Theocast

New Calvinism, while it has some good aspects, has also caused a lot of problems for many people today. Jon and Justin are going to have a conversation about how historical Reformed theology differs from New Calvinism—a movement that has really taken shape and gained a lot of traction over the last few decades, particularly in America. There are good things about New Calvinism, which we discussed...

Today's episode is a special recording from the 1517 Conference in Bentonville, Arkansas. Jon and Justin are joined by Bob Hiller, senior pastor of Community Lutheran Church in Escondido, California, and a valued member of the 1517 family. In this episode, we explore the challenges of balancing grace and law, emphasizing that the Christian life is about receiving Christ's work rather than striving...

Recently, a video clip from the Coram Deo Conference began circulating online, featuring John Piper making comments about falling away from the living God—and how that warning needs to be preached. The message that one can fall away must be clearly communicated, with no punches pulled. Theocast was brought into the online conversation surrounding this video, and we've received a number of question...

Today’s episode is a special live podcast recording from our 2025 Law & Gospel Conference! Jon, Justin, and our special guest, Chad Bird, discuss their theological journeys that led them to understand the importance of the law and gospel distinction and what it means for the Christian. After the discussion, the guys hold a Q&A with the audience! CHECK OUT CHAD BIRD’S RESOURCES JUSTIN’S BOO...

As Christians, we often say we know God loves us and that Jesus died for our sins so we could be forgiven and accepted in Christ. But when asked how we think God really feels about us, we tend to get uncomfortable. If we're honest, many of us quietly wonder if God truly delights in us or if His grace was more of a reluctant necessity. Maybe He saved us, but does He actually enjoy us? Today, Jon an...

New Calvinism: The Young, Restless, and Reformed Movement. This has been a significant movement—a major groundswell—in recent decades within the American and Western Church. What’s good about it? What’s maybe not so good? That’s the conversation Jon and Justin are going to have today from our typical confessional and Reformed perspective. There is much to celebrate, but there are also aspects wher...

If I asked you, "What is the glory of God?" how would you answer? The glory of God is a central focus in the evangelical church, and rightly so. It is a wonderful reality that must be understood biblically to avoid misrepresenting His character. God is glorified in creation, in executing justice, and above all, in saving His people. He has always loved us, bound His heart to us, and takes the grea...

If you're like us and were raised in the church, you probably chuckled when you first learned that the Israelites carried around small idols in the desert—almost like little good luck charms. They had the power of God on their side, the One who split the sea, provided them with food, led them by a pillar of fire at night and a cloud by day. Yet, they still clung to these idols. How foolish those I...

If I had to pick one person from the entire Bible and give him the title of "righteous" based on his actions, it wouldn’t be Lot. I’m sorry, but what that man did is not the definition of righteousness. Yet, that’s often how we think about godliness—righteousness as a comparison of who obeys the law. "I didn’t do these things; therefore, I’m righteous. You did those things; therefore, you’re unrig...

What is the most Christian thing we could do? If you're like many out there, you might say, "Well, I would not sin." Fair answer. That certainly is a fruit of being united to the Lord Jesus Christ. But Jon and Justin offer a different perspective today. Perhaps the most Christian thing we could ever do is confess and acknowledge our weakness and then cast ourselves into the arms of Jesus Christ. W...

Is there a kind of preaching that Satan would approve of? We often assume it’s the kind that denies miracles and weakens morality, but he may just as well applaud preaching that exalts virtue and moral living while leaving out Jesus. At Theocast, we believe this kind of Christless preaching is dangerous, as it shifts the focus from the gospel to mere behavior. Today, Jon and Justin will discuss th...

It is safe to say that the Apostle Paul was one of the most vigorous defenders of the gospel, and he said many things to protect it from legalism. However, there is an aspect of Paul's discussions that often goes unnoticed—his argument that legalism is not only a human issue but also a tool used by the kingdom of darkness. Paul explains that when Jesus put the rulers of this age to open shame, it...

When people look at the liberal-conservative divide—or perhaps the loose versus strict legalistic divide—in the church, they assume there is nothing in common between these groups. However, Jon and Justin disagree. We believe that both of these groups can be described as despisers of grace. Today, we’re going to explain what we mean by that. We’ll have a conversation about the law, the gospel, the...

Many believers struggle with doubts about whether they truly belong to Christ, often because their lives don’t look the way they want. Is Jesus only enough for the forgiveness of sins, or is there more to what He has accomplished in us? The answer is yes—He is better than you’ve ever imagined. He not only forgives and justifies but also works in us by His Spirit to sanctify us. Through our union w...

Have you ever had someone say, “The Lord told me to tell you…”? How do you process that statement? What about modern prophecies, miracles, visions, and dreams? As Reformed, conservative Christians, how do we interpret these things through Scripture? That is the focus of today’s podcast. We want to have a meaningful conversation about assurance and the hope we have in Christ. JOIN THE THEOCAST COMM...

As human beings, we constantly hear many voices, whether we realize it or not. A key question to ask ourselves is: Whose voice am I listening to? Is it the voice of Satan, who accuses and deceives? The voice of my flesh or the world? Or the voice of my Savior, who speaks truth and life? The voice we listen to shapes our daily experience and how we see the world. Jon and Justin hope this conversati...

Disappointment is part of the human experience, rooted in our expectations that life should be free of struggles. We often forget that trials are inevitable and that everyone will eventually die. Today's podcast explores this utopian view of life and how hardships can shake our faith, causing us to question God’s purpose. Jon and Justin discuss why this happens and where true hope is found. The wo...

At Theocast, we get this question a lot: What about 2 Peter when it says that we should be confirming our calling and election by our obedience? Isn't that really a way for us to examine ourselves and find our assurance, saying, "Look, my obedience aligns with my confession?" Yes and no. That passage has probably hurt more people than it has helped. But Peter wrote it to help them—he actually wrot...

We are told in Scripture that Jesus is a sympathetic High Priest. But what does that mean? Does He feel with us? Does He weep with us? Does He see? Does He care? Jon and Justin are having a conversation today about Jesus and His heart toward sinners. They aim to discuss this topic within the context of historical orthodoxy, considering all the appropriate theological nuances. Together, they will l...

If you've been listening to Theocast , you’ve probably heard us say, “Don’t trust your feelings when it comes to assurance or peace with God.” As you learn more about the Reformed or confessional faith, you might wonder if emotions are bad and should be pushed aside. Yet, as you live your life and feel deeply, you may ask: do my emotions matter—to God, my pastor, or my church? Jon and Justin will...

Discovering the wonders of grace and freedom means realizing you no longer need to perform to earn acceptance—a liberating truth. However, in walking away from pietism, legalism, and revivalism, there’s a risk of overcorrecting and neglecting key aspects of the gospel, such as confessing sins and continuing to trust in Christ. Jon and Justin explore how deconstruction can unintentionally foster se...

What comes to mind when you think about God? Do you feel comfort, safety, and love, or do you wrestle with doubt, dread, and judgment? It's been said that our thoughts about God shape every area of our lives, and today Jon and Justin dive deep into this idea. Join them as they explore who God is, what He is like, and how He has revealed Himself through Jesus Christ. Tune in for a thoughtful and ho...

Many Christians today feel absolutely drained and powerless. They have tried every solution under the sun to overcome their sin, grow in Christ, and mature in their faith, striving for sanctification. Yet, they feel defeated and often question, “ Am I even God's? Do I truly belong to Him?” It seems as though the power of Christianity has disappeared. How did that happen? That’s exactly what Justin...

Does the Christian life ever feel like you're sitting on a bicycle, pedaling as hard as you possibly can, but not going anywhere—only to realize there's no chain on the bike? That's what we call "gospel-lite, law-heavy living." You feel like you're putting in a lot of effort but not making any progress because you've been relying on the wrong power source. That's what Justin and Jon want to talk a...

Over the years, Jon and Justin have sought to defend the gospel message: that we are saved by Jesus Christ through faith in Him alone. This belief has often been met with criticism. People frequently object, saying, "Surely it’s not that simple—it has to involve more than just faith in Jesus." In response, Jon and Justin argue that faith is not as easy as it might seem. Walking by faith, rather th...