presbycast

Leaders of the Gospel Reformation Network join us to talk about the 2023 GRN national conference May 3 and 4 in Charlotte, NC. Jon Payne and Mel Duncan talk about the organization's history, purpose, and future and about the speakers and topics slated for the May conference. Learn more at: GRN National Conference (May 3-4) | Gospel Reformation Network. Get 10% of the registration fee by using the promo code PRESBYCAST. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/live/9YhwbBR_cys?feature=share

Our Westminster walking tour continues with our able and pastoral guide OPC pastor Chris Drew—this time through chapter 13 on the difficult subject of sanctification. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tawH9_QR32I Here's the text: CHAPTER 13 Of Sanctification 1. They, who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them: the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified; and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. 2. This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man; yet imperfect in this life, there abiding still some remnants of corruption in every part; whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. 3. In which war, although the remaining corruption, for a time, may much prevail; yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome; and so, the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Long-time Acts 29 pastor Chase Davis of The Well in Boulder, CO tells describes the good, the bad, and the ugly of the church planting network that eventually expelled his church. Join us for a fascinating look into the missional church world that bloomed in the 2000s but has had rockier times of late. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/live/GWVnlpj4ZZk?feature=share Read: https://www.boulderwell.org/blog/post/why-we-are-no-long-acts-29

To make up for a lost Sunday School class recording, Brad is joined by PCA pastor Ryan Biese to work through Westminster Confession of Faith chapter 31, Of Synods and Councils. We examine the basics of presbyterian church government and make some contemporary applications. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/live/tqbHeMfNBZg?feature=share

Zoe Schimke of World News Group and the Presbygirls podcast joins us (despite internet-ravaging Texas thunderstorms) to talk about her experience at the Asbury University revival meeting. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYNu9rkN2Ng

In an introductory Sunday School lesson on Westminster Confession of Faith chapter 31 (Of Synods and Councils) Brad talks about the Westminster Assembly's makeup and political context and then examines the proof text for this chapter, Acts 15. (The reading of the full passage in the middle of the lesson has been removed because the readers were inaudible.)

We know you'll enjoy this conversation that Brad had with PCA pastor (and former ruling elder) George Sayour on the Presbyterian and Reformed Churchmen podcast. We focused especially on Machen's great work Christianity and Liberalism and discussed the differences and parallels between the 1920s presbyterian controversies and those of the 2020s. Subscribe to George's excellent podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/presbyterian-reformed-churchmen/id1658431714 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/live/SDXnbs9yG20?feature=share

PCA missionary-church planter Nick Bullock of Stuttgart, Germany and his friend Sean Morris join us to talk about missions, church planting, and the portability of Reformed worship and the ordinary means of grace. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/live/7FnKHggf7sA?feature=share

Historian Darryl Hart and scholar Kevin White join us for a big show on a daunting topic -- Tim Keller's multifarious initiatives and prescriptions for revival and renewal of the American church. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/live/uafP0yfpGuM?feature=share The documents and articles: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/tgc-announces-keller-center/ https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/thekellercenter/ https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/02/christianity-secularization-america-renewal-modernity/672948/ https://quarterly.gospelinlife.com/american-church-the-strategy-for-renewal/ https://quarterly.gospelinlife.com/decline-and-renewal-of-the-american-church-extended/

In Wresby's absence, our regular guide through the riches of Westminster, OPC pastor Chris Drew, was joined by PCA minister Sean Morris for an encouraging discussion of Westminster Confession of Faith chapter 12, Of Adoption. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/live/yYtsBtsiprA?feature=share

A seminary professor with rural roots and four rural/small-town pastors (two of whom are bi-vocational) join us to talk about the challenges and blessings of ministry in the hinterlands. Chris Drew, Dennis Bills, Derrick Brite, and Charles Stover provide an often-overlooked perspective on presbyterian and Reformed churches outside of cities and comfortable suburbs. Learn more about Dennis Bills' work at http://www.reformingwv.org/. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/live/LIBodVt7fwA?feature=share

United Reformed Churches in North America minister Luke Gossett tells us about his hope to plant a URCNA congregation in his home state of Alabama where none has ever before existed. Along the way, we learned a lot about the distinctives of the URCNA specifically and the Dutch Reformed more generally. Learn more about the planting initiative here: https://www.birminghamurc.org/ Watch the show: https://youtu.be/lRuDfvLET0M

The Presbygirls finally break their nine-month hiatus with a brand new show on womanhood, femininity, theology, and everything in between, featuring our friend Mary Weller from TruthXChange, an apologetics ministry founded by Dr. Peter Jones. Watch: https://youtu.be/WiNV1qA4XK4

Calvinistic baptist pastor Keith Foskey joins us to talk about his viral videos which lovingly skewer nearly every denomination. We also talked about the role and value of humor in Christian life and ministry. Find Keith's YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaCalvinist Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/2zAfdgF6SiU

Grant and Jemerson of the excellent Balm in Gilead podcast join us to talk all things Christian music—from the business, to worship, to personal devotions and even for entertainment purposes. We had a lot of fun...maybe a little too much! These guys are thoughtful and solid. Be sure to subscribe to their show: https://www.balmcast.com/ Watch the show: https://youtu.be/s_aOPPt1gc4

Brad was interviewed recently by George Sayour, a ruling elder-turned-pastor, on George's new ruling elder-focused podcast Presbyterian & Reformed Churchmen. Subscribe here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/presbyterian-reformed-churchmen/id1658431714

Our annual visit from URC scholar-pastor Dan Borvan to celebrate the fake holiday Festivus was enlivened by the addition of PCA pastor Ryan Biese. All in good fun, tongues in cheek, etc...but serious matters were considered. Enjoy. Watch: https://youtu.be/uimYLR9LKbA

OPC pastor Chris Drew is our guide through the great eleventh chapter of the Westminster Confession of Faith, Of Justification. Watch: https://youtu.be/utiEl2eZ-vQ

The Most Interesting Presbyterian in the World, ARP Pastor Ben Glaser, holds forth on ministerial chicken raising and slaughtering, being Facebook-jailed, visiting Namibia for an international P&R ecumenical meeting, and whether Advent ought to be a thing in presbyterian churches. Watch: https://youtu.be/o3Qj_SnplM0

Here's an encouraging sermon on justification by pastor Sean Morris, preached at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge, TN on December 4, 2022. You can find other sermons in this series at: http://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/covenantoakridge

Memorial Presbyterian Church in St Louis, MO voted Friday, November 18 to leave the Presbyterian Church in America due to controversies involving their pastor Greg Johnson and a specific ministry of the church. PCA pastors Dr. Dominc Aquila and Todd Pruitt joined us on short notice to talk about the departure. Watch: https://youtu.be/-DxhTNSI4b0 Read the revealing congregational letters: https://theaquilareport.com/memorial-presbyterian-church-session-calls-congregation-meeting/

We prepare for Festivus by expressing our thankfulness even while lighting the ceremonial Festivent dumpster fires. Seriously, PCA pastor Sean Morris uses his two fine Reformation 21 articles on the church for a great discussion of the gathered communion of the saints. https://www.reformation21.org/blog/no-christianity-without-the-church https://www.reformation21.org/blog/for-all-the-saints

Our friends George and Darin at the Grace to Stand podcast kindly shared their wonderful interview with PCA pastor, missionary, author, theologian, and professor Dr. O. Palmer Robertson. They discussed his work, life, and perspective on the PCA from its founding until now. Please enjoy this conversation and be sure to subscribe to the Grace to Stand podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-to-stand/id1633537628

Enjoy (if so inclined) a few favorite tunes in the Presbycast genre—some standards plus a full-length LP by Ralph Trotto that is equal parts standard gospel (heavy on the maudlin morality tale songs) and impressive guitar numbers. Watch: https://youtu.be/6A4sr0-_JVY

Super presbyter Fred Greco (a former ruling elder and present teaching elder) brings his considerable knowledge of presbyterian polity and process to bear on the current crop of proposed constitutional amendments to the Presbyterian Church in America constitution. Our panel also included young PCA pastors Stephen Spinnenweber and Scott Edburg, keeper of the vote-tracking spreadsheet. Watch: https://youtu.be/OUcDw4cWG4Y

PCA pastors Derrick Brite and Stephen Spinnenweber plus SBC firebrand pastor Tom Buck join us to examine the $100 million+ Jesus marketing campaign "He Gets Us." And rumors of PCA involvement were addressed by PCA stated clerk Bryan Chapell who graciously provided a special recorded statement and agreed to a short interview. Watch: https://youtu.be/2LP5vYf5OQ8

Dr. C.N. Willborn preached this sermon about the Reformation's recapture of biblical baptism on 10/30/2022 at Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Oak Ridge, TN. More about Dr. Willborn: https://gpts.edu/about/faculty-staff/willborn/

PCA pastor Ryan Biese joins us to talk about the importance and priority of worship during the 16th-century Protestant Reformation...and (we hope) today. Watch: https://youtu.be/_-NCR5jI1G8

Here's a wonderful sermon from Psalm 95 on worship and reformation by PCA pastor Ryan Biese of First Presbyterian Church, Fort Oglethorpe, GA.

Apologist Joshua Gielow of TruthXchange, who attended the first and most recent Revoice conferences, and American Family Association researcher, author, and filmmaker M.D. Perkins joined us for a lengthy, frank, and (to be honest) PG-13 discussion of the Revoice movement which both have spent years studying. Find TruthXchange at https://truthxchange.com/ and begin at https://afa.net/alittleleaven to find M.D.'s work. Watch the show here: https://youtu.be/YvugmEaLvoQ

OPC pastor Chris Drew leads us through the grand tenth chapter of the Westminster Confession of Faith on effectual calling. Watch here: https://youtu.be/hmwMB3uBC0Q

Faith comes by hearing...so maybe we should focus more on hearing. Here is the audio bible that was recommended: https://www.audible.com/pd/David-Suchet-Audio-Bible-New-International-Version-NIV-Complete-Bible-Audiobook/B012QGQSFG

South Carolina PCA pastor Matt Adams joins us to talk about good faith subscription, polity scruples, and practice in the PCA, and why uniformity is actually good and necessary. Watch: https://youtu.be/vphRN4hFEhk

Another wide-ranging discussion with about 10 of our regulars and friends. From sacraments to surveys, from the Lord's Day to Le Mis...we covered some ground and had a good time. Watch: https://youtu.be/4UTF-_JmKQk

PCA Pastors Derek Radney and Geoff Gleason debate intinction and worship, and talk tiers (of importance) in our second-ever debate in a series we now call The Presburg Colloquies. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3OYgO6XFpg

Brad teaches the last of three Sunday school lessons on Westminster Confession of Faith chapter 21, this time covering paragraphs 7 and 8, using questions 115-121 of the Westminster Larger Catechism as a commentary. (Larger Catechism with scripture proofs https://www.opc.org/documents/LCLayout.pdf)

Historians Darryl Hart and Miles Smith IV of Hillsdale College join us to talk about the remarkable life of Queen Elizabeth II and her surprising connections to presbyterianism.

Brad teaches the second of three Sunday school lessons on Westminster Confession of Faith chapter 21, this time covering the second half of paragraph 1 through paragraph 6.

Dr. R. Scott Clark and PCA pastor Stephen Spinnenweber help us consider some under-treated aspects of the Side B/Revoice/"Gay Christian" debate—the natural/unnatural distinction, degrees of heinousness, and the finer points of concupiscence. Here is the article we discussed: https://heidelblog.net/2022/08/homosexuality-concupiscence-and-the-pca/ Here is the video that accompanied the presentation of the PCA sexuality report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=3JWQPFvtzck

Brad teaches the first of three Sunday school lessons on Westminster Confession of Faith chapter 21. Read Calvin's "The Necessity of Reforming the Church" here: https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/calvin_necessityreform.html

Gospel Reformation Network leaders pastor Jon Payne and ruling elder Mel Duncan join us to talk about the GRN, its reason for being, and reasons for both hope and concern in the Presbyterian Church in America. The GRN fall gathering is coming soon. Learn more here: https://gospelreformation.net/grn-fall-gathering/

Author, podcaster, and researcher Kerry Baldwin joins us to talk about libertarian principles generally and a libertarian case against abortion more specifically. Learn more about Kerry here: https://mereliberty.com/

Small-town PCA minister Derrick Brite joins us to talk about a big-time problem—the all-too-common crashes of local megachurches and how to deal with and minister to their members and refugees. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U24ZC8v26G0

With added content and improved sound we present our 2019 review of the 1969 SBC-produced youth musical "Happening Now!" This muscial groanstravaganza speaks volumes about the cultural captivity of the mainline and evangelicals...then and now. And considering the events of the late 60s reminds us that today may not be quite as bad as it seems. The irrepressible D-Bag Worship Guy was our special celebrity guest. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sL_gFV5C98

Our PCA pastor friend Ryan Biese joins us to discuss a 19th-century address by presbyterian minister Thomas E. Peck entitled "The Spirit of Presbyterianism." This concise work provides ample opportunity to dive deeply into the history and tenets of presbyterian church government...and more. View here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz293tCyoUM

PCA Ruling Elder James Solis joins us to talk about his recent Substack article on celibacy (https://noxvenit.substack.com/p/gay-and-celibate) and Side B gay Christianity. PCA pastor Stephen Spinnenweber also joined our panel.

We present the audio from a live Twitter Space where nearly 100 listeners joined in and more than a dozen spoke with us about everything from VBS biscuits in South Carolina to county fair cheese curds in Wisconsin...and the joys and trials of church life and ministry.

PCA pastor Joe Cristman of Chicago joins us to wrap up the 2022 PCA General Assembly once and for all with the story of two important overtures from his church and encouraging words about the future of the denomination. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGi5LshvCw

We present a fine sermon by Sean Morris entitled "God and Sinners Reconciled." This sermon from Ephesians 2 has much to say about the church as one of the great benefits of the gospel. Morris is associate pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Oak Ridge, TN.

Pastor Chris Drews helps us work through the truths and implications of the ninth chapter of the Westminster Confession of Faith, Of Free Will. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3jTmrlLVvg