Reformed Forum

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 128–131 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider once again the function of the law and the Decalogue. Why was the law given? How does it function in the life of Israel, the red

Dr. Keith Stanglin joins us to speak about the theology of Jacobus Arminius. Dr. Stanglin is associate professor at Austin Graduate School of Theology. Arminius was a Dutch theologian who served as a professor of theology at the University of Leiden. Many

Sections 1. Absurd fictions of opponents first refuted, and then certain passages of Scripture explained. Answer by a negative. Confirmation of the answer. 2. Another absurdity of Aristotle and Pelagius. Answer by a distinction. Answer fortified by passages from Augustine, and supported by the authority of an Apostle. 3. Third absurdity borrowed from the words of Chrysostom. Answer by a negative. 4. Fourth absurdity urged of old by the Pelagians. Answer from the works of Augustine. Illustrated by the testimony of our Saviour. Another answer, which explains the use of exhortations. 5. A third answer, which contains a fuller explanation of the second. Objection to the previous answers. Objection refuted. Summary of the previous answers.

Sections 1. Connection of this chapter with the preceding. Augustine's similitude of a good and bad rider. Question answered in respect to the devil. 2. Question answered in respect to God and man. Example from the history of Job. The works of God distinguished from the works of Satan and wicked men. 1. By the design or end of acting. How Satan acts in the reprobate. 2. How God acts in them. 3. Old Objection, that the agency of God in such cases is referable to prescience or permission, not actual operation. Answer, showing that God blinds and hardens the reprobate, and this in two ways; 1. By deserting them; 2. By delivering them over to Satan. 4. Striking passages of Scripture, proving that God acts in both ways, and disposing of the objection with regard to prescience. Confirmation from Augustine. 5. A modification of the former answer, proving that God employs Satan to instigate the reprobate, but, at the same time, is free from all taint. 6. How God works in the hearts of men in indifferent matters. Our will in such matters not so free as to be exempt from the overruling providence of God. This confirmed by various examples. 7. Objection, that these examples do not form the rule. An answer, fortified by the testimony of universal experience, by Scripture, and a passage of Augustine. 8. Some, in arguing against the error of free will, draw an argument from the event. How this is to be understood.

Today we welcome Iain H. Murray to the program to discuss his new biography, J. C. Ryle: Prepared to Stand Alone. In 1957, Rev. Murray co-founded the Banner of Truth Trust. Ryle (1816–1900) was the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool. He was an ardent de

James Baird speaks with Corey Brock and Nathaniel Gray Sutanto about Friedrich Schleiermacher's philosophical influences and their effect upon his theology.

The evangelical Internet is abuzz with discussion about ad intra relations within the Trinity. Bruce Ware and Wayne Grudem have been recognized as presenting forms of Eternal Functional Subordination (EFS) of the Son to the Father in their respective books, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, and Relevance (Crossway) and Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Zondervan). Owen Strachan and his co-author Gavin Peacock hold to what they term Eternal Relations of Authority and Submission (ERAS) in their book, The Grand Design (Crossway). In this episode, we address the current controversy by looking at the eternal relationship among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three persons are one God. They are related by an irreversible taxis: the Father is unbegotten, the Son is begotten of the Father, and the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. Theologians often call this the immanent or ontological Trinity. These three persons are equal in power and glory, yet their essential relationship entails no relationship of authority, subordination, or submission. Nonetheless, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit freely will to create, and eventually to redeem, a people unto himself. This free, yet still eternal agreement, is known as the pactum salutis or Covenant of Redemption. After listening to this discussion, please consider two previous episodes of Christ the Center that deal with similar issues: Christ the Center episode 245, Eternal Generation of the Son Christ the Center episode 295, The Aseity of the Son

Dr. Alan Strange provides a window in Presbyterian history, taking us back to the nineteenth century. Charles Hodge looms large over American Presbyterianism, and his doctrine of the spirituality of the church offered an important biblical rationale for a

Dr. Brant Bosserman is an admirer of Cornelius Van Til's Trinitarian theology—so much so that he seeks to develop it further. In his book The Trinity and the Vindication of Christian Paradox, Dr. Bosserman details Van Til's view but goes further by argu

Ministry in the body of Christ is trying. We face many challenges as we battle the enemy and the flesh. While some shrink before the battle, others dive in irresponsibly and flameout quickly. Camden Bucey reviews Zeal without Burnout: Seven Keys to a Life

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, we reflect upon the life and ministry of the denomination's oldest minister, 103 year-old Rev. John P. Galbraith. Galbraith was a student of J. Gresham Machen's at Westminster Th

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 126–129 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the function of the law. Why was the law given? How does it function in the life of Israel, the redeemed typological son? God gr

A. G. Sertillanges' The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods is a brilliant work on the life of the mind. Balancing definition, practical tips, and warnings against pitfalls, Sertillanges sets a course for the Christian scholar. This book is

Vern Poythress and Iain Duguid speak about the hermeneutical tradition of Westminster Theological Seminary and their book, Seeing Christ in All of Scripture.

Vern Poythress speaks about his new handbook of biblical interpretation, Reading the Word in the Presence of God.

Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey speak about creation and covenant from 30,000+ feet (literally) on their way to our Austin Theology Conference at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas, April 30, 2016.

Lane Tipton, Glen Clary, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey speak about nature-grace dualism and the means of grace. This was a live panel discussion held during our Austin Theology Conference at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas, April 30, 2016.

Dr. James J. Cassidy delivers the first plenary address from our Austin Theology Conference at Pflugerville, Texas on April 30, 2016.

Dr. Camden M. Bucey delivers the second plenary address from our Austin Theology Conference at Pflugerville, Texas on April 30, 2016.

Dr. Lane G. Tipton delivers the first plenary address from our Austin Theology Conference at Pflugerville, Texas on April 30, 2016.

Brandon Crowe joins us to speak The Essential Trinity: New Testament Foundations and Practical Relevance, a new book he has co-edited with Carl Trueman.

Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey preview the upcoming Reformed Forum Conference in Austin, Texas by speaking about nature and grace.

Attending a Reformed church for the first time can be a daunting task. Joining one may seem even more challenging. Ken Golden has written an excellent book to help, and he joins us today to speak about it. Presbytopia: What it Means to be Presbyterian (Christian Focus) is an accessible yet uncompromising introduction to Christian essentials, Reformed distinctives, and the means of grace. Ken Golden is pastor of Sovereign Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Davenport, Iowa.