Three Guys Theologizing (3GT)

This 3GT episode begins with a couple of the hosts trying to figure out the topic of the day. Are they discussing the view of the Millennial generation, or the different views of the millennium? Once they get that figured out, they are on their way! For the guys delve into the different viewpoints of …

On occasion the guys like to revisit a topic from a previous episode or take reader’s questions about them. So they hit the rewind button and the record button (Can you even do that?), and the conversation begins. But not before they discuss whether 3GT is even necessary or not, given this article about all …

Our faithful sound engineer, Craig, snipped out a bit of hemming and hawing from a recent episode, strung it together, and, voila, a duet featuring Kyle’s baritone & Scott’s bass voices magically appeared! Enjoy this enchanting, lyrical short song that’s easy to memorize! Just in time for the holidays! Download

If there is a need in the church in this depressed, pessimistic, therapeutic age, it is that of true joy. So in this episode, the 3GTers go on a quest to find the source of Christian joy and its practice. The guys differentiate joy from simply being happy. They show that joy is a mindset …

Kyle wrote a post on vows (you can read it here), and that got the guys thinking. So they decided to discuss this topic on this episode of 3GT. They first seek to define and distinguish a vow from other forms of promise, such as oaths, pledges, and resolutions. Common forms of vows, such as …

After a rip-roaring introduction, the parishioner leads the pastor and the prof into the topic of the day: pastoral morality or the lack thereof. He begins by highlighting the downfall of many prominent pastors and how many of them have returned to ministry again. This leads him to ask, “How important is the character of …

A listener sends in a question asking how believers are to faithfully interact with the LGBTQ community and navigate some of the perplexing situations of our day. So the guys discuss first the recent court cases involving these matters. The professor shares his experience meeting one of the couples at the heart of a controversial …

Often some of the guys’ best conversations happen off the air. After they stopped recording the last session, other questions arose about Kyle‘s experience in “asking Jesus into his heart.” So the guys pushed the record button again and picked the discussion back up…right after Scott played some corny music. Barry asks Kyle what he …

Do you know what happened on October 12, 1988? Well, many things, but way up in the land of Garrison Keillor a little boy “asked Jesus into his heart” at an Awana meeting. He even has a certificate to prove it! So the guys talk about this phrase so often used in evangelistic settings. Where …

After a stunning introduction ends with an unfortunate mic whack, Scott gets back on track with a listener’s question. Should a Protestant church receive a convert’s Roman Catholic baptism? The meaning and Westminster definition of baptism are referenced. The history of this question is given. The particular outworking in the Reformed Presbyterian Church is traced. …

On the last episode of 3GT, the guys discussed the doctrine of perseverance as treated by the Synod of Dort. But they did not discuss one important issue related to it. What about all the scriptural warnings to the church about falling away from Christ? If people in the church can fall away, does that …

At a recent conference, the RPTS faculty addressed the doctrines of grace known as TULIP that came out of the Synod of Dort. So the guys start asking the prof about his talk on the perseverance of the saints. Well, they eventually get to it after they figure out who pays the greater price in …

Behind the scenes, Barry and Kyle continue to give Scott a great deal of coaching in hosting an episode. Don’t hit your mike! Get your kids off the internet! But don’t yell at them! Work on smoother introductions and conclusions! And the list goes on. So the guys take to the air with the subject. …

Remember him? He was the guy who lost an ear to Peter’s sword, at least temporarily. After putting his ear back on, the Lord told Peter to put down the sword. In the face of increasing violence in our nation, is that what we should do? Just put down the guns? Is gun control the …

One of the 3GTers has an interesting middle name, which leads to a backstory and provides a bit of a chuckle as the episode gets underway. Yet the tone quickly becomes more serious, as the guys discuss prayer in the local church. They share about the strengths and weaknesses of the prayer life of the …

After another week away due to some summer fun, the guys are back at it in real fashion. For they tackle the subject of foolish rulers. In a refreshing change for Barry, Scott and Kyle first discuss all the titles they would like to be called. After that is settled, Domine Borg leads the guys …

One thing the 3GTers realize they have in common. They all are, or at least have been, part of little churches. So they start a conversation about it. They first define what size church would be classified as a small one. They discuss the advantages of being in a fellowship where everyone knows each other. …

When Sir Scott walks into a home, he’s going to look not in your medicine cabinet but certainly at your library. For he believes, and Kyle and Barry agree, that you can read a man by what he’s reading. So he peppers the guys with questions about their libraries. What prominent theologians guide their thinking? …

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 …