on the subject of John Calvin. The Rev. Dr. Richard B.
Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Seminary California and host of the White Horse Inn radio program joins Christ the Center to discuss
The Christ the Center panel had a fascinating conversation with Rev. Danny Olinger, general secretary for the Committee on Christian Education for the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and editor of The
Rev. James O’Brien, pastor of Reedy River PCA, joins with the Christ the Center panel for a discussion of all things Puritan. Rev. O’Brien shares his wisdom gained from years
The Christ the Center panel had the distinct privilege of recently interviewing Dr. Michael A. G. Haykin, professor of church history and Biblical spirituality at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in
The Pentecostal Movement had two main roots: a Wesleyan and a non-Wesleyan root. In the Wesleyan tradition, Phoebe Palmer represents the movement well. She picked up on the doctrine of
In this episode of Christ the Center the panel interviews Dr. William Dennison, professor of interdisciplinary studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA, about his recent publication The Young
Lane G. Tipton joins the panel again to discuss Cornelius Van Til’s particular formulation of Trinitarian theology. Dr. Tipton is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary (PA)
The Christ the Center panel once again had the privilege of meeting with Dr. Stephen Nichols, Research Professor of Christianity and Culture at Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School, this
Christ the Center was pleased to have Darryl G. Hart back to talk about his book Deconstructing Evangelicalism. Hart points out that Evangelicalism actually is an umbrella term used to
The panel of Christ the Center had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Philip Graham Ryken, Senior Minister of historic Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, with regard to his doctoral dissertation,
Dr. Peter Lillback, President of Westminster Theological Seminary, in Philadelphia, Pa., Senior Minister of Proclamation Presbyterian Church, in Bryn Mawr, PA, and President of the Providence Forum, talked with the
Christ the Center welcomes Dr. Carl Trueman, vice president for academic affairs and professor of historical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and author of several books including The
John Muether, professor of church history and director of the library at Reformed Theological Seminary/Orlando and historian of the OPC, talks with the Christ the Center panel about his recent
The Christ the Center panelists interact with Dr. John Carrick, associate professor of applied and doctrinal theology at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, about his latest volume The Preaching of Jonathan
Rev. Dr. Ron Gleason, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA) of Yorba Linda, CA converses with the Christ the Center panel about the forthcoming volume Reforming and Conforming? and his
The Christ the Center panelists engage Dr. K. Scott Oliphint, professor of apologetics and systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, in a wide-ranging discussion about Cornelius Van Til
July 10, 2009 marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin. In honor of this great theologian, the Calvin 500 Project has produced a blog, two books (
Christ the Center discusses the ministry of David Martyn Lloyd-Jones and the Emerging Church with Martin Downes, pastor of Christ Church Deeside. Downes, who also is webmaster of the popular
The Christ the Center panelists interact with Dr. Darryl G. Hart about Dr. Fundamentalis, J. Gresham Machen. Machen, erstwhile professor of NT at Princeton Theological Seminary until its reorganization in
We had the opportunity to sit down with Jeff Jue, Associate Professor of Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary. Dr. Jue is an expert on the eschatological views of the
J. Ligon Duncan, Senior Minister at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS joins us to talk about the Westminster Confession of Faith. Dr. Duncan is the general editor of a
R. Scott Clark, Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California, joins us to discuss his forthcoming book Recovering the Reformed Confession.
Panel
R. Scott Clark
Jeff
Join us as we speak with Mark Garcia, author of Life in Christ: Union with Christ and Twofold Grace in Calvin’s Theology, regarding the theological implications of union with Christ
Augustine is the most influential theologian in the Western church. His works have become the foundation for much of the Western church’s thinking. Join us as we sit down for
Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey sit down to discuss aspects of Jonathan Edwards’ thinking including his eschatology, affectional psychology and trinitarian theology.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington
In the early 19th century, a controversy arose in American Presbyterianism over evangelistic method and doctrines such as the imputation of Adam’s sin. One group identified as the Old School
The group continues their discussion of Cornelius Van Til by examining Van Til’s critique of the theology of Karl Barth. Van Til’s two books The New Modernism and Christianity and
Cornelius Van Til (1895-1987) developed a unique approach to apologetics which stemmed from a solid foundation in reformed theology and a background in Idealist philosophy. His method has been called
Jim and Camden discuss the 20th century theologian Karl Barth and the main themes of his influential theology.
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy
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Miracle of Spring A strange thing has taken place
A labor overnight—
That by the thousands apace
New births brought forth to light.
Till now my yard was winter,
The wind turns south, I wing
Back
Summer1
By Geerhardus Vos Translated by Daniel Ragusa
Though thousands of signs do brim
That he the land has graced,
How shall I ever find him?
Where do his
Autumn1 By Geerhardus Vos Translated by Daniel Ragusa Still lingers golden autumn, still stand harvest colors,
Ripening in field, still roams through woods and gardens
A lovely postlude
I had the privilege of participating in a panel discussion on Danny Olinger’s excellent biography of Geerhardus Vos at the Presbyterian Scholars Conference, held at Harbor House, Wheaton College, on
