Simply Put

Historical creeds and confessions are like letters from Christians who have come before us, warning us against dangerous theological mistakes that have threatened the church in the past. Today, Barry Cooper considers one of the most important Christian creeds ever written. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-nicene-creed/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

What does it look like to love the Lord with all our mind? Today, Barry Cooper shows how sin affects our thinking and how our minds can become aligned with God's truth. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-noetic-effects-of-sin/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Pentecost means "fiftieth day," and the Bible describes two very significant "fiftieth day" events. Today, Barry Cooper describes the similarities and differences between those events so we may better know God's gifts to His people of deliverance and life. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/pentecost/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The Creator has revealed His existence by creating. But He has done much more than that. In this episode, Barry Cooper considers how God has made Himself known clearly and specifically by speaking to His creatures. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/special-revelation/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Eternity isn't the place where God lives. God is where eternity lives. Today, Barry Cooper considers the timelessness of God and our yearning to be in His everlasting presence. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-eternity-of-god/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Do you believe in a God who respects your personal space, one you can keep at arm's length? Today, Barry Cooper explores the origins and impact of a philosophy that tries to place God at a safe distance. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/deism/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Throughout redemptive history, the Lord has worked wonders that are impossible to explain apart from His divine power. Today, Barry Cooper describes what miracles are and what they are for. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/miracles/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Christians have spent a lot of time mulling over the precise meaning of the thousand-year period spoken of in Revelation 20. Today, Barry Cooper explains the significance of the Millennium and the different views surrounding it. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-millennium/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

What could be more appalling than living in a world where nothing really matters, where even the most extreme cruelty is met with vacuous silence? Today, Barry Cooper explains why God's judgment is actually something for which we should be thankful. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-final-judgment/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

If someone comes to us claiming to speak for God, how could we ever know whether they're telling the truth? Today, Barry Cooper shows why God's written Word is absolutely necessary if we are to know the life-giving truth of His Son. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-necessity-of-scripture/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

What should the Christian life look like? Today, Barry Cooper identifies nine qualities that the Spirit of God grows and cultivates in every true believer. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-fruit-of-the-spirit/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

If you are a Christian, you don't have to feverishly tick off items on your bucket list as if "you only live once." You can give your life away for the sake of others, knowing you have a thousand lifetimes to enjoy in the life to come. Today, Barry Cooper revels in the glory of Christ's resurrection and ours. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-resurrection/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Whatever questions we may have about the reason behind our pain, Christians can't possibly conclude that God is aloof from suffering, that He doesn't care about evil, or that He hasn't done anything about it. Today, Barry Cooper presents three truths that help us trust in the goodness of God when facing the darkness of this world. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/theodicy/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Only once in the whole year could the high priest of Israel enter the Holy of Holies to approach the fearsome presence of a holy God: the Day of Atonement. Today, Barry Cooper explains what this day revealed about the depth of our guilt and how it pointed forward to a greater day when the sin of God's people would be dealt with forever. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-day-of-atonement/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The temple was an enduring representation of the fact that the Lord, as the God of His people, will never leave them. Today, Barry Cooper points us to a greater temple that is more enduring still. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/temple/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Why does the Old Testament contain exacting instructions for building a meeting place with God? Should we follow these assembly instructions today so that God may dwell with us? Today, Barry Cooper explains the role of the tabernacle and the One who has fulfilled it. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/tabernacle/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

God does not ask His people to abandon logic and simply accept the teachings of His Word on faith. Today, Barry Cooper helps us distinguish between a paradox and a contradiction. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/contradiction-and-paradox/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The Lord is slow to anger, but His patience with religious hypocrites does not last forever. Today, Barry Cooper considers what Israel's exile into Babylon teaches us about the danger of becoming complacent with our sin. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-babylonian-captivity/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Anger is the response of a perfectly loving God when sin is committed against Him and others. Today, Barry Cooper explains the merciful way that God has appeased His wrath against His people in order to spare them from His righteous judgment. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/propitiation/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Because of what Jesus Christ has done, death and darkness are on borrowed time. Today, Barry Cooper delivers the best news that we can ever hear. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/gospel/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The Lord reigns as King over all things. Yet, there is another sense in which the kingdom of God has not yet fully come. Today, Barry Cooper considers the meaning behind the metaphors pertaining to God's kingdom. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-kingdom-of-god/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Far from being Jesus' last name, "Christ" is a title that carries immense meaning. Today, Barry Cooper tells of the glory that Jesus bears as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/messiah-christ/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

What does a Mesopotamian sheep herder from 4,000 years ago have to do with us? Today, Barry Cooper explains how God's promise to Abraham reveals the good news of Jesus Christ. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-abrahamic-covenant/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

It has become a cliché to say, "We're all God's children." But actually, that isn't true. Today, Barry Cooper articulates the extraordinary privilege Christians have in being adopted into the family of God. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/adoption/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-apostles-creed/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

A significant part of our lives is driven by the pursuit of two words: "Well done." Today, Barry Cooper observes that the pursuit of glory is not a bad thing—as long as we're seeking it in the right place. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/glory/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

When we sin, we strive to substitute our own authority for God's. Today, Barry Cooper explains what makes our sin so devastating and points to another substitution as our only source of hope. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/sin/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

What steps take place in the salvation of a Christian? Today, Barry Cooper provides an encouraging reminder that God's redemption of His people is an unstoppable process. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/ordo-salutis/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

There's a good way of wanting to be like God—and a very bad way. Today, Barry Cooper identifies the ways we can, and ought to, imitate God. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-communicable-attributes-of-god/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Jesus is the lens through we must look if we are to understand the Scriptures properly. Today, Barry Cooper emphasizes the importance of interpreting the Bible as it was meant to be interpreted. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/hermeneutics/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

In the ultimate sense, there is no such thing as a job, a task, or a duty that is truly mundane. Today, Barry Cooper looks at God's purpose for our everyday work in the world. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-creation-mandate/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

If it is even possible that God exists, then it follows logically that God does exist. Today, Barry Cooper walks us through Anselm's famous argument for the existence of God. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-ontological-argument/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

For more than 1,800 years, Christians understood "the rapture" to be the blissful moment of Jesus' second coming. But within the last century and a half, a new interpretation emerged. Today, Barry Cooper helps us consider what the Bible says about the rapture of Christ's church. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-rapture/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The Apostles are included in "the foundation" of the Christian church (Eph. 2:20)--a foundation laid only once. Today, Barry Cooper describes the unique role these men played as the commissioned eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/apostles/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

In and of itself, faith isn't necessarily a virtue. It all depends on what we have faith in. Today, Barry Cooper explains that the reason it is proper to put our faith in Christ is because Christ is perfectly good and perfectly trustworthy. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/faith/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The central "spine" of the Bible can be described in a single word: covenant. Today, Barry Cooper expounds on these recurring agreements, pledges, and vows that culminate in the promised arrival of Christ Himself. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/covenant/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Peter denied Jesus by declaring, "I do not know the man." That's exactly what Christ calls us to do to our old lives when He commands us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. Today, Barry Cooper invites us to count the cost of being Jesus' disciples. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/disciple/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Nothing is hidden from the mind of God—past, present, or future—so nothing can surprise or confuse Him. Today, Barry Cooper introduces us to God's attribute of omniscience. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/omniscience/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Some Christians seem to think that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given only to some believers. But the whole sweep of Scripture points in the opposite direction. Today, Barry Cooper discusses how God has empowered all of His people for ministry. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-gifts-of-the-spirit/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Defibrillators are not self-operated. Neither can the spiritually dead make themselves alive to Christ. Today, Barry Cooper helps us consider our need for someone else to apply the paddles to cause our spiritual hearts to beat. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/regeneration/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Anyone can come to Scripture and discover how they can be saved, even children and those lacking formal education. Today, Barry Cooper shows that the Bible is clear in its teaching about salvation and its basic principles for pleasing God. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-perspicuity-of-scripture/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

You don't need handwriting in the sky in order to discover God's will for your life. Today, Barry Cooper helps us to distinguish between the revealed and hidden will of God and what we can know about both. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-revealed-and-hidden-will-of-god/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The Holy Spirit comes alongside us to bear our burdens, defend us, and give us strength and courage. Today, Barry Cooper examines a Greek word that richly illustrates our relationship with Christ and His Spirit. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/paraclete/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

We can get in danger of being so infatuated with the idea of our sin's forgiveness that we start to leave obedience behind. Today, Barry Cooper points out that Christians don't take God's law less seriously, but more seriously. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/antinomianism/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Not everyone who visibly appears in the church actually belongs to God's redeemed people. Today, Barry Cooper helps us make the crucial distinction between the visible and invisible church. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-visible-and-invisible-church/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The existence of creation points inevitably to the existence of a Creator. Today, Barry Cooper outlines the cosmological argument for the existence of God, the first cause. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-cosmological-argument/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Salvation isn't a 99% to 1% split between God's participation and ours. It is entirely the work of the Lord and all the glory belongs to Him. Today, Barry Cooper explains what is at stake in the so-called "five points of Calvinism." Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/five-points-of-calvinism/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The Lord lavishes all people with His kindness, even those who ignore, belittle, or are hostile toward Him. Today, Barry Cooper explains that God's universal patience toward a sinful creation reflects His glory in unique ways. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/common-grace/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

When we ascribe a title to ourselves, we better be sure that we live up to the name. Today, Barry Cooper identifies the significance of the most common designation Jesus applied to Himself. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/son-of-man/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Why did the Lord choose us to be His people? Is it because of something we did, something He did, or maybe a little bit of both? Today, Barry Cooper shows that the Bible's answer to this question is abundantly clear. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/predestination/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts