Reformed Forum

As we head into our tenth year of Christ the Center, we look back at some of our favorite guests and moments from 2016.

Direct download: ctc470.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 9:11pm CDT

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.

Direct download: ctc469.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 6:53pm CDT

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.

Direct download: ctc468.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 6:51pm CDT

Jared Oliphint and Camden Bucey speak about a newly published set of the Bible designed to enhance readability.

Direct download: rmr107.mp3
Category:Reformed Media Review -- posted at: 11:33am CDT

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.

Direct download: ctc467.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:27am CDT

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.

Direct download: ctc466.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 1:04pm CDT

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

Direct download: ctc465.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

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.

Direct download: ctc464.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

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.

Direct download: ctc463.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

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.

Direct download: ctc462.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 2:16pm CDT

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.

Direct download: ctc461.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

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.

Direct download: ctc460.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 12:12pm CDT

East of Eden considers Jonathan Edwards's sermon, "Blessed Struggle," which was delivered in 1735.

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Category:East of Eden -- posted at: 8:15pm CDT

East of Eden considers Jonathan Edwards's sermon "The Sorrows of the Bereaved Spread before Jesus," which was delivered in 1741.

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Category:East of Eden -- posted at: 8:14pm CDT

Camden Bucey speaks at the 2016 Reformed Forum Theology Conference held at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois on October 8, 2016.

Direct download: rf16_06_bucey.mp3
Category:Special Edition -- posted at: 7:01pm CDT

Lane Tipton speaks at the 2016 Reformed Forum Theology Conference held at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois on October 8, 2016.

Direct download: rf16_05_tipton.mp3
Category:Special Edition -- posted at: 6:59pm CDT

Jeff Waddington speaks at the 2016 Reformed Forum Theology Conference held at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois on October 8, 2016.

Direct download: rf16_04_waddington.mp3
Category:Special Edition -- posted at: 6:58pm CDT

Glen Clary speaks at the 2016 Reformed Forum Theology Conference held at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois on October 8, 2016.

Direct download: rf16_03_clary.mp3
Category:Special Edition -- posted at: 6:57pm CDT

Jim Cassidy speaks at the 2016 Reformed Forum Theology Conference held at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois on October 8, 2016.

Direct download: rf16_02_cassidy.mp3
Category:Special Edition -- posted at: 6:56pm CDT

Lane Tipton delivers his first address at the 2016 Reformed Forum Theology Conference held at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois on October 8, 2016.

Direct download: rf16_01_tipton.mp3
Category:Special Edition -- posted at: 6:52pm CDT

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.

Direct download: ctc459.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 12:05pm CDT

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 Day

1. 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 Catechism

Q. 107. Which is the second commandment?
A. The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Q. 108. What are the duties required in the second commandment?
A. The duties required in the second commandment are, the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath instituted in his word; particularly prayer and thanksgiving in the name of Christ; the reading, preaching, and hearing of the word; the administration and receiving of the sacraments; church government and discipline; the ministry and maintenance thereof; religious fasting; swearing by the name of God, and vowing unto him: as also the disapproving, detesting, opposing, all false worship; and, according to each one's place and calling, removing it, and all monuments of idolatry.

Q. 109. What sins are forbidden in the second commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the second commandment are, all devising, counseling, commanding, using, and any wise approving, any religious worship not instituted by God himself; the making any representation of God, of all or of any of the three persons, either inwardly in our mind, or outwardly in any kind of image or likeness of any creature whatsoever; all worshiping of it, or God in it or by it; the making of any representation of feigned deities, and all worship of them, or service belonging to them; all superstitious devices, corrupting the worship of God, adding to it, or taking from it, whether invented and taken up of ourselves, or received by tradition from others, though under the title of antiquity, custom, devotion, good intent, or any other pretense whatsoever; simony; sacrilege; all neglect, contempt, hindering, and opposing the worship and ordinances which God hath appointed.

Q. 110. What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment, the more to enforce it?
A. The reasons annexed to the second commandment, the more to enforce it, contained in these words, For I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments; are, besides God's sovereignty over us, and propriety in us, his fervent zeal for his own worship, and his revengeful indignation against all false worship, as being a spiritual whoredom; accounting the breakers of this commandment such as hate him, and threatening to punish them unto divers generations; and esteeming the observers of it such as love him and keep his commandments, and promising mercy to them unto many generations.

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Q. 49. Which is the second commandment?
A. The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Q. 50. What is required in the second commandment?
A. The second commandment requireth the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in his word.

Q. 51. What is forbidden in the second commandment?
A. The second commandment forbiddeth the worshiping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in his word.

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.

Direct download: ctc458.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:21pm CDT

Dan Ragusa speaks about the United Reformed Churches in America, biblical theology, and the book of Joshua.

Direct download: ctc457.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:33am CDT

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

Direct download: ctc456.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:23am CDT

We speak about two biblical theological titles from Intervarsity Press including John Goldingay's Biblical Theology and Unceasing Kindness, a biblical theology of Ruth by Peter Lau and Gregory Goswell.

Direct download: rmr106.mp3
Category:Reformed Media Review -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

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.

Direct download: ctc455.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 8:00pm CDT

We introduce two new books from InterVarsity Press: Created and Creating by William Edgar and Contours of the Kuyperian Tradition by Craig Barthlomew.

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Category:Reformed Media Review -- posted at: 7:58pm CDT

In this episode we discuss the gathering in Genesis 11 to build a city and tower for the name of man. This chapter provides many themes that will be explored throughout the rest of Scripture as the historical enmity develops between the city of man and th

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Category:Proclaiming Christ -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

In this episode we discuss God's promise to Abram—particularly his pledge to grant him a seed, a land, and to give Abram his own divine presence.

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Category:Proclaiming Christ -- posted at: 7:13am CDT

In this episode we discuss how God called Abram to leave behind his homeland and set out to a land that God would show him. We also consider how such a pilgrim motif informs the life of the Christian.

Direct download: pc034.mp3
Category:Proclaiming Christ -- posted at: 7:08am CDT

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.

Direct download: ctc454.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 8:11am CDT

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.

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Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 1:20pm CDT

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 DebateIn 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.

Direct download: ctc452.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

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:

The 81st General Assembly, in response to an overture from the Presbytery of the Northwest, elected a study committee "to examine and give advice as to whether and in what particular senses the concept of the Mosaic Covenant as a republication of the Adamic Covenant is consistent with the doctrinal system taught in the confessional standards of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church." The men who were elected to this committee are Messrs. Bryan D. Estelle, Benjamin W. Swinburnson (Secretary), Lane G. Tipton, A. Craig Troxel (Chairman), and Chad V. Van Dixhoorn.

For an overview of the General Assembly, read D. G. Hart's report, "2016 General Assembly: Nothing Out of the Ordinary."

Direct download: ctc451.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

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

  • Welcome to a Reformed Church
  • Why Believe in God
  • Jesus Loves the Little Children

Books on the Sabbath

Non-Sabbatarian Position:

  • Sunday by Willy Rordorf (Philadelphia, PA: The Westminster Press, 1968). This is a fantastic resource on the patristic doctrine and observance of the Lord's Day.
  • From Sabbath to Lord's Day: A Biblical, Historical and Theological Investigation, ed. D. A. Carson (Wipf & Stock Pub, 2000). Richard Bauckham's articles in this volume are excellent.

Sabbatarian Position:

  • The Confessional Presbyterian Journal, Issue 12 (2016)
  • Calvin and the Sabbath by Richard Gaffin (Mentor, 1998). Gaffin's positive defense of the Sabbath is superb.
  • The True Doctrine of the Sabbath by Nicholas Bownde (Reformation Heritage, 2015).
Direct download: ctc450.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 2:43pm CDT

In this episode we discuss the canonical, biblical theological, and historical significance of the genealogy of Genesis 10. We also discuss the challenges and problems of how to preach genealogical passages.

Direct download: pc032.mp3
Category:Proclaiming Christ -- posted at: 2:08pm CDT

In this episode we discuss: Noah and Adam, the sin of Noah, and the redemptive-historical significance of the oracles which Noah pronounces regarding his three sons.

Direct download: pc031.mp3
Category:Proclaiming Christ -- posted at: 2:05pm CDT

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

Direct download: ctc449.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:20am CDT

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.

Direct download: ctc448.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 3:47pm CDT

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

Direct download: ctc447.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 2:24pm CDT

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

Direct download: ctc446.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

Sections

1. Absurd fictions of opponents first refuted, and then certain passages of Scripture explained. Answer by a negative. Confirmation of the answer.

2. Another absurdity of Aristotle and Pelagius. Answer by a distinction. Answer fortified by passages from Augustine, and supported by the authority of an Apostle.

3. Third absurdity borrowed from the words of Chrysostom. Answer by a negative.

4. Fourth absurdity urged of old by the Pelagians. Answer from the works of Augustine. Illustrated by the testimony of our Saviour. Another answer, which explains the use of exhortations.

5. A third answer, which contains a fuller explanation of the second. Objection to the previous answers. Objection refuted. Summary of the previous answers.

 

Direct download: rc044.mp3
Category:Reformed Classics -- posted at: 10:24am CDT

Sections

1. Connection of this chapter with the preceding. Augustine’s similitude of a good and bad rider. Question answered in respect to the devil.

2. Question answered in respect to God and man. Example from the history of Job. The works of God distinguished from the works of Satan and wicked men. 1. By the design or end of acting. How Satan acts in the reprobate. 2. How God acts in them.

3. Old Objection, that the agency of God in such cases is referable to prescience or permission, not actual operation. Answer, showing that God blinds and hardens the reprobate, and this in two ways; 1. By deserting them; 2. By delivering them over to Satan.

4. Striking passages of Scripture, proving that God acts in both ways, and disposing of the objection with regard to prescience. Confirmation from Augustine.

5. A modification of the former answer, proving that God employs Satan to instigate the reprobate, but, at the same time, is free from all taint.

6. How God works in the hearts of men in indifferent matters. Our will in such matters not so free as to be exempt from the overruling providence of God. This confirmed by various examples.

7. Objection, that these examples do not form the rule. An answer, fortified by the testimony of universal experience, by Scripture, and a passage of Augustine.

8. Some, in arguing against the error of free will, draw an argument from the event. How this is to be understood.

Direct download: rc043.mp3
Category:Reformed Classics -- posted at: 10:19am CDT

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

Direct download: ctc444.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

James Baird speaks with Corey Brock and Nathaniel Gray Sutanto about Friedrich Schleiermacher's philosophical influences and their effect upon his theology.

Direct download: pft025.mp3
Category:Philosophy for Theologians -- posted at: 6:40pm CDT

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:

 

Direct download: ctc445.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 12:09pm CDT

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

Direct download: ctc443.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

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

Direct download: ctc442.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

Ministry in the body of Christ is trying. We face many challenges as we battle the enemy and the flesh. While some shrink before the battle, others dive in irresponsibly and flameout quickly. Camden Bucey reviews Zeal without Burnout: Seven Keys to a Life

Direct download: rmr104.mp3
Category:Reformed Media Review -- posted at: 12:04pm CDT

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

Direct download: ctc441.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 7:55pm CDT

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

Direct download: ctc440.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

A. G. Sertillanges' The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods is a brilliant work on the life of the mind. Balancing definition, practical tips, and warnings against pitfalls, Sertillanges sets a course for the Christian scholar. This book is

Direct download: rmr103.mp3
Category:Reformed Media Review -- posted at: 2:16pm CDT

Vern Poythress and Iain Duguid speak about the hermeneutical tradition of Westminster Theological Seminary and their book, Seeing Christ in All of Scripture.

Direct download: ctc439.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

Vern Poythress speaks about his new handbook of biblical interpretation, Reading the Word in the Presence of God.

Direct download: ctc438.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

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.

Direct download: ctc437.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

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.

Direct download: ctc436.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 10:58am CDT

Dr. James J. Cassidy delivers the first plenary address from our Austin Theology Conference at Pflugerville, Texas on April 30, 2016.

Direct download: rf_austin_4_cassidy.mp3
Category:Special Edition -- posted at: 10:56am CDT

Dr. Camden M. Bucey delivers the second plenary address from our Austin Theology Conference at Pflugerville, Texas on April 30, 2016.

Direct download: rf_austin_3_bucey.mp3
Category:Special Edition -- posted at: 10:54am CDT

Dr. Lane G. Tipton delivers the first plenary address from our Austin Theology Conference at Pflugerville, Texas on April 30, 2016.

Direct download: rf_austin_1_tipton.mp3
Category:Special Edition -- posted at: 10:48am CDT

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.

Direct download: ctc435.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 4:42pm CDT

Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey preview the upcoming Reformed Forum Conference in Austin, Texas by speaking about nature and grace.

Direct download: ctc434.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 2:50pm CDT

Attending a Reformed church for the first time can be a daunting task. Joining one may seem even more challenging. Ken Golden has written an excellent book to help, and he joins us today to speak about it. Presbytopia: What it Means to be Presbyterian (Christian Focus) is an accessible yet uncompromising introduction to Christian essentials, Reformed distinctives, and the means of grace. Ken Golden is pastor of Sovereign Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Davenport, Iowa.

Direct download: ctc433.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 5:17pm CDT

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 124–126 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider Israel as a theocracy.

Direct download: ctc432.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 7:00am CDT

Will Wood takes us to Ephesians 6:10–17 to expand upon the eschatology of the image of God and the biblical theme of being clothed in God's image-glory.

Direct download: ctc431.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

Everett Henes joins Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey to discuss the local church's ministry of outreach.

Direct download: ctc430.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 5:02pm CDT

French intellectual Jacques Derrida (1930–2004) was one of the most important contributors to the post-modern philosophical movement. He was also one of the most notoriously difficult philosophers to understand. In this third episode of a three-part series, Dr. Christopher Watkin helps us understand Derrida’s theology. Dr. Watkin is senior lecturer in French Studies at Monash University, Australia. Dr. Watkin received his MPhil and PhD from Cambridge. He has written multiple books on philosophy, including the Derrida installment of the Great Thinkers series, forthcoming with P&R Publishing.

Direct download: pft024.mp3
Category:Philosophy for Theologians -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

K. Scott Oliphint explains the role of evidences in a Reformed apologetic by turning to Cornelius Van Til's book Christian-Theistic Evidences.

Direct download: ctc429.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

Jim Cassidy provides notices of several significant recent books.

Direct download: rmr102.mp3
Category:Reformed Media Review -- posted at: 5:34pm CDT

French intellectual Jacques Derrida (1930–2004) was one of the most important contributors to the post-modern philosophical movement. He was also one of the most notoriously difficult philosophers to understand. In this second episode of a three-part series, Dr. Christopher Watkin helps us understand Derrida’s moral philosophy. Dr. Watkin is senior lecturer in French Studies at Monash University, Australia. Dr. Watkin received his MPhil and PhD from Cambridge. He has written multiple books on philosophy, including the Derrida installment of the Great Thinkers series, forthcoming with P&R Publishing.

Direct download: pft023.mp3
Category:Philosophy for Theologians -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 121–124 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the covenant God establishes with Israel.

Direct download: ctc427.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 10:56am CDT

French intellectual Jacques Derrida (1930–2004) was one of the most important contributors to the post-modern philosophical movement. He was also one of the most notoriously difficult philosophers to understand. In this first episode of a three-part series, Dr. Christopher Watkin helps us understand Derrida’s metaphysic (theory of reality). Dr. Watkin is senior lecturer in French Studies at Monash University, Australia. Dr. Watkin received his MPhil and PhD from Cambridge. He has written multiple books on philosophy, including the Derrida installment of the Great Thinkers series, forthcoming with P&R Publishing.

Direct download: pft022.mp3
Category:Philosophy for Theologians -- posted at: 4:17pm CDT

Vern Poythress speaks about the significance of Jesus's miracles and their role within God's unified plan of redemption.

Direct download: ctc428.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 7:00pm CDT

East of Eden considers the Theology and experiential application of Jonathan Edwards's sermon "Self-Examination and the Lord's Supper" from 1 Corinthians 11:28–29 and delivered first March 21, 1731.

Direct download: eoe025.mp3
Category:East of Eden -- posted at: 2:25pm CDT

Jared Oliphint speaks about Crossway's new ESV Journaling Bible, Interleaved Edition, which includes entire blank pages in between the pages of Scripture. This is a perfect edition for writing notes, reflections, and prayers in conjunction with your Bible reading.

Direct download: rmr101.mp3
Category:Reformed Media Review -- posted at: 12:18pm CDT

Don Whitney speaks about his book Family Worship, published by Crossway. This is a great conversation about an important spiritual discipline.

Direct download: ctc426.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 12:16pm CDT

Camden Bucey and Erica Bucey discuss The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New, an illustrated systematic theology for children. Written by experienced children's author Marty Machowski, The Ology is an excellent resource for families. The book is targeted toward 6–12 year olds and includes scripture memory passages and study questions. The examples and analogies, along with thoughtful illustrations, make complex theological concepts accessible to even very young children. This book will help children understand more about God and how they relate to God, while always pointing them to scripture.

Direct download: rmr100.mp3
Category:Reformed Media Review -- posted at: 9:26pm CDT

David VanDrunen speaks about his book God's Glory Alone: The Majestic Heart of Christian Faith and Life.

Direct download: ctc425.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 2:01pm CDT

Today we open the email inbox and address a variety of your questions. We touch on Van Til and Vos on culture, neo-Calvinism, theological anthropology, and whether Christians and Muslims worship the same God.

Direct download: ctc424.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 4:36pm CDT

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 119–121 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the Passover as an expiation for sin and its function in transferring God's people to a new blessed realm.

Direct download: ctc423.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 3:23pm CDT

We discuss the latest issue of the Confessional Presbyterian Journal, which contains contributions from John Murray, Carl Trueman, Mark Jones, Glen Clary, and many others.

Direct download: ctc422.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 12:01pm CDT

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:11, "But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one." These words have elicited several different interpretations. In this episode, Glen Clary leads us in a conversation about church discipline, and specifically, the nature and appropriateness of disassociation from those under this form of discipline.

Direct download: ctc421.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:36am CDT

Vos Group returns to consider pages 114–119 of Biblical Theology and the name of the Lord revealed.

Direct download: ctc420.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 10:17am CDT

Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey discuss reading lists, New Year's resolutions, church planting, and much more in this free form discussion.

Direct download: ctc419.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:52am CDT

Darryl Hart reviews Awakening the Evangelical Mind: An Intellectual History of the Neo-Evangelical Movement by Owen Strachan.

Direct download: rmr099.mp3
Category:Reformed Media Review -- posted at: 6:12pm CDT

We open the New Year with a retrospective of 2015, bringing to you highlights from twelve of our favorite episodes of the year.

Direct download: ctc418.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 6:05pm CDT

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