Jim Cassidy

Still Protesting

Darryl G. Hart, Distinguished Associate Professor of History at Hillsdale College, joins us to speak about his book, Still Protesting: Why the Reformation Matters (Reformation Heritage Books). This book addresses the divide between Protestants and Roman Catholics, considering some of the reasons that prompted the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation. It emerges particularly from the context of the increasing number of Protestants who convert to Roman Catholicism, and Hart’s aim is to address some of the most frequent reasons given for abandoning Protestantism.

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Participants: Camden Bucey, Darryl G. Hart, Jim Cassidy

Camden Bucey - August 17, 2018 - Medieval Church, Modern Church, The Reformation - No Comments

Genesis 18:1–16 — Covenant Meal and Confirmation

Genesis 18 provides a prototypical picture of the feast the believers have with their King in the heavenly places. It does so in the context of Sarah demonstrating an imperfect faith in a perfect Savior.

Participants: Adam York, Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Mark Winder - July 18, 2018 - Biblical Theology, Lord's Supper, Ministry of the Word, Pentateuch, Preaching, Sacraments - No Comments

Hosea 1:10–2:1 — A Great Multitude and Faithful Remnant

Hosea is made us of a series of cycles—of judgment and redemption. Here we begin looking at the first cycle of good news and redemption, as the prophet brings a word of good news.

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Mark Winder - July 11, 2018 - Biblical Theology, Ministry of the Word, Old Testament, Preaching, Prophets - No Comments

Genesis 17:9–14 — The Sign of the Abrahamic Covenant

Here we seek to answer three questions: First, “What is the meaning of circumcision?” Second, “What is the purpose of circumcision? and third, “To whom is circumcision to be applied” We conclude that the sign of faith is to be applied to believers and their children.

Participants: Adam York, Glen Clary, Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Mark Winder - July 4, 2018 - Baptism, Biblical Theology, Infant Baptism, Ministry of the Word, Old Testament, Pentateuch, Preaching - 1 Comment

Genesis 17:15–27 — Ishmael Receives the Sign of Faith

God re-names Sarai—again reflecting his covenant promise. And one essential characteristic of the covenant of promise is that covenant community will always be comprised of elect and non-elect. Inseparable from the covenant itself are the parties of the covenant.

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder, Mark Jenkins

Mark Winder - June 27, 2018 - Baptism, Biblical Theology, Infant Baptism, Ministry of the Word, Old Testament, Pentateuch, Preaching, Sacraments - No Comments

The Free Offer of the Gospel

In this episode, we speak about the free offer of the gospel. The real point in dispute in connection with the free offer of the gospel is whether it can properly be said that God desires the salvation of all men. This issue was related to several theological controversies of the 1940s and stemming back decades earlier. Much of this particular issue comes the split of 1924 within the Christian Reformed Church which led to the formation of the Protestant Reformed Church under the leadership of Herman Hoeksema.

For some, the antithesis is so absolutized that there can be no real transition from wrath to grace and no free offer of the gospel. Cornelius Van Til spoke of the antithesis as an ethical rather than metaphysical antithesis. In a letter to Jesse de Boer, he indicated that it was merely another way to speak of total depravity.

As we walk through a study committee report delivered to the 15th General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, we are confronted with the great mystery of God’s will and his infallible revelation to us in Scripture.

The Purposes of the Lord’s Supper

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

Our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was betrayed, instituted the sacrament of his body and blood, called the Lord’s Supper, to be observed in his church, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of himself in his death; the sealing all benefits thereof unto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him; and, to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other, as members of his mystical body.

In this episode, we discuss the five purposes of the Lord’s Supper detailed in the confession:

Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper as a commemorative ordinance for the perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of himself in his death.
The Lord’s Supper is a confirmatory sign (cf. Rom. 4:11) for the purpose of sealing all the benefits procured by Christ’s death unto true believers.
Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper for the spiritual nourishment and growth of believers in him.
Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper for believers for their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him.
Finally, Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper to be a bond and pledge of believers’ communion with him, and with each other, as members of his mystical body.

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Participants: Camden Bucey, Glen Clary, Jim Cassidy

Camden Bucey - June 15, 2018 - Featured, Lord's Supper - 1 Comment

Genesis 17:1–8 — The Abrahamic Covenant Expanded

As the Abrahamic Covenant is expanded, it builds upon the revelation given in chapters 12 and 15. Through this everlasting covenant God will bring life to those who are dead in their sins.

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Participants: Adam York, Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Mark Winder - June 13, 2018 - Featured, Ministry of the Word, Pentateuch, Preaching - No Comments

The Theology of Ebenezer Erskine

We speak with Dr. Stephen G. Myers about Ebenezer Erskine and the important events of Presbyterian history with which he was involved.Dr. Myers is Professor of Historical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In his book, Scottish Federalism and Covenantalism in Transition: The Theology of Ebenezer Erskine, he touches upon many significant issues, including the Marrow Controversy, the relationship of law and grace, covenant theology, and church-state relations. In learning about this era of Presbyterian history, we come to understand how Erskine also serves to refine modern understandings of still controversial theological issues.

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Participants: Camden Bucey, Glen Clary, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, Stephen Myers