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The Book of Daniel, Part 13

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. In chapter 5, the scene changes from Nebuchadnezzar’s praise and extolling of

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Irenaeus of Lyons

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

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The Book of Daniel, Part 12

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. In chapter 4, we read of the dream given to Nebuchadnezzar wherein

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Mark 2:1–12 — Healing from Sin

The story of the healing of the paralytic is a picture of God’s work of redemption through Jesus Christ. We are healed—saved—not because we merit favor, but because of the

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Resurrection and Redemption

In this episode, Camden Bucey and Marcus Mininger reflect together on Resurrection and Redemption by Richard B. Gaffin Jr.—a work that has profoundly shaped Reformed biblical theology over the past

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Highlights from 2025

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

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We Wish You a Merry Christmas

For our Tenth Annual Christmas Special, Rob and Bob are here to bring you Christmas cheer with our annual Christmas special silliness with a splash of seriousness. More seriously, friends,

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The Book of Daniel, Part 11

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. In chapter 4, we read of another dream given to Nebuchadnezzar wherein

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The Book of Daniel, Part 10

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. Having discussed the faithfulness of God’s people in the midst of fiery

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The Book of Daniel, Part 9

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We discuss the faithfulness of God’s people in the midst of fiery

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The Book of Daniel, Part 8

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We discuss Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue found in chapter 3:1–8. Participants: Rob McKenzie,

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Reformed Confessionalism

What role do historic confessions play in the life of the Church today—and why should we care? In this episode we welcome Dr. D. Blair Smith, President and Associate Professor

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Van Til and the Problem of Evil

In this episode, we are joined by Rev. Dr. William D. Dennison, pastor of Emmanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Kent, Washington, to reflect on Cornelius Van Til’s student paper “Evil

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Faith in Exile (Psalm 119)

In this episode, Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. David VanDrunen to discuss his new book, Faith in Exile: Psalm 119 and the Christian Life (Christian Focus). VanDrunen shares the backstory behind

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Understanding Matthew 24

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob takes us on a walk through Matthew 24, the Olivet Discourse. Participants: Rob McKenzie

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The Book of Daniel, Part 7

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We discuss Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its interpretation by Daniel found in chapter

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The Book of Daniel, Part 6

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We discuss Nebuchadnezzar’s dream found in Daniel 2:31-49. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert

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Samuel Miller’s Thoughts on Public Prayer

In this episode Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. Jonathan Master, president of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and host of the new podcast Dead Presbyterians Society. Together, they reflect on the theology

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Ruth 2:1–13 — Why Me?

God begins to turn around Naomi’s life in Ruth 2:1-13, a picture of what he does for his church. Ruth ventures into the fields in faith and just “happens” to

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The Book of Daniel, Part 5

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We discuss Nebuchadnezzar’s dream found in Daniel 2:17-24. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert

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Loving the Law

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey and Carlton Wynne are joined by Rev. Stephen Spinnenweber, author of Loving the Law: The Law of God in the Life

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Righteous by Design and Created for Communion

In this rich theological conversation, Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. Harrison Perkins—pastor, scholar, and author—to discuss his two latest books: Righteous by Design: Covenantal Merit and Adam’s Original Integrity (Christian Focus)

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The Book of Daniel, Part 4

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We see the great challenge Nebuchadnezzar places upon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers,

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The Book of Daniel, Part 3

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We see God’s faithfulness to his people in the midst of living

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Zwingli’s View of the Lord’s Supper

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

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Larger for Life Takeover

In this conversation, Camden Bucey welcomes Matt Adams, Derrick Brite, and Stephen Spinnenweber. They reflect on their experiences at the Twin Lakes Fellowship and discuss the often-neglected Larger Catechism, its

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The Book of Daniel, Part 2

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We God’s faithfulness to his people in the midst of challenging circumstances

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The Special Commission of 1925

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

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The Book of Daniel, Part 1

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob begin to walk through the Book of Daniel with some background and introductory thoughts. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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Engaging with Thomas Aquinas

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

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The Biblical Theme of Exile and Return

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Nicholas G. Piotrowski to discuss his book, Return from Exile and the Renewal of God’s People (Crossway). Throughout our conversation, Dr. Piotrowski unpacks the

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Missions and Baseball in Germany

In this episode of Reformed Forum Live, Camden Bucey speaks with Stephen Spanjer, a PCA minister serving in Neuenberg, Germany, with the Evangelical Reformed Church Westminster Confession (ERKWB). Stephen shares

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Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Final State

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s, Summary of Christian Doctrine. On today’s episode, under the larger section, “The Doctrine of the Last Things,” we a conclude our

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The Three-Office View

In this episode, we explore the biblical and historical foundations of Presbyterian church government through the lens of the three-office view—minister, ruling elder, and deacon. Joining us are two distinguished

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The Genevan Réveil

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

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Pastoral Ministry & Calvin’s Latin Bible

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

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Redemptive-Historical Interpretation

In this special live recording of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey, Lane Tipton, Jim Cassidy, and guest Marcus Mininger explore the vital topic of redemptive historical interpretation. Dr. Mininger is

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You Will Be My Witnesses

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey speaks with Brian DeVries, a theologian and pastor in South Africa, about his new book, You Will Be My Witnesses, which

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Reformed Forum Live (February 14, 2025)

Camden Bucey is joined by Bo Collins and Joe Cristman to discuss various topics related to their churches, upcoming events, and personal library management. They also touch on exciting developments

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Reformed Forum Live (February 7, 2025)

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

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Reformed Forum Live (January 31, 2025)

Checking in from Scottsdale, Arizona, Camden Bucey discusses the Faith and Life Conference on worship and the themes of his upcoming talks. He reflects on recent podcast episodes, including discussions

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Ancient Near-Eastern Hero Culture

Join us for a fascinating conversation on biblical imagery. Dr. Michael Seufert, pastor of Mission OPC in St. Paul, Minnesota, and author of the dissertation Of Beasts and Men: A

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The Holy Spirit

In this episode of Christ the Center, we welcome Dr. Robert Letham, Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Union School of Theology, to discuss his latest book, The Holy

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Reflections on Numbers and the Call to Ministry

In this lively Friday afternoon livestream recorded on January 17, 2025, Camden Bucey and a panel of guests discuss upcoming events, including Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary’s Confessional Conference, themed “The

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Highlights from 2024

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

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The 2024 Christmas Extravaganza

Join us for the Reformed Forum Christmas Extravaganza 2024, a four-hour special filled with lively theological discussion, reflections on the past year, and a look ahead to what’s in store

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A Very Merry Christmas

For our Ninth Annual Christmas Special, Rob and Bob are here to bring you Christmas cheer with our annual Christmas silliness. This year we talk about the historical Nicholas, Bishop

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Listener Questions

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

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The Early Machen

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

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Missions, Culture, and Online Education

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. Craig Ott, professor of Mission and Intercultural Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, for an in-depth discussion on the

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Embracing the Imprecatory Psalms

In this episode, we sit down with Rev. Ryan Swale, pastor of Immanuel URC in Jordan, Ontario, to discuss his dissertation, The Imprecatory Pastor: A Practical Theology of the Imprecatory

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Reclaiming the “Dark Ages”

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

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Expository Reflections on Mark

Join us for an engaging episode of Christ the Center as we sit down with Douglas Sean O’Donnell, pastor, theologian, and author of Expository Reflections on the Gospels: Mark. In

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Arrowsmith’s Plans for Holy War

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

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Union with the Resurrected Christ

In this episode, we are honored to welcome Dr. Greg K. Beale, a renowned biblical scholar and author, to discuss his latest book, Union with the Resurrected Christ (Baker Academic).

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The Reformed Church in the Philippines

In this episode, Camden Bucey connects with Jim Cassidy, pastor of South Austin OPC and president of the Reformed Forum board, to discuss global theological education and Reformed missions. Dr.

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Global Theological Education

In this episode, we approach the critical topic of Reformed global theological education and discipleship. Join us as we explore the unique challenges and incredible opportunities present in various regions

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Church Membership

In Church Membership, Jonathan Landry Cruse emphasizes the biblical and theological necessity of formal church membership. Cruse argues that church membership is not merely a social or optional commitment but

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The Auburn Affirmation at 100

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

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Reformed Evangelism

This episode addresses the heart of Reformed evangelism, featuring a compelling conversation with the Rev. Paul Murphy, pastor of evangelism at Messiah’s Reformed Fellowship in New York, and Dr. Eric

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Training and Equipping Missionaries

Christ the Center is on the road as Camden Bucey speaks with two guests from the Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary Conference. This episode explores Reformed theology and its profound impact

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Consciences and the Reformation

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

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Life in the Negative World

In this episode, we welcome Aaron Renn, author of Life in the Negative World: Confronting Challenges in an Anti-Christian Culture, to explore the profound shifts in cultural attitudes towards Christianity

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Understanding Family Worship

In this episode, Camden Bucey engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Terry Johnson, Senior Minister of Independent Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Georgia and the author of Understanding Family Worship: Its History,

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Highlights from 2023

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

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Because It’s Christmas

For our Eighth Annual Christmas Special, Rob and Bob are here to bring you Christmas cheer with our annual Christmas silliness. This year we laugh about Christmas delicacies and the

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Robert Boyle, Christianity, and Science

In the latest episode of Christ the Center, we explore the fascinating intersection of science, faith, and philosophy through the life and contributions of Robert Boyle, the seventeenth-century chemist often

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Psalm 5 — Christian Hatred

What is a Christian to do with the imprecatory Psalms? Are they to be read and sung today, and if so, with what understanding? Jim Cassidy talks about how to

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What is the Future of Israel? Part 2

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue their discussion of the future of Israel? With geopolitical affairs in the Middle East as they are currently and the

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What is the Future of Israel? Part 1

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the future of Israel? With geopolitical affairs in the Middle East as they are currently and the end times speculations

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The Roots of Reformed Moral Theology

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Bruce Baugus to our program to discuss his book, The Roots of Reformed Moral Theology, published by Reformation Heritage Books. In this comprehensive work,

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The Aaronic Blessing of Numbers 6

In this episode, we welcome back Michael Glodo, Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. Rev. Glodo has written The Lord Bless You and Keep

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Christianity and Liberalism: The Church

We welcome John Muether and Danny Olinger to discuss the seventh and final chapter of Machen’s classic book, Christianity and Liberalism. The chapter highlights the importance of the church as

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The Communion of the Saints

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. A. Craig Troxel, Robert G. den Dulk Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary California. Dr. Troxel delves into his thought-provoking chapter

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Christianity and Liberalism: Salvation

Danny Olinger and Camden Bucey discuss the sixth chapter of Machen’s classic book, Christianity and Liberalism. In this chapter, J. Gresham Machen explores the differences between the liberal and Christian

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The Upside-Down Kingdom

We welcome Chris Castaldo to the program to explore the Beatitudes. In his book, The Upside-Down Kingdom, Castaldo offers a fresh perspective on these familiar teachings of Jesus, showing how

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The Living Hope Revealed in 1 Peter

Explore the profound wisdom of 1 Peter in this episode of the Christ the Center podcast. Camden Bucey is joined by Ryan Noha, Reformed Forum’s Director of Education and Advancement,

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New Courses and Upcoming Events

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

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The Character of Christ

In this episode, we speak with Jonathan Landry Cruse, author of The Character of Christ, a thought-provoking book that explores the character of Christ and the fruit of the Spirit.

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John Knox and Pastoral Theology

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

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Reformed Theology

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

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Christianity and Liberalism: Christ

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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Assurance of Faith

This week Rob and Bob take a moment to discuss some basic issues and concerns of the doctrine of assurance of faith. Participants: Rob McKenzie

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Machen and the PCA Today

Subscribe Now to Receive the Latest Issue of Our Magazine This article was published in the Spring 2023 issue of the Reformed Forum magazine. Subscribe now for free. If you

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Paul the Disciple in Acts

Adam York speaks about discipleship in the book of Acts. As the church “beholds” the resurrected–ascended Christ by the proclamation of the apostolic word, it is empowered to bear witness

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Hermeneutics and Homiletics

Mark Winder, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey discuss the relationship between hermeneutics and homiletics, focusing specifically on the preaching of Geerhardus Vos. Links Chapters Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy, Mark

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Ecumenism and Church Discipline

Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey discuss ecclesiology and R. B. Kuiper’s classic book, The Glorious Body of Christ. They focus primarily on ecumenism and how different church bodies relate to

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Preterism and 2 Peter 3

As a follow-up to his Reformed Academy course, Exploring 2 Peter: The Promise and the Path, Dan Ragusa joins Camden Bucey and Ryan Noha to discuss preterist views of 2

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Christianity and Liberalism: God and Man

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

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Christianity and Liberalism: Doctrine

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

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Running the Race

We discuss Geerhardus Vos’s sermon on Hebrews 12:1–3, “Running the Race,” from his collection Grace and Glory: Sermons Preached at Princeton Seminary. Chapters Participants: Camden Bucey, Danny Olinger, Lane G. Tipton

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A Theology of Luke

Benjamin L. Gladd speaks about From the Manger to the Throne: A Theology of Luke, which is published by Crossway in the New Testament Theology series edited by Thomas R. Schreiner and Brian

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A History of Presbyterianism in Wisconsin

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

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Summary of Christian Doctrine: Providence

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the second section, The Doctrine of God and Creation, chapter 10 continues the

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A Theological Introduction to Neo-Calvinism

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 of neo-Calvinism as a

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Christianity and Liberalism: Introduction

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.

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Highlights from 2022

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

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Surviving Christmas

For our Seventh Annual Christmas Special, Rob and Bob attempt to bring some Christmas cheer your way this Christmas season. With all of the bad contemporary Christmas music (“All I

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Psalm 1 — The Blessed Man

We embark on a study through a new book—Psalms. Jim Cassidy provides some important interpretive principles which he illustrates through a consideration of Psalm 1. Written for Israel, a nation

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1689 Federalism and the Old Covenant

Carlton Wynne, Jeremy Boothby, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey discuss 1689 Federalism and the old covenant. Continuing an ongoing conversation carried over several podcast episodes and YouTube videos, the panel

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Gospel-Shaped Marriage

Chad and Emily Van Dixhoorn speak about Gospel Shaped Marriage: Grace for Sinners to Love Like Saints (Crossway, 2022). While many books on marriage cover the same well-trod ground and

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Hosea 14 — Turn Around

Repentance today is a byword. It conjures up images of a religious fanatic standing on a street corner with a cheap megaphone that more obscures the sound than amplifies it.

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A Tale of Two Trees

Scott Wright speaks about the continued relevance of Meredith G. Kline. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Meredith G. Kline. We recently hosted our annual theology

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The Relevance of Meredith G. Kline

John R. Muether speaks about the continued relevance of Meredith G. Kline. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Meredith G. Kline. We recently hosted our annual

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Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Trinity

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the second section, The Doctrine of God and Creation, the seventh chapter

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What Is Union with Christ?

The Westminster Larger Catechism, 65 through 69, describes, in part, union with Jesus Christ. And John Calvin in Book Three of Institutes of the Christian Religion describes union with Christ,

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Hosea 13 — The Dead Son Lives

Hosea 13 contains mostly words of rebuke and condemnation. But there is good news there as well. The Lord rebukes his son, Israel, whom he called out of Egypt, for

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What Is the Point of Contact?

In another video, we spoke about the antithesis, the sharp distinction between believers and unbelievers. That distinction is covenantal, absolute, and ethical. We also spoke about how that distinction is

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Catechetical Preaching

Drs. Alan Strange and Cornelis Venema speak about the practice of catechetical preaching from a practical as well as historical perspective. While the practice is more common within the Dutch

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Bavinck and a Christian View of Science

In 1904, the same year Herman Bavinck published Christian Worldview, Bavinck published a book titled Christelijke wetenschap (Christian Science) in which he commented on a movement to “build science . . . on

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A God-Centered Approach to History

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

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What Is the Antithesis?

In the field of Reformed apologetics we sometimes speak about the antithesis. The antithesis is a theological principle that is meant to describe the difference between believers and unbelievers. There

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What Is Reformed Militancy?

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

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Research Methods and Tools

Dr. Benjamin Gladd shares his methods and favorite tools for facilitating research and eventual publication of his writing. Dr. Gladd is Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in

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Heavenly Mindedness

We discuss Geerhardus Vos’s sermon, “Heavenly Mindedness” from his collection Grace and Glory: Sermons Preached at Princeton Seminary. In this sermon, Vos directs the Christian to consider the heavenly realities,

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What Is the Deeper Catholic Conception?

The deeper Catholic conception, or traditional Roman Catholic conception, is a concept in conjunction with and in contrast to the deeper Protestant conception. The deeper Catholic conception is the notion

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The Perils of Naming a Denomination

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 Assembly

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Summary of Christian Doctrine: Scripture

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob begin a discussion of Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the first section, Introduction, the third chapter on “Scripture,”

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Summary of Christian Doctrine: Revelation

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue a discussion of Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the first section, Introduction, the second chapter on “Revelation,”

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The Two Ages in Scripture

Adam York joins Camden Bucey to speak about the two age construction found throughout Scripture and especially in the Pauline epistles. Scripture frequently speaks of “this age” and “the age

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What Is Mutualism or Correlativism?

Mutualism or correlativism are virtual synonyms. Cornelius Van Til, a prominent twentieth-century Reformed theologian, apologist, Orthodox Presbyterian, and founding member of Westminster Theological Seminary, taught that God and the creature

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What Is the Creator-Creature Distinction?

In biblical teaching summarized by Reformed theology, the creator-creature distinction brings into view the absolute ontological difference between the Triune God and the creature. The Triune God is infinite, eternal,

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Summary of Christian Doctrine: Religion

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob begin a discussion of Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the first section, Introduction, the first chapter on

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The Practical Import of Ecclesiology

Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey discuss ecclesiology (the doctrine of the church) and the significant ways it informs our daily lives. Dr. Cassidy is studying R. B. Kuiper’s The Glorious

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A History of Presbyterian Publications

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

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Revelation 21

This week on Theology Simply Profound, an exhortation from Rob on Revelation 21. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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Signature Psalms: Psalm 2

In this episode, Rob and Bob continue a series on familiar psalms that we tend to be drawn to more than others for one reason or another. Psalm 2 is

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Preaching Post-Covid

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the church, worship, and preaching in a post-covid society. Has the pandemic changed the fundamental nature of society such that

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Questions and Answers

We turn to the mailbag today to answer questions from listeners. We discuss the “organic” unity of the Scriptures, Van Til’s understanding of the phenomenal world, why the covenant of

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Ruling Elders and General Assembly

Podcast worlds collide! Jim and Camden welcome Brad Isbell, perhaps even better known as @ChortlesWeakly, to the program to discuss ruling elders and general assemblies within Presbyterianism. Along with @wresbyterian,

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Machen and the Era of Tragedy

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

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Vos Group #74 — Social Sin

Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 269–286 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to consider social sin in the time of the prophets. Chapters 00:00 Introduction

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Catechesis, Education, and the Church

Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey speak about Jim’s latest course, The Westminster Shorter Catechism (Questions 39–107), which is available for free through Reformed Academy. In speaking about the new series,

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The Value of Studying B. B. Warfield

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

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Reformed Ministry in Bogotá, Colombia

Rodrigo Andrés Espinoza and Douglas Clawson speak about Reformed and Presbyterian ministry in the nation of Colombia and specifically, its capital, Bogotá. Rev. Clawson has been visiting and serving in

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The Exile of Adam in Romans

Dr. David Barry joins us to speak about his book, The Exile of Adam in Romans: The Reversal of the Curse against Adam and Israel in the Substructure of Romans

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Persistent Prayer

We take the podcast on the road for three episodes to visit Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. In our first episode of the road trip, we speak with Dr.

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Reformed Missions and Evangelism

Dr. Eric Watkins joins us to speak about missions and evangelism from a Reformed perspective. Dr. Watkins is senior pastor of Harvest Presbyterian Church (OPC) in San Marcos, California as

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Highlights from 2021

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.

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Karl Barth: A Life in Conflict

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

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Sixth Annual Christmas Special

For our Sixth Annual Christmas Special, Rob and Bob attempt to bring some holiday cheer and silliness to you, but end up being rather “Bah Humbug” about it all. With

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Signature Psalms: Psalm 110

In this episode, Rob and Bob continue a series on familiar psalms that we tend to be drawn to more than others for one reason or another. Psalm 110 is quoted

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Signature Psalms: Psalm 23

In this episode, Rob and Bob begin a new series on familiar psalm that we tend to be drawn to more than others for one reason or another. We begin

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Girolamo Zanchi and Spiritual Marriage

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

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Cornelis Pronk — A Goodly Heritage

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

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Geerhardus Vos and the Covenant of Works

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

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Theological Education in Foreign Missions

In this episode, several OPC missionaries discuss theological education in foreign mission fields. Douglas Clawson is associate general secretary for the OPC’s Committee on Foreign Missions. Charles Jackson serves as

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Handbook on the Gospels

Dr. Benjamin L. Gladd, Associate Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, speaks about his new Handbook on the Gospels. This book is part of a

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Supporting Diaconal Ministry

David Nakhla speaks about the work of deacons and how the Orthodox Presbyterian Church is working to assist the diaconate in its labors for Christ’s church. Mr. Nakhla is the

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Hosea 11 — Out of Egypt

Hosea prophesied that God would call his son out of Egypt. Of course, that was long after the Exodus. But here in Chapter 11 the Exodus serves as a motif

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The Committee of Nine and Evangelicalism

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

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Encountering the Westminster Shorter Catechism

Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey discuss their experiences with catechisms among Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism , and evangelicalism and then their introduction to the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim

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Listener Questions

Ryan Noha poses several questions submitted by our listeners and views. Along with Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey, the panel discusses Thomas and Van Til on the doctrine of God,

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The Liturgy of the Apocalypse

Glen Clary discusses the worship setting of Revelation 4–5 and its significance for the church’s present and future worship. While on the isle of Patmos, John was given a vision

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The Work of Christ

We preview a forthcoming course on Union with Christ and the Doctrine of Salvation, taught by Lane Tipton. Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

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Caring for Ministers

Rev. John Fikkert speaks about providing specialized care for ministers. Rev. Fikkert is the director of the OPC’s Committee on Ministerial Care, which provides a range services for ministers such

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Discussing Foundations of Covenant Theology

Lane Tipton speaks about his new book, Foundations of Covenant Theology, available now through Reformed Forum. Drawing from Genesis 1:1 and subsequent biblical revelation, Lane Tipton argues that before creating

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Seeker’s Progress

Rob McKenzie speaks about the Christian life and a variety of apologetic encounters he has woven into his book Seeker’s Progress. In this novel, McKenzie explores the world that John

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The Auburn Betrayal

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

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empty tomb

Redemption Accomplished and Applied

Lane Tipton is in the studio with Camden Bucey to discuss the doctrine of salvation and union with Christ from the eschatological perspective of redemption accomplished and applied. On the

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On Our Radar [19 May 21]

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

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Vos Group #69 — Emotions and Affections

We turn to pages 255–256 of Geerhardus Vos, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the ways in which the Old Testament prophets use anthropomorphism to describe God. The “emotional” or

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On Our Radar [12 May 21]

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,

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Scott Swain, The Trinity

Jim Cassidy reviews Scott Swain, The Trinity: An Introduction (Crossway) From the Publisher The Trinity is one of the most essential doctrines of the Christian faith. The eternal God existing

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Gerald Bray, The Attributes of God

Jim Cassidy reviews Gerald Bray, The Attributes of God: An Introduction (Crossway) From the Publisher How can we (created beings) know God (the Creator)? Throughout history, the church has recognized

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The Diet of Worms

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,

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On Our Radar [15 Apr 21]

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,

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On Our Radar [8 Apr 21]

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 the

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On Our Radar [1 Apr 21]

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 series.

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Trends in Christian Education

All Christian parents are called to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). In Deuteronomy 6:4–9, the Lord commands his covenant people, Hear, O

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New Course: Van Til’s Trinitarian 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 trinitarian theology, this

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Hands-On with Van Til’s Books

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

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Michel Foucault

Dr. Christopher Watkin joins us to speak about his book, Michel Foucault, published by P&R Publishing in the Great Thinkers series. Michel Foucault (1926–1984) was a French philosopher, historian of ideas,

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Edmund Clowney, Christian Meditation

In this review, we consider CM, Christian Meditation: What the Bible Teaches about Meditation and Spiritual Excercises by Edmund P. Clowney and published by Regent College Publishing. Writing in 1977,

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Pandemics in Church History

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.

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From Adam and Israel to the Church

Benjamin Gladd, associate professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi joins us to speak about his book, From Adam and Israel to the Church: A Biblical Theology of

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What Happens When We Worship

Jonathan Landry Cruse speaks about worship. Cruse has written What Happens When We Worship (Reformation Heritage Books). Many churchgoers assume that worship is inherently boring, something we need to make

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Hosea 9 — Elect Exiles

Hosea ministers in Israel between the time of the conquest of Canaan and the exile. In chapter nine of his prophecy, he tells of the coming judgment-exile of Israel into

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Christ is Our Returning King!

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss what it means for Christians to have a returning king, especially in the midst of the difficult and dark days of

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David Dickson’s Sermons on Lamentations

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 whose

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The Spirituality of the Church

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

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Highlights from 2020

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, here

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James Ussher and the Covenant of Works

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

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Special Request for Prayer

On this special episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob ask that you pray for Dr. Benjamin L. Gladd, associate professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, as

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A Very Socially Distanced Christmas!

For the 5th Annual Christmas Special of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob wish you a very sanitized and socially distanced Christmas 2020. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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The Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob bring to a close their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days

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Covenant Theology in Hebrews

Dr. Robert Cara, Provost and Chief Academic Officer of Reformed Theological Seminary and Hugh and Sallie Reaves Professor of New Testament at RTS Charlotte, discusses the covenant theology evident in

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The Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days we currently

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Vos Group Excursus: The Wonderful Tree

In this episode of Vos Group, we turn to Vos’s sermon, “The Wonderful Tree,” in the collection of his sermons, Grace and Glory: Sermons Preached at Princeton Seminary. Preaching on

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The Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days we currently

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The Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days we

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The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days we currently

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Hosea 8 — When More Is Less

Hosea brings a word of judgment upon Israel, threatening to send them into exile and judgment for their sin. Christ as the true and obedient Israel secures for his people

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A History of Dispensationalism

Rev. Michael J. Glodo, Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Dean of the Chapel at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, speaks about dispensationalism and its development in light of

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The Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days we currently

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The Resurrection in Acts

Dr. Brandon Crowe speaks about the centrality of the resurrection in the book of Acts. Dr. Crowe has written The Hope of Israel: The Resurrection of Christ in the Acts

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The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days we currently

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The Fruit of the Spirit: Joy

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days we

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The Fruit of the Spirit

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the fruit of the Spirit in light of Paul’s exhortation in Galatians 5 to “walk in the Spirit.”

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Karl Barth and Idealism

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

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Life in the Spirit

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss living in this present evil age while living life in the Spirit. How does a Christian live in the midst

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The Call to Worship and Benediction

Glen Clary speaks about the biblical basis and covenantal context of the call to worship and benediction. These elements of worship are rooted in Christ’s work on behalf of his

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Covenant Theology in Hebrews

Jeremy Boothby speaks about covenant theology through the biblical-theological lens of the book of Hebrews. In so doing, he compares and contrasts 1689 Federalism and other particular baptist approaches to

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Justification in James

Biblical exegetes have long discussed the relationship of justification in James to that of Paul. On the surface, James 2:24 appears even to contradict many of the key Pauline passages

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The Covenant of Works

We discuss the doctrine of the covenant of works, including its biblical basis (Gen. 2:15–17 et al) as well as common objections to it. The Reformed tradition has spoken of

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The Kingdom of God and Us

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the Kingdom of God and the Four-fold Estate of Man reflecting on the disciples expectations of the

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Romans 13 and Protestant Resistance Theory

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 13,

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The Philosophy of David Hume

Dr. James N. Anderson speaks about the philosophy of David Hume, one of the foremost thinkers of the Western tradition. Hume is well known for his influential system of philosophical empiricism, skepticism,

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The Kingdom of God and Israel

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the Kingdom of God and the Four-fold Estate of Man by chatting about Israel and how God

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The Theology of Benedict XVI

Dr. Gregg Allison and Dr. Carl Trueman speak about the theology of Benedict XVI, pope emeritus of the Roman Catholic Church. Allison’s article, “Faith, Hope, and Love” and Trueman’s article,

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The Kingdom of God and Noah

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob wanted to pick up their discussion of the Kingdom of God and the Four-fold Estate of Man with a consideration of Noah

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The Kingdom of God and Enoch

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob wanted to pick up their discussion of the Kingdom of God and the Four-fold Estate of Man with a consideration of

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The Kingdom of God and Creation

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the Kingdom of God and the Four-fold Estate of Man with a consideration of the kingdom,

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Heavenly-Mindedness

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

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The More Excellent Ministry

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

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Seeking and Saving the Lost

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

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All That Is in God

James Dolezal discusses his book All That Is in God: Evangelical Theology and the Challenge of Classical Christian Theism (Reformation Heritage Books, 2017). Dr. Dolezal serves as associate professor in

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The Kingdom of God and the Fall

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue discussing the kingdom of God as it unfolds through the four-fold estate of man: the estate of innocence, fall, redemption,

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Echoes of Exodus

Dr. Bryan Estelle joins us to speak about Echoes of Exodus: Tracing a Biblical Motif (IVP Academic, 2018). Israel’s exodus from Egypt is the Bible’s enduring emblem of deliverance. It

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Dort’s Study Bible: Colossians 2:8 and Philosophy

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.

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The Kingdom of God

Dr. S. M. Baugh joins us to speak about his book, The Majesty on High: An Introduction to the Kingdom of God in the New Testament. Beginning with a definition

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Hungering and Thirsting After Righteousness

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

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With All Your Heart

Dr. A. Craig Troxel speaks about With All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will toward Christ (Crossway, 2020). Whereas contemporary culture identifies the “heart” with feelings and emotions,

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Politics after Christendom

David VanDrunen speaks about his forthcoming book, Politics After Christendom (Zondervan Academic), reflecting upon the status and responsibilities of Christians in their contemporary pluralistic political communities. Dr. VanDrunen presents a

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empty tomb

Rabboni!

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

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Simply Blessed: Mastricht, Minimalism and the Messiah

Neither consumerism nor minimalism can make us happy. When either is raised to messianic proportions, their disciples are left dry and doomed. But there is a tertium quid (a third option) that only the Christian can see: God giving himself in covenant to be our God.

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Abraham Kuyper’s Public Theology

Dr. Jordan J. Ballor, senior research fellow and director of publishing for the Acton Institute, joins us to speak about Abraham Kuyper’s public theology. Dr. Ballor is a general editor

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J. C. Ryle on Holiness

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the subject of holiness with portions of J. C. Ryle’s classic book, Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots. Participants:

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Hebrew Discourse Analysis

Matthew Patton speaks about his book, Basics of Hebrew Discourse: A Guide to Working with Hebrew Prose and Poetry (Zondervan Academic, 2019). Dr. Patton is pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church

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The Wonderful Tree

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

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The Wonderful Works of God

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

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A Christian View of Economics

Shawn Ritenour, Professor of Economics at Grove City College, speaks about the basics of economics and the Christian principles upon which the study must be based. Dr. Ritenour is the

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Highlights from 2019

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

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Christmas Traditions!

Welcome to the Fourth Annual Theology Simply Profound Christmas Special where Rob and Bob discuss Christmas traditions and everything silly that popped into their vacation ready minds. Merry Christmas! Participants:

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Expectations of the Messiah

While Rob and Bob finished up their discussion of the book of Malachi, on this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, they discuss some of the expectations of the coming

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The Christian’s True Identity

Jonathan Landry Cruse, Pastor of Community Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, speaks with Rob and Bob about his new book, The Christian’s True Identity: What It Means to Be in

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Karl Rahner

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 most

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Christianity and Liberalism — Chapter 7

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

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Bavinck’s Christian Worldview

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

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The Coming Day

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob finish out their discussion of Malachi. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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Socinianism

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.

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Faithful and Fruitful Ordained Ministry

Healthy churches have healthy elders and deacons. When a local congregation is blessed with faithful officers the results are bountiful (Acts 6:7). William Boekestein and Steven Swets speak about ordained

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Christianity and Liberalism — Chapter 6

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

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History and the Life of the Church

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

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The Faithfulness of God

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of Malachi at chapter 3:7-18. Here we engage Malachi in his denunciation of those “robbing” the Lord, as

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The History of Heaven

Lane Tipton speaks about his recent conference addresses and his newly available video course, Foundations of Covenant Theology. In this conversation, we seek to address the question of the Spiritual

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The Day of His Coming

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of Malachi 2:17–3:6 where they discuss Malachi’s presentation of the coming of God, as well as the

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Christian Perspectives on Sport Hunting

Dr. Bracy V. Hill, senior lecturer in history at Baylor University, speaks about Christian perspectives on sport hunting. While hunting isn’t the first thing on the minds of biblical scholars,

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Schools of Biblical Criticism

Will Wood discusses various approaches to higher criticism, including source, form, and redaction criticism. This conversation dives into a topic that was covered briefly in an episode on the authorship

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Covenant Faithfulness

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Malachi 2:10-16. In these verses, Malachi addresses the covenant unfaithfulness of his people as the men divorce the wives of

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The Mountain of the Lord

Mountains appear throughout the Bible as an important symbol of God meeting with man. In this episode, we trace the biblical-theological theme of mountains in an effort to understand more

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Genesis 25:1–21 — Epilogue to Abraham

In Episode 78 the panel discusses how the story of redemption shifts focus from Abraham to his descendants, and particularly to Isaac and Jacob. Employing a covenantal and redemptive-historical hermeneutic

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What the Lord Expects Us to Know

The Book of Malachi speaks to the people of God after their return from exile in Babylon. They and their leaders are being called to account for offering their worst

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Offering Our Worst to the Lord

In this episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the first chapter of Malachi and the concern he has for the cold worship offered by his people and

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Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism

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

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The Authorship of Isaiah

The New Testament cites the book of Isaiah more than any other Old Testament book. Scripture itself treats the book as a literary work by a single author. In this

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Introduction to Malachi

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob begin to discuss the Book of Malachi. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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Genesis 24 — A Bride for Isaac

In this 67-verse chapter we examine some of the patterns and themes in this narrative full of intrigue. We discuss the transition of the covenant promises to Isaac, the providence

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Cain and Abel

Glen Clary leads us in a consideration of the biblical-theological themes in the Cain and Abel narrative of Genesis 4. Much more than a mere commentary on anger and murder,

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The Gospel and Self-Conception

Daniel Schrock speaks about self-conception in light of the Revoice movement and the Nashville Statement. Looking to the believers’ union with Christ in his death and resurrection, Schrock provides a

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The Doctrine of Election

Dr. Cornelis Venema speaks about the doctrine of election. His book, Chosen in Christ: Revisiting the Contours of Predestination, is available in Mentor’s Reformed, Exegetical, and Doctrinal Studies series. Venema

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Cessationism

Glen Clary and Camden Bucey speak about the ministry of the Holy Spirit and cessationism. We discuss how the pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is a unique

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Thinking through Creation

Christopher Watkin speaks about his book Thinking through Creation: Genesis 1 and 2 as Tools of Cultural Critique. Watkin looks to the early chapters of Genesis for foundational doctrines about

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Pictur of the book: Fesko, Reforming Apologetics

Reformed Apologetics

J. V. Fesko has written Reforming Apologetics: Retrieving the Classic Reformed Approach to Defending the Faith (Baker Academic, 2019). In the book, Dr. Fesko criticizes, among others, Cornelius Van Til.

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Genesis 23 — The Cave at Machpelah

In Episode 74 we observe what seems to be an ordinary bartering transaction. But upon closer observation we learn three significant things: Abraham is given a downpayment on the land

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Sabbath Rest in Genesis 2:1–3

The sabbath principle is established in Genesis 2:1–3, immediately upon the completion of God’s work of creation. This Sabbath rest principle is a function neither of redemption nor theocracy. It

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Divine Authority Displayed in Covenant

We gather around the table in Wimberley, Texas to discuss the authority of the self-contained Triune God of Scripture. The absolute, self-sufficient God nevertheless established a covenant with man by

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The Usefulness of the Cross

What does suffering have to do with the life of the Christian? Is suffering something we just have to endure until that time that we will have the victory in

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Hosea 3 — Purchased by the Lord

In Episode 66, Jim Cassidy opens up Hosea 3, where God commands the prophet to buy his faithless wife back from slavery. This picture of redemption points to Jesus Christ,

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Genesis 21:1–21 — Isaac and Ishmael

In episode 65, Adam York examines Sarah’s laughter and her treatment of Hagar, gleaning from the passage important principles for interpretation. We do not approach Old Testament narratives looking a

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The Future of Everything

William Boekestein speaks about eschatology and the life of the Christian. While many limit eschatology merely to the consideration of millennial views, Rev. Boekestein calls all Christians to understand how

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Interpreting Genesis 1–3

Dr. Vern Poythress speaks about the hermeneutical issues of interpreting Genesis 1–3 and how biblical interpretation relates to contemporary scientific study. Dr. Poythress is Distinguished Professor of New Testament and

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Van Til in Colombia

Jim Cassidy speaks about his recent trip to Colombia to lecture on Van Til’s apologetic. Jim, Glen, and Camden also speak about books they are currently reading or have read.

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On Richard Dawkins

Dr. Ransom Poythress has written Richard Dawkins in P&R Publishing’s Great Thinkers series. Poythress speaks about Richard Dawkins’s system of thought. Since the early 2000s, Dawkins has been an outspoken advocate

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The Marburg Colloquy

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

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The Deacon

Dr. Cornelis Van Dam, Emeritus Professor of Old Testament at Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, joins us to speak about the biblical office of deacon and the

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Justification Accomplished and Applied

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

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Highlights from 2018

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

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A Very Dickens Christmas

For the 3rd Annual Christmas Special of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob talk all things Santa. It’s a bit of a stretch I know, but Rob and Bob for

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William Perkins on Predestination

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

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Bavinck’s Philosophy of Revelation

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 delivered

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Ezekiel 9–10 and the Man in Linen

Lane Keister speaks about features of Ezekiel 9–10 that help us understand the identity of the man of linen in the passage. Rev. Keister’s article, “The Man in Linen: A

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The Liturgies of Bucer, Calvin, and Knox

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

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Geerhardus Vos and J. Gresham Machen

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

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Karl Barth’s Analogia

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

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Hebrews: The Rest of God

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the rest of God. Continuing in their series on Hebrews, Rob and Bob open up to Hebrews 3:7-4:13 to see

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Antinomianism at the Westminster Assembly

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 Assembly

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Reading Biographies

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, we repost an old episode on Reading Biographies. In this episode, Rob, Melodie, and Bob discuss the benefits of reading biographies and

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Hebrews: Living Sacrifices

Hebrews has given us a greater understanding of the role of Christ in relation to the Old Testament. He is the ultimate king, the greater high priest, and the better

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[Book Review] The Riddle of Life

J. H. Bavinck. The Riddle of Life.Translated by Bert Hielema. Grand Rapids, MI. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 2016. Pp. 94. $20.00. For fallen man, life is a riddle that

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Entering God’s Rest

Ken Golden speaks about the Lord’s Day throughout redemptive-history and what it means to seek our heavenly rest in Christ. In his book, Entering God’s Rest: The Sabbath from Genesis to

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Hosea 2:2–13 — Forgetting the Lord

The mercy that the Lord shows initially will be undone in judgment. But there is grace, restoration, and redemption for those who repent and trust in Christ. Participants: Jim Cassidy,

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Hebrews: The Priesthood of Christ

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the mysterious figure of Melchizedek found in Genesis 14 and referenced several times in the Letter to the Hebrews. In

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“Christianity and Culture”

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:

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Hebrews: Interpreting Scripture

Rob and Bob continue our short series walking through portions of the Letter to the Hebrews interacting on occasion with dispensationalism’s understanding of various passages and concepts found so prominently

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The Deeper Protestant Conception

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

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Hebrews: Christ is King

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob begin a short series walking through the Letter to the Hebrews interacting on occasion with dispensationalism’s understanding of various

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Still Protesting

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 between

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Effectual Calling and Regeneration

Theologians often speak of regeneration, the work of the Holy Spirit to bring someone to the new birth. But the Westminster Standards speak of effectual calling as the work of

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Therefore I Have Hope

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming because, whilst tending to his arduous studies at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, Rob had the privilege of sitting down with Cameron Cole

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Atonement through Covenant

On this episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue their discussion on the doctrine of the atonement with a focus on the atonement through the covenant. Jesus says,

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Buswell and Van Til

David Owen Filson joins us to speak about Dr. J. Oliver Buswell, theologian and former president of Wheaton College and Covenant College and Seminary. Buswell was involved with the early

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Catching up on Petrus van Mastricht

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 Theology). In

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Atonement and Union with Christ

John Murray writes that the nature of union with Christ is both spiritual and mystical and that it is “the central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation.” If this

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Atonement and Adoption

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob once again discuss the doctrine of the atonement with emphasis upon the relationship between the atonement and adoption. What does adoption

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Penal Substitutionary Atonement

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue their discussion about the doctrine of the atonement. Today we take a closer look at the concept of penal

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The Free Offer of the Gospel

In this episode, we speak about the free offer of the gospel. The real point in dispute in connection with the free offer of the gospel is whether it can properly

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The Bible and the Cross

This episode of Theology Simply Profound brings our reading of J. Gresham Machen’s final three audio addresses to a close. This address, “The Bible and the Cross,” would have aired

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The Purposes of the Lord’s Supper

The first paragraph of chapter twenty-nine in the Westminster Confession of Faith sets forth the institution of Lord’s Supper and the uses and ends for which it is designed: Our

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The Active Obedience of Christ

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

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Jeff Waddington on Iron Sharpens Iron

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’ Theological Anthropology

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Redemption

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue their new series of discussions on the doctrine of the atonement. In this episode we talk about the concept of redemption.

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The Theology of Ebenezer Erskine

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

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Reformation Heritage Books

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, Glen Clary, Jeff Waddington,

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Hosea 1:4–9 — Disobedient Children

Israel was called God’s son—a status under threat here in Hosea—as graphically demonstrated in the naming of Hosea’s children. God’s pending divorce of Israel points to the only way for

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The Doctrine of the Atonement

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

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Pastoral Care During the Reformation

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

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Karl Marx

Bill Dennison speaks about Karl Marx, leading us through his biography, influences, and his intellectual effects upon social and political history. Dr. Dennison is Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Covenant

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Honoring the Elderly

The Rev. Brian L. De Jong, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, joins Bob and Rob this week on Theology Simply Profound to discuss his new book, Honoring the Elderly: A

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Banner of Truth

While at the Shepherds Conference Rob was able to talk with John Rawlinson from Banner of Truth. John talks about how Banner was an influence on his life from childhood. He introduces some great

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Genesis 15 — By Oath Consigned

God has made his covenant with Abram, and now ratifies it through a solemn covenant ceremony that points to the supernatural character of the covenant’s nature and its keeping. Participants:

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Paul’s Prison Proclamation

This episode of Theology Simply Profound brings our discussion of the Book of Acts to a close. Paul is under house arrest welcoming all who come to him “proclaiming the kingdom of

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Lamentations, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah

Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy discuss Lamentations, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. The overwhelming message of these books is “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,” as Thomas O. Chisholm wrote in

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Media Gratiae

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

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What is Faith?

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, from Acts 28, Rob and Bob discuss everything from snake handling to saving faith… in reality, the discussion lands primarily on the

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In a World of Speech

Snow is the humblest weather. I have the quiet joy of watching it right now, during my favorite time of the day: dawn. The latest nor’easter has shouldered its way

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March 2018 Book Update

Ryan Noha speaks about several rare books that have been added to our online store. Participants: Camden Bucey, Ryan Noha

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Karl Barth and the Incarnation

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

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Vos Group #44 — Totemism

We continue our #VosGroup series in pages 174–175 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider totemism and Vos’s deep critique of biblicistic modernism. Totemism seeks to

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The Church and Religious Practices

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Acts 21:17-26 and the seemingly strange things Paul does while at Jerusalem. Why does he offer sacrifices? What’s

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The Crown of Life

The garden was a kingdom that the Lord fashioned by divine fiat in which he would reign in life with his holy people. Within the garden-kingdom of God, Adam, the

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The Drama of Preaching

Dr. Eric Watkins, Pastor of Covenant OPC in St. Augustine, Florida, joins Jim Cassidy, Chris Hartshorn, and Dale Van Dyke for a discussion on his book, The Drama of Preaching: Participating

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The Victorious Soldier

Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus (2 Tim 2:3). Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Tim 3:12). The identity

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The Burden of Blood

I always remember Leviticus 17:11, probably for personal reasons. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to

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The Riot in Ephesus

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the riot that place in Ephesus. From Acts 19, we see the conflict between this present evil age and the age

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The Life of E. J. Young

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 Me

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Books for Women and Parents

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

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Martin Bucer and Friends

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

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The Art of Preaching

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss preaching in the context of Paul’s ministry of the word when Eutychus fell asleep at the window, fell to the

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Exorcism and the Christian

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob take up the subject of exorcisms, yeah really! From Acts 19:11–20, we discuss everything from Jesus and Paul freeing people from

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Blessed Are the Meek

We do not often speak of meekness. We might be hard pressed even to define it. Meekness is not weakness; it’s a measured strength, a control over wrath. It is

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Discipleship?

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the topic of discipleship as it arises out of Acts 18. Should the church disciple? If so, how

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Vos Group #42 — The Variety of Offerings

We continue our #VosGroup series starting on page 170–172 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the variety of Old Testament offerings and sacrifices. Vos addresses the different

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Highlights from 2017

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

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Simeon’s Gift

Today on Theology Simply Profound, we hear a sermon preached at the evening service of Westminster OPC, December 24, 2017, reflecting on Simeon’s reception of Jesus in Luke 2.

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A Reflection on Anthropomorphic Language

Currently, amidst the Reformed discussion concerning God’s simplicity and immutability, there has been repeated references to the anthropomorphic language of Scripture. It is commonly understood that language attributing human emotions

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Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit

Matthew 5:1–16 are known as the Beatitudes, which stems from the Latin term used in the translation of these verses. A beatitude is a declaration of blessing and a statement

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2nd Annual Christmas Special

Today, on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob enjoy a mostly lighthearted discussion about Christmas, including favorite Christmas cartoons, the question: “When does the Christmas ‘mood’ get started?”, the commercialization

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Meeting R. C. Sproul

In 2006, I had been attending a non-denominational evangelical church largely influenced by John MacArthur and the Master’s Seminary. The church placed a heavy emphasis on the inerrancy of the

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Warfield and True Church Unity

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

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The Ordo Salutis and the Westminster Standards

Each presbytery meeting, we usually have the opportunity to examine candidates for licensure and ordination.As you’d expect, these exams cover important topics pertaining to the doctrine of Scripture, theology proper,

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Should We Trust Philosophy?

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Paul’s preaching in Athens and the role of philosophy or worldview in our various interactions with the world around us. Is

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Man Shall Not Live by Bread Alone

Life—understood biblically as the enjoyment of the covenant communion bond with God in a holy kingdom—is brought into close association with God’s word from the beginning. It was Adam’s response

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Listening to the Truth

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the contrast between Paul’s reception at Thessalonica and Berea. In Thessalonica, there was jealousy and hostility. In Berea, there was an

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On Being Missional

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Paul’s missionary activities that draw he and his team from Asia Minor (modern Turkey) into Macedonia (modern Europe). Was Paul strategic in where

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Abandoning the Ministry

On Theology Simply Profound today, Rob and Bob discuss many and varied issues arising out of the dispute between Paul and Barnabas, which led to their separation, regarding bringing John

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Navigating the Christian Sabbath Day

As a pastor of a church that confesses a Reformed and Presbyterian view of the fourth commandment, I often encounter questions as to how to observe it. The fourth commandment—to

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The Jerusalem Council

Rob and Bob discuss Acts 15 and the many implications the Jerusalem Council has upon the church’s consideration of church government. Does the Bible teach any particular form of organization?

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Vos Group #40 — Vicariousness Defined

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 165–166 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the definition of vicariousness. Orthodox Christianity recognizes the vicariousness of Christ’s life

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Reformation 500

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

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Machen and Van Til

The adult Sunday school lesson from the Reformed Forum 2017 Theology Conference held at Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Grayslake, Illinois. Participants: Jeff Waddington

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Van Til and Scholasticism

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

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Covenantal, Not Classical

The Reformation of Apologetics, Session #2 Reformed Forum 2017 Theology Conference Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC) Download the handouts. Participants: K. Scott Oliphint

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Confidence in the Gospel

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to reflect upon the progress of the Gospel through the ministry of Barnabas and Paul in Asia-Minor. In Acts 14,

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Am I Free If God Is Sovereign?

God’s sovereignty and man’s freedom are often thought to be in competition with one another in a sort of zero-sum game: either God is sovereign or I am free. This has

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Apologetics and the Five Solas

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

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Barnabas and Saul

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the progress of the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit through the church in the persons of Barnabas and

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Prayer and Providence

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the amazing events of Acts 12 where angels strike for blessing and judgment. Enjoy this discussion of how God continues to

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Rare Book Update with Ryan Noha

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

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Baptism — Listener Questions

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob return to the subject of baptism by way of answering some of our listener questions. Enjoy this practical discussion about some of

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The Image of God: Then and Now

Camden Bucey and Jeff Waddington discuss the image of God and whether man retains the image after the fall into sin. Man was made in the image of God, yet

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Biblical Church Government

In this episode, Rob and Bob discuss the commission of Barnabas to Antioch, the spread of the gospel, the addition of Saul to work in Antioch, and the relief sent

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Studying the Confession of Faith

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 Reader’s Guide to the Westminster Confession (Banner

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Eat the Pig, Peter! Acts 10

Today’s episode includes a discussion of the dramatic and significant vision of Peter to “Rise, Peter; kill and eat” (Acts 10:13). Not only is this another turning point in the

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The Prophet Hosea

Jim Cassidy speaks about the book of Hosea, exploring the theological themes of covenant and judgment in light of God’s love, faithfulness, and mercy expressed toward faithless sinners. Participants: Camden

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The Last Days

In episode 86, Rob and Bob talk about what Paul and others have to say about the last days. Are they behind us or in front of us? Or, are

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Classical Christian Education

Melodie McKenzie joins Rob and Bob in our discussion of Classical Christian Education. Participants: Melodie McKenzie, Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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Young, Restless, and Reformed

Rob and Bob discuss the basic history and shape of the Young, Restless, and Reformed movement of the past decade or so, depending on who you ask. And, somehow, we

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Live Q&A Session

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

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Saul

Among other things, Rob and Bob discuss Saul in Acts 9, trying to understand better his meeting with the exalted Lord Jesus Christ and his reception by Ananias and by

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Episode 500: Doctrine for Life

We celebrate five-hundred episodes of Christ the Center with an open discussion on worship, the regulative principle, and the apologetic impetus. Join us for a conversation that ties together many

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Scripture: The Speech of God

The more I read orthodox theology, the more apparent it becomes that a fundamental tenet of Christian belief is either embraced or ignored (to various degrees) by any given author.

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Philip in Acts 8

Today, Rob and Bob discuss Acts 8 and the progress of the gospel into Samaria through Philip. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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Scattered

Reflecting on Acts 8:1–3, Rob and Bob discuss the scattering of the church after the death of Stephen. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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Stephen and Sermons

Today, Rob and Bob with Melodie McKenzie, discuss Stephen’s speech in Acts 7, which leads us into the muddy of waters of sermons, some questions about preaching, and some thoughts

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Qualifications for Deacons

Paul gave Timothy specific instructions to ordain elders and deacons as the leaders of the churches that they were planting. The Deacons who we were first introduced in Acts 6

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Deacons in Acts

In the early chapters of Acts, at the beginning of the New Covenant Church there was a joyous time where everyone shared all that they had will anyone else who

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Isaiah and God’s Kingdom

Today, we speak with Andrew Abernethy about his book, The Book of Isaiah and God’s Kingdom: A Thematic-Theological Approach from IVP Academic‘s New Studies in Biblical Theology series. Abernethy contends that thematic

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Civil Disobedience

What do we do when the government tells us that we must turn in people who are of a certain ethnic group so that they might be killed? Do we

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Discontent in the Ministry

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 lead

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Machen and the Media

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 Machen

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Geerhardus Vos on Christology and Hermeneutics

I have been working through the third volume of Geerhardus Vos’ Reformed Dogmatics on Christology and have appreciated the implications he draws throughout for properly understanding the Old Testament revelation. This, however, should

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The Role of Ephraim in Judges

On this episode, we open to the book of Judges with our guest, William Wood. Mr. Wood is a PhD student in Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia,

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Prison Ministry

Brett Mahlen speaks about his ministry to inmates at the Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois. Participants: A. Craig Troxel, Brett Mahlen, Camden Bucey, Charles Williams, Robert Tarullo

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The Life and Theology of Augustine

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

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Reformed Spirituality

Christ the Center hits the road for a series of episodes at Bethel OPC in Wheaton, Illinois. In our first of the series, A. Craig Troxel speaks about Reformed spirituality. Dr.

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How Does Christ’s Resurrection Benefit Us?

The Heidelberg Catechism (1563) embodies the commitment of the Reformation to non-speculative theology as it logically expounds core biblical truths along practical and pastoral lines for the Christian life. Beginning with belonging

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Joy-Full Fellowship (Part 7): Pentecost

In the Old Testament, the altars of the patriarchs, the tabernacle constructed under Moses, and the temple built by Solomon were all sufficient and efficacious means by which the people of God experienced the

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Reigning with Christ Forever and Ever

The apostle Paul teaches that “the Jerusalem above,” that is the eschatological Jerusalem, “is our mother” (Gal. 4:26). Likewise the author to the Hebrews exclaims, “You have come to Mount

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The Majesty of Mystery

K. Scott Oliphint speaks about the incomprehensibility of God as detailed in his book, The Majesty of Mystery: Celebrating the Glory of an Incomprehensible God (Lexham Press). As creatures, we will never and

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James Ussher: Another Irishman You Should Know

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

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The Heart of Trinitarian Heresy

All heresies with respect to the Trinity may be reduced to the one great heresy of mixing the eternal and the temporal. — Cornelius Van Til Cornelius Van Til cut

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The Attestation of Scripture

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,

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A Biblical Theology of Culture

In his book Created & Creating (IVP Academic), William Edgar offers a rich biblical theology contending that Christians must engage in culture. Dr. Edgar is Professor of Apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary.

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Vos Group #33 — The Tabernacle

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 148–150 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider types and symbols. The tabernacle is a premier symbol and type in the

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History of the Genevan Liturgy

History of the Genevan Liturgy1 By Bard Thompson2 Edited by Glen Clary The first Reformer to arrive on the Genevan scene was the fiery Frenchman, William Farel, a fearless campaigner

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The Coherence-Based Genealogical Method

Today we welcome Peter Gurry to speak about New Testament textual criticism. Peter is a PhD candidate at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge and has written an article titled, “How Your Greek NT

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Karl Barth and Lapsarian Theology

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 Theology:

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Joy-Full Fellowship (Part 5): The Prophets

Following the apex of Israel’s glory with the construction of the Solomonic temple, the biblical drama enters a period of sustained decline with the occasional righteous Davidic king temporarily suspending its ultimate

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Vos Group #32 — Symbols and Types

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 143–148 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider types and symbols. This is an important discussion on redemptive-historical hermeneutics and a

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Joy-Full Fellowship

Where can I find joy that is full and pleasures that are everlasting? This is the one great pursuit of men in every age. In the words of Pascal, “All

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Highlights from 2016

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

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Worship and the Birth of Christ, Part 2

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,

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Eating with Sinners

In the Gospels, Jesus is frequently criticized by his enemies for eating with sinners. For example, Luke tells us that when “tax collectors and sinners” were drawing near to hear

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The Genesis of Jesus

If someone were to ask you to write a short book about Jesus, who he was and what he did, what would you write? If paper and ink were very expensive,

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Did Mary Know?

The other day the song “Mary Did You Know?” came on the radio. Someone in the car remarked, “Uh oh, Dan doesn’t like this song.” True, I had mentioned my dislike of it

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Worship and the Birth of Christ, Part 1

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

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ESV Reader’s Bible, Six-Volume Set

Jared Oliphint and Camden Bucey speak about a newly published set of the Bible designed to enhance readability. The ESV Reader’s Bible, six-volume set. For a limited time, you can

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Vos Group #31 — The Third and Fourth Words

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 137–143 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the third and fourth commandments. The third commandment prohibits taking the Lord’s name

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The Reformed Church in Latvia

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

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Scaling the Heights of Hebrews 1:3

There are certain passages in Scripture that effortlessly rocket our thoughts and affections into the heavenlies where Christ is. Paul’s letters are brimming with such passages: Colossians 1:15-20, Ephesians 1:3-14, 1 Corinthians 15:42-49, Philippians

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Blessed Struggle

East of Eden considers Jonathan Edwards’s sermon, “Blessed Struggle,” which was delivered in 1735. Participants: David Filson, Jeff Waddington, Nick Batzig

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The Five Solas: Sola Scriptura

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

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The Unfinished Reformation

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

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The Five Solas: Solus Christus

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

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The Five Solas: Sola Gratia

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

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The Five Solas: Sola Fide

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

Read More »

The Five Solas: Soli Deo Gloria

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

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Genesis 12:4–9 — The Promise

In this episode we discuss God’s promise to Abram—particularly his pledge to grant him a seed, a land, and to give Abram his own divine presence. Participants: Adam York, Mark

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The Second Commandment and Images in Worship

Several traditions within the Christian church have understood the second commandment differently. Some have understood it is a prohibition against statues. Others understand the commandment to prohibit images of God in worship.

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Biblical Theology and Joshua

Dan Ragusa speaks about the United Reformed Churches in North America, biblical theology, and the book of Joshua. Dan is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary and is currently studying

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Created in the Image of the Creator

The doctrine of man’s creation in the image of God has received considerable attention in the history of the Reformed churches. Zacharias Ursinus provides a reasonably full statement of the

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Catechetical Preaching

Many churches may be familiar with lectio continua preaching in the form of the weekly practice of preaching consecutive passages through a book of Scripture. Catechetical preaching uses a catechism to organize

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Reading the Bible as Literature (5)

This is the fifth and final installment in our series on reading the Bible as literature. We first considered what a literary approach looks like and provided a few examples.

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Biblical Theology and Ruth

We speak about two biblical theological titles from InterVarsity Press including John Goldingay’s Biblical Theology: The God of the Christian Scriptures and Unceasing Kindness: A Biblical Theology of Ruth by Peter Lau

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Already Living in the World to Come

Geerhardus Vos speaks of the Christian as “a peculiar chronological phenomenon.”[1] As is often the case with Vos, we need to reflect for a moment on what he means—especially since he’s speaking

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Calvin and the Sabbath

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 Fourth

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Reading the Bible as Literature (4)

This is our fourth article in a series on reading the Bible as literature. We first summarized and provided examples of a literary approach to the Bible. In our second and third articles

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Culture and the Kuyperian Tradition

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.

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Reading the Bible as Literature (3)

This is our third article in a series on reading the Bible as literature. The first post summarized and provided examples of a literary approach to Scripture. The second addressed the

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Walking with Jesus through His Word

We welcome Dr. Dennis E. Johnson to speak about Christ as the substance and goal of all of Scripture. Dr. Johnson serves as Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary California and Associate Pastor of New

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Genesis 10 — The Table of Nations

In this episode we discuss the canonical, biblical theological, and historical significance of the genealogy of Genesis 10. We also discuss the challenges and problems of how to preach genealogical

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Pentecost and Missions

The book of Acts is filled with stories of missionary exploits that can excite us to bold acts of faith. But at times it can unfortunately become a heavy club to

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Edward Hicks, Peaceable Kingdom

Enjoying the New Creation

Introduction Isaiah 65:17ff is a wonderful picture of the future restoration of God’s people. It’s a passage that demonstrates the greatness of the blessings that come to God’s people from

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Dispensationalism

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,

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Pilgrims in a Foreign Land

The people of God presently live in between grace and glory. We look back upon the finished work of Jesus Christ while also looking forward to his return, our resurrection,

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Vos Group #28 — The Decalogue

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 128–131 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider once again the function of the law and the Decalogue. Why was the

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A New Perspective on Arminius

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.

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Bosserman, The Trinity and Christian Paradox

The Trinity and Christian Paradox

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

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Christopher Ash, Zeal without Burnout

Zeal without Burnout

Ministry in the body of Christ is trying. We face many challenges as we battle the enemy and the flesh. While some shrink before the battle, others dive in irresponsibly

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Aiming for the New Creation

It has been rightly observed by many that there is an eschatology—a goal of higher, escalated life that the creation is to move toward—already in Genesis 1–2. While everything was “very good,”

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Seeing Christ in Old Testament Types

Recently the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia released a book entitled Seeing Christ in All of Scripture. The book’s intent is to help people understand the beautiful, Christ-centered

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Christopher Ash, Zeal without Burnout

Measuring Your Ministry

I’m so thankful that Christopher Ash wrote Zeal without Burnout. It’s a much-needed book, and I’m confident many ministers will be just as encouraged by reading it as I have been.

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Vos Group #27 — The Function of Law

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 126–129 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the function of the law. Why was the law given? How does it

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Preparing to Meet God

In a context of impending judgment, Yahweh issued a command to his people: prepare to meet your God, O Israel (Amos 4:12). A similar burden, though in quite a different

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John Updike by raschiabarile-d3injre

After the Artist: A Sobering Prophecy

“Priest, teacher, artist—the classic degeneration.” John Updike’s apothegm has been used by several theologians to describe the era of post-modernity. Kevin Vanhoozer, for example, echoes him by claiming that our

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Seeing Christ in All of Scripture

Today we welcome Vern Poythress and Iain Duguid to speak about Reformed hermeneutics and the tradition of biblical interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary. Along with G. K. Beale and Richard

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Two Kingdoms and Cultural Obedience

Recently the Ezra Institute for Contemporary Christianity in Canada sponsored a conversation between Dr. Joe Boot, founding pastor of Westminster Chapel in Toronto, Ontario and the Ezra institute, and Dr.

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Creation and Covenant

Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey speak about creation and covenant from 30,000+ feet (literally) on their way to our Austin Theology Conference at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas, April 30,

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Nature and the Means of Grace

Lane Tipton, Glen Clary, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey speak about nature-grace dualism and the means of grace. This was a live panel discussion held during our Austin Theology Conference

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John Piper, A Peculiar Glory

A Peculiar Glory

John Piper recently released a book called A Peculiar Glory, where he explores what it means for Scripture to be self-attesting. In this companion video to the book, Michael Reeves interviews Piper

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Baptism in the Didache

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

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Hughes Oliphant Old on Worship

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

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The Didache

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 difference between

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Owen on Limited Atonement

If Christ hath merited grace and glory for all those for whom he died, if he died for all, how comes it to pass that these things are not communicated

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The Oldest Easter Sermon

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

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Cliffside Restaurant in Frankfort

Outreach and the Local Church

There are different ways to define “outreach.” At times, it is closely identified with the act of planting churches and evangelizing. Other times, it’s more closely identified with advertising and

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Jacques Derrida

Derrida’s Theology

French intellectual Jacques Derrida (1930–2004) was one of the most important contributors to the post-modern philosophical movement. He was also one of the most notoriously difficult philosophers to understand. In this

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Van Til, Christian-Theistic Evidences, 2nd ed.

Christian-Theistic Evidences

K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, explains the role of evidences in a Reformed apologetic by turning to Cornelius Van Til’s book Christian-Theistic

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What hath Geneva to do with Canterbury?

Why are Presbyterians worshiping like Anglicans? Why do some PCA churches have Ash Wednesday services? Why are they preaching the lectionary and following the church calendar? An Episcoterian (the term

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Jacques Derrida

Derrida’s Ethics

French intellectual Jacques Derrida (1930–2004) was one of the most important contributors to the post-modern philosophical movement. He was also one of the most notoriously difficult philosophers to understand. In this

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Early Christian Worship

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

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Who Discovered the Regulative Principle?

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

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Jonathan Edwards on Weekly Communion

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

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Four Reasons for Weekly Communion

In recent years, weekly Communion has become increasingly popular in Reformed worship. There are many advocates and also critics of weekly Communion within the Reformed church. I consider myself an

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Jacques Derrida

Derrida’s Metaphysic

French intellectual Jacques Derrida (1930–2004) was one of the most important contributors to the post-modern philosophical movement. He was also one of the most notoriously difficult philosophers to understand. In

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John Knox and Public Prayer

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 to

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The Public Reading of Scripture

In this article, we will briefly survey the history of the public reading of Scripture in worship from Moses to the apostles with a view toward developing a biblical model

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Reforming the Eucharist

When Ulrich Zwingli began his ministry in Zurich on 1 January 1519, he announced from the pulpit that he intended to preach “the entire Gospel of Matthew, one passage after

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Vern Poythress, The Miracles of Jesus

The Miracles of Jesus

Jesus’ miracles are windows into God’s grand story of redemption. They confirm God’s message and demonstrate his power in the world and purpose in redemption. In this episode, Dr. Vern

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East of Eden 25: Self-Examination in the Lord's Supper

Self-Examination and the Lord’s Supper

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, Jeff Waddington, Nick

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The Night At the Lodge

Recently I have been preaching through the life of Moses during the Lord’s Day evening service. Last week I ran headlong into the most difficult set of verses that the

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Donald S. Whitney, Family Worship

Family Worship

Donald S. Whitney joins us to speak about Family Worship (Crossway). Many Reformed believers will be aware of the important spiritual practice of family worship. This practical guide will greatly assist families develop and maintain

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ESV Journaling Bible, Interleaved Edition

ESV Journaling Bible, Interleaved Edition

Jared Oliphint speaks about Crossway’s new ESV journaling bible, interleaved edition, which includes entire blank pages in between the pages of Scripture. This is a perfect edition for writing notes,

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David VanDrunen, God's Glory Alone

Soli Deo Gloria: God’s Glory Alone

The five solas are slogans that summarize the core teachings of the Reformation. Sola gratia, sola fide, solus Christus, and sola Scriptura are beloved Protestant distinctives. Yet people either forget about the fifth

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The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New

Camden Bucey and Erica Bucey discuss The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New, an illustrated systematic theology for children. Written by experienced children’s author Marty Machowski, The Ology is an excellent resource

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The Benefits of the Gospel Are In Christ

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

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Thoughts for the New Year

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 Waddington, Jim Cassidy

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Awakening the Evangelical Mind

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

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Highlights from 2015

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

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A Theological Account of Logic

Nathaniel Gray Sutanto speaks to us about his paper “Two Theological Accounts of Logic: Theistic Conceptual Realism and a Reformed Archetype-Ectype Model,” published in the International Journal for Philosophy of Religion.

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Bavinck on the Christian Life

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 Professor

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New Film on Knox

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

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Vos on Merit and the Mosaic Covenant

It is plain, then, that law-keeping did not figure at that juncture as the meritorious ground of life-inheritance. The latter is based on grace alone, no less emphatically than Paul

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In Defense of the Eschaton

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

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Revivalism and Reformed Piety

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

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A Theology of Religions

Daniel Strange speaks about his book Their Rock Is Not Like Our Rock: A Theology of Religions (Zondervan). We talk about how theology, redemptive-history, and apologetics all converge to inform

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Bavinck and Charitable Reading

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

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God’s Maximal Truth

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 or

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Issues in Biblical Theology

In this episode, we survey several biblical texts and explore the biblical theological features that unfold throughout God’s Word. We consider a biblical theology of the darkness upon Christ’s crucifixion,

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The Church in the Old Testament

Jonathan Brack explains a Reformed ecclesiology which spans Old and New Testaments. He touches upon covenant theology, polity, and other foundational issues as he speaks about important books on ecclesiology.

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Literal Interpretation

Have you ever discussed Biblical prophecy or eschatology with a dispensationalist who insists upon a “literal” interpretation? If so, I couldn’t recommend any higher the eighth chapter of Vern Poythress’s Understanding Dispensationalists. This book

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A Sermon Is Not a Listicle

You’ve seen them. They’ve taken over your Facebook timelines and Twitter feeds. They get forwarded to you on chat or through email. They’re called “listicles.” The unfortunately-named listicle is at

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Listener Questions

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

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Bavinck on the Image of God

In our treatment of the doctrine of the image of God, then, we must highlight, in accordance with Scripture and the Reformed confession, the idea that a human being does

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The Unassumed Is the Unhealed

Rev. Dr. Kevin Chiarot introduces and offers a critical look into the influential Christology of T. F. Torrance, who among other things taught that the Son of God assumed a

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Podcast Recommendations

Reformed Media Review turn their attention beyond our typical discussions about theological books to speak about podcasts. Reformed Forum has been producing podcasts since 2008. But we’re not merely producers, we love to

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Taking the Psalter in Portions

I regularly preach lectio continua. When we start a new series at my church, we open to verse one of that book and work through it week by week, passage by

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The Church’s Prophetic Voice

The below is a historical preamble written by the session of South Austin Presbyterian Church which explains why the church has a voice to speak to both the state and

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God Made All of Me

Erica Bucey reviews God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies written by Justin Holcomb and Lindsey Holcomb and illustrated by Trish Mahoney. This book

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The Biggest Story

Erica Bucey reviews The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden written by Kevin DeYoung and illustrated by Don Clark. This book is unique in that

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Polemical Theology

We celebrate the four-hundredth episode with our founders. Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey recorded the first episode of Christ the Center in January 2008, and now they gather

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Covenantal Apologetics Colloquium

Call for Papers Reformed Forum is sponsoring a colloquium for the discussion of developing work in the tradition of covenantal apologetics. The Colloquium will be held online via YouTube and

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Van Til’s Common Grace and the Gospel

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

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The History and Legacy of the Huguenots

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 Apologetics

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Vos Group #18 — Jacob and Election

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 93–95 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to learn about the patriarch Jacob and election. Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

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The Pastor Theologian

On this episode we welcome Gerald Hiestand to speak about the pastor theologian. Gerald serves as Senior Associate Pastor of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Illinois and Executive Director for the

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Jesus Christ as Apologist

Brian DeJong takes us to Jesus Christ as Lord as well as the preeminent practitioner of apologetics. Listen to this important conversation on an underdeveloped topic. Rev. De Jong is pastor of

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Muller on Natural Theology

The development, in rationalist systems of the eighteenth century, of a truly foundational natural theology represents a basic alteration of perspective and a loss, not an outgrowth or further refinement,

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The Incarnation of God

Marcus Peter Johnson joins us once again to talk about Christology and soteriology. With his colleague Dr. John C. Clark, Dr. Johnson has co-authored The Incarnation of God: The Mystery of

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Newton on the Christian Life

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

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Vos Group #17: The Patriarch Isaac

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 90–93 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to learn about the patriarch Isaac. Isaac is the middle figure of the oft-repeated patriarchal

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Talking with Catholics about the Gospel

More than seventy-eight million Catholics live in the United States, representing one of the country’s largest demographics. How then can evangelical and Reformed Christians be better equipped to speak about

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The Message of the General Epistles

In this episode, Brandon Crowe introduces the redemptive-historical message of Peter, James, John, and John. Dr. Crowe is Associate Professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. His latest

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The Things of Earth

Joe Rigney is Assistant Professor of Theology and Christian Worldview at Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the author of The Things of Earth: Treasuring God by Enjoying

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Demo-Theologies: Points of Unease

Introduction To say that the history of the Western church and in particular of its theologizing has been specifically Western or White European theologizing is to state something obvious, and

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A Divine and Supernatural Light

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, Nick Batzig

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The Order of Worship

Glen Clary walks us through a Reformed order of worship, explaining the Biblical precedent and rationale for elements such as the call to worship, invocation, different types of prayer, and

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The Message of Leviticus

Leviticus is a book about death, which may be why many people neglect to read it regularly. Yet the book teaches many important lessons about God’s holiness and the punishment for

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The Regulative Principle of Worship

Glen Clary, pastor of Providence OPC in Pflugerville, TX, explains the origins, use, and wisdom of the regulative principle of worship. The Reformed understanding of this principle states that only those

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Edwards on the Christian Life

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

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No Such “Thing” As Grace

The term “grace” can sometimes take on a use that, in a seemingly harmless way, treats it as an object in and of itself; a valuable commodity for walking the

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God without Passions

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

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Theology and Philosophy

In an article discussing the theology of Albert Ritschl, Herman Bavinck writes that throughout history Christian theology “fashioned for herself a philosophy or appropriated an existing one such that as that

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A Theological Tree of Life

. . . all eschatological interpretation of history, when united to a strong religious mentality cannot but produce the finest practical theological fruitage. To take God as source and end

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Is Karl Barth Neo-Orthodox?

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,

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TGC 2015: Coming Home

In this episode, we recap our time at the Gospel Coalition 2015 National Conference. The conference was titled Coming Home: New Heaven and New Earth, and the sessions focused on eschatology. To start

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Which Comes First, the Intellect or the Will?

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

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Pastoral Lessons from My Betters, Part 3

Benjamin B. Warfield once said that the Reformation “inwardly considered, was just the ultimate triumph of Augustine’s doctrine of grace over Augustine’s doctrine of the Church.”[1] Warfield, as he was

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Disciplines of the Christian Mind

Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey discuss the importance of intellectual discipline for cultivating the life of the Christian mind. In addition to speaking generally about persistent study, the

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Luther on the Christian Life

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 to

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God and Necessity

Jared Oliphint and Nathan Shannon discuss Brian Leftow’s God and Necessity (Oxford University Press). In this volume, Leftow seeks to offer a metaphysic of modality. This leads him into a discussion of

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The Theology of Wolfhart Pannenberg

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

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Redeeming Mathematics

Vern Poythress joins us to speak about his book Redeeming Mathematics: A God-Centered Approach. Dr. Poythress explains how the Triune God of the Bible is the foundation for mathematics by arguing that

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Intuition in Contemporary Philosophy

In this short essay, I want to draw out the nature and downfalls of a salient principle of analytic philosophy: the primacy of rational intuition. Philosophers think of rational intuition

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Reformed Catholicity

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

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Bavinck and Barth on Revelation

Bavinck in the first volume of his Reformed Dogmatics is very clear about revelation becoming nature. God reveals himself in, by, and with nature. Bavinck is clear that revelation is not “abstractly

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The Need to Remember Warfield

On December 24, 1920 Benjamin B. Warfield fell ill after being struck with angina pectoris. He died on February 16, 1921. Why should we pause to remember a Princeton theologian who

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The Hard Problem of Consciousness

Consciousness and personality are perennial topics of conversation among philosophers. But that doesn’t mean they’re topics only for the academy. These subjects touch each of us deeply, because they are at the very

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Will the Real Bonhoeffer Please Stand Up? Part 3

Kant’s Copernican Revolution might have been better described as a theological warhead aimed directly at theology. The immediate epistemological carnage caused by Kantian Transcendentalism can be witnessed initially in Schleiermacher’s

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The Omnipresent God

The Holy Scriptures proclaim that heaven and earth cannot contain God (1 Kings 8:27), but he also fills heaven and earth with his presence (Jer 23:23–24). Acts 17:28 even says

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Van Til’s Concrete Universal

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

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The Confessional Presbyterian Journal, Volume 10

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

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Wright Wrong on Adam

In March Intervarsity Press plans to release a book by John Walton with a contribution from N. T. Wright titled, The Lost World of Adam and Eve. Wright’s excursus follows

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Defending Obama

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

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Principles of True Worship

In his book Worship Reformed According to Scripture, Hughes Oliphant Old orients Christian worship toward the right end using the proper means. This is a significant undertaking indeed, because sadly,

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Understanding the Atonement

In this program we welcome Dr. Donald Macleod to speak about the meaning and significance of Jesus Christ’s work on the cross. In his book Christ Crucified: Understanding the Atonement (IVP Academic), Dr.

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Planting Reformed Churches

Today we speak with John Shaw, the General Secretary for Home Missions and Church Extension in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. This interview took place in the wake of the OPC’s

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Poythress’ Latest: Redeeming Mathematics

I just received a copy of Vern Poythress’ latest book Redeeming Mathematics: A God-Centered Approach (Crossway). I’m looking forward to reading this book—not because it will help me with any homework—but because it

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Covenantal Apologetics and Common-Sense Realism

Nathaniel Gray Sutanto joins us to speak about apologetics and his recent article titled, “Covenantal Apologetics and Common-Sense Realism: Recalibrating the Argument from Consciousness as a Test Case” in JETS, 57/4 (2014)

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Debating Baptism and Ecclesiology

I wrote an essay recently posted at Reformed Forum, called “Ecclesiology and Redemptive History . . . Oh and Baptism.” As I explain in the introduction to that piece, my

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China’s Reforming Churches

Dr. Bruce Baugus speaks about the history and current state of missions in China with a focus on Reformed ecclesiology. China’s Reforming Churches: Mission, Polity, and Ministry in the Next

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[Review] Grounded in the Gospel

Jim Cassidy reviews Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old-Fashioned Way, by J.I. Packer and Gary Parrett, published by Baker Books. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy

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Roman Catholic Theology and Practice

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, Dr. Allison considers major aspects of Roman

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The Book of Hebrews

The Christ the Center panel discusses the book of Hebrews, the brief letter of exhortation. The participants look at the main argument of the letter, the superiority of Christ and

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Redeeming Philosophy

Dr. Vern Poythress comes to the program today to speak about his book, Redeeming Philosophy. In today’s discussion, Dr. Poythress helps us examine the roots of Western philosophy, uncover some of

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Evidences and Presuppositional Apologetics

Is it appropriate to use apologetic evidences with a presuppositional or covenantal approach to defending the Christian faith? Absolutely! All facts exist within God’s world and if understood rightly can

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Divine Meaning and the Human Author

Biblical hermeneutics is the science of interpreting Scripture. But Scripture, unlike any other written document, is a product of divine and human authorship. It is rightly said that God is

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Meditative Thoughts on Good Works

I love Logos Bible Software. Several months ago I created a customized reading plan to guide me through Charles Hodge’s three volumes by the end of year. Next year I plan to

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Was Eden As Good as It Gets?

In the discussion on “Redemptive-Historical Hermeneutics, Divine Authorship, and the Christotelism Debate” at the first Reformed Forum conference (audio download), Lane Tipton asked a question regarding the status of Adam and

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The Aseity of the Son

Dr. K. Scott Oliphint examines the Reformed tradition’s understanding of the Son as a se. In his assessment, much of the tradition relies upon unsatisfactory formulations offered by Thomas Aquinas. Oliphint encourages

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The Reformation: Now and Then

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

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Calvinism Today

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 Reformed Forum blog post, Dr.

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How God Became Jesus

Drs. Michael J. Kruger and Charles E. Hill speak about a book to which Dr. Hill contributed, How God Became Jesus: The Real Origins of Belief in Jesus’ Divine Nature,

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The Origin of the Suffering Servant Idea

The Christ the Center panel discuss Edward J. Young’s “The Origin of the Suffering Servant Idea.” While Isaiah 53’s well-known figure bears similarities to the myths of “dying and rising gods”

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The Practice of Ecclesiology

Several contributors are on location in Green Lake, Wisconsin as we discuss the practice of ecclesiology. Although ecclesiology is one of the traditional loci of systematic theology, it is often under-studied and

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Union with Christ and the Incarnation

Dr. Marcus Johnson speaks about One with Christ: An Evangelical Theology of Salvation, his recent book, published by Crossway. While many books have been published recently on the topic of union

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Confessing the Faith

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 of Truth Trust, 2014). The

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Seeing Jesus in the Prophets

Nancy Guthrie joins us to talk about seeing the Lord Jesus in the Old Testament prophets. The Word of the Lord: Seeing Jesus in the Prophets is the fifth in her Seeing

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Ecumenical and Inter-Church Relations

Mark Bube and Kurt Vetterli speak today about ecumenism and inter-church relations. Mark Bube, general secretary of foreign missions in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, plays an important part in the OPC’s

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Lyrical Theology: Doxology

Today we welcome to the program hip-hop recording artist Shai Linne to speak about his brand new album Lyrical Theology: Doxology, part two of a three-part hip-hop album series. Shai’s album

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How Did Evil Come Into the World?

Dr. William Edgar discusses the question, How Did Evil Come Into the World?, which is also the title of his recent addition to the Christian Answers to Hard Questions series.

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How Can I Know For Sure?

Dr. David Garner comes to the program to speak about the topic of his new booklet, “How Can I Know For Sure?” from the Christian Answers to Hard Questions Series, published by

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Chance and the Sovereignty of God

Dr. Vern S. Poythress, Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, speaks about his new book, Chance and the Sovereignty of God: A God-Centered Approach to

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The Puritan Family Resemblance

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

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Who Raised Up Jesus?

Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, and Jim Cassidy discuss John Murray’s article, “Who Raised Up Jesus?” from The Westminster Theological Journal 3.2 (May 1941): 113–123. An answer to Murray’s question requires a

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[Review] Logos Reformed Base Package

K. Scott Oliphint, Jared Oliphint, and Camden Bucey review the Logos Reformed Base Package. List of resources in Platinum package. Previous post on the package from Jared Oliphint. Participants: Camden Bucey,

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The Old and New Calvinisms

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

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[Review] The Bonhoeffer Reader

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 theological works is available in

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5 Reasons Why I Am Not a New Calvinist

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

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Warfield on the Mode of Inspiration

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

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[Review] What’s Best Next

On this episode Camden Bucey reviews What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done (Zondervan) by Matt Perman. This is an excellent book about Christian productivity that

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The Final Days of Jesus

Justin Taylor joins us to speak about The Final Days of Jesus: The Most Important Week of the Most Important Person Who Ever Lived, which he has coauthored with Dr. Andreas

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What’s Your Worldview?

Dr. James N. Anderson speaks about his recent book What’s Your Worldview?: An Interactive Approach to Life’s Big Questions, published by Crossway. The book takes the reader through important theological and

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Charles Hodge on Antinomianism

It’s always important for us to read from the great theological minds of the past. Here, Charles Hodge addresses antinomianism: Antinomianism has never had any hold in the churches of

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7 “Must Read” Books on Jonathan Edwards

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.

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By Faith, Not by Sight

Dr. Richard B. Gaffin Jr. joins us to speak about his book By Faith, Not by Sight: Paul and the Order of Salvation, now in its second edition and published by P&R

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The Question of Canon

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 Debate. The book deals not with why

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A Consistent Biblical-Theological Hermeneutic

In By Faith, Not By Sight Richard Gaffin summarizes a redemptive-historical (or covenant-historical, biblical-theological) hermeneutic, distinct from a purely grammatical-historical hermeneutic. For discussions regarding the doctrine of Scripture, and especially the New

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J. Oliver Buswell and Cornelius Van Til

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. Gresham Machen in the

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Covenantal Apologetics (ETS 2013)

K. Scott Oliphint gives an address at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society on November 19, 2013. Dr. Oliphint speaks about covenantal apologetics, a Reformed approach to apologetics

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Highlights from 2013

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

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The Peniel Bible Conference and the OPC

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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Thoroughbred Believers

Horses can teach you a great deal about life. Such is the take-home from my conversation this morning over breakfast. I sat next to John, a retired horse trainer, at

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The Graced Subject

It is increasingly common to speak about grace as a subject. “Grace” is said to do amazing things in your life. It can forgive. It can make you obey. In

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The Virgin Birth of Christ

Dr. Brandon Crowe explains the reality and significance of the virgin birth, based on his booklet, “Was Jesus Really Born of a Virgin?,” from the Christian Answers to Hard Questions

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Antinomianism and Reformed Theology

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 is rooted in a weak view

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The Apostolic Fathers

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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Genesis 3:9-12 – Adam on Trial

In this episode we discuss Genesis 3:9-12, and consider God’s pursuit of rebellious Adam. On the one hand, God clearly calls Adam into account for his sin, but on the

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Definite Atonement in Perspective

The doctrine of definite atonement is the subject of this week’s episode, which features guests David Gibson and Jonathan Gibson, editors of the forthcoming From Heaven He Came and Sought

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Imitating God in Christ

Dr. Jason B. Hood speaks about the imitation of Christ, based on the biblical theological study found in his book, Imitating God in Christ: Recapturing a Biblical Pattern. The teaching of

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Genesis 3:1-7 – Temptation in Eden

On this week’s Proclaiming Christ, we discuss the temptation in Eden from Genesis 3:1-7. Man and woman begin naked and unashamed in a royal wedding, but abruptly, an evil serpent

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What Is Believing in Christ?

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

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The History of Calvinism

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 of the book, the

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Crazy Busy

Kevin DeYoung speaks about his recent book Crazy Busy: A [Mercifully] Short Book about a [Really] Big Problem, published by Crossway Books. Pastor DeYoung diagnoses the causes of busyness, some of which are

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Pseudonymity and Inerrancy

In her commentary on 1 Peter, Karen Jobes addresses the issue of 1 Peter’s supposed pseudonymity. Several critics argue that, even though 1 Peter claims to be written by the

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John Newton on Grace in Sanctification

Barbara Duguid speaks about John Newton’s writings on the Christian life based on her book Extravagant Grace: God’s Glory Displayed in Our Weakness. She appropriates John Newton’s wisdom to comfort

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Why Hip Hop?

I was thrilled to speak with Lamp Mode recording artist Timothy Brindle on Christ the Center’s special 300th episode. But some of our regular listeners may wonder why we chose to

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Jesus on Every Page

David Murray speaks about seeing Christ in the Old Testament based on his book Jesus on Every Page: 10 Simple Ways to Seek and Find Christ in the Old Testament. Dr. Murray’s

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Housewife Theologian

Aimee Byrd speaks about her new book, Housewife Theologian: How the Gospel Interrupts the Ordinary, with panel Camden Bucey, Nancy Guthrie, and Melissa Kruger. The topic of her book and of this episode’s

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The Aseity of the Son

Scott Oliphint speaks about the aseity of the Son of God, following up on a review of Brannon Ellis’ book Calvin, Classical Trinitarianism, and the Aseity of the Son. The thesis

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Jesus on Every Page

Biblical theology has been a hot topic for the last five or ten years. I, for one, am glad for the interest in studying God’s unfolding plan throughout Scripture. But

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A Kingdom of Listeners

“Oh, that my people would listen to me” (Ps 81:13). Genesis 1–3 is riddled with mysteries, the pursuit of which, some argue, does more harm than good. For instance, it

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Judges and Redemptive History

The Christ the Center panel discusses the book of Judges, considering its relationship to redemptive history and to the redeemer Jesus Christ. During the “no man’s land” of redemptive history,

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A Review of So Pastor, What’s Your Point?

Jim Cassidy reviews So Pastor, What’s Your Point? by Dennis Prutow, Professor of Homiletics and Pastoral Theology at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The book gives practical counsel on preaching combined with wholesome theology

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Early Heresies: Docetism

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

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When the Stars Disappear: Why Christians Suffer

Dr. Mark Talbot speaks about his forthcoming book tentatively entitled, When the Stars Disappear: Why Christians Suffer. Dr. Talbot’s research in philosophy, theology, and psychology serve to interpret his personal experiences of

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Ruth and Redemptive History

Today we discuss the story and message of the book of Ruth in light of the book’s place in redemptive history. This brief story of an unassuming young Gentile woman

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Covenantal Apologetics

Dr. Scott Oliphint returns to Christ the Center to discuss his recent book, Covenantal Apologetics. Oliphint’s forthcoming book is an accessible treatment of Van Tilian presuppositional apologetics, the fruit of years of

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Early Heresies: Adoptionism

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

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The Nature and Use of Apologetic Evidences

Reformed theologians have approached the discipline of apologetics from several different vantage points. Proponents of presuppositional, classical, and evidential approaches differ with one another on several important apologetic questions. One

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God Is Impassible and Impassioned

James Dolezal, part-time professor of Theology and Church History at Cairn University in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, reviews God Is Impassible and Impassioned: Toward a Theology of Divine Emotion by Rob Lister.

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Desiring the Kingdom

Daniel Schrock reviews Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation by James K. A. Smith. In this first book of what is planned as a three-book set, Smith describes the liturgical

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Classical Christian Doctrine

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

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Vatican II Inclusivism

How can Catholic theologians seemingly contradict the official teaching of the Catholic Church? Many commentators believe that, in a recent homily, Pope Francis did just that. While the Vatican has

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The Enemy Within

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

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Typology and Jehoiachin

We welcome Matthew Patton to the program to speak about the nature and use of typology using Jehoiachin as an extended example. Mr. Patton is Visiting Assistant Professor of Old

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In Defense of the Descent

In this episode, Carlton Wynne reviews In Defense of the Descent by Daniel Hyde. In the book, Hyde seeks to explain and defend an orthodox understanding the Apostles’ Creed when it claims that

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Covenant Solidarity

Chris Brauns visits Christ the Center to speak about covenant solidarity through his book Bound Together: How We Are Tied to Others in Good and Bad Choices published by Zondervan. Chris is the pastor of

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Trinity and Organism

Rev. Carlton Wynne reviews Trinity and Organism: Towards a New Reading of Herman Bavinck’s Organic Motif by James Eglinton and published by T&T Clark. Eglinton demonstrates how Herman Bavinck connected doctrines

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The Polemical Theology of the Old Testament

Scholars disagree on the relationship between portions of the Old Testament and similar ancient Near Eastern accounts. Many believe Moses simply plagiarized material from existing literature. In this episode, we

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Approaches to Christology

Christology is at the heart of the gospel for it is the study of the God-man, the savior of sinners. In this episode, Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey speak about several

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Book News and Notes

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

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Aspects of Presbyterian Government

For this in-house episode, we speak about different aspects of presbyterian government. While church polity may seem like a tedious and perhaps arbitrary task, Scripture lays out a structure for

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Bavinck on Marriage and the Family

Nelson Kloosterman speaks about Herman Bavinck’s theology of marriage and the family. Kloosterman recently translated Bavinck’s book The Christian Family. Though he wrote in early 20th century Netherlands, Bavinck’s book

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The Persecution of the Early Church

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

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A Review of Popologetics by Ted Turnau

Jonathan Brack reviews Popologetics: Popular Culture in Christian Perspective by Ted Turnau, a book on apologetics in the midst of pop culture. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jonathan Brack

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The Plan of Salvation

Rev. Dr. Lane Tipton walks us through the soteriological taxonomy offered by B.B. Warfield in his book The Plan of Salvation. In the book, Warfield asks a series of questions

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The Early Church and Judaism

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

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Francis Schaeffer’s Christian Spirituality

We welcome William Edgar, Professor of Apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, to the program to reflect upon Francis Schaeffer’s life and thought. Dr. Edgar focuses on Schaeffer’s Christian

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Bringing Schaeffer and Van Til Together

In an essay celebrating the 100th anniversary of Cornelius Van Til’s birth, William Edgar compared Francis Schaeffer to Cornelius Van Til. Much has been made about their different approaches to

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Introducing Genesis

Proclaiming Christ considers an introduction to the book of Genesis, looking at creation as it points to the eschatological glory of God.

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Regeneration in John 3

On the heels of our previous discussion with Rev. Dr. Scott Wright, the panel discusses the doctrine of regeneration by looking to Jesus’ teaching in John 3. Adam York, Deryck Barson,

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An Approach to Church History

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: Charles

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Family-Integrated Churches

On this episode, we welcome Dr. Sam Waldron to speak about the family-integrated church movement, which seeks to recover a biblical understanding of the family, especially in its relationship to

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The Digital World is a Selective World

In his post “The Christian Leader in the Digital Age,” Albert Mohler raises a number of important issues for Christians (and Christian leaders) to consider in light of this generation’s

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Sermon Delivery

In this episode of Proclaiming Christ the panel considers sermon delivery. We discuss things like: whether to use a manuscript or not, sermon application, resources, and things not to do

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David VanDrunen Responds to Kingdoms Apart

Dr. David VanDrunen, Professor of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics at Westminster Seminary California, has reviewed and responded to Kingdoms Apart: Engaging the Two Kingdoms Perspective in the latest issue of Ordained Servant,

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Calvin’s Company of Pastors

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 Church, 1536-1609,

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A Christian Introduction to History

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

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Simplicity in Preaching

In his 1853 address to the Society of Alumni of Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, R. L. Dabney advocated for simplicity in pulpit style. Dabney calls preachers to what I would call “immediacy.”

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Preparing to Preach

In this week’s episode we discuss sermon preparation. As the panel considers the kind of work that must go on before a preacher is ready to preach, we discuss things

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Johannes Oecolampadius

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

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Presuppositions for Preaching

On this episode of Proclaiming Christ we talk about presuppositions that underlie the sermon preparation process. In particular, we deal with presuppositions which govern the proper reading and interpretation of

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Regeneration and Redemptive-History

In this episode of Christ the Center, Rev. Dr. Scott R. Wright develops a redemptive-historical understanding of the doctrine of regeneration. Rev. Wright is senior pastor of Redeemer Church (PCA) in Hudson, Ohio. His

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The Reorganization of Princeton Seminary

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

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Apologetics: The Fruit of Faith

In his little booklet, The Certainty of Faith, Herman Bavinck penned a short sentence which is laden with profundity. “Apologetics is the fruit, never the root, of faith.”[1] Bavinck’s insight highlights something

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Christ the Spiritual Sun

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

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Notable Books (February 2013)

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. Evans, Roots

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Old Princeton and Right Reason

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 tradition

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Introductions and Foundations

In this, the premiere episode of Proclaiming Christ, we introduce the panelists for this new Reformed Forum podcast on biblical preaching. We also begin to discuss foundational aspects of preaching. We welcome

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Harmonizing the Gospels

Dr. Vern Poythress speaks about the important topic of harmonizing the gospels by sharing with us features of his book Inerrancy and the Gospels: A God-Centered Approach to the Challenges

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Reasons for Faith

K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, speaks about the relationship of philosophy to theology. Dr. Oliphint has written Reasons for Faith: Philosophy in the

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Insider Movements

We welcome David Garner and Phil DeHart to speak about Insider Movements, which are increasingly popular approaches to missions predicated on controversial theological and hermeneutic foundations. Insider Movements have gained

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Highlights from 2012

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

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Proclaiming Christ

Mark Winder and Adam York introduce Proclaiming Christ, a newly reformatted program on preaching, exegesis, and biblical theology. Rev. Winder is pastor of Wolf River Presbyterian Church in Collierville, Tennessee and Rev.

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Mobility through a Marketed Ministry

In his classic essay, “The D-Min-ization of the Ministry,” David Wells describes the ministerial professionalization that occurred over the last several decades. Because of the lack of respect and influence

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A Review of The Innkeeper

Each Advent season, John Piper writes an Advent poem as a gift to his congregation in Minneapolis. One such Advent poem is The Innkeeper. In this short narrative poem, Piper

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Kingdom through Covenant

Jonathan Brack reviews Kingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants by Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum. Jonathan has also written a review of the book for Reformation21.org. Participants: Camden

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Ministerial Fellowship

On this episode, Rev. David Brack speaks about ministerial fellowship and a ministry of discipleship in the local church. Rev. Brack is pastor of Christ Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Amarillo,

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Justification Sola Fide

We are pleased to welcome back to the program Dr. Lane G. Tipton, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Tipton was recently inaugurated

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Lifted: Experiencing the Resurrection Life

In this episode, we review Sam Allberry’s Lifted: Experiencing the Resurrection Life published by P&R Publishing. Publisher’s Description: For many people the resurrection is a nice thing to believe in; a

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An Interview with Desiring God

At a recent trip to Milwaukee for the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, Camden Bucey and Jared Oliphint caught up with David Mathis and Jonathan Parnell of Desiring

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Adam and the Bible, Session 7: Luke 4:1-12

Rev. Dr. Lane G. Tipton preaches from Luke 4:1-12. This sermon was delivered during the annual theology conference at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Ringoes, NJ. Session 1: 1 Corinthians 15:42-49 —

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Adam and the Bible, Session 4: Genesis 1:26

Dr. Vern Poythress speaks about Genesis 1:26 and the numerous important details in this verse. This lecture was delivered during the annual theology conference at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Ringoes, NJ. Session

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Lay Down This World

Jazz pianist Pamela York speaks about her new album, Lay Down This World: Hymns and Spirituals. Pamela discusses the tracks on the album, the relationship of traditional structure to creativity, and

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Anthony Burgess on the Law

We welcome Rev. Dr. Steve Casselli to speak about Anthony Burgess on the law. Rev. Casselli is pastor of Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church in Tampa, FL. Steve worked in campus ministry

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Presbyterian and Reformed Churches: A Global History

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 Churches

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The Pure in Heart Blessed

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

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Eschatology and the Christian Life

Eschatology is a complicated word. Usually, it is associated with apocalyptic events yet to occur in the Middle East. In this episode, we seek to broaden this limited conception of

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The Transfiguration

In this episode, we study the Transfiguration, the event in which Jesus was transformed on the mountain before Peter, James, and John. In the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah accompany Jesus

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Canine Piety

William Laud was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1633-1645. He became obsessed with the liturgy, and his heavy-handed high church policies were seen as persecution by many Protestants. In his

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The Headship of Christ

The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of discoursing with the Rev. Dr. Craig Troxel about ecclesiology, especially as it is grounded in the headship of the Lord Jesus

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Christian Knowledge

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

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English Puritan Theology

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

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The Excellency of Christ

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

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Christ’s Agony

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

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Dynamics of Church Planting

Church planting is one way the Lord expands his kingdom on earth. Christ called his disciples to go forth and make disciples of men, baptizing them in the name of

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The Jonathan Edwards Center

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 the resources available there.

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John Flavel and Union with Christ

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

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The Most High: A Prayer Hearing God

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

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The Eternal Generation of the Son

On this episode, we discuss the eternal generation of the Son of God within the context of Trinitarian theology and church history. The subject of the Son’s relationship to the

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Dangerous Calling

Paul Tripp’s forthcoming book Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry will make many people uncomfortable, but it is important. The author describes it as a diagnostic book, that is, one that

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God Glorified in Man’s Dependence

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

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Nature/Grace Dualism

Dr. Lane G. Tipton, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, addresses the Roman Catholic teaching of nature/grace dualism and a variety of its uses. Nature/grace dualism

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East of Eden (Genesis 3:24)

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

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Preaching and Sermon Preparation

We take a break from our regular format to enjoy a relaxed open forum. Nonetheless, the panel quickly focuses on the subject of preaching and sermon preparation. We ask questions

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The Theology of John Bunyan’s Holy War

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 has

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Nature and Scripture

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 Scripture,” is

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Machen During World War I

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 topic

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Worldview, Culture, and Eschatology

Nathan Sasser, Assistant Director of Academic Affairs at the Pastors College for Sovereign Grace Ministries and PhD student at the University of South Carolina, comes on the program to talk

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Divine Impassibility

The Christ the Center panel meets with Rev. Dr. James Dolezal to discuss the much maligned doctrine of divine impassibility. Beginning with a look at Westminster Confession of Faith 2.1, that “There

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The Regulative Principle of Worship

Dr. Darryl G. Hart speaks about a key feature to Reformed worship, the regulative principle. Generally speaking, the principle seeks to allow worship to be governed strictly by the Word

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Logical Positivism

Dr. Lane G. Tipton, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, describes logical positivism, a type of analytic philosophy incorporating mathematical and logico-linguistic constructs and deductions of

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Inerrancy and Worldview

Dr. Vern Poythress, Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary, speaks about his book Inerrancy and Worldview: Answering Challenges to the Bible (Crossway). In this important book, Dr.

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Colbert’s Apologetic

In a recent interview with theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss, Stephen Colbert debated the existence of God, the nature of nothing, and the laws of quantum mechanics. Though he proceeds in

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By Good and Necessary Consequence

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

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Did God Really Say?

David B. Garner, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, visits the studio to speak about the doctrine of Scripture. Dr. Garner has edited an excellent collection of

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Redemptive-Historical Hermeneutics

While reading this new volume on hermeneutics, Biblical Hermeneutics: Five Views, I was struck by how many theological issues “in the news” these days are addressed by this short piece, either

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Writing Christian Fiction

Jeremiah W. Montgomery is the pastor of Resurrection Orthodox Presbyterian Church in State College, Pennsylvania. Rev. Montgomery joins us to speak about writing Christian fiction. Montgomery has written The Dark Faith,

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The Theology and Preaching of Jonathan Edwards

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 for

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Culture and Eschatology

One of the most perplexing brands of eschatology is “transformational” eschatology. A broad-brush way to describe this view is that the eschaton or last days will be triggered once Christians

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Law and Gospel

Errors abound when readers of Scripture confuse law and gospel. Dr. Lane G. Tipton describes the uses of the law and the wonderful news that Jesus Christ has accomplished salvation

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Covenantal Condescension

K. Scott Oliphint’s chapter, “I Am … Your God” in his book God with Us: Divine Condescension and the Attributes of God is an excellent primer on the relation of the

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The Covenant of Grace

Dr. Lane G. Tipton describes the Covenant of Grace and its two administrations. This is an important lesson that pictures for us the wonderful salvation that comes through the mediation

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Why Baptize Children?

Rev. Daniel Hyde, pastor of Oceanside United Reformed Church in Oceanside, CA builds a case for paedobaptism. Hyde has written Jesus Loves the Little Children: Why We Baptize Children, an excellent

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Speaking about the Gospel

The gospel has become a hot topic in the evangelical world, and for that all Christians should be thankful. But conversation about the gospel is only fruitful in so far

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Charles Hodge on Trinitarian Personality

If you’ve had a chance to peruse Andrew Hoffecker’s biography, Charles Hodge: The Pride of Princeton or Hodge’s own works, you’ll know that Charles Hodge is an old school giant. In my opinion,

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How is Redemption Applied?

The redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ is applied by the Holy Spirit as he effectually calls the elect and unites them to Christ by faith. Dr. Lane G. Tipton unpacks

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The Gospel and its Implications

Camden Bucey, Jonathan Brack, and Dan Adams speak about the gospel from the steps of the historic Tenth Presbyterian Church. Reformed Forum was delighted to be invited to the annual

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The Benefits of Salvation

The gospel is first and foremost the good news about the resurrected Christ. Through union with the resurrected Christ believers receive justification, adoption, sanctification, and all other benefits which either

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Machen’s Letters from WWI

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

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Counseling, Medication, and Common Grace

The relationship of Christianity to various forms of counseling has been a turbulent subject in recent decades. With the advancement of medicinal science and the proliferation of different disease and

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The Word of God and Inerrancy

Gabe Fluhrer joins the panel to speak about inerrancy. The subject continues to be an issue of perennial importance. Gabe has edited a wonderful book on the subject with contributions

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Redemption Accomplished and Applied

Dr. Lane G. Tipton, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, speaks about the distinction between the once for all accomplishment of redemption and

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Christ in the Old Testament

On this episode we welcome Nancy Guthrie back to the program to speak about Christ in the Old Testament. Nancy has written the latest in her series on the subject

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What is the Gospel?

Dr. Lane G. Tipton, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, speaks about the heart of the Christian message. Christians must be careful not

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Baptism, Covenant, and Election

Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. and Lane G. Tipton analyze arguments for credo-baptism and discuss Reformed views of covenant and election. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Lane G. Tipton, Richard B.

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An Interview with Steve Lawson

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 of

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How Jesus Runs the Church

On this program we welcome Guy Prentiss Waters to speak about his book How Jesus Runs the Church. The doctrine of the church is critically important for the Christian life, but

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The Creator / Creature Distinction

This is the first lesson in a series examining the theological foundations of Reformed and covenantal apologetics. In this video, Camden Bucey looks at the important difference between God and

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Engaging Philosophy as a Christian

Jared Oliphint sits down with Dr. K. Scott Oliphint to speak about how Christians should approach the subject of philosophy. They speak about the necessity of the Christian position, the

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An Interview with Derek Thomas

Andrew Moody sat down with Dr. Derek Thomas at a recent conference for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. This is a fun discussion about a number of topics related to

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The Law and Redemptive-History

Notwithstanding the diversity of opinion and debate that has surfaced throughout the last century and a half surrounding the nature of the Mosaic Covenant and the Law of God, Reformed theologians have

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The State and Religious Liberty

Today we welcome Dr. David Skeel and James Sweet to speak about recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that impact the church. Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC was a

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Apologetics and Counseling

Following Christ the Center episode 205, we kept the recording running and spoke with Dr. K. Scott Oliphint about counseling, apologetics, and the doctrine of God. Throughout the discussion, Dr.

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Charles Hodge: The Pride of Princeton

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

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The Historical Adam

Rick Phillips joins Nick Batzig and Kenneth Kang-Hui to speak about the historical Adam. The teaching that Adam was a historical figure, the federal head of all those who descend

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Justification and Union with Christ

Today we welcome Dr. Michael S. Horton and Dr. Lane G. Tipton to the program to discuss justification and its relation to union with Christ. Dr. Horton is Professor of Systematic Theology

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Sanctification

Rick Phillips and Kevin DeYoung join a panel to address the doctrine of sanctification. This is an important conversation that addresses the work of the Holy Spirit in applying the

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Weight of a Flame

Simonetta Carr’s latest book appears to have everything a young female reader could want. Romance. Castles. Adventure. Far-away places. And let’s not forget elegant wardrobes. These things are just the

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Jesus + Nothing = Everything

Mark Jones and Jared Oliphint speak about Tullian Tchividjian’s Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Rev. Tchividjian is pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale and blogs at the Gospel Coalition. Dr. Jones

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Church Planting

Jim Cassidy leads a discussion on church planting in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church with Brad Hertzog and Mark Winder. Rev. Hertzog is Pastor of Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Queens,

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Counseling an Abused Spouse

Winston Smith, from the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation, speaks about counseling abused spouses. Winston Smith – Am I equipped to counsel an abused spouse? from CCEF on Vimeo.

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Suffering and the Christian Life

In this episode we speak with Dr. J. Ligon Duncan about suffering and the Christian life. Rev. Dr. Duncan is Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS and

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Union with Christ, A Response

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Michael S. Horton to the program once again. Dr. Horton is Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Seminary California. He is also the

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2011 Confessional Presbyterian Journal

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

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Holiness and the Christian Life

Kevin DeYoung speaks about holiness and sanctification in this episode of Christ the Center. Given the recent discussions of the role of sanctification in soteriology and the age-old errors of

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God… With Us

Dr. K. Scott Oliphint speaks about the doctrine of God and his book God with Us: Divine Condescension and the Attributes of God. Dr. Oliphint is Professor of Apologetics and

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The King James Bible

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

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Union with Christ and Glorification

Rev. James Cassidy, Pastor of Calvary OPC, preaches on glorification in this special presentation from Alive with Christ: Saving Union with Christ. This series of addresses comes from the Fall Seminar on

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Union with Christ and Sanctification

Dr. Lane G. Tipton, the Charles Krahe Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, teaches on sanctification in this special presentation from Alive with Christ: Saving Union with Christ. This series

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Union with Christ: The Good Work Begun

Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Professor Emeritus of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, teaches on the biblical concept of salvation in this is a special presentation titled Alive with Christ:

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Union with Christ and Regeneration

Dr. Lane G. Tipton, the Charles Krahe Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, teaches on regeneration in this special presentation from Alive with Christ: Saving Union with Christ. This series

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A Biblical Overview of Union with Christ

Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Professor Emeritus of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary provides a biblical overview of union with Christ in this special presentation titled Alive with Christ: Saving

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The Critics of Van Til’s Take on Barth

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 Evangelicalism contain

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The Theology of Karl Barth

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 this growing

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The Greatness and Love of God

Today we welcome Dr. Bryan Chapell, President and Professor of Practical Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary, to speak about the greatness and love of God. Dr. Chapell is the author

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Union with Christ

We celebrate the 200th episode of Christ the Center together with our guest (and studio host!), Dr. Lane G. Tipton. Dr. Tipton is the Charles Krahe Professor of Biblical and Systematic

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Van Til, Barth, and American Evangelicalism

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 interesting volume,

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Our Great God

In this episode, we speak about the doctrine of God and its implications for other doctrines and all areas of life with Kevin DeYoung. DeYoung is the Senior Pastor at University

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La théologie Réformée en France

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

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Theologizing in a Connected Culture

Jared Oliphint and Camden Bucey speak about a number of topics in today’s open discussion, but the discussion gravitated toward theologizing in today’s connected culture. With the proliferation of social

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The Significance of the Resurrection

People often speak of the “cross” synecdochally, that is, referring to the entire work of redemption accomplished by Christ. While this is perfectly acceptable, repeated use of this construction can under-emphasize the

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Evangelicals and Political Conservatism

Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey discuss the evangelical involvement in American politics using Darryl G. Hart’s recent From Billly Graham to Sarah Palin: Evangelicals and the Betrayal of American Conservatism

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Issues in Systematic Theology

Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey speak about various contemporary issues in systematic theology. The conversation centers mainly on union with Christ and the salvific benefits that flow from that union.

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Perspectives on the Sabbath

Chris Donato joins the panel to speak about various views on the Sabbath. Mr. Donato has editing the book Perspectives on the Sabbath: 4 Views published by Broadman and Holman Publishers. Skip

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Preaching the Fullness of Christ

The relationship of justification and sanctification has returned to the forefront of several Twitter and blog circles. William B. Evans rekindled the discussion with a response to Tullian Tchividjian’s formulation of justification,

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Redeeming Sociology

Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Vern Poythress back to the program to discuss his latest book Redeeming Sociology. The title alone may leave some people wondering why

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Zephaniah: Protology in Eschatology

Mark A. Winder joins the panel to discuss the rich redemptive-historical themes of Zephaniah. Mark has written a thesis titled Zephaniah: Protology in Eschatology and takes time to walk us

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Redemptive-Historical Hermeneutics

Lane G. Tipton provides the biblical warrant for a transtestamental gospel that understands the organic unity of the Old and New Testaments. Tipton contributed a chapter to the recent Confident

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An Introduction to Universals

Philosophy for Theologians opens up the subject of universals by discussing the basic approaches to reality found in thinkers such as Plato and Aristotle. After laying an introductory foundation, the

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Jonathan Edwards’s Apologetic

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 Edwards’s

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Edwards on the Infinite Merit of Christ

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

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The Hypostatic Union

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

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Transformationalism and Christian Higher Education

Dr. William Dennison discusses transformational eschatology and Christian higher education. Dr. Dennison’s has written two articles that become the subject of discussion. In The Christian Academy: Antithesis, Common Grace, and Plato’s

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Turretin and Right Reason

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.

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The Ethics of Bankruptcy

Dr. David Skeel, professor of corporate law at UPenn, discusses Christians in legal studies in addition to the ethics of bankruptcy. David Skeel is the S. Samuel Arsht Professor of

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R. L. Dabney

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

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The Right to Become Children of God

Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey continue their discussion of adoption from the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology. In this episode, the panel talks about John 1:12-13 and the right to

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Children of God

Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey speak about David Wells’ message the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology. Dr. Wells’ spoke about being members of the family of God from 1 John

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Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey speak about biblical manhood and womanhood from the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology. The conference, held annually at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia,

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Biblical Counseling and TGC2011

Christ the Center comes to you from the floor of The Gospel Coalition 2011 National Conference in Chicago, IL. In the first segment of this episode, Jared Oliphint and Camden Bucey

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Pastoral Searches and Transitions

Reformed Media Review speaks about pastoral searches and transitions from The Gospel Coalition 2011 National Conference in Chicago, IL. The conference held a panel discussion to treat the topic of

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Christian Biographies for Young Readers

In her series, Christian Biographies for Young Readers (published by Reformation Heritage Books), Simonetta Carr has given the church helpful tools to educate the next generation in church history. Her

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photo by zalina on flickr

These Last Days

Richard D. Phillips and Gabriel Fluhrer visit to discuss their latest book These Last Days: A Christian View of History. Last year, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals hosted a series

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Universalism and Deification

Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey analyze popular formulations of universalism and look to related themes in theologies of deification, divinization, and theosis. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington

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Christ in Leviticus

Douglas Clawson is Associate General Secretary for the Committee on Foreign Missions for the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. In this episode, Clawson speaks about the controlling theme of Leviticus as he

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The Relationship of Philosophy to Theology

For Reformed theologians it can be rather difficult to articulate the relationship between philosophy and theology. Is philosophy simply theology asking different questions? Is it a distinct discipline that can

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The Creation Covenant

Dr. Rowland Ward speaks about his historical and theological masterpiece God & Adam: Reformed Theology and the Creation Covenant. While there has been, and continues to be, much debate over the

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The Clark/Van Til Controversy

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

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Are All Van Tilians Equal?

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 the

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The Justification Landscape

Mark Garcia is pastor at Immanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Coraopolis, PA. He is the author of Life in Christ: Union with Christ and Twofold Grace in Calvin’s Theology. In

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Christ and Marriage

Winston Smith joins the panel to discuss Christian marriage and his book Marriage Matters: Extraordinary Change through Ordinary Moments. Smith is a counselor and faculty member at CCEF, a ministry

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Historical Methodology

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.

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The Gospel Coalition

John Starke of The Gospel Coalition (TGC) visits the program to talk about their website, the TGC Reviews, the TGC conference, and how they see themselves in relation to the

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The Life and Thought of Herman Bavinck

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 Grace Presbyterian

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Sister Aimee

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

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Machen’s Warrior Children

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

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Liberating Black Theology

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

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Jonathan Edwards and the Image of God

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 Waddington

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Trinitarian Personality

Christ the Center explores the incomprehensible and doxological subject of Trinitarian personality. Dr. Tipton previously discussed the subject on Christ the Center episode #49. Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Jared Oliphint,

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The Philosophy of Science

In a call to our modern society to reexamine the fundamental presuppositions of the dominant worldview, the panel discusses the philosophy of science. post photo from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight

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Contemporary Issues in Ecclesiology

Jeff Waddington, Nick Batzig, and Camden Bucey engage in an open conversation about current issues in the life and understanding of the church. The discussion addresses multi-site churches, the culture

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Amillennialism

Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Kim Riddlebarger to the program to discuss amillennialism. Dr. Riddlebarger is senior pastor of Christ Reformed Church in Anaheim, California (www.christreformed.org), visiting professor

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The Untamed God

Jared Oliphint and Nate Shannon lead a discussion on Jay Wesley Richards’ book The Untamed God: A Philosophical Exploration of Divine Perfection, Simplicity, and Immutability. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint,

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Formulating a Christian Epistemology

Several contributors to Philosophy for Theologians convene to discuss the guidelines for formulating a Christian epistemology. As a starting point, the panel looks at the seminal work by Edmund Gettier Is

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Machen and Bultmann at Marburg

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

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Christianity and Politics

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.

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Word, Water and Spirit

John V. Fesko provides an historical, biblical-theological, and systematic view of baptism in his new book Word, Water and Spirit. Dr. Fesko is the academic dean and associate professor of systematic

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Modern Roman Catholicism

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

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The Point of a Sermon

Christ the Center speaks with Dennis Prutow, Professor of Homiletics and Pastoral Theology at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, to speak about his book So Pastor, What’s Your Point? Participants: Camden

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Van Til, Barth and Liberalism

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

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Major Divides in the Presbyterian Church

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, Defending the

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The Pilgrim’s Progress

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

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Natural Theology

The idea of natural theology has been much debated. One’s understanding regarding the project of natural theology will inevitably impact substantially one’s apologetic methodology and epistemology. K. Scott Oliphint and

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Thomas’ Second Way

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

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The Theology of B.B. Warfield

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.

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Christian Education

Christ the Center interviews Daniel Kunkle, Bible teacher at Phil-Mont Christian Academy. The panel discusses Christian education and the issues involved in teaching secondary education from a Reformed perspective. Dan

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PhD Studies

PhD students Gabe Fluhrer (MDiv, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary), Carlton Wynne (MDiv RTS, Charlotte) and Nate Shannon (ThM, Westminster Theological Seminary) share what led them to PhD studies, how their

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New Media and the Technological Frontier

The Church stands at the beginning of a new technological frontier. Along with great opportunities come new challenges. Today the panel discusses mobile applications, intellectual property, and exciting news regarding

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The Atonement

Gabe Fluhrer on the lasting importance of Christ’s act of penal substitutionary atonement. Gabe has recently edited Atonement, a collection of writings and sermons from J.I. Packer, Sinclair Ferguson, and

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Technology and the Christian Life

Dr. David P. Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Murray speaks about his latest endeavors in media

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Thomas’ First Way

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 Brack

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The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards

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 Jonathan Edwards.

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The Westminster Assembly

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,

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The Preaching of the Scriptures

The Christ the Center panel, ably augmented by Glen Clary, pastor of Immanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church of West Collingswood, NJ, had the privilege of sitting down and chatting with Dr.

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Paradox in Christian Theology

The Christ the Center panel recently met with Dr. James Anderson, assistant professor of theology and philosophy at the Charlotte campus of Reformed Theological Seminary, and author of Paradox in Christian

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Thoughts on Preaching

The Christ the Center panel met with Anthony Selvaggio, a teaching elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Rochester, NY, a visiting professor of New Testament at Reformed Presbyterian Theological

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Quine’s Two Dogmas of Empiricism

Willard Van Orman Quine (June 25, 1908 – December 25, 2000) (known to intimates as “Van”) was an American philosopher and logician in the analytic tradition. From 1930 until his death 70 years

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Keeping up on the Biblical Languages

Miles Van Pelt, Associate Professor of Old Testament and Academic Dean at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS speaks about the importance of the original languages for biblical study. Miles

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Christ and Culture Roundup

Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey roundup the entire Christ and culture series with a single episode overview of the issues. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington

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Assessing Machen

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

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The Nature of Heresy

Martin Downes discusses the nature of heresy. This is a clip from Christ the Center episode 84. Read more from Martin Downes and many other respected theologians in his book

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Christ and Culture, Round 3: Darryl Hart

Darryl G. Hart brings his final remarks to the Christ and culture discussion table. Dr. Hart has authored A Secular Faith: Why Christianity Favors the Separation of Church and State, Defending the Faith:

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Christ and Culture, Round 3: Bill Dennison

Bill Dennison brings his final remarks to the Christ and culture discussion table. Dr. Dennison has authored Paul’s Two-Age Construction and Apologetics and The Young Bultmann: Context for His Understanding of God, 1884-1925.

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The Basis on Which Machen Fought: The Bible

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, Darryl G.

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Van Til’s Trinitarian Distinctives

Lane G. Tipton, Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, speaks about the various distinctives of Van Til’s trinitarian theology and the particular concerns he sought to address in

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Manifold Witness: The Plurality of Truth

Bob LaRocca and Jared Oliphint lead a critical discussion of John Franke’s book Manifold Witness: The Plurality of Truth. Franke argues plurality and diversity are intrinsic elements of Christianity as

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The Metaphysics of Aristotle

The crew spends a few minutes discussing the metaphysical system of Aristotle, one of philosophy’s greatest minds. Participants: Bob LaRocca, Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan Brack

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The Fight Against Sentimentality

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

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Logical Positivism

Logical positivism is a combination of empiricism and mathematical and logico-linguistic constructs and deductions in epistemology. The crew provides a brief overview of the view and major players. They then

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Kloosterman’s and Hart’s Responses

Today we continue our second round responses in our Christ and Culture series. Nelson Kloosterman and Darryl Hart respond to the comments made by the other participants during the first round.

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Calvin at the Centre

Paul Helm’s latest, Calvin at the Centre, is a fascinating book presenting a fresh look on several key themes in Calvin and his lasting influence upon later theologians. In many ways,

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Bertrand Russell’s (Un)Apologetic

The group discusses Bertrand Russell’s infamous essay Why I Am Not a Christian. Russell led the 20th century British revolt against idealism and contributed greatly to the philosophical field of

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Wilson’s Response

Today we continue our second round responses in our Christ and Culture series. Doug Wilson responds to the comments made by Darryl Hart, Nelson Kloosterman and Bill Dennison in the first

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Das Machen des Van Til

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.

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René Descartes

René Descartes (31 March 1596 – 11 February 1650), was a French philosopher, mathematician, and physicist. He has been dubbed the “Father of Modern Philosophy,” and much of subsequent Western philosophy is a response

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Dennison’s Response

This is the first installment of responses in our Christ and Culture series. William Dennison responds to the comments made by Darryl Hart, Nelson Kloosterman and Doug Wilson in the first

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Kingship and First Samuel

John Woodhouse speaks about the important theme of kingship in the books of Samuel. Rev. Dr. Woodhouse is Principal at Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia and has written the

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The Fight Against False Optimism

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

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Bavinck, Reid and Realism

We realized many of our discussions on the Reformed Media Review were drifting toward the philosophical.  And we also believe there is a general lack of good philosophical resources –

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Boston Museum of Fine Arts

Vocation, Education and Fine Arts

This is part three of our series entitled Christ and Culture. Bill Dennison, Darryl Hart, Doug Wilson and Nelson Kloosterman each speak from their unique perspectives. Today the participants address the

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Liberalism, the Different Religion

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.

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Christ and Culture: Politics

This is part two of our series entitled Christ and Culture. Four men participate in an engaging discussion on the relationship of Christ to culture. Bill Dennison, Darryl Hart, Doug Wilson

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Ecumenism and Intolerance

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 from

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God Is Great, God Is Good

Jared Oliphint leads a review discussion of God Is Great, God Is Good: Why Believing in God Is Reasonable & Responsible. Jared recently reviewed the book for TGCReviews.com. The book

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Welcome to a Reformed Church

Camden and Nick speak with Danny Hyde about his new book Welcome to a Reformed Church: A Guide for Pilgrims. Rev. Hyde is pastor of Oceanside United Reformed Church in

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N.T. Wright’s Epistemology

Bob LaRocca details the critical realism found in the first few chapters of N.T. Wright’s The New Testament and the People of God. Christ the Center has spoken about Wright’s

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What Prepared Machen to Fight?

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:

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The Historical Adam

The Christ the Center panel got together recently and discussed whether Adam was a real historical person and whether it matters for our understanding of Scripture and theology as a

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The Challenges of Urban Ministry

Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Bill Snodgrass and Erica Bucey to discuss the challenges of urban ministry. Rev. Snodgrass is pastor of Grace Fellowship OPC in the Germantown

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Perspectives on Pentecost

Christ the Center revisited with Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, professor of biblical and systematic theology, emeritus, at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, about the significance of Pentecost for redemptive history

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Family and Sabbath

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

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Counseling Difficult Cases

The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of conversing with Dr. George Scipione, professor of pastoral theology and director of the Biblical Counseling Institute at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological

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Creating Culture

The panel continues to examine the theological foundations for engaging culture. Participants: Bob LaRocca, Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan Brack

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Theological Prayer

The panel discusses the relationship of theology to prayer by focusing on Colossians. Jim, Nick, and Camden explore Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae and think about the relationship

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Youth and Campus Ministry

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

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A Theology of Culture

The panel examines the theological foundations for engaging culture. Participants: Bob LaRocca, Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan Brack

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The Christian Lover

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

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Thoughts on American Presbyterianism

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 Bucey,

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Feeding Your Family

I’m actually speaking of literal food this time. Inka Leoni at My Modern Metropolis has written a post which includes some very interesting photos of what families throughout the world

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WiFi on the School Bus

The New York Times reports on an experiment in Vail, AZ in which the school district has outfitted a school bus with a mobile WiFi router. Interestingly, disciplinary problems have

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Effective Abstinence Education

Robert Rector comments on a new report demonstrating the success of abstinence education programs in the face of the failures of so called “safe-sex” and comprehensive sex-ed programs. What is

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Shepherding Ministry

The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of talking with Dr. Tim Witmer, professor of practical theology, coordinator of the PT department, and supervisor of the mentored ministry program

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Epistemology and a Two-Kingdoms View

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, Darryl

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The Task of the Preacher

John Currie, Lecturer in Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, discusses the challenges involved and the task of preaching. Rev. Currie is also Director of Alumni Relations and Educational Advancement

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Curse Your Branches, Revisited

On this episode, we revisit David Bazan’s album Curse Your Branches. This time around we focus on our apologetic foundations and make explicit some our our methodology and principial concerns. For

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Curse Your Branches

The panel takes a critical look at David Bazan’s album Curse Your Branches. Bazan is perhaps most noted for founding the indie band Pedro the Lion, a group that gained

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Trends in Media Use

The Kaiser Family Foundation has released their study of the use of media among 8 to 18 year olds. The figures are simply astounding. Just to highlight a few of

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Meet the Puritans

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

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Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

Join us today for a discussion of Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, a documentary on the acceptance (or lack thereof) of intelligent design in academia. Links Science and Faith: Friends or

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Avatar

The Reformed Media Review crew discusses Avatar, the much anticipated movie from James Cameron. Not only a visually stunning and action-packed film, Avatar makes several important statements and invokes many interesting

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Listener Co-Hosts

As we continue our celebration of the new year, we speak with listeners on our first listener co-host show. Participants: Camden Bucey, Josh Walker, Nick Batzig

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Books on Apologetics

Camden, Jonathan and Jared chat about books on apologetics. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan Brack

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Galatians

Christ the Center was pleased to speak with David B. McWilliams about his commentary on Galatians. Pastor McWilliams has been the Senior Pastor at Covenant for most of the last 20

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When You Don’t Do Santa

Thabiti Anyabwile has shared a few thoughts for parents who don’t go about the whole Santa thing.  You might also want to read Sinclair Ferguson’s article on Christ and Santa.

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Educating Your Children About Sex

Speaking to your children about sex certainly isn’t on your list of most anticipated things to do. But certainly it’s something that should not be avoided. This was the subject

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The 100th Episode

While celebrating the 100th episode, Jeff, Jim, Camden and friends engage in an open forum. The conversation begins with a discussion of Westminster Theological Seminary and admissions, then quickly charts

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Celebrating the Sabbath

No Christian approves of worshiping idols or disapproves of honoring parents. No brother or sister will accuse you of being legalistic if you’re against stealing or are in favor of

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Bioethics

The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of conversing with Dr. David VanDrunen, the Robert B. Strimple professor of systematic theology and ethics at Westminster Seminary in California, about

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A God-Centered Approach to Language

Dr. Vern Sheridan Poythress returns to Christ the Center to discuss his latest book In the Beginning was the Word: Language: A God-Centered Approach to Language published by Crossway. The panel

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Christian Essentialism

K. Scott Oliphint returns to Christ the Center to discuss God’s attributes. Understanding God as He is related to creation is no doubt a complicated task. Traditionally, theologians have spoken

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Credo-Baptism During the Reformation

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

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Luther and Media

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

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Church Membership

The Christ the Center panel met with Dr. Guy Waters, associate professor of NT at RTS/Jackson, about the importance of membership in a local congregation. The biblical basis for church

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Restoration Prophecy in Ezra-Nehemiah

The Christ the Center corporal’s guard spoke with Matthew Patton, PhD student in biblical studies at Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton, IL about his paper “Searching for a Truly

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The Doctrine of Assurance

Burk Parsons visits Christ the Center to discuss two books he has edited. A majority of the discussion centers on Assured by God: Living in the Fullness of God’s Grace,

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God’s Alphabet for Life, 2nd ed.

Reformation Heritage is close to releasing a 2nd edition of God’s Alphabet for Life, by Joel R. Beeke and Heidi Boorsma. The second edition of this helpful book for young

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Reformed Media Review #14

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,

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New Testament Theology

Christ the Center was pleased to welcome Dr. Thomas R. Schreiner to discuss New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ. Dr. Schreiner’s book has been warmly welcomed by many respected

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Homeschooling Resources

While not reformed [or necessarily Christian for that matter] the Pioneer Woman provides many helpful homeschooling resources.  This site has come recommended to me from homeschoolers at my church not

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The Masculine Mandate

Richard D. Phillips visits Christ the Center to discuss his new book The Masculine Mandate: God’s Calling to Men. The book is a reaction to recent cultural trends as well

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Loving the Church

Christ the Center had the pleasure of interviewing Ted Kluck, author and athlete, about his recent publication, Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion, co-authored

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The New Shape of World Christianity

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

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Truth and Error in the Church

The Christ the Center panelists revisit with Rev. Martin Downes, minister of Christ Church Deeside in north Wales, about his new book Risking the Truth: Handling Error in the Church

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The Theology of Samuel Rutherford

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

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The Life and Thought of Lemuel Haynes

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

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Foreign Missions and Special Office

Divergent approaches to foreign missions have been employed for centuries. Disagreements over various approaches have been at the heart of many historic events in modern church history. Indeed, one such

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The Regulative Principle of Worship

Derek Thomas joins Josh Walker and Nick Batzig to discuss the regulative principle of worship. Derek Thomas is the John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at Reformed

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The Importance of the Original Languages

Miles Van Pelt, Associate Professor of Old Testament and Academic Dean at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS speaks about the importance of the original languages for biblical study. Miles

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The Rule of Love

The Christ the Center panel had the pleasure of revisiting Rev. Dr. John Fesko, now the academic dean and associate professor of systematic theology at Westminster Seminary California, abut his

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Westminster Shorter Catechism Lessons

Trinity OPC in Franklin, PA has provided a complete set of lessons from the Westminster Shorter Catechism. These lessons are helpful resources for catechetical instruction in the home and at

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Archibald Alexander on Catechizing

The word “catechizing” seems to elicit a multitude of reactions ranging from scorn to confusion. Whether someone envisages a family whose definition of fun is sitting around quizzing one another

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Implementing Family Worship

In his article Implementing Family Worship Joel Beeke offers a veritable soup-to-nuts approach to family worship. He offers several suggestions to help you establish God-honoring Family Worship in your homes.

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Thomas Aquinas

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

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Iguanaman? Try Insurance Salesman

Rodney Trotter may have his facts a little out of place on this post. This elaborate getup was part of a Vacation Bible School lesson involving the temptation of Christ

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Ligonier Children’s Book Gift Set

For a limited time, Westminster Books is selling a gift set of three children’s books from Ligonier Ministries. The set includes The Prince’s Poison Cup, The Lightlings, and Sammy and

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The Trinity Hymnal Online

The Orthodox Presbyterian Church has provided a very helpful resource by including the Trinity Hymnal on its website. This is much more than a help for pastors who are putting

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Family Devotions

The Orthodox Presbyterian Church is currently featuring an article by Brad Winsted on The Lost Art and Practice of Family Devotions.

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The Importance of Catechesis

Several years before arriving at reformed convictions, I thought catechetical instruction was some peculiar phenomenon that only Roman Catholics and Lutherans did. It seemed to me like a strange pseudo-brainwashing

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Calvin as a Servant of the Word of God

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.

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Apologetics and Pastoral Ministry

Nick Batzig sat down with David Robertson pastor of St. Peters Free Church in Dundee, Scotland recently at Twin Lakes Fellowship where he lectured on Emergent Calvinism. David spoke with

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Scripture and Doctrine in the Church

Our doctrine of Scripture is extremely important and drives the discussion of practically all other topics. Since we hold Scripture to be our principium cognoscendi externum it is our rule

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A Life in the Preaching Ministry

We had the pleasure to discuss the preaching ministry with noted Scottish minister Eric Alexander. Rev. Alexander has spent his adult life serving Jesus Christ, in His Church, as a

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Reformed Worship

Nick Batzig sat down with Jon Payne at the Twin Lakes Fellowship to talk about the subject of Reformed Worship. Jon deals with the various aspects of this topic in

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The Song of David’s Son

We are pleased to welcome Iain D Campbell to speak about a covenantal approach to interpreting the Song of Solomon.  Dr. Campbell wrote a wonderful article in the Spring 2000

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The God Who Is

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Douglas Kelly to speak about his Systematic Theology, Volume 1. Nick Batzig caught up with Dr. Kelly at the recent Twin Lakes Fellowship near

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Christless Christianity

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

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The Doctrine of Simplicity

James Dolezal, Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey recorded a recent discussion over breakfast on the doctrine of simplicity. The audio quality is not good as it was recorded on a

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Geerhardus Vos

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

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Puritan Theology

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

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The Church Fathers

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

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Children’s Books

At the Reformed Forum, we realized we were not providing much content specifically oriented toward families and children. We’re attempting to remedy that gap in our offerings with reformedfamily.org. As

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Why Johnny Can’t Preach

Why Can’t Johnny Preach? That is a good question. And it is a troubling question too. To try to get at an answer, the Christ the Center panel interviewed Rev.

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Sanctification and the Gospel

Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Emeritus at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, joined the Christ the Center panel to discuss the nature of the gospel

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Paedocommunion

The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Cornelis P. Venema, president of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana, and professor of doctrinal studies, about his forthcoming

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The Eschatology of Adoption

Christ the Center had the honor to interview the newest faculty member of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Rev. Dr. David Garner, who also serves as the institution’s vice president

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The Young Bultmann

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

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Redeeming Science

Science and faith are often pitted against each other. Many have felt they must make a choice between either being a person of science or a person of faith. Dr.

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Van Til’s Trinitarian Theology

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)

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Made in the USA

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

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Deconstructing Evangelicalism

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

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Apologetics and Islam

Noted apologist Dr. James White joins the panel on Christ the Center to discuss the challenges of apologizing to Muslims. Dr. White is Director of Alpha & Omega Ministries and

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Getting the Blues

Dr. Stephen Nichols, research professor of Christianity and culture at Lancaster Bible College, joins the Christ the Center panel for an interesting discussion about his new book, Getting the Blues.

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A Brief History of Trinitarian Thought

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

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Cornelius Van Til: A Life

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

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The Preaching of Jonathan Edwards

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

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Herman Bavinck

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

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The Defense of the Faith

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

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The Calvin Quincentenary

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 (A

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Preaching in an Electronic Age

Greg Reynolds joins the panel on Christ the Center to speak about media ecology and preaching in the electronic age. Dr. Reynolds is the pastor at Amoskeag Presbyterian Church in

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J. Gresham Machen

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

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The Pastor and the Academy

Too often, a rift obtains between the work of the church and theological study. Pastors and seminary students often feel the need to choose between one or the other. Derek

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Recovering the Reformed Confession

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

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Union with Christ and Twofold Grace

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

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Inhabiting Reality: Thomas F. Torrance’s Criticisms of Dualism

The following is a paper I wrote some years ago for an independent reading course as part of my PhD program at Westminster Theological Seminary. It is an evaluation of one aspect of the theology of Thomas F. Torrance. I claim no expertise in Torrancean theology. But I offer this as an exercise in theological analysis.

This paper is about one particular aspect of the thought of theologian Thomas F. Torrance.[1] Torrance, is, of course, known for two major contributions he has made to theology. Torrance has made a tremendous contribution to an understanding of the interrelations of science and theology and, especially since his “retirement” from active teaching, for his production of erudite works on Trinitarian theology. Regarding Torrance’s work on the relationship of theology to the natural sciences, Elmer Colyer tells us,

Thomas F. Torrance is considered by many to be the most outstanding, living Reformed theologian in the Anglo-Saxon world. One of the leading theologians in the dialogue between theology and philosophy of science, he was awarded the Templeton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion in 1978.

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Reformed Church Growth

In this episode we speak with Drew Dinardo, Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church Coral Springs-Margate, FL about the challenges of planting and growing reformed churches. Participants: Camden Bucey, Drew

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The Federal Vision

Lane Keister joins us to discuss the Federal Vision, an expression of theology within Reformed circles offering alternative views of the Bible’s covenantal structure, ecclesiology and the sacraments. Lane runs

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The Atonement as Propitiation

Propitiation means to appease or avert divine wrath. This episode of Christ the Center examines the atonement as propitiation as we discuss the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the propitiation

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The Atonement as Reconciliation

Reconciliation is the restoration of a broken relationship between God and sinful man. It is the overcoming of our alienation from God because of our disobedience and sin. This episode

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Doctrinal Confusion in the Church

Join us for a discussion of doctrinal confusion in the church. We talk about the influences of postmodernism, post-conservatism, and the emerging church on the contemporary church. Participants: Camden Bucey,

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The Attributes of God

In this episode, the group builds upon last week’s episode and addresses traditional distinctions in discussing the attributes of God. They then discuss several incommunicable and communicable attributes and how

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Augustine

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

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The Theology of Jonathan Edwards

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

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Building Old School Churches

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

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Van Til and Barth

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

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Cornelius Van Til

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

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Redemptive-Historical Preaching

This episode is an introduction to redemptive-historical preaching. The proponents of this kind of preaching argued that Old Testament narratives are not given primarily – to us by God to

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The Spirituality of the Church

In this episode the panel covers the spirituality of the church – its history and its bearing on diaconal ministries, humanitarian efforts, and church/state relations. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington,

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The Book of Daniel, Part 13

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. In chapter 5, the scene changes from Nebuchadnezzar’s praise and extolling of

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Irenaeus of Lyons

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

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The Book of Daniel, Part 12

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. In chapter 4, we read of the dream given to Nebuchadnezzar wherein

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Mark 2:1–12 — Healing from Sin

The story of the healing of the paralytic is a picture of God’s work of redemption through Jesus Christ. We are healed—saved—not because we merit favor, but because of the

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Resurrection and Redemption

In this episode, Camden Bucey and Marcus Mininger reflect together on Resurrection and Redemption by Richard B. Gaffin Jr.—a work that has profoundly shaped Reformed biblical theology over the past

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Highlights from 2025

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

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We Wish You a Merry Christmas

For our Tenth Annual Christmas Special, Rob and Bob are here to bring you Christmas cheer with our annual Christmas special silliness with a splash of seriousness. More seriously, friends,

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The Book of Daniel, Part 11

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. In chapter 4, we read of another dream given to Nebuchadnezzar wherein

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The Book of Daniel, Part 10

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. Having discussed the faithfulness of God’s people in the midst of fiery

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The Book of Daniel, Part 9

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We discuss the faithfulness of God’s people in the midst of fiery

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The Book of Daniel, Part 8

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We discuss Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue found in chapter 3:1–8. Participants: Rob McKenzie,

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Reformed Confessionalism

What role do historic confessions play in the life of the Church today—and why should we care? In this episode we welcome Dr. D. Blair Smith, President and Associate Professor

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Van Til and the Problem of Evil

In this episode, we are joined by Rev. Dr. William D. Dennison, pastor of Emmanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Kent, Washington, to reflect on Cornelius Van Til’s student paper “Evil

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Faith in Exile (Psalm 119)

In this episode, Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. David VanDrunen to discuss his new book, Faith in Exile: Psalm 119 and the Christian Life (Christian Focus). VanDrunen shares the backstory behind

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Understanding Matthew 24

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob takes us on a walk through Matthew 24, the Olivet Discourse. Participants: Rob McKenzie

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The Book of Daniel, Part 7

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We discuss Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its interpretation by Daniel found in chapter

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The Book of Daniel, Part 6

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We discuss Nebuchadnezzar’s dream found in Daniel 2:31-49. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert

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Samuel Miller’s Thoughts on Public Prayer

In this episode Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. Jonathan Master, president of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and host of the new podcast Dead Presbyterians Society. Together, they reflect on the theology

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Ruth 2:1–13 — Why Me?

God begins to turn around Naomi’s life in Ruth 2:1-13, a picture of what he does for his church. Ruth ventures into the fields in faith and just “happens” to

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The Book of Daniel, Part 5

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We discuss Nebuchadnezzar’s dream found in Daniel 2:17-24. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert

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Loving the Law

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey and Carlton Wynne are joined by Rev. Stephen Spinnenweber, author of Loving the Law: The Law of God in the Life

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Righteous by Design and Created for Communion

In this rich theological conversation, Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. Harrison Perkins—pastor, scholar, and author—to discuss his two latest books: Righteous by Design: Covenantal Merit and Adam’s Original Integrity (Christian Focus)

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The Book of Daniel, Part 4

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We see the great challenge Nebuchadnezzar places upon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers,

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The Book of Daniel, Part 3

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We see God’s faithfulness to his people in the midst of living

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Zwingli’s View of the Lord’s Supper

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

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Larger for Life Takeover

In this conversation, Camden Bucey welcomes Matt Adams, Derrick Brite, and Stephen Spinnenweber. They reflect on their experiences at the Twin Lakes Fellowship and discuss the often-neglected Larger Catechism, its

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The Book of Daniel, Part 2

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We God’s faithfulness to his people in the midst of challenging circumstances

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The Special Commission of 1925

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

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The Book of Daniel, Part 1

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob begin to walk through the Book of Daniel with some background and introductory thoughts. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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Engaging with Thomas Aquinas

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

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The Biblical Theme of Exile and Return

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Nicholas G. Piotrowski to discuss his book, Return from Exile and the Renewal of God’s People (Crossway). Throughout our conversation, Dr. Piotrowski unpacks the

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Missions and Baseball in Germany

In this episode of Reformed Forum Live, Camden Bucey speaks with Stephen Spanjer, a PCA minister serving in Neuenberg, Germany, with the Evangelical Reformed Church Westminster Confession (ERKWB). Stephen shares

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Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Final State

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s, Summary of Christian Doctrine. On today’s episode, under the larger section, “The Doctrine of the Last Things,” we a conclude our

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The Three-Office View

In this episode, we explore the biblical and historical foundations of Presbyterian church government through the lens of the three-office view—minister, ruling elder, and deacon. Joining us are two distinguished

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The Genevan Réveil

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

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Pastoral Ministry & Calvin’s Latin Bible

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

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Redemptive-Historical Interpretation

In this special live recording of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey, Lane Tipton, Jim Cassidy, and guest Marcus Mininger explore the vital topic of redemptive historical interpretation. Dr. Mininger is

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You Will Be My Witnesses

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey speaks with Brian DeVries, a theologian and pastor in South Africa, about his new book, You Will Be My Witnesses, which

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Reformed Forum Live (February 14, 2025)

Camden Bucey is joined by Bo Collins and Joe Cristman to discuss various topics related to their churches, upcoming events, and personal library management. They also touch on exciting developments

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Reformed Forum Live (February 7, 2025)

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

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Reformed Forum Live (January 31, 2025)

Checking in from Scottsdale, Arizona, Camden Bucey discusses the Faith and Life Conference on worship and the themes of his upcoming talks. He reflects on recent podcast episodes, including discussions

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Ancient Near-Eastern Hero Culture

Join us for a fascinating conversation on biblical imagery. Dr. Michael Seufert, pastor of Mission OPC in St. Paul, Minnesota, and author of the dissertation Of Beasts and Men: A

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The Holy Spirit

In this episode of Christ the Center, we welcome Dr. Robert Letham, Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Union School of Theology, to discuss his latest book, The Holy

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Reflections on Numbers and the Call to Ministry

In this lively Friday afternoon livestream recorded on January 17, 2025, Camden Bucey and a panel of guests discuss upcoming events, including Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary’s Confessional Conference, themed “The

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Highlights from 2024

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

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The 2024 Christmas Extravaganza

Join us for the Reformed Forum Christmas Extravaganza 2024, a four-hour special filled with lively theological discussion, reflections on the past year, and a look ahead to what’s in store

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A Very Merry Christmas

For our Ninth Annual Christmas Special, Rob and Bob are here to bring you Christmas cheer with our annual Christmas silliness. This year we talk about the historical Nicholas, Bishop

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Listener Questions

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

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The Early Machen

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

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Missions, Culture, and Online Education

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. Craig Ott, professor of Mission and Intercultural Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, for an in-depth discussion on the

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Embracing the Imprecatory Psalms

In this episode, we sit down with Rev. Ryan Swale, pastor of Immanuel URC in Jordan, Ontario, to discuss his dissertation, The Imprecatory Pastor: A Practical Theology of the Imprecatory

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Reclaiming the “Dark Ages”

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

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Expository Reflections on Mark

Join us for an engaging episode of Christ the Center as we sit down with Douglas Sean O’Donnell, pastor, theologian, and author of Expository Reflections on the Gospels: Mark. In

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Arrowsmith’s Plans for Holy War

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

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Union with the Resurrected Christ

In this episode, we are honored to welcome Dr. Greg K. Beale, a renowned biblical scholar and author, to discuss his latest book, Union with the Resurrected Christ (Baker Academic).

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The Reformed Church in the Philippines

In this episode, Camden Bucey connects with Jim Cassidy, pastor of South Austin OPC and president of the Reformed Forum board, to discuss global theological education and Reformed missions. Dr.

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Global Theological Education

In this episode, we approach the critical topic of Reformed global theological education and discipleship. Join us as we explore the unique challenges and incredible opportunities present in various regions

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Church Membership

In Church Membership, Jonathan Landry Cruse emphasizes the biblical and theological necessity of formal church membership. Cruse argues that church membership is not merely a social or optional commitment but

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The Auburn Affirmation at 100

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

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Reformed Evangelism

This episode addresses the heart of Reformed evangelism, featuring a compelling conversation with the Rev. Paul Murphy, pastor of evangelism at Messiah’s Reformed Fellowship in New York, and Dr. Eric

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Training and Equipping Missionaries

Christ the Center is on the road as Camden Bucey speaks with two guests from the Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary Conference. This episode explores Reformed theology and its profound impact

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Consciences and the Reformation

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

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Life in the Negative World

In this episode, we welcome Aaron Renn, author of Life in the Negative World: Confronting Challenges in an Anti-Christian Culture, to explore the profound shifts in cultural attitudes towards Christianity

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Understanding Family Worship

In this episode, Camden Bucey engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Terry Johnson, Senior Minister of Independent Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Georgia and the author of Understanding Family Worship: Its History,

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Highlights from 2023

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

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Because It’s Christmas

For our Eighth Annual Christmas Special, Rob and Bob are here to bring you Christmas cheer with our annual Christmas silliness. This year we laugh about Christmas delicacies and the

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Robert Boyle, Christianity, and Science

In the latest episode of Christ the Center, we explore the fascinating intersection of science, faith, and philosophy through the life and contributions of Robert Boyle, the seventeenth-century chemist often

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Psalm 5 — Christian Hatred

What is a Christian to do with the imprecatory Psalms? Are they to be read and sung today, and if so, with what understanding? Jim Cassidy talks about how to

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What is the Future of Israel? Part 2

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue their discussion of the future of Israel? With geopolitical affairs in the Middle East as they are currently and the

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What is the Future of Israel? Part 1

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the future of Israel? With geopolitical affairs in the Middle East as they are currently and the end times speculations

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The Roots of Reformed Moral Theology

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Bruce Baugus to our program to discuss his book, The Roots of Reformed Moral Theology, published by Reformation Heritage Books. In this comprehensive work,

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The Aaronic Blessing of Numbers 6

In this episode, we welcome back Michael Glodo, Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. Rev. Glodo has written The Lord Bless You and Keep

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Christianity and Liberalism: The Church

We welcome John Muether and Danny Olinger to discuss the seventh and final chapter of Machen’s classic book, Christianity and Liberalism. The chapter highlights the importance of the church as

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The Communion of the Saints

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. A. Craig Troxel, Robert G. den Dulk Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary California. Dr. Troxel delves into his thought-provoking chapter

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Christianity and Liberalism: Salvation

Danny Olinger and Camden Bucey discuss the sixth chapter of Machen’s classic book, Christianity and Liberalism. In this chapter, J. Gresham Machen explores the differences between the liberal and Christian

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The Upside-Down Kingdom

We welcome Chris Castaldo to the program to explore the Beatitudes. In his book, The Upside-Down Kingdom, Castaldo offers a fresh perspective on these familiar teachings of Jesus, showing how

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The Living Hope Revealed in 1 Peter

Explore the profound wisdom of 1 Peter in this episode of the Christ the Center podcast. Camden Bucey is joined by Ryan Noha, Reformed Forum’s Director of Education and Advancement,

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New Courses and Upcoming Events

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

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The Character of Christ

In this episode, we speak with Jonathan Landry Cruse, author of The Character of Christ, a thought-provoking book that explores the character of Christ and the fruit of the Spirit.

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John Knox and Pastoral Theology

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

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Reformed Theology

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

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Christianity and Liberalism: Christ

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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Assurance of Faith

This week Rob and Bob take a moment to discuss some basic issues and concerns of the doctrine of assurance of faith. Participants: Rob McKenzie

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Machen and the PCA Today

Subscribe Now to Receive the Latest Issue of Our Magazine This article was published in the Spring 2023 issue of the Reformed Forum magazine. Subscribe now for free. If you

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Paul the Disciple in Acts

Adam York speaks about discipleship in the book of Acts. As the church “beholds” the resurrected–ascended Christ by the proclamation of the apostolic word, it is empowered to bear witness

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Hermeneutics and Homiletics

Mark Winder, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey discuss the relationship between hermeneutics and homiletics, focusing specifically on the preaching of Geerhardus Vos. Links Chapters Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy, Mark

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Ecumenism and Church Discipline

Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey discuss ecclesiology and R. B. Kuiper’s classic book, The Glorious Body of Christ. They focus primarily on ecumenism and how different church bodies relate to

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Preterism and 2 Peter 3

As a follow-up to his Reformed Academy course, Exploring 2 Peter: The Promise and the Path, Dan Ragusa joins Camden Bucey and Ryan Noha to discuss preterist views of 2

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Christianity and Liberalism: God and Man

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

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Christianity and Liberalism: Doctrine

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

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Running the Race

We discuss Geerhardus Vos’s sermon on Hebrews 12:1–3, “Running the Race,” from his collection Grace and Glory: Sermons Preached at Princeton Seminary. Chapters Participants: Camden Bucey, Danny Olinger, Lane G. Tipton

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A Theology of Luke

Benjamin L. Gladd speaks about From the Manger to the Throne: A Theology of Luke, which is published by Crossway in the New Testament Theology series edited by Thomas R. Schreiner and Brian

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A History of Presbyterianism in Wisconsin

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

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Summary of Christian Doctrine: Providence

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the second section, The Doctrine of God and Creation, chapter 10 continues the

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A Theological Introduction to Neo-Calvinism

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 of neo-Calvinism as a

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Christianity and Liberalism: Introduction

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.

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Highlights from 2022

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

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Surviving Christmas

For our Seventh Annual Christmas Special, Rob and Bob attempt to bring some Christmas cheer your way this Christmas season. With all of the bad contemporary Christmas music (“All I

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Psalm 1 — The Blessed Man

We embark on a study through a new book—Psalms. Jim Cassidy provides some important interpretive principles which he illustrates through a consideration of Psalm 1. Written for Israel, a nation

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1689 Federalism and the Old Covenant

Carlton Wynne, Jeremy Boothby, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey discuss 1689 Federalism and the old covenant. Continuing an ongoing conversation carried over several podcast episodes and YouTube videos, the panel

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Gospel-Shaped Marriage

Chad and Emily Van Dixhoorn speak about Gospel Shaped Marriage: Grace for Sinners to Love Like Saints (Crossway, 2022). While many books on marriage cover the same well-trod ground and

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Hosea 14 — Turn Around

Repentance today is a byword. It conjures up images of a religious fanatic standing on a street corner with a cheap megaphone that more obscures the sound than amplifies it.

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A Tale of Two Trees

Scott Wright speaks about the continued relevance of Meredith G. Kline. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Meredith G. Kline. We recently hosted our annual theology

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The Relevance of Meredith G. Kline

John R. Muether speaks about the continued relevance of Meredith G. Kline. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Meredith G. Kline. We recently hosted our annual

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Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Trinity

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the second section, The Doctrine of God and Creation, the seventh chapter

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What Is Union with Christ?

The Westminster Larger Catechism, 65 through 69, describes, in part, union with Jesus Christ. And John Calvin in Book Three of Institutes of the Christian Religion describes union with Christ,

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Hosea 13 — The Dead Son Lives

Hosea 13 contains mostly words of rebuke and condemnation. But there is good news there as well. The Lord rebukes his son, Israel, whom he called out of Egypt, for

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What Is the Point of Contact?

In another video, we spoke about the antithesis, the sharp distinction between believers and unbelievers. That distinction is covenantal, absolute, and ethical. We also spoke about how that distinction is

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Catechetical Preaching

Drs. Alan Strange and Cornelis Venema speak about the practice of catechetical preaching from a practical as well as historical perspective. While the practice is more common within the Dutch

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Bavinck and a Christian View of Science

In 1904, the same year Herman Bavinck published Christian Worldview, Bavinck published a book titled Christelijke wetenschap (Christian Science) in which he commented on a movement to “build science . . . on

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A God-Centered Approach to History

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

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What Is the Antithesis?

In the field of Reformed apologetics we sometimes speak about the antithesis. The antithesis is a theological principle that is meant to describe the difference between believers and unbelievers. There

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What Is Reformed Militancy?

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

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Research Methods and Tools

Dr. Benjamin Gladd shares his methods and favorite tools for facilitating research and eventual publication of his writing. Dr. Gladd is Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in

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Heavenly Mindedness

We discuss Geerhardus Vos’s sermon, “Heavenly Mindedness” from his collection Grace and Glory: Sermons Preached at Princeton Seminary. In this sermon, Vos directs the Christian to consider the heavenly realities,

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What Is the Deeper Catholic Conception?

The deeper Catholic conception, or traditional Roman Catholic conception, is a concept in conjunction with and in contrast to the deeper Protestant conception. The deeper Catholic conception is the notion

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The Perils of Naming a Denomination

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 Assembly

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Summary of Christian Doctrine: Scripture

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob begin a discussion of Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the first section, Introduction, the third chapter on “Scripture,”

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Summary of Christian Doctrine: Revelation

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue a discussion of Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the first section, Introduction, the second chapter on “Revelation,”

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The Two Ages in Scripture

Adam York joins Camden Bucey to speak about the two age construction found throughout Scripture and especially in the Pauline epistles. Scripture frequently speaks of “this age” and “the age

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What Is Mutualism or Correlativism?

Mutualism or correlativism are virtual synonyms. Cornelius Van Til, a prominent twentieth-century Reformed theologian, apologist, Orthodox Presbyterian, and founding member of Westminster Theological Seminary, taught that God and the creature

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What Is the Creator-Creature Distinction?

In biblical teaching summarized by Reformed theology, the creator-creature distinction brings into view the absolute ontological difference between the Triune God and the creature. The Triune God is infinite, eternal,

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Summary of Christian Doctrine: Religion

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob begin a discussion of Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the first section, Introduction, the first chapter on

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The Practical Import of Ecclesiology

Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey discuss ecclesiology (the doctrine of the church) and the significant ways it informs our daily lives. Dr. Cassidy is studying R. B. Kuiper’s The Glorious

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A History of Presbyterian Publications

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

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Revelation 21

This week on Theology Simply Profound, an exhortation from Rob on Revelation 21. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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Signature Psalms: Psalm 2

In this episode, Rob and Bob continue a series on familiar psalms that we tend to be drawn to more than others for one reason or another. Psalm 2 is

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Preaching Post-Covid

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the church, worship, and preaching in a post-covid society. Has the pandemic changed the fundamental nature of society such that

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Questions and Answers

We turn to the mailbag today to answer questions from listeners. We discuss the “organic” unity of the Scriptures, Van Til’s understanding of the phenomenal world, why the covenant of

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Ruling Elders and General Assembly

Podcast worlds collide! Jim and Camden welcome Brad Isbell, perhaps even better known as @ChortlesWeakly, to the program to discuss ruling elders and general assemblies within Presbyterianism. Along with @wresbyterian,

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Machen and the Era of Tragedy

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

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Vos Group #74 — Social Sin

Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 269–286 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to consider social sin in the time of the prophets. Chapters 00:00 Introduction

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Catechesis, Education, and the Church

Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey speak about Jim’s latest course, The Westminster Shorter Catechism (Questions 39–107), which is available for free through Reformed Academy. In speaking about the new series,

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The Value of Studying B. B. Warfield

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

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Reformed Ministry in Bogotá, Colombia

Rodrigo Andrés Espinoza and Douglas Clawson speak about Reformed and Presbyterian ministry in the nation of Colombia and specifically, its capital, Bogotá. Rev. Clawson has been visiting and serving in

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The Exile of Adam in Romans

Dr. David Barry joins us to speak about his book, The Exile of Adam in Romans: The Reversal of the Curse against Adam and Israel in the Substructure of Romans

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Persistent Prayer

We take the podcast on the road for three episodes to visit Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. In our first episode of the road trip, we speak with Dr.

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Reformed Missions and Evangelism

Dr. Eric Watkins joins us to speak about missions and evangelism from a Reformed perspective. Dr. Watkins is senior pastor of Harvest Presbyterian Church (OPC) in San Marcos, California as

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Highlights from 2021

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.

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Karl Barth: A Life in Conflict

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

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Sixth Annual Christmas Special

For our Sixth Annual Christmas Special, Rob and Bob attempt to bring some holiday cheer and silliness to you, but end up being rather “Bah Humbug” about it all. With

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Signature Psalms: Psalm 110

In this episode, Rob and Bob continue a series on familiar psalms that we tend to be drawn to more than others for one reason or another. Psalm 110 is quoted

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Signature Psalms: Psalm 23

In this episode, Rob and Bob begin a new series on familiar psalm that we tend to be drawn to more than others for one reason or another. We begin

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Girolamo Zanchi and Spiritual Marriage

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

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Cornelis Pronk — A Goodly Heritage

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

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Geerhardus Vos and the Covenant of Works

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

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Theological Education in Foreign Missions

In this episode, several OPC missionaries discuss theological education in foreign mission fields. Douglas Clawson is associate general secretary for the OPC’s Committee on Foreign Missions. Charles Jackson serves as

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Handbook on the Gospels

Dr. Benjamin L. Gladd, Associate Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, speaks about his new Handbook on the Gospels. This book is part of a

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Supporting Diaconal Ministry

David Nakhla speaks about the work of deacons and how the Orthodox Presbyterian Church is working to assist the diaconate in its labors for Christ’s church. Mr. Nakhla is the

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Hosea 11 — Out of Egypt

Hosea prophesied that God would call his son out of Egypt. Of course, that was long after the Exodus. But here in Chapter 11 the Exodus serves as a motif

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The Committee of Nine and Evangelicalism

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

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Encountering the Westminster Shorter Catechism

Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey discuss their experiences with catechisms among Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism , and evangelicalism and then their introduction to the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim

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Listener Questions

Ryan Noha poses several questions submitted by our listeners and views. Along with Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey, the panel discusses Thomas and Van Til on the doctrine of God,

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The Liturgy of the Apocalypse

Glen Clary discusses the worship setting of Revelation 4–5 and its significance for the church’s present and future worship. While on the isle of Patmos, John was given a vision

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The Work of Christ

We preview a forthcoming course on Union with Christ and the Doctrine of Salvation, taught by Lane Tipton. Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

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Caring for Ministers

Rev. John Fikkert speaks about providing specialized care for ministers. Rev. Fikkert is the director of the OPC’s Committee on Ministerial Care, which provides a range services for ministers such

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Discussing Foundations of Covenant Theology

Lane Tipton speaks about his new book, Foundations of Covenant Theology, available now through Reformed Forum. Drawing from Genesis 1:1 and subsequent biblical revelation, Lane Tipton argues that before creating

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Seeker’s Progress

Rob McKenzie speaks about the Christian life and a variety of apologetic encounters he has woven into his book Seeker’s Progress. In this novel, McKenzie explores the world that John

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The Auburn Betrayal

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

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empty tomb

Redemption Accomplished and Applied

Lane Tipton is in the studio with Camden Bucey to discuss the doctrine of salvation and union with Christ from the eschatological perspective of redemption accomplished and applied. On the

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On Our Radar [19 May 21]

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

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Vos Group #69 — Emotions and Affections

We turn to pages 255–256 of Geerhardus Vos, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the ways in which the Old Testament prophets use anthropomorphism to describe God. The “emotional” or

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On Our Radar [12 May 21]

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,

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Scott Swain, The Trinity

Jim Cassidy reviews Scott Swain, The Trinity: An Introduction (Crossway) From the Publisher The Trinity is one of the most essential doctrines of the Christian faith. The eternal God existing

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Gerald Bray, The Attributes of God

Jim Cassidy reviews Gerald Bray, The Attributes of God: An Introduction (Crossway) From the Publisher How can we (created beings) know God (the Creator)? Throughout history, the church has recognized

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The Diet of Worms

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,

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On Our Radar [15 Apr 21]

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,

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On Our Radar [8 Apr 21]

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 the

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On Our Radar [1 Apr 21]

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 series.

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Trends in Christian Education

All Christian parents are called to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). In Deuteronomy 6:4–9, the Lord commands his covenant people, Hear, O

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New Course: Van Til’s Trinitarian 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 trinitarian theology, this

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Hands-On with Van Til’s Books

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

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Michel Foucault

Dr. Christopher Watkin joins us to speak about his book, Michel Foucault, published by P&R Publishing in the Great Thinkers series. Michel Foucault (1926–1984) was a French philosopher, historian of ideas,

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Edmund Clowney, Christian Meditation

In this review, we consider CM, Christian Meditation: What the Bible Teaches about Meditation and Spiritual Excercises by Edmund P. Clowney and published by Regent College Publishing. Writing in 1977,

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Pandemics in Church History

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.

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From Adam and Israel to the Church

Benjamin Gladd, associate professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi joins us to speak about his book, From Adam and Israel to the Church: A Biblical Theology of

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What Happens When We Worship

Jonathan Landry Cruse speaks about worship. Cruse has written What Happens When We Worship (Reformation Heritage Books). Many churchgoers assume that worship is inherently boring, something we need to make

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Hosea 9 — Elect Exiles

Hosea ministers in Israel between the time of the conquest of Canaan and the exile. In chapter nine of his prophecy, he tells of the coming judgment-exile of Israel into

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Christ is Our Returning King!

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss what it means for Christians to have a returning king, especially in the midst of the difficult and dark days of

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David Dickson’s Sermons on Lamentations

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 whose

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The Spirituality of the Church

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

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Highlights from 2020

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, here

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James Ussher and the Covenant of Works

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

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Special Request for Prayer

On this special episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob ask that you pray for Dr. Benjamin L. Gladd, associate professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, as

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A Very Socially Distanced Christmas!

For the 5th Annual Christmas Special of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob wish you a very sanitized and socially distanced Christmas 2020. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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The Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob bring to a close their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days

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Covenant Theology in Hebrews

Dr. Robert Cara, Provost and Chief Academic Officer of Reformed Theological Seminary and Hugh and Sallie Reaves Professor of New Testament at RTS Charlotte, discusses the covenant theology evident in

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The Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days we currently

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Vos Group Excursus: The Wonderful Tree

In this episode of Vos Group, we turn to Vos’s sermon, “The Wonderful Tree,” in the collection of his sermons, Grace and Glory: Sermons Preached at Princeton Seminary. Preaching on

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The Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days we currently

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The Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days we

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The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days we currently

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Hosea 8 — When More Is Less

Hosea brings a word of judgment upon Israel, threatening to send them into exile and judgment for their sin. Christ as the true and obedient Israel secures for his people

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A History of Dispensationalism

Rev. Michael J. Glodo, Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Dean of the Chapel at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, speaks about dispensationalism and its development in light of

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The Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days we currently

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The Resurrection in Acts

Dr. Brandon Crowe speaks about the centrality of the resurrection in the book of Acts. Dr. Crowe has written The Hope of Israel: The Resurrection of Christ in the Acts

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The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days we currently

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The Fruit of the Spirit: Joy

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days we

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The Fruit of the Spirit

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the fruit of the Spirit in light of Paul’s exhortation in Galatians 5 to “walk in the Spirit.”

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Karl Barth and Idealism

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

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Life in the Spirit

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss living in this present evil age while living life in the Spirit. How does a Christian live in the midst

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The Call to Worship and Benediction

Glen Clary speaks about the biblical basis and covenantal context of the call to worship and benediction. These elements of worship are rooted in Christ’s work on behalf of his

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Covenant Theology in Hebrews

Jeremy Boothby speaks about covenant theology through the biblical-theological lens of the book of Hebrews. In so doing, he compares and contrasts 1689 Federalism and other particular baptist approaches to

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Justification in James

Biblical exegetes have long discussed the relationship of justification in James to that of Paul. On the surface, James 2:24 appears even to contradict many of the key Pauline passages

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The Covenant of Works

We discuss the doctrine of the covenant of works, including its biblical basis (Gen. 2:15–17 et al) as well as common objections to it. The Reformed tradition has spoken of

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The Kingdom of God and Us

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the Kingdom of God and the Four-fold Estate of Man reflecting on the disciples expectations of the

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Romans 13 and Protestant Resistance Theory

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 13,

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The Philosophy of David Hume

Dr. James N. Anderson speaks about the philosophy of David Hume, one of the foremost thinkers of the Western tradition. Hume is well known for his influential system of philosophical empiricism, skepticism,

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The Kingdom of God and Israel

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the Kingdom of God and the Four-fold Estate of Man by chatting about Israel and how God

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The Theology of Benedict XVI

Dr. Gregg Allison and Dr. Carl Trueman speak about the theology of Benedict XVI, pope emeritus of the Roman Catholic Church. Allison’s article, “Faith, Hope, and Love” and Trueman’s article,

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The Kingdom of God and Noah

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob wanted to pick up their discussion of the Kingdom of God and the Four-fold Estate of Man with a consideration of Noah

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The Kingdom of God and Enoch

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob wanted to pick up their discussion of the Kingdom of God and the Four-fold Estate of Man with a consideration of

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The Kingdom of God and Creation

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the Kingdom of God and the Four-fold Estate of Man with a consideration of the kingdom,

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Heavenly-Mindedness

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

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The More Excellent Ministry

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

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Seeking and Saving the Lost

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

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All That Is in God

James Dolezal discusses his book All That Is in God: Evangelical Theology and the Challenge of Classical Christian Theism (Reformation Heritage Books, 2017). Dr. Dolezal serves as associate professor in

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The Kingdom of God and the Fall

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue discussing the kingdom of God as it unfolds through the four-fold estate of man: the estate of innocence, fall, redemption,

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Echoes of Exodus

Dr. Bryan Estelle joins us to speak about Echoes of Exodus: Tracing a Biblical Motif (IVP Academic, 2018). Israel’s exodus from Egypt is the Bible’s enduring emblem of deliverance. It

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Dort’s Study Bible: Colossians 2:8 and Philosophy

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.

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The Kingdom of God

Dr. S. M. Baugh joins us to speak about his book, The Majesty on High: An Introduction to the Kingdom of God in the New Testament. Beginning with a definition

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Hungering and Thirsting After Righteousness

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

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With All Your Heart

Dr. A. Craig Troxel speaks about With All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will toward Christ (Crossway, 2020). Whereas contemporary culture identifies the “heart” with feelings and emotions,

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Politics after Christendom

David VanDrunen speaks about his forthcoming book, Politics After Christendom (Zondervan Academic), reflecting upon the status and responsibilities of Christians in their contemporary pluralistic political communities. Dr. VanDrunen presents a

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empty tomb

Rabboni!

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

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Simply Blessed: Mastricht, Minimalism and the Messiah

Neither consumerism nor minimalism can make us happy. When either is raised to messianic proportions, their disciples are left dry and doomed. But there is a tertium quid (a third option) that only the Christian can see: God giving himself in covenant to be our God.

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Abraham Kuyper’s Public Theology

Dr. Jordan J. Ballor, senior research fellow and director of publishing for the Acton Institute, joins us to speak about Abraham Kuyper’s public theology. Dr. Ballor is a general editor

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J. C. Ryle on Holiness

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the subject of holiness with portions of J. C. Ryle’s classic book, Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots. Participants:

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Hebrew Discourse Analysis

Matthew Patton speaks about his book, Basics of Hebrew Discourse: A Guide to Working with Hebrew Prose and Poetry (Zondervan Academic, 2019). Dr. Patton is pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church

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The Wonderful Tree

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

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The Wonderful Works of God

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

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A Christian View of Economics

Shawn Ritenour, Professor of Economics at Grove City College, speaks about the basics of economics and the Christian principles upon which the study must be based. Dr. Ritenour is the

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Highlights from 2019

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

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Christmas Traditions!

Welcome to the Fourth Annual Theology Simply Profound Christmas Special where Rob and Bob discuss Christmas traditions and everything silly that popped into their vacation ready minds. Merry Christmas! Participants:

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Expectations of the Messiah

While Rob and Bob finished up their discussion of the book of Malachi, on this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, they discuss some of the expectations of the coming

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The Christian’s True Identity

Jonathan Landry Cruse, Pastor of Community Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, speaks with Rob and Bob about his new book, The Christian’s True Identity: What It Means to Be in

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Karl Rahner

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 most

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Christianity and Liberalism — Chapter 7

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

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Bavinck’s Christian Worldview

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

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The Coming Day

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob finish out their discussion of Malachi. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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Socinianism

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.

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Faithful and Fruitful Ordained Ministry

Healthy churches have healthy elders and deacons. When a local congregation is blessed with faithful officers the results are bountiful (Acts 6:7). William Boekestein and Steven Swets speak about ordained

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Christianity and Liberalism — Chapter 6

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

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History and the Life of the Church

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

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The Faithfulness of God

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of Malachi at chapter 3:7-18. Here we engage Malachi in his denunciation of those “robbing” the Lord, as

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The History of Heaven

Lane Tipton speaks about his recent conference addresses and his newly available video course, Foundations of Covenant Theology. In this conversation, we seek to address the question of the Spiritual

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The Day of His Coming

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of Malachi 2:17–3:6 where they discuss Malachi’s presentation of the coming of God, as well as the

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Christian Perspectives on Sport Hunting

Dr. Bracy V. Hill, senior lecturer in history at Baylor University, speaks about Christian perspectives on sport hunting. While hunting isn’t the first thing on the minds of biblical scholars,

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Schools of Biblical Criticism

Will Wood discusses various approaches to higher criticism, including source, form, and redaction criticism. This conversation dives into a topic that was covered briefly in an episode on the authorship

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Covenant Faithfulness

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Malachi 2:10-16. In these verses, Malachi addresses the covenant unfaithfulness of his people as the men divorce the wives of

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The Mountain of the Lord

Mountains appear throughout the Bible as an important symbol of God meeting with man. In this episode, we trace the biblical-theological theme of mountains in an effort to understand more

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Genesis 25:1–21 — Epilogue to Abraham

In Episode 78 the panel discusses how the story of redemption shifts focus from Abraham to his descendants, and particularly to Isaac and Jacob. Employing a covenantal and redemptive-historical hermeneutic

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What the Lord Expects Us to Know

The Book of Malachi speaks to the people of God after their return from exile in Babylon. They and their leaders are being called to account for offering their worst

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Offering Our Worst to the Lord

In this episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the first chapter of Malachi and the concern he has for the cold worship offered by his people and

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Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism

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

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The Authorship of Isaiah

The New Testament cites the book of Isaiah more than any other Old Testament book. Scripture itself treats the book as a literary work by a single author. In this

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Introduction to Malachi

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob begin to discuss the Book of Malachi. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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Genesis 24 — A Bride for Isaac

In this 67-verse chapter we examine some of the patterns and themes in this narrative full of intrigue. We discuss the transition of the covenant promises to Isaac, the providence

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Cain and Abel

Glen Clary leads us in a consideration of the biblical-theological themes in the Cain and Abel narrative of Genesis 4. Much more than a mere commentary on anger and murder,

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The Gospel and Self-Conception

Daniel Schrock speaks about self-conception in light of the Revoice movement and the Nashville Statement. Looking to the believers’ union with Christ in his death and resurrection, Schrock provides a

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The Doctrine of Election

Dr. Cornelis Venema speaks about the doctrine of election. His book, Chosen in Christ: Revisiting the Contours of Predestination, is available in Mentor’s Reformed, Exegetical, and Doctrinal Studies series. Venema

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Cessationism

Glen Clary and Camden Bucey speak about the ministry of the Holy Spirit and cessationism. We discuss how the pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is a unique

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Thinking through Creation

Christopher Watkin speaks about his book Thinking through Creation: Genesis 1 and 2 as Tools of Cultural Critique. Watkin looks to the early chapters of Genesis for foundational doctrines about

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Pictur of the book: Fesko, Reforming Apologetics

Reformed Apologetics

J. V. Fesko has written Reforming Apologetics: Retrieving the Classic Reformed Approach to Defending the Faith (Baker Academic, 2019). In the book, Dr. Fesko criticizes, among others, Cornelius Van Til.

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Genesis 23 — The Cave at Machpelah

In Episode 74 we observe what seems to be an ordinary bartering transaction. But upon closer observation we learn three significant things: Abraham is given a downpayment on the land

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Sabbath Rest in Genesis 2:1–3

The sabbath principle is established in Genesis 2:1–3, immediately upon the completion of God’s work of creation. This Sabbath rest principle is a function neither of redemption nor theocracy. It

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Divine Authority Displayed in Covenant

We gather around the table in Wimberley, Texas to discuss the authority of the self-contained Triune God of Scripture. The absolute, self-sufficient God nevertheless established a covenant with man by

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The Usefulness of the Cross

What does suffering have to do with the life of the Christian? Is suffering something we just have to endure until that time that we will have the victory in

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Hosea 3 — Purchased by the Lord

In Episode 66, Jim Cassidy opens up Hosea 3, where God commands the prophet to buy his faithless wife back from slavery. This picture of redemption points to Jesus Christ,

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Genesis 21:1–21 — Isaac and Ishmael

In episode 65, Adam York examines Sarah’s laughter and her treatment of Hagar, gleaning from the passage important principles for interpretation. We do not approach Old Testament narratives looking a

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The Future of Everything

William Boekestein speaks about eschatology and the life of the Christian. While many limit eschatology merely to the consideration of millennial views, Rev. Boekestein calls all Christians to understand how

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Interpreting Genesis 1–3

Dr. Vern Poythress speaks about the hermeneutical issues of interpreting Genesis 1–3 and how biblical interpretation relates to contemporary scientific study. Dr. Poythress is Distinguished Professor of New Testament and

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Van Til in Colombia

Jim Cassidy speaks about his recent trip to Colombia to lecture on Van Til’s apologetic. Jim, Glen, and Camden also speak about books they are currently reading or have read.

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On Richard Dawkins

Dr. Ransom Poythress has written Richard Dawkins in P&R Publishing’s Great Thinkers series. Poythress speaks about Richard Dawkins’s system of thought. Since the early 2000s, Dawkins has been an outspoken advocate

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The Marburg Colloquy

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

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The Deacon

Dr. Cornelis Van Dam, Emeritus Professor of Old Testament at Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, joins us to speak about the biblical office of deacon and the

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Justification Accomplished and Applied

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

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Highlights from 2018

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

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A Very Dickens Christmas

For the 3rd Annual Christmas Special of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob talk all things Santa. It’s a bit of a stretch I know, but Rob and Bob for

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William Perkins on Predestination

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

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Bavinck’s Philosophy of Revelation

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 delivered

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Ezekiel 9–10 and the Man in Linen

Lane Keister speaks about features of Ezekiel 9–10 that help us understand the identity of the man of linen in the passage. Rev. Keister’s article, “The Man in Linen: A

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The Liturgies of Bucer, Calvin, and Knox

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

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Geerhardus Vos and J. Gresham Machen

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

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Karl Barth’s Analogia

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

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Hebrews: The Rest of God

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the rest of God. Continuing in their series on Hebrews, Rob and Bob open up to Hebrews 3:7-4:13 to see

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Antinomianism at the Westminster Assembly

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 Assembly

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Reading Biographies

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, we repost an old episode on Reading Biographies. In this episode, Rob, Melodie, and Bob discuss the benefits of reading biographies and

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Hebrews: Living Sacrifices

Hebrews has given us a greater understanding of the role of Christ in relation to the Old Testament. He is the ultimate king, the greater high priest, and the better

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[Book Review] The Riddle of Life

J. H. Bavinck. The Riddle of Life.Translated by Bert Hielema. Grand Rapids, MI. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 2016. Pp. 94. $20.00. For fallen man, life is a riddle that

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Entering God’s Rest

Ken Golden speaks about the Lord’s Day throughout redemptive-history and what it means to seek our heavenly rest in Christ. In his book, Entering God’s Rest: The Sabbath from Genesis to

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Hosea 2:2–13 — Forgetting the Lord

The mercy that the Lord shows initially will be undone in judgment. But there is grace, restoration, and redemption for those who repent and trust in Christ. Participants: Jim Cassidy,

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Hebrews: The Priesthood of Christ

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the mysterious figure of Melchizedek found in Genesis 14 and referenced several times in the Letter to the Hebrews. In

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“Christianity and Culture”

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:

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Hebrews: Interpreting Scripture

Rob and Bob continue our short series walking through portions of the Letter to the Hebrews interacting on occasion with dispensationalism’s understanding of various passages and concepts found so prominently

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The Deeper Protestant Conception

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

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Hebrews: Christ is King

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob begin a short series walking through the Letter to the Hebrews interacting on occasion with dispensationalism’s understanding of various

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Still Protesting

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 between

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Effectual Calling and Regeneration

Theologians often speak of regeneration, the work of the Holy Spirit to bring someone to the new birth. But the Westminster Standards speak of effectual calling as the work of

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Therefore I Have Hope

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming because, whilst tending to his arduous studies at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, Rob had the privilege of sitting down with Cameron Cole

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Atonement through Covenant

On this episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue their discussion on the doctrine of the atonement with a focus on the atonement through the covenant. Jesus says,

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Buswell and Van Til

David Owen Filson joins us to speak about Dr. J. Oliver Buswell, theologian and former president of Wheaton College and Covenant College and Seminary. Buswell was involved with the early

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Catching up on Petrus van Mastricht

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 Theology). In

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Atonement and Union with Christ

John Murray writes that the nature of union with Christ is both spiritual and mystical and that it is “the central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation.” If this

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Atonement and Adoption

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob once again discuss the doctrine of the atonement with emphasis upon the relationship between the atonement and adoption. What does adoption

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Penal Substitutionary Atonement

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue their discussion about the doctrine of the atonement. Today we take a closer look at the concept of penal

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The Free Offer of the Gospel

In this episode, we speak about the free offer of the gospel. The real point in dispute in connection with the free offer of the gospel is whether it can properly

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The Bible and the Cross

This episode of Theology Simply Profound brings our reading of J. Gresham Machen’s final three audio addresses to a close. This address, “The Bible and the Cross,” would have aired

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The Purposes of the Lord’s Supper

The first paragraph of chapter twenty-nine in the Westminster Confession of Faith sets forth the institution of Lord’s Supper and the uses and ends for which it is designed: Our

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The Active Obedience of Christ

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

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Jeff Waddington on Iron Sharpens Iron

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’ Theological Anthropology

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Redemption

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue their new series of discussions on the doctrine of the atonement. In this episode we talk about the concept of redemption.

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The Theology of Ebenezer Erskine

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

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Reformation Heritage Books

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, Glen Clary, Jeff Waddington,

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Hosea 1:4–9 — Disobedient Children

Israel was called God’s son—a status under threat here in Hosea—as graphically demonstrated in the naming of Hosea’s children. God’s pending divorce of Israel points to the only way for

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The Doctrine of the Atonement

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

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Pastoral Care During the Reformation

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

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Karl Marx

Bill Dennison speaks about Karl Marx, leading us through his biography, influences, and his intellectual effects upon social and political history. Dr. Dennison is Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Covenant

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Honoring the Elderly

The Rev. Brian L. De Jong, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, joins Bob and Rob this week on Theology Simply Profound to discuss his new book, Honoring the Elderly: A

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Banner of Truth

While at the Shepherds Conference Rob was able to talk with John Rawlinson from Banner of Truth. John talks about how Banner was an influence on his life from childhood. He introduces some great

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Genesis 15 — By Oath Consigned

God has made his covenant with Abram, and now ratifies it through a solemn covenant ceremony that points to the supernatural character of the covenant’s nature and its keeping. Participants:

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Paul’s Prison Proclamation

This episode of Theology Simply Profound brings our discussion of the Book of Acts to a close. Paul is under house arrest welcoming all who come to him “proclaiming the kingdom of

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Lamentations, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah

Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy discuss Lamentations, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. The overwhelming message of these books is “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,” as Thomas O. Chisholm wrote in

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Media Gratiae

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

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What is Faith?

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, from Acts 28, Rob and Bob discuss everything from snake handling to saving faith… in reality, the discussion lands primarily on the

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In a World of Speech

Snow is the humblest weather. I have the quiet joy of watching it right now, during my favorite time of the day: dawn. The latest nor’easter has shouldered its way

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March 2018 Book Update

Ryan Noha speaks about several rare books that have been added to our online store. Participants: Camden Bucey, Ryan Noha

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Karl Barth and the Incarnation

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

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Vos Group #44 — Totemism

We continue our #VosGroup series in pages 174–175 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider totemism and Vos’s deep critique of biblicistic modernism. Totemism seeks to

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The Church and Religious Practices

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Acts 21:17-26 and the seemingly strange things Paul does while at Jerusalem. Why does he offer sacrifices? What’s

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The Crown of Life

The garden was a kingdom that the Lord fashioned by divine fiat in which he would reign in life with his holy people. Within the garden-kingdom of God, Adam, the

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The Drama of Preaching

Dr. Eric Watkins, Pastor of Covenant OPC in St. Augustine, Florida, joins Jim Cassidy, Chris Hartshorn, and Dale Van Dyke for a discussion on his book, The Drama of Preaching: Participating

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The Victorious Soldier

Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus (2 Tim 2:3). Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Tim 3:12). The identity

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The Burden of Blood

I always remember Leviticus 17:11, probably for personal reasons. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to

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The Riot in Ephesus

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the riot that place in Ephesus. From Acts 19, we see the conflict between this present evil age and the age

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The Life of E. J. Young

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 Me

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Books for Women and Parents

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

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Martin Bucer and Friends

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

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The Art of Preaching

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss preaching in the context of Paul’s ministry of the word when Eutychus fell asleep at the window, fell to the

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Exorcism and the Christian

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob take up the subject of exorcisms, yeah really! From Acts 19:11–20, we discuss everything from Jesus and Paul freeing people from

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Blessed Are the Meek

We do not often speak of meekness. We might be hard pressed even to define it. Meekness is not weakness; it’s a measured strength, a control over wrath. It is

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Discipleship?

On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the topic of discipleship as it arises out of Acts 18. Should the church disciple? If so, how

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Vos Group #42 — The Variety of Offerings

We continue our #VosGroup series starting on page 170–172 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the variety of Old Testament offerings and sacrifices. Vos addresses the different

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Highlights from 2017

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

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Simeon’s Gift

Today on Theology Simply Profound, we hear a sermon preached at the evening service of Westminster OPC, December 24, 2017, reflecting on Simeon’s reception of Jesus in Luke 2.

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A Reflection on Anthropomorphic Language

Currently, amidst the Reformed discussion concerning God’s simplicity and immutability, there has been repeated references to the anthropomorphic language of Scripture. It is commonly understood that language attributing human emotions

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Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit

Matthew 5:1–16 are known as the Beatitudes, which stems from the Latin term used in the translation of these verses. A beatitude is a declaration of blessing and a statement

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2nd Annual Christmas Special

Today, on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob enjoy a mostly lighthearted discussion about Christmas, including favorite Christmas cartoons, the question: “When does the Christmas ‘mood’ get started?”, the commercialization

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Meeting R. C. Sproul

In 2006, I had been attending a non-denominational evangelical church largely influenced by John MacArthur and the Master’s Seminary. The church placed a heavy emphasis on the inerrancy of the

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Warfield and True Church Unity

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

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The Ordo Salutis and the Westminster Standards

Each presbytery meeting, we usually have the opportunity to examine candidates for licensure and ordination.As you’d expect, these exams cover important topics pertaining to the doctrine of Scripture, theology proper,

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Should We Trust Philosophy?

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Paul’s preaching in Athens and the role of philosophy or worldview in our various interactions with the world around us. Is

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Man Shall Not Live by Bread Alone

Life—understood biblically as the enjoyment of the covenant communion bond with God in a holy kingdom—is brought into close association with God’s word from the beginning. It was Adam’s response

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Listening to the Truth

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the contrast between Paul’s reception at Thessalonica and Berea. In Thessalonica, there was jealousy and hostility. In Berea, there was an

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On Being Missional

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Paul’s missionary activities that draw he and his team from Asia Minor (modern Turkey) into Macedonia (modern Europe). Was Paul strategic in where

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Abandoning the Ministry

On Theology Simply Profound today, Rob and Bob discuss many and varied issues arising out of the dispute between Paul and Barnabas, which led to their separation, regarding bringing John

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Navigating the Christian Sabbath Day

As a pastor of a church that confesses a Reformed and Presbyterian view of the fourth commandment, I often encounter questions as to how to observe it. The fourth commandment—to

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The Jerusalem Council

Rob and Bob discuss Acts 15 and the many implications the Jerusalem Council has upon the church’s consideration of church government. Does the Bible teach any particular form of organization?

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Vos Group #40 — Vicariousness Defined

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 165–166 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the definition of vicariousness. Orthodox Christianity recognizes the vicariousness of Christ’s life

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Reformation 500

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

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Machen and Van Til

The adult Sunday school lesson from the Reformed Forum 2017 Theology Conference held at Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Grayslake, Illinois. Participants: Jeff Waddington

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Van Til and Scholasticism

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

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Covenantal, Not Classical

The Reformation of Apologetics, Session #2 Reformed Forum 2017 Theology Conference Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC) Download the handouts. Participants: K. Scott Oliphint

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Confidence in the Gospel

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to reflect upon the progress of the Gospel through the ministry of Barnabas and Paul in Asia-Minor. In Acts 14,

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Am I Free If God Is Sovereign?

God’s sovereignty and man’s freedom are often thought to be in competition with one another in a sort of zero-sum game: either God is sovereign or I am free. This has

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Apologetics and the Five Solas

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

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Barnabas and Saul

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the progress of the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit through the church in the persons of Barnabas and

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Prayer and Providence

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the amazing events of Acts 12 where angels strike for blessing and judgment. Enjoy this discussion of how God continues to

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Rare Book Update with Ryan Noha

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

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Baptism — Listener Questions

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob return to the subject of baptism by way of answering some of our listener questions. Enjoy this practical discussion about some of

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The Image of God: Then and Now

Camden Bucey and Jeff Waddington discuss the image of God and whether man retains the image after the fall into sin. Man was made in the image of God, yet

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Biblical Church Government

In this episode, Rob and Bob discuss the commission of Barnabas to Antioch, the spread of the gospel, the addition of Saul to work in Antioch, and the relief sent

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Studying the Confession of Faith

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 Reader’s Guide to the Westminster Confession (Banner

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Eat the Pig, Peter! Acts 10

Today’s episode includes a discussion of the dramatic and significant vision of Peter to “Rise, Peter; kill and eat” (Acts 10:13). Not only is this another turning point in the

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The Prophet Hosea

Jim Cassidy speaks about the book of Hosea, exploring the theological themes of covenant and judgment in light of God’s love, faithfulness, and mercy expressed toward faithless sinners. Participants: Camden

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The Last Days

In episode 86, Rob and Bob talk about what Paul and others have to say about the last days. Are they behind us or in front of us? Or, are

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Classical Christian Education

Melodie McKenzie joins Rob and Bob in our discussion of Classical Christian Education. Participants: Melodie McKenzie, Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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Young, Restless, and Reformed

Rob and Bob discuss the basic history and shape of the Young, Restless, and Reformed movement of the past decade or so, depending on who you ask. And, somehow, we

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Live Q&A Session

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

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Saul

Among other things, Rob and Bob discuss Saul in Acts 9, trying to understand better his meeting with the exalted Lord Jesus Christ and his reception by Ananias and by

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Episode 500: Doctrine for Life

We celebrate five-hundred episodes of Christ the Center with an open discussion on worship, the regulative principle, and the apologetic impetus. Join us for a conversation that ties together many

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Scripture: The Speech of God

The more I read orthodox theology, the more apparent it becomes that a fundamental tenet of Christian belief is either embraced or ignored (to various degrees) by any given author.

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Philip in Acts 8

Today, Rob and Bob discuss Acts 8 and the progress of the gospel into Samaria through Philip. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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Scattered

Reflecting on Acts 8:1–3, Rob and Bob discuss the scattering of the church after the death of Stephen. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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Stephen and Sermons

Today, Rob and Bob with Melodie McKenzie, discuss Stephen’s speech in Acts 7, which leads us into the muddy of waters of sermons, some questions about preaching, and some thoughts

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Qualifications for Deacons

Paul gave Timothy specific instructions to ordain elders and deacons as the leaders of the churches that they were planting. The Deacons who we were first introduced in Acts 6

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Deacons in Acts

In the early chapters of Acts, at the beginning of the New Covenant Church there was a joyous time where everyone shared all that they had will anyone else who

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Isaiah and God’s Kingdom

Today, we speak with Andrew Abernethy about his book, The Book of Isaiah and God’s Kingdom: A Thematic-Theological Approach from IVP Academic‘s New Studies in Biblical Theology series. Abernethy contends that thematic

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Civil Disobedience

What do we do when the government tells us that we must turn in people who are of a certain ethnic group so that they might be killed? Do we

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Discontent in the Ministry

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 lead

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Machen and the Media

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 Machen

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Geerhardus Vos on Christology and Hermeneutics

I have been working through the third volume of Geerhardus Vos’ Reformed Dogmatics on Christology and have appreciated the implications he draws throughout for properly understanding the Old Testament revelation. This, however, should

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The Role of Ephraim in Judges

On this episode, we open to the book of Judges with our guest, William Wood. Mr. Wood is a PhD student in Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia,

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Prison Ministry

Brett Mahlen speaks about his ministry to inmates at the Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois. Participants: A. Craig Troxel, Brett Mahlen, Camden Bucey, Charles Williams, Robert Tarullo

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The Life and Theology of Augustine

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

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Reformed Spirituality

Christ the Center hits the road for a series of episodes at Bethel OPC in Wheaton, Illinois. In our first of the series, A. Craig Troxel speaks about Reformed spirituality. Dr.

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How Does Christ’s Resurrection Benefit Us?

The Heidelberg Catechism (1563) embodies the commitment of the Reformation to non-speculative theology as it logically expounds core biblical truths along practical and pastoral lines for the Christian life. Beginning with belonging

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Joy-Full Fellowship (Part 7): Pentecost

In the Old Testament, the altars of the patriarchs, the tabernacle constructed under Moses, and the temple built by Solomon were all sufficient and efficacious means by which the people of God experienced the

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Reigning with Christ Forever and Ever

The apostle Paul teaches that “the Jerusalem above,” that is the eschatological Jerusalem, “is our mother” (Gal. 4:26). Likewise the author to the Hebrews exclaims, “You have come to Mount

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The Majesty of Mystery

K. Scott Oliphint speaks about the incomprehensibility of God as detailed in his book, The Majesty of Mystery: Celebrating the Glory of an Incomprehensible God (Lexham Press). As creatures, we will never and

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James Ussher: Another Irishman You Should Know

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

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The Heart of Trinitarian Heresy

All heresies with respect to the Trinity may be reduced to the one great heresy of mixing the eternal and the temporal. — Cornelius Van Til Cornelius Van Til cut

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The Attestation of Scripture

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,

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A Biblical Theology of Culture

In his book Created & Creating (IVP Academic), William Edgar offers a rich biblical theology contending that Christians must engage in culture. Dr. Edgar is Professor of Apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary.

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Vos Group #33 — The Tabernacle

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 148–150 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider types and symbols. The tabernacle is a premier symbol and type in the

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History of the Genevan Liturgy

History of the Genevan Liturgy1 By Bard Thompson2 Edited by Glen Clary The first Reformer to arrive on the Genevan scene was the fiery Frenchman, William Farel, a fearless campaigner

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The Coherence-Based Genealogical Method

Today we welcome Peter Gurry to speak about New Testament textual criticism. Peter is a PhD candidate at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge and has written an article titled, “How Your Greek NT

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Karl Barth and Lapsarian Theology

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 Theology:

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Joy-Full Fellowship (Part 5): The Prophets

Following the apex of Israel’s glory with the construction of the Solomonic temple, the biblical drama enters a period of sustained decline with the occasional righteous Davidic king temporarily suspending its ultimate

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Vos Group #32 — Symbols and Types

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 143–148 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider types and symbols. This is an important discussion on redemptive-historical hermeneutics and a

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Joy-Full Fellowship

Where can I find joy that is full and pleasures that are everlasting? This is the one great pursuit of men in every age. In the words of Pascal, “All

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Highlights from 2016

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

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Worship and the Birth of Christ, Part 2

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,

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Eating with Sinners

In the Gospels, Jesus is frequently criticized by his enemies for eating with sinners. For example, Luke tells us that when “tax collectors and sinners” were drawing near to hear

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The Genesis of Jesus

If someone were to ask you to write a short book about Jesus, who he was and what he did, what would you write? If paper and ink were very expensive,

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Did Mary Know?

The other day the song “Mary Did You Know?” came on the radio. Someone in the car remarked, “Uh oh, Dan doesn’t like this song.” True, I had mentioned my dislike of it

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Worship and the Birth of Christ, Part 1

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

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ESV Reader’s Bible, Six-Volume Set

Jared Oliphint and Camden Bucey speak about a newly published set of the Bible designed to enhance readability. The ESV Reader’s Bible, six-volume set. For a limited time, you can

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Vos Group #31 — The Third and Fourth Words

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 137–143 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the third and fourth commandments. The third commandment prohibits taking the Lord’s name

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The Reformed Church in Latvia

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

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Scaling the Heights of Hebrews 1:3

There are certain passages in Scripture that effortlessly rocket our thoughts and affections into the heavenlies where Christ is. Paul’s letters are brimming with such passages: Colossians 1:15-20, Ephesians 1:3-14, 1 Corinthians 15:42-49, Philippians

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Blessed Struggle

East of Eden considers Jonathan Edwards’s sermon, “Blessed Struggle,” which was delivered in 1735. Participants: David Filson, Jeff Waddington, Nick Batzig

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The Five Solas: Sola Scriptura

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

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The Unfinished Reformation

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

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The Five Solas: Solus Christus

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

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The Five Solas: Sola Gratia

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

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The Five Solas: Sola Fide

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

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The Five Solas: Soli Deo Gloria

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

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Genesis 12:4–9 — The Promise

In this episode we discuss God’s promise to Abram—particularly his pledge to grant him a seed, a land, and to give Abram his own divine presence. Participants: Adam York, Mark

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The Second Commandment and Images in Worship

Several traditions within the Christian church have understood the second commandment differently. Some have understood it is a prohibition against statues. Others understand the commandment to prohibit images of God in worship.

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Biblical Theology and Joshua

Dan Ragusa speaks about the United Reformed Churches in North America, biblical theology, and the book of Joshua. Dan is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary and is currently studying

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Created in the Image of the Creator

The doctrine of man’s creation in the image of God has received considerable attention in the history of the Reformed churches. Zacharias Ursinus provides a reasonably full statement of the

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Catechetical Preaching

Many churches may be familiar with lectio continua preaching in the form of the weekly practice of preaching consecutive passages through a book of Scripture. Catechetical preaching uses a catechism to organize

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Reading the Bible as Literature (5)

This is the fifth and final installment in our series on reading the Bible as literature. We first considered what a literary approach looks like and provided a few examples.

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Biblical Theology and Ruth

We speak about two biblical theological titles from InterVarsity Press including John Goldingay’s Biblical Theology: The God of the Christian Scriptures and Unceasing Kindness: A Biblical Theology of Ruth by Peter Lau

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Already Living in the World to Come

Geerhardus Vos speaks of the Christian as “a peculiar chronological phenomenon.”[1] As is often the case with Vos, we need to reflect for a moment on what he means—especially since he’s speaking

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Calvin and the Sabbath

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 Fourth

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Reading the Bible as Literature (4)

This is our fourth article in a series on reading the Bible as literature. We first summarized and provided examples of a literary approach to the Bible. In our second and third articles

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Culture and the Kuyperian Tradition

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.

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Reading the Bible as Literature (3)

This is our third article in a series on reading the Bible as literature. The first post summarized and provided examples of a literary approach to Scripture. The second addressed the

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Walking with Jesus through His Word

We welcome Dr. Dennis E. Johnson to speak about Christ as the substance and goal of all of Scripture. Dr. Johnson serves as Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary California and Associate Pastor of New

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Genesis 10 — The Table of Nations

In this episode we discuss the canonical, biblical theological, and historical significance of the genealogy of Genesis 10. We also discuss the challenges and problems of how to preach genealogical

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Pentecost and Missions

The book of Acts is filled with stories of missionary exploits that can excite us to bold acts of faith. But at times it can unfortunately become a heavy club to

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Edward Hicks, Peaceable Kingdom

Enjoying the New Creation

Introduction Isaiah 65:17ff is a wonderful picture of the future restoration of God’s people. It’s a passage that demonstrates the greatness of the blessings that come to God’s people from

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Dispensationalism

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,

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Pilgrims in a Foreign Land

The people of God presently live in between grace and glory. We look back upon the finished work of Jesus Christ while also looking forward to his return, our resurrection,

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Vos Group #28 — The Decalogue

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 128–131 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider once again the function of the law and the Decalogue. Why was the

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A New Perspective on Arminius

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.

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Bosserman, The Trinity and Christian Paradox

The Trinity and Christian Paradox

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

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Christopher Ash, Zeal without Burnout

Zeal without Burnout

Ministry in the body of Christ is trying. We face many challenges as we battle the enemy and the flesh. While some shrink before the battle, others dive in irresponsibly

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Aiming for the New Creation

It has been rightly observed by many that there is an eschatology—a goal of higher, escalated life that the creation is to move toward—already in Genesis 1–2. While everything was “very good,”

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Seeing Christ in Old Testament Types

Recently the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia released a book entitled Seeing Christ in All of Scripture. The book’s intent is to help people understand the beautiful, Christ-centered

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Christopher Ash, Zeal without Burnout

Measuring Your Ministry

I’m so thankful that Christopher Ash wrote Zeal without Burnout. It’s a much-needed book, and I’m confident many ministers will be just as encouraged by reading it as I have been.

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Vos Group #27 — The Function of Law

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 126–129 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the function of the law. Why was the law given? How does it

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Preparing to Meet God

In a context of impending judgment, Yahweh issued a command to his people: prepare to meet your God, O Israel (Amos 4:12). A similar burden, though in quite a different

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John Updike by raschiabarile-d3injre

After the Artist: A Sobering Prophecy

“Priest, teacher, artist—the classic degeneration.” John Updike’s apothegm has been used by several theologians to describe the era of post-modernity. Kevin Vanhoozer, for example, echoes him by claiming that our

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Seeing Christ in All of Scripture

Today we welcome Vern Poythress and Iain Duguid to speak about Reformed hermeneutics and the tradition of biblical interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary. Along with G. K. Beale and Richard

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Two Kingdoms and Cultural Obedience

Recently the Ezra Institute for Contemporary Christianity in Canada sponsored a conversation between Dr. Joe Boot, founding pastor of Westminster Chapel in Toronto, Ontario and the Ezra institute, and Dr.

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Creation and Covenant

Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey speak about creation and covenant from 30,000+ feet (literally) on their way to our Austin Theology Conference at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas, April 30,

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Nature and the Means of Grace

Lane Tipton, Glen Clary, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey speak about nature-grace dualism and the means of grace. This was a live panel discussion held during our Austin Theology Conference

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John Piper, A Peculiar Glory

A Peculiar Glory

John Piper recently released a book called A Peculiar Glory, where he explores what it means for Scripture to be self-attesting. In this companion video to the book, Michael Reeves interviews Piper

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Baptism in the Didache

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

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Hughes Oliphant Old on Worship

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

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The Didache

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 difference between

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Owen on Limited Atonement

If Christ hath merited grace and glory for all those for whom he died, if he died for all, how comes it to pass that these things are not communicated

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The Oldest Easter Sermon

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

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Cliffside Restaurant in Frankfort

Outreach and the Local Church

There are different ways to define “outreach.” At times, it is closely identified with the act of planting churches and evangelizing. Other times, it’s more closely identified with advertising and

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Jacques Derrida

Derrida’s Theology

French intellectual Jacques Derrida (1930–2004) was one of the most important contributors to the post-modern philosophical movement. He was also one of the most notoriously difficult philosophers to understand. In this

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Van Til, Christian-Theistic Evidences, 2nd ed.

Christian-Theistic Evidences

K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, explains the role of evidences in a Reformed apologetic by turning to Cornelius Van Til’s book Christian-Theistic

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What hath Geneva to do with Canterbury?

Why are Presbyterians worshiping like Anglicans? Why do some PCA churches have Ash Wednesday services? Why are they preaching the lectionary and following the church calendar? An Episcoterian (the term

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Jacques Derrida

Derrida’s Ethics

French intellectual Jacques Derrida (1930–2004) was one of the most important contributors to the post-modern philosophical movement. He was also one of the most notoriously difficult philosophers to understand. In this

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Early Christian Worship

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

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Who Discovered the Regulative Principle?

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

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Jonathan Edwards on Weekly Communion

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

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Four Reasons for Weekly Communion

In recent years, weekly Communion has become increasingly popular in Reformed worship. There are many advocates and also critics of weekly Communion within the Reformed church. I consider myself an

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Jacques Derrida

Derrida’s Metaphysic

French intellectual Jacques Derrida (1930–2004) was one of the most important contributors to the post-modern philosophical movement. He was also one of the most notoriously difficult philosophers to understand. In

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John Knox and Public Prayer

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 to

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The Public Reading of Scripture

In this article, we will briefly survey the history of the public reading of Scripture in worship from Moses to the apostles with a view toward developing a biblical model

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Reforming the Eucharist

When Ulrich Zwingli began his ministry in Zurich on 1 January 1519, he announced from the pulpit that he intended to preach “the entire Gospel of Matthew, one passage after

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Vern Poythress, The Miracles of Jesus

The Miracles of Jesus

Jesus’ miracles are windows into God’s grand story of redemption. They confirm God’s message and demonstrate his power in the world and purpose in redemption. In this episode, Dr. Vern

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East of Eden 25: Self-Examination in the Lord's Supper

Self-Examination and the Lord’s Supper

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, Jeff Waddington, Nick

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The Night At the Lodge

Recently I have been preaching through the life of Moses during the Lord’s Day evening service. Last week I ran headlong into the most difficult set of verses that the

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Donald S. Whitney, Family Worship

Family Worship

Donald S. Whitney joins us to speak about Family Worship (Crossway). Many Reformed believers will be aware of the important spiritual practice of family worship. This practical guide will greatly assist families develop and maintain

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ESV Journaling Bible, Interleaved Edition

ESV Journaling Bible, Interleaved Edition

Jared Oliphint speaks about Crossway’s new ESV journaling bible, interleaved edition, which includes entire blank pages in between the pages of Scripture. This is a perfect edition for writing notes,

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David VanDrunen, God's Glory Alone

Soli Deo Gloria: God’s Glory Alone

The five solas are slogans that summarize the core teachings of the Reformation. Sola gratia, sola fide, solus Christus, and sola Scriptura are beloved Protestant distinctives. Yet people either forget about the fifth

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The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New

Camden Bucey and Erica Bucey discuss The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New, an illustrated systematic theology for children. Written by experienced children’s author Marty Machowski, The Ology is an excellent resource

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The Benefits of the Gospel Are In Christ

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

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Thoughts for the New Year

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 Waddington, Jim Cassidy

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Awakening the Evangelical Mind

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

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Highlights from 2015

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

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A Theological Account of Logic

Nathaniel Gray Sutanto speaks to us about his paper “Two Theological Accounts of Logic: Theistic Conceptual Realism and a Reformed Archetype-Ectype Model,” published in the International Journal for Philosophy of Religion.

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Bavinck on the Christian Life

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 Professor

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New Film on Knox

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

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Vos on Merit and the Mosaic Covenant

It is plain, then, that law-keeping did not figure at that juncture as the meritorious ground of life-inheritance. The latter is based on grace alone, no less emphatically than Paul

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In Defense of the Eschaton

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

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Revivalism and Reformed Piety

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

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A Theology of Religions

Daniel Strange speaks about his book Their Rock Is Not Like Our Rock: A Theology of Religions (Zondervan). We talk about how theology, redemptive-history, and apologetics all converge to inform

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Bavinck and Charitable Reading

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

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God’s Maximal Truth

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 or

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Issues in Biblical Theology

In this episode, we survey several biblical texts and explore the biblical theological features that unfold throughout God’s Word. We consider a biblical theology of the darkness upon Christ’s crucifixion,

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The Church in the Old Testament

Jonathan Brack explains a Reformed ecclesiology which spans Old and New Testaments. He touches upon covenant theology, polity, and other foundational issues as he speaks about important books on ecclesiology.

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Literal Interpretation

Have you ever discussed Biblical prophecy or eschatology with a dispensationalist who insists upon a “literal” interpretation? If so, I couldn’t recommend any higher the eighth chapter of Vern Poythress’s Understanding Dispensationalists. This book

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A Sermon Is Not a Listicle

You’ve seen them. They’ve taken over your Facebook timelines and Twitter feeds. They get forwarded to you on chat or through email. They’re called “listicles.” The unfortunately-named listicle is at

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Listener Questions

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

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Bavinck on the Image of God

In our treatment of the doctrine of the image of God, then, we must highlight, in accordance with Scripture and the Reformed confession, the idea that a human being does

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The Unassumed Is the Unhealed

Rev. Dr. Kevin Chiarot introduces and offers a critical look into the influential Christology of T. F. Torrance, who among other things taught that the Son of God assumed a

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Podcast Recommendations

Reformed Media Review turn their attention beyond our typical discussions about theological books to speak about podcasts. Reformed Forum has been producing podcasts since 2008. But we’re not merely producers, we love to

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Taking the Psalter in Portions

I regularly preach lectio continua. When we start a new series at my church, we open to verse one of that book and work through it week by week, passage by

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The Church’s Prophetic Voice

The below is a historical preamble written by the session of South Austin Presbyterian Church which explains why the church has a voice to speak to both the state and

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God Made All of Me

Erica Bucey reviews God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies written by Justin Holcomb and Lindsey Holcomb and illustrated by Trish Mahoney. This book

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The Biggest Story

Erica Bucey reviews The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden written by Kevin DeYoung and illustrated by Don Clark. This book is unique in that

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Polemical Theology

We celebrate the four-hundredth episode with our founders. Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey recorded the first episode of Christ the Center in January 2008, and now they gather

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Covenantal Apologetics Colloquium

Call for Papers Reformed Forum is sponsoring a colloquium for the discussion of developing work in the tradition of covenantal apologetics. The Colloquium will be held online via YouTube and

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Van Til’s Common Grace and the Gospel

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

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The History and Legacy of the Huguenots

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 Apologetics

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Vos Group #18 — Jacob and Election

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 93–95 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to learn about the patriarch Jacob and election. Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

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The Pastor Theologian

On this episode we welcome Gerald Hiestand to speak about the pastor theologian. Gerald serves as Senior Associate Pastor of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Illinois and Executive Director for the

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Jesus Christ as Apologist

Brian DeJong takes us to Jesus Christ as Lord as well as the preeminent practitioner of apologetics. Listen to this important conversation on an underdeveloped topic. Rev. De Jong is pastor of

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Muller on Natural Theology

The development, in rationalist systems of the eighteenth century, of a truly foundational natural theology represents a basic alteration of perspective and a loss, not an outgrowth or further refinement,

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The Incarnation of God

Marcus Peter Johnson joins us once again to talk about Christology and soteriology. With his colleague Dr. John C. Clark, Dr. Johnson has co-authored The Incarnation of God: The Mystery of

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Newton on the Christian Life

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

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Vos Group #17: The Patriarch Isaac

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 90–93 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to learn about the patriarch Isaac. Isaac is the middle figure of the oft-repeated patriarchal

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Talking with Catholics about the Gospel

More than seventy-eight million Catholics live in the United States, representing one of the country’s largest demographics. How then can evangelical and Reformed Christians be better equipped to speak about

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The Message of the General Epistles

In this episode, Brandon Crowe introduces the redemptive-historical message of Peter, James, John, and John. Dr. Crowe is Associate Professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. His latest

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The Things of Earth

Joe Rigney is Assistant Professor of Theology and Christian Worldview at Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the author of The Things of Earth: Treasuring God by Enjoying

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Demo-Theologies: Points of Unease

Introduction To say that the history of the Western church and in particular of its theologizing has been specifically Western or White European theologizing is to state something obvious, and

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A Divine and Supernatural Light

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, Nick Batzig

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The Order of Worship

Glen Clary walks us through a Reformed order of worship, explaining the Biblical precedent and rationale for elements such as the call to worship, invocation, different types of prayer, and

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The Message of Leviticus

Leviticus is a book about death, which may be why many people neglect to read it regularly. Yet the book teaches many important lessons about God’s holiness and the punishment for

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The Regulative Principle of Worship

Glen Clary, pastor of Providence OPC in Pflugerville, TX, explains the origins, use, and wisdom of the regulative principle of worship. The Reformed understanding of this principle states that only those

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Edwards on the Christian Life

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

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No Such “Thing” As Grace

The term “grace” can sometimes take on a use that, in a seemingly harmless way, treats it as an object in and of itself; a valuable commodity for walking the

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God without Passions

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

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Theology and Philosophy

In an article discussing the theology of Albert Ritschl, Herman Bavinck writes that throughout history Christian theology “fashioned for herself a philosophy or appropriated an existing one such that as that

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A Theological Tree of Life

. . . all eschatological interpretation of history, when united to a strong religious mentality cannot but produce the finest practical theological fruitage. To take God as source and end

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Is Karl Barth Neo-Orthodox?

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,

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TGC 2015: Coming Home

In this episode, we recap our time at the Gospel Coalition 2015 National Conference. The conference was titled Coming Home: New Heaven and New Earth, and the sessions focused on eschatology. To start

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Which Comes First, the Intellect or the Will?

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

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Pastoral Lessons from My Betters, Part 3

Benjamin B. Warfield once said that the Reformation “inwardly considered, was just the ultimate triumph of Augustine’s doctrine of grace over Augustine’s doctrine of the Church.”[1] Warfield, as he was

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Disciplines of the Christian Mind

Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey discuss the importance of intellectual discipline for cultivating the life of the Christian mind. In addition to speaking generally about persistent study, the

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Luther on the Christian Life

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 to

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God and Necessity

Jared Oliphint and Nathan Shannon discuss Brian Leftow’s God and Necessity (Oxford University Press). In this volume, Leftow seeks to offer a metaphysic of modality. This leads him into a discussion of

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The Theology of Wolfhart Pannenberg

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

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Redeeming Mathematics

Vern Poythress joins us to speak about his book Redeeming Mathematics: A God-Centered Approach. Dr. Poythress explains how the Triune God of the Bible is the foundation for mathematics by arguing that

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Intuition in Contemporary Philosophy

In this short essay, I want to draw out the nature and downfalls of a salient principle of analytic philosophy: the primacy of rational intuition. Philosophers think of rational intuition

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Reformed Catholicity

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

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Bavinck and Barth on Revelation

Bavinck in the first volume of his Reformed Dogmatics is very clear about revelation becoming nature. God reveals himself in, by, and with nature. Bavinck is clear that revelation is not “abstractly

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The Need to Remember Warfield

On December 24, 1920 Benjamin B. Warfield fell ill after being struck with angina pectoris. He died on February 16, 1921. Why should we pause to remember a Princeton theologian who

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The Hard Problem of Consciousness

Consciousness and personality are perennial topics of conversation among philosophers. But that doesn’t mean they’re topics only for the academy. These subjects touch each of us deeply, because they are at the very

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Will the Real Bonhoeffer Please Stand Up? Part 3

Kant’s Copernican Revolution might have been better described as a theological warhead aimed directly at theology. The immediate epistemological carnage caused by Kantian Transcendentalism can be witnessed initially in Schleiermacher’s

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The Omnipresent God

The Holy Scriptures proclaim that heaven and earth cannot contain God (1 Kings 8:27), but he also fills heaven and earth with his presence (Jer 23:23–24). Acts 17:28 even says

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Van Til’s Concrete Universal

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

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The Confessional Presbyterian Journal, Volume 10

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

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Wright Wrong on Adam

In March Intervarsity Press plans to release a book by John Walton with a contribution from N. T. Wright titled, The Lost World of Adam and Eve. Wright’s excursus follows

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Defending Obama

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

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Principles of True Worship

In his book Worship Reformed According to Scripture, Hughes Oliphant Old orients Christian worship toward the right end using the proper means. This is a significant undertaking indeed, because sadly,

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Understanding the Atonement

In this program we welcome Dr. Donald Macleod to speak about the meaning and significance of Jesus Christ’s work on the cross. In his book Christ Crucified: Understanding the Atonement (IVP Academic), Dr.

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Planting Reformed Churches

Today we speak with John Shaw, the General Secretary for Home Missions and Church Extension in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. This interview took place in the wake of the OPC’s

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Poythress’ Latest: Redeeming Mathematics

I just received a copy of Vern Poythress’ latest book Redeeming Mathematics: A God-Centered Approach (Crossway). I’m looking forward to reading this book—not because it will help me with any homework—but because it

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Covenantal Apologetics and Common-Sense Realism

Nathaniel Gray Sutanto joins us to speak about apologetics and his recent article titled, “Covenantal Apologetics and Common-Sense Realism: Recalibrating the Argument from Consciousness as a Test Case” in JETS, 57/4 (2014)

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Debating Baptism and Ecclesiology

I wrote an essay recently posted at Reformed Forum, called “Ecclesiology and Redemptive History . . . Oh and Baptism.” As I explain in the introduction to that piece, my

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China’s Reforming Churches

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

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China’s Reforming Churches

Dr. Bruce Baugus speaks about the history and current state of missions in China with a focus on Reformed ecclesiology. China’s Reforming Churches: Mission, Polity, and Ministry in the Next

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[Review] Grounded in the Gospel

Jim Cassidy reviews Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old-Fashioned Way, by J.I. Packer and Gary Parrett, published by Baker Books. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy

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Roman Catholic Theology and Practice

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, Dr. Allison considers major aspects of Roman

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The Book of Hebrews

The Christ the Center panel discusses the book of Hebrews, the brief letter of exhortation. The participants look at the main argument of the letter, the superiority of Christ and

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Redeeming Philosophy

Dr. Vern Poythress comes to the program today to speak about his book, Redeeming Philosophy. In today’s discussion, Dr. Poythress helps us examine the roots of Western philosophy, uncover some of

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Evidences and Presuppositional Apologetics

Is it appropriate to use apologetic evidences with a presuppositional or covenantal approach to defending the Christian faith? Absolutely! All facts exist within God’s world and if understood rightly can

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Divine Meaning and the Human Author

Biblical hermeneutics is the science of interpreting Scripture. But Scripture, unlike any other written document, is a product of divine and human authorship. It is rightly said that God is

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Meditative Thoughts on Good Works

I love Logos Bible Software. Several months ago I created a customized reading plan to guide me through Charles Hodge’s three volumes by the end of year. Next year I plan to

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Was Eden As Good as It Gets?

In the discussion on “Redemptive-Historical Hermeneutics, Divine Authorship, and the Christotelism Debate” at the first Reformed Forum conference (audio download), Lane Tipton asked a question regarding the status of Adam and

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The Aseity of the Son

Dr. K. Scott Oliphint examines the Reformed tradition’s understanding of the Son as a se. In his assessment, much of the tradition relies upon unsatisfactory formulations offered by Thomas Aquinas. Oliphint encourages

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The Reformation: Now and Then

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

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How God Became Jesus

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

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Calvinism Today

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 Reformed Forum blog post, Dr.

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How God Became Jesus

Drs. Michael J. Kruger and Charles E. Hill speak about a book to which Dr. Hill contributed, How God Became Jesus: The Real Origins of Belief in Jesus’ Divine Nature,

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The Origin of the Suffering Servant Idea

The Christ the Center panel discuss Edward J. Young’s “The Origin of the Suffering Servant Idea.” While Isaiah 53’s well-known figure bears similarities to the myths of “dying and rising gods”

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The Practice of Ecclesiology

Several contributors are on location in Green Lake, Wisconsin as we discuss the practice of ecclesiology. Although ecclesiology is one of the traditional loci of systematic theology, it is often under-studied and

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Union with Christ and the Incarnation

Dr. Marcus Johnson speaks about One with Christ: An Evangelical Theology of Salvation, his recent book, published by Crossway. While many books have been published recently on the topic of union

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Confessing the Faith

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 of Truth Trust, 2014). The

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Seeing Jesus in the Prophets

Nancy Guthrie joins us to talk about seeing the Lord Jesus in the Old Testament prophets. The Word of the Lord: Seeing Jesus in the Prophets is the fifth in her Seeing

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Ecumenical and Inter-Church Relations

Mark Bube and Kurt Vetterli speak today about ecumenism and inter-church relations. Mark Bube, general secretary of foreign missions in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, plays an important part in the OPC’s

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Lyrical Theology: Doxology

Today we welcome to the program hip-hop recording artist Shai Linne to speak about his brand new album Lyrical Theology: Doxology, part two of a three-part hip-hop album series. Shai’s album

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Chance and the Sovereignty of God

Watch more videos of Dr. Poythress discussing his book at Vimeo.com Read an interview with Dr. Poythress. Publisher’s Discription What if all events—big and small, good and bad—are governed by more than

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The Biblical Counseling Movement

Publisher’s Description What Is Biblical Counseling? In principle, Christians believe that knowing Jesus Christ is the original and abiding “cure of the soul.” But in practice, the church’s provision of

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Blame it on the Brain

Listen to a lecture by Ed Welch entitled When People Go Insane. (Requires a free account at Westminster Theological Seminary). Publisher’s Description Depression Attention Deficit Disorder Alcoholism Homosexuality Research suggests that more

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Seeing With New Eyes

Publisher’s Description “When our gaze awakens to the gaze of God, we have started to see. Seeing clearly, we can love well. Seeing with New Eyes is a collection of essays by

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With Reverence and Awe

Publisher’s Description “Reformed Christians”, write D. G. Hart and John R. Muether, “are increasingly divided over how they ought to worship their God.” Considering it an urgent matter “to recover

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How People Change

Related Media Listen to a lecture by Tim Lane entitled What Does It Look Like to Change?. Requires a free account at Westminster Theological Seminary Publisher’s Description What does it take for

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Called to the Ministry

Publisher’s Description What is Christ’s calling to you? You may be seeking an answer, you may be avoiding the question – but when the Lords calls, he will be answered.

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How Did Evil Come Into the World?

Dr. William Edgar discusses the question, How Did Evil Come Into the World?, which is also the title of his recent addition to the Christian Answers to Hard Questions series.

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How Can I Know For Sure?

Dr. David Garner comes to the program to speak about the topic of his new booklet, “How Can I Know For Sure?” from the Christian Answers to Hard Questions Series, published by

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Chance and the Sovereignty of God

Dr. Vern S. Poythress, Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, speaks about his new book, Chance and the Sovereignty of God: A God-Centered Approach to

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The Puritan Family Resemblance

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

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Who Raised Up Jesus?

Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, and Jim Cassidy discuss John Murray’s article, “Who Raised Up Jesus?” from The Westminster Theological Journal 3.2 (May 1941): 113–123. An answer to Murray’s question requires a

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Inspiration and Authority of the Bible

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 an

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[Review] Logos Reformed Base Package

K. Scott Oliphint, Jared Oliphint, and Camden Bucey review the Logos Reformed Base Package. List of resources in Platinum package. Previous post on the package from Jared Oliphint. Participants: Camden Bucey,

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The Old and New Calvinisms

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

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[Review] The Bonhoeffer Reader

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 theological works is available in

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5 Reasons Why I Am Not a New Calvinist

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

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Warfield on the Mode of Inspiration

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

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[Review] What’s Best Next

On this episode Camden Bucey reviews What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done (Zondervan) by Matt Perman. This is an excellent book about Christian productivity that

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The Pauline Eschatology

Publisher’s Description Richard B. Gaffin Jr., Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, describes this book in the foreword as “a classic of unprecedented insight into the structure of

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Modern Christian Thought: The Twentieth Century

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

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Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics

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. Author Information:

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The Reformation: A History

Publisher’s Description 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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Early Christian Doctrines

Publisher’s Description 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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The European Reformations

Publisher’s Description 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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The Spirit of Early Christian Thought

Publisher’s Description 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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The Early Church

Publisher’s Description 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

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The Coming of the Kingdom

Publisher’s Description A thorough study of the nature of the kingdom, its fulfillment in the world, and its consummation with the second advent. Includes a comprehensive analysis of the parables

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Paul: An Outline of His Theology

Publisher’s Description Now back in print in a beautiful new paperback edition, this study by one of Europe’s foremost New Testament scholars provides a comprehensive exposition of the teaching of

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When the Time had Fully Come

When the Time had Fully Come contains a number of crucial essays by Ridderbos on the subject of New Testament Theology including the following: The Kingdom of God According to the

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The Gospel of John: A Theological Commentary

Publisher’s Description This excellent commentary by Herman Ridderbos engages seriously the host of twentieth-century interpretations of John while also developing its own integral understanding of John in which the Gospel

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Christianity and Liberalism

Publisher’s Description 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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Introduction to Systematic Theology

Publisher’s Description 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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Reformed Dogmatics

Publisher’s Description 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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The Holy Spirit

Related Media Listen to a 37-part class by Sinclair Ferguson entitled Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Requires a free account at Westminster Theological Seminary   Publisher’s Description The Holy Spirit, once forgotten,

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Collected Writings of John Murray

Publisher’s Description 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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Institutes of the Christian Religion

Related Media 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 34 part course by

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Plan of Salvation

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 study

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Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction

Publisher’s Description Christian doctrine matters for Christian living. This is one of the most important growth points of the Christian life, writes Sinclair B. Ferguson. From this starting point, The Christian Life expounds

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The Final Days of Jesus

Justin Taylor joins us to speak about The Final Days of Jesus: The Most Important Week of the Most Important Person Who Ever Lived, which he has coauthored with Dr. Andreas

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What’s Your Worldview?

Dr. James N. Anderson speaks about his recent book What’s Your Worldview?: An Interactive Approach to Life’s Big Questions, published by Crossway. The book takes the reader through important theological and

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Charles Hodge on Antinomianism

It’s always important for us to read from the great theological minds of the past. Here, Charles Hodge addresses antinomianism: Antinomianism has never had any hold in the churches of

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7 “Must Read” Books on Jonathan Edwards

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.

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By Faith, Not by Sight

Dr. Richard B. Gaffin Jr. joins us to speak about his book By Faith, Not by Sight: Paul and the Order of Salvation, now in its second edition and published by P&R

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By Faith, Not By Sight

Publisher’s Description Proponents of the “New Perspective” on Paul generally reject or minimize the concept of an ordo salutis (“order of salvation”) in his writings. Building on the biblical-theological groundwork

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Question of Canon

Publisher’s Description 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

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The Question of Canon

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 Debate. The book deals not with why

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A Consistent Biblical-Theological Hermeneutic

In By Faith, Not By Sight Richard Gaffin summarizes a redemptive-historical (or covenant-historical, biblical-theological) hermeneutic, distinct from a purely grammatical-historical hermeneutic. For discussions regarding the doctrine of Scripture, and especially the New

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J. Oliver Buswell and Cornelius Van Til

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. Gresham Machen in the

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Covenantal Apologetics (ETS 2013)

K. Scott Oliphint gives an address at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society on November 19, 2013. Dr. Oliphint speaks about covenantal apologetics, a Reformed approach to apologetics

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Highlights from 2013

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

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The Peniel Bible Conference and the OPC

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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Thoroughbred Believers

Horses can teach you a great deal about life. Such is the take-home from my conversation this morning over breakfast. I sat next to John, a retired horse trainer, at

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Covenanted Uniformity in Religion

Publisher’s Description 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

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The Graced Subject

It is increasingly common to speak about grace as a subject. “Grace” is said to do amazing things in your life. It can forgive. It can make you obey. In

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The Virgin Birth of Christ

Dr. Brandon Crowe explains the reality and significance of the virgin birth, based on his booklet, “Was Jesus Really Born of a Virgin?,” from the Christian Answers to Hard Questions

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Antinomianism and Reformed Theology

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 is rooted in a weak view

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The Apostolic Fathers

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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Genesis 3:9-12 – Adam on Trial

In this episode we discuss Genesis 3:9-12, and consider God’s pursuit of rebellious Adam. On the one hand, God clearly calls Adam into account for his sin, but on the

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Definite Atonement in Perspective

The doctrine of definite atonement is the subject of this week’s episode, which features guests David Gibson and Jonathan Gibson, editors of the forthcoming From Heaven He Came and Sought

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Images of the Spirit

Publisher’s Description The underlying concept developed here is the paradigmatic function of the theophanic Glory-cloud in the creation of the image of God. Dr. Kline identifies the major symbolic models

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Imitating God in Christ

Dr. Jason B. Hood speaks about the imitation of Christ, based on the biblical theological study found in his book, Imitating God in Christ: Recapturing a Biblical Pattern. The teaching of

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Genesis 3:1-7 – Temptation in Eden

On this week’s Proclaiming Christ, we discuss the temptation in Eden from Genesis 3:1-7. Man and woman begin naked and unashamed in a royal wedding, but abruptly, an evil serpent

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Thy Word is Still Truth

Publisher’s Description 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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Calvinism: A History

Publisher’s Description 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

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What Is Believing in Christ?

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

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The History of Calvinism

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 of the book, the

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Crazy Busy

Kevin DeYoung speaks about his recent book Crazy Busy: A [Mercifully] Short Book about a [Really] Big Problem, published by Crossway Books. Pastor DeYoung diagnoses the causes of busyness, some of which are

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Pseudonymity and Inerrancy

In her commentary on 1 Peter, Karen Jobes addresses the issue of 1 Peter’s supposed pseudonymity. Several critics argue that, even though 1 Peter claims to be written by the

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John Newton on Grace in Sanctification

Barbara Duguid speaks about John Newton’s writings on the Christian life based on her book Extravagant Grace: God’s Glory Displayed in Our Weakness. She appropriates John Newton’s wisdom to comfort

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Why Hip Hop?

I was thrilled to speak with Lamp Mode recording artist Timothy Brindle on Christ the Center’s special 300th episode. But some of our regular listeners may wonder why we chose to

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Jesus on Every Page

David Murray speaks about seeing Christ in the Old Testament based on his book Jesus on Every Page: 10 Simple Ways to Seek and Find Christ in the Old Testament. Dr. Murray’s

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Housewife Theologian

Aimee Byrd speaks about her new book, Housewife Theologian: How the Gospel Interrupts the Ordinary, with panel Camden Bucey, Nancy Guthrie, and Melissa Kruger. The topic of her book and of this episode’s

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The Aseity of the Son

Scott Oliphint speaks about the aseity of the Son of God, following up on a review of Brannon Ellis’ book Calvin, Classical Trinitarianism, and the Aseity of the Son. The thesis

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Jesus on Every Page

Biblical theology has been a hot topic for the last five or ten years. I, for one, am glad for the interest in studying God’s unfolding plan throughout Scripture. But

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A Kingdom of Listeners

“Oh, that my people would listen to me” (Ps 81:13). Genesis 1–3 is riddled with mysteries, the pursuit of which, some argue, does more harm than good. For instance, it

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Judges and Redemptive History

The Christ the Center panel discusses the book of Judges, considering its relationship to redemptive history and to the redeemer Jesus Christ. During the “no man’s land” of redemptive history,

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A Review of So Pastor, What’s Your Point?

Jim Cassidy reviews So Pastor, What’s Your Point? by Dennis Prutow, Professor of Homiletics and Pastoral Theology at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The book gives practical counsel on preaching combined with wholesome theology

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Early Heresies: Docetism

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

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When the Stars Disappear: Why Christians Suffer

Dr. Mark Talbot speaks about his forthcoming book tentatively entitled, When the Stars Disappear: Why Christians Suffer. Dr. Talbot’s research in philosophy, theology, and psychology serve to interpret his personal experiences of

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Ruth and Redemptive History

Today we discuss the story and message of the book of Ruth in light of the book’s place in redemptive history. This brief story of an unassuming young Gentile woman

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Covenantal Apologetics

Dr. Scott Oliphint returns to Christ the Center to discuss his recent book, Covenantal Apologetics. Oliphint’s forthcoming book is an accessible treatment of Van Tilian presuppositional apologetics, the fruit of years of

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Early Heresies: Adoptionism

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

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The Nature and Use of Apologetic Evidences

Reformed theologians have approached the discipline of apologetics from several different vantage points. Proponents of presuppositional, classical, and evidential approaches differ with one another on several important apologetic questions. One

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God Is Impassible and Impassioned

James Dolezal, part-time professor of Theology and Church History at Cairn University in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, reviews God Is Impassible and Impassioned: Toward a Theology of Divine Emotion by Rob Lister.

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Desiring the Kingdom

Daniel Schrock reviews Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation by James K. A. Smith. In this first book of what is planned as a three-book set, Smith describes the liturgical

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Classical Christian Doctrine

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

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Vatican II Inclusivism

How can Catholic theologians seemingly contradict the official teaching of the Catholic Church? Many commentators believe that, in a recent homily, Pope Francis did just that. While the Vatican has

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The Enemy Within

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

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Typology and Jehoiachin

We welcome Matthew Patton to the program to speak about the nature and use of typology using Jehoiachin as an extended example. Mr. Patton is Visiting Assistant Professor of Old

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In Defense of the Descent

In this episode, Carlton Wynne reviews In Defense of the Descent by Daniel Hyde. In the book, Hyde seeks to explain and defend an orthodox understanding the Apostles’ Creed when it claims that

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Covenant Solidarity

Chris Brauns visits Christ the Center to speak about covenant solidarity through his book Bound Together: How We Are Tied to Others in Good and Bad Choices published by Zondervan. Chris is the pastor of

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Trinity and Organism

Rev. Carlton Wynne reviews Trinity and Organism: Towards a New Reading of Herman Bavinck’s Organic Motif by James Eglinton and published by T&T Clark. Eglinton demonstrates how Herman Bavinck connected doctrines

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The Polemical Theology of the Old Testament

Scholars disagree on the relationship between portions of the Old Testament and similar ancient Near Eastern accounts. Many believe Moses simply plagiarized material from existing literature. In this episode, we

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Approaches to Christology

Christology is at the heart of the gospel for it is the study of the God-man, the savior of sinners. In this episode, Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey speak about several

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Book News and Notes

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

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Aspects of Presbyterian Government

For this in-house episode, we speak about different aspects of presbyterian government. While church polity may seem like a tedious and perhaps arbitrary task, Scripture lays out a structure for

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Bavinck on Marriage and the Family

Nelson Kloosterman speaks about Herman Bavinck’s theology of marriage and the family. Kloosterman recently translated Bavinck’s book The Christian Family. Though he wrote in early 20th century Netherlands, Bavinck’s book

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The Persecution of the Early Church

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

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A Review of Popologetics by Ted Turnau

Jonathan Brack reviews Popologetics: Popular Culture in Christian Perspective by Ted Turnau, a book on apologetics in the midst of pop culture. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jonathan Brack

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The Plan of Salvation

Rev. Dr. Lane Tipton walks us through the soteriological taxonomy offered by B.B. Warfield in his book The Plan of Salvation. In the book, Warfield asks a series of questions

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The Early Church and Judaism

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

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Francis Schaeffer’s Christian Spirituality

We welcome William Edgar, Professor of Apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, to the program to reflect upon Francis Schaeffer’s life and thought. Dr. Edgar focuses on Schaeffer’s Christian

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Bringing Schaeffer and Van Til Together

In an essay celebrating the 100th anniversary of Cornelius Van Til’s birth, William Edgar compared Francis Schaeffer to Cornelius Van Til. Much has been made about their different approaches to

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Introducing Genesis

Proclaiming Christ considers an introduction to the book of Genesis, looking at creation as it points to the eschatological glory of God.

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Regeneration in John 3

On the heels of our previous discussion with Rev. Dr. Scott Wright, the panel discusses the doctrine of regeneration by looking to Jesus’ teaching in John 3. Adam York, Deryck Barson,

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An Approach to Church History

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: Charles

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Family-Integrated Churches

On this episode, we welcome Dr. Sam Waldron to speak about the family-integrated church movement, which seeks to recover a biblical understanding of the family, especially in its relationship to

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The Digital World is a Selective World

In his post “The Christian Leader in the Digital Age,” Albert Mohler raises a number of important issues for Christians (and Christian leaders) to consider in light of this generation’s

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Sermon Delivery

In this episode of Proclaiming Christ the panel considers sermon delivery. We discuss things like: whether to use a manuscript or not, sermon application, resources, and things not to do

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David VanDrunen Responds to Kingdoms Apart

Dr. David VanDrunen, Professor of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics at Westminster Seminary California, has reviewed and responded to Kingdoms Apart: Engaging the Two Kingdoms Perspective in the latest issue of Ordained Servant,

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Calvin’s Company of Pastors

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 Church, 1536-1609,

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A Christian Introduction to History

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

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Simplicity in Preaching

In his 1853 address to the Society of Alumni of Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, R. L. Dabney advocated for simplicity in pulpit style. Dabney calls preachers to what I would call “immediacy.”

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Preparing to Preach

In this week’s episode we discuss sermon preparation. As the panel considers the kind of work that must go on before a preacher is ready to preach, we discuss things

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Johannes Oecolampadius

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

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Presuppositions for Preaching

On this episode of Proclaiming Christ we talk about presuppositions that underlie the sermon preparation process. In particular, we deal with presuppositions which govern the proper reading and interpretation of

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Regeneration and Redemptive-History

In this episode of Christ the Center, Rev. Dr. Scott R. Wright develops a redemptive-historical understanding of the doctrine of regeneration. Rev. Wright is senior pastor of Redeemer Church (PCA) in Hudson, Ohio. His

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The Reorganization of Princeton Seminary

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

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Apologetics: The Fruit of Faith

In his little booklet, The Certainty of Faith, Herman Bavinck penned a short sentence which is laden with profundity. “Apologetics is the fruit, never the root, of faith.”[1] Bavinck’s insight highlights something

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Christ the Spiritual Sun

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

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Notable Books (February 2013)

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. Evans, Roots

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Old Princeton and Right Reason

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 tradition

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Introductions and Foundations

In this, the premiere episode of Proclaiming Christ, we introduce the panelists for this new Reformed Forum podcast on biblical preaching. We also begin to discuss foundational aspects of preaching. We welcome

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Harmonizing the Gospels

Dr. Vern Poythress speaks about the important topic of harmonizing the gospels by sharing with us features of his book Inerrancy and the Gospels: A God-Centered Approach to the Challenges

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Reasons for Faith

K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, speaks about the relationship of philosophy to theology. Dr. Oliphint has written Reasons for Faith: Philosophy in the

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Insider Movements

We welcome David Garner and Phil DeHart to speak about Insider Movements, which are increasingly popular approaches to missions predicated on controversial theological and hermeneutic foundations. Insider Movements have gained

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Highlights from 2012

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

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Proclaiming Christ

Mark Winder and Adam York introduce Proclaiming Christ, a newly reformatted program on preaching, exegesis, and biblical theology. Rev. Winder is pastor of Wolf River Presbyterian Church in Collierville, Tennessee and Rev.

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Mobility through a Marketed Ministry

In his classic essay, “The D-Min-ization of the Ministry,” David Wells describes the ministerial professionalization that occurred over the last several decades. Because of the lack of respect and influence

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A Review of The Innkeeper

Each Advent season, John Piper writes an Advent poem as a gift to his congregation in Minneapolis. One such Advent poem is The Innkeeper. In this short narrative poem, Piper

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Kingdom through Covenant

Jonathan Brack reviews Kingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants by Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum. Jonathan has also written a review of the book for Reformation21.org. Participants: Camden

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Ministerial Fellowship

On this episode, Rev. David Brack speaks about ministerial fellowship and a ministry of discipleship in the local church. Rev. Brack is pastor of Christ Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Amarillo,

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Justification Sola Fide

We are pleased to welcome back to the program Dr. Lane G. Tipton, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Tipton was recently inaugurated

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Lifted: Experiencing the Resurrection Life

In this episode, we review Sam Allberry’s Lifted: Experiencing the Resurrection Life published by P&R Publishing. Publisher’s Description: For many people the resurrection is a nice thing to believe in; a

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An Interview with Desiring God

At a recent trip to Milwaukee for the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, Camden Bucey and Jared Oliphint caught up with David Mathis and Jonathan Parnell of Desiring

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Adam and the Bible, Session 7: Luke 4:1-12

Rev. Dr. Lane G. Tipton preaches from Luke 4:1-12. This sermon was delivered during the annual theology conference at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Ringoes, NJ. Session 1: 1 Corinthians 15:42-49 —

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Adam and the Bible, Session 4: Genesis 1:26

Dr. Vern Poythress speaks about Genesis 1:26 and the numerous important details in this verse. This lecture was delivered during the annual theology conference at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Ringoes, NJ. Session

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Lay Down This World

Jazz pianist Pamela York speaks about her new album, Lay Down This World: Hymns and Spirituals. Pamela discusses the tracks on the album, the relationship of traditional structure to creativity, and

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Anthony Burgess on the Law

We welcome Rev. Dr. Steve Casselli to speak about Anthony Burgess on the law. Rev. Casselli is pastor of Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church in Tampa, FL. Steve worked in campus ministry

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Presbyterian and Reformed Churches: A Global History

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 Churches

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The Pure in Heart Blessed

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

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Eschatology and the Christian Life

Eschatology is a complicated word. Usually, it is associated with apocalyptic events yet to occur in the Middle East. In this episode, we seek to broaden this limited conception of

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The Transfiguration

In this episode, we study the Transfiguration, the event in which Jesus was transformed on the mountain before Peter, James, and John. In the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah accompany Jesus

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Canine Piety

William Laud was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1633-1645. He became obsessed with the liturgy, and his heavy-handed high church policies were seen as persecution by many Protestants. In his

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The Headship of Christ

The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of discoursing with the Rev. Dr. Craig Troxel about ecclesiology, especially as it is grounded in the headship of the Lord Jesus

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Christian Knowledge

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

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English Puritan Theology

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

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The Excellency of Christ

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

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The Creedal Imperative

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.

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A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life

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

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Christ’s Agony

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

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Dynamics of Church Planting

Church planting is one way the Lord expands his kingdom on earth. Christ called his disciples to go forth and make disciples of men, baptizing them in the name of

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The Jonathan Edwards Center

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 the resources available there.

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John Flavel and Union with Christ

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

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The Hole in our Holiness

Publisher’s Description: The “hole in our holiness” is that evangelicals don’t look particularly holy, and, despite the flood of gospel-centered discussions, there seems to be a greater focus on personal depravity

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The Most High: A Prayer Hearing God

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

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The Eternal Generation of the Son

On this episode, we discuss the eternal generation of the Son of God within the context of Trinitarian theology and church history. The subject of the Son’s relationship to the

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Dangerous Calling

Paul Tripp’s forthcoming book Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry will make many people uncomfortable, but it is important. The author describes it as a diagnostic book, that is, one that

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God Glorified in Man’s Dependence

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

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Nature/Grace Dualism

Dr. Lane G. Tipton, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, addresses the Roman Catholic teaching of nature/grace dualism and a variety of its uses. Nature/grace dualism

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East of Eden (Genesis 3:24)

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

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Preaching and Sermon Preparation

We take a break from our regular format to enjoy a relaxed open forum. Nonetheless, the panel quickly focuses on the subject of preaching and sermon preparation. We ask questions

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The Theology of John Bunyan’s Holy War

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 has

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Nature and Scripture

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 Scripture,” is

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Machen During World War I

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 topic

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Worldview, Culture, and Eschatology

Nathan Sasser, Assistant Director of Academic Affairs at the Pastors College for Sovereign Grace Ministries and PhD student at the University of South Carolina, comes on the program to talk

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Biblical Hermeneutics: Five Views

Publisher’s Description: In recent decades biblical hermeneutics has been an ever-expanding field of thought and research, with new viewpoints unfolding and debated. The views selected for this volume cohere with a

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Divine Impassibility

The Christ the Center panel meets with Rev. Dr. James Dolezal to discuss the much maligned doctrine of divine impassibility. Beginning with a look at Westminster Confession of Faith 2.1, that “There

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The Regulative Principle of Worship

Dr. Darryl G. Hart speaks about a key feature to Reformed worship, the regulative principle. Generally speaking, the principle seeks to allow worship to be governed strictly by the Word

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Logical Positivism

Dr. Lane G. Tipton, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, describes logical positivism, a type of analytic philosophy incorporating mathematical and logico-linguistic constructs and deductions of

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Inerrancy and Worldview

Dr. Vern Poythress, Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary, speaks about his book Inerrancy and Worldview: Answering Challenges to the Bible (Crossway). In this important book, Dr.

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Colbert’s Apologetic

In a recent interview with theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss, Stephen Colbert debated the existence of God, the nature of nothing, and the laws of quantum mechanics. Though he proceeds in

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By Good and Necessary Consequence

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

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Did God Really Say?

David B. Garner, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, visits the studio to speak about the doctrine of Scripture. Dr. Garner has edited an excellent collection of

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Redemptive-Historical Hermeneutics

While reading this new volume on hermeneutics, Biblical Hermeneutics: Five Views, I was struck by how many theological issues “in the news” these days are addressed by this short piece, either

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Writing Christian Fiction

Jeremiah W. Montgomery is the pastor of Resurrection Orthodox Presbyterian Church in State College, Pennsylvania. Rev. Montgomery joins us to speak about writing Christian fiction. Montgomery has written The Dark Faith,

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The Theology and Preaching of Jonathan Edwards

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 for

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Culture and Eschatology

One of the most perplexing brands of eschatology is “transformational” eschatology. A broad-brush way to describe this view is that the eschaton or last days will be triggered once Christians

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Law and Gospel

Errors abound when readers of Scripture confuse law and gospel. Dr. Lane G. Tipton describes the uses of the law and the wonderful news that Jesus Christ has accomplished salvation

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Covenantal Condescension

K. Scott Oliphint’s chapter, “I Am … Your God” in his book God with Us: Divine Condescension and the Attributes of God is an excellent primer on the relation of the

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The Covenant of Grace

Dr. Lane G. Tipton describes the Covenant of Grace and its two administrations. This is an important lesson that pictures for us the wonderful salvation that comes through the mediation

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Why Baptize Children?

Rev. Daniel Hyde, pastor of Oceanside United Reformed Church in Oceanside, CA builds a case for paedobaptism. Hyde has written Jesus Loves the Little Children: Why We Baptize Children, an excellent

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Speaking about the Gospel

The gospel has become a hot topic in the evangelical world, and for that all Christians should be thankful. But conversation about the gospel is only fruitful in so far

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Charles Hodge on Trinitarian Personality

If you’ve had a chance to peruse Andrew Hoffecker’s biography, Charles Hodge: The Pride of Princeton or Hodge’s own works, you’ll know that Charles Hodge is an old school giant. In my opinion,

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How is Redemption Applied?

The redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ is applied by the Holy Spirit as he effectually calls the elect and unites them to Christ by faith. Dr. Lane G. Tipton unpacks

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The Gospel and its Implications

Camden Bucey, Jonathan Brack, and Dan Adams speak about the gospel from the steps of the historic Tenth Presbyterian Church. Reformed Forum was delighted to be invited to the annual

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The Benefits of Salvation

The gospel is first and foremost the good news about the resurrected Christ. Through union with the resurrected Christ believers receive justification, adoption, sanctification, and all other benefits which either

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Machen’s Letters from WWI

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

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Counseling, Medication, and Common Grace

The relationship of Christianity to various forms of counseling has been a turbulent subject in recent decades. With the advancement of medicinal science and the proliferation of different disease and

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The Word of God and Inerrancy

Gabe Fluhrer joins the panel to speak about inerrancy. The subject continues to be an issue of perennial importance. Gabe has edited a wonderful book on the subject with contributions

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Redemption Accomplished and Applied

Dr. Lane G. Tipton, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, speaks about the distinction between the once for all accomplishment of redemption and

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Christ in the Old Testament

On this episode we welcome Nancy Guthrie back to the program to speak about Christ in the Old Testament. Nancy has written the latest in her series on the subject

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What is the Gospel?

Dr. Lane G. Tipton, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, speaks about the heart of the Christian message. Christians must be careful not

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Baptism, Covenant, and Election

Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. and Lane G. Tipton analyze arguments for credo-baptism and discuss Reformed views of covenant and election. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Lane G. Tipton, Richard B.

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Charles Hodge: The Pride of Princeton

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

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An Interview with Steve Lawson

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 of

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The Defense of the Faith, 4th ed.

Publisher’s Description This new, annotated edition of The Defense of the Faith restores the full text of the original work in a form that is more easily understood. Cornelius Van Til, who

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How Jesus Runs the Church

On this program we welcome Guy Prentiss Waters to speak about his book How Jesus Runs the Church. The doctrine of the church is critically important for the Christian life, but

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The Creator / Creature Distinction

This is the first lesson in a series examining the theological foundations of Reformed and covenantal apologetics. In this video, Camden Bucey looks at the important difference between God and

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Engaging Philosophy as a Christian

Jared Oliphint sits down with Dr. K. Scott Oliphint to speak about how Christians should approach the subject of philosophy. They speak about the necessity of the Christian position, the

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An Interview with Derek Thomas

Andrew Moody sat down with Dr. Derek Thomas at a recent conference for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. This is a fun discussion about a number of topics related to

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The Law and Redemptive-History

Notwithstanding the diversity of opinion and debate that has surfaced throughout the last century and a half surrounding the nature of the Mosaic Covenant and the Law of God, Reformed theologians have

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The State and Religious Liberty

Today we welcome Dr. David Skeel and James Sweet to speak about recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that impact the church. Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC was a

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Apologetics and Counseling

Following Christ the Center episode 205, we kept the recording running and spoke with Dr. K. Scott Oliphint about counseling, apologetics, and the doctrine of God. Throughout the discussion, Dr.

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Charles Hodge: The Pride of Princeton

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

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The Historical Adam

Rick Phillips joins Nick Batzig and Kenneth Kang-Hui to speak about the historical Adam. The teaching that Adam was a historical figure, the federal head of all those who descend

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Justification and Union with Christ

Today we welcome Dr. Michael S. Horton and Dr. Lane G. Tipton to the program to discuss justification and its relation to union with Christ. Dr. Horton is Professor of Systematic Theology

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Sanctification

Rick Phillips and Kevin DeYoung join a panel to address the doctrine of sanctification. This is an important conversation that addresses the work of the Holy Spirit in applying the

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Weight of a Flame

Simonetta Carr’s latest book appears to have everything a young female reader could want. Romance. Castles. Adventure. Far-away places. And let’s not forget elegant wardrobes. These things are just the

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Jesus + Nothing = Everything

Mark Jones and Jared Oliphint speak about Tullian Tchividjian’s Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Rev. Tchividjian is pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale and blogs at the Gospel Coalition. Dr. Jones

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Church Planting

Jim Cassidy leads a discussion on church planting in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church with Brad Hertzog and Mark Winder. Rev. Hertzog is Pastor of Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Queens,

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Counseling an Abused Spouse

Winston Smith, from the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation, speaks about counseling abused spouses. Winston Smith – Am I equipped to counsel an abused spouse? from CCEF on Vimeo.

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Suffering and the Christian Life

In this episode we speak with Dr. J. Ligon Duncan about suffering and the Christian life. Rev. Dr. Duncan is Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS and

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Union with Christ, A Response

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Michael S. Horton to the program once again. Dr. Horton is Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Seminary California. He is also the

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2011 Confessional Presbyterian Journal

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

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Holiness and the Christian Life

Kevin DeYoung speaks about holiness and sanctification in this episode of Christ the Center. Given the recent discussions of the role of sanctification in soteriology and the age-old errors of

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God… With Us

Dr. K. Scott Oliphint speaks about the doctrine of God and his book God with Us: Divine Condescension and the Attributes of God. Dr. Oliphint is Professor of Apologetics and

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The King James Bible

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

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Union with Christ and Glorification

Rev. James Cassidy, Pastor of Calvary OPC, preaches on glorification in this special presentation from Alive with Christ: Saving Union with Christ. This series of addresses comes from the Fall Seminar on

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Union with Christ and Sanctification

Dr. Lane G. Tipton, the Charles Krahe Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, teaches on sanctification in this special presentation from Alive with Christ: Saving Union with Christ. This series

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Union with Christ: The Good Work Begun

Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Professor Emeritus of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, teaches on the biblical concept of salvation in this is a special presentation titled Alive with Christ:

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Union with Christ and Regeneration

Dr. Lane G. Tipton, the Charles Krahe Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, teaches on regeneration in this special presentation from Alive with Christ: Saving Union with Christ. This series

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A Biblical Overview of Union with Christ

Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Professor Emeritus of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary provides a biblical overview of union with Christ in this special presentation titled Alive with Christ: Saving

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The Critics of Van Til’s Take on Barth

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 Evangelicalism contain

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The Theology of Karl Barth

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 this growing

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The Greatness and Love of God

Today we welcome Dr. Bryan Chapell, President and Professor of Practical Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary, to speak about the greatness and love of God. Dr. Chapell is the author

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Union with Christ

We celebrate the 200th episode of Christ the Center together with our guest (and studio host!), Dr. Lane G. Tipton. Dr. Tipton is the Charles Krahe Professor of Biblical and Systematic

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Van Til, Barth, and American Evangelicalism

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 interesting volume,

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Our Great God

In this episode, we speak about the doctrine of God and its implications for other doctrines and all areas of life with Kevin DeYoung. DeYoung is the Senior Pastor at University

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La théologie Réformée en France

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

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Theologizing in a Connected Culture

Jared Oliphint and Camden Bucey speak about a number of topics in today’s open discussion, but the discussion gravitated toward theologizing in today’s connected culture. With the proliferation of social

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The Significance of the Resurrection

People often speak of the “cross” synecdochally, that is, referring to the entire work of redemption accomplished by Christ. While this is perfectly acceptable, repeated use of this construction can under-emphasize the

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Evangelicals and Political Conservatism

Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey discuss the evangelical involvement in American politics using Darryl G. Hart’s recent From Billly Graham to Sarah Palin: Evangelicals and the Betrayal of American Conservatism

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Issues in Systematic Theology

Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey speak about various contemporary issues in systematic theology. The conversation centers mainly on union with Christ and the salvific benefits that flow from that union.

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Perspectives on the Sabbath

Chris Donato joins the panel to speak about various views on the Sabbath. Mr. Donato has editing the book Perspectives on the Sabbath: 4 Views published by Broadman and Holman Publishers. Skip

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Preaching the Fullness of Christ

The relationship of justification and sanctification has returned to the forefront of several Twitter and blog circles. William B. Evans rekindled the discussion with a response to Tullian Tchividjian’s formulation of justification,

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Redeeming Sociology

Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Vern Poythress back to the program to discuss his latest book Redeeming Sociology. The title alone may leave some people wondering why

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Zephaniah: Protology in Eschatology

Mark A. Winder joins the panel to discuss the rich redemptive-historical themes of Zephaniah. Mark has written a thesis titled Zephaniah: Protology in Eschatology and takes time to walk us

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Redemptive-Historical Hermeneutics

Lane G. Tipton provides the biblical warrant for a transtestamental gospel that understands the organic unity of the Old and New Testaments. Tipton contributed a chapter to the recent Confident

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An Introduction to Universals

Philosophy for Theologians opens up the subject of universals by discussing the basic approaches to reality found in thinkers such as Plato and Aristotle. After laying an introductory foundation, the

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Jonathan Edwards’s Apologetic

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 Edwards’s

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Edwards on the Infinite Merit of Christ

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

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The Hypostatic Union

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

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Transformationalism and Christian Higher Education

Dr. William Dennison discusses transformational eschatology and Christian higher education. Dr. Dennison’s has written two articles that become the subject of discussion. In The Christian Academy: Antithesis, Common Grace, and Plato’s

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Turretin and Right Reason

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.

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The Ethics of Bankruptcy

Dr. David Skeel, professor of corporate law at UPenn, discusses Christians in legal studies in addition to the ethics of bankruptcy. David Skeel is the S. Samuel Arsht Professor of

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R. L. Dabney

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

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The Right to Become Children of God

Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey continue their discussion of adoption from the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology. In this episode, the panel talks about John 1:12-13 and the right to

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Children of God

Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey speak about David Wells’ message the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology. Dr. Wells’ spoke about being members of the family of God from 1 John

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Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey speak about biblical manhood and womanhood from the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology. The conference, held annually at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia,

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Biblical Counseling and TGC2011

Christ the Center comes to you from the floor of The Gospel Coalition 2011 National Conference in Chicago, IL. In the first segment of this episode, Jared Oliphint and Camden Bucey

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Pastoral Searches and Transitions

Reformed Media Review speaks about pastoral searches and transitions from The Gospel Coalition 2011 National Conference in Chicago, IL. The conference held a panel discussion to treat the topic of

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Christian Biographies for Young Readers

In her series, Christian Biographies for Young Readers (published by Reformation Heritage Books), Simonetta Carr has given the church helpful tools to educate the next generation in church history. Her

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photo by zalina on flickr

These Last Days

Richard D. Phillips and Gabriel Fluhrer visit to discuss their latest book These Last Days: A Christian View of History. Last year, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals hosted a series

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Universalism and Deification

Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey analyze popular formulations of universalism and look to related themes in theologies of deification, divinization, and theosis. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington

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Christ in Leviticus

Douglas Clawson is Associate General Secretary for the Committee on Foreign Missions for the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. In this episode, Clawson speaks about the controlling theme of Leviticus as he

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The Relationship of Philosophy to Theology

For Reformed theologians it can be rather difficult to articulate the relationship between philosophy and theology. Is philosophy simply theology asking different questions? Is it a distinct discipline that can

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The Creation Covenant

Dr. Rowland Ward speaks about his historical and theological masterpiece God & Adam: Reformed Theology and the Creation Covenant. While there has been, and continues to be, much debate over the

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The Clark/Van Til Controversy

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

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Are All Van Tilians Equal?

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 the

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The Justification Landscape

Mark Garcia is pastor at Immanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Coraopolis, PA. He is the author of Life in Christ: Union with Christ and Twofold Grace in Calvin’s Theology. In

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Christ and Marriage

Winston Smith joins the panel to discuss Christian marriage and his book Marriage Matters: Extraordinary Change through Ordinary Moments. Smith is a counselor and faculty member at CCEF, a ministry

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Historical Methodology

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.

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The Gospel Coalition

John Starke of The Gospel Coalition (TGC) visits the program to talk about their website, the TGC Reviews, the TGC conference, and how they see themselves in relation to the

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The Life and Thought of Herman Bavinck

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 Grace Presbyterian

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Sister Aimee

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

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Machen’s Warrior Children

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

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Liberating Black Theology

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

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Jonathan Edwards and the Image of God

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 Waddington

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Trinitarian Personality

Christ the Center explores the incomprehensible and doxological subject of Trinitarian personality. Dr. Tipton previously discussed the subject on Christ the Center episode #49. Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Jared Oliphint,

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The Philosophy of Science

In a call to our modern society to reexamine the fundamental presuppositions of the dominant worldview, the panel discusses the philosophy of science. post photo from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight

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Contemporary Issues in Ecclesiology

Jeff Waddington, Nick Batzig, and Camden Bucey engage in an open conversation about current issues in the life and understanding of the church. The discussion addresses multi-site churches, the culture

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Amillennialism

Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Kim Riddlebarger to the program to discuss amillennialism. Dr. Riddlebarger is senior pastor of Christ Reformed Church in Anaheim, California (www.christreformed.org), visiting professor

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The Untamed God

Jared Oliphint and Nate Shannon lead a discussion on Jay Wesley Richards’ book The Untamed God: A Philosophical Exploration of Divine Perfection, Simplicity, and Immutability. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint,

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Formulating a Christian Epistemology

Several contributors to Philosophy for Theologians convene to discuss the guidelines for formulating a Christian epistemology. As a starting point, the panel looks at the seminal work by Edmund Gettier Is

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Machen and Bultmann at Marburg

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

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Christianity and Politics

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.

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Word, Water and Spirit

John V. Fesko provides an historical, biblical-theological, and systematic view of baptism in his new book Word, Water and Spirit. Dr. Fesko is the academic dean and associate professor of systematic

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Modern Roman Catholicism

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

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The Point of a Sermon

Christ the Center speaks with Dennis Prutow, Professor of Homiletics and Pastoral Theology at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, to speak about his book So Pastor, What’s Your Point? Participants: Camden

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Van Til, Barth and Liberalism

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

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Major Divides in the Presbyterian Church

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, Defending the

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The Pilgrim’s Progress

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

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Natural Theology

The idea of natural theology has been much debated. One’s understanding regarding the project of natural theology will inevitably impact substantially one’s apologetic methodology and epistemology. K. Scott Oliphint and

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Thomas’ Second Way

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

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The Theology of B.B. Warfield

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.

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Christian Education

Christ the Center interviews Daniel Kunkle, Bible teacher at Phil-Mont Christian Academy. The panel discusses Christian education and the issues involved in teaching secondary education from a Reformed perspective. Dan

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PhD Studies

PhD students Gabe Fluhrer (MDiv, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary), Carlton Wynne (MDiv RTS, Charlotte) and Nate Shannon (ThM, Westminster Theological Seminary) share what led them to PhD studies, how their

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New Media and the Technological Frontier

The Church stands at the beginning of a new technological frontier. Along with great opportunities come new challenges. Today the panel discusses mobile applications, intellectual property, and exciting news regarding

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The Atonement

Gabe Fluhrer on the lasting importance of Christ’s act of penal substitutionary atonement. Gabe has recently edited Atonement, a collection of writings and sermons from J.I. Packer, Sinclair Ferguson, and

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Technology and the Christian Life

Dr. David P. Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Murray speaks about his latest endeavors in media

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Thomas’ First Way

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 Brack

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The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards

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 Jonathan Edwards.

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The Westminster Assembly

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,

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The Preaching of the Scriptures

The Christ the Center panel, ably augmented by Glen Clary, pastor of Immanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church of West Collingswood, NJ, had the privilege of sitting down and chatting with Dr.

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Paradox in Christian Theology

The Christ the Center panel recently met with Dr. James Anderson, assistant professor of theology and philosophy at the Charlotte campus of Reformed Theological Seminary, and author of Paradox in Christian

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Thoughts on Preaching

The Christ the Center panel met with Anthony Selvaggio, a teaching elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Rochester, NY, a visiting professor of New Testament at Reformed Presbyterian Theological

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Quine’s Two Dogmas of Empiricism

Willard Van Orman Quine (June 25, 1908 – December 25, 2000) (known to intimates as “Van”) was an American philosopher and logician in the analytic tradition. From 1930 until his death 70 years

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Keeping up on the Biblical Languages

Miles Van Pelt, Associate Professor of Old Testament and Academic Dean at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS speaks about the importance of the original languages for biblical study. Miles

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Christ and Culture Roundup

Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey roundup the entire Christ and culture series with a single episode overview of the issues. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington

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Assessing Machen

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

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The Nature of Heresy

Martin Downes discusses the nature of heresy. This is a clip from Christ the Center episode 84. Read more from Martin Downes and many other respected theologians in his book

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Christ and Culture, Round 3: Darryl Hart

Darryl G. Hart brings his final remarks to the Christ and culture discussion table. Dr. Hart has authored A Secular Faith: Why Christianity Favors the Separation of Church and State, Defending the Faith:

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Christ and Culture, Round 3: Bill Dennison

Bill Dennison brings his final remarks to the Christ and culture discussion table. Dr. Dennison has authored Paul’s Two-Age Construction and Apologetics and The Young Bultmann: Context for His Understanding of God, 1884-1925.

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The Basis on Which Machen Fought: The Bible

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, Darryl G.

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Van Til’s Trinitarian Distinctives

Lane G. Tipton, Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, speaks about the various distinctives of Van Til’s trinitarian theology and the particular concerns he sought to address in

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Manifold Witness: The Plurality of Truth

Bob LaRocca and Jared Oliphint lead a critical discussion of John Franke’s book Manifold Witness: The Plurality of Truth. Franke argues plurality and diversity are intrinsic elements of Christianity as

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The Metaphysics of Aristotle

The crew spends a few minutes discussing the metaphysical system of Aristotle, one of philosophy’s greatest minds. Participants: Bob LaRocca, Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan Brack

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The Fight Against Sentimentality

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

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Logical Positivism

Logical positivism is a combination of empiricism and mathematical and logico-linguistic constructs and deductions in epistemology. The crew provides a brief overview of the view and major players. They then

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Kloosterman’s and Hart’s Responses

Today we continue our second round responses in our Christ and Culture series. Nelson Kloosterman and Darryl Hart respond to the comments made by the other participants during the first round.

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Calvin at the Centre

Paul Helm’s latest, Calvin at the Centre, is a fascinating book presenting a fresh look on several key themes in Calvin and his lasting influence upon later theologians. In many ways,

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Bertrand Russell’s (Un)Apologetic

The group discusses Bertrand Russell’s infamous essay Why I Am Not a Christian. Russell led the 20th century British revolt against idealism and contributed greatly to the philosophical field of

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Wilson’s Response

Today we continue our second round responses in our Christ and Culture series. Doug Wilson responds to the comments made by Darryl Hart, Nelson Kloosterman and Bill Dennison in the first

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Das Machen des Van Til

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.

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René Descartes

René Descartes (31 March 1596 – 11 February 1650), was a French philosopher, mathematician, and physicist. He has been dubbed the “Father of Modern Philosophy,” and much of subsequent Western philosophy is a response

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Dennison’s Response

This is the first installment of responses in our Christ and Culture series. William Dennison responds to the comments made by Darryl Hart, Nelson Kloosterman and Doug Wilson in the first

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Kingship and First Samuel

John Woodhouse speaks about the important theme of kingship in the books of Samuel. Rev. Dr. Woodhouse is Principal at Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia and has written the

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The Fight Against False Optimism

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

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Bavinck, Reid and Realism

We realized many of our discussions on the Reformed Media Review were drifting toward the philosophical.  And we also believe there is a general lack of good philosophical resources –

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Boston Museum of Fine Arts

Vocation, Education and Fine Arts

This is part three of our series entitled Christ and Culture. Bill Dennison, Darryl Hart, Doug Wilson and Nelson Kloosterman each speak from their unique perspectives. Today the participants address the

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Liberalism, the Different Religion

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.

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Christ and Culture: Politics

This is part two of our series entitled Christ and Culture. Four men participate in an engaging discussion on the relationship of Christ to culture. Bill Dennison, Darryl Hart, Doug Wilson

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Ecumenism and Intolerance

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 from

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God Is Great, God Is Good

Jared Oliphint leads a review discussion of God Is Great, God Is Good: Why Believing in God Is Reasonable & Responsible. Jared recently reviewed the book for TGCReviews.com. The book

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Welcome to a Reformed Church

Camden and Nick speak with Danny Hyde about his new book Welcome to a Reformed Church: A Guide for Pilgrims. Rev. Hyde is pastor of Oceanside United Reformed Church in

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N.T. Wright’s Epistemology

Bob LaRocca details the critical realism found in the first few chapters of N.T. Wright’s The New Testament and the People of God. Christ the Center has spoken about Wright’s

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What Prepared Machen to Fight?

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:

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The Historical Adam

The Christ the Center panel got together recently and discussed whether Adam was a real historical person and whether it matters for our understanding of Scripture and theology as a

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The Challenges of Urban Ministry

Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Bill Snodgrass and Erica Bucey to discuss the challenges of urban ministry. Rev. Snodgrass is pastor of Grace Fellowship OPC in the Germantown

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Perspectives on Pentecost

Christ the Center revisited with Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, professor of biblical and systematic theology, emeritus, at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, about the significance of Pentecost for redemptive history

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Family and Sabbath

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

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Counseling Difficult Cases

The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of conversing with Dr. George Scipione, professor of pastoral theology and director of the Biblical Counseling Institute at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological

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Creating Culture

The panel continues to examine the theological foundations for engaging culture. Participants: Bob LaRocca, Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan Brack

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Theological Prayer

The panel discusses the relationship of theology to prayer by focusing on Colossians. Jim, Nick, and Camden explore Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae and think about the relationship

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Youth and Campus Ministry

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

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A Theology of Culture

The panel examines the theological foundations for engaging culture. Participants: Bob LaRocca, Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan Brack

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The Christian Lover

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

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Thoughts on American Presbyterianism

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 Bucey,

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Feeding Your Family

I’m actually speaking of literal food this time. Inka Leoni at My Modern Metropolis has written a post which includes some very interesting photos of what families throughout the world

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WiFi on the School Bus

The New York Times reports on an experiment in Vail, AZ in which the school district has outfitted a school bus with a mobile WiFi router. Interestingly, disciplinary problems have

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Effective Abstinence Education

Robert Rector comments on a new report demonstrating the success of abstinence education programs in the face of the failures of so called “safe-sex” and comprehensive sex-ed programs. What is

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Shepherding Ministry

The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of talking with Dr. Tim Witmer, professor of practical theology, coordinator of the PT department, and supervisor of the mentored ministry program

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Epistemology and a Two-Kingdoms View

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, Darryl

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The Task of the Preacher

John Currie, Lecturer in Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, discusses the challenges involved and the task of preaching. Rev. Currie is also Director of Alumni Relations and Educational Advancement

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Curse Your Branches, Revisited

On this episode, we revisit David Bazan’s album Curse Your Branches. This time around we focus on our apologetic foundations and make explicit some our our methodology and principial concerns. For

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Curse Your Branches

The panel takes a critical look at David Bazan’s album Curse Your Branches. Bazan is perhaps most noted for founding the indie band Pedro the Lion, a group that gained

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Trends in Media Use

The Kaiser Family Foundation has released their study of the use of media among 8 to 18 year olds. The figures are simply astounding. Just to highlight a few of

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Meet the Puritans

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

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Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

Join us today for a discussion of Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, a documentary on the acceptance (or lack thereof) of intelligent design in academia. Links Science and Faith: Friends or

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Avatar

The Reformed Media Review crew discusses Avatar, the much anticipated movie from James Cameron. Not only a visually stunning and action-packed film, Avatar makes several important statements and invokes many interesting

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Listener Co-Hosts

As we continue our celebration of the new year, we speak with listeners on our first listener co-host show. Participants: Camden Bucey, Josh Walker, Nick Batzig

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Books on Apologetics

Camden, Jonathan and Jared chat about books on apologetics. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan Brack

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Galatians

Christ the Center was pleased to speak with David B. McWilliams about his commentary on Galatians. Pastor McWilliams has been the Senior Pastor at Covenant for most of the last 20

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When You Don’t Do Santa

Thabiti Anyabwile has shared a few thoughts for parents who don’t go about the whole Santa thing.  You might also want to read Sinclair Ferguson’s article on Christ and Santa.

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Educating Your Children About Sex

Speaking to your children about sex certainly isn’t on your list of most anticipated things to do. But certainly it’s something that should not be avoided. This was the subject

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The 100th Episode

While celebrating the 100th episode, Jeff, Jim, Camden and friends engage in an open forum. The conversation begins with a discussion of Westminster Theological Seminary and admissions, then quickly charts

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Celebrating the Sabbath

No Christian approves of worshiping idols or disapproves of honoring parents. No brother or sister will accuse you of being legalistic if you’re against stealing or are in favor of

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Bioethics

The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of conversing with Dr. David VanDrunen, the Robert B. Strimple professor of systematic theology and ethics at Westminster Seminary in California, about

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A God-Centered Approach to Language

Dr. Vern Sheridan Poythress returns to Christ the Center to discuss his latest book In the Beginning was the Word: Language: A God-Centered Approach to Language published by Crossway. The panel

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Christian Essentialism

K. Scott Oliphint returns to Christ the Center to discuss God’s attributes. Understanding God as He is related to creation is no doubt a complicated task. Traditionally, theologians have spoken

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Credo-Baptism During the Reformation

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

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Luther and Media

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

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Church Membership

The Christ the Center panel met with Dr. Guy Waters, associate professor of NT at RTS/Jackson, about the importance of membership in a local congregation. The biblical basis for church

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Restoration Prophecy in Ezra-Nehemiah

The Christ the Center corporal’s guard spoke with Matthew Patton, PhD student in biblical studies at Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton, IL about his paper “Searching for a Truly

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The Doctrine of Assurance

Burk Parsons visits Christ the Center to discuss two books he has edited. A majority of the discussion centers on Assured by God: Living in the Fullness of God’s Grace,

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God’s Alphabet for Life, 2nd ed.

Reformation Heritage is close to releasing a 2nd edition of God’s Alphabet for Life, by Joel R. Beeke and Heidi Boorsma. The second edition of this helpful book for young

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Reformed Media Review #14

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,

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New Testament Theology

Christ the Center was pleased to welcome Dr. Thomas R. Schreiner to discuss New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ. Dr. Schreiner’s book has been warmly welcomed by many respected

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Homeschooling Resources

While not reformed [or necessarily Christian for that matter] the Pioneer Woman provides many helpful homeschooling resources.  This site has come recommended to me from homeschoolers at my church not

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The Masculine Mandate

Richard D. Phillips visits Christ the Center to discuss his new book The Masculine Mandate: God’s Calling to Men. The book is a reaction to recent cultural trends as well

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Loving the Church

Christ the Center had the pleasure of interviewing Ted Kluck, author and athlete, about his recent publication, Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion, co-authored

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The New Shape of World Christianity

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

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Truth and Error in the Church

The Christ the Center panelists revisit with Rev. Martin Downes, minister of Christ Church Deeside in north Wales, about his new book Risking the Truth: Handling Error in the Church

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The Theology of Samuel Rutherford

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

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The Life and Thought of Lemuel Haynes

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

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Foreign Missions and Special Office

Divergent approaches to foreign missions have been employed for centuries. Disagreements over various approaches have been at the heart of many historic events in modern church history. Indeed, one such

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The Regulative Principle of Worship

Derek Thomas joins Josh Walker and Nick Batzig to discuss the regulative principle of worship. Derek Thomas is the John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at Reformed

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The Importance of the Original Languages

Miles Van Pelt, Associate Professor of Old Testament and Academic Dean at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS speaks about the importance of the original languages for biblical study. Miles

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The Rule of Love

The Christ the Center panel had the pleasure of revisiting Rev. Dr. John Fesko, now the academic dean and associate professor of systematic theology at Westminster Seminary California, abut his

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Westminster Shorter Catechism Lessons

Trinity OPC in Franklin, PA has provided a complete set of lessons from the Westminster Shorter Catechism. These lessons are helpful resources for catechetical instruction in the home and at

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Archibald Alexander on Catechizing

The word “catechizing” seems to elicit a multitude of reactions ranging from scorn to confusion. Whether someone envisages a family whose definition of fun is sitting around quizzing one another

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Implementing Family Worship

In his article Implementing Family Worship Joel Beeke offers a veritable soup-to-nuts approach to family worship. He offers several suggestions to help you establish God-honoring Family Worship in your homes.

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Thomas Aquinas

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

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Iguanaman? Try Insurance Salesman

Rodney Trotter may have his facts a little out of place on this post. This elaborate getup was part of a Vacation Bible School lesson involving the temptation of Christ

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Ligonier Children’s Book Gift Set

For a limited time, Westminster Books is selling a gift set of three children’s books from Ligonier Ministries. The set includes The Prince’s Poison Cup, The Lightlings, and Sammy and

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The Trinity Hymnal Online

The Orthodox Presbyterian Church has provided a very helpful resource by including the Trinity Hymnal on its website. This is much more than a help for pastors who are putting

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Family Devotions

The Orthodox Presbyterian Church is currently featuring an article by Brad Winsted on The Lost Art and Practice of Family Devotions.

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The Importance of Catechesis

Several years before arriving at reformed convictions, I thought catechetical instruction was some peculiar phenomenon that only Roman Catholics and Lutherans did. It seemed to me like a strange pseudo-brainwashing

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Calvin as a Servant of the Word of God

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.

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Apologetics and Pastoral Ministry

Nick Batzig sat down with David Robertson pastor of St. Peters Free Church in Dundee, Scotland recently at Twin Lakes Fellowship where he lectured on Emergent Calvinism. David spoke with

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Scripture and Doctrine in the Church

Our doctrine of Scripture is extremely important and drives the discussion of practically all other topics. Since we hold Scripture to be our principium cognoscendi externum it is our rule

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A Life in the Preaching Ministry

We had the pleasure to discuss the preaching ministry with noted Scottish minister Eric Alexander. Rev. Alexander has spent his adult life serving Jesus Christ, in His Church, as a

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Reformed Worship

Nick Batzig sat down with Jon Payne at the Twin Lakes Fellowship to talk about the subject of Reformed Worship. Jon deals with the various aspects of this topic in

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The Song of David’s Son

We are pleased to welcome Iain D Campbell to speak about a covenantal approach to interpreting the Song of Solomon.  Dr. Campbell wrote a wonderful article in the Spring 2000

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The God Who Is

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Douglas Kelly to speak about his Systematic Theology, Volume 1. Nick Batzig caught up with Dr. Kelly at the recent Twin Lakes Fellowship near

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Christless Christianity

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

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The Doctrine of Simplicity

James Dolezal, Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey recorded a recent discussion over breakfast on the doctrine of simplicity. The audio quality is not good as it was recorded on a

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Geerhardus Vos

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

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Puritan Theology

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

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The Church Fathers

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

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Children’s Books

At the Reformed Forum, we realized we were not providing much content specifically oriented toward families and children. We’re attempting to remedy that gap in our offerings with reformedfamily.org. As

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Why Johnny Can’t Preach

Why Can’t Johnny Preach? That is a good question. And it is a troubling question too. To try to get at an answer, the Christ the Center panel interviewed Rev.

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Sanctification and the Gospel

Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Emeritus at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, joined the Christ the Center panel to discuss the nature of the gospel

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Paedocommunion

The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Cornelis P. Venema, president of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana, and professor of doctrinal studies, about his forthcoming

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The Eschatology of Adoption

Christ the Center had the honor to interview the newest faculty member of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Rev. Dr. David Garner, who also serves as the institution’s vice president

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The Young Bultmann

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

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Redeeming Science

Science and faith are often pitted against each other. Many have felt they must make a choice between either being a person of science or a person of faith. Dr.

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Van Til’s Trinitarian Theology

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)

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Made in the USA

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

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Deconstructing Evangelicalism

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

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Apologetics and Islam

Noted apologist Dr. James White joins the panel on Christ the Center to discuss the challenges of apologizing to Muslims. Dr. White is Director of Alpha & Omega Ministries and

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Getting the Blues

Dr. Stephen Nichols, research professor of Christianity and culture at Lancaster Bible College, joins the Christ the Center panel for an interesting discussion about his new book, Getting the Blues.

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A Brief History of Trinitarian Thought

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

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Cornelius Van Til: A Life

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

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The Preaching of Jonathan Edwards

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

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Herman Bavinck

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

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The Defense of the Faith

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

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The Calvin Quincentenary

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 (A

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Preaching in an Electronic Age

Greg Reynolds joins the panel on Christ the Center to speak about media ecology and preaching in the electronic age. Dr. Reynolds is the pastor at Amoskeag Presbyterian Church in

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J. Gresham Machen

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

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The Pastor and the Academy

Too often, a rift obtains between the work of the church and theological study. Pastors and seminary students often feel the need to choose between one or the other. Derek

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Recovering the Reformed Confession

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

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Union with Christ and Twofold Grace

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

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Inhabiting Reality: Thomas F. Torrance’s Criticisms of Dualism

The following is a paper I wrote some years ago for an independent reading course as part of my PhD program at Westminster Theological Seminary. It is an evaluation of one aspect of the theology of Thomas F. Torrance. I claim no expertise in Torrancean theology. But I offer this as an exercise in theological analysis.

This paper is about one particular aspect of the thought of theologian Thomas F. Torrance.[1] Torrance, is, of course, known for two major contributions he has made to theology. Torrance has made a tremendous contribution to an understanding of the interrelations of science and theology and, especially since his “retirement” from active teaching, for his production of erudite works on Trinitarian theology. Regarding Torrance’s work on the relationship of theology to the natural sciences, Elmer Colyer tells us,

Thomas F. Torrance is considered by many to be the most outstanding, living Reformed theologian in the Anglo-Saxon world. One of the leading theologians in the dialogue between theology and philosophy of science, he was awarded the Templeton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion in 1978.

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Reformed Church Growth

In this episode we speak with Drew Dinardo, Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church Coral Springs-Margate, FL about the challenges of planting and growing reformed churches. Participants: Camden Bucey, Drew

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The Federal Vision

Lane Keister joins us to discuss the Federal Vision, an expression of theology within Reformed circles offering alternative views of the Bible’s covenantal structure, ecclesiology and the sacraments. Lane runs

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The Atonement as Propitiation

Propitiation means to appease or avert divine wrath. This episode of Christ the Center examines the atonement as propitiation as we discuss the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the propitiation

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The Atonement as Reconciliation

Reconciliation is the restoration of a broken relationship between God and sinful man. It is the overcoming of our alienation from God because of our disobedience and sin. This episode

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Doctrinal Confusion in the Church

Join us for a discussion of doctrinal confusion in the church. We talk about the influences of postmodernism, post-conservatism, and the emerging church on the contemporary church. Participants: Camden Bucey,

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The Attributes of God

In this episode, the group builds upon last week’s episode and addresses traditional distinctions in discussing the attributes of God. They then discuss several incommunicable and communicable attributes and how

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Augustine

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

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The Theology of Jonathan Edwards

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

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Building Old School Churches

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

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Van Til and Barth

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

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Cornelius Van Til

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

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Redemptive-Historical Preaching

This episode is an introduction to redemptive-historical preaching. The proponents of this kind of preaching argued that Old Testament narratives are not given primarily – to us by God to

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The Spirituality of the Church

In this episode the panel covers the spirituality of the church – its history and its bearing on diaconal ministries, humanitarian efforts, and church/state relations. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington,

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