Reformed Forum https://reformedforum.org Reformed Theological Resources Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:11:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://reformedforum.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2025/12/cropped-rf_logo_red2-32x32.jpg Union with Christ – Reformed Forum https://reformedforum.org 32 32 Who You Are in Christ—Identity, Purpose, and the Christian Life https://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

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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 Union with the Resurrected Christ https://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 The Work of Christ https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc707/ Fri, 16 Jul 2021 04:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=33260 Camden Bucey, ]]> We preview a forthcoming course on Union with Christ and the Doctrine of Salvation, taught by Lane Tipton.

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]]> We preview a forthcoming course on Union with Christ and the Doctrine of Salvation taught by Lane Tipton https vimeo com 571867812Christology,UnionwithChristReformed Forumnono The Christian’s True Identity https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp182/ https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp182/#respond Tue, 10 Dec 2019 06:00:37 +0000 http://reformedforum.org/?p=23594 Community Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, speaks with Rob and Bob about his new book, The Christian’s True Identity: What It Means to Be in […]]]> Jonathan Landry Cruse, Pastor of Community Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, speaks with Rob and Bob about his new book, The Christian’s True Identity: What It Means to Be in Christ (Reformation Heritage Books).

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]]> https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp182/feed/ 0 Jonathan Landry Cruse Pastor of Community Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo Michigan speaks with Rob and Bob about his new book The Christian s True Identity What It Means to Be ...UnionwithChristReformed Forumnono The Gospel and Self-Conception https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc604/ https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc604/#comments Fri, 26 Jul 2019 04:00:22 +0000 http://reformedforum.org/?p=18412 Daniel Schrock speaks about self-conception in light of the Revoice movement and the Nashville Statement. Looking to the believers’ union with Christ in his death and resurrection, Schrock provides a way to answer questions such as, “Is it proper to speak of being gay as a Christian’s identity?” The basis of this episode is Schrock’s article, “The Gospel and Self-Conception: A Defense of Article 7 of the Nashville Statement.”

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]]> https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc604/feed/ 1 Daniel Schrock speaks about self conception in light of the Revoice movement and the Nashville Statement Looking to the believers union with Christ in his death and resurrection Schrock provides ...Anthropology,UnionwithChristReformed Forumnono 1 Corinthians 1:4–9 — Riches in Christ https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/pc46/ https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/pc46/#comments Wed, 16 May 2018 04:00:36 +0000 http://reformedforum.org/?p=9712 We welcome Glen Clary as our newest panelist, as he opens Paul’s eucharistic prayer concerning the church of God at Corinth. He centers it around the believer’s union with Christ—the key to understanding Paul’s gospel.

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]]> https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/pc46/feed/ 2 33:50We welcome Glen Clary as our newest panelist as he opens Paul s eucharistic prayer concerning the church of God at Corinth He centers it around the believer s union ...ActsandPaul,AlivewithChrist:SavingUnionwithChrist,MinistryoftheWord,Preaching,UnionwithChristReformed Forumnono Genesis 16:1–15 — Sarai and Hagar: The History and the Allegory https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/pc45/ https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/pc45/#respond Wed, 09 May 2018 17:42:05 +0000 http://reformedforum.org/?p=9641 A remarkable picture of God’s grace given to an undeserving Egyptian woman, is used by the apostle Paul as a divinely inspired allegory of the way in which God operates through the church today.

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]]> https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/pc45/feed/ 0 54:10A remarkable picture of God s grace given to an undeserving Egyptian woman is used by the apostle Paul as a divinely inspired allegory of the way in which God ...ActsandPaul,BiblicalTheology,MinistryoftheWord,Pentateuch,Preaching,UnionwithChristReformed Forumnono Thankful for the Corinthians — 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/pc40/ https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/pc40/#respond Wed, 04 Apr 2018 04:00:25 +0000 http://reformedforum.org/?p=9075 In a book written to a church full of problems, what is there for which to be thankful? Explore the Apostle Paul’s passionate and pastoral tone as he tackles the problems in the Corinthian church.

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]]> https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/pc40/feed/ 0 34:01In a book written to a church full of problems what is there for which to be thankful Explore the Apostle Paul s passionate and pastoral tone as he tackles ...ActsandPaul,ChristianLife,NewTestament,Preaching,UnionwithChristReformed Forumnono Union with Christ and the Body of Christ https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc346/ https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc346/#comments Fri, 15 Aug 2014 04:00:04 +0000 http://reformedforum.wpengine.com/?post_type=podcast&p=3753 One with Christ: An Evangelical Theology of Salvation. This time […]]]> Once again, we are joined by Dr. Marcus Johnson, author of One with Christ: An Evangelical Theology of Salvation. This time Dr. Johnson spells out the implications of the doctrine of union with Christ for the application of salvation and for Christ’s body, the church. For the first part of our interview with Dr. Johnson, click here. Dr. Johnson is Associate Professor of Theology at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. He received his M.A. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and his Ph.D. from Trinity College, University of Toronto. Camden Bucey reviewed One with Christ on a recent episode of Reformed Media Review. Link to Austin theology conference.

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]]> https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc346/feed/ 5 01:08:49Once again we are joined by Dr Marcus Johnson author of One with Christ An Evangelical Theology of Salvation This time Dr Johnson spells out the implications of the doctrine ...Soteriology,UnionwithChristReformed Forumnono Union with Christ and the Incarnation https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc345/ https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc345/#comments Fri, 08 Aug 2014 04:00:39 +0000 http://reformedforum.wpengine.com/?post_type=podcast&p=3731 One with Christ: An Evangelical Theology of Salvation, his recent book, published by Crossway. While many […]]]> Dr. Marcus Johnson speaks about One with Christ: An Evangelical Theology of Salvation, his recent book, published by Crossway. While many books have been published recently on the topic of union with Christ, Dr. Johnson’s book stands out for its up-to-date analysis and unique approach. One with Christ charts a via media between federalist and realist approaches to the doctrine of union with Christ, a way which Johnson calls Christological realism. Listen to understand Dr. Johnson’s unique but scriptural treatment of the doctrine of union with Christ. Dr. Johnson is Associate Professor of Theology at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. He received his M.A. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and his Ph.D. from Trinity College, University of Toronto. Camden Bucey reviewed One with Christ on a recent episode of Reformed Media Review.

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]]> https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc345/feed/ 6 55:35Dr Marcus Johnson speaks about One with Christ An Evangelical Theology of Salvation his recent book published by Crossway While many books have been published recently on the topic of ...Soteriology,UnionwithChristReformed Forumnono