In this episode we discuss the reappearing role of God’s Spirit and how the Spirit has a pivotal role in both creation and consummation. We discuss the symbolic and theological significance of the mountain and the dove, which appear in chapter eight. Finally we discuss the significance of the promise God makes to Noah that He will preserve the world from the kind of judgment endured in Noah’s day, “While the earth remains.”

Participants: Adam York, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta, Robert Arendale

In this episode we discuss Noah’s ark and the flood judgment which God brought on the world. Amazingly, we see ways in which the entire passage not only reveals the judgment ordeal which took place at the flood, but how God used that judgment to prepare for a new creation which he would sovereignly bring about—one which ultimately leads to consummation through the work of Jesus Christ.

Participants: Adam York, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta, Robert Arendale

In this episode we discuss the growth of wickedness on the earth after the fall leading up to the great flood judgment. This passage also helps us to see the extent of depravity in man after the fall. In the midst of a sinful world one man finds favor in the eyes of the Lord: Noah. See also Christ the Center’s interview with Rita Cefalu on the sons of God and daughters of man in Genesis 6.

When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. (Genesis 6:1–8 ESV)

Participants: Adam York, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

We consider the genealogy of Adam’s Descendants to Noah in this episode.

This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died. When Seth had lived 105 years, he fathered Enosh. Seth lived after he fathered Enosh 807 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died. When Enosh had lived 90 years, he fathered Kenan. Enosh lived after he fathered Kenan 815 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died. When Kenan had lived 70 years, he fathered Mahalalel. Kenan lived after he fathered Mahalalel 840 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died. When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he fathered Jared. Mahalalel lived after he fathered Jared 830 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died. When Jared had lived 162 years he fathered Enoch. Jared lived after he fathered Enoch 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died. When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he fathered Lamech. Methuselah lived after he fathered Lamech 782 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died. When Lamech had lived 182 years, he fathered a son and called his name Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the LORD has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.” Lamech lived after he fathered Noah 595 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died. After Noah was 500 years old, Noah fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Genesis 5 ESV)

Participants: Adam York, Mark A. Winder, Mark Jenkins, Matt Cotta

Today we discuss the genealogy found in Genesis 4:16–22. In it, we see the realization that God will put enmity between the two lines mentioned in Genesis 3:15 and how those two lines will develop two antithetical forms of civilization.

Participants: Adam York, Mark A. Winder, Mark Jenkins, Matt Cotta

This week on Proclaiming Christ we discuss Cain’s brutal murder of Abel and consider this act in light of God’s promises made in ch. 3. The brutality and desperation of human nature is uncovered as well as hope for life from the grave.

Genesis 4:8–15: Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” Then the LORD said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.” (English Standard Version)

Participants: Adam York, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

This week on Proclaiming Christ we discuss the different offerings that Cain and Abel bring to the Lord, and we look at the theological significance of those offerings.

Genesis 4:1–7 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.” And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” (English Standard Version)

Participants: Adam York, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

Several contributors are on location in Green Lake, Wisconsin as we discuss the practice of ecclesiology. Although ecclesiology is one of the traditional loci of systematic theology, it is often under-studied and even under-appreciated. Even if we do study the subject thoroughly, we can fail to put biblical ecclesiology into practice as we ought. In this episode we discuss the practical importance of ecclesiology.

Links

• OPC Presbytery of the Midwest
• Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, WI
• Grace OPC in Hanover Park, IL
• Apple Valley Presbyterian Church in Neenah, WI
• Westminster OPC in Indian Head Park, IL
• Hope OPC in Grayslake, IL

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Matt Cotta, Robert Tarullo, Steve Schmidt

This week, Proclaiming Christ explores the provision for life as seen in Adam and Eve’s response to God’s curse.

Genesis 3:20–24: The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. (ESV)

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

In this episode the panel discusses the effects of the fall on men and women in their distinctive roles and vocations and on the whole of humanity.

Genesis 3:16–19—To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” 17 And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (English Standard Version)

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

On today’s episode, we unpack Genesis 3:13-15, a pronouncement of judgment upon the serpent, but also of grace and good news for Adam and Eve. We examine other passages in Scripture for the pattern that is set by the antithesis between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman. We also explore the relationship between verse 15 and the gospel of Christ, “he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Participants: Adam York, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

In this episode we discuss Genesis 3:9-12, and consider God’s pursuit of rebellious Adam. On the one hand, God clearly calls Adam into account for his sin, but on the other hand God’s dialog with Adam prepares us for the wonderful promise of salvation found in Genesis 3:15. There are both judicial and pastoral elements to this conversation. In addition, we talk about the significance of Adam and Eve being afraid and naked. Moreover, we consider the sad way in which human rebels tend to blame God for their sin, and how husbands often blame their wives for their sin and failures.

Participants: Adam York, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

This week we discuss Genesis 3:8-10. Following Meredith Kline, we argue that in 3:8, God walks in the garden in the wind or spirit of the day. God’s Spirit is involved in this episode of judgment just as he is in later biblical instances of “the day of the Lord,” in which God comes among his people to interrogate them. As always, we welcome your feedback!

Participants: Adam York, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

On today’s episode we discuss Genesis 2:18-24. We begin today’s discussion by finishing up talking about the two trees in the garden from our previous episode and then we discuss the creation of woman. We consider how it was “not good” for Adam to be alone. Also, we talk about the fact that the woman is created from the man. We also consider the creation of woman in light of the covenant given to Adam and the mandate to take dominion, to be fruitful and multiply. Finally, we consider the way in which marriage is given as a picture of the the covenant relationship between God and His people, between Jesus Christ and His bride, the church. We invite your comments and feedback!

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

On Today’s episode we discuss Genesis 2 broadly and the covenant God made with Adam. We consider objections to and reasons for saying that Adam was in a covenant. We discuss the nature of this covenant. We also consider how the “first Adam” relates to Jesus Christ, the “second” and “last Adam.” Finally, we discuss how Adam’s role as a covenant head relates to the gospel and the implications for denying this role for Adam. We invite your comments and feedback!

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

On Today’s episode we discuss the garden of Eden and the description given to it in Genesis 2:8-15. We discuss how the garden motif found in Genesis 2 permeates the rest of Scripture. Also, we consider how the garden imagery is used within Scripture to describe God’s dwelling place among His people. We discuss similarities and polemical differences between the garden elements in Scripture and in Ancient Near Eastern writings. Finally we discuss Adam’s place in the garden and his priestly duty to “guard and keep” God’s garden.

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

In this episode of Proclaiming Christ we address the issue of whether there are two different creation accounts: one in chapter 1 and another in chapter 2. We discuss the covenant name of God which is introduced in chapter 2. We also reflect on the repeated use of the phrase “these are the generations of” which first appears in chapter 2 and provides a way of dividing the rest of the book. We also consider the description of the creation of man in chapter 2.

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

In this episode of Proclaiming Christ we discuss the creation mandate given to Adam and the promise of Sabbath rest. We invite your comments and questions.

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

In this episode of Proclaiming Christ we discuss days 4-6 of the creation account in Genesis 1. We continue the discussion of light and darkness in creation as it pertains to the fourth day, the kingdom of God in creation, and the creation of humanity in the image of God.

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

In this episode we discuss verses 3-13 of Genesis 1: the first three creation days. We discuss the covenantal character of creation, the theological dimensions of these days, God’s dominion and interpretive prerogative in naming and ordering the days. We also look at the significance of those things which are the focus of each day: light, the separation of the waters above and below, the separation of the seas and try land, the creation of vegetation, and many other things. We welcome your questions and feedback in the comments.

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

In this episode we discuss the first two verses of Genesis 1. The episode focuses on the centrality of God in creation. We begin by discussing some interpretive assumptions involved in reading this passage. We also consider: the distinctiveness of the God of the Bible over against the pagan myths, God’s sovereignty and freedom in creation, creation ex nihilo, the creation of the invisible heavens and the visible earth, the initial formlessness of creation, and the work of God’s Spirit, and many other things.

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

In today’s episode, the Proclaiming Christ panel considers an introduction to the book of Genesis. Among the topics discussed are: the absolute, supernatural work of God in Creation, the way in which creation looks forward toward ultimate, eschatological glory of God, and the way in which the Genesis account challenges various forms of unbelief. We also consider resources for the study of Genesis. We welcome you to listen along as we discuss matters foundational to the study and preaching of this wonderful book.

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

In this episode of Proclaiming Christ the panel considers sermon delivery. We discuss things like: whether to use a manuscript or not, sermon application, resources, and things not to do while preaching. Please join us by listening along. We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, and comments.

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

In this week’s episode we discuss sermon preparation. As the panel considers the kind of work that must go on before a preacher is ready to preach, we discuss things like: the importance of prayer; the reading, re-reading and meditation on Scripture, the importance of the original languages. We also briefly discuss whether all preaching should be consecutive expository (lectio continua) or whether there is a place for timely, topical-textual sermons. Please join us by listening along and we invite you to share your thoughts, questions, and comments.

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

On this episode of Proclaiming Christ we talk about presuppositions that underlie the sermon preparation process. In particular, we deal with presuppositions which govern the proper reading and interpretation of Scripture while preparing to preach. We welcome your feedback!

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

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

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta