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Reformed Forum

Reformed 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

theology that faithfully summarizes its teachings.

Older episodes

1201The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2: The Fall of DespairThis week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue a discussion of John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2. In this episode, as the journey continues for Christiana, her children, and the pilgrims on their way to the Celestial City, we discuss everything from the killing Giant Despair to child-rearing. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo55 min
1202Roman Catholicism and American Politics during the Cold WarRoman Catholicism entered the mainstream of American national life the morning following the November 8, 1960 election when John F. Kennedy won and became the president. While it may seem strange to people who did not grow up in the era, Protestant voters were wary of a Roman Catholic potentially serving as president of the United States. Yet the Vatican may have been even more wary of “Americanism.” While it did not necessarily inhibit Catholics from being Catholic it also was a form of exceptionalism that potentially risked the expansion of Christendom as understood by Catholics. In this episode, D. G. Hart revisits the arguments of his book, American Catholic: The Politics of Faith during the Cold War, explaining the historical reasons why the relationship between Roman Catholicism and Americanism changed in the 1960s and how it continued to develop in subsequent decades. Darryl G. Hart is Distinguished Associate Professor of History at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. He is a host of the Paleo Protestant Pudcast with Korey Maas and Miles Smith as well as the Religious Nationalism podcast with Crawford Gribben. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction00:04:47 Roman Catholicism and Politics in 202100:07:34 Religion in the Public Square00:11:14 The Literature on American Politics and Catholicism00:16:07 Writing on Roman Catholicism as a Protestant00:20:55 Catholicism and the Conservative Movement00:27:19 Protestant Fears about a Catholic President in 196000:33:02 Catholic Antipathy toward Americanism00:45:49 John Courtney Murray and Catholic Thinking on Church and State00:56:29 Catholic American Public Intellectuals01:01:56 The Limits of Americanism01:08:56 Neo-Americanists and a Modern Faith01:18:21 Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey, Darryl G. Hart1 hr 21 min
1203The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2: The Delectable Mountains, Part 2This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue a discussion of John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2. In this episode, as the journey continues for Christiana, her children, and the pilgrims who have tagged along on their way to the Celestial City, we find the pilgrims in the Delectable Mountains very much as Christian did in Book 1. We discuss their time there, who they meet, what they experience and learn. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo1 hr 2 min
1204John Carrick — Jonathan Edwards and the Immediacy of GodJeff Waddington reviews Jonathan Edwards and the Immediacy of God by John Carrick. Jonathan Edwards is one of the outstanding figures in the history of the Christian church—he was, quite simply, a man of towering intellect and towering spirituality. But it has been noted, even by his friends and admirers, that his thought is also marked at times by certain idiosyncrasies which inevitably introduce certain complexities into his philosophical-theological system.This study contends that the theme of divine immediacy is the controlling theme and the correlating principle within Edwards’s thought. It analyzes the theme of divine immediacy in the thought of Jonathan Edwards under four major heads: creation, the will, ecclesiology, and spiritual experience. Indeed, Dr. Carrick claims that the theme of the immediacy of God is the Ariadne’s thread, which runs with consistency through the multiple aspects of Edwards’s philosophical, theological, ecclesiological, experiential, and homiletical interests.But sometimes a man’s strength is also his weakness, and it would appear that Edwards’s profound commitment to the concept and the reality of the immediacy of God entails significant problems for his entire philosophical-theological system. Edwards’s concept of divine immediacy finds its supreme expression, surely, in his doctrine of continuous creation; but is it not the case that this doctrine of continuous creation is in conflict with his determinism, that its tendency is to destroy the moral responsibility of man, and that it makes God both the author and the actor of sin? In short, is it not the case that Edwards’s Ariadne’s thread is, in fact, also his Achilles’ heel? Chapters 00:00 Introduction00:45 Jonathan Edwards and the Immediacy of God04:32 Occasionalism and Continuous Creationism10:30 The Context of Edwards’ Theology13:52 The Ariadnes Thread of Edwards’ Thought17:33 Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington19 min
1205Genesis 30:25–43 — God Gives the IncreaseHow do you preach a passage as speckled and mottled as this one? We look at a text that at first glance has nothing to say about Christ and see how through the continuity of God’s covenant promises we are presented with a foreshadowing of Christ plundering Satan’s house, and through death destroying the one who had the power of death. Participants: Glen Clary, Mark A. Winder39 min
1206Vos Group #73 — The Corruption of Ritual Worship (continued)Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 267–269 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 addresses several passages in this section, including Amos 5:25, Isaiah 1:10–17, and Hosea 6:6. Links OPC Report of the Committee to Study Republication Chapters 00:00 Introduction05:13 Critics, the Prophets, and the Old Covenant12:28 The Passover and Redemptive-History19:32 Amos 5:2528:33 Isaiah 1:10–1736:17 Hosea 6:4–1040:47 Israel’s National Sin49:06 Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton51 min
1207The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2: The CrossingThis 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 find our band of pilgrims make their way through the Enchanted Grounds, meet another pilgrim, Mr. Standfast, learn of another enemy, Madam Bubble, enter the land of Beulah, and for many of the pilgrims receive letters from the King telling them of their coming crossing of the river into the Celestial City. This ends the journey of Christiana and her children. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo59 min
1208“This is a Myth”: Barth’s Rejection of the Covenant of WorksJim Cassidy delivers a plenary address from the annual Reformed Forum Theology Conference, which was hosted October 8–9 at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas. Cassidy investigates the ontological assumptions which led Karl Barth to reject the doctrine of the covenant of works. He considers how Barth’s doctrine of God, with its actualistic ontology, is the ground for his rejection of the historic doctrine of classical federal theology. In the process of showing how his novel construction of the doctrine of God leads to his critique, Barth sets up—albeit unwittingly—how own kind of covenant of works whereby man today can ascend into “God’s time for us” to gain the knowledge of God. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction00:03:28 “This Is a Myth”: Barth’s Rejection of the Covenant of Works01:00:41 Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy1 hr 2 min
1209Girolamo Zanchi and Spiritual MarriagePatrick O’Banion joins us to speak about Girolamo Zanchi and his book, The Spiritual Marriage between Christ and His Church and Every One of the Faithful. O’Banion translated and introduced a new edition of the book published by Reformation Heritage Books. Zanchi was an Italian Reformer, with close ties to Peter Martyr Vermigli. Developing from Girolamo Zanchi’s exegetical labors through Ephesians, Spiritual Marriage draws readers into the rich theological of doctrine of union with Christ. Following the lead of the apostle Paul, Zanchi demonstrates how our earthly marriages fulfill their truest purpose by drawing our attention toward the spiritual marriage between Christ and His Church. By paying attention to the Genesis account of Adam’s marriage to Eve, to pertinent Old Testament laws, and to the teachings of Jesus and His apostles, we begin to understand something of that higher and heavenly union. This new translation helps us better understand the great mystery of Christ and His bride. Patrick O’Banion is International Trainer at Training Leaders International. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction00:05:05 Biographical Introduction to Zanchi00:09:14 Zanchi’s Works00:19:08 Relationship with Peter Martyr Vermigli00:21:39 Zanchi’s Marriage00:24:07 Zanchi’s Acquaintance with Grief00:29:43 Conflict in Chiavenna00:32:53 Conflict in Strasbourg over the Lord’s Supper00:40:35 Thoughts on Zanchi and Conflict00:47:51 Zanchi’s Work, Spiritual Marriage00:52:39 Zanchi and the Typology of Marriage00:54:43 Hermeneutics and Theological Method01:05:53 Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey, Patrick O'Banion1 hr 7 min
1210Van Til Group #6 — The Christian Philosophy of RealityCarlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey open Cornelius Van Til’s book, The Defense of the Faith to pages 40–43, in which Van Til describes the Christian philosophy of reality. While to some degree it is necessary to use categories of God, man, and universe common to unbelievers in order to engage them apologetically and to evangelize, Christians must clearly set forth the distinctly Christian philosophy of reality. Van Til commences that work in chapter two and promptly addresses eternal unity and plurality with regard to the problem of the one and many. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction00:03:39 The Christian Philosophy of Reality00:09:36 The Infection and Rejection Theses00:14:49 The Belief that God Is Identical with Reality00:28:25 The Reality of God as Self-Sufficient00:31:42 Applying the Philosophy00:34:01 The Problem of the One and the Many00:40:19 Practical Considerations of Particularity00:45:15 The Self-Contained God and the One and Many Problem00:52:32 Equal Ultimacy Precludes an Abstract Essence00:59:41 Bavinck on Diversity and Unity01:02:20 Perichoresis01:05:50 Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Lane G. Tipton1 hr 7 min
1211Signature Psalms: Psalm 23In this episode, Rob and Bob begin a new series on familiar psalm that we tend to be drawn to more than others for one reason or another. We begin with one of the most well-known psalms, Psalm 23. Charles Spurgeon calls Psalm 23, “the pearl of the psalms.” Why is this psalm so well loved? We discuss this and other things on today’s episode. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo57 min
1212The Life and Ministry of Thomas ChalmersSandy Finlayson speaks about the life and ministry of Thomas Chalmers. Finlayson is the author of Chief Scottish Man: The Life and Ministry of Thomas Chalmers (Evangelical Press). Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847) was a significant figure in nineteenth-century Scotland. Without his vision, organizational skills, and his ability to mobilize opinion, it is unlikely that the Free Church would have come into existence. This new and updated biography—expanded significantly from Finlayson’s Bitesize Biography—tells the story of visionary thinker, minister, and preacher Thomas Chalmers and the many years of struggle for the spiritual independence of the Church of Scotland. Purchase the book at 10 of Those and receive discounts on bulk orders. Mr. Finlayson is director of library services and professor of theological bibliography at Westminster Theological Seminary in Glenside, Pennsylvania. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction00:05:43 Developing an Interest in Chalmers00:12:09 The Chief Scottish Man of His Time00:18:49 The Establishmentarian Principle00:23:10 Scotland in Turmoil00:26:53 Chalmers’ Early Life and Education00:36:45 Parish Ministries00:37:36 The Kilmany Bible Society00:41:07 Chalmers’ Growth and Transition00:48:40 Time at St. Andrews University00:51:59 The Disruption of 184300:56:04 Lessons for Today01:07:48 Conclusion1 hr 10 min
1213Perichoresis, Endoxation, and the Glory-SpiritLane Tipton delivers a plenary address from the annual Reformed Forum Theology Conference, which was hosted October 8–9 at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas. Dr. Tipton’s address is titled, “Perichoresis, Endoxation, and the Glory-Spirit: Foundations for Image-Endowment and Covenant Theology in the Work of Meredith G. Kline“ Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction00:02:36 Perichoresis, Endoxation, and the Glory-Spirit00:18:22 Endoxation and Incarnation00:32:50 Endoxation as the Initial Creational Replication of Trinitarian Perichoresis00:46:42 The Glory-Spirit and the Image of God01:01:21 Special Revelation and Covenantal Advancement01:09:16 Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton1 hr 9 min
1214Signature Psalms: Psalm 110In this episode, Rob and Bob continue a series on familiar psalms that we tend to be drawn to more than others for one reason or another. Psalm 110 is quoted more than any other psalm in the New Testament. Why? What makes it so worthwhile for the New Testament writers to make use of when writing about Jesus? Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo55 min
1215Sixth Annual Christmas SpecialFor our Sixth Annual Christmas Special, Rob and Bob attempt to bring some holiday cheer and silliness to you, but end up being rather “Bah Humbug” about it all. With some reflections on the pandemic for this Christmas season and some of our least liked Christmas songs out there, we’re just a bowl full of laughter for your listening pleasure. More seriously, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you. Thank you for listening to Theology Simply Profound. We so appreciate your support. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo45 min
1216Karl Barth: A Life in ConflictDr. Christiane Tietz speaks about her tremendous biography, Karl Barth: A Life in Conflict (Oxford University Press, 2021). Dr. Tietz is Professor for Systematic Theology at the Institute of Hermeneutics and Philosophy of Religion at the University of Zurich. From 2008 until 2013 she was Professor for Systematic Theology and Social Ethics at the University of Mainz. She was visiting lecturer or research scholar in Cambridge, Chicago, Heidelberg, Jerusalem, New York, and Princeton. Dr. Tietz is a judge for the Karl Barth-Prize and a member of the Advisory Board of the Karl Barth-Foundation, Basel. Participants: Camden Bucey, Christiane Tietz, Jim Cassidy54 min
1217Highlights from 2021It’s that time of year again. Since 2008, we have been taking a beat around New Year’s Day to bring you some of the top moments from the preceding year. We have a bunch of great clips lined up for you today. Throughout 2021 we continued to develop Reformed Academy, our online learning platform. We doubled our student base from last year to more than 3,800 people in 73 countries. These brothers and sisters are taking our on-demand courses in Reformed theology, and many of their churches are using these resources in study groups and Sunday school courses. We are committed to having each of our courses translated and subtitled in languages where we have established relationships with Reformed missionaries and indigenous churches. Over the last two years, we have had many wonderful opportunities but not enough people and time in the day to complete many of these projects. We have grown significantly in terms of our reach, but we need to mature in terms of our ministry’s staff and infrastructure. Please consider supporting us prayerfully and financially in these efforts. Visit https://www.reformedforum.org/donate Donate Top Clips from 2021 Episode 689 with Christopher Watkin — Foucault on Sexuality and IdentityEpisode 689 with Christopher Watkin — Foucault on PowerEpisode 695 with Bruce Pass — Bavinck and SupralapsarianismEpisode 706 with Jim Cassidy — Comparing PCA and OPC General AssembliesEpisode 687 with Benjamin Gladd — Israel and DispensationalismEpisode 712 — Van Til Group #5 with Lane Tipton and Carlton Wynne — Natural Theology, Experience, and ReasonEpisode 699 with G.K. Beale and Benjamin Gladd — Inaugurated EschatologyEpisode 713 with Danny Olinger and John Muether — Premillennialism among Presbyterian FundamentalistsEpisode 709 — Listener Questions with Ryan Noha and Jeff Waddington — Thomas, Van Til, and Classical TheismEpisode 696 with Crawford Gribben — Christian Reconstruction and the Religious RightReformed Forum Hot Ones Episode Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction00:01:13 2021 in Review00:10:19 Foucault on Sexuality and Identity00:16:18 Foucault on Power00:20:32 Bavinck and Supralapsarianism00:23:55 Comparing PCA and OPC General Assemblies00:28:45 Israel and Dispensationalism00:31:35 Natural Theology, Experience, and Reason00:36:16 Inaugurated Eschatology00:44:14 Premillennialism among Presbyterian Fundamentalists00:49:54 Thomas, Van Til, and Classical Theism00:55:09 Christian Reconstruction and the Religious Right00:59:56 Reformed Theology Meets Spicy Wings01:06:14 Looking Ahead to 2022 Participants: Benjamin Gladd, Bruce Pass, Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Christopher Watkin, Crawford Gribben, Danny Olinger, Greg Beale, Jeff Waddington, John Muether, Lane G. Tipton, Ryan Noha1 hr 9 min
1218Reformed Missions and EvangelismDr. Eric Watkins joins us to speak about missions and evangelism from a Reformed perspective. Dr. Watkins is senior pastor of Harvest Presbyterian Church (OPC) in San Marcos, California as well as Director of the Center for Missions and Evangelism at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. The Center for Missions and Evangelism is a new initiative at Mid-America Reformed Seminary designed to enhance the current M.Div. program with a great emphasis upon the Great Commission, as well as developing a new set of classes, conferences, cohorts, and internships focused on areas of evangelism, church planting, discipleship, and foreign missions. The CME is hosting a conference in just a few weeks. There is still time to register: More Salt, More Light: Church in an Age of OpportunityJanuary 28–29, 2022Anastasia ChurchSt. Augustine, Florida Chapters 00:00 Introduction03:48 Background to the Center for Missions and Evangelism11:29 Focusing on Missions and Evangelism20:17 The More Salt, More Light Conference30:54 Additional Benefits of the Conference39:44 Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey, Eric Watkins41 min
1219Vos Group Excursus: The More Excellent MinistryDanny Olinger, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey discuss Geerhardus Vos’s sermon, “The More Excellent Ministry” from 2 Corinthians 3:18. This sermon is included in Grace and Glory: Sermons Preached at Princeton Theological Seminary. In this sermon, Vos proclaims the good news of the consummate and unfading glory of Christ’s new covenant ministry and its implications for the church this side of Christ’s death and resurrection. Chapters 00:00 Introduction04:21 The Polemical Context of 2 Corinthians 310:59 The New Covenant Ministry17:08 2 Corinthians 2:14–17 and Christ’s Triumph28:06 Transitory vs. Eternal31:32 Covered vs. Uncovered34:54 The Function of Moses’ Veil40:13 New Covenant Ministry Is Bound Up with Christ42:28 A Ministry of Abundant Forgiveness and Righteousness50:08 The Transforming Power of the New Covenant53:39 Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey, Danny Olinger, Lane G. Tipton55 min
1220Persistent PrayerWe take the podcast on the road for three episodes to visit Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. In our first episode of the road trip, we speak with Dr. Guy Richard about his book Persistent Prayer (P&R, 2021). This book is in P&R’s Blessings of the Faith series. This book will prove useful to pastors, elders, and study groups as it provides encouragement and instruction regarding prayer and its blessings. Dr. Guy M. Richard is President and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta. Links Christ the Center, episode 83 — The Theology of Samuel Rutherford Chapters 00:00 Introduction02:10 About RTS Atlanta07:01 An Update on Samuel Rutherford Scholarship08:21 The Importance of Persistent Prayer11:02 Prayer and Pastoral Ministry14:59 A Definition of Prayer20:43 The Psalter and Prayer26:39 The Grace and Intimacy of Prayer32:18 Prayer and Fasting38:01 Prayer and the Armor of God41:24 Encouraging the Prayerless48:02 Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey, Guy Richard, Will Wood49 min
1221Christianity and Liberalism – Chapter 1This week on Theology Simply Profound, we begin reposting a series of readings of J. Gresham Machen’s 1923 classic book, Christianity and Liberalism. (originally posted August 27, 2019, Episode 169) Participants: Robert Tarullo41 min
1222Hosea 12 — The Lord’s IndictmentThe Lord pronounces an indictment upon Israel and convicts her of her sins. He also calls her to repentance and to return to him. The coming judgment in exile reminds of Christ who was exile in death for us, that in him we might have life and restoration in the heavenly promised land. Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder47 min
1223The Exile of Adam in RomansDr. David Barry joins us to speak about his book, The Exile of Adam in Romans: The Reversal of the Curse against Adam and Israel in the Substructure of Romans 5 and 8 (Fortress Academic, 2021) In this book, Barry investigates the “divine son” motif in Romans 5 and 8 through the lens of exile and restoration. Both Adam’s exclusion from Eden and Israel’s exile from Palestine are, for Paul, a divine son falling short of God’s holiness and forfeiting the divine inheritance and presence. The themes of Adam and Israel are complementary examples of sin and separation from God, which Paul argues are reversed in Christ and for believers in union with him. This theme of “divine sons” provides a framework for interpreting Paul’s use of restoration prophecies in Romans 5 and 8. Dr. Barry is pastor at Midway Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Powder Springs, Georgia and Visiting Lecturer in New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta. He received his Ph.D. in New Testament from Westminster Theological Seminary (2018). Prior to his doctoral work, he studied at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS, (M.Div, 2013), and Clemson University (BS, 2009). Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction00:02:51 Background and Biography00:07:25 Coming to Redemptive-Historical Hermeneutics00:09:35 Paul’s Theology of Exile00:11:37 First Century Jewish Views on the Exile00:17:22 A Canonical Perspective of the Exile00:27:12 The Deeper Protestant Conception00:29:36 The Original Context of Romans00:33:49 Shared Themes in Romans 5 and 800:37:25 Romans 7 in Context00:43:52 The Connection between Romans 7 and 800:50:15 The Holy Spirit in Romans 800:54:22 Biblical Chapter and Verse Markers00:56:15 Exile and Restoration in the Gospels00:59:46 The Church in the Wilderness01:06:16 Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey, David Barry, Will Wood1 hr 8 min
1224Ephesians 1:7–8 — Redeemed by the BloodRedemption is the work of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This Pauline trinitarian emphasis is something that may be somewhat lacking in modern preaching, but is essential in understanding the unique work of each of the three persons. With this trinitarian emphasis Robert Arendale takes a look at the need, the cost, and the blessing of redemption. Participants: Mark A. Winder, Robert Arendale49 min

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