Reformed Forum

In this introductory episode to the book of Exodus, Joel Fick explains how important it is to glance backwards and see what God is doing, even as we look forward in time and see how all of God's promises are going to be fulfilled.

The sabbath principle is established in Genesis 2:1–3, immediately upon the completion of God's work of creation. This Sabbath rest principle is a function neither of redemption nor theocracy. It is part of God's creation order. We trace this theme through Scripture with particular attention to worship. Glen Clary recently addressed this subject in a conference for the Amarillo Reformed Fellowship. https://vimeo.com/329703380/efad9e3981

Abraham's willingness to offer up his son Isaac at God's command is a remarkable demonstration of obedience. He demonstrates not that he was justified by works, but that the hope of the resurrection fueled his obedience.

In this episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob return to The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. This week we discuss how Faithful's martyrdom served as a witness to Hopeful becoming a believer. Hopeful and Christian begin traveling together and overtake Mr. By-ends for an interesting conversation.

We gather around the table in Wimberley, Texas to discuss the authority of the self-contained Triune God of Scripture. The absolute, self-sufficient God nevertheless established a covenant with man by an act of special providence. In that act, the authority of God's word is diplayed—entirely independently of man's response. Whether Adam obeyed or disobeyed, God's infallible word would be proved.

In this "bookend" text, a remarkable change is seen in Abraham, who demonstrates how a pilgrim is to conduct himself in a foreign land, and how he is identified through his worship.

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss John Bunyan's, The Pilgrim's Progress. In this episode, Christian and Faithful find Vanity Fair to be most unwelcoming. They find themselves imprisoned for not participating in the immoralities of the city.

Andrew Compton, Assistant Professor of Old Testament Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, speaks about the nature of the prophecy in Isaiah 44:24–45:7 wherein the Lord declares that he will raise up Cyrus. Rev. Compton addresses the challenges of critical scholars, who often see this passage as a later addition. https://vimeo.com/326151934/9c89d9b9aa

In Episode 68, Jim Cassidy takes us through Hosea 4, where we see that God is judging his people because of their lack of a knowledge of him. Scripture shows us that the love of God and the knowledge of God are not contrary to one another, but "sweetly comply" with one another.

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss John Bunyan's, The Pilgrim's Progress. In this episode, Christian and Faithful enter the city of Vanity where there is a fair that lasts all year long.

Will Wood, Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia, joins us to speak about the blessings and promises of the New Covenant as described in Deuteronomy 30:1–10. Handout: Chiastic Structure of Deuteronomy 30Download Links Mellel word processor https://vimeo.com/325563592/4d97311466

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue their discussion of John Bunyan's, The Pilgrim's Progress. After their conversation with Talkative and his departure from Christian and Faithful, Evangelist meets up with the two pilgrims to evaluate, exhort, and warn them of the journey ahead.

There are two kinds of wisdom—human and divine. The foolishness of preaching shatters the illusion of human wisdom and displays the wisdom of God, that the believer's boast should be in the Lord.

What does suffering have to do with the life of the Christian? Is suffering something we just have to endure until that time that we will have the victory in Christ? To address this matter, we turn to a classic article by Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., "The Usefulness of the Cross," The Westminster Theological Journal, Vol. 41 No. 2 Spring 1979, pp. 228–246. Links Audio of Dr. Gaffin delivering this paper https://vimeo.com/323619930/aa77c219fb

In Episode 66, Jim Cassidy opens up Hosea 3, where God commands the prophet to buy his faithless wife back from slavery. This picture of redemption points to Jesus Christ, who alone can purchase for himself a rebellious, sinful, and adulterous people.

Danny Olinger, author of Geerhardus Vos: Reformed Biblical Theology, Confessional Presbyterian, joins us for a special conversation. We take a brief break from Vos's book Biblical Theology to discuss the influence of Vos upon several other theologians. We then open the floor to questions from people participating in our live webinar. https://vimeo.com/319825413/df8cffeef0

On February 5, 1923, J. Gresham Machen addressed the Moody Bible Institute Founder's Week Conference in Chicago with a lecture entitled, "Christianity vs. Modern Liberalism." This week on Theology Simply Profound, with Rob out of town, Bob reads this lecture from the Moody Bible Institute Monthly.

In episode 65, Adam York examines Sarah's laughter and her treatment of Hagar, gleaning from the passage important principles for interpretation. We do not approach Old Testament narratives looking a hero to emulate or a villain to despise, but looking to the acts and words of God in providing salvation for his people.

William Boekestein speaks about eschatology and the life of the Christian. While many limit eschatology merely to the consideration of millennial views, Rev. Boekestein calls all Christians to understand how our view of the future in Christ shapes all of life. Boekestein is the author of The Future of Everything: Essential Truths about the End Times (Reformation Heritage, 2019). https://vimeo.com/318344516

In this episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the conversation and encounter between Faithful, Christian, and Talkative in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress.

In episode 64 we open up Genesis 20 and find a duplicate of what took place eight chapter earlier. To protect himself, Abraham tries to pass off his wife, Sarah, as his sister. In doing so, he inadvertently places the line of the Messiah in grave danger. It takes an act of God through special revelation to preserve the offspring of the woman.

Dr. Vern Poythress speaks about the hermeneutical issues of interpreting Genesis 1–3 and how biblical interpretation relates to contemporary scientific study. Dr. Poythress is Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Biblical Interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary and the author of Interpreting Eden: A Guide to Faithfully Understanding and Reading Genesis 1–3 (Crossway). The publisher writes: Christians have long discussed and debated the first three chapters of the Bible. How we interpret this crucial section of Scripture has massive implications for how we understand the rest of God's Word and even history itself. In this important volume, biblical scholar Vern Poythress combines careful exegesis with theological acumen to illuminate the significance of Genesis 1–3. In doing so, he demonstrates the sound interpretive principles that lead to true understanding of the biblical text, while also exploring complex topics such as the nature of time, the proper role of science, interpretive literalism, and more. https://vimeo.com/317242446/aff79964cb

This episode focuses on Christian's pilgrimage as he catches up with Faithful. What has Faithful been up to? How has his journey gone so far? What are the differences between these two? Rob and Bob discuss these and other questions on this week's episode of Theology Simply Profound.

In this episode of #VosGroup, we turn to pages 200–201 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to continue our discussion of critical theories of prophetism. https://vimeo.com/316183378/4074fc9094

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Christian's journey continues to the Celestial City through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Here, Rob and Bob, discuss Bunyan's descriptions of Christian's internal spiritual warfare as he picks up the weapon of All-Prayer, battles with the wicked ones whispering blasphemies to him, is strengthened by the presence of other believers, and even though he cannot see him, Christian is reminded that God is with him through it all.