Three Guys Theologizing (3GT)

After discussing whether the “G” in 3GT should stand for “Gentlemen” to encourage more dignity on the podcast, the gents get down to business on this episode’s topic. Why does the minister hold up his hands and quote a Bible verse at the end of the worship service? Though seemingly a small ritual, quite a …

Moses’ raised hands, blessing Joshua in the battle against the Amalekites below him, became too heavy to hold up any longer. Yet Aaron and Hur stood on either side and supported his arms in his ministry. Similarly, many pastors become weary in their labors in the pastorate. How can churches support and strengthen them? The …

On this episode, Professor Rut Etheridge of Geneva College joins the 3GTers for an interview. He discusses with them his first book that’s about to be released entitled God Breathed. Many cultural and philosophical barriers often stand in the way of a true experience with the Living God through His Word, especially in the current …

Barry’s concerned. As the senior member of the podcast, there were opportunities recently for Scott and Kyle to spend time with him. But they were MIA! So he decides to guide the youngsters into a discussion on the importance of visiting the elderly. In all seriousness, the guys share experiences and lessons the Lord has …

The month of July brings anniversaries of all varieties. Wedding, ordination, and even our nation’s anniversary to name a few (which the 3GTers do). But it also marks one year in office for Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary President Barry York. So like two press correspondents, Scott and Kyle interview him about the state of affairs …

With one ruling elder on board (Or is it two?), the guys decide to show some love to those who hold this important office of the church. They discuss how to develop and encourage men who serve the flock of God in this position. The 3GTers begin by defining Biblically what a ruling elder is, …

As they recorded this episode, the guys were hunkered down under tornado watches in their respective states. So their minds turned to what would happen if a whirlwind took them up to heaven Elijah-like so to speak. What is it like in the intermediate state? As the skies darken outside their windows, they begin by …

Scott is not what you would call a real connoisseur of blogs. So he starts firing questions at the other two theologizing guys about why they blog. He begins by asking the guys questions that could deflate their enthusiasm a bit. Did they know they are just doing the zine-ing of a former generation? With …

Scott puts on his parishioner hat and starts asking the pastors about preaching. He soon finds out afterward that he can hardly get a word in edgewise! After exploring what Kyle and Barry do when it comes to choosing topics for sermons preached on occasion at other churches, Scott catechizes them about catechetical preaching. What …

A listener submitted a question regarding the nature of the heavenly rewards that the Bible promises. What are they, and how will they be enjoyed? After first clarifying whether Kyle uses the term “y’all” or not in Kansas, the 3GTers get down to business. They commend the question, as too few believers even consider how …

After a brief hiatus, the boys are back ready to rumble. And for this episode, they have added a fourth guy to help them do so. Dr. Richard Gamble is Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, author of The Whole Counsel of God, and (importantly for this episode) a black belt in …

On May 10th, Geneva College will host a dedication event in honor of John Gerstner, as the theological library and papers of this prominent theologian and prolific author are donated by his family to the college. In anticipation of this time, 3GT invited his biographer, Jeffrey McDonald, on the program to interview him about Gerstner. …

On this hodgepodge of an episode, the guys have a little fun and discuss the podcast. They “rewind” some of their episodes and point out a few of their blunders. The subjects of angels, Biblical masculinity, and Mary’s conception of Jesus are revisited. A letter from an overseas listener is read and a future topic …

After clarifying among the three who the real hillbilly is (it’s the one who has goats), the guys get to the true subject at hand. How does a congregation go about evangelism in the age of the internet? We hear how the Lord used digital mean in the life of the younger two guys (and …

Why do various Reformed denominations – and even those within a denomination – have differing viewpoints regarding whether women should be deacons or not? 3GT attempts to offer a charitable primer on the issue. They first clarify the marked difference between elders and deacons. Next they explain the three primary practices (and a fourth, less …

First angels, now Mary? What Romish bug has gotten into the 3GTers? Actually, on this episode the guys seek to eradicate said bug. They first highlight and dismantle some of the basic, false Catholic teachings regarding Mary. They then explain why she is so important to the story of our Lord Jesus, even having a …

Presbyterians baptize their babies. As members of the visible church, as those babies grow up and become young adults, the promised-based hope is that one day they will profess their own faith in Christ. At that time, the privilege of communicant membership is conferred upon them and they are invited to come to the Lord’s …

From hearing a charismatic tell the story of an angel sitting on a dashboard to reading scary Frank Peretti novels in the woods at night, Kyle has been a bit traumatized by angels since his youth. So he comes to the guys for a bit of therapy, asking all types of questions about angels. Just …

“Without holiness no one will see the Lord.” So states the letter of Hebrews. The guys meditate and discuss several questions that arise from this warning. Why is holiness necessary for heaven? How did you avoid works righteousness in pursuing holiness? Since believers cannot achieve perfection this side of heaven, how holy do we have …

Turns out the pastor spent quite a bit of time watching the deliberations (and wrote a helpful review here). So after sharing some of the highs and lows of the meetings, the guys dig into what the vote indicates. What does its narrow margin mean? How did the international votes sway the outcome? Should we …

After Kyle assures us that theologize is really a word, he introduces the topic of this episode: L&E. Law and Economics? Nope. Labor and Employment? Naw. Rather, Leisure and Entertainment. What place do they have in the Christian life? The 3GTers look at Scripture and draw inferences about this topic. The Sabbath starts the ball …

The Apostle Paul asked, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (I Cor. 10:16) Paul goes on to add that participation in the Lord’s Supper is to show that the …

In an episode guaranteed to get some (if not all!) of their listeners mad at them, the guys tackle the subject of how to educate our children. With passions often running strong in congregations about education, is teaching our kids the ABC’s as easy as 1) public, 2) private, or 3) home schooling? With our …

It’s tough being a Reformed man these days. The Neo-Calvinist types tell us we need to be strong patriarchs who make sure our wives submit and daughters kiss our signet ring. The Young, Restless, & Reformed types tell us the key is to have bushy beards and drink good beer. And Gillette theologian types tell …

So asked one of our listeners! So the guys respond with an episode tackling the subject of New Covenant Theology. They begin with a definition regarding New Covenant Theology. Some of its proponents and their works are cited. Distinctions between New Covenant, Dispensational, Reformed Baptist, and Classical Covenant Theology are made. Then the guys look …

Much like Alfred Hitchcock’s horror movie The Birds, where countless flocks of birds gather and then begin to attack children, schools and homes, people can use Twitter to target and hurt others. The guys of 3GT discuss recent examples of this phenomenon, such as the vice president’s wife being mob tweeted for teaching at a Christian school …

While Kyle’s off floating around on a cruise ship somewhere, Barry and Scott remain behind hunkered down in Arminianville. Left behind, they discuss how to survive and thrive as Calvinistic strangers in a foreign land. To grasp a bit of the history of the town, they share briefly about the founding father of Arminianville, his …

Not too long ago, Ligonier Ministries released its biennial “The State of Theology” survey results. Playing Mr. Gallup Poll himself, our pastor decides to ask the same questions to the parishioner and professor to see how orthodox they are. Given that one is a lawyer, and the other a tease, he discovers that administering a …

In 1972, the comedian George Carlin did a routine on a comedy album about the seven swear words you cannot say on TV. It led to a Supreme Court case! Yet today those words are regularly thrown around not only on TV but in routine conversation. We live in a vulgar age. So the guys tackle the issue of swearing. …

As a child, the parishioner, like many in the evangelical world, went to the altar again…and again…and again. Somehow during those years, it seemed like salvation never stuck. So he raises the question, “Can a believer lose his salvation?” In response, the pastor and professor launch into a discussion with him on the perseverance of …

With the outbreak of persecution by the government on the Early Rain Covenant Church of China in Chengdu, the guys address this subject on this episode. They look at the incredible instructions the elders of the church, who carefully prepared themselves and their flock for suffering, left for the congregation to follow when they were …

The guys have eaten some Christmas cookies and are wondering if they should feel a bit guilty. Are Reformed Christians supposed to participate in this holiday season? To answer that, the 3GTers first take a stroll down Protestant Memory Lane to see when the first Silver Bells started ringing…and then were stopped. They talk about …

Before you join Barry, Kyle, and Scott for this episode of 3GT, you may want to pray first. For the guys address seriously the subject of suicide. Having been affected by suicide in their families, churches, and communities, the men talk about this epidemic in our nation. (Did you know suicide is the second leading …

A reader sent in a question wondering about the 3GTers’ view on Francis Chan’s We Are Church house church movement. After poking around his website and reading this review by Tim Challies on Chan’s Letters to the Church, the guys decided to chime in. They talk about what they admire about Chan and his movement, such …

The 3GTers welcome Dr. George “Skip” Scipione to this week’s episode! Skip first shares his pastoral pilgrimmage that began at Westminster and ends up at RPTS. But then he and the guys dig into his recently released book The Battle for the Biblical Family. Dr. Scipione identifies the cultural trends that have led to the demise …

Scott wants to know. Are you a WINO? Westminster In Name Only? The guys have a vigorous discussion about the level of adherance one should have to the confession of faith of his or her church. Well, actually there is a vigorous discussion after Kyle’s opening monologue! For he lays out very helpfully four different …

Pragmatics. The church can easily begin to do what works rather than what the Lord commands. The guys discuss the various ways the church can fall into the pragmatics trap, from using goofy (even blasphemous!) names for a church coffee shop to promoting a Reformed distinctive over the gospel. As the Cambridge Declaration of the …

What does a really bad cup of coffee and the presence of the Spirit have to do with one another? Nothing. But that’s how this episode starts. Fortunately, it gets better! For from there the guys discuss the presence of the Spirit in the church. The Spirit’s dwelling in the church is defined. The need for …

Scott debuts as a host in this episode by opening the mic! But no, the guys are not doing karaoke (though the pastor does quote a hymn). And no, they are not doing spoken word (that’s just plain funny to think about). Rather, to make theology personal, Scott encourages Kyle and Barry to share what …

These three guys all grew up in churches where infant baptism was a bit of a mystery to them. How can you baptize a baby who has not yet believed in Jesus? Does that not mean infant baptism is gospel-less? The 3GTers answer that last question with a resounding “No!” They eventually learned what covenant …

After a conversation on what Reformed means, the guys follow up with a discussion on covenant theology. They answer such questions as: What is a covenant? Where do see covenants in the Bible? What is the Covenant of Works? Covenant of Grace? How does the concept of old and new covenants fit with the Biblical …

A listener wrote wanting to know how to give a concise answer to the question, “What does Reformed mean?” He probably asked the wrong guys, for the 3GTers immediately demonstrate the difficulty in giving such an answer as they each take a crack at it! But if you hang with them, eventually answers do emerge! …

With the nation fixated on the sexual assault accusation by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford regarding Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, the 3GTers decide to ask the lawyer among them his thoughts. What is going on at these hearings? What is needed for an accusation such as this to stand? How should these things be processed …

Welcome to the 100th episode of 3GT! The gentlemen have a special surprise for you as they hit triple digits. The twin brother of Kyle, Pastor Michael Borg, rode into Winchester and joins us for this episode! After finding out who is the oldest, hearing they both are married to a Rachel and have five …

How are Christians to handle the shame they feel? The Avett Brothers sing, Shame, boatloads of shame, Day after day, more of the same. Blame, please lift it off, Please take it off, please make it stop. Though shame is a God-given emotional response to our sins to draw us to Christ, many believers struggle …

With his new book coming out this week, Kyle and Scott interview Barry about Hitting the Marks: Restoring the Essential Identity of the Church. They ask him such questions as: Why write such a book? What are the marks of the church? How are the classical marks of the church substantiated from Scripture? How can this book …

In this episode the guys pull out their blue banners and wave them proudly…or should we say humbly? Anyway, they converse about the doctrine known as the Mediatorial Kingship of Christ. The pastor leads the charge with all kinds of questions. What is this doctrine? How is is supported Biblically? Do all Reformed Christians believe …

Ever walked into Grandma’s house and been met with the varied, old fragrances of her potpourri concoction? Kyle has, and he’s hoping this episode smells nothing like it. For the guys update you on a variety of matters. Reminders of all that is new at 3GT. Accounts of meeting faithful listeners in a number of …

Yes, a gal joins the guys on this latest episode! Aimee Byrd, co-host of the Mortification of Spin podcast, comes on 3GT to discuss her latest book Why Can’t We Be Friends? regarding friendships between men and women. In our modern context, on the one hand society constantly and boldly sexualizes both our identity and relationships as men and women. On …

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