Wed, 7 March 2018
Jim Cassidy discusses Darren O Sumner's book, Karl Barth and the Incarnation. |
Wed, 28 February 2018
We continue our #VosGroup series in pages 174–175 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider totemism and Vos's deep critique of biblicistic modernism. |
Thu, 22 February 2018
Dr. Eric Watkins, Pastor of Covenant OPC in St. Augustine, Florida, joins Jim Cassidy, Chris Hartshorn, and Dale Van Dyke for a discussion on his book, The Drama of Preaching: Participating with God in the History of Redemption. Dr. Watkins explains how the idea of drama informs our understanding of peaching. Preaching is the telling of God's drama of redemption in which believers find themselves as active participants. He further explains how the drama motif gives the church a ready entry point with a postmodern world in which story is so highly valued. |
Tue, 13 February 2018
Dr. Marcus Mininger, Associate Professor of New Testament Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, speaks about the theme of revelation in the book of Romans. In his book, Uncovering the Theme of Revelation in Romans 1:16–3:26: Discovering a New Approach to Paul's Argument (Mohr Siebeck), Dr. Mininger argues for approaching Romans 1–3 through a new interpretive paradigm that features revelation over reading Paul's words primarily through a soteriological or sociological framework. In this fourth episode of a brief series with Dr. Mininger, we look into a revelation-historical interpretation of Romans 3:21–26 and draw several conclusions in summary to our entire discussion. Listen to the Series |
Thu, 8 February 2018
Danny Olinger speaks about the life of E. J. Young, long-time Professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary. |
Wed, 31 January 2018
We continue our #VosGroup series in pages 173–174 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider uncleanness and purification, a deep structure of Scripture, what Vos says, "forms a fundamental conception, which . . . has entered into the permanent fabric of biblical religion." |
Wed, 24 January 2018
Dr. Marcus Mininger, Assistant Professor of New Testament Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, speaks about the theme of revelation in the book of Romans. In his book, Uncovering the Theme of Revelation in Romans 1:16–3:26: Discovering a New Approach to Paul's Argument (Mohr Siebeck), Dr. Mininger argues for approaching Romans 1–3 through a new interpretive paradigm that features revelation rather than reading Paul's words primarily through a soteriological or sociological framework. This is part three of our discussion. |
Wed, 17 January 2018
Dr. Marcus Mininger, Assistant Professor of New Testament Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, speaks about the theme of revelation in the book of Romans. In his book, Uncovering the Theme of Revelation in Romans 1:16–3:26: Discovering a New Approach to Paul's Argument (Mohr Siebeck), Dr. Mininger argues for approaching Romans 1–3 through a new interpretive paradigm that features revelation rather than reading Paul's words primarily through a soteriological or sociological framework. This is part two of our discussion. |
Thu, 11 January 2018
Dr. Marcus Mininger, Assistant Professor of New Testament Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, speaks about the theme of revelation in the book of Romans. In his book, Uncovering the Theme of Revelation in Romans 1:16–3:26: Discovering a New A |
Thu, 4 January 2018
We continue our #VosGroup series starting on page 170–172 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the variety of Old Testament offerings and sacrifices. Vos addresses the different types of offerings and how they relate to one another and to the eschatological plan of salvation in Jesus Christ. |
Mon, 25 December 2017
We look back at some of our favorite guests and moments from 2017. |
Thu, 21 December 2017
In this episode, Rev. Andrew Compton, Assistant Professor of Old Testament Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, speaks about the book of Proverbs. While many have approached Proverbs as a source for personal guidance or a collection of general life lessons, Compton argues that Proverbs possesses a canonical awareness and presents itself as the divinely inspired source of true wisdom, as well as the infallible norm for the wisdom of God, against which all other so-called "wisdom" must be tested. |
Thu, 14 December 2017
Jeff Stivason joins us to speak about his article, "Benjamin B. Warfield and True Church Unity," published in the Westminster Theological Journal 79 (2017): 327–43. He argues that Warfield developed a theology that requires the existence of denomination |
Tue, 28 November 2017
Matthew Patton speaks of Augustine's hermeneutical principle of totus Christus, which emphasizes how Christ as head as well as the Church as his body provide the eschatological fulfillment of the Old Testament. |
Tue, 28 November 2017
Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey discuss pages 166–168 of Vos' Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. |
Wed, 22 November 2017
Jeff Waddington speaks about his chapter in the new festschrift for Vern Poythress, Redeeming the Life of the Mind (Crossway). Jeff's chapter, titled, "Jonathan Edwards on God's Involvement in Creation," is an examination of "Miscellanies," no. |
Thu, 9 November 2017
What did the Tree of Life symbolize in the Garden of Eden? Why does it reappear in Revelation 2:7 and 22:2? We discuss the symbolism of the tree and the eschatological mode of life it signifies and seals. |
Thu, 9 November 2017
We speak about God's original intent for the image of God and how his offer to Adam in the garden was of a higher, consummate mode of life. |
Sat, 21 October 2017
Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey discuss pages 165–166 of Vos' Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. |
Sat, 21 October 2017
This episode was recorded just prior to our 2017 Theology Conference on The Reformation of Apologetics. We discuss Scholasticism as it relates to the theology of Thomas Aquinas, the Reformers, and Cornelius Van Til. |
Mon, 9 October 2017
This episode was recorded live at our 2017 Theology Conference on The Reformation of Apologetics. |
Tue, 3 October 2017
Dan Ragusa speaks about Herman Bavinck's Trinitarian theology and its implications for a revelational epistemology and worldview. |
Mon, 2 October 2017
Chad Van Dixhoorn speaks about the Westminster Assembly and its reform of the pulpit ministry. |
Thu, 28 September 2017
Ryan Noha, the Indiana Jones of Reformed books, speaks about several rare books to be added to the Reformed Forum online store. |
Tue, 26 September 2017
Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey discuss pages 161–165 of Vos' Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. |
Thu, 21 September 2017
Camden Bucey and Jeff Waddington discuss the image of God and whether man retains the image after the fall into sin. |
Mon, 11 September 2017
Chad and Emily Van Dixhoorn discuss studying the Westminster Confession of Faith. |
Thu, 7 September 2017
Glen Clary and Camden Bucey discuss Ole Hallesby's classic book on prayer. |
Thu, 31 August 2017
Jim Cassidy walks us through the major themes of the book of Hosea. |
Thu, 24 August 2017
Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey discuss theological methodology in light of Calvin's view of natural theology. |
Thu, 17 August 2017
Dr. Robert J. Cara speaks about his book, Cracking the Foundation of the New Perspective on Paul: Covenantal Nomism versus Reformed Covenantal Theology (Mentor, 2017), which is published in the Reformed Exegetical and Doctrinal Series. The New Perspective on Paul is broadly united on its view of Second Temple Jewish literature. Arguing that these documents do not contain a doctrine of works righteousness, Paul certainly cannot be arguing against such a view—quite simply because it didn't exist. Dr. Cara examines the Jewish sources and "cracks the foundation" of the NPP by demonstrating how they incorporate meritorious works and thus establishing the traditional Protestant view of Paul and his doctrine of justification. |
Wed, 9 August 2017
Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey discuss pages 159–161 of Vos' Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. |
Wed, 2 August 2017
We took to Facebook to broadcast a live Q&A session. With questions submitted through email and the live comment thread, we covered Lord's Day observance, fasting and gluttony, and membership in the New Covenant. |
Wed, 26 July 2017
We celebrate five-hundred episodes of Christ the Center. |
Tue, 18 July 2017
We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 157–159 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider offerings, gifts, and sacrifices within the Mosaic economy. |
Tue, 11 July 2017
Chris Castaldo compares the respective doctrines of justification of the Reformer Peter Martyr Vermigli and the Roman Catholic John Henry Cardinal Newman. |
Wed, 5 July 2017
In June 2011, we spoke with Bill Dennison, Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Covenant College, about Transformationalism and Christian Higher Education. In that episode, we touched upon his article, "Dutch Neo-Calvinism and the Roots for Transformation: An Introductory Essay" from the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 42/2 (June 1999). We only had a few minutes to discuss the article in episode 180, and so today, we pick up where we left off. Dennison contends that while Dutch neo-Calvinism sought to transform culture in response to the threat of the Enlightenment, they stood upon a foundation of Enlightenment principles to do it. Many of the themes discussed in this episode were developed and applied in our twelve-part series on Christ and Culture, in which Dennison debated Darryl Hart, Nelson Kloosterman, and Doug Wilson. Previous Episodes with Bill Dennison |
Tue, 27 June 2017
We welcome Brandon Crowe back to the program to speak about the gospel of Matthew. Dr. Crowe is assistant professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is the author of the article, "Fulfillment in Matthew as Eschatological Reversal" in Westminster Theological Journal 75 (2013), pp. 111–127. Matthew's use of the Old Testament has perplexed interpreters for years. It is difficult to ascertain precisely how Jesus "fulfills" the prophets in several of Matthew's references. Dr. Crowe argues that Jesus not only fulfills the Old Testament as the new Israel and consummate Davidic king, but according to Matthew's formulae, he does so by reversing Israel's pattern of covenant infidelity. Other Episodes with Brandon Crowe |
Thu, 22 June 2017
Today, we speak with Andrew Abernethy about his book, The Book of Isaiah and God's Kingdom: A Thematic-Theological Approach from IVP Academic's New Studies in Biblical Theology series. Abernethy contends that thematic points of reference can help one to encounter Isaiah and its rich theological message. Dr. Abernethy is Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. He is the author of Eating in Isaiah: Approaching Food and Drink in Isaiah's Structure and Message and coeditor of Isaiah and Imperial Context: The Book of Isaiah in Times of Empire. Rob McKenzie hosts the interview with Dr. Abernethy. And so in the episode, we also took the opportunity to speak about the latest addition to our podcast family, Theology Simply Profound, which he produces with Bob Tarullo. Rob and Camden speak about the program and how it fits within our lineup, helping us to bring Reformed theology to more people. Rob is sales representative for trade, academic, and special markets at IVP and a distant student at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. |
Wed, 14 June 2017
Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey revisit Paul Woolley's article, "Discontent!" as it pertains to the ministry of the church. While Woolley wrote in 1944, his lessons are just as applicable today. |
Thu, 8 June 2017
Darryl G. Hart speaks about J. Gresham Machen and his use of media throughout the modernist-fundamentalist controversy. |
Thu, 1 June 2017
In this episode of Vos Group, we turn to pages 155–157 of Geerhardus Vos's Biblical Theology to consider the sacrificial system of the law. Vos describes two main ends of sacrifices—expiation and consecration—and how they relate to one another. |
Wed, 24 May 2017
William Wood challenges the conventional wisdom that the author of Judges exhibits an anti-Ephraimite stance exclusively. |
Wed, 17 May 2017
Brett Mahlen speaks about his ministry to inmates at the Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois. |
Wed, 10 May 2017
Charles Williams speaks about the life and theology of one of Christianity's greatest figures, Augustine. |
Thu, 4 May 2017
A. Craig Troxel speaks about Reformed spirituality. |
Wed, 26 April 2017
In this episode of Vos Group, we turn to pages 154–155 of Geerhardus Vos's Biblical Theology to consider how Christ reveals and consummates the religious principles and realities embodied in the tabernacle and then elevated into the Church. |
Thu, 20 April 2017
Today we welcome Daniel Ragusa, to speak about the Westminster Standards and their teaching of the self-sufficient and self-contained triune God of Scripture. Ragusa begins with Westminster Confession of Faith 3.1:
In developing this doctrine, Ragusa draws upon Cornelius Van Til's Trinitarian theology, covenant theology, and representational principle. Ragusa writes,
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Thu, 13 April 2017
While many in the Christian tradition prepare to celebrate Good Friday and Easter Sunday this week and next, we turn to consider the meaning of the gospel. Paul describes the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1–8 as a message of Jesus' historical life, death, and resurrection for sinners. This is a matter of first importance. |
Thu, 6 April 2017
Earlier this week, we exhibited at The Gospel Coalition 2017 Conference, "No Other Gospel: Reformation 500 and Beyond" in Indianapolis. We were able to share 900 copies of our new book No Uncertain Sound with interested conference attendees. We had numerous conversations with people about confessional Reformed theology, worship, apologetics, and ecclesiology. In the few quieter moments, we picked up the microphones and spoke about our experience. In his plenary address at TGC, "The Reformed Tradition Beyond Calvin," Ligon Duncan spoke of Johannes Oecolampadius and Dr. Diane Poythress' work on the Reformer. In Christ the Center episode 269, we spoke with Dr Poythress about her dissertation, “Johannes Oecolampadius’ Exposition of Isaiah, Chapters 36–37,” which is one of the only lengthy treatments of Oecolampadius in English. She has also written an excellent book about him titled, Reformer of Basel: The Life, Thought, and Influence of Johannes Oecolampadius, published by Reformation Heritage Books. |
Wed, 29 March 2017
Rev. Chiarot is the pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Rock Tavern, New York. He joins us today to speak about "T. F. Torrance and Apostolic Succession," an article he wrote for Participatio. He has also written, The Unassumed Is the Unhealed: The Humanity of Christ in the Christology of T. F. Torrance (Pickwick, 2013). Links
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Wed, 22 March 2017
K. Scott Oliphint speaks about the incomprehensible mysteries of our God. As creatures, we will never and can never comprehend fully God's mysteries. Indeed, this must even be an epistemological and methodological starting point. Standing upon this biblically-based notion of mystery, Dr. Oliphint drives us to doxology—to worship our glorious God. |
Thu, 16 March 2017
We welcome Dr. Brandon Crowe to speak about his book, The Last Adam: A Theology of the Obedient Life of Jesus in the Gospels, in which he sets forth the soteriological significance of the life of Jesus in the Gospels. He offers an exegetical case for understanding the Adam-Christ parallel in the Gospels themselves, and thereby allows us to see the great glory of person and work of Christ as he is revealed in all of Scripture. Other episodes with Brandon Crowe |
Thu, 9 March 2017
Vos Group continues our study looking at the majesty and holiness of God and its relationship to the place of worship. Read along in Biblical Theology on pp. 150–154. |
Wed, 1 March 2017
Today we speak about John Murray's "The Attestation of Scripture," a chapter in The Infallible Word. Murray writes,
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Tue, 21 February 2017
In his book Created & Creating, William Edgar offers a rich biblical theology in light of our contemporary culture that contends that Christians must engaged in culture. Dr. Edgar is Professor of Apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary. He joins us to speak about this wonderful book.
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Tue, 14 February 2017
The tabernacle is a premier symbol and type in the Old Testament. It demonstrates God's dwelling with his people. Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to Vos's discussion and consider the redemptive-historical significance of the tabernacle. Read along on pp. 148–150. |
Wed, 8 February 2017
Peter Gurry speaks about a new method of textual criticism used in the latest critical editions of the New Testament. |
Wed, 1 February 2017
Today we speak with Austin Reed about Karl Barth's theology of election. Austin is a student at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and walks us through a critical review of Karl Barth's Infralapsarian Theology: Origins and Development, 1920-1953 by Shao Kai Tseng. Tseng challenges the scholarly status quo, arguing that despite Barth's stated favor of supralapsarianism, his mature lapsarian theology is complex and dialectical. It demonstrates elements of both supra- and infralapsarianism, though it favors the latter. In Tseng's assessment, Barth's theology is basically infralapsarian because he sees the object of election as fallen humankind and understands the incarnation as God's act of taking on human nature in its condition of fallenness. Be sure to read Austin Reed's review of Reading Barth with Charity: A Hermeneutic Proposal by George Hunsinger.
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Tue, 24 January 2017
On this episode, we are joined by Ryan McGraw, who speaks about the foundational role and practical significance of Trinitarian theology to John Owen. Dr. McGraw is Professor of Systematic Theology at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Greenville, South Caroline. His article, "Trinitarian Doxology: Reassessing John Owen's Contribution to Reformed Orthodox Trinitarian Theology" was published in The Westminster Theological Journal, Vol. 77, No. 2. Dr. McGraw joined us on a previous episode of Christ the Center to speak about the meaning of the phrase "good and necessary consequence" in the Westminster Confession of Faith 1.6. |
Thu, 19 January 2017
On this episode, we are joined by Nathaniel Gray Sutanto, who speaks about the Theological Interpretation of Scripture (TIS). Gray is a PhD Candidate at New College, University of Edinburgh. His article, "On the Theological Interpretation of Scripture: The Indirect Identity Thesis, Reformed Orthodoxy, and Trinitarian Considerations" was published in The Westminster Theological Journal, Vol. 77, No. 2. TIS is an approach to reading biblical texts that seeks to do justice to the theological nature of the texts and embrace the influence of theology on interpretation. Sutanto focuses on Francis Watson and his relationship to Karl Barth's doctrine of revelation. He concludes that, “. . . the uniqueness of TIS depends upon the assumption of the validity of Kant’s turn in philosophical history along with its attendant ideological implications.” |
Wed, 11 January 2017
As another year gets into swing, many people have begun new Bible reading plans. Reading through Scripture each day is a powerful and transformative discipline. We discuss the practice of Bible reading personally, in the home, and in the church. |
Thu, 5 January 2017
We continue our study of Geerhardus Vos's Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider typology and how types relate to symbols. This is some of the richest material in Vos. Read along on pp. 143-148. |
Tue, 27 December 2016
As we head into our tenth year of Christ the Center, we look back at some of our favorite guests and moments from 2016. |
Thu, 15 December 2016
In the second part of this special two-part episode, we discuss the observation of Christmas. This subject is perennially debated in the Reformed community. Listen as we discuss the historical, theological, and practical issues. |
Thu, 15 December 2016
In this special two-part episode, we discuss the observation of Christmas. This subject is perennially debated in the Reformed community. Listen as we discuss the historical, theological, and practical issues. |
Thu, 8 December 2016
Patricia Clawson and Diane Olinger speak about the new book from the OPC's Committee for the Historian. This book captures the stories of ninety-three women of the denomination. |
Tue, 29 November 2016
We continue our study of Geerhardus Vos's Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments with a look at the world-wide application of the Decalogue and the second commandment. Read along on pp. 137-143. |
Wed, 23 November 2016
Marcus Mininger is Associate Professor in New Testament Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana. Today he joins us to speak about his article, “Eschatology and Protology, Christ and Culture: Marriage as a Biblical Test-Case” MAJT 25 |
Wed, 16 November 2016
Mark Vander Hart and Cornelis P. Venema join us to speak about the Reformed church in Latvia. Mark Vander Hart is Associate Professor of Old Testament Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Cornelis Venema is President and Professor of Doctrinal Studies. Both men have taught at Baltic Reformed Seminary in Riga, Latvia. |
Wed, 9 November 2016
Cornelis P. Venema joins us to speak about his book By His Spirit and Word: How Christ Builds His Church (Reformed Fellowship, Inc.). Venema engages in an extended exposition on the doctrine of the church and its ministry as described in the historic confessions and catechisms of the Reformation churches. These confessions emphasize the church’s indispensability to the salvation of believers, for the triune God’s redemptive mission is principally effected through the ministry of the church. Dr. Venema is President and Professor of Doctrinal Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana. |
Wed, 2 November 2016
We continue our study of Geerhardus Vos's Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments with a look at the world-wide application of the Decalogue and the second commandment. Read along on pp. 135-137. |
Wed, 26 October 2016
We speak with Gregg Allison and Chris Castaldo about their excellent book The Unfinished Reformation: What Unites and Divides Catholics and Protestants after 500 Years (Zondervan, 2016). Rev. Dr. Allison is Professor of Christian Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Rev. Dr. Castaldo serves as Lead Pastor of New Covenant Church in Naperville, Illinois. We are driven to ask, Why are we accepted by God? In the final analysis, it must be Christ's person and work and his imputed righteousness to sinners. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone. It depends solely on Christ and not anything we do. |
Tue, 18 October 2016
We speak with William Boekestein about the Swiss reformer, Ulrich Zwingli. Ulrich Zwingli was a leader of the Reformation in Switzerland. His efforts in reforming doctrine and practice serve as examples and lessons for us today. Rev. Boekestein has written two biographies of Zwingli, each capturing the significance of the man for different audiences. He serves as Pastor of Immanuel Fellowship Church (URCNA) in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He joined us on a previous episode of Christ the Center to discuss the history of the Heidelberg Catechism. |
Thu, 13 October 2016
The panel discusses the image of God live from the 2016 Reformed Forum Theology Conference. The event was held at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois beginning on October 7, 2016. In this conversation, we address historical views of the image of God, the historicity of Adam, woman's relationship to man, and the implications of the image of God doctrine for racial equality. |
Thu, 6 October 2016
Several traditions within the Christian church have understood the second commandment differently. Some have understood it is a prohibition against statues. Others understand the commandment to prohibit images of God in worship. Still others argue it is a prohibition against all images as representations of God. We discuss the duties required and reasons annexed to the second commandment as well as the liturgical theology inherent to the issue. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day1. The light of nature showeth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all, is good, and doth good unto all, and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might. But the acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture. Westminster Larger CatechismQ. 107. Which is the second commandment? Q. 108. What are the duties required in the second commandment? Q. 109. What sins are forbidden in the second commandment? Q. 110. What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment, the more to enforce it? Westminster Shorter CatechismQ. 49. Which is the second commandment? Q. 50. What is required in the second commandment? Q. 51. What is forbidden in the second commandment? Q. 52. What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment? A. The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God's sovereignty over us, his propriety in us, and the zeal he hath to his own worship. |
Wed, 28 September 2016
Dan Ragusa speaks about the United Reformed Churches in America, biblical theology, and the book of Joshua. |
Thu, 22 September 2016
Many churches may be familiar with lectio continua preaching in the form of the weekly practice of preaching consecutive passages through a book of Scripture. Catechetical preaching uses a catechism to organize the weekly sermons rather than the book of Scripture. Does that make catechetical preaching unscriptural? By no means! While some catechetical sermons may derive their points directly from the catechism and others merely use the catechism to determine the topic and then select a pertinent Scripture passage to exposit. Catechetical preaching merely provides the skeleton for the subject and points of a sermon, but it need not make the sermon unscriptural. There are many benefits to catechetical preaching. It provides a wide range of Scriptural thought. It encourages familiarity with a system of doctrine. It also keeps before the congregation the basic fact that we have a catechism. We encourage people to work through it, reading it, and catechizing themselves and their children. Catechetical preaching fortifies this practice and helps people to embrace our secondary standards as a tool and help for us to understand what God has taught us about various doctrinal subjects. It aids in showing the unity and harmony of Scripture as a whole. Resources
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Tue, 13 September 2016
Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. speaks about Calvin's views on the Sabbath. In this conversation, we look to Dr. Gaffin's book Calvin and the Sabbath: The Controversy of Applying the Fourth Commandment (Mentor/Christian Focus), which is a revised version of his ThM thesis originally written under the supervision of John Murray at Westminster in 1961–62. We also speak about Dr. Gaffin's exegesis and theological development of Hebrews 3–4 in Pressing Toward the Mark: Essays Commemorating Fifty Years of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. |
Thu, 8 September 2016
We continue our study of Geerhardus Vos's Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments with a look at the world-wide application of the Decalogue, its prologue, and the first commandment. Read along on pp. 131-135. |
Tue, 30 August 2016
Dennis Johnson speaks about reading all the Scriptures Christianly as he shares the themes in his book Walking with Jesus through His Word: Discovering Christ in All the Scriptures. |
Wed, 24 August 2016
Dr. Michael J. Kruger speaks with us about A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament. This volume introduces each New Testament book in the context of the whole canon of Scripture, helping a wide range of readers with a rich, redemptive-historical guide to each book. Dr. Kruger is President and Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. He received his B.S. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, his M.Div. from Westminster Seminary California, and his Ph.D. from New College, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He is the author of three books on the issue of canon, Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the New Testament Books (Crossway, 2012), The Early Text of the New Testament (Oxford, 2012; edited with Charles Hill), and The Question of Canon: Challenging the Status Quo in the New Testament Debate. In addition to his faculty duties, he currently serves part-time as the Pastor of Teaching at Uptown Christ Covenant Church in downtown Charlotte. Dr. Kruger has spoken on Christ the Center episodes 217 and 283, and his wife, Melissa Kruger, has spoken on episodes 276, 297, and 301. |
Wed, 17 August 2016
Lane Tipton speaks about the report of the Committee to Study Republication of the General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. The report describes the impetus of the committee's work:
For an overview of the General Assembly, read D. G. Hart's report, "2016 General Assembly: Nothing Out of the Ordinary." |
Tue, 9 August 2016
We speak with Daniel R. Hyde. Rev. Hyde is pastor of Oceanside URC in Oceanside, California. He has written an article examining the Synod of Dort's doctrine of the Sabbath, titled “Regulae de Observatione Sabbathi: The Synod of Dort’s (1618–19) Deliverance on the Sabbath.” Originally written for The Puritan Reformed Journal, you can now find it on pages 173–184 of The Confessional Presbyterian Journal, Issue 12 (2016). Books by Danny Hyde
Books on the SabbathNon-Sabbatarian Position:
Sabbatarian Position:
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Thu, 4 August 2016
Dispensationalism is a system of doctrine that views human history as divided into distinct eras (or dispensations). In each of these dispensations, God provides a unique test to humanity. Repeatedly, they fail these tests and receive the judgment requisi |
Wed, 27 July 2016
The people of God presently live in between grace and glory. We look back upon the finished work of Jesus Christ while also looking forward to his return, our resurrection, and the consummation of the New Heavens and New Earth. Speaking of the faithful, the author of the epistle to the Hebrews writes, "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth" (Heb 11:13). While we labor in the world, we do not ultimately belong in this world. We are citizens of heaven. In this episode, we explore the biblical pilgrim motif and its application for the Christian life. |
Thu, 21 July 2016
We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 128–131 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider once again the function of the law and the Decalogue. Why was the law given? How does it function in the life of Israel, the red |
Thu, 14 July 2016
Dr. Keith Stanglin joins us to speak about the theology of Jacobus Arminius. Dr. Stanglin is associate professor at Austin Graduate School of Theology. Arminius was a Dutch theologian who served as a professor of theology at the University of Leiden. Many |
Wed, 29 June 2016
Today we welcome Iain H. Murray to the program to discuss his new biography, J. C. Ryle: Prepared to Stand Alone. In 1957, Rev. Murray co-founded the Banner of Truth Trust. Ryle (1816–1900) was the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool. He was an ardent de |
Thu, 23 June 2016
The evangelical Internet is abuzz with discussion about ad intra relations within the Trinity. Bruce Ware and Wayne Grudem have been recognized as presenting forms of Eternal Functional Subordination (EFS) of the Son to the Father in their respective books, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, and Relevance (Crossway) and Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Zondervan). Owen Strachan and his co-author Gavin Peacock hold to what they term Eternal Relations of Authority and Submission (ERAS) in their book, The Grand Design (Crossway). In this episode, we address the current controversy by looking at the eternal relationship among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three persons are one God. They are related by an irreversible taxis: the Father is unbegotten, the Son is begotten of the Father, and the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. Theologians often call this the immanent or ontological Trinity. These three persons are equal in power and glory, yet their essential relationship entails no relationship of authority, subordination, or submission. Nonetheless, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit freely will to create, and eventually to redeem, a people unto himself. This free, yet still eternal agreement, is known as the pactum salutis or Covenant of Redemption. After listening to this discussion, please consider two previous episodes of Christ the Center that deal with similar issues:
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Thu, 23 June 2016
Dr. Alan Strange provides a window in Presbyterian history, taking us back to the nineteenth century. Charles Hodge looms large over American Presbyterianism, and his doctrine of the spirituality of the church offered an important biblical rationale for a |
Thu, 16 June 2016
Dr. Brant Bosserman is an admirer of Cornelius Van Til's Trinitarian theology—so much so that he seeks to develop it further. In his book The Trinity and the Vindication of Christian Paradox, Dr. Bosserman details Van Til's view but goes further by argu |
Thu, 9 June 2016
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, we reflect upon the life and ministry of the denomination's oldest minister, 103 year-old Rev. John P. Galbraith. Galbraith was a student of J. Gresham Machen's at Westminster Th |
Thu, 2 June 2016
We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 126–129 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the function of the law. Why was the law given? How does it function in the life of Israel, the redeemed typological son? God gr |
Thu, 26 May 2016
Vern Poythress and Iain Duguid speak about the hermeneutical tradition of Westminster Theological Seminary and their book, Seeing Christ in All of Scripture. |
Thu, 19 May 2016
Vern Poythress speaks about his new handbook of biblical interpretation, Reading the Word in the Presence of God. |
Thu, 12 May 2016
Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey speak about creation and covenant from 30,000+ feet (literally) on their way to our Austin Theology Conference at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas, April 30, 2016. |
Mon, 2 May 2016
Lane Tipton, Glen Clary, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey speak about nature-grace dualism and the means of grace. This was a live panel discussion held during our Austin Theology Conference at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas, April 30, 2016. |
Wed, 27 April 2016
Brandon Crowe joins us to speak The Essential Trinity: New Testament Foundations and Practical Relevance, a new book he has co-edited with Carl Trueman. |
Wed, 20 April 2016
Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey preview the upcoming Reformed Forum Conference in Austin, Texas by speaking about nature and grace. |