Christ the Center

Van Til’s trinitarian theology is at the heart of his apologetic. Yet there are several aspects of his theology difficult to understand and others that are left undeveloped. We speak with Dr. Brant A. Bosserman about these issues. Bosserman has written  The Trinity and Christian Paradox: An Interpretation and Refinement of the Theological Apologetic of Cornelius Van Til ,  which seeks to exp...

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church , we reflect upon the life and ministry of her oldest minister, 103 year-old Rev. John P. Galbraith. Galbraith was a student of J. Gresham Machen’s at Westminster Theological Seminary and present during the founding of the OPC, before it was called the OPC. In 1948, Mr. Galbraith was called to serve as general secret...

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 126–129 of Vos’ book  Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the function of the law. Why was the law given? How does it function in the life of Israel, the redeemed typological son? God graciously gave a typological kingdom to his people, and they were commanded to obey the Lord in order to retain this kingdom. But how are we...

Today we welcome Vern Poythress and Iain Duguid to speak about Reformed hermeneutics and the tradition of biblical interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary. Along with G. K. Beale and Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Poythress and Duguid have contributed to  Seeing Christ in All of Scripture: Hermeneutics at Westminster Theological Seminary . We speak about the book and the importance of interpre...

Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey speak with Dr. Vern Poythress about his book  Reading the Word of God in the Presence of God: A Handbook for Biblical Interpretation .  Providing both theological foundations and practical strategies for interpretation, Dr. Poythress explains the simple yet astounding truth that God is present in his Word and speaks to us as we read. With pastoral sensitivity, he c...

Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey speak about creation and covenant from 30,000+ feet (literally) on their way to our Austin Theology Conference at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas, April 30, 2016. Participants: Camden Bucey , Lane G. Tipton

Lane Tipton, Glen Clary, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey speak about nature-grace dualism and the means of grace. This was a live panel discussion held during our Austin Theology Conference at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas, April 30, 2016. Download the audio from each of our sessions: Lane Tipton, “ Covenant and Nature: Paul’s Eschatology of the Natural in 1 Corinthians 15:45 ” Panel Discuss...

Christians profess that God is triune. Many understand the importance of maintaining this doctrine. But many may also wonder where the doctrine is found in Scripture and what practical difference it makes being “Trinitarian” regardless. Brandon Crowe joins us to remedy this ill as he speaks about  The Essential Trinity: New Testament Foundations and Practical Relevance , a new book he...

Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey preview our  2016 Theology Conference in Austin, Texas with a conversation on nature and grace. Christians have proposed many different theologies regarding relationship of God’s creation to his Word and supernatural works. Those formulations have great implications for many other areas of theology. Listen as we gear up for another great event. Links “ Natu...

Attending a Reformed church for the first time can be a daunting task. Joining one may seem even more challenging. Ken Golden has written an excellent book to help, and he joins us today to speak about it.  Presbytopia: What it Means to be Presbyterian (Christian Focus) is an accessible yet uncompromising introduction to Christian essentials, Reformed distinctives, and the means of grace. Ken Gold...

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 124–126 of Vos’ book  Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider Israel as a theocracy. We cover important ground, including the theocracy’s role in redemptive-history, God’s purpose for civil government, and the differences between theonomy and two-kingdom theology. Participants: Camden Bucey , Lane G. Tipton

Will Wood develops a biblical theology of clothing, drawing a thread [pun somewhat intended] through the Old Testament to Paul’s discussion of the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10–17. 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blo...

There are different ways to define “outreach.” At times, it is closely identified with the act of planting churches and evangelizing. Other times, it’s more closely identified with advertising and sharing information about the church. Everett Henes joins Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey to discuss the local church’s ministry of outreach. Rev. Henes is pastor of Hillsdale OPC in...

K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary , explains the role of evidences in a Reformed apologetic by turning to Cornelius Van Til’s book Christian-Theistic Evidences . Dr. Oliphint provides a foreword and explanatory notes in this re-typeset syllabus, originally from Cornelius Van Til’s  Christian Evidences class at Westminster...

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 121–124 of Vos’ book  Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments   to consider the covenant God establishes with Israel. God unilaterally institutes a covenant of redemptive grace with his people. Yet Exodus 19 and 24 also speak of the bilateral working out of this covenantal administration. In this episode, we develop these features of covena...

Jesus’ miracles are windows into God’s grand story of redemption. They confirm God’s message and demonstrate his power in the world and purpose in redemption. In this episode, Dr. Vern Poythress speaks with us about his book The Miracles of Jesus: How the Savior’s Mighty Acts Serve as Signs of Redemption (Crossway). Poythress serves as professor of New Testament interpretat...

Donald S. Whitney joins us to speak about Family Worship  (Crossway). Many Reformed believers will be aware of the important spiritual practice of family worship. This practical guide will greatly assist families develop and maintain a practice of worship through Bible reading, prayer, and singing. In this conversation, we cover the biblical warrant, history, and elements of family worship along w...

The five solas are slogans that summarize the core teachings of the Reformation. Sola gratia, sola fide, solus Christus,  and sola Scriptura  are beloved Protestant distinctives. Yet people either forget about the fifth sola  or fail to see its significance in relation to the other four. But it is  soli Deo gloria  binds the other solas  together. In  God’s Glory Alone : The Majestic Heart o...

Today we open the email inbox and address a variety of your questions. We touch on Van Til and Vos on culture, neo-Calvinism, theological anthropology, and whether Christians and Muslims worship the same God. Participants: Camden Bucey , Jeff Waddington , Jim Cassidy

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 119–121 of Vos’ book  Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments   to consider the Passover as an expiation for sin and its function in transferring God’s people to a new blessed realm. Participants: Camden Bucey , Lane G. Tipton

We discuss the latest issue of the Confessional Presbyterian Journal , which contains contributions from John Murray, Carl Trueman, Mark Jones, Glen Clary, and many others. Articles “John Murray” by Danny E. Olinger “The Regulative Principle of Worship & Song in the Public Worship of God” by John Murray “Sanctification, the Law, and Good Works: Their Relationship...

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:11, “But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.” These words have elicited several different interpretations. In this episode, Glen Clary leads us in a conversation about church disci...

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 114–119 of Vos’ book  Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments   to consider the name ‘Jehovah’/YHWH as it has been revealed in Exodus 3 and emphasized again in Exodus 6. Participants: Camden Bucey , Lane G. Tipton

Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey discuss reading lists, New Year’s resolutions, church planting, and much more in this free form discussion. Participants: Camden Bucey , Jeff Waddington , Jim Cassidy

We ring in the New Year with a retrospective of 2015, bringing to you highlights from twelve of our favorite episodes of the year. 370 — Donald Macleod, Understanding the Atonement 373 — Rita Cefalu, The Sons of God and Daughters of Man in Genesis 6 376 — Vern Poythress, Redeeming Mathematics 378 — Carl Trueman, Luther on the Christian Life 391 — Chris Castaldo, Talking with Catholics about the Go...