The Pactum

Expository preaching. What exactly is it and should it be THE test to determine if a church is teaching sound doctrine? Join Pat and Mike for a discussion and warning about expository preaching.

Who was Thomas Aquinas? Why does he matter and what should we make of him? Pat and Mike talk about these questions and more in this week's episode. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Thomas Aquinas (part 1) by R.C. Sproul - Thomas Aquinas (part 2) by R.C. Sproul - Should We Read Thomas Aquinas by Keith Mathison - Was Thomas Aquinas the Most Brilliant Theologian Ever? by R.C. Sproul - Aquinas Among the Protestants 1st Edition by Svensson and VanDrunen - Introduction to Reformed Scholasticism by Willem J. Van Asselt

Pat and Mike spend time answering live questions from members of the Pactumverse at the Ligonier Regional Conference in Escondido, CA. They talk about topics ranging from Law/Gospel, treasuing Christ, Calvin and Luther, The Lord's Supper, and more.

In this episode Pat and Mike are joined by special guest, Zach Keele. We discuss covenant theology, how to read the Bible, and Zach's culinary endeavors. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Sacred Bond by Zach Keele and Michael Brown - The Unfolding Word by Zach Keele Zach Keele grew up on a ranch in a small town named Crawford, Colorado. He attended Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and then received his Master of Divinity from Westminster Seminary California. He was ordained in February 2004 by the Southern California Presbytery and in the summer of 2006 was called to be the pastor of Escondido OPC.

In this episode Pat sits down with special guest, Jenny Hare, to talk about suffering and the sovereignty of God. Jenny is a cancer survivor and offers some encouragement to those who are suffering. Jenny is a church member at Omaha Bible Church. You can find more about Jenny and get in touch with her on her website, Heart & Soul Art Studio.

In this episode Pat and Mike sit down with Chris Larson, President of Ligonier Ministries, to talk about The Reformation Study Bible. Chris Larson is president and chief executive officer of Ligonier Ministries. He directs and leads all strategic outreach initiatives and oversees daily ministry operations, seeking to spread the historic Christian faith to as many people as possible. Resources mentioned in this episode: - The Reformation Study Bible

Pat and Mike talk about the benefits of reading biographies and give some recommendations of biographies that you may find interesting. Resources mentioned in this episode: - The Underlying Problem: A Brief Analysis of Meredith G. Kline's Response to Theonomy by Michael Beck

Join Pat and Mike as they offer tips about preaching and how to be better at communicating in the pulpit. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture by Graeme Goldsworthy - Him We Proclaim by Dennis Johnson

Join Pat and Mike for a discussion on Anitnomianism. They talk about things like what is antinomianism, why is it bad, and what are some ways to deal with it? Resources mentioned in this episdoe: - The True Bounds of Christian Freedom by Samuel Bolton - The Whole Christ by Sinclair Ferguson - The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification by Walter Marshall

In this Lone Ranger Responsum episode, Pat answers questions on Israel, Doctrine of God, Politics, Imputation, and more. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Understanding the Land of the Bible by O. Palmer Robertson - Simply Trinity by Matthew Barrett - The Trinity: An Introduction by Scott Swain - Eternal Subordinationism Video by David Strain - On the Eternal Functional Subordination Debate Video by Jordan Cooper - Trinity Crisis and Cures by Pat Abendroth - Trinitarian Discipleship by Pat Abendroth - The Christian Faith by Michael Horton - My Pilgrimage From "Lordship" to Law/Gospel (part 1) by Mike Abendroth - My Pilgrimage From "Lordship" to Law/Gospel (part 2): Test Case—The Rich Young Ruler by Mike Abendroth - Politics after Christendom by David VanDrunen

Pat sits down in this episode with Chris Gordon to discuss his new book, The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality. Chris Gordon is senior minister of Escondido United Reformed Church in Escondido, California, and host of Abounding Grace Radio. Chris can be found online at agradio.org and on Twitter @agradio1 The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality is availalbe from Reformation Heritage Books.

In this episode, Pat and Mike discuss a top ten list of common cultic signs and characteristics.

This week Pat and Mike talk about the fads that we see come and go in evangelicalism. They offer an alternative and solution to those looking to the next shiny new fad that comes along. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Ordinary by Michael Horton

Join Pat and Mike as they discuss pietism which originated in the 1600s but is still alive and well in evangelicalism today. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Lutheran Pietism by Ryan Reeves - Evangelical Dictionary of Theology - Heidelblog by R. Scott Clark

In this spicy Q&A Pactum Responsum episode, Pat and Mike answer listener questions on topics like Law/Gospel, Bible translation, Eschatology, and more. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond edited by Darrell L. Bock - Imperative And Indicative; Law And Gospel by R. Scott Clark - Politics after Christendom by David VanDrunen - Adam and the Covenant of Works by J.V. Fesko

This week Pat and Mike talk about Pelagianism and his cousin Semi-Pelagianism. Join us for another installment of Help from Heretics. Mentioned in this episode: - The Battle for Grace Alone by R.C. Sproul

Pat and Mike return to the Help from Heretics series and discuss Arianism. Resources mentioned: - Know the Heretics by Justin Holcomb - Simply Trinity by Matthew Barrett

Pat and Mike finish working through the remaining questions from the White Horse Inn Basic Doctine Quiz. Resources mentioned in this episode: - WHI Basic Doctrine Quiz - Canon, Covenant and Christology by Matthew Barrett - Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture by Graeme Goldsworthy

In this episode, Pat and Mike discuss ten questions from the White Horse Inn Doctrine Quiz. Take the quiz and see how you do! Mentioned in this episode: - WHI Doctrine Quiz - Lutheran Satire Video

Join Pat for another installment of our series, Help from Heretics. In this episode Pat talks about gnostics, marcions, a docetists, oh my!

Pat and Mike discuss judaizers in this installment of Help from Heretics. Resources mentioned in this episode: - All About Heresy by Michael S. Horton

In this brief introduction to a new series, Help from Heretics, Mike and Pat discuss heresy, orthodoxy, and why these things matter. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Know the Heretics by Justin Holcomb - The History of Christian Doctrines by Louis Berkhof - The Heresy of Orthodoxy by Andreas Kostenberger and Michael Kruger

Pat and Mike round out the Evangeli-Kitsch series with seven more phrases or sayings that need to be retired.

Pat and Mike continue their discussion about phrases and sayings in evangelicalism that need to be given a golden watch and retired.

Join Pat and Mike as they talk about Evangeli-Kitsch. Evangelicalism is filled with weird sayings and phrases that upon further review, need to be retired.

In this episode, Pat and Mike discuss suffering and trials in light of God's providence. They utilize John Murray's booklet, "Behind A Frowning Providence" as a guide. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Behind A Frowning Providence by John Murray - The Christian Faith by Michael Horton

In this episode, Pat and Mike talk about law and gospel categories in wisdom literature, particularly the book of Proverbs. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Proverbs by Charles Bridges - Proverbs: A Shorter Commentary by Bruce Waltke - The Book of Proverbs Vol. 1, Vol. 2 by Bruce Waltke - Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary by John Kitchen - The Book of Ecclesiastes (NICOT) by Tremper Longman III - Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture by Graeme Goldsworthy

In this episode, Pat sits down with Peter Bell to talk about training pastors and seminary. Peter hosts the Guilt Grace Gratitude podcast alongside Nick Fullwiler.

In this episode, Pat sits down with David VanDrunen to take a deep dive into the topic of Natural Law. David VanDrunen is a minister of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and is the Robert B. Strimple Professor of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics at Westminster Seminary California.

In this episode, Pat is joined by R. Scott Clark to discuss the four important words, do this and live. R. Scott Clark is a Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California and minister in the United Reformed Churches in North America. You can find more from R. Scott Clark at heidelblog.net

In this episode Pat and Mike talk about sanctification crisis and cures and reference Walter Marshall's The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification.

In this episode Pat and Mike briefly discuss 18 important words to know.

Pat and Mike are joined in this episode by fellow pastor Chris Peterson to talk about interpreting the Bible. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Interpreting Scripture with the Great Tradition: Recovering the Genius of Premodern Exegesis by Craig Carter - Figural Reading and the Old Testament: Theology and Practice by Don Collett

Pat and Mike discuss the topice of divorce and remarriage. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Divorce and Remarriage in the Church by David Instone-Brewer - Divorce and Remarriage paper from the PCA

Pat and Mike discuss listener questions in this responsum episode.

Pat and Mike answer listener questions on this Pactum Responsum episode. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Bonhoeffer and Anonymous Evangelicals by Carl Trueman - What Does the Old Testament Say About the Trinity? with Fred Sanders - God Gave Wine by Kenneth Gentry

Pat and Mike finish out the Owen series with a discussion about John Owen and justification. Resources mentioned in this episode: - The Doctrine of Justification by Faith by John Owen -John Owen, Richard Baxter and the battle for Calvin in later-seventeenth-century England by Tim Cooper

Pat and Mike discuss the third chapter of Carl Trueman's, "John Owen: Reformed Catholic, Rennaissance Man." Resources mentioned in this episode: - Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof - Sacred Bond by Michael Brown & Zach Keele - Adam and the Covenant of Works by J.V. Fesko - The Trinity and the Covenant of Redemption by J. V. Fesko - Covenant Theology for the Uninformed, Unsympathetic, and Misinformed by Pat Abendroth

Pat and Mike are back this week to discuss John Owen and the Trinity. They are currently working their way through Carl Trueman's book, "John Owen: Reformed Catholic, Renaissance Man." Resources mentioned in this episode: - None Greater by Matthew Barrett - Simply Trinity by Matthew Barrett - R.C. Sproul and Dolezal's All That Is in God - The Simplicity of God by James Dolezal - Fahrenheit 381 by Carl Trueman

Pat and Mike begin a new short series on John Owen. In this episode, they briefly introduce you to John Owen with a top ten list of things they like about him.

In this episode listen in as Pat does a live Q&A session with Matthew Barrett and J.V. Fesko on the Covenant of Redemption and Trinity.

Pat and Mike are joined in this episode by Matthew Barrett to talk about the Trinity, Biblicism, and Aquinas. Matthew Barrett is Associate Professor of Christian Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also the founder and executive editor of Credo Magazine and the host of the Credo podcast.

Pat and Mike are joined in this epidsode by J.V. Fesko to talk about the covenant of works. J.V. Fesko is Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi. For more on J.V. Fesko and his writings you can visit https://www.jvfesko.com

Join Pat and Mike as they discuss the pros and cons of hosting and attending conferences.

Join Pat and Mike as they talk about gospel ministry in India with Vineet Sasane.

Join Pat and Mike on this episode as they discuss those who claim extra special revelation from God and say, "God told me..." Resources mentioned in this episode: - 10 Serious Problems with Jesus Calling by Tim Challies - Perspectives on Pentecost by Richard Gaffin

Join Pat in this Lone Ranger episode in which he talks about sanctification and the book, "The Gospel Mystery Of Sanctification." Resources mentioned in this episode: - The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification by Walter Marshall - Not by Faith Alone: The Neonomianism of Richard Baxter by Michael Brown

Join Pat and Mike as they answer more listener questions. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Simply Trinity by Matthew Barrett - Sacred Bond by Michael Brown and Zach Keele - The Whole Christ by Sinclair Ferguson - The Trinity and the Covenant of Redemption by J.V. Fesko

On this episode Pat and Mike discuss the Pactum...on the Pactum. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Sacred Bond by Michael Brown, Zach Keele - The Trinity and the Covenant of Redemption by J. V. Fesko - Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof -Pat's Dissertation

In this episode Pat and Mike discuss the trend of deconstructing the faith. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Christianity & Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen - Surviving Religion 101 by Michael Kruger - The World Is Catechizing Us Whether We Realize It Or Not by Kevin Deyoung