Reformed Forum

We turn to the mailbag today to answer questions from listeners. We discuss the "organic" unity of the Scriptures, Van Til's understanding of the phenomenal world, why the covenant of works and the covenant of grace point to something better than Eden, and vital and formal aspects of covenant membership. Register for free on-demand video courses through Reformed Academy (https://www.reformedforum.org/academy).

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads from his 1923 edition of J. Gresham Machen's classic work, Christianity and Liberalism, Chapter 6, Salvation. (originally posted November 12, 2019)

Podcast worlds collide! Today we welcome Brad Isbell, perhaps even better known as Chortles Weakly, to the program to discuss ruling elders and general assemblies within Presbyterianism. Along with @wresbyterian, Brad hosts Presbycast, a delightful mix of high Presbyterian polity and low brow culture. Listen as we discuss the organization and operation of the PCA General Assembly, comparisons with other Presbyterian and Reformed bodies—most specifically the OPC, and what it means to take seriously the office of ruling elder. Links More in the PCA Todd Pruitt, "Doctrinal Latitude and the PCA" at Reformation21 J. Gresham Machen, "The Purpose of the Covenant Union," The Presbyterian Guardian, November 18, 1935, p. 54.

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads from his 1923 edition of J. Gresham Machen's classic work, Christianity and Liberalism, Chapter 5, Christ. (originally posted October 29, 2019)

In 1992, Charles G. Dennison published three articles in the Mid-America Journal of Theology. These were based upon a series he delivered at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Dennison identifies three eras between 1936 and 1962—tragedy, hope, and ambivalence. The era of tragedy is focused on the figure of J. Gresham Machen. Cornelius Van Til and Ned B. Stonehouse represent the eras of hope and ambivalence, respectively. In this episode, Danny Olinger and Camden Bucey discuss this first article in the series while considering broader questions about the identity of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and its relation to other Reformed and Presbyterian churches and evangelicalism. Rev. Olinger serves as General Secretary of the Committee on Christian Education for the OPC.

Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 269–286 of Geerhardus Vos' book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to consider social sin in the time of the prophets.

Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey speak about Jim's latest course, The Westminster Shorter Catechism (Questions 39–107), which is available for free through Reformed Academy. In speaking about the new series, Jim and Camden also share several encouraging updates about Reformed Forum as well as their thoughts about parachurch ministries, denominational seminaries, and the future of ministerial training.

beralism, Chapter 4, The Bible. (originally posted October 8, 2019)

Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey discuss the value of reading and studying the works of B. B. Warfield. Jeff has written an article in our forthcoming newsletter wherein he identifies Warfield as a theological "renaissance man." With significant works covering topics from New Testament textual criticism to apologetics and the doctrine of salvation, the "lion of Princeton" remains a towering figure in the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition.

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads from J. Gresham Machen's 1923 classic work, Christianity and Liberalism, Chapter 3, God and Man. (originally posted October 1, 2019, Episode 174)

Andrés Espinoza and Douglas Clawson speak about Reformed and Presbyterian ministry in the nation of Colombia and specifically, its capital, Bogotá. Rev. Clawson has been visiting and serving in Colombia for more than a decade through OPC foreign missions. Rev. Espinoza serves as pastor of Raah Iglesia Cristiana Biblical in Bogotá. The church is a member of the Iglesia Presbiteriana de la Reforma de Colombia. This is a unique episode. Not only are we recording from the church in Bogotá, but with the assistance of Cristian Castro, we are also presenting our first entirely bilingual episode.

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob reads from J. Gresham Machen's 1923 classic work, Christianity and Liberalism, Chapter 2, Doctrine.(originally posted September 17, 2019, Episode 172)

Dr. R. Carlton Wynne leads us in a study of Jeremiah 31 and the relationship between the Old and New Covenants. In discussing typology and symbolism, Wynne describes the views of John Owen with a view toward understanding better several contemporary views. Dr. Wynne is Assistant Pastor, Westminster PCA in Atlanta and Adjunct Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary (Atlanta).

Redemption is the work of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This Pauline trinitarian emphasis is something that may be somewhat lacking in modern preaching, but is essential in understanding the unique work of each of the three persons. With this trinitarian emphasis Robert Arendale takes a look at the need, the cost, and the blessing of redemption.

Dr. David Barry joins us to speak about his book, The Exile of Adam in Romans: The Reversal of the Curse against Adam and Israel in the Substructure of Romans 5 and 8 (Fortress Academic, 2021). In this book, Barry investigates the "divine son" motif in Romans 5 and 8 through the lens of exile and restoration. Both Adam's exclusion from Eden and Israel's exile from Palestine are, for Paul, a divine son falling short of God's holiness and forfeiting the divine inheritance and presence. The themes of Adam and Israel are complementary examples of sin and separation from God, which Paul argues are reversed in Christ and for believers in union with him. This theme of "divine sons" provides a framework for interpreting Paul's use of restoration prophecies in Romans 5 and 8. Dr. Barry is pastor at Midway Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Powder Springs, Georgia and Visiting Lecturer in New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta. He received his Ph.D. in New Testament from Westminster Theological Seminary (2018). Prior to his doctoral work, he studied at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS, (M.Div, 2013), and Clemson University (BS, 2009).

The Lord pronounces an indictment upon Israel and convicts her of her sins. He also calls her to repentance and to return to him. The coming judgment in exile reminds of Christ who was exile in death for us, that in him we might have life and restoration in the heavenly promised land.

This week on Theology Simply Profound, we begin reposting a series of readings of J. Gresham Machen's 1923 classic book, Christianity and Liberalism. (originally posted August 27, 2019, Episode 169)

We take the podcast on the road for three episodes to visit Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. In our first episode of the road trip, we speak with Dr. Guy Richard about his book Persistent Prayer (P&R, 2021). This book is in P&R's Blessings of the Faith series. This book will prove useful to pastors, elders, and study groups as it provides encouragement and instruction regarding prayer and its blessings. Dr. Guy M. Richard is President and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta. He joined us for Christ the Center episode 83 on the theology of Samuel Rutherford.

Danny Olinger, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey discuss Geerhardus Vos's sermon, "A More Excellent Ministry" from 2 Corinthians 3:18. This sermon is included in Grace and Glory: Sermons Preached at Princeton Theological Seminary. In this sermon, Vos proclaims the good news of the consummate and unfading glory of Christ's new covenant ministry and its implications for the church this side of Christ's death and resurrection.

Dr. Eric Watkins joins us to speak about missions and evangelism from a Reformed perspective. Dr. Watkins is senior pastor of Harvest Presbyterian Church (OPC) in San Marcos, California as well as Director of the Center for Missions and Evangelism at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. The Center for Missions and Evangelism is a new initiative at Mid-America Reformed Seminary designed to enhance the current M.Div. program with a great emphasis upon the Great Commission, as well as developing a new set of classes, conferences, cohorts, and internships focused on areas of evangelism, church planting, discipleship, and foreign missions.

It's that time of year again. 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 a bunch of great clips lined up for you today. Throughout 2021 we continued to develop Reformed Academy, our online learning platform. We doubled our student base from last year to more than 3,800 people in 73 countries. These brothers and sisters are taking our on-demand courses in Reformed theology, and many of their churches are using these resources in study groups and Sunday school courses. We are committed to having each of our courses translated and subtitled in languages where we have established relationships with Reformed missionaries and indigenous churches. Over the last two years, we have had many wonderful opportunities but not enough people and time in the day to complete many of these projects. We have grown significantly in terms of our reach, but we need to mature in terms of our ministry's staff and infrastructure. Please consider supporting us prayerfully and financially in this efforts. Visit https://www.reformedforum.org/donate

Dr. Christiane Tietz speaks about her tremendous biography, Karl Barth: A Life in Conflict (Oxford University Press, 2021). Dr. Tietz is Professor for Systematic Theology at the Institute of Hermeneutics and Philosophy of Religion at the University of Zurich. From 2008 until 2013 she was Professor for Systematic Theology and Social Ethics at the University of Mainz. She was visiting lecturer or research scholar in Cambridge, Chicago, Heidelberg, Jerusalem, New York, and Princeton. Dr. Tietz is a judge for the Karl Barth-Prize and a member of the Advisory Board of the Karl Barth-Foundation, Basel.

For our Sixth Annual Christmas Special, Rob and Bob attempt to bring some holiday cheer and silliness to you, but end up being rather "Bah Humbug" about it all. With some reflections on the pandemic for this Christmas season and some of our least liked Ch

In this episode, Rob and Bob continue a series on familiar psalms that we tend to be drawn to more than others for one reason or another. Psalm 110 is quoted more than any other psalm in the New Testament. Why? What makes it so worthwhile for the New

Lane Tipton delivers a plenary address from the annual Reformed Forum Theology Conference, which was hosted October 8–9 at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas. Dr. Tipton's address is titled, "Perichoresis, Endoxation, and the Glory-Spirit: Foundations for Image-Endowment and Covenant Theology in the Work of Meredith G. Kline"