On July 11, 2024, we recorded a webinar with Harrison Perkins, author of Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction (Lexham Academic). This event explored the multifaceted nature of covenant theology, examining how it relates to other branches of exegetical and theological study.

Discover how covenant theology is informed by exegetical, biblical, and systematic theology and how it in turn influences other disciplines. Whether you’re a theologian, pastor, student, or simply interested in deepening your knowledge of Reformed theology, this webinar promises to provide valuable insights and foster enriching discussions.

Chapters

• 00:00:00 Introduction
• 00:05:12 Perkins on Reformed Covenant Theology
• 00:29:00 Covenant Theology and the Theological Encyclopedia
• 00:41:19 Advancing beyond Mere Typology
• 00:54:34 The Most Pressing Challenges to Covenant Theology
• 00:58:24 Thoughts on a Republication of the Covenant of Works
• 01:05:47 Types “Resembling” the Covenant of Works
• 01:21:08 Conclusion

Dr. Michael Beck joins us to speak about his book, Covenant Lord and Cultic Boundary: A Dialectic Inquiry Concerning Meredith Kline and the Reformed Two-Kingdom Project (Wipf and Stock), which is a theological exploration of the ideas of Meredith Kline and their impact on the Reformed Two-Kingdom Project.

The book provides a literature review of relevant works on the topic and highlights the broader universe of discourse in which this study exists. In the book and in this conversation, Dr. Beck offers a unique analysis of Kline’s theology and its practical implications for contemporary Christian life and practice.

Michael Beck is a pastor at Gracenet Community Church as well as a lecturer of Old Testament and biblical theology at Grace Theological College (New Zealand). Dr. Beck earned his PhD from the South African Theological Seminary Michael also co-hosts the Two-Age Sojourner podcast.

Chapters

• 00:00:07 Introduction
• 00:02:56 Dr. Beck’s Ministry in New Zealand
• 00:10:48 Introduction to Kline
• 00:17:24 The Point of the Book: Kline and Cultural Engagement
• 00:30:21 Theonomy, Perspectivalism, and Neo-Calvinism
• 00:36:31 The Noahic Covenant
• 00:47:09 The Cultural Mandate
• 00:54:39 Considering Theological Differences
• 01:01:50 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Michael Beck

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

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

Chapters

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

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

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

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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

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

Chapters

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

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

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 conference and took the opportunity to consider his unique contributions by exploring several covenantal and eschatological themes he identified throughout the Old and New Testaments. Dr. Wright’s address is titled, “A Tale of Two Trees.”

Rev. Dr. Scott Wright is senior pastor of Redeemer Church (PCA) in Hudson, Ohio. He received his B.A. in Economics from Princeton University (1982), his M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (1991), and his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia). He is the author of Regeneration and Redemptive-History (Reformed Forum, forthcoming).

Chapters

• 00:00:00 Introduction
• 00:10:51 Volunteer Opportunities
• 00:18:46 Introduction to Dr. Scott Wright
• 00:25:30 A Tale of Two Trees
• 01:13:04 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Ryan Noha, Scott R. Wright

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 works and the covenant of grace point to something better than Eden, and vital and formal aspects of covenant membership.

Chapters

• 00:00:00 Introduction
• 00:04:57 Update on Reformed Academy
• 00:15:38 The “Organic” Unity of the Scriptures
• 00:25:04 Van Til and the Phenomenal World
• 00:41:18 Covenant Advancement in the Garden
• 00:48:16 Vital and Formal Aspects of the Covenant
• 01:08:42 Conclusion

Links

• Lane Tipton lesson from Union with Christ: The Benefits of His Suffering and Glory — The Gospel, the Old Testament, and the Two Estates in Romans 1:1–4

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Ryan Noha