Reformed Forum

Eden and Canaan are earthly projections that both reveal yet veil the glory of the heavenly dwelling place of God. Had Adam passed probation, he would have been translated into the highest heavens in the presence of God where he would enter Sabbath Rest (Genesis 2/Ez. 28:14 and the mountain of God). When Christ finished his wilderness sojourn, he ascended into that very reality of Sabbath Rest—rest the first Adam did not enter (Heb. 1:3; 8:2, 5; 9:23–24; 10:12; 12:24; 4:9–10). Christ, as ascended, has entered rest—a rest he in the process of conferring on the church in this age (4:3) and will bring to consummation in the age to come (4:9–11).

The whole point of the land of Canaan in Hebrews—the way it relates to this big-picture creational concern—is that it was a place of rest (Psalm 95:7–11 is quoted in Hebrews 3:7–11). Israel was seeking to leave the wilderness and enter into the “rest” of God in Canaan. Canaan was a local, earthly expression of a corresponding heavenly Sabbath Rest (95:11/Genesis 2:2 as the two theme texts in Hebrews 3 and 4).

Canaan was an earthly type of Sabbath Rest, and some in Israel failed to enter the earthly typical land of rest because they lacked faith in the promised Messiah (Heb. 3:19). In a parallel way, the author of Hebrews grounds his exhortation that the church in this age press on to Sabbath Rest by faith in the ascended Messiah, so that none of us fail to enter that Rest.

Direct download: ctc535.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 2:37pm CDT

After deliverance from Egypt, God’s people head back to the promised land. Nevertheless, they continue to stand in need of deliverance, for their warfare has not ended.

Direct download: pc039.mp3
Category:Proclaiming Christ -- posted at: 9:38am CDT

Dr. Vern Poythress speaks with us about his book, Theophany: A Biblical Theology of God's Appearing, published by Crossway. Each time God appears to his people throughout the Bible—in the form of a thunderstorm, a man, a warrior, a chariot, etc.—he comes to a specific person for a specific purpose. And each of these temporary appearances— called theophanies—helps us to better understand who he is, anticipating his climactic, permanent self-revelation in the incarnation of Christ.

Describing the various accounts of God’s visible presence from Genesis to Revelation, Dr. Poythress helps us consider more deeply what they reveal about who God is and how he dwells with us today.

We also spoke about the upcoming Westminster Conference on Science & Faith to be held  April 6–7, 2018 at Proclamation Presbyterian Church in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania (see map). They will explore the relationship between theistic evolution and the Christian faith. Register at wcosaf.com.

Dr. Poythress is Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

Direct download: ctc534.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 4:14pm CDT

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob had an opportunity to sit down with the Rev. Dr. Ryan M. McGraw to talk about John Owen and his major writings. Following this interview Rob and Bob take a few minutes to talk about their appreciation of Owen.

Dr. McGraw serves as Professor of Systematic Theology at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary,  as well as a minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. He is the author of several books including The Foundation of Communion with God: The Trinitarian Piety of John Owen.

Direct download: tsp109.mp3
Category:Theology Simply Profound -- posted at: 6:55pm CDT

In Episode 38 of Proclaiming Christ, our newest panelist, Jim Cassidy, provides our listeners with a model of biblical interpretation through an introduction to the book of Hosea.

Direct download: pc038.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 5:19pm CDT

Ryan Noha shares several rare books just added to the Reformed Forum online store.

Direct download: rmr114.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

Ken Jones, pastor of Glendale Missionary Baptist Church in Miami, Florida, as well as a former regular guest on The White Horse Inn, joins Rob and Bob on this week's episode of Theology Simply Profound. Rob and Bob talk with Ken about evangelicalism and the contemporary church as The Rafiki Foundation. The mission of The Rafiki Foundation is to help Africans know God and raise their standard of living with excellence and integrity. One way it accomplishes this task is through the establishment of Classical Christian Schools.

Direct download: tsp108.mp3
Category:Theology Simply Profound -- posted at: 8:18pm CDT

Michael J. Kruger joins us to speak about his book Christianity at the Crossroads: How the Second Century Shaped the Future of the Church.

Direct download: ctc533.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 10:55am CDT

Jim Cassidy discusses Darren O Sumner's book, Karl Barth and the Incarnation.

Direct download: ctc532.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

Direct download: pc037.mp3
Category:Proclaiming Christ -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

This week on Theology Simply Profound, for the very first time we are able to bring you an interview. Rob had an opportunity to sit down with the Rev. Dr. L. Michael Morales to talk about his book, Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord? A Biblical Theology of the Book of Leviticus (IVP Academic)Dr. Morales is an ordained minister in the PCA serving as Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Following this interview Rob and Bob take a few minutes to discuss this book. Check out the links below to a few articles by Dr. Morales reflecting themes found in his book.

 

Direct download: tsp107.mp3
Category:Theology Simply Profound -- posted at: 5:24pm CDT

The Proclaiming Christ podcast is back with a new format, new panelist, and new biblical texts to explore. Look for a new episode each week.

Direct download: pc036.mp3
Category:Proclaiming Christ -- posted at: 9:14pm CDT

1