Christ the Center

The reorganization of Princeton Theological Seminary was a key event in the American Presbyterian modernist-fundamentalist controversy of the early 20th century. The seminary was governed by a board of directors, who oversaw the academic aspects of the seminary, and a separate board of trustees who oversaw the remaining aspects of the organization. Seeking to resolve the growing tension between fa...

Dr. Paul Kjoss Helseth,  Professor of Christian Thought  at Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota, joins the panel at  Christ the Center  to speak about Old Princeton and right reason. Many in the Reformed tradition have criticized Old Princeton theologians such as Charles Hodge and B. B. Warfield for explicating a view of human reason that is not in accord with traditional Reformed doctrine...

Dr. Vern Poythress speaks about the important topic of harmonizing the gospels by sharing with us features of his book Inerrancy and the Gospels: A God-Centered Approach to the Challenges of Harmonization . Answering the challenges of critics, Dr. Poythress argues for the uncompromisingly foundational role of Scripture and a proper attitude as we come to approach it. He provides several useful pri...

K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary , speaks about the relationship of philosophy to theology. Dr. Oliphint has written  Reasons for Faith: Philosophy in the Service of Theology , and he takes us through a number of important sections in his book. Related Articles by Dr. Oliphint “ Using Reason by Faith ,” Westminster...

We welcome David Garner and Phil DeHart to speak about Insider Movements, which are increasingly popular approaches to missions predicated on controversial theological and hermeneutic foundations. Insider Movements have gained particular influence in mission fields and religio-sociological contexts that are particularly hostile to Christianity. Dr. Garner is Associate Professor of Systematic Theol...

We begin the New Year with a look at some of our best clips from 2012. Listen to the full episodes of the clips we’ve chosen to include by using the following links: Ep. 215, Andrew Hoffecker Ep. 217, Michael Kruger Ep. 223, Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. Ep. 228, Danny Hyde Ep. 233, David Garner Ep. 240, K. Scott Oliphint Ep. 248, Carl Trueman Ep. 250, A. Craig Troxel Ep. 254, Neil Tolsma Ep. 259,...

Dr. Paul Lim , Associate Professor of the History of Christianity, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, and Affiliate Professor of History at Vanderbilt University, speaks about his book Mystery Unveiled: The Crisis of the Trinity in Early Modern England . The book is published by Oxford University Press and features two related issues. In a historically sensitive way, Dr. Lim deals with the...

Mark Winder and Adam York introduce Proclaiming Christ, a newly reformatted program on preaching, exegesis, and biblical theology. Rev. Winder is pastor of  Wolf River Presbyterian Church  in Collierville, Tennessee and Rev. York is pastor of  Providence Presbyterian Church  in Kingwood, Texas. Through this program, we seek to benefit the church by offering rich discussions directly about biblical...

In this episode, Jim Cassidy and Mark Winder catch up with John Muether to talk about his forthcoming book on the life of B.B. Warfield, the great old Princeton theologian. We cover various topics including the lion of Princeton’s take on evolution, his care for his wife, his doctrine of Scripture, and his position on the Confession of 1902. We wrap up with drawing practical lessons from his...

On this episode, Rev. David Brack speaks about ministerial fellowship and a ministry of discipleship in the local church. Rev. Brack is pastor of  Christ Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Amarillo, TX. By God’s grace, David has had many years of fruitful service in Amarillo. Through the faithful service of many people, Christ Covenant has become a center of ministerial fellowship and...

We are pleased to welcome back to the program Dr. Lane G. Tipton, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Tipton was recently inaugurated to the Charles Krahe Chair of Systematic Theology and delivered an inaugural address titled, “ Biblical Theology and the Westminster Standards Revisited: Union with Christ and Justification So...

At a recent trip to Milwaukee for the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society , Camden Bucey and Jared Oliphint caught up with David Mathis and Jonathan Parnell of Desiring God Ministries . They spoke about a number of issues related to Desiring God’s ministry, including new media and finding theological heroes. Participants: Camden Bucey , David Mathis , Jared Oliphint , Jonat...

We welcome Rev. Dr. Steve Casselli to speak about Anthony Burgess on the law. Rev. Casselli is pastor of Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church  in Tampa, FL. Steve worked in campus ministry at the University of Michigan and served as pastoral intern at Park Cities Presbyterian, Dallas, Texas and Bucks Central Presbyterian in Pennsylvania. Rev. Casselli graduated from Westminster Theological Seminary in...

Neil Tolsma speaks about the unfolding of God’s love through history on this episode of  Christ the Center . Rev. Tolsma is a retired minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church who served congregations in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. In this discussion, we explore the great riches of divine love as Rev. Tolsma has described it in his book This is Love: Tracing t...

Dr. Nelson Kloosterman returns to  Christ the Center to speak about natural law and two kingdom theology in early 21st century Dutch thought. Dr. Kloosterman is Executive Director of Worldview Resources International , while he also labors in translating great Dutch theological works into English. In this discussion, Dr. Kloosterman speaks about his arguments found in Kingdoms Apart , edited by Ry...

Eschatology is a complicated word. Usually, it is associated with apocalyptic events yet to occur in the Middle East. In this episode, we seek to broaden this limited conception of eschatology to include even the present applicability of Christ’s death and resurrection and the inevitable destination of his bride, the Church. Christians have a  living hope (1 Peter 1:3) through the resurrecti...

In this episode, we study the Transfiguration, the event in which Jesus was transformed on the mountain before Peter, James, and John. In the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah accompany Jesus as a great cloud appeared and the Father declares, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” As we look into the accounts of the event in the synoptic gospels (Matthew...

The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of discoursing with the Rev. Dr. Craig Troxel about ecclesiology, especially as it is grounded in the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ. Rev. Troxel is pastor of Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, IL. The discussion focused on the threefold office of Christ ( munus triplex Christi ) as prophet, priest, and king and how that connects with t...

Christ the Center  is pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Mark Jones to the program to speak about puritan theology. With Joel Beeke, Mark has co-authored an exciting new book from Reformed Heritage Books titled  A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life . Mark is the minister of Faith Presbyterian Church , a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is also...

On this episode, we welcome Rev. Dr. Carl R. Trueman to discuss the important role of creeds and confessions in the church through his book The Creedal Imperative . Dr. Trueman is the Paul Woolley Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary and Pastor of Cornerstone Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Ambler, PA. Dr. Trueman brings his critical thought and h...

Church planting is one way the Lord expands his kingdom on earth. Christ called his disciples to go forth and make disciples of men, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Faithful discipleship is connected with the local church. That point has been debated in and of itself, but the proper means of church planting has been a much more contentious subject. In this episode,...

Rev. William R. Edwards speaks about John Flavel and union with Christ. Edwards has written an article titled “John Flavel on the Priority of Union with Christ: Further Historical Perspective on the Structure of Reformed Soteriology” in Volume 74 (2012) of the Westminster Theological Journal . In the article, Edwards demonstrates several interesting 17th c. formulations of the doctrine...

On this episode, we discuss the eternal generation of the Son of God within the context of Trinitarian theology and church history. The subject of the Son’s relationship to the Father is no less important today than it was during the Council of Nicea in 325. Nonetheless, several evangelical scholars have rejected the doctrine. Listen as we discuss what the doctrine means, its importance, and...

Dr. Lane G. Tipton, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary , addresses the Roman Catholic teaching of nature/grace dualism and a variety of its uses. Nature/grace dualism undergirds much of how the Catholic church thinks through issues of anthropology, epistemology, and even cultural engagement. Listen to this insightful interview that touches upon theolo...

It is often helpful to employ distinctions in theological discussions. Other times, entire philosophical systems are based on two ultimate and opposing forces. In this episode, the panel parses through several theological distinctions—seeking to show when they may be considered proper dualities, and where they may move beyond the teaching of Scripture. Listen to this fluid conversation that touche...