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- 1177Encountering the Westminster Shorter CatechismJim Cassidy and Camden Bucey discuss their experiences with catechisms among Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism , and evangelicalism and then their introduction to the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy
- 1178The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2: Sickness & FaithThis 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 see Matthew, Christiana’s eldest son, become so sick that he needed to be purged. Why was Matthew sick? What is Bunyan teaching us in this portion of his story? Are all green plums the fruit of the devil? Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 1179Van Til Group #5 — The Doctrine of Salvation, the Church, and the Last ThingsCarlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey open Cornelius Van Til’s book, The Defense of the Faith to pages 33–39 wherein Van Til discusses the doctrine of salvation. Van Til is insistent to maintain the incommunicable attributes of God in all aspects of theology, even here in soteriology. Throughout this section, Van Til refuses to admit any form of mutualism or correlativism in the God-man relation. He writes, “If we refuse to mix the eternal and the temporal at the point of creation and at the point of the incarnation we must also refuse to mix them at the point of salvation.” If God is omnipotent, for example, and he desires to save, it is not possible for man to frustrate that plan. This carries through in the doctrine of church as well as the doctrine of last things, wherein the absolute sovereignty of God is maintained at every point throughout history. Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Lane G. Tipton
- 1180The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2: the Valley of HumiliationThis 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 crew journey into the Valley of Humiliation. With Great-heart leading the pilgrims once again, we revisit the valley as Christian went through it, and learn how the valley of humiliation is really a way of life. What is Bunyan teaching through this valley? Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 1181Genesis 29:19-30:24 – Human Deception; Divine OperationThis section of Genesis showcases an alarming lack of dependence upon God, which results in deception and contention in Jacob’s family. Here we see the foundation laid for much of the conflict of the following chapters, as well as the introduction of Joseph whose story will be the subject of the last third of Genesis. In spite of Jacob’s foolishness, God will take this dysfunctional family in forming people for himself. Participants: Mark A. Winder, Robert Arendale
- 1182The Committee of Nine and EvangelicalismDanny Olinger and John Muether join Camden Bucey to speak about the early history of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the forces within the young ecclesiastical body desiring broader influence throughout the culture. J. Gresham Machen gathered a broad coalition of “fundamentalists” in leading a charge against modernism at Princeton Theological Seminary and then throughout the Presbyterian Church (USA). After many within this coalition were pushed out or left to form what would become the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, different agendas arose. A significant event—involving what would come to be known as the Committee of Nine—at the 1941 and 1942 General Assemblies would set the tone for the future of the young church. For further study: Hakkenberg, Michael A. “The Battle over the Ordination of Gordon H. Clark.” In Pressing toward the Mark: Essays Commemorating Fifty Years of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, edited by Charles G. Dennison and Richard C. Gamble, 329–50. Philadelphia: Committee for the Historian of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 1986. Woolley, Paul. “Discontent!” The Presbyterian Guardian 13, no. 14 (July 25, 1944): 213–14. Minutes from the ninth General Assembly of the OPC (the reports of the committee begin on p. 28) Participants: Camden Bucey, Danny Olinger, John Muether
- 1183The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2: the Valley of the Shadow of DeathThis 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 Pilgrims’ journey through the Valley of Humiliation, into and past the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 1184Ephesians 1:4–6 — Chosen in ChristWhat does it mean to be predestined, and to what end does God predestine his people? Robert Arendale joins us again in an exposition of this important passage, including a discussion exploring what part polemics play in a sermon. Participants: Mark A. Winder, Robert Arendale
- 1185Vos Group #71 — The Rupture of the BondWe turn to pages 263–264 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to consider the sin of Israel and the resulting rupture of their covenant bond with the Lord. Links OPC Study Committee Report on Republication, Chapter 8 Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton
- 1186The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2: Darkness and FearThis 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 Pilgrims’ encounter with old Mr. Honest, which brings about the recollection of Mr. Fearing. Great-heart tells the story of Mr. Fearing’s many struggles with assurance, living a life of melancholy, darkness, and fear that he wouldn’t be received into the Celestial City. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 1187The Influence of Modernism on Catholicism and PresbyterianismAfter discussing their trips to Colombia with OPC foreign missions, Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey explore the influence of modernism upon Roman Catholicism and American Presbyterianism. Modernism led to many changes in American Presbyterianism, including the reorganization of Princeton Seminary and the founding of Westminster Seminary and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. The mainline church eventually adopted the Confession of 1967, which many have understood as a doctrinal shift toward Barthianism. These large-scale movements roughly parallel the developments in Roman Catholicism, which moved from the anti-modernist oath of 1910 to the sweeping changes of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965). Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy
- 11881 Corinthians 3:10–17 — The Church as God’s TempleThe apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a building to describe the people of God. What is the significance of this metaphor, and what are the implications of that, particularly for ministers of the word? We also discuss how to choose a pericope and how much exegetical detail is appropriate in a sermon. Participants: Glen Clary, Mark A. Winder
- 1189Reformed Academy Update / Union with Christ and SanctificationRyan Noha and Camden Bucey discuss Reformed Academy and the newest course to launch on the platform, titled Union with Christ: The Benefits of His Suffering and Glory. This latest course is taught by Lane Tipton, and we include the tenth and final lecture toward the end of this episode. Video Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction00:04:13 The Courses at Reformed Academy00:11:49 Future Course Availability00:14:15 Podcasts, Videos, and Chapter Markers00:16:06 The Process of Producing a Course00:22:53 Translating the Course Videos00:29:26 The Global Reach of Reformed Academy00:38:06 How to Help00:45:05 Union with Christ and Sanctification01:37:42 Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey, Ryan Noha
- 1190Hosea 11 — Out of EgyptHosea prophesied that God would call his son out of Egypt. Of course, that was long after the Exodus. But here in Chapter 11 the Exodus serves as a motif for God’s redeeming grace. It recalled the Exodus as a foreshadow of Israel’s restoration from exile. Unfortunately, the restoration fell short of the great expectation Israel had for the fulfillment of God’s promises to the patriarchs. The day when God called his Son out of Egypt would ultimately arrive in Christ, the true Son and faithful Israel of God. He was called out of Egypt after he fled there to escape Herod’s deadly grasp. And so we, in our union with Christ, are sons of the living God who have been redeemed and called out of the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of his Son. Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder
- 1191Supporting Diaconal MinistryDavid Nakhla speaks about the work of deacons and how the Orthodox Presbyterian Church is working to assist the diaconate in its labors for Christ’s church. Mr. Nakhla is the administrator for the OPC’s Committee on Diaconal Ministries and the Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response Coordinator. Links OPC Diaconal Ministries WebsiteOPC Disaster ResponseOPC Short-Term MissionsOPC Refugee MinistryThe Reformed Deacon PodcastNational Diaconal Summit Chapters [00:00] Introduction [04:46] Overview of the work of the Committee on Diaconal Ministry [16:15] An Expanding View of the Church through Short-Term Missions [27:31] The Challenges of COVID [30:22] Encouraging Diaconal Ministry at Home [36:25] Diaconal Ministry, Insurance, and the Government [48:10] Podcast and Case Studies [53:56] Resources for Diaconal Training [58:31] Conclusion Participants: Adam York, Camden Bucey, David Nakhla
- 1192The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2: Mr. Self-will and GaiusThis 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 Pilgrims’ another story from old Mr. Honest about Mr. Self-will, who believed “that a man might follow the Vices as well as the Virtues of the Pilgrims; and that if he did both, he should be certainly saved.” We also meet the honorable disciple, Gaius, who shows great hospitality to the travelers with a refreshing meal cooked by Taste-that-which-is-Good, which is thus far the best name of any character in Pilgrim’s Progress. And, congratulations to Mercy and Matthew, now engaged to be married. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 1193Vos Group #72 — Collective National Sin and the Corruption of Ritual WorshipLane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 264–266 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to consider the collective sin of the nation during the time of the prophets. Vos speaks particularly of the prophet Amos, and his indictment of false worship practices among the people. Links OPC Report of the Committee to Study Republication Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction00:09:14 Collective National Sin00:17:33 Oppression of the Poor and Sexual Immorality00:24:40 Licentious Idolatry00:28:24 The Covenant-Historical Context00:35:26 The Motivation of the Apostates (Amos 8:1–6)00:42:04 A Critical Interpretation of the Prophets’ View of Sacrifices00:45:57 Manners of False Worship00:55:17 Cultural Forces and the Church01:00:33 Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton
- 1194The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2: From Supper to SlayingThis 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 Pilgrims’ conversation around the dinner table and afterward and the value of good, godly conversations. After supper, the family (and Great-heart, of course) goes out to slay another giant, Giant Slay-good. What’s better than eating and drinking with good discussion and then off to slay wickedness! And, congratulations to Mercy and Matthew, Phoebe and James, now married after a month of hospitality from Gaius. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 1195Handbook on the GospelsDr. Benjamin L. Gladd, Associate Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, speaks about his new Handbook on the Gospels. This book is part of a series edited by Dr. Gladd and published by Baker Academic, which covers the entirety of the New Testament in three volumes. Neither becoming preoccupied with the minutiae of the text nor losing sight of the big picture, Gladd’s handbook address the content of the gospels thoroughly yet in an accessible and compelling manner. Participants: Benjamin Gladd, Camden Bucey
- 1196The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2: The Christian and the MonsterThis 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 what the Pilgrims’ learn about Mr. Not-Right as well as some more about Mr. Feeble-mind. What a great character Mr. Feeble-mind is for us to learn from. All of this on their way to Vanity Fair where they stay for a time on the outskirts of the city with Mr. Mnason where we also learn of the small Christian community in Vanity Fair; some of whom we meet are Mr. Contrite, Mr. Holy-man, Mr. Love-saint, Mr. Dare-me-to-lie, and Mr. Penitent. It’s while staying near Vanity that we meet the Monster, the beast, stealing the children of the city. Great-heart mortally wounds this beast. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo
- 1197Theological Education in Foreign MissionsIn this episode, several OPC missionaries discuss theological education in foreign mission fields. Douglas Clawson is associate general secretary for the OPC’s Committee on Foreign Missions. Charles Jackson serves as a missionary in Uganda, and Mike serves in East Asia. Each of these ministers speaks about their experience in training officers for the building up of indigenous churches, sharing the joys, struggles, and present needs in various fields. Participants: Camden Bucey, Charles Jackson, Doug Clawson
- 1198Nature, Grace, and Covenant: The Deeper Protestant Conception and Twentieth-Century Roman CatholicismThe beatific vision (1 John 3:2) is the consummation of God’s relationship with his people. While Christians of all traditions acknowledge this blessed future to some degree, there are significant differences as to how it all works out. The Reformed tradition has understood this future and its genesis in terms of a covenantal relationship between God and Adam. If you have listened much to our podcasts or courses at Reformed Forum, you likely have heard us discuss “the deeper Protestant conception.” This is a phrase first used by Geerhardus Vos in his Reformed Dogmatics. It involves the notion that man originally was created good yet with an eschatological purpose. Even before the fall into sin, Adam was intended to advance to a higher, more glorious, eschatological life with God in heavenly places. Elsewhere, this is captured in the phrase, “eschatology precedes soteriology.” Yet developments in Roman Catholic theology throughout the end of the nineteenth century and into the twentieth century gave rise to a movement that also advocates for eschatology preceding soteriology and a dismantling of the traditional dualistic separation of nature and grace. In this address, Camden Bucey traces the historical developments of Roman Catholic theology in the twentieth century. In so doing, we may deepen our understanding of the already deeper Protestant conception while improving our ability to represent the diversity of Catholic thought leading up to and following the Second Vatican Council. This address was delivered at our 2021 Theology Conference held at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas. Chapter Markers 00:00:00 Introduction00:05:22 Nature, Grace, and Covenant00:11:01 Basic Features of the Covenant of Works00:18:42 The Deeper Protestant Conception00:31:43 Twentieth-Century Developments in Catholicism00:40:03 Henri de Lubac’s Proposal00:45:57 Karl Rahner’s Response00:50:22 Understanding Merit in Relation to Nature, Grace, and Covenant00:57:40 Twentieth-Century Catholicism and the Reformed Tradition01:10:55 Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey
- 1199Geerhardus Vos and the Covenant of WorksDanny Olinger delivers an address at the 2021 Reformed Forum Theology Conference. The event was held October 8–9, 2021 at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas. The conference theme was, “The Promise of Life: God’s Plan for His People in the Covenant of Works.” In contrast to Roman Catholic, modernist, and evangelical approaches, we explored a thoroughly Reformed understanding of God’s relationship to Adam as he was created. We learned how Jesus Christ ultimately brings us to the glorious future which God originally offered to Adam in the garden of Eden. Danny Olinger is General Secretary for the Committee on Christian Education of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. He is the author of Geerhardus Vos: Reformed Biblical Theologian, Confessional Presbyterian and the editor of A Geerhardus Vos Anthology: Biblical and Theological Insights Alphabetically Arranged. Lecture HandoutDownload Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction00:04:46 Geerhardus Vos and the Covenant of Works00:10:49 Summary in The Eschatology of the Psalter00:16:20 Adam and Christ in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 1500:26:06 The Promise of Life in the Covenant of Works00:41:28 The Nature and Destiny of Man00:48:43 Reformed and Roman Catholic Theology00:59:15 Theology from Genesis 2:16–1701:02:22 The Sabbath Day01:12:25 Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey, Danny Olinger
- 1200Cornelis Pronk — A Goodly HeritageJeff Waddington reviews A Goodly Heritage: The Secession of 1834 by Cornelis Pronk. In A Goodly Heritage, Cornelis Pronk surveys the history of the Secession of 1834, beginning with the events leading up to this important spiritual movement and subsequently following its long journey through the Netherlands and North America until 1892. He then focuses on a small minority that decided to continue as the original Christian Reformed Church, considering its growth and how it formulated theological positions in relation to several other Reformed denominations. Throughout, special attention is given to the doctrines of covenant, baptism, and the Holy Spirit’s ministry in applying salvation. This work not only explains the concerns of De Cock and other fathers of the Secession. It presses beyond the early years of the reform movement to present a larger picture of the developments of Secession theology and the contributions made by its main representatives. Chapters 00:00 Introduction00:29 Cornelis Pronk, A Goodly Heritage01:41 The Secession of 183410:17 Identifying the True Church12:33 Dutch Pietism13:39 Dutch Settlement in Pella, Iowa14:58 Summary and Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington
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