Reformed Forum

We are pleased to announce the paper selections and program for the Covenantal Apologetics Colloquium, which will be held online on Saturday, December 5th, at 7pm (Eastern Standard Time). We’ll be streaming the event live through Google Hangouts On Air.

Bill Dennison brings together the worlds of apologetics and biblical theology just as Cornelius Van Til did with the teaching of his beloved professor Geerhardus Vos. Listen as we discuss Dr. Dennison's collection of essays, In Defense of the Eschaton, edited by James Baird.

Today we speak with D. G. Hart, Glen Clary, and John Terpstra about the relationship between revivalism and Reformed piety. Looking at the history of revival and its influence on the Reformed church we explore how Reformed and Presbyterian churches have has their thinking about covenant nurture altered by the influence of revivals, specially those which were spurred on by the Tennents and Frelinghausen.

Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. preaches during the morning service at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois at the 2015 Reformed Forum theology Conference.

Dr. Jeffrey C. Waddington delivers his breakout session at the 2015 Reformed Forum theology Conference.

Dr. Lane G. Tipton fields questions during his breakout session at the 2015 Reformed Forum theology Conference.

Dr. Lane G. Tipton delivers his second plenary address at the 2015 Reformed Forum theology Conference.

Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. delivers his second plenary address at the 2015 Reformed Forum theology Conference.

Dr. James J. Cassidy delivers a breakout session at the 2015 Reformed Forum theology Conference.

Dr. Camden M. Bucey delivers a breakout session at the 2015 Reformed Forum theology Conference.

Dr. Lane G. Tipton delivers his first plenary address at the 2015 Reformed Forum theology Conference.

Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. delivers his first plenary address at the 2015 Reformed Forum Theology Conference.

Daniel Strange speaks about his book Their Rock Is Not Like Our Rock: A Theology of Religions (Zondervan).

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 105–108 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to learn about the form of revelation during the Mosaic period. Vos details the significance of the pillar of cloud and fire, the Angel of Jehovah, as well as the name and face of Jehovah.

In this episode we discuss Genesis 9:1–7 and how various creation mandates are given again to Noah and his family as they emerge from the ark. We also consider the various providential structures that God sets up to protect and keep his people as those people await the fulfillment of God's redemptive promises given earlier in Genesis.

Each of us uses multiple tools each day as part of a variety of workflows that help us accomplish tasks throughout the day. We dive into the workflow tips and tricks to share several of our favorites for reading, writing, and managing information.

We welcome Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. and Dr. Lane G. Tipton to speak about Geerhardus Vos's seminal article, "The Eschatological Aspect of the Pauline Conception of the Spirit," which is found in Redemptive History and Biblical Interpretation: The Shorter Writings of Geerhardus Vos. This episode was recorded live as part of the pre-conference festivities at our 2015 Theology Conference held at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois. You can also watch the videos from each of our main conference sessions.

In this episode, we survey several biblical texts and explore the biblical theological features that unfold throughout God's Word.

Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 100-104 of Vos's Biblical Theology to discuss the historical figure of Moses and his significance for redemptive-history.

In this episode we discuss reappearing role of God's Spirit and how the Spirit has a pivotal role in both creation and consummation. We discuss the symbolic and theological significance of the mountain and the dove, which appear in chapter eight. Finally we discuss the significance of of the promise God makes to Noah that He will preserve the world from the kind of judgment endured in Noah's day, "While the earth remains."

Jonathan Brack explains a Reformed ecclesiology which spans Old and New Testaments. He touches upon covenant theology, polity, and other foundational issues.

Reformed Forum opens the mailbag to answer questions on biblical theology, Van Tilian apologetics, baptism, and even translations of Calvin's Institutes.

Camden Bucey reviews Writers to Read: Nine Names That Belong on Your Bookshelf by Douglas Wilson.

Rev. Dr. Kevin Chiarot introduces and offers a critical look into the influential Christology of T. F. Torrance, who among other things taught that the Son of God assumed a fallen human nature.

Reformed Media Review turn their attention beyond our typical subject matter to speak about podcasts. Reformed Forum has been producing podcasts since 2008. But we're not merely producers, we love to listen to podcasts ourselves. We look at our podcasts clients and speak about some of our favorite programs.

Matthew Patton offers us several biblical-theological insights into Israel's and Judah's kings.

In this episode we discuss Noah's ark and the flood judgment which God brought on the world. Amazingly, we see ways in which the entire passage not only reveals the judgment ordeal which took place at the flood, but how God used that judgment to prepare for a new creation which he would sovereignly bring about—one which ultimately leads to consummation through the work of Jesus Christ.

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 95–99 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to learn about revelation during the patriarchal period. In this episode we look to the patriarch Jacob and focus upon his Bethel dream vision and his encounter with the angel at Peniel.

We take a break from our regular theological programming to listen as Camden Bucey shares several podcasting tips and tricks.

Erica Bucey reviews God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies, written by Justin Holcomb, Lindsey Holcomb, and illustrated by Trish Mahoney.

Erica Bucey reviews The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden, which is a biblical theology for children written by Kevin DeYoung and illustrated by Don Clark.

Dr. William Edgar details the French Reformation and the Huguenots, connecting it through history in order to teach us about God's plan for his church amidst struggle.

In this episode we discuss God's command to Noah to build an ark. What is the theological significance of the ark itself? We discuss this matter as well as how Noah's family was included in this covenant. We also consider how the New Testament regards this episode as a kind of baptism.

Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey discuss the nature and purpose of polemical theology on our 400th episode.

Today we speak with Dr. K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania about Cornelius Van Til's book Common Grace and the Gospel.

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 93–95 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to learn about the patriarch Jacob and election.

On this episode we welcome Gerald Hiestand to speak about the pastor theologian. Along with Todd Wilson, Hiestand has co-authored The Pastor Theologian: Resurrecting an Ancient Vision (Zondervan). Gerald serves as Senior Associate Pastor of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Illinois and Executive Director for the Center for Pastor Theologians. Hiestand and Wilson offer a new taxonomy of pastor theologians, identifying three types: local theologian, popular theologian, and ecclesial theologian. The latter is the authors' core contribution and concern in this book as they seek to detail a type of theologian and theology that occurs in the immediate context of the Church and for the sake of the Church.

In this episode we discuss Genesis 6:9-13. We consider how to select a sermon pericope using this passage as an example. We also consider what it means for Noah to be considered righteous and blameless in his generation - a generation of violence. Likewise, we discuss what it meant for Noah to walk with God and that God brought Noah into his council.

Brian De Jong takes us to Jesus Christ as not merely the Lord but also the preeminent practitioner of apologetics. Listen to this important conversation on an underdeveloped topic.

Marcus Peter Johnson joins us once again to talk about Christology and soteriology. With his colleague Dr. John C. Clark, Dr. Johnson has co-authored The Incarnation of God: The Mystery of the Gospel as the Foundation of Evangelical Theology (Crossway). Johnson and Clark examine the doctrine of the incarnation and its implications fro the church's knowledge and worship of God, understanding of salvation, and approach to the Christian life. Be sure also to listen to our previous conversations with Dr. Johnson regarding his book One with Christ: An Evangelical Theology of Salvation (Crossway).

Join us for a wonderful conversation with Tony Reinke regarding his new book John Newton on the Christian Life (Crossway).

We open pages 90–93 of Vos's book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to learn about the patriarch Isaac.

In this episode we discuss the growth of wickekedness on the earth after the fall leading up to the great flood judgment. This passage also helps us to see the exent of depravity in man after the fall. In the midst of a sinful world one man finds favor in the eyes of the Lord: Noah.

Chris Castaldo leads us toward a better understanding of how to interact with Catholics about the gospel.

Brandon Crowe introduces the redemptive-historical message of Peter, James, John, and John.

Joe Rigney teaches us how to enjoy God through the good things he has made.

Episode 23 of Proclaiming Christ, a podcast focused upon biblical preaching. In each episode we will discuss the process, method, and goals of preaching biblical texts from a uniquely Reformed perspective.

Geerhardus Vos develops the ethical elements present during the patriarchal period through a brilliant treatment of circumcision. In this episode, Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey discuss pages 88–90 of Vos's book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to shed light on the indicative and imperative dimensions of God's covenantal relationship to his people. In the course of this study, the relationship of circumcision to baptism is developed as both are signs of the righteousness God's people have by faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 4:11–12; cf. Col 2:11–12).

The panel discusses Jonathan Edwards's sermon, "A Divine and Supernatural Light" delivered at Northampton and subsequently published in 1734.

Glen Clary walks us through a Reformed order of worship, explaining the Biblical precedent and rationale for elements such as a call to worship, invocation, different types of prayer, the Word, sacraments, and the benediction.