In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey and Carlton Wynne are joined by Rev. Stephen Spinnenweber, author of Loving the Law: The Law of God in the Life of the Believer, to explore the enduring significance of God’s moral law in the Christian life. They discuss the book’s development, its theological foundations, and its practical applications for pastors, congregants, and Christian parents.

The conversation clarifies the Reformed understanding of the threefold use of the law and addresses common misconceptions surrounding legalism and antinomianism. Stephen offers a pastoral and theologically rich vision for delighting in the law as a gracious guide for believers—one rooted in God’s character and purpose for humanity. The trio also touches on civil use of the law, the Sabbath, and the broader cultural and political implications of God’s moral order.

This episode is a refreshing call to recover a joyful obedience to God’s commandments—not as a means of earning salvation, but as the grateful response of those saved by grace and empowered by the Spirit.

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Chapters

• 00:00:07 Introduction
• 00:10:32 Coming to this Project
• 00:18:40 The Choice of the Subtitle
• 00:20:39 The Law/Gospel Distinction
• 00:33:11 The Ceremonial, Civil, and Moral Law
• 00:39:29 God’s Law and the State
• 00:47:08 The Fourth Commandment and the State
• 00:51:44 The Spirit’s Working in Providing The Will and Ability to Obey
• 01:07:31 Conclusion

What does 'mystery' have to do with Paul's ministry? Does it mean that Paul's ministry is somehow mysterious? Does it mean that Paul's ministry is difficult to understand? Not at all! Rather, Paul had the privilege of proclaiming the glorious 'mystery of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But what does that mean? Join us for this episode of Proclaiming Christ as we consider Paul's ministry, the mystery of the gospel, the unsearchable riches of Christ, and what this means for the church today.

This is the seventh lesson in Dr. Lane G. Tipton's Reformed Academy course, Calvinistic Trinitarianism: A Reformed Federalist Alternative to Thomistic Sacerdotalism. Register for this free on-demand course on our website to download supplemental materials, track your progress, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-three additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/cal... Your donations enable us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you all across the world: https://reformedforum.org/donate/

In this rich theological conversation, Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. Harrison Perkins—pastor, scholar, and author—to discuss his two latest books: Righteous by Design: Covenantal Merit and Adam’s Original Integrity (Christian Focus) and Created for Communion with God: The Promise of Genesis 1–2 (Lexham Press). Together, they explore foundational Reformed doctrines related to covenant theology, the image of God, and the eschatological purpose embedded in creation itself.

Dr. Perkins offers historical and systematic clarity on the oft-debated notion of merit in the covenant of works, contrasting Reformed and Roman Catholic anthropologies. He also unpacks the pastoral dimensions of humanity’s creation for communion with God, showing how Genesis 1–2 serves not merely as a record of origins, but as a divine love letter calling God’s people into eternal fellowship.

Whether you’re a pastor, scholar, or thoughtful layperson, this episode provides deep insight into how theology—rooted in Scripture and the Reformed tradition—shapes our understanding of God, humanity, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Chapters

• 00:00:07 Introduction
• 00:09:06 The Origin of Each Book
• 00:18:03 Genesis 1–2 Draws Us into Communion with God
• 00:20:58 The Theme of Beauty
• 00:24:39 Original Righteousness
• 00:32:34 Natural Man’s Ability
• 00:47:00 Concupiscence
• 00:56:01 Concepts of Merit
• 01:07:18 Communion with Other Image Bearers
• 01:15:22 Conclusion

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We see the great challenge Nebuchadnezzar places upon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and Chaldeans of the land by insisting that they reveal his dream to him before the interpretation. What are Daniel and his friends to do? Trust the Lord; he will provide.

This is the sixth lesson in Dr. Lane G. Tipton's Reformed Academy course, Calvinistic Trinitarianism: A Reformed Federalist Alternative to Thomistic Sacerdotalism. Register for this free on-demand course on our website to download supplemental materials, track your progress, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-three additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/cal... Your donations enable us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you all across the world: https://reformedforum.org/donate/

Join us for this special introductory livestream where Dr. Camden Bucey offers an accessible first look at Eastern Orthodoxy from a Reformed theological perspective. This session represents only the beginning of our exploration into this tradition. Drawing from leading introductory texts—including works by Andrew Louth, Timothy Ware, Anthony Coniaris, and Frederica Mathewes-Green—Camden will guide us through the fundamental themes and distinctives of Eastern Orthodox theology and practice.

In this initial presentation, we’ll examine key doctrines such as Scripture, the Church, the Trinity, and theosis, while also considering the underlying assumptions that shape Orthodox spirituality. What distinguishes Orthodoxy from Protestantism—not just in its answers, but in the questions it asks?

This introductory session is designed for:

• Reformed Christians seeking to understand the profound theological differences between Orthodox and Reformed interpretations of Scripture
• Those wanting to recognize how Eastern Orthodoxy’s foundational assumptions and hermeneutical approaches diverge significantly from Reformed convictions
• Viewers interested in discerning the substantial distinctions in how these traditions approach authority, salvation, and worship
• Those who desire to strengthen their grasp of Reformed theology by understanding a tradition that takes significantly different paths on core doctrines

Our aim is to begin understanding a historic Christian tradition on its own terms, while also evaluating its claims in light of the confessional Reformed faith. Initial topics we’ll introduce:

• The foundations of Eastern Orthodoxy
• Orthodox understandings of Scripture and tradition
• The Trinity: mystery, apophaticism, and communion
• Theosis and sanctification
• Authority and conciliarity vs. sola Scriptura
• Orthodox perspectives on Protestantism and Roman Catholicism
• Reformed responses to Orthodox claims

This livestream serves as an entry point for further exploration. Future sessions will explore these complex theological matters in greater detail. Join us for this engaging first exploration—and come ready to think theologically.

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In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. J. Brandon Burks, pastor of Christ Reformed Church (URCNA) in Florence, Kentucky, to discuss his recent article published in The Confessional Presbyterian Journal (Vol. 20, 2024): The Puritans and the Salem Witch Trials: Living According to God’s Revealed Will.

Together, they explore the theological context of the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692, uncovering how speculative theology and reliance on so-called “spectral evidence” reflected a deeper deviation from Scripture’s clarity and sufficiency. Dr. Burks outlines the influence of figures such as William Perkins, Cotton Mather, and Richard Baxter, while also shedding light on how the distinction between God’s secret and revealed will was tragically misunderstood.

The conversation goes beyond history, offering timely insights into contemporary fascination with mysticism, the spiritual dangers of neglecting the ordinary means of grace, and the need for biblically grounded theology in facing spiritual warfare today. They conclude by considering the value of a redemptive-historical and confessional framework in pastoral ministry and theological education.

Links

• Debunking the “Moldy Bread Theory”
• The Haunted Cosmos podcast

Chapters

• 00:07 Introduction
• 02:11 Academic Background and Church Planting in Kentucky
• 07:36 Van Til’s Theology of Christian Education
• 09:39 The Puritans and the Salem Witch Trials
• 15:04 Speculative Theology
• 18:03 Williams Perkins’ Theology as a Basis
• 24:00 Covenants with the Devil
• 26:14 Devil’s Marks and Their Significance
• 29:52 Exploring the Explosion of Accusations in 1692
• 33:39 Debunking the Moldy Bread Theory
• 35:29 The Influence of Samuel Parris
• 39:21 The Dangers of Speculative Theology
• 44:26 Balancing Awareness of the Spiritual Realm
• 50:33 Misunderstandings of the Salem Witch Trials
• 53:35 Further Reading and Resources on the Trials
• 58:07 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, J. Brandon Burks

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We see God's faithfulness to his people in the midst of living in a foreign land under a foreign power as an exiled people.

This is the fifth lesson in Dr. Lane G. Tipton's Reformed Academy course, Calvinistic Trinitarianism: A Reformed Federalist Alternative to Thomistic Sacerdotalism. Register for this free on-demand course on our website to download supplemental materials, track your progress, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-three additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/cal... Your donations enable us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you all across the world: https://reformedforum.org/donate/

In this conversation, Camden Bucey discusses various topics related to Reformed theology, including updates on the upcoming Reformed Forum Theology Conference, an overview of his new apologetics course, and a look into Ulrich Zwingli’s theology, particularly regarding the Lord’s Supper. He emphasizes the importance of understanding historical theology and the need for faithful Reformed witness in contemporary contexts.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Conference Updates
12:05 Apologetics Course Overview
24:06 Exploring Zwingli’s Theology
30:00 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

Books

• Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Edited by John T. McNeill. Translated by Ford Lewis Battles. 2 vols. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1960.
• Calvin, John. Short Treatise on the Holy Supper of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Translated by Henry Beveridge. Originally published 1541. Available in various reprint editions.
• Gerrish, B. A. Grace and Gratitude: The Eucharistic Theology of John Calvin. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993.
• Hodge, Charles. Systematic Theology. Vol. 3. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.
• Old, Hughes Oliphant. The Patristic Roots of Reformed Worship. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1975.
• Packer, J. I. “Calvin the Theologian.” In Honouring the People of God: Collected Shorter Writings, vol. 4, 77–92. Carlisle, PA: P&R Publishing, 2013.
• Potter, G. R. Zwingli. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976.
• Stephens, W. P. The Theology of Huldrych Zwingli. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1986.
• Zwingli, Ulrich. On the Lord’s Supper (1526). In Zwingli and Bullinger, edited and translated by G. W. Bromiley, 176ff. Library of Christian Classics. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1953.

In this episode of Christ the Center, we’re joined by Kurt Vetterli, pastor of an ERKWB congregation in Basel, and Florian Weicken, pastor of an EPCEW congregation in Zürich, for a rich conversation on the legacy and ongoing work of the Swiss Reformation.

We begin with a guided historical survey of the Reformation in Zürich and Basel, highlighting key figures such as Huldrych Zwingli, Johannes Oecolampadius, and Heinrich Bullinger. From the Affair of the Sausages to the formation of the Second Helvetic Confession, we explore how these cities shaped the theology, worship, and church life of the broader Reformed tradition.

Turning to the present, Kurt and Florian share about their ministries in Switzerland today—what gospel ministry looks like in a post-Christian context, the challenges and encouragements they experience, and how the Reformation heritage still speaks into their work.

We conclude with a call to pray for the Reformed churches in Switzerland and to consider how listeners might support or participate in this important kingdom work.

In Ruth 1, God brings back a wandering sheep in Naomi, showing us his grace and power. But Naomi still thinks God has dealt bitterly with her and defines herself as “Mara.” Join us as we discuss important preaching points in Ruth 1:6-22 and see how God turns sweet what sin has made bitter.

This is the fourth lesson in Dr. Lane G. Tipton's Reformed Academy course, Calvinistic Trinitarianism: A Reformed Federalist Alternative to Thomistic Sacerdotalism. Register for this free on-demand course on our website to download supplemental materials, track your progress, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-three additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/cal... Your donations enable us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you all across the world: https://reformedforum.org/donate/ #johncalvin #trinity #reformedtheology

In this conversation, Camden Bucey welcomes Matt Adams, Derrick Brite, and Stephen Spinnenweber. They reflect on their experiences at the Twin Lakes Fellowship and discuss the often-neglected Larger Catechism, its practical applications, and the value of humor in theological discussions. 

Registration for the Reformed Forum Conference is now open. We mention the event, highlighting its expansion to accommodate more attendees. 

The panelists discuss the Larger for Life podcast, focusing on its mission to make the Larger Catechism accessible and engaging for listeners. The conversation concludes with insights on future directions for both the podcast and the conference. In this engaging conversation, the participants explore various themes including the future of their band, the importance of catechism, personal projects like book writing and PhD studies, the significance of prison ministry, upcoming conferences, and the role of appearance in ministry. They share insights on how to dress appropriately for ministry and the impact of personal presentation on one's effectiveness in preaching and teaching.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 03:03 Reflections on Twin Lakes Fellowship
• 05:58 Experiences and Insights from Twin Lakes
• 08:52 The Importance of Fellowship and Connection
• 12:05 Reformed Forum Conference Announcement
• 15:06 Exploring the Larger For Life Podcast
• 17:57 The Larger Catechism: A Deep Dive
• 21:07 Practical Applications of the Larger Catechism
• 23:56 Commentaries and Resources for the Larger Catechism
• 27:01 Humor and Theology in Conversations
• 29:59 Future Directions for the Podcast
• 37:16 The Future of the Band
• 39:24 The Importance of Catechism
• 40:49 Book Writing and Personal Projects
• 41:32 PhD Studies and Theological Contributions
• 43:49 Prison Ministry and Education
• 49:41 Upcoming Conferences and Events
• 51:14 Dressing for Ministry
• 01:01:23 The Role of Appearance in Ministry

In this installment of our Vos Group series, Camden Bucey welcomes Lane Tipton back to the studio for an in-depth discussion on Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology (pp. 372–374), focusing on the Kingdom of God. Together, they explore how the concept of the kingdom is foundational to Jesus’ public ministry and central to redemptive history.

Drawing from Vos’s text and the broader Reformed tradition, Lane and Camden unpack the eschatological character of the kingdom, its redemptive nature, and its Old Testament foundations. They trace how this theme unfolds from the prophets to the teachings of Christ, addressing modern misconceptions—ranging from liberal moralism to dispensational literalism—and emphasizing the kingdom’s spiritual and heavenly dimensions.

Listeners will gain fresh insight into key theological categories such as inaugurated eschatology, the continuity of redemptive history, and the contrast between earthly and heavenly expectations of the Messiah. Whether you’re new to Vos or a long-time student of Reformed theology, this episode offers deep encouragement and clarity on a subject that lies at the very heart of Scripture.

Chapters

• 00:07 Introduction
• 04:35 The Kingdom of God in the Ministry of Jesus
• 07:12 The Eschatological and Redemptive Nature of the Kingdom
• 19:08 Kingdom Language in John vs. Synoptics
• 28:01 Salvation, Discipleship, and the Call to Radical Obedience
• 34:19 Kingdom in the Old Testament: Present and Future Dimensions
• 40:59 Future Kingdom in the OT: Abstract, Historical, Messianic
• 45:57 Jewish Expectations vs. Jesus’ Teaching on the Kingdom
• 52:13 Christ’s Kingdom: Heavenly, Spiritual, and Redemptive
• 57:08 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton