Reformed Forum

David Owen Filson joins us to speak about Dr. J. Oliver Buswell, theologian and former president of Wheaton College and Covenant College and Seminary. Buswell was involved with the early modernist-fundamentalist controversy and the founding of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, though he joined the Bible Presbyterian Church when it split with the fledgling OPC over premillennialism and teetotalism....

Hosea is made us of a series of cycles—of judgment and redemption. Here we begin looking at the first cycle of good news and redemption, as the prophet brings a word of good news. Participants: Jim Cassidy , Mark A. Winder

John Murray writes that the nature of union with Christ is both spiritual and mystical and that it is “the central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation.” If this is the case, how is it so? How does the atonement, the cross of Christ, relate to this “central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation”? Rob and Bob discuss these things and more on this week’s episode...

We continue our #VosGroup series in pages 185–188 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the unfolding of God’s plan as it moves from the period under Moses to that of the prophets. Prophetism marks an epochal movement in OT revelation. In other words, the “new happenings” of God’s mighty deeds in redemptive revelation bring enduring advancement toward consu...

Here we seek to answer three questions: First, “What is the meaning of circumcision?” Second, “What is the purpose of circumcision? and third, “To whom is circumcision to be applied” We conclude that the sign of faith is to be applied to believers and their children. Participants: Adam York , Glen Clary , Jim Cassidy , Mark A. Winder

This week on Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob once again discuss the doctrine of the atonement with emphasis upon the relationship between the atonement and adoption. What does adoption have to do with the atonement? Participants: Rob McKenzie , Robert Tarullo Mentioned in this episode: Christ the Center 1000 Christ the Center 1000

Pierce Taylor Hibbs speaks about language and the Trinity. His book,  The Trinity, Language, and Human Behavior: A Reformed Exposition of the Language Theory of Kenneth L. Pike   is available in P&R Publishing’s Reformed Academic Dissertations series. Hibbs describes Kenneth Pike’s linguistic theory and compares it to the theology of Cornelius Van Til, demonstrating shared Trinitar...

God re-names Sarai—again reflecting his covenant promise. And one  essential characteristic of the covenant of promise is that covenant community will always be comprised of elect and non-elect. Inseparable from the covenant itself are the parties of the covenant. Participants: Jim Cassidy , Mark A. Winder , Mark Jenkins

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob continue their discussion about the doctrine of the atonement. Today we take a closer look at the concept of penal substitution. In doing so, we review some of the other theories of the atonement. But what does the Bible say about the nature of Christ’s cross? What does it do? What is meant by penal substitution? Is it necess...

In this episode, we speak about the free offer of the gospel. The real point in dispute in connection with the free offer of the gospel is whether it can properly be said that God desires the salvation of all men. This issue was related to several theological controversies of the 1940s and stemming back decades earlier. Much of this particular issue comes the split of 1924 within the Christian Ref...

Paul appeals to the believers at Corinth to be united, and admonishes them to abandon their factionalism.  Paul reminds them that he did not do anything among them that would draw attention to himself, but rather  he pointed them entirely away from himself and directed their attention and affection to Christ alone. Participants: Adam York , Glen Clary , Mark A. Winder

This episode of Theology Simply Profound brings our reading of J. Gresham Machen’s final three audio addresses to a close. This address, “The Bible and the Cross,” would have aired on December 27, 1936. Machen would not finish this series of radio addresses on the atonement. Just five days later on January 1, 1937, he would succumb to pneumonia dying in the Lord. And so, this ser...

The first paragraph of chapter twenty-nine in the Westminster Confession of Faith sets forth the institution of Lord’s Supper and the uses and ends for which it is designed: Our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was betrayed, instituted the sacrament of his body and blood, called the Lord’s Supper, to be observed in his church, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance of the sacr...

As the Abrahamic Covenant is expanded, it builds upon the revelation given in chapters 12 and 15. Through this everlasting covenant God will bring life to those who are dead in their sins. Participants: Adam York , Jim Cassidy , Mark A. Winder

This week’s  Theology Simply Profound  provides another reading from the works of J. Gresham Machen. Since we’ve begun a series on the Biblical teaching of the atonement, Bob is reading Machen’s, “The Active Obedience of Christ.” This was delivered on December 20, 1936 as part of a series of radio addresses given shortly before Machen’s death on January 1, 1937. Participants: J. Gresham Machen , R...

We continue our #VosGroup series in pages 175–182 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider ancestor worship and animism before moving to a summary of Part I of the entire book and specifically, revelation during the period of Moses. The movement from the Abrahamic to the Mosaic is a movement from lesser to greater directness of access to God. This “greater access” a...

Our situation calls for serious self-discipline because the days are evil, and joyful celebration because God has rescued us from that evil in Jesus Christ. Participants: Adam York , Glen Clary , Mark A. Winder , Mark Jenkins

This week on  Theology Simply Profound , Rob and Bob continue their new series of discussions on the doctrine of the atonement. In this episode we talk about the concept of redemption. What is redemption? What is the relationship between redemption and the wrath of God? What is the cost of redemption? How does redemption relate to the atonement? Participants: Rob McKenzie , Robert Tarullo Mentione...

We speak with Dr. Stephen G. Myers about Ebenezer Erskine and the important events of Presbyterian history with which he was involved. Dr. Myers is Professor of Historical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In his book, Scottish Federalism and Covenantalism in Transition: The Theology of Ebenezer Erskine , he touches upon many significant issues, including...

In this episode, we speak to David Woollin of Reformation Heritage Books about several new and exciting projects from the publisher.

Israel was called God’s son—a status under threat here in Hosea—as graphically demonstrated in the naming of Hosea’s children. God’s pending divorce of Israel points to the only way for God’s elect to be saved. The warnings in Hosea are for God’s people today that we may examine ourselves to be sure we are in the faith. Participants: Adam York , Jim Cassidy , Mark A....

With Rob nursing a cold, this week’s  Theology Simply Profound provides another reading from the works of J. Gresham Machen. Since we’ve begun a series on the Biblical teaching of the atonement, Bob is reading Machen’s, “The Doctrine of the Atonement.” This was from a series of radio addresses given shortly before Machen’s death on January 1, 1937. Participants:...

William VanDoodewaard speaks to us about Martin Bucer, John Knox, and the development of pastoral care during the Reformation. Dr. VanDoodewaard is professor of church history at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the author of  1 & 2 Peter: Feed My Sheep (Welwyn Commentary Series),   The Quest for the Historical Adam ,  and  The Marrow Controversy and Seced...

Bill Dennison speaks about Karl Marx, leading us through his biography, influences, and his intellectual effects upon social and political history. Dr. Dennison is Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Covenant College and the author of Karl Marx   in P&R Publishing’s Great Thinkers series. Participants: Bill Dennison , Camden Bucey , Jeff Waddington Mentioned in this episo...