Covenant Podcast

The following message was delivered at the 2025 Covenant Conference, hosted by CBTS. The theme of the 2025 conference was The Law of God. To learn more about CBTS, visit CBTSeminary.org

John Vernon and his wife Anne had five known children. There names are uncertain but probably were John, Deborah, Caleb, Anne (or as she was called, Nancy), and Mary. Caleb has special interest to us because his father wrote a spiritual biography of him that is the only book I am aware from the 1600s that gives an account of the conversion, baptism, and partaking in the Lord’s Supper by someone under the age of 16. This account was entitled, “The Compleat Scholler or a relation of the life, and the latter-end especially, of Caleb Vernon who died in the Lord on the 29 th of the 9 th month, 1665, aged 12 years and 6 months”. For more information, visit CBTSeminary.org

Over three centuries after its initial publication, Nehemiah Coxe’s seminal work "A Discourse of the Covenants" remains as vital as ever in understanding Baptist Covenant Theology. Paired with John Owen’s Exposition of Hebrews 8:6-13, this twentieth anniversary edition of Covenant Theology from Adam to Christ features updated content and indices. In this conversation, Richard Barcellos, Ron Miller & Fransico Orozco discuss the history of this book's initial publication, Coxe's view of the Abrahamic covenant, and more. For more information about CBTS, visit: https://cbtseminary.org

The following message was delivered at the 2025 Covenant Conference, hosted by CBTS. The theme of the 2025 conference was The Law of God. To learn more about CBTS, visit CBTSeminary.org

"Vernon frequently preached against Cromwell’s Protectorate. William Kiffen and others wrote him urging to support it, but his understanding of the relationship between Christ and the English government wouldn’t allow it."

In this conversation, Pastors Joe Wilson and Lee McKinnon discuss the value of arranging a preaching calendar. They also discuss the Spurgeonic method of preaching, the difference between topical expository sermons and sequential expository sermons, and the usefulness of having a preaching calendar within a plurality of elders. For more information about CBTS visit: https://cbtseminary.org

A great irony surrounds this biblical doctrine of God's absolute predestination of all things. Intended by the Apostle Paul to be one of the most comforting and assuring doctrines to the redeemed followers of Christ, predestination is widely scorned by those to whose souls it should soothe. There is no greater assurance of our salvation than to know its eternal security does not rest on the feebleness of our faith. Pick up a copy of Pastor Gunter's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Praise-His-Glory-Doctrine-Predestination/dp/B0CXXNGL14

As Samuel Richardson wrote, “there is no form of civil government in Christ’s testament”. We are reminded that it’s often easy to give ourselves to a human kingdom than Christ’s without even noticing. For more information about CBTSeminary, visit CBTSeminary.org

In this conversation, Chris Holmes discusses "The Preaching of Benjamin Keach." Dr. Holmes researched Keach's use of Metaphors for his PhD Dissertation and teaches courses on Preaching and Benjamin Keach at Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary. For more information about CBTS visit: https://cbtseminary.org

Some of the earliest members of the Loughwood Baptist church were colorful characters, a few of which we’ll look at next episode. Others were quite unexpected. Who would guess that several prominent families in the early years of the church were Huguenots, French protestants escaping persecution? For more information, visit CBTSeminary.org

In this conversation, Steve Kim presents historical data that demonstrates Jesus of Nazareth arose from the dead. Steve Kim is the Alberta Director of Apologetics Canada Ministries. In his early 20s, Steve experienced a faith crisis due to intellectual undernourishment. Through this experience, he has come to see apologetics as the “intellectual care of the soul” and now feels a personal burden to walk with others who may be struggling with doubt and/or seeking sincerely. Steve holds a diploma in Worship Arts and a BA in Biblical Studies from Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, BC. He has completed a master’s degree in Christian Apologetics through Biola University in La Mirada, CA. He began his PhD studies through the University of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland, exploring any proper limits of human enhancement. A native of Korea, Steve now lives in the Edmonton area with his wife, Sharina, and two children, Maya and Tavin. For more information visit: https://cbtseminary.org

In this episode, Pastors Joe Wilson and Lee McKinnon discuss the importance of training men for Pastoral Ministry. They discuss the duty of teaching men who will be able to teach others as well; they cover why this duty is especially necessary for older ministers; then, they conclude the conversation by providing tips to accomplish this task. For more information visit: https://cbtseminary.org

"In the last episode I mentioned that a young John Ash was baptized and joined the Loughwood Baptist Church in Dorset. This church erected a chapel in the 1650s that is still standing; a beautiful little building fully restored by Great Britain’s National Trust. But before I tell you some of the story of the church, let me tell you about the chapel itself because it one of the oldest and loveliest Baptist meetinghouses still standing in England." For more information, visit CBTSeminary.org

In this conversation, Pastor Brice Bigham presents the importance of rebuke for the Christian life. He covers how this is important for preaching, ministry, and church life for all members. Additionally, he gives helpful advice for both giving and receiving rebuke. Don't miss this important conversation that will help you to grow in an often-neglected Christian duty! For more information about CBTS visit: https://cbtseminary.org

In some ways, John Ash is reminiscent of Thomas Llewelyn, our previous pilgrim. Both men lived during the same years, were educated at Bristol, became moderately well off, and exercised academic gifts and pastoral heart. But the differences brought into their lives by providence, help us understand the variety of life in the Particular Baptist churches of mid-18th century England. For more information about CBTS, visit CBTSeminary.org

Join us for an insightful discussion with Jared Ebert (ThM) as we delve into the retrieval of Reformed Methods in New Testament Textual Criticism. This episode offers an examination of historical approaches and their contemporary relevance to our approach to textual criticism. To read his ThM thesis, click here: https://www.academia.edu/129594686/Retrieving_the_Reformed_Methods_of_New_Testament_Textual_Criticism For more information about CBTS visit: https://cbtseminary.org

Today’s story of another little-known Particular Pilgrim concerns Thomas Llewelyn and the use of his academic-oriented gifts. Thomas’ last name “Llewelyn” begins with two “Ls” and gives away his Welsh origins. For more information, visit CBTSeminary.org

Feeling Like You've Messed Up in Ministry? These Pastors Get It and Here's What They Learned! After receiving helpful feedback from our previous episode titled "Failures and Regrets in Ministry," Pastors Joe Wilson and Lee McKinnon thought it useful to reflect upon ways that the Lord has grown them through pastoral trials and errors. To listen to part 1 of this discussion, click here: https://youtu.be/gDIOwaMrop4 For more information about CBTS visit: https://cbtseminary.org

The 50th Anniversary celebration of the Baptist Missionary Service was held on May 31st and June 1st and 2nd, 1842, in Kettering. So large were the expected crowds that two meetinghouses were used – one the Baptist and the other the Congregational. On the first day in the evening, Andrew Leslie was asked to preach. His text was Acts 14:27, “and when they had arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles”. Leslie imitated Paul’s actions from the text, and gave a sermon “replete with interesting and important details respecting the East India mission, and the absurd, impure superstitions of the people among whom it is planted”. For more information about CBTS, visit CBTSeminary.org

Equipped to Evangelize is a comprehensive guide that brings clarity and biblical depth to the vital task of sharing the Christian faith. Drawing from three decades of experience, Rob Ventura outlines a practical and systematic approach to evangelism that both encourages and equips believers for this essential work. Pick up the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Equipped-Evangelize-Foundation-Rob-Ventura/dp/1527113221 For more information about Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary, click here: https://cbtseminary.org/

"Andrew Leslie’s grief over the death of the one he called “his dear Eliza” hindered him for some years. In the months following his “great affliction” he stopped writing letters and doing most work. But after an initial period of grieving, he began to reengage in his various missionary pursuits. And in a letter written to R. B. Sherring six months after Eliza’s death, he includes some news of a spiritual nature. He tells of 7 baptisms in the previous months." For more information about CBTS, visit CBTSeminary.org

In this episode, Jeremy W. Johnston introduces our audience to C.S. Lewis and discusses some of his most important writings. Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963), a British writer and scholar, is best known as C.S. Lewis, the author of the beloved children's series The Chronicles of Narnia, as well as influential works of Christian apologetics like Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters. Born in Belfast and holding academic positions at Oxford and Cambridge, Lewis was a prominent member of the "Inklings" literary group with J.R.R. Tolkien. His conversion from atheism to Christianity profoundly shaped his writing, imbuing his diverse works, ranging from literary criticism to science fiction, with theological and allegorical depth, ensuring his enduring popularity and impact on literature and Christian thought. For more information visit: https://cbtseminary.org

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with Pastor Ben Carlson as he dives into one of the Old Testament's most intriguing figures: the Angel of the LORD. In this episode, Ben presents compelling scriptural evidence and theological insights to explain why he believes the Angel of the LORD is none other than a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ Himself. From the burning bush to Gideon's encounter, we explore key passages where this mysterious figure appears, examining the profound implications for our understanding of God's character and the continuity of His redemptive plan throughout history. Below are the links for Pastor Ben's four part blog series on the Angel of the LORD: https://cbtseminary.org/what-does-the-angel-of-the-lord-mean/ https://cbtseminary.org/where-is-the-angel-of-the-lord-found-ben-carlson/ https://cbtseminary.org/who-is-the-angel-of-the-lord-ben-carlson/ https://cbtseminary.org/why-is-the-angel-of-the-lord-important-ben-carlson/ For more information about CBTS visit: https://cbtseminary.org

"Any missionary heading to India had to wrestle with the reality that they could die shortly after arrival. Surely, none of them expected to return to England. Moving to a hot, wet climate without immunities or medical remedies against exotic diseases, was part of the cost of reaching the lost. And Eliza Leslie had considered this." For more information, visit CBTSeminary.org

William D. Dennison (MDiv, ThM, Westminster Theological Seminary; PhD, Michigan State University) was Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Covenant College and Visiting Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Northwest Theological Seminary. He is the author of Paul's Two-Age Construction and Apologetics (Wipf and Stock, 2000), A Christian Approach to Interdisciplinary Studies (Wipf and Stock, 2007), The Young Bultmann (Peter Lang, 2008), and Karl Marx (P&R). https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/problem-of-evil-9798892437011?srsltid=AfmBOorrW31xYK75UILuJyBTz6zI31uBbNrWQkPQavycUFUbRFCxnzUo https://a.co/d/j6l5Yf3 For more information visit: https://cbtseminary.org

Dr. Meade joined the Phoenix Seminary Faculty in 2012. He teaches courses in Hebrew Language, Old Testament Literature, Greek Language and Literature, and Biblical Theology. His research interests include Origen’s Hexapla, the Septuagint, Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible, the Canon of Scripture, and Biblical Theology. He also presents papers at scholarly meetings such as the Evangelical Theological Society, the International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies, and the Society of Biblical Literature. For more information visit: https://cbtseminary.org

"The Leslies grew in love for one another and appear to have sincerely rejoiced at the opportunity to serve God in India, despite the sacrifices this involved. Their first year passed relatively quietly with no children, but with much learning and usefulness." For more information about CBTS, visit CBTSeminary.org

Pastors Doug Barger, Dewey Dovel, and Ken Glisch discuss the doctrine of election from John Gill's "The Cause of God & Truth." For more information visit: https://cbtseminary.org

Feeling Like You've Messed Up in Ministry? These Pastors Get It and Here's What They Learned! For more information visit: https://cbtseminary.org

"I do not know of any other book that exalts Christ Jesus more clearly in the salvation of sinners than this little book by Hanserd Knollys. The treasure of this book is Christ." - Jeffrey D. Johnson Order your copy here: https://freegracepress.com/products/christ-exalted?_pos=1&_sid=5907352c0&_ss=r Check out the rest of the Free Grace Press Baptist Reprint series here: https://freegracepress.com/collections/baptist-reprints Register for the upcoming Greek course taught by Dr. Timothy Decker here: https://cbtseminary.org/register/ For more information about CBTS visit: https://cbtseminary.org

"We know little else about Eliza’s early childhood, but I have a careful portrait of her drawn about age 18 by William Thomas Fry, an important English engraver. It shows a small, attractive young lady with elaborately curled hair sitting in a chair holding a letter. She bears a pleasant resemblance to her father."

What makes worship pleasing and acceptable to God? All Christians know that God ought to be worshipped, but some do not know why and how. Through His Word, God instructs us in how He wants to be worshipped. This introductory book is designed to walk through what true worship is, what worship should include, and how to identify true worship in a church. Get your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/True-Worship-Returning-Biblical-Understanding-ebook/dp/B0DR4V9198/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3GSYRMWYGG07V&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.miTyckYKdeZpBtBMLl8r5g9sLiS7kLLA2xW6flgZSMjGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.AYTX4YRYJSuOfm9nszARJgebnmr8nrDCgbdrHbZ1GZ4&dib_tag=se&keywords=Landon+Jones+true+worship&qid=1741033360&s=books&sprefix=landon+jones+true+worship%2Cstripbooks%2C89&sr=1-1 For more information visit: https://cbtseminary.org

Francis Franklin, father of Eliza, was born on December 9, 1772 in Mursley, Buckinghamshire. He was the youngest of seven children; his parents being William and Mary Franklin. Just before he turned 15 he moved to Oxford to apprentice as a cabinet and chair maker to his cousin, John Payne. He regularly attended the parish church, as he had been raised, but found the Baptist ministry of James Hinton to be more useful. He also took up the habit of reading, especially George Whitefield’s sermons. For more information, visit CBTSeminary.org

Dr. Justin Miller is the author of this newly released book: The Not So Loving Side of Gentle Parenting: A Biblical Plea to Parents. A new Trojan horse took baby steps into the nursery and has now launched big steps into the church family—“Gentle Parenting.” It is likely this novel parenting philosophy has been adopted by families in your church body. This book will (1) characterize and define what Gentle Parenting is (2) critique it by comparing and contrasting it with the Holy Scriptures, (3) call believers back to raising their children in truth, and then (4) carefully consider the essential need to rely solely upon the sufficiency of Scripture in parenting. Parenting is a blessed stewardship believers are called to carry out for God’s glory in His Word. For more information about CBTSeminary, visit CBTSeminary.org

"It is clear from his letters that Andrew Leslie was marked for India as a missionary after graduation from Bristol Academy. But before he could go there were several things he needed to do." For more information about CBTS, visit CBTSeminary.org

Should believers make friendships with unbelievers? If so, how should they go about this? What principles ought they remember so they are not making themselves “friends with the world?” (Jam. 4:4). For more information, visit CBTSeminary.org

"The next person I want to present to you is Andrew Leslie. I’m fairly certain none of you know that name. But I hope that after several episodes, his “hidden life” and “unvisited tomb”, to use George Eliot’s phrases from the last line of her novel “Middlemarch”, will be honored." For more information, visit CBTSeminary.org

In this conversation with Pastor John Sweat, we discuss Francis Turretin's Natural Theology. Sweat explains how Turretin distinguishes between False Natural Theology and True Natural Theology. He further discusses some influences upon Turretin's articulation of this doctrine. To read John Sweat's blog series on this subject, click here: https://cbtseminary.org/francis-turretins-natural-theology-clearing-the-historical-record-john-sweat/ For more information about CBTS visit: https://cbtseminary.org

"One of the few original letters I possess from our Particular Baptist forebears is from Robert Hall Jr. to John Ryland. Robert was the youngest son of Robert Hall Sr. whose life we explored. Robert Jr. was blessed with unusual gifts and was one of the greatest preachers of the first half of the 1800s. Like his father, Robert was a Particular Baptist, but with peculiar views on a number of subjects. I expect we will examine his life at a later date. But know that he was constantly in demand to preach." For more information, visit CBTSeminary.org

In this episode, Sam Waldron contrasts the New Perspective on Paul with the historic Reformed understanding of Sola Fide. Dr. Waldron references multiple resources authored by Jeff Smith and himself in this conversation. These resources can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JUIdshIzeXoeHhycsTPi320rdxLvu2Ex/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y0jY9PCCVa4zSDZomcIbfLBi1a3DmdFg/view?usp=sharing For more information about CBTS visit: https://cbtseminary.org

Now that we have begun to see the gifts of John Ryland and his growth in the grace of humility, it is time to tell more of his story. He spent 10 years helping his father in the school and church before his ordination to the pastoral office. During this time, he was frustrated in his inability to find a wife. And so he wrote to John Newton about it, who regularly responded with good counsel. For more information, visit CBTSeminary.org

"For almost a decade, CBTS has been involved in teaching ministry in Latin America through our affiliated seminaries. Currently, the Master of Arts in Reformed Baptist Studies program is offered in Colombia, Ecuador, Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Chile. With our Spanish program, we aim to complement the training offered at our affiliated seminaries by offering a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree entirely in Spanish." -Jorge A. Rodríguez Vega For more information about CBTS en Español, visit here: https://cbtsespanol.org/ For information about the upcoming Greek course taught my Dr. Timothy Decker, click here: https://cbtseminary.org/register/

As a young believer, John Ryland struggled with the ups and downs of doubts and assurance. At times, he despaired of being truly converted. He also knew times of considerable confidence that Christ had saved him. His parents both ministered to his spiritual needs and a few months before age 15, his father baptized him, crying out, “Thanks be to God for this boy”. John said he never forgot that sound and was much affected at the time by it. That same month, September, he joined the church. Their records say, “September 11, 1767, aged 14 ¾” which probably shows the unusually young age of his membership. For more information, visit CBTSeminary.org

In a crisis, the body’s burst of adrenaline can boost the average person’s physical abilities, so that a man is able to lift a car off a trapped bicyclist and a mother can fight off a polar bear threatening her son. Author Mark Chanski makes the case that encouragement is able to do emotionally and psychologically for the soul what adrenaline does for the body. While Christians are sometimes reluctant to offer encouragement, we must do so in order to love our neighbors as ourselves. Building on the foundation of the gospel as the ultimate encouragement from God, the author—using quotations, historical references, illustrations, and examples—sets forth the Christian’s obligation to offer encouragement and then shows us how we can be encouraging in our families, in our churches, and in the world. Get your copy of Mark's book here. For more information about CBTSeminary, click here.

"John Ryland was born on January 29, 1753, as the oldest child of John Collett Ryland and his wife Elizabeth. His birthplace was Warwick, where his father first pastored and established his boarding school. As mentioned in previous episodes, John Ryland was often called John Ryland Jr. to distinguish him from his father, though technically, he wasn’t a junior. The son often signed his name this way. Later when awarded an honorary theological doctorate, he was called Dr. Ryland, again to differentiate him from his illustrious parent, who, after receiving his honorary degree, went by John Ryland, M.A." For more information about CBTSeminary, visit CBTSeminary.org

Can you speak of the value of fostering friendships with other like-minded pastors? How can ministers make ministerial friendships in this very busy “on to the next thing” culture? For more information, visit: https://cbtseminary.org

On this installment of Gill Group, Pastors Dewey Dovel and Ken Glisch discussion Reprobation from Part II of John Gill's "The Cause of God & Truth." For more information about CBTSeminary visit: https://cbtseminary.org

John Collett Ryland played an important role in English nonconformist education for forty years. Dissenting academies, as they were called, were necessitated by the reestablishment of the monarchy and state church in 1660. Subsequent legislation made it impossible for conscientious dissenters to gain entrance to English universities. Pre-university education was also difficult because any school had to be licensed by the local bishop. But after the 1720s, non-conformist education began to be recognized and even monetarily subsidized by the government. And so by the time Ryland began to teach, he was generally able to freely run his schools. For more information about CBTS, visit CBTSeminary.org

Keith Foskey is a pastor, podcaster and humorist. He is one of three elders who pastor at Sovereign Grace Family Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Keith holds to the First London Baptist Confession of Faith (1646). Keith is a graduate of Ashford University and Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary. He and wife Jennifer have been married since 1999, and they have been blessed with six beautiful children. Keith is the creator of the YourCalvinist YouTube channel, where he teaches on theology, hosts podcasts and showcases comedy sketches. He is a regular guest speaker at conferences across the United States.

If you ever heard the name of John Collett Ryland before these podcasts, it was probably in regard to an infamous interchange he was reported to have had with William Carey. There are several accounts of it in print, but I especially like the details and perspectives that Dr. Michael Haykin provides in his biography of John Sutcliff, entitled “One Heart and One Soul”. For more information about Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary, visit CBTSeminary.org