Reformed Forum

This week on Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob grab some books from their nightstands and desks for a conversation about the books they’re reading. Participants: Rob McKenzie , Robert Tarullo Mentioned in this episode: Christ the Center 1000 Christ the Center 1000

On pages 29–34 of The Defense of the Faith , Cornelius Van Til continues to describe the basic Reformed doctrines that lay the foundation for his apologetic. It is evident even in this introductory material how he considers his project. He is neither seeking to be idiosyncratic nor original (in the sense of developing something foreign or external to confessional Reformed theology). Rather, he is...

Esau has been disqualified to receive the covenant blessing, but Isaac intends to give it to him anyway. In fact, none of the four characters in this chapter is painted in a good light. As Jacob and Rebecca plot to steal the blessing, it becomes clear that the blessing may only come through the work of God himself—and we are pointed to the promised covenant Son. Participants: Glen Clary , Mark A....

This week on  Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob discuss what it means for Christians to have a returning king, especially in the midst of the difficult and dark days of our lives. We all have those days when we forget to fix our eyes on Christ who will return in glory and power. Participants: Rob McKenzie , Robert Tarullo Mentioned in this episode: Christ the Center 1000 Christ the Cente...

Rev. Dr. David Noe joins us to speak about John Calvin, God or Baal: Two Letters on the Reformation of Worship and Pastoral Service ( Reformation Heritage Books ), which includes translations of two letters: We Must Flee the Forbidden Rites of the Wicked and Maintain the Purity of the Christian Faith The Christian Man’s Obligation to Fulfill or Renounce the Priestly Offices of the Papal Church Cal...

Paul once again admonishes the church in Corinth over its division into rival parties with some following Paul, and other Apollos. Paul rebukes them because this behavior is of the flesh and they have elevated the minister of the gospel to an unwarranted and unbiblical position. Ministers are but servants used as instruments in the hands of God and they are fellow workers under God. Participants:...

Matthew Vogan speaks about David Dickson’s Sermons on Jeremiah’s Lamentations ( Naphtali Press Special Editions & Reformation Heritage Books ). Mr. Vogan is General Manager of Reformation Scotland , a charitable trust whose aim is to promote the restoration of the Christian Church in Scotland by informing, educating and promoting understanding of our Reformed heritage through film,...

In this passage, the Apostle Paul highlights the role of the Holy Spirit as the revealer and illuminator of the wisdom of God, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. That divine wisdom was eternally decreed by God before the foundation of the world and is now revealed by the Spirit through the preaching of the gospel.

This week on Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob discuss what it means for Christians to have Jesus as our king, especially in the midst of the difficult and dark days of our lives. We all have those days when we forget that God is good. Participants: Rob McKenzie , Robert Tarullo

We turn to pages 245–250 of Geerhardus Vos’s book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to discuss the prophet’s view of God’s holiness. Vos contrasts the concept of holiness found in pagan religions with that of the biblical prophets. The concept of holiness in Scripture is God-centered. It begins with the Lord, his transcendence, and then radiates outward to creation as he...

C. N. Willborn speaks about the spirituality of the church, the doctrine which affirms that the Church is a spiritual institution with spiritual aims. It is not administered according to the kingdom of this world. This has a direct bearing upon the work of the church, which is explicitly described and defined by Christ himself in the Great Commission of Matthew 28. Rev. Dr. Willborn is pastor of&n...

As we begin 2021 with our first episode, Rob and Bob reflect upon memorials, resolutions, and remembering in the Christian life. Participants: Rob McKenzie , Robert Tarullo Mentioned in this episode: Christ the Center 1000 Christ the Center 1000

Since  Christ the Center  began nearly thirteen years ago, we have taken time to look back on the highlights of the year. Continuing the update to our tradition from last year, here this year’s top ten clips from  Christ the Center  as determined by  YouTube  views. Ep. 633 – What Is Christendom? with David VanDrunen Ep. 655 – 1689 Federalism and Reformed...

As we look forward to walking through Part 2 of John Bunyan’s,  The Pilgrim’s Progress , we repost our second episode from Part 1. Enjoy! This week on  Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob continue their journey through John Bunyan’s,  The Pilgrim’s Progress . From the Wicket Gate, Christian encounters Good Will and Interpreter whose house has many rooms. Interpreter leads Christian from one roo...

One of the highlights of the Christmas season is singing the Christmas hymns. Singing songs about the nativity of Jesus is one of the oldest traditions in the Christian church, and dates to the beginning of the New Testament church—even to the birth of Christ himself. Luke includes four such songs: Mary’s (1:46–55), Zechariah’s (1:68–79), Simeon’s (2:29–32), and the Angels’ (2:14). In this ep...

In Genesis 26, God confirms the covenant promise to Isaac—the heart of which is “I will be with you.” In this episode, we see how God not only keeps this promise to Isaac in the midst of conflict, but also how he continues to keep this promise to believers today, as we too journey through a hostile land, seeking peace through the gospel as we look to the land of promise where God will dwell with u...

As we look forward to walking through Part 2 of John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress , we repost our first episode on Part 1. Enjoy! This week on Theology Simply Profound , with some brief introductory remarks about reading fiction and allegory using J.R.R. Tolkien, Rob and Bob set out on a little journey of their own following Christian as he makes his way out of the City of Destruct...

Harrison Perkins discusses the theology and historical context of James Ussher with particular attention to the development of the confessional understanding of the covenant of works. Ussher was the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland between 1625 and 1656. He was a prolific scholar and significant church leader. Perkins is the author of Catholicity and the Covenant o...

On this special episode of Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob ask that you pray for Dr. Benjamin L. Gladd, associate professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, as well as his family. We also briefly discuss how the fruit of the Spirit helps in our times of personal disaster. Participants: Rob McKenzie , Robert Tarullo Mentioned in this episode: Christ the Center 1000 Christ t...

For the 5th Annual Christmas Special of Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob wish you a very sanitized and socially distanced Christmas 2020. Participants: Rob McKenzie , Robert Tarullo Mentioned in this episode: Christ the Center 1000 Christ the Center 1000

Cory Brock describes how Herman Bavinck interacted with and appropriated the theology of Friedrich Schleiermacher throughout his academic career. There is a significant shift toward a more pronounced and direct use of Schleiermacher later in his life. But any appropriation of Schleiermacher by Bavinck may surprise people. Schleiermacher (1768–1834) is recognized as the father of modern liberal the...

On this week’s episode of  Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob bring to a close their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days we currently live within. On the heels of Paul’s words about the fruit of the Spirit, Paul writes to the Galatians, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Rob and Bob discuss self...

Dr. G. K. Beale speaks about the use of irony in redemptive-history, which is the subject of his book Redemptive Reversals and the Ironic Overturning of Human Wisdom (Crossway). The Bible is full of ironic situations in which God overturns the world’s wisdom by doing the opposite of what is expected―people are punished by their own sin, the persecution of the church is the catalyst for its growth,...

Dr. Robert Cara, Provost and Chief Academic Officer of Reformed Theological Seminary and Hugh and Sallie Reaves Professor of New Testament at RTS Charlotte, discusses the covenant theology evident in the letter to the Hebrews. God has one plan and purpose for his people throughout history, and he mediates this relationship through successive covenants, ultimately finding eschatological fulfillment...

On this week’s episode of  Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob pick up their discussion of the fruit of the Spirit in light of the troubling and confusing days we currently live within. Jesus describes himself in Matthew 11 as being gentle and lowly in heart. What is this gentleness? How might be live in this world like Jesus with a gentle heart? Participants: Rob McKenzie , Robert Tarullo Ment...