RTS Washington Faculty Podcast

Episode 58: Today’s guest is Dr. Vern Poythress, distinguished professor of New Testament, biblical interpretation, and systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, PA, and author of books on pretty much every topic under the sun. Dr. Poythress and the faculty talk about the relationship between science and faith, particularly a Christian approach to science. Topics discussed include s...

Episode 57: Today the profs tackle the Apostles’ Creed article on “the communion of saints”—its meaning, distinction from belief in “the catholic church,” and implications for the Christian life and ministry. Also, Dr. Keene explains why Christians aren’t special snowflakes. Vanhoozer, Kevin. Biblical Authority After Babel. https://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Authority-after-Babel-Christianity/dp/1587...

Episode 56: Is the church an epilogue to the gospel? A club for people of similar faith? A corporation? Today’s conversation centers on the Apostles’ Creed article on “the holy catholic church.” Topics include church vs. kingdom, catholicity, universality, de-churched spirituality, ethnic and theological diversity, the maturing/becoming of the church, and more. Enjoy the episode! Bavinck, Herman....

Today the profs have extended and very technical conversation on hesitation forms from a biblical, theological, systematic, and covenantal perspective. Enjoy!

Today’s guest is Dr. Joshua Ralston, Reader in Christian-Muslim Relations at the School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh and director and co-founder of the Christian-Muslim Studies Network. Dr. Ralston and the profs talk about diversity within Islam, conceptions and misconceptions of shari’a, anti-secularist discourse in Islam, Muslim critiques of Christianity and its relation to the state, as...

Episode 53: In the first episode of our second year as a podcast—woot, woot!—we take time to reflect on the things we’ve learned and enjoyed so far. Listen as we give all honor and praise to our producer and editor, and discuss some of our favorite interviews, the ubiquity of uhms, ahhs, and duhs, and why we love RTS. Enjoy!

Episode 52: The profs begin to unpack the third and final section of the Apostles’ Creed. Why does the creed give special attention to the Holy Spirit? And why should we? Topics include the trinitarian structure of the creed, God’s indivisible works, the expansiveness of the Spirit’s work, humility in ministry, OT backgrounds, grieving and walking in step with the Spirit, the OT temple and the chu...

The profs welcome Dr. J. Nicholas Reid, associate professor of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies at RTS Orlando, to the podcast. Dr. Reid is one of the editors and contributors to the recent volume Covenant Theology: Biblical, Theological, and Historical Perspectives (Crossway, 2020). Topics include the importance of a solid covenant theology, the importance of biblical backgrounds, w...

Episode 50: On this episode, the profs talk about the Apostles’ Creed article on the final judgment. Why is this doctrine important? Does God just “forgive and forget”? Topics discussed include OT background to this doctrine, its now-and-not-yet aspects, how it should give us hope, inspire humility, and shape the way we live today. Enjoy!

Episode 49: Continuing on the Apostles’ Creed series, today the profs consider the next two statements: that Jesus “ascended to heaven“ and “is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.” Why are these affirmations significant for the work of Christ and our faith? And what does it mean that the Son of God becomes the Son of God? Listen as the biblical theology guys make the mess and the...

Episode 48: Today the profs welcome Dr. Charlie M. Wingard to the conversation. Dr. Wingard serves as senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Yazoo City, Mississippi, and as associate professor of pastoral theology and dean of students at RTS Jackson. He’s also the author of Help for the New Pastor: Practical Advice for Your First Year of Ministry (P&R, 2018). As you might expect, the profs...

Episode 47: The profs discuss the next line on the Apostles’ Creed, which deals with the resurrection of Christ. What does the resurrection mean for Christ, our theology, the Christian life, and the church? How does the New Testament appropriate it? How does the Old Testament shed light on its significance? Despite Dr. Keene’s absence, this episode is still worth listening. Enjoy!

Episode 46: Today the profs discuss the controversial “descensus clause” in the Apostles’ Creed, i.e., that Jesus “descended into hell.” Is this a redundant statement, since the creed already says Jesus died and was buried? Is it the result of bad theology? Or is it rightly articulating the teaching of Scripture? Listen as the faculty engages with this issue from biblical, systematic, and Reformed...

Episode 45: The profs continue walking through this classical confession of Christian faith, and on this episode they discuss Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and burial. The Creed seems to slow down in order to highlight these events. Why? Why did Jesus die? And what did his death accomplish? How do we benefit from it? As a bonus, the profs give some fashion advice. Enjoy the conversation!

Episode 44: We pick back up our series on the Apostles’ Creed with a discussion on Jesus’ suffering “under Pontius Pilate.” Why does the Creed focus on this historical figure? What does Jesus’ humiliation demonstrate? How does his suffering underscore the uniqueness of the Christian faith? Also, don’t miss the profs’ insightful comments on the meaning of Pontius and the correct pronunciation of Pi...

Episode 43 We are taking a break in this episode to talk through the tragic and unsettling events of the last few weeks. How can Christians find peace amidst unrest? How do we "seek first His Kingdom" while seeking good in this world? What does pastoral ministry look like when everyone's mind is elsewhere? Join our conversation.

Episode 42 It's that time of year when some of us are resolving to do better. We want to pray more, eat less, learn a new skill, or finish what we started. Why do we resolve, and what makes the new year a particularly appropriate time for such resolutions? The faculty engages these questions from a biblical and theological perspective.

Episode 41 As 2020 comes to an end, we take time to reflect on lessons we have learned and things we are grateful for over the course of this wild year. Highlights: God, pastors, fear, this podcast, and YOU our listeners.

Episode 40 Continuing our series through the Apostles’ Creed, today we talk about the other side of the incarnation: the Son was not only “conceived of by the Holy Spirit“ but also “born of the Virgin Mary.” What’s the significance of this uniquely miraculous birth? We touch on other miraculous births in the Bible, the Magnificat, Mary as theotokos, and Jesus’ qualifications as our Savior. Merry C...

Episode 39 We return to our series on the Apostles’ Creed, rounding into the Christmas season with a discussion of the Spirit's work in the conception, birth, life, and death of our Lord. The Spiritual conception of Jesus is more than just proof that he is a Divine person—it does that, but it is also the climactic moment in which God fulfills his promise to be with his people in a new and and perf...

Episode 38 We welcome Dr. D. Blair Smith, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at RTS Charlotte, for a discussion on the Fatherhood of God as it relates to the doctrines of the Trinity and redemption. What’s the value of reading patristic writings in this connection? What does the Old Testament teach us about the Fatherhood of God? And how can a fuller understanding of God as Father enrich o...

Episode 37 We welcome Chris Watkin to the podcast to discuss how Christianity helps us think about the crucial philosophical and cultural issues of the day. Our faith resists a binary appropriation of ideas, as if we must either affirm or reject the culture around us. Rather, it "diagonalizes" issues by bringing God's word to bear on everything we address. Show notes Watkin, Thinking Through Creat...

Episode 36 Each word describing Jesus in the creed is rich with significance. He is "Son" and "Messiah" and "Lord." How do these three interact? What is their biblical and theological significance? How do they relate to the ministry of the church, both theologically and practically?

Episode 35 The doctrine of the Trinity is at the heart of the Christianity. "When Scripture wants to summarize salvation," says Dr. Scott Swain, "it summarizes it in a Trinitarian way." We are pleased to welcome Dr. Swain, President and James Woodrow Hassell Professor of Systematic Theology at RTS Orlando, to this week's discussion. Allen & Swain, eds., The Oxford Handbook of Reformed Theology, ht...

Episode 34 The doctrine of creation is at the heart of the Christian religion and confession. We can't understand the work of Christ without first understanding the Trinitarian work of creation. This week the faculty discusses how creation ex nihilo shapes our witness and message.