The Jerusalem Chamber » Podcast

Where does Jesus speak of his return? How does the day of judgment deter men from sin? How is the day of judgment a comfort and consolation to believers? What are your thoughts on the structure of this final paragraph? What is carnal security? How can we best be prepared to live for the return … More Episode 33.3: Prepared for the Return of Jesus

Who are the elect? Who are the reprobate? Why does “wicked and disobedient” qualify the reprobate? What is the justice of God? What comfort is there in the word “eternal”? What is the fullness of joy and refreshing? How does the Bible address those who think justice is only rehabilitative? How does the Bible depict … More Episode 33.2: Eternal Life Or Torment

Tune in as we interview Dr. David Noe who recently translated John Arrowsmith’s volume Plans For Holy War, as part of the Writings of the Westminster Divines series.

Why is the truth that God has appointed a day for judging everyone so important to our faith? Where does the Bible talk about this day? What’s the significance that it’s carried out by Jesus Christ? What does it mean that we will give an account? How can we see this day as hopeful? Tune … More Episode 33.1: The Appointed Day

What are some views that have been taught about the body in the life to come? How is the story of humanity’s creation and fall important to this paragraph? What is the dishonour to which the unjust will be raised? What is the honor of the just? How will the bodies of believers be made … More Episode 32.3: The Future of the Body

What does “at the last day” mean? What’s going on with the souls of people as the body is laid to rest? What happens to those who are alive on the last day? Describe the resurrection of the dead. What does “selfsame” body mean? Tune in as Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle discuss WCF 32.2: … More Episode 32.2: The Resurrection of the Body

Why does the confession say our bodies return to dust? Does this promote a low view of the body? What about cremation? How do we biblically know the soul has an immoral subsistence? Why is soul sleep unbiblical? What are the benefits of the soul at death? What is hell? Is there a place called … More Episode 32.1: Body and Soul at Death

What matters would the Westminster Assembly regard as ecclesiastical as opposed to civil affairs? What does intermeddle mean in this context? What specific biblical passages guide Presbyterianism in its understanding of separation between church and civil authority? How have some of these things been practiced in presbyterian history? How can we understand faithful citizenship? How … More Episode 31.5: Ecclesiastical in Nature

How can synods and councils err? What are examples of the “many” that have erred? How can we use decisions of synods and councils as a help to our faith? Join Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle as they discuss WCF 31.4: All synods or councils since the apostles’ times, whether general or particular, may err, … More Episode 31.4: The Fallible Church

We are told in this paragraph what belongs to synods and councils. We are told that these things belong “ministerially.” What’s that mean? What would the other option be? What are the four reasons for a Synod or Council to act, and what do they mean? How are the decisions to be received? Join Nathan, … More Episode 31.3: The Determinations of Synods and Councils

Within American Presbyterianism why has this paragraph been deleted and within the RPCNA why is it rejected? Why does the confession say it’s lawful for a magistrate to call a Synod and can you give historical examples of this? What does the confession mean by “other fit persons”? What is meant by “consult or advise … More Episode 31.2: Calling the Assemblies of the Church

Why did the Assembly put church discipline before church courts? Why did the congregationalists object to this chapter? Where did Christ give the Apostles authority to establish church government? How do we distinguish between Synods and Councils? How do these assemblies contribute to the better government of the church? The edification of the church? Tune … More Episode 31.1: The Government of the Church

What does “officers of the Church” mean? Can you define admonition, suspension, and excommunication? Do our churches follow this path? How do each serve to meet the end of church discipline? How do those called to, enforce these censures? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 30.4: For the better attaining of … More Episode 30.4: Degrees of Censure

We’ve got a special episode! Dr. David Whitla has recently (slightly) updated and edited the famous work The Sum of Saving Knowledge, and our friends at Crown&Covenant have published it. Tune in to hear Dr. Whitla talk about why this monumental work should still have a place on every Christian’s bookshelf!

How does God use discipline to reclaim an offending brother? What are biblical examples? What are the other reasons for church discipline? Can you give pastoral counsel on these? How can churches grow in doing this well? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 30.3: Church censures are necessary for the reclaiming … More Episode 30.3: The Necessity of Censure

Where do we get the language “keys of the kingdom”? Can you show from the Bible that it’s the officers of the church who exercise the keys? How do you respond to congregationalism? What is meant by retain and remit sins? What’s meant by the absolution of censures? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and … More Episode 30.2: The Keys of the Kingdom

What does the word “censure” mean? What is the distinction between the government of the church and civil government? Can you briefly define and describe different perspectives on church government? What is a church officer? Is the “separation of church and state” biblical? Tune in as Shawn, Nathan, Kyle, and Joel discuss WCF 30.1:

Westminster Confession of Faith 29.8: Although ignorant and wicked men receive the outward elements in this sacrament, yet they receive not the thing signified thereby; but by their unworthy coming thereunto are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, to their own damnation. Wherefore all ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit … More Episode 29.8: Unworthy Participation

Westminster Confession of Faith 29.7: Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this sacrament, do then also inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally, but spiritually, receive and feed upon Christ crucified, and all benefits of his death: the body and blood of Christ being then not corporally or … More Episode 29.7: The Spiritual Presence

Westminster Confession of Faith 29.6: That doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of bread and wine, into the substance of Christ’s body and blood (commonly called transubstantiation) by consecration of a priest, or by any other way, is repugnant, not to Scripture alone, but even to common sense and reason; overthroweth the nature … More Episode 29.6: Transubstantiation

Where do we find the biblical instruction set the elements of the Lord’s Supper apart? Can you explain the difference between transubstantiation, consubstantiation, and the Reformed view? Are there any teachings that deny the presence of Christ in the Supper? What’s the relationship between the sign and the things signified? What pastoral application is found … More Episode 29.5: Sign and Thing Signified

How does this paragraph fit within the chapter? What is the background justification Rome has used for private masses? Why did Protestants stand against them? What about the denial of the cup? What about worshiping the elements? What do you pastorally do about shut-ins? Should every communicant take both elements? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, … More Episode 29.4: Abuses of the Lord’s Supper

Can you briefly describe how you administer the Lord’s Supper? Why should ministers administer the sacrament? How are each of the actions mentioned here biblical? Why do churches use grape juice? Are things not listed here that can be done? Why are both elements given to participants? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, and our guest … More Episode 29.3 Sacramental Actions

After a slight break — due to the demands of the pastoral ministry — we’re back in the Jerusalem Chamber for an interview with Rev. Dr. Richard Gaffin Jr. on his booklet No Adam, No Gospel. Dr. Gaffin is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, and was a former professor of Biblical and … More Special Episode: Interview with Richard Gaffin Jr.

Can you outline for our listeners some of what the Roman Catholic Church teaches regarding their doctrine and practice of Mass? What are the historical precursors to Mass? Why is the Lord’s Supper only for the living? Can you elaborate on the qualities of Christ’s death present in this paragraph? Why is the sacrifice of … More Episode 29.2: The Roman Mass

Why is it important to remember that Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper? What’s the significance that it was instituted on the night he was betrayed? Why is it important that this supper is to be observed until Christ’s return? Why do we need a memorial of Christ’s death? How is the supper a seal of … More Episode 29.1: What is the Lord’s Supper?

Can you give us a quick summary of baptism as a sacrament? What is important about the word “administration”? What’s being refuted by the word “once”? What’s the spiritual significance of “once”? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 28.7: The sacrament of baptism is but once to be administered to any … More Episode 28.7: One Baptism

What is the logic of this paragraph in relation to the rest of the chapter? How does this view differ from Rome? How do we balance this with what the Bible says elsewhere about baptism “saving” you? If baptism a means of grace what this paragraph say about the conferring of that grace? What pastoral … More Episode 28.6: Time of Baptism’s Efficacy

What does it mean to “contemn” something, and who contemns baptism? What about neglect? Why is this a great sin? In what other ways to people have a low view of baptism? What’s the relationship between baptism and regeneration? What’s the risk of having too high a view? What pastoral help can you bring from … More Episode 28.5: Too Low and High A View of Baptism

How do we know that those who profess faith should be baptized? Why is “obedience” to Christ important too? What connection is there between baptism and church membership? What is the Bible’s teaching on infant membership in the church? What are erroneous views of infant baptism? What objections are there to infant baptism? How did … More Episode 28.4: Who Should Be Baptized?

Why is the mode of baptism important? Who might disagree that baptism is for the church today? What movement is this paragraph addressing? What is some of the biblical language translated as “baptism” or “baptize”? What does the mode of baptism signify? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 28.3: Dipping of … More Episode 28.3: The Mode of Baptism

Is the element of water necessary to baptism? Rome includes other things with their water in baptism is that appropriate? What does water represent in the Bible? What is meant and why is baptism into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? Why can only a minister of the gospel administer … More Episode 28.2: The Manner of Baptism

What are the historical roots to water baptism? Did the Old Testament have any precursors to baptism? When did Christ ordain baptism? What about the baptism of John? Where do we see that baptism is a solemn admission into the visible church? How is it a sign and seal of our ingrafting into Christ, regeneration, … More Episode 28.1: Defining Baptism

How does our covenant theology help inform the continuity and discontinuity between the Old and New Testaments? How are the Old Testament sacraments the same in “substance” and what does that mean? Can you give some examples of Old Testament sacraments and show how they were instituted by God and signified and sealed Jesus Christ … More Episode 27.5: Old Testament Sacraments

Why the need to qualify that there’s only two sacraments? Are there any who say there’s less than two? What’s the relationship between this paragraph and the former one? What do we need to understand in order to get the point of a “lawfully ordained minister”? What impact did this paragraph have on the Covenanters? … More Episode 27.4: Only Two Sacraments

Can you address the errors of grace being conferred through the sacraments by the power within them, the piety or intention of the administrator? What biblical wisdom is there in making these distinctions? Is there evidence that one can be an unbeliever and receive the sacraments? Are there proof texts against this? What is the … More Episode 27.3: Grace Exhibited and Conferred

Can you remind our listeners what a “sign” and “seal” are? What is meant by the “thing signified”? How is this sacramental union representative and instrumental? What are the grounds for the union? Can you give examples of the way each is attribute to the other? What happens if we conflate the sign and the … More Episode 27.2: The Sign and the Thing Signified

Where does the word “sacrament” come from? How are sacraments “signs”? Why the qualifier “holy”? How are sacraments “seals”? Why is it important that they’re immediately instituted by God? What are other popular views of the sacraments? What do the sacraments accomplish? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 27.1: Sacraments are … More Episode 27.1: What is a Sacrament?

What is the spectrum of belief regarding divinization? What do we get wrong about partaking in the divine nature? How is this wrong thinking blasphemous? What is some of the communal living being described here? How do we know the Bible permits the owning of private property? How would communalism rob us of a significant … More Episode 26.3: What Communion Is Not

What is significant about the words “saints by profession”? What biblical passages and imagery is used to explain the communion of saints? How does a biblical understanding of the communion of saints differ from the Roman Catholic view? How does worship help us maintain a “holy fellowship”? What is some of the New Testament’s “spiritual … More Episode 26.2: Fellowship With One Another

Why place this chapter here? What’s the significance of the name “saints”? This is one of the first places where we read of “union with Christ,” what is that? How do we have fellowship with Jesus in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory? Why is our union with each other one of love? How … More Episode 26.1: Union and Communion

Why does this paragraph repeat the claim that Christ is the only Head of the Church? What is the biblical significance of Christ’s Headship over the church? What is the Roman Catholic doctrine on the Pope? Are there any others who make the claims that the Pope does? Why are these claims contrary to Scripture? … More Episode 25.6: Antichrist

How would we distinguish between “mixture” and “error”? How does this inform someone who discovers they disagree with something in the church? What hope should we have from the expression “under heaven”? What churches is the Westminster Assembly referring to that have become “synagogues of Satan”? How do we mark out and measure degeneration? What … More Episode 25.5: The Mixed Church

How as the church been more or less visible in history? Why should this visibility problem be an encouragement to the Christian? How does the WCF change the older language of “true” or “false” church? What defines more or less pure? What are some New Testament examples of less pure churches? How have the marks … More Episode 25.4: The Purity of the Church

Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle are joined by Dr. John Bower to discuss his newest book The Confession of Faith: A Critical Text and Introduction. Dr. John Bower is Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology/Immunology, at Northeast Ohio Medical University and adjunct professor of Church History at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He … More Special Episode: Interview with Dr. John Bower

What is the distinction between invisible and invisible? What is the significance that Christ has given his church these things? What is meant by: a) ministry, b) oracles, and c) ordinances? What dual purpose has Christ given these things for? How doe these things gather the saints? How do they perfect? What encouragement can you … More Episode 25.3: Gathering and Perfecting

What does the word “catholic” mean here? What perspective is immediately gained when we think of the church as “invisible”? What’s the relationship between election and membership in the invisible church? What is important about Christ being Head of the church? What benefits do we discover in considering the church as the Bride and Body … More Episode 25:1: The Invisible Church

What is wilful desertion? What times of desertion are not meant in the WCF? What does desertion look like? Is physical abuse desertion? Why is this paragraph needed today? What are some of the arguments used to justify divorce in today’s culture? Do you think there’s gray areas in certain scenarios for divorce? How is … More Episode 24.6: Wilful Desertion

Can you biblically define “adultery” and “fornication”? What is a “contract,” and is there any relevance in this first sentence to us in a contemporary society? What might this paragraph say to the intent of marriage? Why is adultery after marriage lawful grounds for divorce? How far does “adultery” extend? Why is it that only … More Episode 24.5: Adultery and Divorce

How does this paragraph relate to the previous one? What does “consanguinity” and “affinity” mean? How do we deal with the idea of incest when it comes to the children of Adam and Eve? Where does the Bible specifically address the laws of consanguinity and affinity? How do we know incest laws aren’t only for … More Episode 24.4: Relational Bounds of Marriage