Reformed Forum

On today's episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue their discussion about the doctrine of the atonement. Today we take a closer look at the concept of penal substitution. In doing so, we review some of the other theories of the atonement. But what does the Bible say about the nature of Christ's cross? What does it do? What is meant by penal substitution? Is it necessary? What biblical texts teach us about penal substitution?

In this episode, we speak about the free offer of the gospel. The real point in dispute in connection with the free offer of the gospel is whether it can properly be said that God desires the salvation of all men. This issue was related to several theological controversies of the 1940s and stemming back decades earlier. Much of this particular issue comes the split of 1924 within the Christian Reformed Church which led to the formation of the Protestant Reformed Church under the leadership of Herman Hoeksema. For some, the antithesis is so absolutized that there can be no real transition from wrath to grace and no free offer of the gospel. Cornelius Van Til spoke of the antithesis as an ethical rather than metaphysical antithesis. In a letter to Jesse de Boer, he indicated that it was merely another way to speak of total depravity. As we walk through a study committee report delivered to the 15th General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, we are confronted with the great mystery of God's will and his infallible revelation to us in Scripture. Links OPC Study Committee Report (15th General Assembly, 1948) Abraham Kuyper, Common Grace Cornelius Van Til, Common Grace and the Gospel

Paul appeals to the believers at Corinth to be united, and admonishes them to abandon their factionalism. Paul reminds them that he did not do anything among them that would draw attention to himself, but rather he pointed them entirely away from himself and directed their attention and affection to Christ alone.

This episode of Theology Simply Profound brings our reading of J. Gresham Machen's final three audio addresses to a close. This address, "The Bible and the Cross," would have aired on December 27, 1936. Machen would not finish this series of radio addresses on the atonement. Just five days later on January 1, 1937, he would succumb to pneumonia dying in the Lord. And so, this series closes so abruptly as life seems to do so very often. With the words, "Isn't the Reformed faith grand?" and "So thankful for active obedience of Christ. No hope without it," Machen departed in peace.

The first paragraph of chapter twenty-nine in the Westminster Confession of Faith sets forth the institution of Lord's Supper and the uses and ends for which it is designed: Our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was betrayed, instituted the sacrament of his body and blood, called the Lord's Supper, to be observed in his church, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of himself in his death; the sealing all benefits thereof unto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him; and, to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other, as members of his mystical body. In this episode, we discuss the five purposes of the Lord's Supper detailed in the confession: Christ instituted the Lord's Supper as a commemorative ordinance for the perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of himself in his death. The Lord's Supper is a confirmatory sign (cf. Rom. 4:11) for the purpose of sealing all the benefits procured by Christ's death unto true believers. Christ instituted the Lord's Supper for the spiritual nourishment and growth of believers in him. Christ instituted the Lord's Supper for believers for their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him. Finally, Christ instituted the Lord's Supper to be a bond and pledge of believers' communion with him, and with each other, as members of his mystical body.

As the Abrahamic Covenant is expanded, it builds upon the revelation given in chapters 12 and 15. Through this everlasting covenant God will bring life to those who are dead in their sins.

This week's Theology Simply Profound provides another reading from the works of J. Gresham Machen. Since we've begun a series on the Biblical teaching of the atonement, Bob is reading Machen's, "The Active Obedience of Christ." This was delivered on December 20, 1936 as part of a series of radio addresses given shortly before Machen's death on January 1, 1937.

We continue our #VosGroup series in pages 175–182 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider ancestor worship and animism before moving to a summary of Part I of the entire book and specifically, revelation during the period of M

Our situation calls for serious self-discipline because the days are evil, and joyful celebration because God has rescued us from that evil in Jesus Christ.

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue their new series of discussions on the doctrine of the atonement. In this episode we talk about the concept of redemption. What is redemption? What is the relationship between redemption and the wrath of God? What is the cost of redemption? How does redemption relate to the atonement?

In this episode, we speak to David Woollin of Reformation Heritage Books about several new and exciting projects from the publisher.

We speak with Dr. Stephen G. Myers about Ebenezer Erskine and the important events of Presbyterian history with which he was involved.

Israel was called God's son—a status under threat here in Hosea—as graphically demonstrated in the naming of Hosea's children. God's pending divorce of Israel points to the only way for God's elect to be saved. The warnings in Hosea are for God's people today that we may examine ourselves to be sure we are in the faith.

William Vandoodewaard speaks to us about Martin Bucer, John Knox, and the development of pastoral care during the Reformation.

With Rob nursing a cold, this week's Theology Simply Profound provides another reading from the works of J. Gresham Machen. Since we've begun a series on the Biblical teaching of the atonement, Bob is reading Machen's, "The Doctrine of the Atonement." This was from a series of radio addresses given shortly before Machen's death on January 1, 1937.

Bill Dennison speaks about Karl Marx, leading us through his biography, influences, and his intellectual effects upon social and political history.

We welcome Glen Clary as our newest panelist, as he opens Paul's eucharistic prayer concerning the church of God at Corinth. He centers it around the believer's union with Christ—the key to understanding Paul's gospel.

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob begin a new series of discussions on the topic of the atonement. In this episode we talk about the wrath of God and mankind's need for an escape from the wrath of God in the first place. Why an atonement? Why is there a need for an atonement?

Jonathan Gibson and Mark Earngey speak about Reformation worship. Their new book Reformation Worship: Liturgies from the Past for the Present, is an irenic plea for the Church (and especially her ministers) to engage again in the two-millennia-old question: "How then shall we worship?"

A remarkable picture of God's grace given to an undeserving Egyptian woman, is used by the apostle Paul as a divinely inspired allegory of the way in which God operates through the church today.

The Rev. Brian L. De Jong, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, joins Bob and Rob this week on Theology Simply Profound to discuss his new book, Honoring the Elderly: A Christian's Duty to Aging Parents. Mr. De Jong explains the importance of thinking through difficult and complex issues related to how Christian are to honor their aging parents.

Hebrews 6 has been a challenging passage to interpret for ages. What does it mean to fall away? What is the specific nature of the apostasy? Do majority interpretations do justice to all the features of the text?

God has made his covenant with Abram, and now ratifies it through a solemn covenant ceremony that points to the supernatural character of the covenant's nature and its keeping.

This episode of Theology Simply Profound brings our discussion of the Book of Acts to a close. Paul is under house arrest welcoming all who come to him "proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance." We discuss Paul's arrival in Rome, his reception by the Jews, and his proclamation of the kingdom of God. Our apologies for the poor audio quality for the first 10 minutes or so...a few technical difficulties.