presbycast

A special treat: an audio recording of the evening worship service at the meeting where the PCA Presbytery of the Ascension was formed on July 29, 1975. RC Sproul (then 36) preached a message on the ascension and the kingship of Christ. The sermon begins at 52 minutes. Read about the formation of this presbyery here: https://www.theaquilareport.com/founding-pca-ascension-presbytery/

PCA pastor Derrick Brite and OPC bivocational minister Chris Drew join us to share their views on the current conflict and warring factions in the PCA from, as it were, the cheap seats of below-the-radar small church life.

Pastor-worship geek Harrison Perkins of London City Presbyterian joins us again, this time to talk about the book "When Church Became Theatre" and the intersections of culture, worship, doctrine, music, entertainment, and architecture.

Historian Miles Smith IV of Hillsdale College and ARP minister Ben Glaser, a West Virginian in South Carolina, join us to talk about the ahistorical assault on "Bible Belt religion" by progressive evangelicals and the cultured despisers. We talked depravity, heritage, liturgy, and ways to honor our fathers and mothers according to the flesh and in the faith.

Revoice, judicial decisions, and now leaked emails from a powerful lobbying group...times are tough in the PCA in 2021 and 2022 looks stormy. A ruling elder and a teaching elder join us to talk about all this and more.

Wresby and some miscreants rate horror movies for hours...that's it, that's the show. CW wasn't there because DIDN'T SEE IT. This was our WE HAVE TO DO THIS OR WE LOSE THE YOUNG PEOPLE show...so truly the most revivalist-culturalist Presbycast ever. And since all horror movies are just morality plays it is also our most pietistic show.

Dr. Dominc Aquila and pastor Jared Nelson join CW and Amish Ambush to size up the PCA SJC decision on the Missouri Presbytery/Greg Johnson case. Read the decision (linked from this page): https://byfaithonline.com/sjc-rules-on-complaint-against-missouri-presbytery/

We are joined by writer Esther O'Reilly who has followed the gay Christian/Side B movement for almost 10 years and has written extensively on the subject. She's currently bringing her perspective and experience to bear on an analysis of the latest Revoice conference. We also talked about similarities between current controversies in the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Here's just one of Esther's many articles on the subject: https://northamanglican.com/a-tempest-observed-reflections-on-sexuality-and-the-acna/

Zoe the Presby Girl fills in for busy Wresby and Third Presbycaster Rev. Chris Drew joins us to dissect Carl Trueman's First Things article on the similarities of today's evangelical elites to yesteryear's Schleiermachian liberals. https://www.firstthings.com/article/2021/11/the-failure-of-evangelical-elites

Reformed thinker Gregory Baus joins us to examine the thorny issues of political compliance and resistance from an historical Reformed confessional and biblical perspective. See his annotated bibliography here: https://tinyurl.com/RefoPoliResistBib And explore the challenging concept of Reformed anarchy (which probably doesn't mean what ou think it means) here: https://tinyurl.com/refoanarchism Video link (with timestamps and notes from Greg in the comments): https://youtu.be/hC95p88UzKg

Pastor Chris Drew joins us for a doctrinal and pastoral discussion of the challenging and encouraging fifth chapter of the Westminster Confession of Faith, Of Providence.

Two PCA ruling elders and Dr. Dominic Aquila join us to examine conflicting advice about the SSA-related overtures now before the presbyteries of the PCA. We begin by breaking down a recent conversation from a new video series by Dr. Aquila and pastor Fred Greco about PCA polity, then we move to conflicting advice from two wings of the PCA on overtures 23 and 37.

PCA pastors Dr. Dominic Aquila and Fred Greco talk about the importance of overtures 23 and 37 (concerning officer examination and qualifications, triggered by the Revoice/SSA controversy) as they begin to come before presbyteries for approval. You may view the video here: https://vimeo.com/602742358

PCA pastor Geoff Gleason walks us through his five-part blog series on issues of race in the PCA and offers a diagnostic framework for evaluating claims and strategies. Here's the series (beginning at the first installment): http://theologyinshorts.com/part-1-an-appeal-on-race-in-the-presbyterian-church-in-america/

ARP pastor Ben Glaser and missionary kid Zoe help us ask why presbyterianism is weird and why/if we ought to keep it that way. The jumping off point was Ben's article on mental images: https://seventeen82.blogspot.com/2021/08/ralph-erskine-and-mental-images-by-rev.html

Our special friend Dan Borvan, a URC minister in California, joins us for a variety (telephone) call-in show where no topic was off-limits -- a welcome diversion from the dire news of the day.

Here's another good sermon in Ryan Biese's Exodus series preached at First Presbyterian (PCA), Fort Oglethorpe, GA, this time from chapter 32, verses 15-24 -- the account of Moses' encounter with Aaron and the idol-worshiping Israelites.

William JU Philip of the Tron Church in Glasgow and Paul Levy of the Ealing International Presbyterian Church join us to talk about the letter they've written to the UK prime minister against vaccine passports. We also learn a great deal about the challenges of Christian ministry in the UK and the cultural changes the pandemic has revealed. See the letter here: https://vaccinepassportletter.wordpress.com/

Kerry Baldwin of the Libertarian Christian Institute joins us and a few friends for a great conversation about liberty and freedom in church and society as mandates loom and Covid lingers. https://mereliberty.com/ https://libertarianchristians.com/

Dr. R. Scott Clark of Westminster Seminary California guides us through the indispensable through the 44 articles of the Athanasian Creed which explore the mysteries of the Trinity and the essential Christological doctrines. "This is the catholic faith: which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved." https://heidelblog.net/athanasian/

Recent show guest Mark Robinson preaches at First Presbyterian Church, Fort Oglethorpe, GA on the dramatic events recounted in Galatians 2 and their implication for believers and the church.

PCA elders Mark Robinson and Rob Henzel join us for a timely discussion of the ecclesial issues of our day, including racism (and its supposed remedies), sexuality, and the temptation to compromise with the spirit and wisdom of the age. And we point to the real remedy: the eternal hope of the unifying gospel. Watch for us to post a sermon by Mark next week.

We are happy to offer this excellent sermon by pastor Ryan Biese of First Presbyterian (PCA), Fort Oglethorpe, GA. The text is Exodus 32: 1-6 (the golden calf), the title is "Make God Relevant Again," and the theme (in part) is that this incident was an early example of the "progressive" tendency in religion. There's also much about the deceitfulness of sin and the importance of proper worship.

A short re-post on the 140th anniversary of J. Gresham Machen's birth: This inaugural episode (6/10/2019) of Machen Minutes features a word of introduction, a reading from the last chapter of "Christianity and Liberalism," and Machen's favorite hymn as a closing piece. #MachenMinutes Read C&L free at https://reformed.org/books/chr_and_lib/

Pastor Chris Drew led us through WCF chapter 4, Of Creation. This was an edifying discussion which emphasized the glory of God and the eschatalogical implications of the great truth of the Bible's creation account.

Seven real-world presbyterian guests joined us to talk about a variety of important things...from pizza to polity. Our streaming platform had a few audio glitches early on, but things settled down nicely as we went along.

Podcasting from the Presbaru, CW gives a brief wrapup of PCAGA 2021 from a participant's perspective.

Our most eclectic live show ever - six guests joined at the raucous and noisy MORE in the PCA social, including Camden Bucey, Dominic Aquila, Job Dalomba, Brian Heise and our new favorite Machen Warrior princesses Sarah and Zoe! We wrapped up the first 2.5 days of PCAGA 21...and had a good time. What else would you have with Reformed media icons, pastors, ruling elders, and...warrior princesses?

PCA pastor and well-known Spin Mortificator Todd Pruitt helps us preview the proceedings of the PCA General Assembly in St. Louis beginning June 28, 2021. As always with Todd, it was a great time of no-holds-barred missional winsomeness. Here's the podcast we mentioned: https://www.prestonsprinkle.com/theology-in-the-raw/876-greg-johnson

We are joined by M.D. Perkins, a researcher, filmmaker, and author, to talk about Revoice, Side B, and the cultural currents regarding gender and sexuality...and how they relate to the church. You may view the movie we talked about here: https://inhisimage.movie/ and learn more about M.D. here: https://www.afa.net/who-we-are/spokespersons/md-perkins/# Be sure to watch for his upcoming book Dangerous Affirmation: The Threat of 'Gay Christianity' which should be released by year's end.

Our friend Dr. R. Scott Clark, a church historian and theologian, brings his perspective to bear on confessional subscription and the current conflicts in the PCA. We talked about Revoice/SSA theology, open letters, exceptions, and more. Finally, we talked about latitude and why protecting it is very important to some. https://heidelblog.net/2021/06/more-thoughts-about-the-pca-liberal-v-conservative-is-the-wrong-paradigm/

We celebrate (a week late) our 5-year show anniversary with our first and most prolific guest Dr. D.G. Hart of Hillsdale College, the greatest living presbyterian historian. Our subject matter is a 1974 film produced by the mainline northern presbyterian church, which gives us ample material for historical reflection from the 16th century to today. YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EzuX8EACmE

It was our delight to welcome small-town PCA pastor Derrick Brite to talk about his recent GRN article and to analyze an open letter signed by hundreds of PCA elders in the tense run-up to the 2021 PCA General Assembly.

We are joined by Dr. Dominic Aquila and pastor Chuck Williams to talk about the roots of Revoice in the PCA...and the fruit thereof. Both men have been involved in judicial cases related to our topic. We also talk about the state of the current Revoice-related discipline case and what the PCA General Assembly might hold. Missouri Presbytery documents: https://www.mopres.org/newsNews (mopres.org) PCA General Assembly minutes: https://www.pcahistory.org/pca/ga/index.html

This show released one year ago (almost to the day) and is an examination of the report of the PCA Ad Interim Committee on Human Sexuality, which will likely be received by the 2021 GA in St Louis one month from now.. This report was requested by the 2019 GA and delivered in time for the 2020 GA...which never happened. It has sort of fallen through the cracks amidst COVID and fresher controversies, and we thought this conversation with Todd Pruitt would be a helpful reminder of its content.

Join us for this throwback show with old friends, a new presbycurious pastor, and variable audio and internet quality! Better than your worst Zoom call, guaranteed. And 10x more presby.

Hans Fiene, Lutheran pastor and content creator par excellence, expands on a series of tweets on the theology and pyschology of doctrinal declension as typified by the ordination of female pastors. And we talked about the value of humor and satire in the service of the teaching and defense of doctrine. Here's the video we played: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnjTPavXkjU

From Birmingham, the site of the 2021 Gospel Reformation Network conference, we discuss the significant points of the day's talks with Dominic Aquila, Sean McGowan, and Charlie Nave, founder of MORE in the PCA.

Our friend OPC pastor Chris Drew leads us through a discussion of one of the most challenging and misunderstood sections of the Westminster Confession, chapter 3 - Of God's Eternal Decree. Election, predestination, sovereignty, and sin all come into this discussion which is surprisingly pastoral and evangelical.

Jon Payne, pastor of Christ Church Presbyterian and director of the Gospel Reformation Network, joins us for a frank-but-hopeful assessment of the state of the PCA, an encouragement to cling to the ordinary means of grace, and a history of the currents that led to the formation of the GRN. Here's the website for the upcoming conference we discussed: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/o-church-arise-a-gospel-reformation-network-conference-tickets-141473812983

Here's a wonderful sermon on Ecclesiastes 3 by our friend Ryan Biese, pastor of First Presbyterian Church (PCA) of Fort Oglethorpe, GA. He is an alumnus of Grove City College in Pennsylvania and received his seminary training at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson MS. https://www.fpfo.org/

Here's an excellent sermon from Luke 19:45-48 by John Blevins III, associate pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Oak Ridge, TN. This passage, which includes the cleansing of the temple, has much to say about the worship of the church. Pastor Blevins is leading a church plant in the Knoxville, TN area which will emphasize the ordinary means of grace.

We talked about when, why, if, and how to leave a denomination...and why we hope that could be avoided with Drs. Darryl G. Hart of Hillsdale College and the Old Life blog and Dominic Aquila of the Aquila Report who (like Dr. Hart) also teaches church history.

Well, it was a variety show with variety...from the smart (presby political thinker Forfare Davis) to the dumb (April Fools' Day humor...baptists), from 'Merica music to the perplexities of presbyterianism.

Matt and Michael of the Restless Podcast join us to talk about the long, strange trip that was the Young, Restless, and Reformed movement. Be sure to subscribe to their podcast at https://restlesspodcast.podbean.com/ Here's the prescient Carl Trueman article from 2013 we mentioned: What if Life Was Complex? - Reformation 21

Dr. David Strain, senior minister of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson MS, joins us to discuss his journey from Scotland (where he was removed from the liberal Church of Scotland for his orthodox views), to London, to small-town Mississippi, then all the way to one of the PCA's most influential pulpits.

Historian and Hillsdale College visiting professor Miles Smith IV joins us to talk about his recent piece (linked below) on so-called Christian Nationalism. We also talk a bit about his new communion, the Anglican Church in North America. Read the article cited here: https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/would-it-really-were-christian-nationalism/

We are pleased to have Harrison Perkins who ministers at the Free Church of Scotland congregation in London, UK though his credentials are those of a PCA minister. We talk lots about the situation on the ground in that global city in the year of COVID and we talk much about worship and the 2nd commandment in the last half of the show. Here's the link to his important essay on the 2nd Commandment: https://www.academia.edu/39872519/Images_of_Christ_and_the_Vitals_of_the_Reformed_System Find him on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/HarrisonP87 Watch the live broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI1ZkA-04dE

We talk about the important truths and terms of the second chapter (Of God, and of the Holy Trinity) of the Westminster Confession of Faith with OPC minister Chris Drew.

A hastily-assembled cast of PCA elders including Dr. Dominic Aquila discuss the late-breaking news concerning the uncertain dates and arrangements of the 2021 PCA General Assembly in St. Louis. https://www.pcaac.org/coronavirus/