The Jerusalem Chamber » Podcast

According to this paragraph what are the three wrong uses of repentance? This paragraph mentions the “free act of God’s grace.” Will you remind our listeners what that is? Can you Scripturally demonstrate why repentance cannot be the cause of our pardon? In the background are a number of errors being guarded against, what are … More Episode 15.3: Right and Wrong Uses of Repentance

How is sin dangerous? How is sin filthy? What does “odious” mean and how is sin odious? How is sin contrary to God’s law and nature? Can you give biblical examples of repentance flowing from an apprehension of the mercy and love of God? The Puritans often distinguished between evangelical and legal repentance, what is … More Episode 15.2: Turning From and To

What is an “evangelical grace”? How does an evangelical grace relate to the ordo salutis? What is true repentance and how does this differ from other “kinds” of repentance? Why use the word “doctrine” when describing repentance? How do faith and repentance go hand-in-hand? How should a preacher preach repentance? What does repentance have to … More Episode 15.1: The Grace of Repentance

Can you reflect on a definition of saving faith? How is saving faith “weakened and assailed”? How does this relate to assurance? How can this paragraph be read in two different ways? Do all receive a full assurance of faith? How is Christ the author and finisher of our faith? Tune in as Nathan, Joel, … More Episode 14.3: Strong and Weak Faith

Can you remind our listeners what faith is? Why should we believe whatsoever the Bible says? What are some examples of the following biblical truths: gospel truths, hard truths, inconvenient truths, and lofty truths? What do you say to someone who has a hard time reconciling what the Bible says with humanity’s developing understanding of … More Episode 14.2: Faith and the Bible

How does chapter 14 provide a transition in the flow of the confession? What is faith? Why add the adjective “saving,” is there another kind of faith? How is the Bible and the Holy Spirit involved in our faith? What would some people object to in this paragraph? How does preaching increase our faith? Is … More Episode 14.1: Saving Faith Defined

Where does the “war” imagery of this paragraph come from? Do you think the Westminster Divines are “heresy-hunting” in this paragraph? What wrong views of sanctification has the church struggled with? How does corruption remain in the believer? What are some biblical examples of believers in whom corruption prevailed for a time? How does the … More Episode 13.3: The War Within

Could you define again for us what sanctification is? In what ways is our body sanctified? Can you explain what the “trichotomist” view is and why it’s wrong? Was John Murray correct with his doctrine of definitive sanctification (just kidding…we don’t discuss that)? What sins do Christians struggle with? What was the Keswick movement and … More Episode 13.2: Extent and Degree of Sanctification

What is the ordo salutis and why is it helpful? How is sanctification connected to the life and death of Jesus? Can you elaborate on the role of the Word in sanctification? What is the Spirit’s role in sanctification and what is meant by “indwelling”? What does it mean to be “really” and “personally” sanctified? … More Episode 13.1: Sanctification Defined

Why did the Assembly include a chapter on adoption? Why is it so brief? How did the Assembly define adoption? Is there a sense in which we are all children of God? Is adoption done for you or to you? Where in the Bible would you go for the best development of the doctrine of … More Episode 12.1: Adoption

When we think of justification being viewed as different according to the Old and New Testament what systems of theology come to mind? What were some things the Socinians believed? What about contemporary dispensationalism? Why do we say “essentially” the same in the Old and New Testament? What pastoral comfort can be found in this … More Episode 11.6: One and the Same

Although justification can never be lost whey can our “sense” of it be? If justification is a one time act why does this paragraph teach that God continues to forgive sin? What biblical evidence can be given that we are to continue asking for forgiveness? Occasionally in Reformed writings you’ll read about “daily justification,” what … More Episode 11.5: Fatherly Displeasure

This paragraph relates justification to the decree of God, can your remind our listeners what the decree of God is? What is meant by the expression “fullness of time”? Why is justification connected to the resurrection of Christ? What does it mean for the Holy Spirit to “apply” Christ to us? What is eternal justification … More Episode 11.4: Justification — Eternity, Past, Present

Can you remind our listeners what “justification” is? What is our debt and why use this language? What was necessary to Christ’s removal of the debt? What are the attributes of Christ’s satisfaction? Where does the Old Testament testify to these things? How is it gracious that the Son was given by the Father? How … More Episode 11.3: Christ’s Obedience and Satisfaction

The definition here for “faith” seems active, can you explain that? How do predestination and effectual calling flow into faith if it is alone considered the instrument of justification? What does “instrument” mean? What is the importance of the word “ever” in this paragraph? What are all the other saving graces? Is dead faith really … More Episode 11.2: Faith and Saving Graces

How does this chapter on justification connect with the one on effectual calling? Can you give us a bird’s eye view of the whole chapter? What is justification and how has it theologically developed over the years? This paragraph says “not by infusing righteousness,” why is that important? What is noteworthy about this definition of … More Episode 11.1: Justification Defined

Why are there those who never believe? What is the “ministry of the Word” and what is its connection to the call? What are the “common operations of the Spirit”? What might it look like for someone to never truly come to Christ? Why is the light of nature insufficient for salvation? Tune in as … More Episode 10.4: Called But Not Chosen

Why include this paragraph in a chapter on effectual calling? What does this paragraph teach regarding the regeneration on infants? Where is this in the Bible? Are all infants who die in infancy regenerate? Who else is incapable of the outward call? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle pastorally discuss this sensitive topic … More Episode 10.3: Elect Infants

How does this paragraph complement the chapter on God’s decree? What is grace? Why use the adjectives “special” and “free”? How do we know the call isn’t based on something God foresees? What is monergism? What is synergism? What is the enabling power of the Spirit? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss … More Episode 10.2: The Grace of the Call

Recently the guys from The Jerusalem Chamber joined our friends from Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary on their podcast Confessing Our Hope. We discussed the events, decisions, and happenings from the RPCNA 2018 Synod. Tune in below, follow our friends at iTunes and on social media!

What is the difference between effectual calling and irresistible grace? What are the differences between the inward and outward call? Does the outward call only go to the elect? Is there sincerity in God’s outward call? To whom does the inward call go? In what ways does the effectual call change people? Does the Calvinist … More Episode 10.1: Effectual Calling

Dr. C.J. Williams is professor of Old Testament studies at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Today he joins the guys in the Jerusalem Chamber to talk about his work in the book The Shadow of Christ in the Book of Job and God’s providence as explained in WCF 5.    

What is the state of glory? How is this state prefigured in the Tree of Life? How do we define and measure the “good” which will be done in the state of glory? If immutability is a divine attribute how can our wills be said to be “immutable”? Does perfection and immutability deprive us of … More Episode 9.5: The State of Glory

What is the significance of asserting God’s work of conversion? What does it mean to “translate” into a state of grace? How does God’s saving work change our wills? How are we freed from the natural bondage of sin? What is perfectionism and why don’t we believe in it? How does a Christian resist sin? … More Episode 9.4: The State of Grace

What has changed in the present state of sin? What do the clarifiers “spiritual” and “accompanying salvation” distinguish for us about this conversation? How does man’s aversion to righteousness play out? What about preparation for conversion? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 9.3: Man, by his fall into a state of … More Episode 9.3: The State of Sin

What is the four-fold state of man? What is the “state of innocency”? The Bible tells us God created man “upright,” what does that mean? Why is it important that Adam and Eve had the power to will and do that which was good? How was humanity able to be well pleasing to God before … More Episode 9.2: The State of Innocency

Why does the chapter on the will of man immediately follow the one on Christ the Mediator? What is the will and where is it located? Why has God made man a willing creature and what do we lose if we weren’t? Why do some new Calvinsits struggle with the Confession’s teaching on the will? … More Episode 9.1: The Will of Man

What is the assumption in this paragraph? What does the Confession mean by “applies” and “communicates” redemption? What does the Confession mean by “certainly” and “effectually”? How does the Mediator intercede for us? How does he reveal and persuade us of the gospel? How does he govern our hearts? How do these truths help us … More Episode 8.8: The Mediator’s Redemption Applied

How does this paragraph respond to Roman Catholicism that teaches that Christ is only Mediator according to his humanity? What is the communication of attributes? What is the extra Calvinisticum? What’s the difference between the Reformed and Lutherans? Are we to worship the person of Christ? Join Nathan, Shawn, Kyle, and Joel as discuss WCF … More Episode 8.7: The Communication of Attributes

What are the differences between this paragraph and those found in chapter 7? What does the Confession mean by “communicated to the elect”? What is the virtue of redemption? What is the efficacy of redemption? What are the benefits of redemption? Why does the Confession say “slain from the foundation of the world”? What’s the … More Episode 8.6: The Virtue and Efficacy of Christ’s Redemption

Can you explain the terms “active” and “passive” obedience? Can you historically explain the question(s) about the active obedience of Christ? Give some specific examples of Christ’s obedience. Why does the WCF connect Christ’s suffering to the justice of his Father? What does the WCF mean with the phrase “through the eternal Spirit”? How does … More Episode 8.5: Obedience and Suffering

Why does the WCF incorporate significant details about the life of Jesus that are absent from the Apostles’ Creed? What does the Confession mean when it speaks of Christ estate of humiliation and exaltation? Why does the Confession say Christ “most willingly” undertook the office of Mediator? What’s the significance of suffering in body and … More Episode 8.4: Humiliation and Exaltation

In light of recent controversies what in this paragraph relates to the ontological and economic Trinity? How does this paragraph set forth Jesus as the New Adam? What is different about Jesus’ sanctification from ours? Where is the encouragement in this for us? Why did Jesus need to be holy, harmless, and undefiled? Hos is … More Episode 8.3: The Perfection of the Mediator

What are some of the heresies rejected by this paragraph? Where does the language “very and eternal God” come from and why does the WCF use it? What does the “fullness of time” mean? What portions of Scripture talk about Jesus’ true humanity? Why does it matter that Jesus was truly man? Why is it … More Episode 8.2: The Two Natures of Christ

How do we know that sending Jesus wasn’t God’s emergency plan? Could the Father or Spirit have been the Mediator? How is Jesus a Prophet? Priest? King? What does it mean that he is Head of the church? How are the blessings of salvation connected to Jesus? Join Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle as we … More Episode 8.1: The Chosen Mediator

This special episode is a Q&A of all things related to chapter seven. Thanks for those who sent in questions. Tune in as we discuss questions like: why do some people reject a covenant of works? What were the “sacraments” of the covenant of works? Would Adam have inherited eternal life in heaven or a … More Chapter 7 Q&A

How do we understand the place of the gospel in the Old Testament? What is the relation of the new covenant to the covenant of grace? Why does the confession speak of Christ as the “substance”? What is meant by “administered with more simplicity”? What does it mean that these ordinances “dispense” the covenant of … More Episode 7.6: The Covenant of Grace in the New Testament

What is the difference between law and grace? What is the difference between Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology in understanding the Old Testament? What are some of the promises, pictures, and prophecies Israel received about Jesus? How were the “shadowy” things of the Old Testament sufficient unto salvation? Tune in as Joel, Nathan, Shawn, and Kyle … More Episode 7.5: The Covenant of Grace in the Old Testament

What is a “testament” and “testator”? Why is it important to retain this language? How does this help us understand the covenant of grace? Why are the benefits of the covenant of grace connected to the death of Jesus? What is the inheritance? Tune in as Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle discuss these questions and … More Episode 7.4: A Testament and Testator

What is a covenant and what are its parts? Why is it important to remind people that life can no longer be found through the covenant of works? Is there biblical evidence for this thing we call the covenant of grace? What is the difference between the covenant of works and the covenant of grace? … More Episode 7.3: The Covenant of Grace

What is a covenant? What are the parts of a covenant? Where in Scripture would you go to understand the covenant of works? Why is it called a covenant of “works”? Was the covenant of works a gracious covenant? Do we have any idea how long Adam continued before breaking the covenant? How does the … More Episode 7.2: The Covenant of Works

What is the “distance” between God and man? Why do “reasonable creatures” owe obedience to God? Is there a general ownership that God has toward all his creation? Why does the Confession use the word “fruition”? How has God condescended to us? What is a covenant? Tune in as Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle discuss … More Episode 7.1: God’s Covenants

This special episode is a Q&A of all things related to chapter six. Thanks for those who sent in questions. Tune in as we discuss: Where did Satan come from? What are different theological views on original sin? Why is Adam’s first sin only imputed to us? If we’re made opposite to all good why … More Chapter 6 Q&A

How are original and actual sin related? What is the difference between the two? How does sin bring guilt upon the sinner? What is the wrath of God? What does the Bible tell us of a flippant attitude about sin? What are the miseries of this life? Tune in as Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle … More Episode 6.6: The Curse of Sin

What is the corruption of nature? What Bible passages show that the corruption of sin remains in believers? How can we understand Romans 7 and why is it pastorally helpful? Do Christians remain totally depraved? What does “mortify” mean? Tune in as Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle discuss these questions and more from WCF 6.5: … More Episode 6.5: Indwelling Sin

What is meant by the phrase “original corruption”? What is the relationship between original and actual sin? What is depravity and where do we see it in the Bible? What words are used to describe our depravity? Does depravity mean that we’re not longer in the image of God? What are some objections to total … More Episode 6.4: Total Depravity

Was Eve’s sin imputed to humanity? What is imputation? What does it mean that guilt was imputed? Define “posterity descending from ordinary generation.” Why is this phrase important? How was Christ protected from Adam’s guilt? Is there any hope in this chapter since we’re all under Adam’s sin? Tune in as Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and … More Episode 6.3: The Universality of Sin

What was the sin and why was it so heinous? What are the four main consequences of sin in this paragraph? What did the change in “original righteousness” look like? Describe the loss of communion with God. How can we say Adam and Eve were dead in sin? What does it mean to be wholly … More Episode 6.2: Fallen and Sinful

How can we keep a fresh picture of the reality of the Fall? How should we understand Genesis’ account that Satan was a serpent? Do we know anything about Satan’s fall into sin? What is temptation? How could sinful desires originate in someone who was righteous? How was Adam and Eve’s sin a “complication of … More Episode 6.1: The Fall Into Sin

This special episode is a Q&A of all things related to chapter five. Thanks for those who sent in questions. Tune in as we discuss:can you help me understand first and second causes better? I think Kyle is right, will you give evidence of how the early church fathers and our Presbyterian founders understood miracles? … More Chapter 5 Q&A