Reformed Brotherhood | Reformed Theology and Brotherly Love

Tony and Jesse field a listener question, and discuss church polity.

Tony and Jesse discuss some random thoughts about the decline of authentic Christian spirituality in North America, the sinfulness of sin, and how Game of… ListenTRB 051 Brotherhood Musings, Volume 4

In this very special 50th episode of the Reformed Brotherhood, we welcome Conrad Tolosa from Fast God Stuff to have a discussion about what we… ListenTRB 050 Theology of Podcasting (feat. Conrad Tolosa)

Tony and Jesse respond to some listener questions regarding the EFS controversy and discuss the main Scripture passages which EFS advocates use.

This week on the show, Jesse and Tony discuss the order of salvation and how variation in this order is one of the major differences… ListenTRB 048 Ordo Saludis

The Eternal Submission of the Son, Eternal Functional Submission, or Eternal Relationships of Authority and Submission position is a major problem that has been facing… ListenTRB 047 The Eternal Functional Subordination Controversy

Tony and Jesse discuss the doctrine of Scripture, as they continue their series in Systematic Theology.

Tony and Jesse discuss how we should prepare for worship.

Tony and Jesse discuss entertainment and the right (or wrong) use of it.

Jesse and Tony discuss the gifts of the Spirit, and whether or not they have ceased.

Tony and Jesse continue their Systematic Theology series with a discussion about the Holy Spirit, and how he relates to the Father and Son.

Tony and Jesse talk about forgiveness: What is it, and why is it important?

Tony and Jesse wax eloquent about random stuff, and say Nate a lot.

Tony and Jesse lay out a biblical argument for church membership, and talk about its practical benefits.

Jesse and Tony continue the Systematic Theology series with a discussion about the work of Christ.

Jesse and Tony talk to Matt Butts, the host of the Reformed Outlook, about time management and priorities.

Jesse and Tony explore the Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

In this foundational episode of The Reformed Brotherhood's systematic theology series, Tony and Jesse explore the doctrine of Christology—the study of who Jesus Christ is. Building on their previous discussions of the Trinity, they unpack the Chalcedonian Definition and the hypostatic union, explaining how Jesus can be fully God and fully man without confusion or division between His two natures. This episode addresses common misconceptions, tackles early Christological heresies, and demonstrates why getting Christ's identity right is essential for understanding Scripture, salvation, and the Christian life. Whether you're new to theology or deepening your knowledge, this conversation will ground you in the most important question of all: "Who do you say that I am?" Key Takeaways The Hypostatic Union is Central: Jesus Christ is one person possessing two complete, distinct natures—fully divine and fully human—without confusion, change, division, or separation. The Incarnation is Addition, Not Subtraction: Christ did not give up any divine attributes (like omniscience or omnipresence) when He became man; He added a human nature to His divine nature. Christ Acts According to Each Nature: Jesus knows all things according to His divine nature but experienced genuine human limitations (including not knowing certain things) according to His human nature. The Chalcedonian Definition Protects Orthodoxy: The four key negations—without confusion, without change, without division, without separation—guard against heresy and preserve the biblical portrait of Christ. Christ's Humanity is Essential for Our Salvation: Only a true human could obey the law on our behalf and die in our place; only God could make that obedience and sacrifice of infinite worth. Systematic Theology Flows from Scripture: The technical language of Christology isn't philosophical overlay—it's the church's faithful attempt to systematize what the Bible reveals about Jesus. Proper Christology Impacts Everything: Getting Jesus' identity wrong creates theological errors that spread throughout your entire system—affecting how you read Scripture, understand salvation, and live the Christian life. Expanded Explanation of Key Concepts Why the Hypostatic Union Matters for Daily Faith The doctrine of the hypostatic union—that Jesus is one person with two natures—isn't academic abstraction. It's the key to reading the Gospels coherently. When Jesus says He doesn't know the day or hour of His return (Mark 13:32), we're not forced to choose between calling Him a liar or denying His deity. Instead, we understand that Jesus, as one person, knows all things according to His divine nature but experienced genuine human limitation according to His human nature. This distinction preserves both His truthfulness and His full divinity. Similarly, when we see Jesus praying, learning, growing, and suffering, we're witnessing the real humanity necessary for Him to be our representative and substitute. The hypostatic union isn't a puzzle to solve but a truth to worship: God became what we are (without ceasing to be God) so that we might become what He is (without ceasing to be human). The Incarnation as Addition, Not Subtraction One of the most dangerous errors in Christology is thinking that Jesus had to "give up" divine attributes to become human—a heresy known as kenotic theology. The Reformed response is clear: the incarnation involved addition, not subtraction. The eternal Son of God, who possessed all divine attributes from eternity, took on a complete human nature at a specific point in time. He didn't stop being omniscient; He added a human mind that learned and grew. He didn't stop being omnipresent; He added a human body located in space and time. This is critical because if the Son changed—if He became less than fully God—then He was never truly immutable, and therefore never truly God at all. The Chalcedonian Definition's phrase "without change" guards this truth. In the incarnation, the divine nature remained fully divine, the human nature became fully human, and the one person of Christ possessed both completely. Christ as the Only Mediator The book of Hebrews repeatedly emphasizes that Jesus is the perfect mediator between God and humanity precisely because He fully participates in both. As the eternal Son, He shares the divine nature with the Father and Spirit; as the incarnate Word made flesh, He shares our human nature (apart from sin). This is why no angel, no mere human, and no demigod could accomplish our salvation. Only someone who is fully God could render to God an obedience and sacrifice of infinite value; only someone who is fully human could obey the law in our place and die the death we deserved. Job's ancient cry—"If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together" (Job 9:33)—finds its answer in Jesus Christ, who puts one hand on the shoulder of God and the other on the shoulder of humanity, reconciling the two. This is

Tony and Jesse discuss the state of pastoral ministry with their dad, the Rev. Dr. Kevin Schwamb.

Tony and Jesse talk with their mom about family, the Church, and the law of God.

Jesse interviews former Punk Rock superstar, Conrad Tolosa.

Tony and Jesse talk about the real Santa Clause, his hagiographical involvement at the Council of Nicaea, and springboard into a discussion of Christology.

What does it mean to worship a God who is both one and three? In this foundational systematic theology episode, Tony Arsenal and Jesse Schwamb tackle one of Christianity's most essential yet mysterious doctrines: the Trinity. Moving beyond vague notions of "threeness" and "oneness," they explore the technical language of the early church—ousia, hypostasis, and perichoresis—and explain why these terms matter for everyday faith. From practical prayer patterns to avoiding common heresies like modalism and tritheism, this episode equips believers to think clearly about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Whether you're teaching children, leading prayer, or simply seeking to love God more faithfully, understanding the Trinity transforms how we relate to the persons we worship. Key Takeaways The Trinity is one divine essence (ousia) shared by three distinct persons (hypostases): The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three separate gods, nor are they merely modes or masks of a single person. They share a single, indivisible divine nature while remaining distinct persons. The persons of the Trinity are distinguished by their eternal relations, not by subordination: The Father is unbegotten, the Son is eternally begotten of the Father, and the Spirit proceeds from the Father (and the Son). These relational distinctions do not imply hierarchy, authority, or rank within the Godhead. Perichoresis describes the mutual indwelling of the persons: The Father is fully in the Son, the Son fully in the Father, and the Spirit fully in both. There is no "part" of the divine nature that one person possesses and another lacks. The inseparable operations of the Trinity: All external acts of God (creation, redemption, sanctification) are performed by all three persons in perfect unity. The Father acts, the Son accomplishes, and the Spirit applies—yet they never act separately. Prayer should reflect Trinitarian structure: While we may address prayers to any person of the Trinity, the biblical pattern is to pray to the Father, through the Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit. This intentional structure helps prevent confusion and heresy. All analogies for the Trinity ultimately fail: Water/ice/steam, egg shells/whites/yolks, and other common illustrations inevitably lead toward modalism or tritheism. Analogies can help us understand what the Trinity is not, but they cannot capture what it is. Understanding the Trinity is essential for salvation: While perfect comprehension is impossible, a willingness to embrace what Scripture reveals—that God is one essence in three persons—is necessary for biblical Christianity. Rejecting the Trinity means rejecting the God of the Bible. Expanded Explanations One Essence, Three Persons: The Core of Trinitarian Theology The doctrine of the Trinity begins with two fundamental truths held in tension: God is one, and God is three. The technical term ousia (essence or substance) describes the fundamental divine nature that makes God who He is. This single, indivisible essence is not divided among the Father, Son, and Spirit like a pie cut into three pieces. Rather, each person is the full divine essence. The Father doesn't possess one-third of deity; He is fully God. The same is true of the Son and the Spirit. The term hypostasis (person or subsistence) describes the three distinct "instances" of the divine nature. These are not merely roles or modes that God adopts at different times, but eternally existing persons who relate to one another. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Spirit, and the Spirit is not the Father—yet all three share the same divine nature perfectly and completely. This mystery cannot be reduced to human categories or illustrated by created things, but it is the clear teaching of Scripture and has been affirmed by the universal church for nearly two millennia through creeds like the Nicene Creed. Perichoresis: The Dance of Divine Persons The concept of perichoresis (from Greek, meaning "to dance around" or "mutual indwelling") captures the profound interpenetration of the three persons of the Trinity. This is not merely that they cooperate closely or share attributes—it's that each person fully indwells the others in a way that transcends any created analogy. Jesus Himself taught this reality when He said, "I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me" (John 14:10). This mutual indwelling means there is no "overlap" in a Venn diagram sense, where three circles intersect in the middle and the common area represents "God." Rather, if we were to use a visual representation, the three circles would need to be perfectly superimposed, occupying the exact same space. The Father is not "part" of the Godhead—He is the Godhead, and so is the Son, and so is the Spirit. This preserves both the full deity of each person and the absolute unity of the divine essence. Understanding perichoresis protects us from thinking of the Trinity as a committee of three separate beings or as a single

Can Reformed Christians celebrate Christmas and Advent without compromising their theological convictions? In this foundational episode, Tony Arsenal and Jesse Schwamb tackle one of the most divisive seasonal debates in Reformed circles. Drawing from the Westminster Confession of Faith, historical Presbyterian practice, and biblical principles, they demonstrate that celebrating Christ's birth is neither mandatory nor forbidden—it's a matter of Christian liberty. The hosts explore the purpose and structure of Advent, defend the use of liturgical calendars as spiritual tools, and address common objections to Christmas observance. Whether you're skeptical of "holy days" or looking to deepen your seasonal devotion, this episode offers a balanced, historically grounded perspective on how to honor Christ during the Christmas season without falling into either legalism or license. Key Takeaways Advent is discretionary, not obligatory: The Westminster Confession of Faith (21.5) explicitly permits God's people to set aside special days for thanksgiving and worship, as demonstrated in Esther 9:20-22, but does not require them. The Reformed tradition has room for Christmas celebration: Historical evidence shows that members of the Westminster Assembly affirmed that celebrating Christmas, Good Friday, and Ascension Day was "wholly discretionary" and consistent with Presbyterian practice. Advent serves as spiritual preparation: The four-week season before Christmas provides a structured rhythm for believers to reflect on both Christ's first coming and His promised return, combining penitence with joy. The church calendar mirrors redemptive history: A well-ordered liturgical year moves believers through the gospel story annually—from Advent's anticipation, through Lent's suffering, to Easter's resurrection, and Pentecost's empowerment. Christ's active obedience deserves celebration: Advent allows focused reflection on Christ's righteous life lived under the law, not just His atoning death—a dimension of His work often overshadowed in evangelical worship. Christmas falls on cultural and biblical tension: The season requires believers to resist both the sentimentality of consumer culture and the legalism of those who would forbid celebration, making space for Christ where He is often crowded out. Charity is essential in secondary matters: Whether a church meets on Christmas Day, observes Advent, or refrains from special seasonal emphasis, Christians must extend grace to those whose consciences differ on these non-essential practices. Explanatory Paragraphs The Westminster Confession and Special Days The Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 21, section 5, provides the theological foundation for Reformed Christians to celebrate special days like Christmas without violating the regulative principle of worship. The Confession states that "beside religious oaths, vows, solemn fasting and thanksgiving upon special occasions, which are in their several times and seasons to be used in a holy and religious manner," believers may set apart specific times for worship. The divines cite Esther 9:20-22 as a biblical precedent, where Mordecai established the feast of Purim to commemorate God's deliverance of the Jews—a recurring celebration not commanded in Mosaic law but instituted by God's people under providential guidance. This establishes that the church has authority to designate days of thanksgiving and worship beyond the weekly Lord's Day, provided these observances remain voluntary rather than binding on the conscience. The crucial distinction lies between days of "discretionary" observance (which are permissible) and "obligatory" holy days (which would violate sola scriptura by adding to God's requirements). The Liturgical Calendar as a Discipleship Tool The church calendar functions as a pedagogical and devotional framework that guides believers through the entire narrative of redemption each year. Beginning with Advent's anticipation, moving through the incarnation at Christmas, progressing to Lent's focus on Christ's suffering, culminating in Easter's resurrection triumph, and advancing through Pentecost's empowerment by the Spirit, the liturgical year creates a rhythm that prevents the gospel from becoming abstract theology. This cyclical pattern mirrors the weekly Sabbath principle—God has designed His people for rhythms of work and worship, anticipation and fulfillment. The Advent season specifically addresses a pastoral need in contemporary Christianity: believers often rush immediately to celebrate Christ's birth without adequately reflecting on the world's brokenness that necessitated His coming. By creating space for "penitence and joy" together, Advent trains Christians to taste suffering before sweetness, to acknowledge their desperate need before celebrating the provision, and to long for Christ's return while commemorating His arrival. Active Obedience: The Often-Forgotten Half of Christ's Work Reformed theolo

Jesse and Tony talk about gratitude, and what they are thankful for.

Jesse and Tony are even more off-script than usual… because there is even less of a script than usual.

Jesse and Tony kick off their Systematic Theology series with the study of God the Father.

Tony and Jesse discuss if and how a Christian can participate in cultural celebrations of Halloween.

Tony and Jesse talk about the Reformation: What it was, and why it matters.

Tony and Jesse discuss technology and how it can be used for the glory of God.

Jesse and Tony discuss practical ways to mortify sin.