Reformed Forum

Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey bring in the New Year with a discussion of bible reading plans, tools, and strategies. They preview several of the projects that lay ahead at Reformed Forum, including a new course on the theology of Karl Barth. Dr. Cassidy introduces a list of recommended reading on Karl Barth and different interpretations of the theologian's theology before speaking about Barth's unique Christology. Recommended Reading on Karl Barth Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics Karl Barth, Der Römerbrief; The Epistle to the Romans Cornelius Van Til, Christianity and Barthianism Cornelius Van Til, The New Modernism: An Appraisal of the Theology of Barth and Brunner James Cassidy, God's Time for Us George Hunsinger, How to Read Karl Barth: The Shape of His Theology Bruce McCormack, Karl Barth's Critically Realistic Dialectical Theology: Its Genesis and Development 1909–1936 Bruce McCormack, "Grace and Being: The Role of God's Gracious Election in Karl Barth's Theological Ontology" in The Cambridge Companion to Karl Barth Eberhard Busch, Karl Barth: His Life from Letters and Autobiographical Texts Christiane Tietz, Karl Barth: A Life in Conflict Tyler J. Frick, Karl Barth's Ontology of Divine Grace Bruce McCormack, The Humility of the Eternal Son: Reformed Kenoticism and the Repair of Chalcedon Paul T. Nimmo, Being in Action: The Theological Shape of Barth's Ethical Vision

This Reformed Academy course is a production of Reformed Forum, online at reformedforum.org. This is an audio podcast of "Machen and the Presbyterian Controversy," taught by Darryl G. Hart. Videos of each lesson included Spanish and Chinese subtitles are available for free online at reformedforum.org. https://reformedforum.org/courses/machen-and-the-presbyterian-controversy/

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 several great clips lined up for you today. This was another encouraging year for us at Reformed Forum. We published four new courses. We also hosted our first two in-person courses (on Zephaniah and 2 Peter) and increased our online student base to 4,210 people (+11% over last year) in 84 countries (+13%). But perhaps the highlight of the year was the publication of Lane G. Tipton's book, The Trinitarian Theology of Cornelius Van Til. We believe this work is a significant advance in Reformed apologetic scholarship and will be read for decades to come. Every Person Mature Our mission is to support the church in her charge of presenting every person mature in Christ (Col. 1:28). In order to continue producing resources that benefit local churches at home and around the world in accord with this mission, we have launched the Every Person Mature campaign. Our goal is to raise $150,000 by the end of 2022 so that we may continue to provide free theological resources for your congregation and others like it around the world. The good news is that we are nearly halfway there! A generous donor has committed to match all donations toward this cause up to $75,000. By donating to the Every Person Mature campaign, you will fund essential resources for believers who are hungry for confessionally Reformed resources. Donate Now Top Episodes Episode 745 — Van Til, Thomas Aquinas, and the Natural Knowledge of God with Lane Tipton Episode 764 — A God-Centered Approach to History with Vern Poythress Episode 761 — Van Til Group #8 — The Christian Philosophy of Knowledge with Carlton Wynne and Lane Tipton Episode 736 — John Owen, Jeremiah 31, and the Old Covenant with Carlton Wynne and Will Wood Episode 780 — 1689 Federalism and the Old Covenant with Jeremy Boothby, Carlton Wynne, and Lane Tipton Episode 762 — The Extra Calvinistic from Zwingli to Early Orthodoxy with K. J. Drake Episode 746 — Natural Theology and the Effects of Sin with Lane Tipton, Rob McKenzie, and Ryan Noha Episode 748 — Van Til Group #7 — Creation, Sin and Its Curse with Carlton Wynne and Lane Tipton Episode 772 — A Tale of Two Trees with Scott Wright Episode 752 — The Two Ages in Scripture with Adam York Chapters 00:00:06 Introduction 00:05:32 Lane Tipton — Van Til, Thomas Aquinas, and the Natural Knowledge of God 00:11:35 Vern Poythress — A God-Centered Approach to History 00:20:01 Van Til Group #8 — The Christian Philosophy of Knowledge 00:26:14 Carlton Wynne — John Owen, Jeremiah 31, and the Old Covenant 00:34:20 Carlton Wynne, Jeremy Boothby, and Lane Tipton — 1689 Federalism and the Old Covenant 00:45:38 K. J. Drake — The Extra Calvinistic from Zwingli to Early Orthodoxy 00:51:16 Lane Tipton — Natural Theology and the Effects of Sin 00:56:23 Van Til Group #7 — Creation, Sin and Its Curse 01:09:09 Scott Wright — A Tale of Two Trees 01:14:15 Adam York — The Two Ages in Scripture 01:20:59 Conclusion

This Reformed Academy course is a production of Reformed Forum, online at reformedforum.org. This is an audio podcast of "Machen and the Presbyterian Controversy," taught by Darryl G. Hart. Videos of each lesson included Spanish and Chinese subtitles are available for free online at reformedforum.org. https://reformedforum.org/courses/machen-and-the-presbyterian-controversy/

We turn to pp. 305–306 of Geerhardus Vos's book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to discuss revelation connected with the nativity. Throughout the Scriptures, God interprets his supernatural works in history through his inspired Word. At this critical moment in history, the coming of Christ the redeemer, the Lord reveals himself further to his people.

For our Seventh Annual Christmas Special, Rob and Bob attempt to bring some Christmas cheer your way this Christmas season. With all of the bad contemporary Christmas music ("All I want for Christmas . . . . is ???") and awkward table conversations, how m

This Reformed Academy course is a production of Reformed Forum, online at reformedforum.org. This is an audio podcast of "Machen and the Presbyterian Controversy," taught by Darryl G. Hart. Videos of each lesson included Spanish and Chinese subtitles are available for free online at reformedforum.org. https://reformedforum.org/courses/machen-and-the-presbyterian-controversy/

Donald Fortson and Kenneth Stewart speak about their book, Reformed and Evangelical across Four Centuries, in which they tell the story of the Presbyterian church in the United States, beginning with its British foundations and extending to its present-day expression in multiple American Presbyterian denominations. This account emphasizes the role of the evangelical movement in shaping various Presbyterian bodies in America, especially in the twentieth century amid increasing departures from traditional Calvinism, historic orthodoxy, and a focus on biblical authority. Particular attention is also given to crucial elements of diversity in the Presbyterian story, with increasing numbers of African American, Latino/a, and Korean American Presbyterians—among others—in the twenty-first century. Overall, this book will be a bountiful resource to anyone curious about what it means to be Presbyterian in the multidimensional American context, as well as to anyone looking to understand this piece of the larger history of Christianity in the United States. Dr. Kenneth J. Stewart is Professor Emeritus of Theological Studies at Covenant College. He is a specialist in the history of Christianity from the Reformation to the present with special interest in the development of the evangelical Protestant tradition. He has a growing interest in early Christianity and the transmission of doctrine from the early church forward to our time. Dr. S. Donald Fortson III is Associate Professor of Church History at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. Prior to RTS, he served as Assistant Professor of Ministry and the Director of the DMin Program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Before his teaching career, Dr. Fortson was a pastor for nine years; he continues his pastoral ministry through teaching, preaching in local churches, and leadership in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Dr. Alan Strange is Professor of Church History and Theological Librarian at Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana. He served Providence Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Glassboro, New Jersey, for over nine years before coming to Mid-America. He is an associate pastor at First Church (OPC) in South Holland, Illinois.

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof's little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the second section, The Doctrine of God and Creation, chapter 9 continues the section called, "The Works of God," where Ber

We embark on a study through a new book — The Psalms. Jim Cassidy provides some important interpretive principles which he illustrates through a consideration of Psalm 1. Written for Israel, a nation under a theocracy, how do the Psalms manifest Christ, and how are they applicable to us today? How may it be said that the Christian today will prosper?

This Reformed Academy course is a production of Reformed Forum, online at reformedforum.org. This is an audio podcast of "Machen and the Presbyterian Controversy," taught by Darryl G. Hart. Videos of each lesson included Spanish and Chinese subtitles are available for free online at reformedforum.org. https://reformedforum.org/courses/machen-and-the-presbyterian-controversy/

Carlton Wynne, Jeremy Boothby, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey discuss 1689 Federalism and the old covenant. Continuing an ongoing conversation carried over several podcast episodes and YouTube videos, the panel interacts with views presented by Sam Renihan, Richard Barcellos, and Brandon Adams in "Two-Tier Typology and OT Salvation." They responded specifically to Christ the Center episode 736 (John Owen, Jeremiah 31, and the Relationship between the Old and New Covenants) from last year, in which Camden Bucey spoke with Carlton Wynne and Will Wood at RTS Atlanta. That episode followed many of the covenant theological themes expressed by Jeremy Boothby in Christ the Center episode 693 (Typology and Covenant Membership in Hebrews). After surveying views presented by Nehemiah Coxe, Paul Jewett, and David Kingdon, the conversation focuses on the relationship of old covenant types to the accomplishment of redemption wrought by Jesus Christ in the new covenant.

This Reformed Academy course is a production of Reformed Forum, online at reformedforum.org. This is an audio podcast of "Machen and the Presbyterian Controversy," taught by Darryl G. Hart. Videos of each lesson included Spanish and Chinese subtitles are available for free online at reformedforum.org. https://reformedforum.org/courses/machen-and-the-presbyterian-controversy/

Chad and Emily Van Dixhoorn speak about Gospel Shaped Marriage: Grace for Sinners to Love Like Saints (Crossway, 2022). While many books on marriage cover the same well-trod ground and even follow a common formula, this book is distinct. Drawing from Scripture and the writings of Puritan minister William Gouge, Augustine, and others, they provide a brief assessment of the biblical design for marriage and offer real-world advice on married life from a grace-filled perspective. Chad Van Dixhoorn (PhD, Cambridge) is professor of church history at Westminster Theological Seminary and an OPC minister. He is the author of Confessing the Faith and God's Ambassadors and editor of The Minutes and Papers of the Westminster Assembly (1643–1652). Emily Van Dixhoorn (MAR, Westminster Theological Seminary) is a stay-at-home mom who leads and loves Bible studies and women's retreats. Her first publication was a study guide to the book Confessing the Faith, a commentary on the Westminster Confession of Faith. Chad and Emily have five children.

The baptism of Jesus is a pivotal event in the life of Christ and in all of redemptive history. In this episode, we explore its significance, seek to answer the question of why Jesus would need to undergo a baptism of repentance, and examine some of the thematic elements of his baptism.

Give now to double your impact! Gifts up to $75,000 will be matched through the end of the year. Christian education is one of the core activities of the local church. In addition to preaching, healthy local churches develop mature members of Christ's body through Sunday school courses, Bible studies, and discipleship groups. But given their many other ministerial duties, pastors and ruling elders often lack the adequate time and energy to develop and teach new lessons each week. Local churches often rely on supplemental resources, such as Bible study books and video courses. But many have run out of available options suitable for congregations seeking rich, confessionally Reformed teaching. There is an even greater need in non-English-speaking contexts. The confessionally Reformed resources necessary to aid in their Spiritual growth simply do not exist. In the rare cases that they do exist, accessing them is often cost-prohibitive. Reformed Forum produces resources that benefit local churches at home and around the world. And we seek to come alongside local churches by providing these resources in English, Spanish, and Chinese for free. Our mission is to support the church in her charge of presenting every person mature in Christ (Col. 1:28). We continue to advance this mission as more than 4,000 students throughout 84 countries have already accessed our growing online curriculum. The Goal In order to reach the next wave of Reformed Christians, we have launched the Every Person Mature campaign. Our goal is to raise $150,000 by the end of 2022 so that we may continue to provide free theological resources for your congregation and others like it around the world. The good news is that we are nearly halfway there! A generous donor has committed to match all donations toward this cause up to $75,000. By donating to the Every Person Mature campaign, you will fund essential resources for believers who are hungry for confessionally Reformed resources. Give before the end of the year, and our generous matching donor will match your gift to double your impact. Thank you for partnering with us. Donations to Reformed Forum are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. To make a donation, please visit reformedforum.org/donate. You may also mail a check payable to Reformed Forum, 1585 N. Milwaukee Ave, Ste 113, Libertyville, IL 60048.

This Reformed Academy course is a production of Reformed Forum, online at reformedforum.org. This is an audio podcast of "Machen and the Presbyterian Controversy," taught by Darryl G. Hart. Videos of each lesson included Spanish and Chinese subtitles are available for free online at reformedforum.org. https://reformedforum.org/courses/machen-and-the-presbyterian-controversy/

Ryan Noha and Camden Bucey speak with Lane Tipton on the heels of recording the sixth course in our Fellowship in Reformed Apologetics: "Christology and Redemptive-Historical Hermeneutics."

Jacob exhibits his faith as he responds in obedience to the Lord's command to return to the land of his fathers. He had made a vow before the Lord, and the Lord now calls upon him to keep his vows. In this episode we see an appearance of "the angel of God," who points Jacob — and us — to a greater inheritance than land or riches, but the inheritance of "the God of Bethel" — redemption from sin and reconciliation with God.

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof's little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the second section, The Doctrine of God and Creation, chapter 9 continues the section called, "The Works of God,"

This Reformed Academy course is a production of Reformed Forum, online at reformedforum.org. This is an audio podcast of "Machen and the Presbyterian Controversy," taught by Darryl G. Hart. Videos of each lesson included Spanish and Chinese subtitles are available for free online at reformedforum.org. https://reformedforum.org/courses/machen-and-the-presbyterian-controversy/

We welcome Dr. O. Palmer Robertson to discuss his new book, Christ of the Consummation, Volume 1: The Testimony of the Four Gospels (P&R Publishing, 2022). In this first of three volumes, Dr. Robertson emphasizes the eyewitness character of the four men who attest to the supernatural in-breaking of the Christ. In the rich tapestry of the Gospels, we see Christ overcome the powers of Satan, gradually unveil his identity by words and works, call and commission disciples, die on the cross, be raised, and ascend to heaven. By each witnessing distinctive aspects of the coming of the King and the establishment of his kingdom, the gospel writers boldly describe a new phase in redemptive revelation. O. Palmer Robertson (ThM, ThD, Union Theological Seminary, Virginia) is the founder of Consummation Ministries. Previously, he was director and principal of African Bible University in Uganda and taught at Reformed Theological Seminary, Westminster Theological Seminary, Covenant Theological Seminary, and Knox Theological Seminary. He has also served for many years as a teaching elder in various pastoral roles. He is the author of several books, including The Christ of the Covenants, The Christ of the Prophets, and The Christ of Wisdom, and The Israel of God. In 2008, a Festschrift was published in his honor. The Hope Fulfilled: Essays in Honor of O. Palmer Robertson, which includes contributions by Bruce Waltke, Richard Gaffin, George W. Knight III, Simon J. Kistemaker, Robert L. Reymond, and Morton H. Smith.

Repentance today is a byword. It conjures up images of a religious fanatic standing on a street corner with a cheap megaphone that more obscures the sound than amplifies it. But the call to repentance is divine grace. In this final chapter of Hosea, the Lord calls Israel to return to him. What a gift this is! God's arms remain wide open. He will take away their iniquity, he will accept a sacrifice for their sins, he will heal their apostasy, he will love them freely, and make his people to reside under his shadow and to flourish. All this he does in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son. So we return to God through Christ, for he has made a way for us to be accepted by the Father.

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof's little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. Within the second section, The Doctrine of God and Creation, chapter 8 starts a new section called, "The Works of God," where Ber

This Reformed Academy course is a production of Reformed Forum, online at reformedforum.org. This is an audio podcast of "Machen and the Presbyterian Controversy," taught by Darryl G. Hart. Videos of each lesson included Spanish and Chinese subtitles are available for free online at reformedforum.org. https://reformedforum.org/courses/machen-and-the-presbyterian-controversy/

Jeff McDonald discusses Melvin Grove Kyle and the growth of the League of Evangelical Students (LES) founded by J. Gresham Machen and Princeton Seminary students in 1925. Both Kyle and Machen were scholarly leaders in the LES and served on the organization's board together. In his paper on the subject, Dr. McDonald establishes the importance of Melvin Grove Kyle as a leading evangelical scholar and biblical archaeologist. He also explains the origins and growth of the LES and how various Presbyterians influenced the organization and sought to advance a broader evangelical Protestant intellectual life in the difficult period of the 1920s and 1930s. Dr. McDonald is pastor of Avery Presbyterian Church in Bellevue, Nebraska and the author of John Gerstner and the Renewal of Presbyterian and Reformed Evangelicalism in Modern America (Wipf & Stock, 2017). Links Jeffrey S. McDonald, "Advancing the Evangelical Mind: Melvin Grove Kyle, J. Gresham Machen, and the League of Evangelical Students" Christ the Center episode 599 — John Gerstner and the Renewal of Presbyterian and Reformed Evangelicalism

This Reformed Academy course is a production of Reformed Forum, online at reformedforum.org. This is an audio podcast of "Machen and the Presbyterian Controversy," taught by Darryl G. Hart. Videos of each lesson included Spanish and Chinese subtitles are available for free online at reformedforum.org. https://reformedforum.org/courses/machen-and-the-presbyterian-controversy/

Carlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey turn to pp. 54–58 of Cornelius Van Til's The Defense of the Faith to discuss the Christian theory of knowledge. In this section, Van Til speaks of God's knowledge of the world and then man's knowledge of God.

This Reformed Academy course is a production of Reformed Forum, online at reformedforum.org. This is an audio podcast of "Machen and the Presbyterian Controversy," taught by Darryl G. Hart. Videos of each lesson included Spanish and Chinese subtitles are available for free online at reformedforum.org. https://reformedforum.org/courses/machen-and-the-presbyterian-controversy/