Reformed Forum http://reformedforum.org Reformed Theological Resources Fri, 29 May 2026 11:12:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 http://reformedforum.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2025/12/cropped-rf_logo_red2-32x32.jpg Systematic Theology – Reformed Forum http://reformedforum.org 32 32 The Nature of the Church http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc961/ Fri, 29 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=50474 The Nature of the Church by John Brown of Wamphray, a concise seventeenth-century work on Presbyterian ecclesiology republished by Grange Press. Brown, a Scottish […]]]> We welcome Matthew Vogan to discuss The Nature of the Church by John Brown of Wamphray, a concise seventeenth-century work on Presbyterian ecclesiology republished by Grange Press. Brown, a Scottish Covenanter exiled to the Netherlands, wrote with deep conviction about Christ’s headship over the church, the visible and invisible church, church government, discipline, unity, and the distinction between church and state.

This conversation explores why Brown’s work remains timely for pastors, elders, seminarians, and church members today. Rather than treating church government as a secondary or merely practical matter, Brown presents the church as a visible spiritual society established by Christ, governed by his Word, and ordered for the edification of his people.

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Chapters

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 1:15 The Nature of the Church by John Brown of Wamphray
  • 4:30 John Brown’s life, ministry, exile, and Covenanter context
  • 8:40 Matthew Vogan’s introduction to John Brown
  • 9:36 Brown’s 32 theses and the Westminster Confession
  • 10:54 A majestic view of Christ’s church
  • 12:33 The scope of Brown’s ecclesiology
  • 15:12 The church as a visible spiritual society
  • 21:43 Church and state under Christ’s authority
  • 27:08 Scripture and Presbyterian church government
  • 30:53 Brown’s polemics against Erastianism, prelacy, and independency
  • 35:00 Ministerial authority and edification
  • 39:17 The church’s spiritual government
  • 42:14 The spirituality of the church
  • 44:59 Key insights from Brown’s work
  • 46:06 Communion within the visible catholic church
  • 52:21 Further reading: Durham, Gillespie, Rutherford, and Bannerman
  • 53:55 Final thoughts on The Nature of the Church
  • 55:00 Scottish football and closing conversation
  • 56:57 Reformed Forum resources and conclusion

Resources mentioned

Participants: ,

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We welcome Matthew Vogan to discuss The Nature of the Church by John Brown of Wamphray a concise seventeenth century work on Presbyterian ecclesiology republished by Grange Press Brown a ...ChurchHistory,Ecclesiology,PracticalTheologyReformed Forumnono
Confessional Reformed Renewal in Germany http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc959/ Fri, 15 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=50399 Christ the Center, Camden Bucey visits Gießen, Germany, to explore a remarkable work of confessional Reformed renewal. Through conversations with Jochen Klautke, Lukas Strauß, […]]]> In this special on-location episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey visits Gießen, Germany, to explore a remarkable work of confessional Reformed renewal. Through conversations with Jochen Klautke, Lukas Strauß, and Philip Paul, listeners are introduced to the Academy for Reformed Theology, a growing seminary that serves students across German-speaking Europe through a hybrid model of in-person intensives, online instruction, and close partnership with local churches. The episode also traces the recent formation of a new continental Reformed denomination in Germany, the challenges of church planting in a highly secular and heavily taxed society, and the need for pastors who can preach, plant, and patiently build confessional churches from the ground up by God’s grace.

What emerges is a deeply encouraging portrait of ordinary, faithful labor. The conversation highlights the need for indigenous theological leadership, German-language Reformed resources, and strong ecclesial communities where believers are not left to grow in isolation. Lucas reflects on discovering Reformed theology and using podcasting and social media to introduce it to German listeners, while Philip describes the theological journey that led his family to move for the sake of a confessional church home. Taken together, these conversations offer a vivid glimpse into the opportunities and difficulties of gospel ministry in Germany today—and a compelling call to pray for theological training, church planting, and lasting Reformed witness.

Links

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Chapters

  • 0:00 — Introduction from Gießen, Germany
  • 3:36 — The Academy for Reformed Theology—history and mission
  • 7:23 — How the seminary serves students across Germany and Switzerland
  • 13:14 — Why part-time theological training matters in Germany
  • 16:53 — A new confessional Reformed denomination in Germany
  • 21:43 — What church planting requires: men, people, and finances
  • 25:59 — How the seminary is funded and how students manage study and work
  • 28:51 — Why Germany needs indigenous Reformed pastors and literature
  • 34:53 — Bullinger, suffering, and providence
  • 38:56 — Lukas Strauß on becoming Reformed and serving through media
  • 49:18 — Podcasting, social media, and explaining Reformed theology in German
  • 58:17 — Why Reformed believers in Germany need real church connection
  • 1:02:23 — Philip Paul on law, theology, and moving for church
  • 1:18:09 — From Calvinism to covenant theology and paedobaptism
  • 1:32:46 — Elder service, church commitment, and counsel for German Christians
  • 1:39:13 — Reasons for gratitude and prayer for Reformed churches in Germany

Participants: , , ,

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In this special on location episode of Christ the Center Camden Bucey visits Gie en Germany to explore a remarkable work of confessional Reformed renewal Through conversations with Jochen Klautke ...ChurchPlanting,Ecclesiology,MissionsReformed Forumnono
Vos Group #108 — Kingdom and Church (The Finale) http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc957/ Fri, 01 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=50317 Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton reflect on one of the most significant […]]]> In this concluding installment of Vos Group’s extended journey through Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton reflect on one of the most significant themes in Vos’s account of redemptive history: the relationship between the kingdom of God and the church. Focusing especially on Matthew 16 and Jesus’s promise, “I will build my church,” they explain that Christ is not introducing an unrelated people, but bringing the covenant people of God into a new, eschatological mode of existence through his death, resurrection, ascension, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

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

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Chapters

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

Participants: ,

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In this concluding installment of Vos Group s extended journey through Geerhardus Vos s Biblical Theology Old and New Testaments Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton reflect on one of the ...BiblicalTheology,Ecclesiology,GeerhardusVos,SystematicTheology,VosGroupReformed Forumnono
Why Pastors Need Deep Theology and Real Friendship http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc955/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=50332 Pastoral ministry requires more than competence, productivity, or weekly sermon preparation. It requires deep theological roots and the kind of real friendship that helps a man endure, grow, and remain faithful over time. In this conversation, Camden Bucey is joined by Derrick Brite and Sean Morris to explore why theological formation and pastoral brotherhood are essential for long-term ministry health.

Together, they reflect on the value of places like Twin Lakes Fellowship, the dangers of pastoral isolation, and the way meaningful friendships can provide encouragement, accountability, and spiritual strength. They also make the case that deep theology is not a luxury for academics or large churches, but a necessity for faithful ministry in every context. This episode is a reminder that pastors are not meant to serve alone, and that rich doctrine and honest friendship are two of God’s ordinary means for sustaining those called to shepherd his people.

Check out the Larger for Life podcast.

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Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and Twin Lakes recap
  • 02:55 Pastors Scholars Fellowship and last year’s experiment
  • 04:15 Chicago food banter, deep dish, beef, and regional cuisine
  • 10:54 Why pastors need deep theology and real friendship
  • 12:10 Reformed Forum updates, conference news, and the 1000th episode summit
  • 18:03 Sean Morris on discovering Twin Lakes Fellowship
  • 21:55 Derrick Brite on how Twin Lakes shaped his ministry path
  • 25:01 What’s at stake when pastors become isolated
  • 36:19 Ministry networking vs. real pastoral friendship
  • 41:57 How pastoral friendships bless wives and families too
  • 45:06 Theology, friendship, and sharpening one another in ministry
  • 55:36 Why deep theology matters in rural and small-church contexts
  • 1:08:46 Theology, worship, and why doctrine leads to doxology
  • 1:09:48 Larger for Life, listener feedback, and closing remarks

Participants: , ,

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Pastoral ministry requires more than competence productivity or weekly sermon preparation It requires deep theological roots and the kind of real friendship that helps a man endure grow and remain ...ChristianLife,Ecclesiology,PracticalTheology,SanctificationReformed Forumnono
Planting Ordinary Means of Grace Churches: Trusting Christ to Build His Church http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc954/ Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:21:19 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=50324 In this episode, Camden Bucey speaks with Lee Hutchings and Ben Kappers about the work of planting churches according to the ordinary means of grace and learning to trust Christ to build his church. Drawing from their ministry experience in North Canton, Ohio, and St. George, Utah, they reflect on the challenges of church planting, the slow and often hidden nature of growth, and the need to rest not in novelty, personality, or technique, but in the ordinary means God has appointed.

Lee Hutchings serves as senior pastor of Trinity PCA in North Canton, Ohio, a congregation he planted after years of ministry in Mississippi. Ben Kappers serves All Saints Reformed Church in St. George, Utah, as an evangelist under the oversight of Northern California Presbytery, bringing experience from both the Reformed Church in America and the Presbyterian Church in America.

Together they offer pastoral wisdom on planting confessionally Reformed churches through the clear proclamation of Christ, the faithful teaching of Scripture, prayer, and the ordinary ministry of the church. This conversation encourages pastors, elders, and church members alike to labor patiently and confidently, knowing that the Lord is pleased to gather and strengthen his people through his appointed means.

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Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 03:15 Twin Lakes Fellowship, encouragement, and ministry refreshment
  • 08:20 Lee Hutchings’s Jackson years and his memorable film-extra story
  • 13:10 Ben Kappers’s path from the RCA to the PCA
  • 19:25 How the St. George and North Canton church plants began
  • 29:40 Trusting Scripture and Christ rather than strategy or novelty
  • 34:05 What ordinary means church planting looks like in practice
  • 39:20 Slow growth, discouragement, and resisting church-growth pressure
  • 46:35 Confessional identity, Mormon context, and knowing the people you serve
  • 56:10 Planting for future generations and final encouragement

Participants: , ,

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In this episode Camden Bucey speaks with Lee Hutchings and Ben Kappers about the work of planting churches according to the ordinary means of grace and learning to trust Christ ...ChristianLife,ChurchPlanting,Ecclesiology,PracticalTheologyReformed Forumnono
Vos Group #107 — Kingdom and Church http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc953/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=50309 Christ the Center, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton continue their study of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology. Turning to Vos’s treatment of the kingdom of God and […]]]> In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton continue their study of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology. Turning to Vos’s treatment of the kingdom of God and the church, they explore the importance of Caesarea Philippi, Peter’s confession, and Christ’s promise, “I will build my church.”

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

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

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Chapters

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

Participants: ,

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In this episode of Christ the Center Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton continue their study of Geerhardus Vos s Biblical Theology Turning to Vos s treatment of the kingdom of ...BiblicalTheology,CovenantTheology,Ecclesiology,GeerhardusVos,SystematicTheology,VosGroupReformed Forumnono
John L. Girardeau on Adoption: The Forgotten Glory of the Gospel http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc952/ Fri, 27 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=50289 Christ the Center, Camden Bucey is joined by Jonathan Master and Matt […]]]> Why has the doctrine of adoption received so little attention in Reformed theology?

In this live episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey is joined by Jonathan Master and Matt Holst at Shiloh Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, to discuss John L. Girardeau’s rich and pastoral treatment of adoption. The conversation explores why adoption should not be collapsed into justification or regeneration, how it addresses our alienation from God, and why it matters so deeply for prayer, suffering, assurance, and the Christian life.

Along the way, the panel reflects on Girardeau’s life and ministry, Adam’s original sonship, Christ’s filial obedience, the believer’s inheritance in Christ, and the comfort of knowing God not only as Judge, but as Father.

This is a warm and theologically substantial discussion on one of the most beautiful and neglected doctrines in Scripture.

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Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and live recording at Shiloh OPC
  • 01:45 Why discuss John L. Girardeau on adoption?
  • 03:12 Who was John L. Girardeau?
  • 09:52 Why adoption is such an important doctrine
  • 14:05 Why adoption has been neglected in Reformed theology
  • 17:50 Courtroom and family room: justification and adoption
  • 23:19 Adam’s original sonship and what was lost in the fall
  • 27:07 Christ’s sonship and key Christological distinctions
  • 33:14 The pastoral comfort of adoption
  • 37:33 Adoption, suffering, and inheritance
  • 41:17 God’s name on his people and the hope of glory
  • 43:24 How adoption transforms prayer
  • 50:11 The Father’s generosity toward his children
  • 53:04 Final reflections and conclusion

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Why has the doctrine of adoption received so little attention in Reformed theology In this live episode of Christ the Center Camden Bucey is joined by Jonathan Master and Matt ...SystematicTheologyReformed Forumnono
What Is a Presbyterian—and Why Does Presbyterian Government Matter? http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc951/ Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=50249 What is a Presbyterian? Is Presbyterianism merely a style of church government, or is it a coherent biblical and theological system? In this episode, we welcome Matthew Adams and Ben Ratliff for a lively conversation on Presbyterian identity, church government, and why polity still matters.

The discussion begins with Matt Adams’s article “Grassroots Presbyterianism ≠ Congregationalism” and expands into a broader exploration of Presbyterian ecclesiology. Along the way, the panel considers plurality and parity of elders, the role of presbyteries and general assemblies, the importance of connectionalism, and the ways accountability serves the peace, purity, and unity of the church.

They also reflect on differences in ecclesial culture among the PCA, OPC, and URCNA, discuss overtures and church courts, and offer practical encouragement for ordinary church members who want to be active, faithful Presbyterians in their local congregations.

Matthew Adams serves as Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Dillon, South Carolina. In addition to his pastoral ministry, Adams serves as a council member for the Gospel Reformation Network and co-hosts the podcast Larger for Life.

Ben Ratliff serves as Associate Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, Mississippi. Ratliff is also a co-host of the podcast Polity Matters, where he helps lead conversations on Presbyterian polity and church government.

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Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:49 Why Presbyterian government matters
  • 03:12 Grassroots Presbyterianism is not congregationalism
  • 08:56 Why the confusion persists
  • 11:02 Different Presbyterian cultures: PCA, OPC, and URCNA
  • 14:25 Overtures, church courts, and how change happens
  • 22:27 What Presbyterianism is
  • 25:50 Plurality, parity, and connectionalism
  • 32:48 Accountability, freedom, and the well-being of the church
  • 39:27 How church members can participate
  • 48:36 Polity Matters, Larger for Life, and final thoughts

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What is a Presbyterian Is Presbyterianism merely a style of church government or is it a coherent biblical and theological system In this episode we welcome Matthew Adams and Ben ...Ecclesiology,PracticalTheologyReformed Forumnono
The History of Special Revelation: Geerhardus Vos and Reformed Biblical Theology http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc950/ Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=50221 Dead Presbyterians Society recorded at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Camden Bucey joins Jonathan Master, President of Greenville Seminary, for a conversation on the life, […]]]> In this special crossover episode with Dead Presbyterians Society recorded at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Camden Bucey joins Jonathan Master, President of Greenville Seminary, for a conversation on the life, method, and enduring relevance of Geerhardus Vos (1862–1949). Vos stands as a remarkable bridge figure: Dutch by birth, deeply shaped by continental Reformed theology and close friendship with Herman Bavinck, yet firmly planted in the American confessional Presbyterian tradition as the first chair of biblical theology at Old Princeton Seminary alongside B. B. Warfield.

Drs. Bucey and Master explore Vos’s foundational distinction between biblical theology and systematic theology—and why both are indispensable for faithful exegesis and preaching. Biblical theology, which Vos himself preferred to call “the history of special revelation,” reads Scripture as the organic, progressive unfolding of God’s redemptive acts in history—from the protoevangelium in Genesis 3:15 to the consummation of all things in Christ. That redemptive-historical framework opens up notoriously difficult passages (Hebrews 6, the unforgivable sin) in ways systematics alone cannot. The conversation also covers Vos’s two-age eschatology, his key works (Biblical Theology, The Pauline Eschatology, Grace and Glory, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church), and the question of why Vos remained at Princeton when Machen and others departed.

Be sure to subscribe to the Dead Presbyterians Society podcast from Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

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Chapters

  • 0:00 Introduction: Camden at Greenville Seminary
  • 1:08 Greenville Seminary Launches Confessional.org
  • 3:47 Geerhardus Vos: Bridge Figure Between Princeton and the Continent
  • 9:03 What Is Biblical Theology? The History of Special Revelation
  • 13:49 Why We Need Both Biblical Theology and Systematics
  • 16:33 “You Cannot Do Either Without the Other”
  • 22:19 Why Did Vos Remain at Princeton?
  • 27:48 Vos’s Key Works
  • 31:39 The “Vibe of Vos”: Redemptive History in Practice
  • 37:44 The Two-Age Eschatology: Already and Not Yet
  • 40:33 Closing Remarks

Participants: ,

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In this special crossover episode with Dead Presbyterians Society recorded at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary Camden Bucey joins Jonathan Master President of Greenville Seminary for a conversation on the life ...BiblicalTheology,ChurchHistory,Eschatology,SystematicTheologyReformed Forumnono
Who You Are in Christ—Identity, Purpose, and the Christian Life http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc949/ Fri, 06 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=50209 Christ […]]]> In a culture saturated with self-help strategies, identity politics, and the language of “manifesting,” where do Christians turn for a stable, coherent sense of self? On this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey sits down with pastor and author Justin N. Poythress to explore the deep theological roots of the identity crisis plaguing our age. Drawing from his new book, Who Am I? And What Am I Doing With My Life? Finding Stability and Purpose in Jesus (The Good Book Company), Poythress argues that only Christ can rightly function as our “master identity”—the organizing center beneath every role, relationship, and calling. Work, sexuality, politics, and even parenting all fail catastrophically when elevated to that ultimate position, because none of them can bear the weight of the human soul.

At the heart of the conversation lies a powerful biblical framework: we are in Christ while also being conformed to his image. Romans 8:29 declares that God predestined His people to be conformed to the image of His Son—a settled identity and a lifelong trajectory of growth. Poythress unpacks how 2 Corinthians 3:18 reframes the secular obsession with “manifesting” into the biblical practice of beholding Christ, the true mechanism of transformation. The episode also explores the church as a “thick community” designed for the kind of multi-dimensional, embodied relationships that curated online personas can never provide. For pastors, elders, and anyone seeking maturity in Christ, the takeaway is both liberating and compelling: the Christian life is a matter of becoming what you already are in Christ.

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Chapters

  • 00:07 Introduction
  • 08:50 Master and Sub-Identities
  • 13:53 Identity as a Theological Issue
  • 16:58 Romans 8:29
  • 21:22 Manifesting vs. Beholding
  • 28:09 The Means of Grace
  • 32:19 Thick Communities
  • 41:12 Authenticity
  • 46:14 Work, Sexuality, and Politics as Functional Religions
  • 51:12 Becoming What You Are in Christ
  • 56:29 Conclusion

Participants: ,

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In a culture saturated with self help strategies identity politics and the language of manifesting where do Christians turn for a stable coherent sense of self On this episode of ...Anthropology,ChristianLife,Ecclesiology,PracticalTheology,Sanctification,UnionwithChristReformed Forumnono
The Eternal Son http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc948/ Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=50118 The Eternal Son (P&R Publishing). Their conversation presses into a simple but urgent claim: Christology […]]]> Dr. Robert Letham joins Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey to discuss Dr. Letham’s recent book The Eternal Son (P&R Publishing). Their conversation presses into a simple but urgent claim: Christology is not a side department of theology—it is the living center. When the church loses clarity about who the Son is, the gospel itself becomes unclear because salvation depends on the identity of the Savior. They also explore why the church must listen carefully to the whole ecumenical tradition, especially the often-neglected debates after Chalcedon.

Dr. Letham explains why it matters that the acting subject in the Gospels is the eternal Son, who assumes a true human nature without change in his divine person. From there, they engage contemporary confusions—especially biblicism that isolates Scripture from the church’s confession—and they address the claim that Christ was “adopted” at the resurrection, showing how such proposals unravel both orthodox Christology and the gracious character of adoption for believers.

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Chapters

  • 00:07 Introduction
  • 02:04 This Book within the Trilogy
  • 04:36 Christ and the Center of Christianity
  • 11:05 Reading the Bible in Isolation
  • 16:44 The Ecumenical Councils After Chalcedon
  • 26:44 The Pre-Existent Son
  • 30:24 Christology from Below
  • 35:54 The Doctrine of Adoption
  • 44:48 Twin Errors of Christology and Soteriology
  • 53:15 An Exhortation to Re-Examine the Historical Confession of the Church
  • 56:19 Conclusion

Participants: , ,

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Dr Robert Letham joins Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey to discuss Dr Letham s recent book The Eternal Son P R Publishing Their conversation presses into a simple but urgent ...ChristologyReformed Forumnono
Thy Word Is Truth: Scripture, God’s Nature, and the Worship that Follows http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc945/ Fri, 06 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=50003 Christ Church (PCA) in New Braunfels, Texas, joins Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy to discuss an upcoming conference themed “Thy Word is […]]]> In this episode, Nick Bullock, senior pastor of Christ Church (PCA) in New Braunfels, Texas, joins Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy to discuss an upcoming conference themed “Thy Word is Truth” (February 27–March 1, 2026) and, more importantly, why a sturdy doctrine of Scripture is not a luxury but a necessity for the church. They explore how Scripture’s authority undergirds every other theological conversation, shaping how Christians understand God, worship him, and resist the many counterfeit “voices” that compete for allegiance.

The conversation also highlights a timely pastoral burden: weak views of Scripture often leave believers vulnerable—whether to “me-and-my-Bible” isolation (confusing sola with solo), or to the perceived stability of traditions that promise rootedness without delivering true unity. By reconnecting the doctrine of Scripture to the doctrine of God, the episode invites listeners to hear again the shepherd’s voice in God’s word and to respond with reverent, regulated, Christ-centered worship.

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Chapters

  • 00:00:07 Introduction
  • 00:01:45 Ministry in Central Texas
  • 00:10:03 Thy Word Is Truth Conference
  • 00:17:18 Laying a Foundation on God’s Word
  • 00:34:22 The Attributes of God and the Doctrine of Scripture
  • 00:44:27 Mysticism and Apophaticism
  • 00:49:38 The Sufficiency, Necessity, and Excellency of Scripture
  • 00:53:44 The Regulative Principle of Worship
  • 01:04:03 Conclusion
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In this episode Nick Bullock senior pastor of Christ Church PCA in New Braunfels Texas joins Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy to discuss an upcoming conference themed Thy Word is ...ScriptureandProlegomena,WorshipReformed Forumnono
William Whitaker and the Reformed Doctrine of Scripture http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc942/ Fri, 16 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=49838 Christ the Center, we welcome Josiah Leinbach to discuss William Whitaker’s A Disputation on Holy Scripture—a monumental sixteenth-century defense of sola Scriptura, newly edited and republished […]]]> In this episode of Christ the Center, we welcome Josiah Leinbach to discuss William Whitaker’s A Disputation on Holy Scripture—a monumental sixteenth-century defense of sola Scriptura, newly edited and republished by Prolego Press. Written in 1588 against leading Roman Catholic theologians such as Robert Bellarmine, Whitaker’s work offers a comprehensive treatment of Scripture’s authority, canon, clarity, and sufficiency. Leinbach explains how Whitaker combined Renaissance humanism with scholastic rigor, engaging Scripture, church history, and patristic sources to show that Protestant convictions about Scripture were neither novel nor reactionary, but deeply rooted in the catholic tradition of the church.

The conversation also explores the modern relevance of Whitaker’s work—especially amid contemporary debates over authority, tradition, and ecumenism. Leinbach reflects on how advances in historical and textual scholarship have confirmed many of the Reformers’ arguments, while Rome’s own positions have shifted over time. Whitaker’s insistence on the perspicuity of Scripture, the singular infallibility of God’s Word, and the Spirit’s inward testimony offers not only apologetic clarity but deep pastoral comfort. This episode invites listeners to recover confidence in Scripture as God’s clear and sufficient means of revealing Christ to his people.

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Chapters

  • 00:07 Introduction
  • 01:08 William Whitaker’s A Disputation on Holy Scripture
  • 07:25 Leinbach’s Transition from History to Machine Learning
  • 18:10 Whitaker’s Polemical Approach
  • 22:03 The Canon of Scripture
  • 25:50 The Perspicuity of Scripture
  • 28:29 Biblical Authority
  • 32:02 The Testimony of the Holy Spirit
  • 35:27 Ecumenical Dialogue Yesterday and Today
  • 48:10 Future Works
  • 52:25 Conclusion

Participants: ,

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In this episode of Christ the Center we welcome Josiah Leinbach to discuss William Whitaker s A Disputation on Holy Scripture a monumental sixteenth century defense of sola Scriptura newly ...ScriptureandProlegomenaReformed Forumnono
Resurrection and Redemption http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc941/ Fri, 09 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=49852 Resurrection and Redemption by Richard B. Gaffin Jr.—a work that has profoundly shaped Reformed biblical theology over the past […]]]> 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 half century. Rather than offering a technical review, the conversation unfolds as a guided meditation on the book’s central claim: Christ’s resurrection is not a theological afterthought but the controlling center of Paul’s soteriology and eschatology. Gaffin’s careful exegesis helps readers see how redemption is inseparable from resurrection life in union with the risen Christ.

This discussion is part of Reformed Forum’s broader effort to offer conversational commentaries on formative Reformed texts—books that have formed us as pastors and theologians. Bucey and Mininger highlight why Resurrection and Redemption remains so enduringly fruitful: It teaches the church to think biblically about salvation, not as a static transaction, but as participation in the resurrected life of Christ. The result is theology that serves the pulpit, strengthens assurance, and orients the Christian life toward the hope of glory already secured in the risen Lord.

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Chapters

  • 00:00:07 Introduction
  • 00:01:56 International Cohorts and Reading Guides
  • 00:10:31 Encountering Resurrection and Redemption
  • 00:16:15 The Title and Purpose of the Book
  • 00:26:18 The Discipline of Biblical Theology
  • 00:32:56 Paul as Theologian
  • 00:51:23 Redemptive-Historical Epochs
  • 00:59:44 The Occasional Nature of Paul’s Writings
  • 01:08:27 Conclusion

Participants: ,

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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 ...NewTestament,SoteriologyReformed Forumnono
Understanding the Doctrine of Repentance http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc936/ Fri, 05 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=49789 A Penitent People: The Doctrine of Repentance (Christian Focus). Perkins brings the warmth of pastoral ministry together with the […]]]> In this episode, Dr. Harrison Perkins speaks about his new book A Penitent People: The Doctrine of Repentance (Christian Focus). Perkins brings the warmth of pastoral ministry together with the clarity of confessional Reformed theology. He explains that repentance is often misunderstood—as if it were a dreary duty or an entrance requirement for grace. Instead, Scripture presents repentance as a saving grace, a divine gift through which Christ frees his people from sin’s enslaving power and draws them into renewed joy. Repentance is not the price we pay to come to Christ; it is the fruit of having already been brought to Him by the Spirit through faith.

Together they explore key biblical passages (Psalm 51, Psalm 38, 2 Corinthians 7, Luke 3), the Reformed confessions, unhealthy distortions of penance, and the pastoral challenge of helping people see repentance not as a terror but as a mercy. Repentance doesn’t merely involve feeling guilty—it involves embracing Christ, turning from sin, and tasting the joy that accompanies renewal. They also discuss what a repentant church culture looks like: a community marked by humility, honesty, grace, and a shared approach to the Lord’s Table as those who come on equal footing—sinners saved by a gracious Redeemer.

Harrison Perkins (PhD, Queen’s University Belfast; MDiv, Westminster Seminary California) is the pastor of Oakland Hills Community Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan. He is the author of Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction (Lexham Press 2024), Catholicity and the Covenant of Works (Oxford University Press, 2020), Righteous by Design: Covenantal Merit and Adam’s Original Integrity (2024), Created for Communion with God: The Promise of Genesis 1–2 (Lexham Press, 2025), and a number of popular and academic articles. He regularly writes articles for Heidelblog and Modern Reformation.

Watch on YouTube

Chapters

  • 0:00:07 Introduction
  • 0:10:03 Background to the Book
  • 0:16:22 Reframing Our Understanding of Repentance
  • 0:20:39 The Joy of Repentance
  • 0:24:35 The Reformed Confessions on Repentance
  • 0:37:17 Psalms 38 and 143
  • 0:43:26 Bearing Fruit in Keeping with Repentance
  • 0:48:15 Distinguishing Fruits of Repentance from Acts of Penance
  • 0:53:28 Illustrations of Repentance
  • 1:00:41 Exodus 24, Covenant, and the Repentant Community
  • 1:06:45 Hope for Readers of This Book
  • 1:12:06 Conclusion

Participants: ,

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In this episode Dr Harrison Perkins speaks about his new book A Penitent People The Doctrine of Repentance Christian Focus Perkins brings the warmth of pastoral ministry together with the ...SystematicTheologyReformed Forumnono
The Shape of Faithful Ministry: Doctrine and Confessional Integrity http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc932/ Fri, 07 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=49388 Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, about the unshakable relationship between doctrine and life. […]]]> In this conversation from the Reformation and Worship Conference, Camden Bucey speaks with Dr. Jonathan Master, president of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, about the unshakable relationship between doctrine and life. Drawing on J. Gresham Machen’s insight that Christianity for Paul was not only a life but also a doctrine—and logically, the doctrine came first, Master reminds us that Christianity is irreducibly doctrinal. Without doctrine, there is no gospel.

They discuss Greenville’s pastoral training mission, the seminary’s remarkable 92% long-term ministry retention rate, and why theological integrity in vows, confessional subscription, and seminary education is essential for the health of Christ’s church. Master insists that doctrine is not a straitjacket—it’s the lifeblood of the church’s joy, sincerity, and freedom in Christ.

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Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and Conference Setting
  • 02:00 Introducing Dr. Jonathan Master and Greenville Seminary
  • 04:10 Doctrine Before Life: Machen’s Insight
  • 08:30 Theological Integrity and Confessional Fidelity
  • 12:40 Training Pastors for a Lifetime of Ministry
  • 17:00 Why Christianity Is Irreducibly Doctrinal
  • 21:15 Confessions as Gifts, Not Straitjackets
  • 25:00 Doctrine That Shapes Life and Love
  • 29:30 Seminary Education and Church Health
  • 33:45 Closing Reflections on Faithful Ministry

Participants: ,

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In this conversation from the Reformation and Worship Conference Camden Bucey speaks with Dr Jonathan Master president of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary about the unshakable relationship between doctrine and life ...PracticalTheology,SystematicTheologyReformed Forumnono
Meredith G. Kline’s Biblical-Theological Reading of the Book of Revelation http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc931/ Fri, 31 Oct 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=49385 Christ and His Church-Bride: Meredith G. […]]]>

In this episode, Camden Bucey speaks with Danny Olinger, General Secretary of the OPC Committee on Christian Education, about his new book Christ and His Church-Bride: Meredith G. Kline’s Biblical-Theological Reading of Revelation (Reformed Forum).

Olinger traces how Kline’s covenantal and redemptive-historical reading of Revelation portrays the church’s transformation into the radiant Bride of Christ, moving from imperfection and suffering in the present age to consummate glory in the new creation. The discussion unfolds key themes of recapitulation, the conflict between Babylon and the Bride, and the covenantal drama of creation to consummation.

Through rich historical and exegetical reflection, Olinger shows how Kline weaves together Genesis, Daniel, Zechariah, and Revelation to present a unified vision of redemptive history centered on Christ’s victory and the Spirit’s work in the church. The conversation is both theologically rigorous and pastorally hopeful—reminding listeners that Christ reigns now, the church’s pilgrim identity is secure, and the gospel’s progress continues unthwarted by the powers of this world.

Watch on YouTube

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and Book Announcement
  • 06:27 Origins of the Book and Rediscovery of Kline’s Revelation Paper
  • 11:19 Kline’s Covenant Drama: Creation to Consummation
  • 20:55 Understanding Recapitulation in Revelation
  • 26:24 The Deeper Conflict: The Woman, the Dragon, and the Church
  • 31:18 The Church Imperfect and Perfected in Glory
  • 34:25 The Armageddon Paradigm and Covenant Mount
  • 37:51 Christ and His Church-Bride: Theological and Pastoral Heart
  • 48:13 The New Jerusalem and the Covenant of Grace
  • 53:09 Suffering, Sanctification, and the Bride’s Purification
  • 57:07 Babylon vs. the Bride: The Church’s Pilgrim Calling
  • 01:01:02 Christ Reigns Now: Hope for the Pilgrim Church
  • 01:04:29 Closing, Resources, and Final Reflections

Participants: ,

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In this episode Camden Bucey speaks with Danny Olinger General Secretary of the OPC Committee on Christian Education about his new book Christ and His Church Bride Meredith G Kline ...Eschatology,GeneralEpistlesReformed Forumnono
Reformed Confessionalism http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc926/ Fri, 26 Sep 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=48961 Dr. D. Blair Smith, President and Associate Professor […]]]> 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 of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC and author of Reformed Confessionalism (P&R Publishing). We explore the theological, pastoral, and spiritual value of the Reformed confessions—not as artifacts of a bygone era, but as living instruments for the Church’s health and faithfulness.

From the Church Fathers to the Westminster Assembly, Dr. Smith draws out the continuity and vitality of confessional Christianity, highlighting how confessions serve as tools for Christian formation, doctrinal clarity, and ecclesial identity.

Topics include:

  • Why every church is a “confessing church”—whether it admits it or not
  • The relationship between Scripture and subordinate standards
  • How confessions function pastorally and devotionally
  • The dangers of doctrinal minimalism in the modern church
  • How Reformed confessions express catholicity, not sectarianism
  • Encouragement for pastors and churches seeking to recover confessional depth

Whether you’re a church leader, seminarian, or thoughtful layperson, this episode offers a compelling case for embracing confessionalism as a rich, living tradition that grounds the Church in biblical truth and historic continuity.

Watch on YouTube

Chapters

  • 00:07 Introduction
  • 05:21 Writing This Book
  • 08:06 The Confessing Church
  • 13:32 Promoting Unity
  • 19:59 The Relationship between Confessions and Systematic Theologies
  • 26:19 Challenges Facing Confessional Churches Today
  • 31:50 For the Entire Church
  • 36:02 Examples of How the Confessions Guide the Church
  • 42:40 The Usefulness of Confessions for Church Planting and Revitalization
  • 49:26 Conclusion

Participants: ,

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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 ...PracticalTheology,SystematicTheologyReformed Forumnono
Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc922/ Fri, 29 Aug 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=48957 Christ the Center, Camden Bucey is joined by […]]]> What does it mean to see work not as a curse but as part of God’s original design? In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey is joined by board member Mark Van Drunen to welcome David L. Bahnsen for a rich conversation about his new book, Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life.

Bahnsen is the founder, Managing Partner, and Chief Investment Officer of The Bahnsen Group, a private wealth management firm managing more than $4.5 billion in client assets. David is the author of Crisis of Responsibility: Our Cultural Addiction to Blame and How You Can Cure It, The Case for Dividend Growth: Investing in a Post-Crisis World, and There’s No Free Lunch, 250 Economic Truths.

Mark Van Drunen works in finance and is a ruling elder at Redeemer PCA in Hudson, Ohio. He serves on the Reformed Forum Board of Directors.

Together, they explore how a robustly Reformed view of vocation challenges the sacred–secular divide, recovers the dignity of labor, and reorients our understanding of productivity and flourishing. Drawing from Genesis 1, Reformed anthropology, and the legacy of Kuyper, Bahnsen argues that work is not a mere means to consumption or status, but an essential expression of our identity as image-bearers of God.

The discussion also addresses pressing contemporary questions—from the pitfalls of “work–life balance” and “follow your passion” mantras, to the theological problems with universal basic income and the cultural obsession with consumption. Listeners will be encouraged to see their daily labor as an act of worship, anticipating the greater work of the new creation secured in Christ.

This is a conversation at the intersection of theology, economics, and discipleship—aimed at helping Christians recover a biblically grounded vision for work that fosters maturity in Christ and glorifies God in every sphere of life.

Watch on YouTube

Chapters

  • 00:00 Reformed Forum Conference Early Bird Rate
  • 01:53 Introduction
  • 08:18 Work Is Not a Curse
  • 11:22 Working in Heaven?
  • 17:10 The Meaning of the Title, Full-Time
  • 21:57 Making Money and Gaining
  • 24:49 Glorifying God at Work
  • 28:10 The Bible and Economics
  • 36:55 Universal Basic Income
  • 41:11 Following Your Passion
  • 47:39 Work and the Pulpit
  • 51:03 Don’t Waste Your Life
  • 55:12 If You Don’t Find Joy at Work
  • 58:34 Conclusion

Participants: , ,

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What does it mean to see work not as a curse but as part of God s original design In this episode of Christ the Center Camden Bucey is joined ...Anthropology,PracticalTheologyReformed Forumnono
The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church – Chapters 10 & 11 http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp335-edited/ Tue, 26 Aug 2025 12:07:35 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=48977 Theology Simply Profound, Bob returns to a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. Chapters 10 & 11, […]]]> This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob returns to a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. Chapters 10 & 11, “The Entrance Into the Kingdom: Repentance and Faith” and “Recapitulation”

Participants:

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This week on Theology Simply Profound Bob returns to a reading of Geerhardus Vos s 1903 book The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church Chapters ...KingdomofGod,TeachingofJesusConcerningtheKingdomReformed Forumnono
One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc916/ Fri, 18 Jul 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=48671 Dr. Guy Waters is the Professor of New Testament at the Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi and a teaching elder in the Mississippi presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America. Today, he joins us to speak about his book, One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church (Lexham Academic), in which he sets out a full-scale Reformed doctrine of the church. The title echoes the four classical “marks” confessed in the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed. This study is an extended exploration of how Scripture, read through a Reformed lens, fills out each of those creedal descriptors and binds them together into a single, coherent doctrine of the church.

Dr. Waters organizes the book in three movements:

  1. Biblical Revelation (Part I). Seven chapters trace “the people of God” from creation and Eden through Abraham, Moses, the prophets, Christ and the apostles, showing that God has always had one covenant people that reaches its eschatological maturity in the new-covenant church.
  2. Doctrinal Construction (Part II). Waters treats the classic loci of ecclesiology: the church’s four attributes (one, holy, catholic, apostolic); its marks (pure preaching, right sacraments, biblical discipline); its government (Christ the king, officers and courts); its worship (word, sacraments, prayer, Lord’s Day); its life (gifts and discipline); and its mission (“gathering and perfecting the saints” until Christ returns) .
  3. Truth for Life and Mission (Part III). A final chapter applies the doctrine to church-state relations, defending a robust spirituality of the church and principled religious liberty.

The conclusion distills the argument into seven theses that function as a theological checksum. Throughout, Waters interlaces biblical exegesis, historical theology and confessional sources (especially the Westminster Standards). The result is both an academic survey and a pastoral manifesto aimed at equipping the church for faithful witness today.

The conversation explores the essential identity and mission of the church, the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, and what is distinctly new through Christ’s redemptive work. Waters outlines the seven theses of his book, offering clarity on ecclesiology for today’s church, particularly in light of confusion over polity, worship, and the church’s relation to the state.

This episode is an invitation to recover a robust, Reformed understanding of the church’s nature and calling, rooted in Scripture and developed in the tradition of historic confessions.

Watch on YouTube

Chapters

  • 00:00 Mid-America Reformed Seminary CME Conference
  • 01:30 Introduction
  • 03:20 The Story Behind the Book
  • 06:54 The Emphasis of this Book
  • 10:43 The Need for Ecclesiology Today
  • 15:33 The Seven Theses of the Book
  • 18:54 The Continuity of God’s People in the Old and New Testaments
  • 22:02 What Is New in the NT through Christ
  • 28:02 The Mission of the Church
  • 33:56 The Relation of Scripture to Polity
  • 38:00 Worship
  • 43:32 Ministering in Word and Deed
  • 47:28 The Church and the State
  • 52:26 The Spirituality of the Church
  • 56:27 Conclusion

Participants: ,

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Dr Guy Waters is the Professor of New Testament at the Reformed Theological Seminary Jackson Mississippi and a teaching elder in the Mississippi presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America ...EcclesiologyReformed Forumnono
The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church – Chapter 9 http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp334/ Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:11:22 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=48745 Theology Simply Profound, Bob returns to a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. Chapter 9, “The Kingdom […]]]> This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob returns to a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. Chapter 9, “The Kingdom and the Church.”

Participants:

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This week on Theology Simply Profound Bob returns to a reading of Geerhardus Vos s 1903 book The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church Chapter ...GeerhardusVos,KingdomofGod,TeachingofJesusConcerningtheKingdomReformed Forumnono
Vos Group #99 — Millennial Views and Modern Theories of the Kingdom http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc915/ Fri, 11 Jul 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=48670 In this installment of the Vos Group, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton turn to pages 378–381 of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, focusing on Jesus’ teaching and the eschatology of the kingdom. They explore the vital biblical distinction between the “already” and “not yet” aspects of the kingdom of God, examining how this two-age structure stands in contrast to various eschatological systems, including premillennialism, postmillennialism, and what Vos labels “ultra-eschatology.”

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

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

Watch on YouTube

Chapters

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

Participants: ,

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In this installment of the Vos Group Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton turn to pages 378 381 of Geerhardus Vos s Biblical Theology Old and New Testaments focusing on Jesus ...Eschatology,GeerhardusVos,Gospels,KingdomofGod,VosGroupReformed Forumnono
The Nicene Creed and the Nature of Christian Unity http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc912/ Fri, 20 Jun 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=48379 Leonardo De Chirico and Mark Gilbert join the program to discuss the enduring significance of the Nicene Creed as it marks its 1700th anniversary. Drawing from their recent edited volume, The Nicene Creed: The Nature of Christian Unity and the Meaning of Gospel Words (Matthias Media), the guests explore how shared creedal language can mask deep theological differences, particularly between evangelical and Roman Catholic traditions.

Leonardo De Chirico is a pastor of a Reformed evangelical church in Rome, a scholar of Roman Catholic theology, and a leader in the Reformanda Initiative, which seeks to equip evangelical engagement with Roman Catholicism. Mark Gilbert serves as a chaplain in Sydney, Australia, and leads the ministry Certainty for Eternity, which focuses on evangelism among those from Roman Catholic backgrounds. Both men bring rich theological and pastoral insight to bear on the question of unity in Christ.

The conversation traces the origins of the creed, its Trinitarian framework, and the implications of confessing shared historical truths while diverging in doctrinal substance—especially concerning Christology, the church, and salvation. Leonardo and Mark also share personal insights from their ministries engaging Roman Catholics, underscoring the need for unity rooted in biblical truth rather than institutional alignment or superficial consensus.

This episode invites thoughtful reflection on what true Christian unity looks like in light of Scripture, and how the creeds function as faithful, yet insufficient, summaries apart from a Reformed understanding of the gospel.

Watch on YouTube

Chapters

  • 01:11 Introduction
  • 04:03 Background to the Book
  • 11:27 Can We Have Meaningful Unity with Roman Catholics?
  • 17:31 Unity in Truth
  • 25:32 The Trinitarian Theology of the Creed
  • 29:31 The Christology of the Creed
  • 38:16 The Scope and Usefulness of the Nicene Creed
  • 44:31 The Work of Christ
  • 51:50 Pursuing Christian Unity
  • 57:55 Conclusion

Participants: , ,

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Leonardo De Chirico and Mark Gilbert join the program to discuss the enduring significance of the Nicene Creed as it marks its 1700th anniversary Drawing from their recent edited volume ...AncientChurch,EcclesiologyReformed Forumnono
Understanding Eastern Orthodoxy: A Reformed Introduction, Part 2 (The Doctrine of God and Salvation) http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/understanding-eastern-orthodoxy-a-reformed-introduction-part-2-the-doctrine-of-god-and-salvation/ Tue, 10 Jun 2025 19:21:59 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=48478

In this second installment of our introductory series on Eastern Orthodoxy, Camden Bucey considers key theological distinctions and points of contact between Eastern Orthodox and Reformed theology. This episode focuses on the doctrine of God and the nature of salvation. We examine the shared commitment to Nicene Trinitarianism, while highlighting distinct emphases in Eastern and Western Trinitarian formulations.

The discussion also explores the Eastern Orthodox concept of the essence-energies distinction, theosis (deification), and the centrality of Christ’s incarnation and resurrection in their soteriology. Crucially, we contrast the Reformed doctrine of justification by grace through faith alone with the synergistic model of salvation found in Eastern Orthodoxy, raising important questions about assurance, divine simplicity, and the relationship between justification and sanctification.

Chapters

  • 00:00 – Introduction
  • 00:29 – The Holy Trinity in Eastern Orthodoxy
  • 03:32 – The Filioque Controversy
  • 07:51 – Essence-Energies Distinction
  • 12:46 – Theosis and Deification
  • 18:54 – Justification and Forensic Categories
  • 26:10 – Synergism vs. Monergism
  • 31:11 – Assurance and Pastoral Implications
  • 34:21 – Summary and Preview of Part 3

Watch Part 1

Participants:

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Righteous by Design and Created for Communion http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc908/ Fri, 23 May 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=48159 Righteous by Design: Covenantal Merit and Adam’s Original Integrity (Christian Focus) […]]]> 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) and Created for Communion with God: The Promise of Genesis 1–2 (Lexham Press). Together, they explore foundational Reformed doctrines related to covenant theology, the image of God, and the eschatological purpose embedded in creation itself.

Dr. Perkins offers historical and systematic clarity on the oft-debated notion of merit in the covenant of works, contrasting Reformed and Roman Catholic anthropologies. He also unpacks the pastoral dimensions of humanity’s creation for communion with God, showing how Genesis 1–2 serves not merely as a record of origins, but as a divine love letter calling God’s people into eternal fellowship.

Whether you’re a pastor, scholar, or thoughtful layperson, this episode provides deep insight into how theology—rooted in Scripture and the Reformed tradition—shapes our understanding of God, humanity, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Watch on YouTube

Chapters

  • 00:00:07 Introduction
  • 00:09:06 The Origin of Each Book
  • 00:18:03 Genesis 1–2 Draws Us into Communion with God
  • 00:20:58 The Theme of Beauty
  • 00:24:39 Original Righteousness
  • 00:32:34 Natural Man’s Ability
  • 00:47:00 Concupiscence
  • 00:56:01 Concepts of Merit
  • 01:07:18 Communion with Other Image Bearers
  • 01:15:22 Conclusion

Participants: ,

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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 ...AnthropologyReformed Forumnono
Understanding Eastern Orthodoxy: A Reformed Introduction, Part 1 (The Church and Scripture) http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/20250516rflive/ Fri, 16 May 2025 15:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=48187

Join us for this special introductory livestream where Dr. Camden Bucey offers an accessible first look at Eastern Orthodoxy from a Reformed theological perspective. This session represents only the beginning of our exploration into this tradition. Drawing from leading introductory texts—including works by Andrew Louth, Timothy Ware, Anthony Coniaris, and Frederica Mathewes-Green—Camden guides us through the fundamental themes and distinctives of Eastern Orthodox theology and practice.

In this initial presentation, we’ll examine key doctrines such as Scripture, the Church, the Trinity, and theosis, while also considering the underlying assumptions that shape Orthodox spirituality. What distinguishes Orthodoxy from Protestantism—not just in its answers, but in the questions it asks?

This introductory session is designed for:

  • Reformed Christians seeking to understand the profound theological differences between Orthodox and Reformed interpretations of Scripture
  • Those wanting to recognize how Eastern Orthodoxy’s foundational assumptions and hermeneutical approaches diverge significantly from Reformed convictions
  • Viewers interested in discerning the substantial distinctions in how these traditions approach authority, salvation, and worship
  • Those who desire to strengthen their grasp of Reformed theology by understanding a tradition that takes significantly different paths on core doctrines

This livestream serves as an entry point for further exploration. Future sessions will explore these complex theological matters in greater detail. Join us for this engaging first exploration.

Chapters

  • 09:54 Introduction and Livestream Overview
  • 11:41 Reformed Forum Conference
  • 15:51 Why Study Eastern Orthodoxy from a Reformed Perspective
  • 18:10 Survey of Key Introductory Eastern Orthodox Books
  • 20:56 Historical Overview and the Great Schism
  • 27:55 Scripture and Tradition in Eastern Orthodoxy
  • 34:17 The Reformed View of Scripture’s Authority
  • 34:46 Doctrine of the Church and Councils
  • 43:06 Communion of the Saints and Veneration of Saints
  • 54:19 Unity and Diversity in the Church

Participants:

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Engaging with Thomas Aquinas http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc903/ Fri, 18 Apr 2025 05:00:22 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=47636 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 Thomas Aquinas. Drawing from his recent book, Engaging with Thomas Aquinas: An Evangelical Approach (Apollos), Dr. De Chirico offers a critical yet charitable appraisal of Aquinas’s theological architecture and enduring impact on Roman Catholicism.

Together, Camden and Leonardo explore key themes such as the Catholic Church’s dual nature—Roman and Catholic—the evolving role of Thomism across church history, and the tensions within Roman Catholic thought on Vatican II and modernity. Listeners will also hear how Protestants have historically interacted with Aquinas and why an eclectic, biblically grounded engagement remains vital today.

This episode offers not only theological clarity but pastoral wisdom for evangelicals navigating the complexities of tradition, authority, and theological retrieval in a post-Reformation world.

Links

Watch on YouTube.

Chapters

  • 00:07 Introduction
  • 11:09 Engaging with Thomas Aquinas
  • 17:53 Thomas Aquinas’s Lasting Influence
  • 29:07 Approaching Thomas Critically
  • 37:00 Thomas as an Architectural Thinker
  • 41:46 A Protestant Perspective
  • 53:54 Five Guidelines for Evangelicals Engaging with Aquinas
  • 58:53 Conclusion

Participants: ,

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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 ...SystematicTheology,ThomasAquinasReformed Forumnono
Vos Group #96 — The Divine Majesty, Greatness, and Righteousness http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc901/ Fri, 04 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=47594 Biblical Theology, focusing on pages 369–371. This section addresses Jesus’ teaching on the divine majesty and […]]]> In this episode Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey continue their discussion of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology, focusing on pages 369–371. This section addresses Jesus’ teaching on the divine majesty and greatness, the retributive righteousness of God, and the implications for true religion.

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

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

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

Watch on YouTube.

Chapters

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

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In this episode Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey continue their discussion of Geerhardus Vos s Biblical Theology focusing on pages 369 371 This section addresses Jesus teaching on the divine ...GeerhardusVos,Theology(Proper),VosGroupReformed Forumnono
Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Final State http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp325/ Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:23:49 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=47455 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 […]]]> 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 discussion of chapter XXX, the last chapter “The Resurrection, the Last Judgement, and the Final State.”

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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 ...EschatologyReformed Forumnono
Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Resurrection http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp324/ Tue, 25 Feb 2025 11:40:53 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=47178 Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. On today’s episode, under the larger section, “The Doctrine of the Last Things,” we a […]]]> This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. On today’s episode, under the larger section, “The Doctrine of the Last Things,” we a discussion of chapter XXX, the last chapter “The Resurrection, the Last Judgement, and the Final State.”

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This week on Theology Simply Profound Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof s little book Summary of Christian Doctrine On today s episode under the larger section The Doctrine of ...EschatologyReformed Forumnono
Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Second Coming of Christ, Part 3 http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp323/ Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:50:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=47088 Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. On today’s episode, under the larger section, “The Doctrine of the Last Things,” we continue […]]]> This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. On today’s episode, under the larger section, “The Doctrine of the Last Things,” we continue our discussion of chapter XXIX, “The Second Coming of Christ.”

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This week on Theology Simply Profound Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof s little book Summary of Christian Doctrine On today s episode under the larger section The Doctrine of ...EschatologyReformed Forumnono
Reformed Forum Live (January 31, 2025) http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/rflive20250131/ Mon, 03 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=47028 Faith and Life Conference on worship and the themes of his upcoming talks. He reflects on recent podcast episodes, including discussions […]]]>

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 on ancient Near Eastern hero culture and the significance of animal imagery in biblical texts. The stream also touches on ethical considerations surrounding pet euthanasia, distinctions between the Reformed and Presbyterian family trees. We even daydream about a hunting excursion for people into Reformed theology.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and Conference Overview
  • 05:50 Upcoming Episodes and Live Streams
  • 17:02 Ethics of Pet Euthanasia, Hunting, and Stewardship of Creation
  • 23:52 Future Projects and Academic Works

Participants:

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Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Second Coming of Christ, Part 2 http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp322/ Tue, 28 Jan 2025 13:52:42 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=46979 Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. On today’s episode, under the larger section, “The Doctrine of the Last Things,” we continue […]]]> This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. On today’s episode, under the larger section, “The Doctrine of the Last Things,” we continue our discussion of chapter XXIX, “The Second Coming of Christ.”

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This week on Theology Simply Profound Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof s little book Summary of Christian Doctrine On today s episode under the larger section The Doctrine of ...EschatologyReformed Forumnono
The Holy Spirit http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc891/ Fri, 24 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=46935 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 […]]]> 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 Spirit. Dr. Letham offers profound insights into the person and work of the third person of the Trinity, drawing from Scripture, church history, and systematic theology.

We explore key themes such as the Spirit’s role in creation, redemption, and sanctification, as well as his relationship to the Father and the Son within the Trinity. Dr. Letham also addresses contemporary theological debates, including the filioque controversy, Pentecostalism, and modern Spirit Christologies, while maintaining a firm grounding in classical Reformed orthodoxy.

Whether you’re a theologian, pastor, or layperson, this conversation will deepen your understanding of the Spirit’s transformative work in the life of the church and individual believers. Join us as we explore this rich and vital topic.

Robert Letham is the author of several influential works, including The Holy Trinity: In Scripture, History, Theology, and Worship and his acclaimed Systematic Theology. His writings are marked by a commitment to classical Reformed orthodoxy, thorough biblical exegesis, and an ecumenical appreciation of the broader Christian tradition.

Use code HS25 for 40% off The Holy Spirit by Robert Letham through February 21, 2025.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

  • 00:00:07 Introduction
  • 00:05:24 Speaking of the Project
  • 00:10:04 The Persons Are Fully God without Remainder
  • 00:18:57 Trinitarian Persons Are Immutably Dynamic
  • 00:22:38 Surveying the Literature on the Holy Spirit
  • 00:30:05 The Development of the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
  • 00:34:39 Montanism and Pentecostalism
  • 00:41:47 The Filioque
  • 00:54:36 The Holy Spirit and the Ordo Salutis
  • 01:06:22 Conclusion

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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 ...SystematicTheologyReformed Forumnono
Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Second Coming of Christ http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp321/ Tue, 14 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=46784 Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. On today’s episode, under the larger section, “The Doctrine of the Last Things,” we begin […]]]> This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. On today’s episode, under the larger section, “The Doctrine of the Last Things,” we begin to discuss chapter XXIX, “The Second Coming of Christ.”

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This week on Theology Simply Profound Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof s little book Summary of Christian Doctrine On today s episode under the larger section The Doctrine of ...EschatologyReformed Forumnono
The 2024 Christmas Extravaganza http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc887/ Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=46707 Join us for the Reformed Forum Christmas Extravaganza 2024, a four-hour special filled with lively theological discussion, reflections on the past year, and a look ahead to what’s in store for 2025. Hosted by Camden Bucey, this festive livestream features contributions from regular panelists Lane Tipton, Bob Tarullo, Jim Cassidy, Carlton Wynne, and special guests like Ruth Huang, a Mid-America Reformed Seminary student working on translating Reformed resources into Chinese.

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

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

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

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

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

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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 ...Events,Missions,SystematicTheologyReformed Forumnono
Summary of Christian Doctrine: Introduction to Living in the Last Days http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp319/ Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:00:53 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=46678 Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. On today’s episode, before moving forward in this chapter entitled, “The Doctrine of the Last […]]]> This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. On today’s episode, before moving forward in this chapter entitled, “The Doctrine of the Last Things,” we engage with what it means to live in these last days. What are the last days anyway?

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This week on Theology Simply Profound Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof s little book Summary of Christian Doctrine On today s episode before moving forward in this chapter entitled ...ChristianLife,EschatologyReformed Forumnono
Listener Questions http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc883/ Fri, 29 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=46438 Christ the Center. From discussing the “first annual” Reformed Forum Christmas Extravaganza to regional meetups and exciting book […]]]> 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 releases, this episode highlights several ways we are seeking to connect with our community. As Jim and Camden take questions from listeners in the live chat, the conversation also explores theological questions, including Karl Barth’s doctrines, the nature of ministerial church membership, and practical advice for theological students. Don’t miss this rich blend of theological discussion, community updates, and some unnecessary sports talk.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

  • 00:00:07 Introduction
  • 00:01:26 News, Updates, and Events
  • 00:04:19 New Book: Order in the Offices (2nd ed.)
  • 00:18:07 Which Denomination Is the “Best”?
  • 00:29:56 Karl Barth’s Christology
  • 00:35:25 Should I Study Karl Barth?
  • 00:41:09 Advice for Research Students
  • 00:52:33 Ministers as Members of Presbyteries vs. Local Churches
  • 01:04:19 Three Favorite Systematic Theologies
  • 01:05:45 Is Gordon Clark Worth Reading?
  • 01:09:28 Conclusion

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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 ...Ecclesiology,KarlBarth,PracticalTheologyReformed Forumnono
Summary of Christian Doctrine: Physical Death and the Intermediate State, Part 1 http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp318/ Tue, 05 Nov 2024 13:11:03 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=46098 Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. On today’s episode, we come to the last section of the Summary, “The Doctrine of […]]]> This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. On today’s episode, we come to the last section of the Summary, “The Doctrine of the Last Things.” Rob and Bob begin to a discuss chapter XXVIII, “Physical Death and the Intermediate State.” What is physical death? Why is there death? What is death for believers?

Participants:

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This week on Theology Simply Profound Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof s little book Summary of Christian Doctrine On today s episode we come to the last section of ...PhysicalDeathandtheIntermediateState,SystematicTheologyReformed Forumnono
Union with the Resurrected Christ http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc866/ Fri, 02 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=44811 Union with the Resurrected Christ (Baker Academic). […]]]> 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). Join us as Dr. Beale examines the profound theological concept of the believer’s union with the resurrected Christ, exploring its biblical foundations, theological implications, and practical applications.

Throughout our conversation, Dr. Beale shares insights from key biblical passages in both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting how themes such as the new exodus in Isaiah and the teachings of Paul and Jesus form the basis of this transformative union. We also discuss the eschatological significance of this union and how it shapes our understanding of sanctification, Christian living, and our identity in Christ.

Listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for the unique contributions of Union with the Resurrected Christ to contemporary theological scholarship, as well as practical consideration for living out this union in their daily lives. Whether you are a scholar, pastor, or layperson, this episode offers valuable insights into the full scope of Christian salvation.

Dr. Gregory K. Beale is Professor of New Testament at RTS Dallas. With a distinguished academic career spanning decades, Dr. Beale has shaped minds at institutions such as Grove City College, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Wheaton Graduate School, and Westminster Theological Seminary. A former president of the Evangelical Theological Society, Dr. Beale brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our conversation on New Testament interpretation and biblical theology.

Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion that underscores the richness of our union with the resurrected Christ and its vital importance for the Christian faith.

Links

Chapters

  • 00:00:07 Introduction
  • 00:06:00 How This New Book Relates to Dr. Beale’s Other Works
  • 00:11:28 Union Not Only in the Death of Christ but with the Resurrected Christ
  • 00:17:45 Christ Is the Substance of All Scripture
  • 00:21:57 The New Exodus
  • 00:39:36 Considering Romans 6:1–11
  • 00:53:23 The Theme of Union with the Resurrected Christ outside the Pauline Epistles
  • 01:00:19 Implications for the Christian Life
  • 01:07:08 How We Read Our Old Testament
  • 01:15:25 Other Projects
  • 01:19:00 Conclusion

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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 ...UnionwithChristReformed Forumnono
Exploring the Doctrine of Inseparable Operations http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc863/ Fri, 12 Jul 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=44605 Adonis Vidu. Join us as we explore the key themes and arguments from his […]]]> In this engaging episode, we explore the intricate and profound world of Trinitarian theology with theologian Adonis Vidu. Join us as we explore the key themes and arguments from his latest book, The Same God Who Works All Things: Inseparable Operations in Trinitarian Theology (Eerdmans). Vidu passionately defends the doctrine of inseparable operations, which asserts that all actions of the Trinity are unified and indivisible. Through this doctrine, we gain a deeper understanding of the unity and distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Throughout our conversation, Vidu traces the development, challenges, and implications of inseparable operations from biblical foundations and patristic contributions to contemporary theological debates. We address various objections, particularly concerning the incarnation and atonement, and demonstrate how this doctrine can coherently explain complex theological concepts while preserving the unity and distinction within the Trinity.

Adonis Vidu serves as Andrew Mutch Distinguished Professor of Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where his research and teaching focus on the intersections of historical and contemporary theological thought. Vidu holds a Ph.D. in Theology and Religious Studies from King’s College London, and he has authored several influential works, including Atonement, Law, and Justice: The Cross in Historical and Cultural Contexts and the subject of this conversation, The Same God Who Works All Things: Inseparable Operations in Trinitarian Theology.

Watch or listen to gain invaluable insights from one of today’s leading theological minds as we explore the profound depths of Trinitarian theology and its relevance for contemporary Christian life and thought. Whether you’re a seasoned theologian or simply curious about the intricacies of faith, this episode promises to be both enlightening and thought-provoking.

Chapters

  • 00:00:07 Introduction
  • 00:03:55 Introducing Inseparable Operations
  • 00:08:40 Theological Grammar
  • 00:14:10 Biblical Teaching on Inseparable Operations
  • 00:18:41 The Patristic Tradition
  • 00:22:19 The Rise and Decline of the Doctrine in History
  • 00:32:49 Augustine and Aquinas
  • 00:39:14 The Incarnation of the Son
  • 00:43:14 The Person of the Son
  • 00:50:46 The Atonement
  • 00:56:41 The Holy Spirit
  • 01:03:23 Our Experience of God in the Christian Life
  • 01:12:23 Eastern Orthodoxy and Mysticism
  • 01:18:00 Conclusion

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In this engaging episode we explore the intricate and profound world of Trinitarian theology with theologian Adonis Vidu Join us as we explore the key themes and arguments from his ...TrinityReformed Forumnono
Exploring Covenant Theology among the Theological Disciplines http://reformedforum.org/webinar-exploring-covenant-theology-among-the-theological-disciplines/ Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:45:07 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?p=44662 Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction (Lexham Academic). This event explored the multifaceted nature of covenant theology, […]]]>

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
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Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Word of God and the Sacraments in General http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp312/ Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:06:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=44431 Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. We begin a discussion of chapter XXV, “The Word of God and the Sacraments […]]]> This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. We begin a discussion of chapter XXV, “The Word of God and the Sacraments in General.” In this episode, we start to talk about the means of grace.

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This week on Theology Simply Profound Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof s little book Summary of Christian Doctrine We begin a discussion of chapter XXV The Word of God ...EcclesiologyReformed Forumnono
Church Membership http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc859/ Fri, 14 Jun 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=44314 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 […]]]> 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 a vital and commanded aspect of Christian discipleship. The book contends that being a member of a local church is essential for spiritual growth, accountability, and fulfilling God’s design for communal worship and service.

Jonathan Landry Cruse is pastor of Community Presbyterian Church (Orthodox Presbyterian Church) in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In his writing, Cruse aims to make complex theological concepts accessible to a broader audience. His works often address foundational elements of church life, including worship, preaching, and the sacraments, underscoring the importance of church membership and community.

Chapters

  • 00:00:07 Introduction
  • 00:07:13 Thinking about Church Membership
  • 00:17:38 The Visible and Invisible Church and the Covenant
  • 00:30:26 The Duty to Join the Church
  • 00:37:09 Biblical Church Metaphors
  • 00:42:59 The Benefits of Church Membership
  • 00:57:08 Moving toward Others
  • 01:01:07 Church Discipline
  • 01:07:45 Final Remarks
  • 01:10:29 Conclusion

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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 ...Ecclesiology,PracticalTheologyReformed Forumnono
Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Government and Power of the Church, Part 3 http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp311/ Tue, 11 Jun 2024 13:24:05 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=44388 Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. We continue our discussion of chapter XXIV, “The Government and Power of the Church.” In […]]]> This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. We continue our discussion of chapter XXIV, “The Government and Power of the Church.” In this episode, we talk about church power. What kind of church power or authority does the church of Jesus Christ have?

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This week on Theology Simply Profound Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof s little book Summary of Christian Doctrine We continue our discussion of chapter XXIV The Government and Power ...EcclesiologyReformed Forumnono
Vos Group #89 — The Various Aspects of Christ’s Revealing Function http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc858/ Fri, 07 Jun 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=44304 Biblical Theology (pp. 343ff), the focus is on the various aspects of Jesus’ revelation during his public ministry. Vos argues that the revelation mediated […]]]> In chapter 5 of Geerhardus Vos’ Biblical Theology (pp. 343ff), the focus is on the various aspects of Jesus’ revelation during his public ministry. Vos argues that the revelation mediated by Jesus is often mistakenly confined to his earthly life, ignoring his pre-existence and post-existence, both of which are integral to the comprehensive scheme of divine revelation.

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

Chapters

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

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In chapter 5 of Geerhardus Vos Biblical Theology pp 343ff the focus is on the various aspects of Jesus revelation during his public ministry Vos argues that the revelation mediated ...Christology,GeerhardusVos,VosGroupReformed Forumnono
Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Government and Power of the Church, Part 2 http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp310/ Wed, 08 May 2024 00:03:22 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=44162 Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. We continue our discussion of chapter XXIV, “The Government and Power of the Church.” In […]]]> This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. We continue our discussion of chapter XXIV, “The Government and Power of the Church.” In this episode, we talk about denominations, church as an organization and its structure, and plenty of other odds and ends related to the church.

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This week on Theology Simply Profound Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof s little book Summary of Christian Doctrine We continue our discussion of chapter XXIV The Government and Power ...EcclesiologyReformed Forumnono
Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Government and Power of the Church, Part 1 http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp309/ Tue, 30 Apr 2024 15:45:30 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=44056 Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. We continue our discussion of chapter XXIV, “The Government and Power of the Church.” In […]]]> This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. We continue our discussion of chapter XXIV, “The Government and Power of the Church.” In this episode, we begin a discussion of church government of Christ’s church beginning with Christ as head of the church and the church officers.

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This week on Theology Simply Profound Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof s little book Summary of Christian Doctrine We continue our discussion of chapter XXIV The Government and Power ...EcclesiologyReformed Forumnono
Ministering to Those Affected by Sexual Sin http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc851/ Fri, 19 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=43613 Harvest USA, for an enriching dialogue on confronting and healing from sexual brokenness within the church. As our society grapples with rapidly evolving norms […]]]> We welcome Mark Sanders, President of Harvest USA, for an enriching dialogue on confronting and healing from sexual brokenness within the church. As our society grapples with rapidly evolving norms around gender and sexuality, the church is called to respond with both theological depth and compassionate outreach. Harvest USA stands at the forefront of this mission, offering resources, discipleship, and education to equip believers to address these challenges through the lens of Reformed theology.

Throughout this conversation, Camden Bucey and Mark Sanders discuss the significance of understanding our identity in Christ and how it shapes our approach to sexual ethics. They discuss the “Harvest Tree” model—a comprehensive biblical framework employed by Harvest USA to aid individuals and families in navigating sexual brokenness with biblical fidelity. The episode also spotlights new initiatives from Harvest USA, including free courses designed to assist parents in raising sexually faithful children and addressing gender confusion with grace and truth.

Listeners will gain insights into the theological underpinnings that guide Harvest USA‘s ministry, emphasizing the importance of a proper ecclesiology and a biblically grounded anthropology. This episode not only addresses the pressing issues of our time but also offers hope and direction for the church to minister effectively in a culture of confusion and search for identity.

Join us for an enlightening discussion that bridges deep theological concepts with practical application, illuminating the path toward healing and wholeness in Christ amidst a world of sexual and gender confusion. Visit harvestusa.org for more resources and information on how you can engage with this important ministry.

Chapters

  • 00:07 Introduction
  • 04:06 The History and Ministry of Harvest USA
  • 10:04 Reformed Theological Anthropology
  • 25:47 Courses Available through Harvest
  • 30:37 Discipling Your Children
  • 37:35 The Tree Model
  • 44:32 Thoughts from the Front Line
  • 54:10 Additional Resources
  • 57:18 Conclusion

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We welcome Mark Sanders President of Harvest USA for an enriching dialogue on confronting and healing from sexual brokenness within the church As our society grapples with rapidly evolving norms ...Anthropology,PracticalTheologyReformed Forumnono