Reformed Forum

Dr. Crawford Gribben speaks about his book, Survival and Resistance: Christian Reconstruction in the Pacific Northwest (Oxford University Press), which describes the migration of conservative evangelicals to the Northwest of the United States, where they hope to resist the impact of secular modernity and to survive the breakdown of society that they anticipate. Discussing the theological and cultural influences of figures such as R. J. Rushdoony, Douglas Wilson, and John Wesley Rawles, Gribben explains their growing influence and impact upon local political and economic life within the larger context of national and global trends.

Dr. Gribben is professor of the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics at Queens University, Belfast.

Direct download: ctc696.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00pm CST

Jim Cassidy reviews Scott Swain, The Trinity: An Introduction (Crossway)

From the publisher:

The Trinity is one of the most essential doctrines of the Christian faith. The eternal God existing as three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Spirit—can be difficult to comprehend. While Christians often struggle to find the right words to describe this union, the Bible gives clarity concerning the triune God’s being and activity in nature (creation), grace (redemption), and glory (reward). In this concise volume, theologian Scott Swain examines the doctrine of the Trinity, presenting its biblical foundations, systematic-theological structure, and practical relevance for the church today. Scott R. Swain (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) serves as president and James Woodrow Hassell Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. He is the author or editor of several books, including The God of the Gospel and Retrieving Eternal Generation. Scott and his wife, Leigh, reside in Orlando, Florida, with their four children. Swain is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Direct download: rmr134.mp3
Category:Reformed Media Review -- posted at: 11:00pm CST

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue a discussion of John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2. In this episode, we discuss the Christiana and her company traveling to the House of the Interpreter and that is revealed to Chr

Direct download: tsp230.mp3
Category:Theology Simply Profound -- posted at: 5:59pm CST

Rev. Dr. Bruce Pass discusses Herman Bavinck as a sytematic theologian and the role Christology plays within his theological system. Throughout his career, Bavinck identified different central dogma but developed his theology around Christology as a “middle point” to which all other doctrines relate.

Dr. Pass holds a doctorate in systematic theology from the University of Edinburgh. His thesis has been modified and published as a The Heart of Dogmatics: Christology and Christocentrism in Herman Bavinck (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht).

This is Christ the Center episode 695 (https://www.reformedforum.org/ctc695)

Direct download: ctc695.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00pm CST

Jim Cassidy reviews Gerald Bray, The Attributes of God: An Introduction (Crossway)

From the publisher:

Throughout history, the church has recognized the importance of studying and understanding God’s attributes. As the Creator of all things, God is unique and cannot be compared to any of his creatures, so to know him, believers turn to the pages of Scripture. In The Attributes of God, renowned theologian Gerald Bray leads us on an exploration of God’s being, his essential attributes, his relational attributes, and the relevance of his attributes to our thinking, lives, and worship. As we better understand God’s attributes, we will learn to delight in who God is and how he has made himself known to us in Scripture. Gerald Bray (DLitt, University of Paris-Sorbonne) is research professor at Beeson Divinity School and director of research for the Latimer Trust. He is a prolific writer and has authored or edited numerous books, including The Doctrine of God; Biblical Interpretation; God Is Love; and God Has Spoken.

Direct download: rmr133.mp3
Category:Reformed Media Review -- posted at: 11:00pm CST

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue a discussion of John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2. In this episode, we discuss Christiana's handling of her children's eaten the enemies fruit, how she and Mercy were assaulted by the two ruffians, and the need for spiritual guidance in the midst of the Christian pilgrimage, all on the way to The Interpreter's House.

Direct download: tsp229.mp3
Category:Theology Simply Profound -- posted at: 4:51pm CST

The main events of the Diet of Worms relating to Luther took place from 16 to 18 April 1521. This year marks the 500thanniversary of the Diet of Worms, and on this occasion, we welcome Dr. Herman Selderhuis to rehearse the events of the diet and share his thoughts about its enduring significance for the church.

The Diet of Worms of 1521 was a formal deliberative assembly of the Holy Roman Empire called by Emperor Charles V and conducted in the city of Worms. Martin Luther was summoned to the Diet in order to renounce or reaffirm his views in response to a Papal bull of Pope Leo X. Luther defended these views and refused to recant them. At the end of the Diet, the Emperor issued the Edict of Worms, condemning Luther and banning citizensfrom propagating his ideas.

Dr. Herman Selderhuis is Professor of church history and church polity at the Theological University of Apeldoorn and the President of The International Congress on Calvin Research.

Direct download: ctc694.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00pm CST

The following books are on our radar for April 15, 2021.

Direct download: rmr132.mp3
Category:Reformed Media Review -- posted at: 11:00pm CST

We pick up on our conversation from episode 655 with Jeremy Boothy on covenant theology in the book of Hebrews by focusing upon Vos’s Triangle and the heavenly-centered understanding of typology expressed by the author of Hebrews. This leads us to discuss a redemptive-historical hermeneutic as well as the nature of new covenant membership in our present covenant-historical era.

Direct download: ctc693.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00pm CST

The following books are on our radar for April 8, 2021.

Direct download: rmr131.mp3
Category:Reformed Media Review -- posted at: 11:00pm CST

We turn to pages 250–255 of Geerhardus Vos, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider God’s righteousness—particularly as it is revealed during the time of the Old Testament prophets.
 
Vos speaks of God’s righteousness as "midway between the transcendental and communicative attributes" (250). God is the righteous judge. In human terms, a judge is righteous because he adheres strictly to the standard or law over him. How does this apply to God, who has no standard or law above him? "Underlying the decisions of Jehovah lies His nature" (251). The law is righteous because it is based upon God's nature, not the other way around.
 
Vos speaks of God's forensic or judicial righteousness branching out in several directions, as a righteousness of cognizance, retribution, vindication, salvation, and benevolence.
Direct download: ctc692.mp3
Category:Christ the Center -- posted at: 11:00pm CST

These are the books on our radar for April 1, 2021.

  • Kuyper, Abraham. On Business and Economics (Lexham; Acton Institute, February 2021). From the Abraham Kuyper Collected Works in Public Theology series. 192 pages. $29.99. Hardcover with jacket.
  • Selvaggio, Anthony T. Considering Job: Reconciling Sovereignty and Suffering(Reformation Heritage Books, February 2021). 184 pages. $14.00. Paperback.
  • Carr, Simonetta. Questions Women Asked: Historical Issues, Timeless Answers(Reformation Heritage Books, February 2021). 240 pages. $18.00. Paperback.
  • Balserak, John. A Companion to the Reformation in Geneva (Brill’s Companions to the Christian Tradition, Volume 96) (Brill, February 2021). 478 pages. $222.00. Hardcover.
  • Sweeney, Douglas A. and Jan Stievermann (eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Jonathan Edwards (Oxford University Press, February 2021). 608 pages. $145.00. Hardcover.
  • Dodson, Rhett P. With a Mighty Triumph: Christ’s Resurrection and Ours (Banner of Truth, February 2021). 159 pages. $10.00. Paperback.
  • Wellum, Stephen J. The Person of Christ (Crossway, Feb 2021). Short Studies in Systematic Theology series. 208 pages. $18.99. Paperback.
Direct download: rmr130.mp3
Category:Reformed Media Review -- posted at: 12:24pm CST

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