Reformed Forum

This week on  Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob continue to discuss  The Pilgrim’s Progress with the Rev. Dr. Iain Wright, pastor of Covenant OPC, Orland Park, Illinois. Our discussion continues with Christian and Hopeful suffering in the dungeon of Doubting Castle at the hands of Giant Despair and finding the way of deliverance provided them. Participants: Iain Wright , Rob McKenzi...

We welcome Richard M. Gamble , Professor of History, Anna Margaret Ross Alexander Chair in History and Politics at Hillsdale College , to speak about Julia Ward Howe’s poem, which came to be know as “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Gamble is the author of A Fiery Gospel: The Battle Hymn of the Republic and the Road to Righteous War (Religion and American Public Life), which dis...

In Episode 74 we observe what seems to be an ordinary bartering transaction. But upon closer observation we learn three significant things: Abraham is given a downpayment on the land promise, he anticipates the resurrection, and he lives in peace with those around him. Participants: Joel Fick , Mark A. Winder

This week on Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob continue to discuss The Pilgrim’s Progress . The Rev. Dr. Iain Wright, pastor of Covenant OPC, Orland Park, Illinois, joins the discussion for Christian and Hopeful’s suffering in the dungeon of Doubting Castle at the hands of Giant Despair. Participants: Iain Wright , Rob McKenzie , Robert Tarullo

Jim Cassidy speaks about his experience teaching a New Testament survey at South Austin OPC in South Austin, Texas. Surveys of the Old Testament, New Testament, and the entire Bible are useful for provide historical, cultural, geographical, and other forms of context in order to help us deepen and widen our understanding of God’s plan and purpose for his covenant people. Participants: Camden...

Adam York show us how God is presenting in the life of Isaac a type of the work of the future Messiah, who would come, be offered as a substitute for his people and be raised for them as well. What Abraham receives in type, the believer today has received in substance. Participants: Adam York , Glen Clary , Mark A. Winder

This week on Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob move along on the path with Christian and Hopeful in John Bunyan’s, Pilgrim’s Progress . On this path, which has proved difficult at times, they find an easier way and they meet Vain-Confidence who is certain this easy way is the way to the Celestial City. However, he meets a disastrous end. Participants: Rob McKenzie , Robert Tarullo...

In the incarnation, the eternal Son of God assumed a human nature. He did this without giving up his divinity. He retains his immutability, omniscience, omnipresence, and all the attributes according to his eternal, divine, and necessary existence. In this episode, we discuss how these two natures relate to the person in the hypostatic union. By looking at Scripture, the Council of Chalcedon, and...

Joel Fick continues his introduction to the book of Exodus as he explores a fruitful people, a ferocious king, and the faithful God. Exodus shows us how the people of God will suffer with Christ and be delivered by Christ that they might be glorified in Christ. Participants: Joel Fick , Mark A. Winder

In this episode of Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob continue to discuss John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress, where Christian and Hopeful fall into a discussion with By-ends and his companions, Mr. Hold-the-world, Mr. Money-love, and Mr. Save-all. Participants: Rob McKenzie , Robert Tarullo Mentioned in this episode: Christ the Center 1000 Christ the Center 1000

We turn to pages 202–205 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to continue our discussion of critical theories of prophetism. Vos answers critics who believe that Israel derived its understanding of prophetism from Canaanite religion by focusing our attention upon God’s word revealed in history. Contrary to the false prophets, true prophetism is centered on true religion, un...

In this introductory episode to the book of Exodus, Joel Fick explains how important it is to glance backwards and see what God is doing, even as we look forward in time and see how all of God’s promises are going to be fulfilled. Participants: Adam York , Joel Fick , Mark A. Winder

The sabbath principle is established in Genesis 2:1–3, immediately upon the completion of God’s work of creation. This Sabbath rest principle is a function neither of redemption nor theocracy. It is part of God’s creation order. We trace this theme through Scripture with particular attention to worship. Glen Clary recently addressed this subject in a conference for the Amarillo Reforme...

Abraham’s willingness to offer up his son Isaac at God’s command is a remarkable demonstration of obedience. He demonstrates not that he was justified by works, but that the hope of the resurrection fueled his obedience. Participants: Adam York , Joel Fick , Mark A. Winder

In this episode of Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob return to The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. This week we discuss how Faithful’s martyrdom served as a witness to Hopeful becoming a believer. Hopeful and Christian begin traveling together and overtake Mr. By-ends for an interesting conversation. Participants: Rob McKenzie , Robert Tarullo Mentioned in this episode: Christ...

We gather around the table in Wimberley, Texas to discuss the authority of the self-contained Triune God of Scripture. The absolute, self-sufficient God nevertheless established a covenant with man by an act of special providence. In that act, the authority of God’s word is diplayed—entirely independently of man’s response. Whether Adam obeyed or disobeyed, God’s infallible word...

In this “bookend” text, a remarkable change is seen in Abraham, who demonstrates how a pilgrim is to conduct himself in a foreign land, and how he is identified through his worship. Participants: Jim Cassidy , Joel Fick , Mark A. Winder

This week on Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob discuss John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress . In this episode, Christian and Faithful find Vanity Fair to be most unwelcoming. They find themselves imprisoned for not participating in the immoralities of the city. Participants: Rob McKenzie , Robert Tarullo Mentioned in this episode: Christ the Center 1000 Christ the Center 1000

Andrew Compton, Assistant Professor of Old Testament Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, speaks about the nature of the prophecy in Isaiah 44:24–45:7 wherein the Lord declares that he will raise up Cyrus. Rev. Compton addresses the challenges of critical scholars, who often see this passage as a later addition. Participants: Andrew Compton , Camden Bucey Mentioned in this episode: Christ the...

In Episode 68, Jim Cassidy takes us through Hosea 4, where we see that God is judging his people because of their lack of a knowledge of him. Scripture shows us that the love of God and the knowledge of God are not contrary to one another, but “sweetly comply” with one another. Participants: Adam York , Glen Clary , Jim Cassidy , Mark A. Winder

This week on Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob discuss John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress . In this episode, Christian and Faithful enter the city of Vanity where there is a fair that lasts all year long. Participants: Rob McKenzie , Robert Tarullo Mentioned in this episode: Christ the Center 1000 Christ the Center 1000

Will Wood , Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia , joins us to speak about the blessings and promises of the New Covenant as described in Deuteronomy 30:1–10. Handout: Chiastic Structure of Deuteronomy 30 Download Links Mellel word processor Participants: Adam York , Camden Bucey , Will Wood Mentioned in this episode: Christ the Center 1000 Chri...

This week on Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob continue their discussion of John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress . After their conversation with Talkative and his departure from Christian and Faithful, Evangelist meets up with the two pilgrims to evaluate, exhort, and warn them of the journey ahead. Participants: Rob McKenzie , Robert Tarullo

There are two kinds of wisdom—human and divine. The foolishness of preaching shatters the illusion of human wisdom and displays the wisdom of God, that the believer’s boast should be in the Lord. Participants: Glen Clary , Joel Fick , Mark A. Winder

What does suffering have to do with the life of the Christian? Is suffering something we just have to endure until that time that we will have the victory in Christ? To address this matter, we turn to a classic article by Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., “ The Usefulness of the Cross ,” The Westminster Theological Journal , Vol. 41 No. 2 Spring 1979, pp. 228–246. Links Audio of Dr. Gaffin deliv...