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Older episodes
- 649Vos Group #31 — The Third and Fourth WordsWe continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 137–143 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the third and fourth commandments. The third commandment prohibits taking the Lord’s name in vain. Often, this is interpreted to mean we must not swear by the Lord’s name or blaspheme it. While these are certainly things we must not do, Vos communicates a much deeper understanding of the commandment that pertains to the pagan practice of word-magic. He also introduces a rich eschatological view of Sabbath rest. Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton
- 650The Book of Revelation – Part 10Martin Luther has famously said that even if he knew that Jesus was going to return tomorrow that he would plant a tree today. What Luther was trying to point out was that our lives are to be lived in the day that we are given and we are supposed to be responsible for what our tasks here are now. But what are our tasks? Jesus tells us in Matthew 28 verses 19-20. As we live our lives we are to think foremost about proclaiming the Gospel and discipline others. Is this how Christians live today? It is so easy to be complacent, avoiding even the most obvious opportunities to witness, we believe that Jesus is returning soon but do we live like that. In Revelation 10 we are told that even today the final trumpet is about to blow and when that happens the end comes. Luther’s point was that we have been given work to do by Christ and we are to continue to do it till the moment of His return. How does John set this up in this passage? Why can we not know what the seven thunders say and why do prophets keep eating books? Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 651ESV Reader's Bible, Six-Volume SetJared Oliphint and Camden Bucey speak about a newly published set of the Bible designed to enhance readability.
- 652Choosing the Good Portion: Women of the Orthodox Presbyterian ChurchPatricia Clawson and Diane Olinger speak about the new book from the OPC’s Committee for the Historian. Choosing the Good Portion: Women of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church captures the stories of ninety-three women who have had a great influence upon the denomination—from Mary “Minnie” Machen to women of the present day. Fifty-five women contributed to this volume to bring rich stories of so many who sacrificed for the sake of Christ and his Church. Participants: Camden Bucey, Diane Olinger, Patricia Clawson
- 653The Book of Revelation – Part 11As I talk with people of different theological leanings about the Book of Revelation there seems to be one point that they all have in common. They know that the Book of Revelation is Biblical and it is written for God’s people but in the end it is just too weird and so it is better to just leave it alone. As we continue in our series on the book of Revelation today we are in chapter 11 and a simple reading of chapter 11 would make most people agree with them. It is our hope in this series to help push aside the symbolic wrappings and see the truth that is revealed. Such as in this chapter, how did John end up at the Temple? Does this prove that the Temple is still there at the time of writing? And, are the two witnesses Moses and Elijah or Moses and Enoch? We will discuss these and other questions today on Theology Simply Profound. Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 654Worship and the Birth of Christ, Part 1In 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 the practical issues involved. We invoke a distinction between celebrating the nativity of Christ and observing Christmas as an annual liturgical event. Christ’s nativity has been celebrated from the moment of his miraculous conception. Consider the examples of Mary, Elizabeth, Shepherds, Angels, Magi, and Simeon. The Church must celebrate the nativity of Christ in some form. Christians may celebrate the nativity as an annual liturgical event, but must not observe it as a God-ordained ordinance. As we explore this issues, we address the following objections: According to sola Scriptura and the Regulative Principle of Worship, if it’s not God-ordained, then we must not do it. If the Church holds an annual service to celebrate Christ’s nativity, then it will inevitably come to be regarded as a God-ordained holy day. Christmas is a Christianized pagan holiday. Links Glen Clary, “The Origins of the Church Calendar“ Participants: Camden Bucey, Glen Clary, Jim Cassidy
- 655The Book of Revelation – Part 12Steven stood surrounded by an angry mob. They were allowing him to speak out of tradition not because they cared about what he had to say. As he recounted the history of the nation of Israel his words condemned them for not being obedient to the Word of God, just as their spiritual forbearers killed the prophets so too did they betray and kill the Messiah. This angered the mob even more and now they were ready to kill this prophet. What had he done wrong? He had committed the horrible mistake of telling them the truth. All the people saw was a man whom they hated, a follower of the man that they had condemned as a heretic. This was not a private event, the whole of Jerusalem would see and through them the rest of the world would know, anyone that followed Jesus would be treated like this man. But what did Stephen see? His gaze was drawn to heaven. The veil was pulled back and he saw the Lord Himself standing next to the throne. The people were enraged and the mob carried him away to be stoned. It would not take long the stones were plentiful but Stephen was still drawn to his Lord, to the one who would receive his spirit for eternity. As the people continued to throw stones all Stephen could do was to ask Christ to forgive them. Our perspectives will change depending on our worldview. Hebrews tells us that we are to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Why? Because He is the author and the finisher of our faith and He that began a good work in us will continue it till the end. But this life can be hard and when our perspective is removed from the eternal life waiting for us this life can be unbearable. So look to the one that hides us in the wilderness that seals us as his own that makes us into a holy Temple that He measures to the smallest degree. The Apostle Paul was there at the stoning of Stephen as well, he held the coats of those who were throwing stones, consenting happily. To think years later as he recounted this story to Luke how different his perspective had become. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 656Worship and the Birth of Christ, Part 2In the second part of this special two-part episode, we discuss the observation of Christmas. This subject is perennially debated in the Reformed community. In this segment of our conversation, we address the variety of decision before local church leadership, the purported pagan roots of Christmas observance, the story of St. Nicholas and Arius, as well as the psalms and contemporary worship relative to Christmas. Links Glen Clary, “The Origins of the Church Calendar“ Participants: Camden Bucey, Glen Clary, Jim Cassidy
- 657A Christmas SpecialMerry Christmas and Happy New Year! from Rob and Bob. Join us for a casual conversation about “all things” Christmas. Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 658Highlights from 2016As we head into our tenth year of Christ the Center, we look back at some of our favorite guests and moments from 2016. Episodes 425 — David VanDrunen, God’s Glory Alone 428 — Vern Poythress, The Miracles of Jesus 441 — John Galbraith and Danny Olinger on John Galbraith’s Life and Ministry 443 — Alan Strange, Charles Hodge and the Spirituality of the Church 444 — Iain Murray, J. C. Ryle 445 — Lane Tipton, Trinity, Processions, and Missions: The Pactum Salutis 449 — Rob McKenzie and Bob Tarullo, Dispensationalism 452 — Michael Kruger, A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament 453 — Dennis Johnson, Walking withe Jesus through His Word 455 — Richard Gaffin, Jr., Calvin and the Sabbath 461 — Gregg Allison and Chris Castaldo, The Unfinished Reformation 464 — Mark Vanderhart and Cornelis Venema, The Reformed Church in Latvia 467 — Patricia Clawson and Diane Olinger, Choosing the Good Portion: Women of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church Participants: Adam York, Alan Strange, Camden Bucey, Chris Castaldo, Cornelis Venema, Danny Olinger, David VanDrunen, Dennis Johnson, Diane Olinger, Glen Clary, Gregg Allison, Iain Murray, Jared Oliphint, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, John Galbraith, Lane G. Tipton, Mark Vander Hart, Michael Kruger, Patricia Clawson, Richard B. Gaffin Jr., Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo, Vern Poythress
- 659Dispensationalism Follow-up – Part 1In Episode 54, we once again discuss Dispensational Theology. This time we begin by way of follow-up to a variety of questions that have come to us since our series on Dispensationalism. This is part 1 of 2 (since the episode was just too long for you to suffer through) and generally follows 3 main points: the land, the throne, and Israel and the church. We hope you enjoy and are edified. Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 660Vos Group #32 — Symbols and TypesWe continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 143–148 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider types and symbols. This is an important discussion on redemptive-historical hermeneutics and a classic lesson from Vos’s writings. Links Christ the Center, episode 223: Baptism, Covenant, and Election with Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton
- 661Dispensationalism Follow-up – Part 2In Episode 55, we once again discuss Dispensational Theology. This time we begin by way of follow-up to a variety of questions that have come to us since our series on Dispensationalism. This is part 2 of 2 (since the episode was just too long for you to suffer through) and generally follows 3 main points: the land, the throne, and Israel and the church, concluding with a few comments on hermeneutics. We hope you enjoy and are edified. Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 662Bible Reading as a Discipline and a Means of GraceAs 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. Links Ligonier, “Bible Reading Plans for 2017“ Participants: Camden Bucey, Glen Clary, Jim Cassidy
- 663The Book of Revelation – Part 13On today’s show, Rob and Bob talk about Revelation 13, the two beasts, the number of the beast (666) and how these things relate to the Christian life. Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 664The Theological Interpretation of ScriptureOn 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 explicitly considers the theological nature of the texts and embraces 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.” A NOTE ON THE AUDIO: After recording this episode, we discovered that our studio mixer is no longer supported on the current version of our operating system. While it still recorded, it did not record true to the inputs. This is most inconvenient… Furthermore, we can’t do anything about what we recorded. We humbly bring to you what sounds like a most unusual conversation among pre-pubescent theologians. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Nathaniel Gray Sutanto
- 665John Owen and Reformed Orthodox Trinitarian TheologyOn 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. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy, Ryan McGraw
- 666The Book of Revelation – Part 14Most people have heard the name; “Lady Jane Gray”, some will even remember that she was a queen of England, albeit for only nine days. What most people don’t know is that she was a highly intelligent young woman with great faith and a great devotion to the doctrines of the Reformation. In the end she was take to the Tower of London and beheaded. True, part of her execution was political but part was also because of her Protestantism. If we pull back the curtain from this reality we will see a different type of struggle. We will see-as John did, Beasts rising out of the land and sea. We will see a lamb with horns speaking, but we will hear the voice of a deceptive serpent. We will understand that no matter what circumstances lead to Jane’s execution we know it was the war of the dragon against the people of God. How does God look upon a death like this? How should we understand the persecutions we endure and how should we now live? Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 667Karl Barth and Lapsarian TheologyToday 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. Participants: Austin Reed, Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy
- 668The Book of Revelation – Part 15I am sure that all of us have felt time drag by, as if a second is an hour. All most of us have to do is think back to being a child trying to make it to Christmas morning. You lay there in your bed and you feel like the night will never end. The older we get the quicker times seems to go and we start to long for the days of childhood when an afternoon could feel like days, as we were locked away in our minds imagination. Psalm 90 records a prayer of Moses where this fleeting life is contrasted with the eternality of our own works. To God time is eternal to us our lives are a moment away from returning to the dust. So Moses tells us to ask God to help us number our days so we might make every day count as worthwhile. Moses tries to teach us that what is important are the works that we do that are established by God for eternity. What does this have to do with this passage? What are the bowl judgments all about and what is the battle of Armageddon? Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 669The Coherence-Based Genealogical MethodToday we welcome Peter Gurry to speak about New Testament textual criticism. Peter is a PhD candidate at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge and has written an article titled, “How Your Greek NT is Changing: A Simple Introduction to the Coherence-Based Genealogical Method (CBGM)” (JETS Volume 59, No. 4, 675–689). The coherence-based genealogical method was used in editing the Catholic epistles for the NA28 and UBS5 critical editions of the New Testament. In this conversation, we learn about the basic principles of the method and how it differs from traditional approaches. We also discuss its advantages and the challenges that lay ahead in terms of scholarly reception and methodological refinement. Links “New Testament Textual Criticism in the Twenty-First Century” with Dan Wallace (Christ the Center episode 70) Evangelical Textual Criticism Mid-America Reformed Seminary Participants: Camden Bucey, Marcus Mininger, Peter Gurry
- 670The Book of Revelation – Part 16I am sure that everyone listening to this podcast has seen the bumper sticker that say “coexist”. Each letter symbolizes a great religion of the world. For many who proudly display this plea there is a reasoning that if they can with their roving auto-witness persuade people from one particular faith to embrace the equal status of all the other religions then peace will ensue upon the Earth. For some this plea is made because they abhor killing and strife that they see in the world and they think that by people accepting each other’s belief as just as valid as their own they will ensure peace. But there is an underlying worldview behind this message—there is no absolute truth. To call for every religion to be placed upon the same level of truth is to either claim ignorance or to declare that all truth is relative to the individual who believes it. Is it possible to coexist in this way? Will all persecution stop if Christians just stop claiming to have the true religion? Should governments hold all religions as the same or should they remain neutral? We will discuss these and other questions today on Theology Simply Profound. Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 671Vos Group #33 — The TabernacleWe continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 148–150 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider types and symbols. 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. Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton
- 672Matthew 17:1-8With the conspicuous absence of Rob, from the Rob and Bob famed duo, Bob was relegated to offering up an old sermon for this episode of Theology Simply Profound. The sermon is on Matthew 17:1-8, entitled Immanuel and the Transfiguration. Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
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