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Older episodes
- 433Vos Group #6: The Content of Pre-Redemptive Special Revelation, Part 2Dr. Lane Tipton returns to Christ the Center for the sixth episode of Vos Group, concerning the second half of chapter three of Geerhardus Vos’ Biblical Theology (pp. 33-40). Vos established in the previous chapter the presence of special revelation in the garden of Eden, in the probationary covenant of works. In this chapter, he highlights four principles made known in the covenant, the first two of which are “the principle of life” and “the principle of probation,” discussed last episode. This episode, Drs. Tipton and Bucey discuss “the principle of temptation and sin symbolized in the serpent,” and “the principle of death symbolized by the dissolution of the body.” Roughly each month, Lane and Camden will work through the pages of Vos’ Biblical Theology. While Vos’ book is foundational, it’s tough for the “uninitiated” to access. This will be a great opportunity for study groups to listen to our discussions and work things out together. We hope everyone who participates will learn more about Reformed biblical theology. Pick up a copy of Biblical Theology and get on the BT wagon! Lane G. Tipton is Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. He has appeared numerous times on our programs. Please visit our archives to listen to Dr. Tipton speak about a range of theological topics. All the episodes in this series will be available at http://reformedforum.org/vos/ If you’d like to subscribe only to these episodes (rather than all episodes of Christ the Center), just use the following feed: http://reformedforum.org/category/series/vos-group/feed Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton
- 434Confessional Subscription and the Animus ImponentisDr. Alan Strange comes to the program to discuss the animus imponentis. Animus imponentis is a legal term that refers to the meaning of the words of an oath or confession that is intended by the body imposing the oath or confession. The concept clarifies what it means for officers of a modern church to subscribe to a confession composed by men who lived several centuries ago. On today’s episode, Dr. Strange explains the animus imponentis in greater detail and applies it to the issue of the days of creation, the topic of an OPC committee of which Dr. Strange was a part. Dr. Strange is Professor of Church History, Registrar, and Theological Librarian at Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana. He recently completed a Ph.D. from the University of Wales. Conference talks on the animus imponentis: http://www.pncnopc.org/audio/audio-presbytery/2009-animus-imponentis-conference/ “What is the ‘System of Doctrine?'” – Charles Hodge: http://www.pcahistory.org/documents/subscription/hodge.html OPC report on the creation days: http://opc.org/GA/CreationReport.pdf Participants: Adam York, Alan Strange, Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy
- 435Ecumenical and Inter-Church RelationsMark Bube and Kurt Vetterli speak today about ecumenism and inter-church relations. Mark Bube, general secretary of foreign missions in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, plays an important part in the OPC’s ecumenism because the OPC collaborates with other NAPARC denominations in foreign missions, supporting the missionaries of other denominations and receiving support for their own missionaries. Kurt Vetterli is a pastor in Basel, Switzerland, in a reformed church connected to the OPC. Links: NAPARC International Council of Reformed Churches OPC Foreign Missions Evangelisch-reformierte Kirche Westminster Bekenntnisses (Evangelical-Reformed Church, Westminster Confession) Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Kurt Vetterli, Mark Bube
- 436Dutch Immigration and American PresbyterianismBryan Winter discusses the relationship between Dutch immigrants and the American Presbyterian Church, particularly as seen in the ministry of the Dutch secessionist minister, Peter Zonne. Winter is an attorney who practices law in Lake County, Illinois and serves as a Deacon at Hope OPC in Grayslake. Mr. Winter’s yet unpublished paper on Zonne details how Zonne uniquely led his congregation of Dutch Reformed immigrants in Wisconsin to join the American Presbyterian Church. Thus, Zonne transcended his ethnic identity to become the founder of Dutch-American Presbyterianism, in Wisconsin. This episode’s feature photo shows the church in Genderen, the Netherlands, which Zonne pastored from 1842–46. Participants: Bryan Winter, Camden Bucey
- 437Seeing Jesus in the ProphetsNancy Guthrie joins us to talk about seeing the Lord Jesus in the Old Testament prophets. The Word of the Lord: Seeing Jesus in the Prophets is the fifth in her Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament series, and in it she explores everything from the suffering servant of Isaiah and the love of the prophet Hosea for his unfaithful wife, to Daniel’s stone that crushes every human kingdom and Ezekiel’s vision of the heavenly temple. Nancy Guthrie’s website is http://www.nancyguthrie.com/. Nancy has spoken on Christ the Center about the first three books in this series, The Promised One: Seeing Jesus in Genesis, The Wisdom of God: Seeing Jesus in the Psalms and Wisdom Books, and The Son of David: Seeing Jesus in the Historical Books. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Nancy Guthrie
- 438Vos Group #7: The Content of the First Redemptive Special RevelationThe seventh episode of Vos Group, we arrive at chapter 4 of Geerhardus Vos’ Biblical Theology, with Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey. Having completed discussion of pre-redemptive special revelation, Vos moves to consideration of the first redemptive special revelation, which includes three curses, mention of the seed of both the woman and of the serpent, and prophecy of human suffering. Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton
- 439Confessing the FaithDr. Chad B. Van Dixhoorn visits Christ the Center to speak about his forthcoming book, Confessing the Faith: A Reader’s Guide to the Westminster Confession (Banner of Truth Trust, 2014). The book is a thorough help for understanding the Westminster Confession, useful for pastors and for Christians seeking to deepen their knowledge of Reformed doctrine. Today, Dr. Van Dixhoorn discusses questions concerning the Confession’s treatment of the doctrine of Scripture, of Salvation, of the Church, and more. Dr. Van Dixhoorn is a graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary (MDiv, ThM) and the University of Cambridge (PhD). He has taught theology at the University of Nottingham, and has held three fellowships at the University of Cambridge, where he has researched the history and theology of the Westminster assembly and taught on the subject of Puritanism. A former British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow, in 2013 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Van Dixhoorn has lectured at RTS DC since 2008 where he teaches church history and practical theology. Van Dixhoorn has served as associate minister of Cambridge Presbyterian Church and Grace Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA, where he preaches weekly. He and his wife Emily have five children. He is also the editor of The Minutes and Papers of the Westminster Assembly, 1643-1653 and he was featured on Christ the Center episode 134. Participants: Camden Bucey, Chad Van Dixhoorn, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy
- 440Listener Feedback: Redemptive-Historical Hermeneutics, Preaching, and Apologetic ArgumentsCamden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, and Bob Tarullo tackle listeners’ questions this week, concerning redemptive-historical hermeneutics and preaching as well as apologetic arguments. Please send in your own questions which we can address in a later episode! Our last Listener Feedback episode was Christ the Center episode 317. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Robert Tarullo
- 441Vos Group #8: The Development Leading Up to the Noachian Revelation, Part 1This week, Dr. Lane Tipton leads Christ the Center’s “Vos Group” through chapter 5 of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology, “The Noachian Revelation and the Development Leading Up to It.” In the first part of the chapter, pages 45-51, Vos explores the significance of the Canaanites and the Sethites in the biblical story, prior to Noah. Next time, we will discuss the rest of chapter 5, pages 51-55. Check out Banner of Truth’s new cloth-bound hardcover edition of Biblical Theology! (Select “cloth-bound.”) Roughly each month, Lane and Camden will work through the pages of Vos’ Biblical Theology. While Vos’ book is foundational, it’s tough for the “uninitiated” to access. This will be a great opportunity for study groups to listen to our discussions and work things out together. We hope everyone who participates will learn more about Reformed biblical theology. Pick up a copy of Biblical Theology and get on the BT wagon! Lane G. Tipton is Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. He has appeared numerous times on our programs. Please visit our archives to listen to Dr. Tipton speak about a range of theological topics. All the episodes in this series will be available at http://reformedforum.org/vos/ If you’d like to subscribe only to these episodes (rather than all episodes of Christ the Center), just use the following feed: http://reformedforum.org/category/series/vos-group/feed Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton
- 442Union with Christ and the IncarnationDr. Marcus Johnson speaks about One with Christ: An Evangelical Theology of Salvation, his recent book, published by Crossway. While many books have been published recently on the topic of union with Christ, Dr. Johnson’s book stands out for its up-to-date analysis and unique approach. One with Christ charts a via media between federalist and realist approaches to the doctrine of union with Christ, a way which Johnson calls Christological realism. Listen to understand Dr. Johnson’s unique but scriptural treatment of the doctrine of union with Christ. Dr. Johnson is Associate Professor of Theology at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. He received his M.A. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and his Ph.D. from Trinity College, University of Toronto. Camden Bucey reviewed One with Christ on a recent episode of Reformed Media Review. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jim Cassidy, Marcus Johnson
- 443Union with Christ and the Body of ChristOnce again, we are joined by Dr. Marcus Johnson, author of One with Christ: An Evangelical Theology of Salvation. This time Dr. Johnson spells out the implications of the doctrine of union with Christ for the application of salvation and for Christ’s body, the church. For the first part of our interview with Dr. Johnson, click here. Dr. Johnson is Associate Professor of Theology at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. He received his M.A. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and his Ph.D. from Trinity College, University of Toronto. Camden Bucey reviewed One with Christ on a recent episode of Reformed Media Review. Link to Austin theology conference. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jim Cassidy, Marcus Johnson
- 444The Practice of EcclesiologySeveral contributors are on location in Green Lake, Wisconsin as we discuss the practice of ecclesiology. Although ecclesiology is one of the traditional loci of systematic theology, it is often under-studied and even under-appreciated. Even if we do study the subject thoroughly, we can fail to put biblical ecclesiology into practice as we ought. In this episode we discuss the practical importance of ecclesiology. Links OPC Presbytery of the Midwest Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, WI Grace OPC in Hanover Park, IL Apple Valley Presbyterian Church in Neenah, WI Westminster OPC in Indian Head Park, IL Hope OPC in Grayslake, IL Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Matt Cotta, Robert Tarullo, Steve Schmidt
- 445The Origin of the Suffering Servant IdeaThe Christ the Center panel discuss Edward J. Young’s “The Origin of the Suffering Servant Idea.” While Isaiah 53’s well-known figure bears similarities to the myths of “dying and rising gods” in other ancient near east cultures, none of those figures is quite like the suffering servant of that chapter, which is the Lord Jesus Christ. E. J. Young, “The Origin of the Suffering Servant Idea” Westminster Theological Journal 15.1 (Fall 1950). Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy
- 446[Review] Molinism: The Contemporary DebateJared Oliphint reviews Molinism: The Contemporary Debate, edited by Ken Perszyk. Book review mentioned: link Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint
- 447Calvin’s Vision and Legacy for MissionsDrs. Michael Haykin and Jeffrey Robinson Sr. join us to speak about John Calvin and Calvinism’s legacy in missions. Their book To the Ends of the Earth: Calvin’s Missional Vision and Legacy explores John Calvin’s theology concerning missions, the history of his involvement in foreign missions, and the influence of other Calvinistic missionaries of later times. Dr. Haykin is Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as well as the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies. He received his Th.D. in Church History from Wycliffe College and the University of Toronto and has written several books. Dr. Robinson is adjunct Professor of Church History at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, editor for The Gospel Coalition, and a senior fellow at the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies. He received his PhD at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and has contributed to the forthcoming volume from Crossway, One God in Three Persons. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Jeffrey Robinson Sr., Michael A.G. Haykin
- 448Vos Group #9 – The Noachian Revelation, Part 2Dr. Lane Tipton joins us to speak about the rest of chapter 5 (pgs. 51-55) of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology, “The Noachian Revelation and the Development Leading Up to It.” In this portion, Vos explains the significance of the Noahic covenant in its common application to the blessed line of Seth and even to the cursed line of Ham. Roughly each month, Lane and Camden will work through the pages of Vos’ Biblical Theology. While Vos’ book is foundational, it’s tough for the “uninitiated” to access. This will be a great opportunity for study groups to listen to our discussions and work things out together. We hope everyone who participates will learn more about Reformed biblical theology. Pick up a copy of Biblical Theology and get on the BT wagon! Lane G. Tipton is Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. He has appeared numerous times on our programs. Please visit our archives to listen to Dr. Tipton speak about a range of theological topics. All the episodes in this series will be available at http://reformedforum.org/vos/ If you’d like to subscribe only to these episodes (rather than all episodes of Christ the Center), just use the following feed: http://reformedforum.org/category/series/vos-group/feed Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton
- 449How God Became JesusDrs. Michael J. Kruger and Charles E. Hill speak about a book to which Dr. Hill contributed, How God Became Jesus: The Real Origins of Belief in Jesus’ Divine Nature, a response to Bart D. Ehrman’s How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee. The thesis of Dr. Ehrman’s book is that the doctrine of Jesus’ divinity was an early accretion onto the original truth of Jesus identity – neither Jesus nor Jesus’ disciples believed he was divine. How God Became Jesus is the first book-length response to Ehrman’s latest, and includes a contribution by Dr. Chuck Hill. Their thesis is that Jesus and his disciples rightly believed him to be divine, and that the later formulations of this doctrine reflected that early and accurate tradition. Dr. Charles Hill is John R. Richardson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida. His most recent publications include Who Chose the Gospels? Probing the Great Gospel Conspiracy (Oxford University Press, 2010) and The Early Text of the New Testament (Oxford University Press, 2012), edited with Dr. Kruger. He contributed to How God Became Jesus, which also features contributions by Michael Bird, Craig Evans, Simon Gathercole, and Chris Tilling. Dr. Michael Kruger is President and Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC. He received his Ph.D. from New College, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He is the author of 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 Dr. Hill), and The Question of Canon (Intervarsity, 2013). Dr. Kruger has spoken on Christ the Center episodes 217 and 283 and 318. Participants: Camden Bucey, Charles Hill, Jared Oliphint, Michael Kruger
- 450Calvinism TodayChrist the Center regular Dr. Jim Cassidy discusses the present state of Calvinism in evangelical Christianity. Following up on a previous Christ the Center and Reformed Forum blog post, Dr. Cassidy highlights some of his concerns for the contemporary Calvinistic movement. Links John Piper’s lecture from the 2014 WTS Gaffin lecture. Collin Hansen’s book, Young, Restless, Reformed: A Journalist’s Journey with the New Calvinists Jared Oliphint’s synopsis, John Piper’s Twelve Features of the New Calvinism Jim Cassidy, 5 Reasons Why I Am Not a New Calvinist Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy
- 451Vos Group #10 – Between Noah and the Patriarchs, Part 1Dr. Lane Tipton returns for Vos Group #10, to speak about the first two points of chapter six of Vos’ Biblical Theology (pp. 56-59). The first point of chapter six is The prophetic deliverances of Noah [Gen. 9:20-27], and The table of the nations. Roughly each month, Lane and Camden will work through the pages of Vos’ Biblical Theology. While Vos’ book is foundational, it’s tough for the “uninitiated” to access. This will be a great opportunity for study groups to listen to our discussions and work things out together. We hope everyone who participates will learn more about Reformed biblical theology. Pick up a copy of Biblical Theology and get on the BT wagon! Lane G. Tipton is Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. He has appeared numerous times on our programs. Please visit our archives to listen to Dr. Tipton speak about a range of theological topics. All the episodes in this series will be available at http://reformedforum.org/vos/ If you’d like to subscribe only to these episodes (rather than all episodes of Christ the Center), just use the following feed: http://reformedforum.org/category/series/vos-group/feed Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton
- 452The Reformation: Now and ThenCamden Bucey and Jim Cassidy discuss the significance of the Reformation in its own time and its continuing relevance for today. The European Reformations, Carter Lindberg Reformed Forum’s first theology conference begin’s today, and the conference talks will be livestreamed here. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy
- 453Redemptive-Historical Hermeneutics, Divine Authorship, and the Christotelism DebateReformed Forum kicks off their 2014 Theology Conference with a live recording of Christ the Center. In this special episode, Lane G. Tipton speaks about the differences Christotelism and Christocentrism with regard to biblical hermeneutics. A debate has been raging for several years, and the panel seeks to clarify the issues and what is at stake. Links Christ the Center, episode 186: Redemptive Historical Hermeneutics Confident of Better Things: Essays Commemorating Seventy-five Years of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church 2014 Theology Conference audio quick links Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, Lane G. Tipton
- 454Hermeneutics in Light of the Divine Author of ScriptureDr. Vern Poythress joins us to discuss divine and human authorship, in connection with his recent article in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society (JETS), “Dispensing with Merely Human Meaning: Gains and Losses from Focusing on the Human Author, Illustrated by Zephaniah 1:2-3.” The major emphasis in current biblical scholarship is upon the Bible’s human authors compared to the divine author, but Dr. Poythress, in his article, questions this trend. Dr. Poythress is Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA and Editor of the Westminster Theological Journal. Many of his writings are available here. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Vern Poythress
- 455Zwingli, Sola Scriptura, and the Reformation of Christian WorshipThis Reformation Day, Pastor Glen Clary speaks about Ulrich Zwingli, leader in the reform of Christian worship at the time of the Reformation. Pastor Clary highlights “the affair of the sausages” in which Zwingli took a bold stand for the unique authority of Scripture. Sola Scriptura! And happy Reformation Day! Rev. Clary is the Associate Pastor of Providence OPC, Austin (Pflugerville), Texas. Glen holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwestern Christian University, Bethany, Oklahoma, and a Master of Divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Erskine Theological Seminary, studying Reformed worship under Dr. Hughes Oliphant Old at the Institute for Reformed Worship. Participants: Camden Bucey, Glen Clary, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy
- 456Machen’s Lost Work on the Presbyterian ConflictJames W. Scott speaks about the question of whether Machen himself wrote a history of the Presbyterian conflict that led to his defrocking, and accidentally, his death. His articles “Machen’s Lost Work on the Presbyterian Conflict,” Parts 1 and 2, introduce the idea that Edwin Rian’s book, The Presbyterian Conflict, drew on heretofore undiscovered work by Machen himself. Jim Scott is Managing Editor of New Horizons in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and Publications Coordinator for the Committee on Christian Education of the OPC. His first article is available online via Westminster. Edwin Rian’s book can be found online. Participants: Camden Bucey, James W. Scott, Jim Cassidy
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