MarsCast

In today's episode, Dr. Alan Strange, Professor of Apologetics and Church History, begins a new series on the early church, beginning with the famed Apostolic Fathers. Who were they, and what is their significance in church history? What did they think about persecution and martyrdom? Listen as Dr. Strange answers these questions and more on Mid-America Reformed Seminary's Round Table podcast.&nbs...

In today's episode, Rev. Andrew Compton wraps up his assessment of Ezekiel. He comments on the dynamic between Ezekiel's identity as both a prophet and a priest, particularly as it relates to purity rituals, his vision of the glory of God, and his final prophecy of an eschatological temple.

In today's episode, Rev. Andrew Compton looks at Ezekiel's sign acts (such as his building a model of the siege of Jerusalem) and how this informs his vocational identity as both a priest and a prophet.

The Old Testament book of Ezekiel is known for its peculiar imagery and prophetic visions. Associate Professor of Old Testament Studies, Rev. Andrew Compton, has taken a keen interest in this fascinating piece of God's Word and is currently working on a dissertation exploring a particular theme that he sees embedded within the text: the idea of vocational identity, and how this shapes not only Eze...

In today’s episode, Dr. Venema concludes his assessment of the doctrine of hell. He looks at the imagery of fire and the language of eternity and answers arguments that say the doctrine of hell is incompatible with what we know of the love and justice of God and that this doctrine mars the perfection and glory of the eternal state.

In today’s episode, Dr. Venema introduces us to a very sobering topic in the study of theology: the doctrine of eternal punishment (Hell). Today he’ll present this doctrine, remark on what the confessions say about it in a traditional view, and introduce some popular objections to it, most notably, universalism and annihilationism (or conditional immortality).

In today’s episode, Dr. Venema continues to explore the intermediate state of believers, but from the perspective of the Old Testament. What do the Psalms say about what happens to believers after they die? Did Old Testament saints experience the same state as New Testament believers? Tune in today to find out.

Beginning today and for the next few weeks, you’ll hear Dr. Cornelis Venema speak on matters of a heavenly nature, that being the intermediate state and the resurrection of the body. These talks come from his Spring Evening class that he taught in 2015, titled “What Happens After I Die?” In today’s episode, Dr. Venema elaborates on what death means for the Christian and examines two erroneous view...

In today’s episode, Dr. Beach wraps up his discussion on the Christian and free will by tackling the subject of Libertarian Free Will, a concept you’ll hear most commonly in Arminian circles.

Last time Dr. Beach affirmed the Reformed teaching on free will, that Christians do indeed have free will, but a will that is only awakened and enabled by the grace of God to freely obey his will, not a will of our own volition, a will left in darkness. In our Reformed heritage, we love to reflect on the work of John Calvin, of course. So what did he think of free will? You may be surprised to lea...

In today’s episode, Dr. J. Mark Beach, Professor of Doctrinal and Ministerial Studies, begins to look carefully at the theological issue of free will by asking the simple question: Do Christians have free will?

In today’s episode, Dr. Alan Strange concludes his series on church offices by looking at the Office of Deacon and the ministry of mercy.

In today’s episode, Dr. Alan Strange, continuing his series on church offices, elaborates on the role of the Elder in the church. What does it mean to be a ruling Elder or teaching Elder? What are his obligations and duties in this ordained office? Here’s Dr. Strange to answer these questions.

In today’s episode, Dr. Alan Strange looks once again at the Office of Minister of the Word and Sacrament, tracing its history, especially in the eyes of the Reformers.

In today’s episode, we will look at a particular vocation where one is called to proclaim the Word of God, that of the Minister of the Word and Sacrament. Being in this vocation, they hold an office. Dr. Alan Strange takes us on a tour of this office, particularly in its distinction from the office of Ruling Elder, and in the weeks ahead, look more narrowly at the office of Elder and the office of...

In today’s episode, Dr. Cornelis Venema and Dr. Marcus Mininger continue their case for the cessation of revelatory gifts – speaking in tongues, prophecy, miraculous healings – by addressing an important question. If the revelatory gifts have ceased, how do we respond to fellow believers who claim to have them or have experienced speaking in tongues and miraculous signs? If Cessationism is true, h...

Today’s episode continues our series on Cessationism vs. Continuationism and the spiritual gifts with Dr. Cornelis Venema and Dr. Marcus Mininger. In our previous conversation, they laid out the context for this debate. You could probably guess that they’ve landed on a position: Today, we’ll hear the case for Cessationism and the ceasing of revelatory gifts.

Today’s episode kicks off a new series with Dr. Cornelis Venema (President of Mid-America) and Dr. Marcus Mininger (Professor of NT Studies). They are going to address spiritual gifts in the church. We can think of speaking in tongues, prophecy, and miraculous healing, for example, gifts that were common in the age of the Apostles. The question before us is whether those gifts continue to this day...

In today's episode, Dr. Marcus Mininger concludes our series on resolving conflict with peers from the perspective of the Apostle Paul. Today he focuses on Philippians 1:12-18, where the apostle Paul mentions that his imprisonment has served to advance the gospel. In this harsh reality, Paul sets an example of a God-centered response to conflict, namely, quiet rejoicing for the sake of Christ. Her...

In today’s episode, Dr. Marcus Mininger continues our series on resolving conflict with peers from the perspective of the Apostle Paul. Today he focuses on Galatians 2:11-14, where the apostle Paul confronts Peter, whose hypocritical conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel. In other words, what Dr. Mininger will show us today is the importance of confronting one another out of reveren...

In today’s episode, we kick off a series with Dr. Marcus Mininger on resolving conflict with peers, particularly between those in ministry and who are office-bearers, from the perspective of the Apostle Paul. These episodes come from a recent talk at the Niagara Office-Bearers Conference at Immanuel United Reformed Church in Jordan, Ontario. In this first part, Dr. Mininger will reflect on Galatia...

Finishing our series on the sacraments this week, in reflecting upon the Lord’s Supper, Dr. Cornelis Venema addresses whether children may come to the Lord’s Table (a growing practice among some Reformed churches), a practice known as paedocommunion or infant communion. 

We continue our series on the sacraments this week by giving our attention to the Lord’s Supper, led by Dr. Venema, who’ll provide us with a general introduction of communion, giving a brief survey of varying views of the sacrament while highlighting the Reformed view.

In today's episode, one of the most debated questions in all of theology will be addressed by President of Mid-America and Professor of Doctrinal Studies, Dr. Cornelis Venema, and Professor of Church History, Dr. Alan Strange: Should Infants Be Baptized? If the baptism of children of believing parents is permissible, what is the biblical case for such?

Starting today, we’re going to take a look at the sacraments in Reformed theology. Dr. Cornelis Venema and Dr. Alan Strange begin with the sacrament of baptism by answering the simple question: What is it?