Reformed Forum
Reformed ForumReformed Forum supports the church in presenting every person mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28) by providing Reformed theological resources to pastors, scholars, and anyone who desires to grow in their understanding of Scripture and the
See more
theology that faithfully summarizes its teachings.
Older episodes
- 841Moses and Christ in the Epistle to the HebrewsJim Cassidy and Camden Bucey speak about the relationship between the Old Covenant and New Covenant in the epistle to the Hebrews. Moses was a servant in God’s house, but Jesus Christ is a faithful son. Christ is the mediator of a better covenant. But we should not conclude that these covenants are unrelated. Indeed, Moses was a servant in God’s house, not a different house. The substance of the Old Covenant is Christ, and it was nothing less than his grace that was mediated to Old Covenant believers, though it was administered through promises, types, and sacrifices. We discuss the earthly things of Old Covenant worship and how they are shadows and copies of the heavenly reality to which Christ has brought his people. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy
- 842The Atonement in the Life of the Christian – Part 1As an enjoyable way to close out our series on the doctrine of the atonement, this week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob will begin reading through an article by J. I. Packer in the book, The Glory of the Atonement, entitled “The Atonement in the Life of the Christian.” (Part 1 reading) Many thanks to IVP for permission to make this article available in this format. Taken from The Glory of the Atonement edited by Charles E. Hill and Frank A. James III. Copyright (c) 2004 by by Charles E. Hill and Frank A. James III. Used by permission of InterVarsity Press, P.O. Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA. www.ivpress.com Participants: Robert Tarullo
- 843Effectual Calling and RegenerationTheologians often speak of regeneration, the work of the Holy Spirit to bring someone to the new birth. But the Westminster Standards speak of effectual calling as the work of the Spirit to give people new hearts, enlightening their minds and renewing their wills. Are effectual calling and regeneration the same thing? If not, how do they relate? In this episode, we discuss the relationship between these two aspects of the ordo salutis. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling 1. All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, he is pleased, in his appointed and accepted time, effectually to call, by his Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation, by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God, taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them a heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and, by his almighty power, determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ: yet so, as they come most freely, being made willing by his grace. 2. This effectual call is of God’s free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it. Participants: Adam York, Camden Bucey, Glen Clary
- 844The Atonement in the Life of the Christian – Part 2As an enjoyable way to close out our series on the doctrine of the atonement, this week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob will begin reading through an article by J. I. Packer in the book, The Glory of the Atonement, entitled “The Atonement in the Life of the Christian.” (Part 2 reading) Many thanks to IVP for permission to make this article available in this format. Taken from The Glory of the Atonement edited by Charles E. Hill and Frank A. James III. Copyright (c) 2004 by by Charles E. Hill and Frank A. James III. Used by permission of InterVarsity Press, P.O. Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA. www.ivpress.com Participants: Robert Tarullo
- 8451 Corinthians 1:18–20 — The Wisdom of GodHere’s the big pictures of 1 Corinthians 1 and 2, particularly focusing on the wisdom of God as the doctrinal and ethical antithesis to world, and an introduction to Paul’s two-age eschatology. Articles referenced in this episode: Gaffin article Christ the Center Bill Dennison episode Participants: Glen Clary, Mark A. Winder
- 846Vos Group #48 — The Word as the Instrument of ProphetismWe continue our #VosGroup series in pages 187–190 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the word of God and prophetism. Prophetism is restricted to the word as its instrument. The prophetic ministry was a declarative, spiritual authority of one who speaks and writes in the words of Jehovah himself. There is the closest possible connection, then, between the prophetic office and the declaration of the Word of the Lord, as that Word is given by the superintending agency of the Spirit, who breathes out the prophetic Scriptures (cf. 1 Pet. 1:10–11; 2 Tim. 3:16). The effect of being restricted to the ministry of the Word of God was a heightening of the “spiritualizing” relation between Jehovah and Israel. Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton
- 847Identifying the SeedAs most of our listeners are aware, Rob has been in the process of writing a book on dispensationalism. On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound Bob talks to Rob about his book entitled, Identifying the Seed, which will be published in early September 2018. Check out the book’s Facebook page to find out more with updates about its publication. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 848Still ProtestingDarryl G. Hart, Distinguished Associate Professor of History at Hillsdale College, joins us to speak about his book, Still Protesting: Why the Reformation Matters (Reformation Heritage Books). This book addresses the divide between Protestants and Roman Catholics, considering some of the reasons that prompted the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation. It emerges particularly from the context of the increasing number of Protestants who convert to Roman Catholicism, and Hart’s aim is to address some of the most frequent reasons given for abandoning Protestantism. Links DGH at Patheos Old Life Participants: Camden Bucey, Darryl G. Hart, Jim Cassidy
- 849Hebrews: Christ is KingOn this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob begin a short series walking through the Letter to the Hebrews interacting on occasion with dispensationalism’s understanding of various passages and concepts found so prominently in this wonderful letter to the church of Jesus Christ. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 850Genesis 18:16–33 — Abraham, the Friend of GodIn Episode 57, we see that despite oncoming judgment, the passage underscores the deep relationship between God and Abraham. It is covenantal at its core. Participants: Adam York, Mark A. Winder, Mark Jenkins
- 851The Deeper Protestant ConceptionWe discuss how a return to sola scriptura through confessional Reformed theology spares us from the errors of Roman Catholicism and modernism. Reformed covenant theology, broadly considered, is facing a crisis regarding what constitutes “reformed” theology. The situation currently is one of chaos and confusion. Some claim that the way forward is by way of retrieving the theology of Thomas Aquinas, the angelic doctor of the Roman Catholic church, in the service of a so-called “Reformed” apologetic. The line of this argument is that if you follow the Roman Catholic theology and method of Aquinas, you will arrive at Protestant conclusions. Others enlist Aquinas in conversation with the likes of John Webster and Karl Barth, in the interest of retrieving “catholic” tradition in the development of a reformed theological identity. Still others, outside of our reformed circles, are engaged in ecumenical dialogue between Thomas and Barth (Bruce McCormack and Thomas Joseph White’s Thomas Aquinas and Karl Barth: An Unofficial Dialogue, or Keith Johnson’s Karl Barth and the Analogia Entis, which helpfully to my mind points out the significant points of convergence between the two theologians). It is very much worth pointing out that Van Til virtually predicted this in advance in his sadly neglected but highly important work Confession of 1967, where he says, “If now we live in a dialogical age and if only the church as ecumenical can meet the needs of such an age, then surely the Roman Catholic too must learn to see this fact. As Martin Marty says, “If Protestants and Roman Catholics wish to make possible a creative coexistence, to enrich our pluralistic society, and to profit from each other’s separate histories, they will have to participate in dialogue.…” And what does such “dialogue” look like? Again, Van Til says, “It was Hans Urs von Balthasar who, more than anyone else, has helped Barth to see that Roman Catholicism also begins its theology from the Christ-Event. Roman Catholicism, says von Balthasar, does not believe in direct revelation any more than does Barth. To be sure, Rome does speak of “faith and works,” of “nature and grace,” of “reason and revelation.” But this “and” is not, as Barth thinks, fatal to the idea of the primacy of Christ and of faith in Christ. The whole discussion between Barth and the Roman Catholic position may therefore start from the idea that revelation is revelation in hiddenness. ”The difference between Barth and Roman Catholicism will therefore be not of principle but of degree” (Confession, 119). Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy, Lane G. Tipton
- 852A Brief Introduction to the Theology of Pseudo-DionysiusJeff Waddington previews his address for the 2018 Theology Conference. He speaks about Pseudo-Dionysius, a key influence upon Thomas Aquinas. Dionysius attempted to integrate neoplatonism with Christianity. The result was a Christianization of the great chain of being. Register for the upcoming conference. Reading List Daria Spezzano, The Glory of God’s Grace: Deification According to St. Thomas Aquinas Dominic Legge: The Trinitarian Christology of St. Thomas Aquinas Lawrence Feingold: The Natural Desire to See God According to St. Thomas and His Interpreters Hans Boersma, Seeing God: The Beatific Vision in Christian Tradition Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington
- 853Hebrews: Interpreting ScriptureRob and Bob continue our short series walking through portions of the Letter to the Hebrews interacting on occasion with dispensationalism’s understanding of various passages and concepts found so prominently in this wonderful letter to the church of Jesus Christ. This week’s episode Theology Simply Profound, we take a look at how the Preacher to the Hebrews interprets the Old Testament. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 854Genesis 19:1–11 — A Supernatural Rescue MissionLot serves as a paradigm or picture of the salvation of sinners and judgment upon unbelievers. Sinners are not saved because they suddenly figure out God’s mercy and come running to him. They are saved because God does what they cannot do of their own accord. Participants: Adam York, Glen Clary, Mark A. Winder
- 855Petrus van Mastricht’s Polemic against Balthasar BekkerDan Ragusa introduces us to the theological method of Petrus Van Mastricht, Dutch Reformed theologian, who maintained consistent Reformed orthodoxy against Cartesian influences. Van Mastricht wrote a polemic against Balthasar Bekker, a critic of paganism but a proponent of Cartesianism. In his polemic, Van Mastricht addresses the issue of Scriptural authority, theological method, and the proper end toward which all theologians and philosophers must be directed: worship of the one, true, and living God. Dan Ragusa is a PhD student at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Readings Daniel Ragusa, “Beginning with Scripture, Ending with Worship: An Analysis of Petrus van Mastricht’s Polemic against Balthasar Bekker“ Petrus van Mastricht, Theoretical-Practical Theology Volume 1: Prolegomena Adriaan C. Neele, The Art of Living to God Participants: Camden Bucey, Dan Ragusa
- 856September 2018 Book UpdateRyan Noha speaks about several rare books that have been added to our online store.
- 857“Christianity and Culture”On this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads J. Gresham Machen’s address as printed in The Princeton Theological Review, Volume 11 issue 1, 1913, “Christianity and Culture.” Participants: Robert Tarullo
- 858Previewing Karl Barth and Thomas Aquinas on AnalogyJim Cassidy previews his address at the 2018 Reformed Forum conference by speaking about Barth on the analogy of being and the analogy of faith and how his views relate to the theology of Thomas Aquinas. Jim and Camden also speak about Barth’s views of natural theology and how they relate to the views of Cornelius Van Til. This is in response to recent remarks from Dr. Michael Allen on the Credo Magazine podcast (around minute 37). If you’d like to jump directly to that portion of our discussion, you can watch it on YouTube. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy
- 859Hebrews: The Priesthood of ChristThis week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the mysterious figure of Melchizedek found in Genesis 14 and referenced several times in the Letter to the Hebrews. In discussing Melchizedek, we are brought before the wonderful work of Christ as the Christian’s Great High Priest by seeing the contrasts between the priesthood of Melchizedek and that of Aaron or the Levitical priesthood. By far, the Priesthood of Christ is superior to Aaron. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 860Hosea 2:2–13 — Forgetting the LordThe mercy that the Lord shows initially will be undone in judgment. But there is grace, restoration, and redemption for those who repent and trust in Christ. Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder, Mark Jenkins
- 861The Beatific Vision and the Eucharist in the Theology of Thomas AquinasDr. Lawrence Feingold brings us a Catholic’s perspective on Thomas Aquinas and the important connection between his doctrines of the Eucharist and the Beatific Vision. Dr. Feingold is Associate Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He is the author of The Eucharist: Mystery of Presence, Sacrifice, and Communion and The Natural Desire to See God According to St. Thomas and His Interpreters. Dr. Feingold expresses the deep congruence between Thomas’s metaphysic and doctrines of the Beatific Vision and Eucharist. Rather than treating different loci of his theology and philosophy as disparate elements, it is much better and more appropriate to embrace Thomas as a monumental thinker developing an organic whole. While we have deep differences with the Roman Catholic tradition, we found this conversation to be utterly stimulating and instructive. Our understanding of Thomas and Catholicism was sharpened, and we trust listeners and viewers will benefit from careful consideration of Dr. Feingold’s teaching. Participants: Camden Bucey, Glen Clary, Lawrence Feingold
- 862Genesis 19:12–29 — Sin Will Never TriumphLot can not save himself—God has to do it. In his mercy he provides for Lot’s salvation even through the destruction of the city of man, and in so doing provides for us a picture of Christ’s saving work. Participants: Adam York, Glen Clary, Mark A. Winder
- 863Hebrews: The Unity of the People of GodFor this week’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the unity of the people of God as they continue to walk through portions of the letter to the Hebrews. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 864Entering God’s RestKen Golden speaks about the Lord’s Day throughout redemptive-history and what it means to seek our heavenly rest in Christ. In his book, Entering God’s Rest: The Sabbath from Genesis to Revelation (Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, 2018), Rev. Golden seeks to move beyond a checklist of do’s and don’ts to consider the deeper significance of finding our joy in the Lord. Participants: Camden Bucey, Ken Golden
Get the Pray app
Keep listening to Reformed Forum on your phone, and pick up where you left off.
