Small Town Theologian

Growing up Mennonite, I was a bit nervous as a kid about the potential of ending up in court and needing to swear an oath on the Bible. What would I do? Mennonites don't take oaths. Or do they? Tune in to think through the topic of Christians swearing lawful oaths. If you're an Anabaptist or Mennonite, I'd love to hear from you. Are you compelled by the other Scriptures that speak to oaths?  ...

I've encountered Christians who don't seem to realize they are blaspheming God. They use God's majestic name in casual and trivial ways, and they don't seem to know the seriousness of this sin. I've done it before, and God has helped me be more sensitive to this. How do you use God's name? Are you confident in how God wants you to use His name? Tune in.  Please find "Small Town Theologian" on...

Considering many things like the popularity of The Chosen, Christmas traditions, children's Sunday School curricula, and religious jewelry, it is obvious that many Christians believe it's good to depict Jesus. But has the church in recent years carefully considered the meaning and extent of the second commandment? Has the church considered its Christology carefully enough? Is the church rememberin...

What does "Love is love" mean? Is love something that our culture truly understands? Considering we live in a secular society where God is not regarded as truth, many are confused about true love. Tune in to join me in thinking about true love as it relates to God's law.  Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts , Podcast Addict , Overcast, Google Podcasts , Spotify , Amazon Musi...

Is conversion a sensational experience that happens only one time in someone's life? Is conversion repeating a prayer after an evangelist or preacher and walking an aisle? Having a Biblical understanding of conversion is comforting and encouraging. Conversion is more than what many Christians think. Much more in some cases. May this episode clarify conversion a little bit for you and encourage you...

We should fear God. But should the fear of losing our salvation motivate us to good works or should confidence in the grace of God motivate us to good works? In sanctification, thankfulness for receiving God's grace motivates us to live for Christ. The gospel at work in us produces fruit. Tune in to better understand why good works are necessary and how they comfort and assure believers.   Pl...

When it comes to worship, if we are primarily thinking about unbelievers, we are not primarily thinking about Christ. Our desire for unbelievers to attend worship to hear the gospel may sometimes get us into trouble in this way. We may want to avoid offending them, to make them comfortable, and in doing this, we may want to talk a lot about God's love without talking much about God's justice, judg...

Unity is amazing, and we should strive for it and enjoy it. However, there can be no true unity where there are irreconcilable differences about the gospel. Are Protestants and Romanists (Roman Catholics) together? Do we have unity in Christ? We should not forget why the Reformation happened and that there still exist irreconcilable differences. One of those differences is the Lord's Supper versus...

Do you struggle with the assurance of salvation? If so, where do you look expecting to find comfort? Do you look at yourself or at Christ? Tune in for encouragement to look to Christ for the assurance of salvation. God has given wonderful places to look! To learn more about the sacraments and how to benefit from them, check out these GREAT resources: Heidelberg Catechism 65-82 ; Westminster Shorte...

In this episode, Rev. Rob Hill unpacks James 1:2-4 and gives comfort to those facing trials. We all face trials sometimes, and sometimes they are significant trials. What is God doing? Why is this happening? Will I make it through this? We need a comforting word from God that He is sovereign and working in our trials to preserve us to the end. Listen in as Rev. Hill preaches for your comfort in Ch...

Sometimes commands leave a bitter taste in our mouths. Why is that? If God's good commands leave a bad taste in our mouth, perhaps we don't love what is being commanded. God commands the Lord's Supper; we must obey Him by participating. That said, do we love the promises God gives us in the Lord's Supper?  To learn more about the sacraments and how to benefit from them, check out these GREAT...

The ecumenical creeds and Reformed catechisms greatly help us understand how to think about the Bible. They were not created or accepted by one person but rather by many discerning Christians. Millions of Christians through the centuries have confessed them. If we act like we're the first ones to read the Bible, we'll fall into many errors. Baptismal regeneration is one of those errors which the R...

Do you realize that baptism is an ongoing part of how God encourages and strengthens you on your wearying road to eternal life? It will help you to slow down and think about what God is promising you in your baptism, and how He will comfort you through this divine gift.  To learn more about the sacraments and how to benefit from them, check out these GREAT resources: Heidelberg Catechism 65-8...

The sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper are often not as valued as they ought to be. Do you realize how important the sacraments are for your ongoing strength and growth in Christ? The sacraments are God's big gift to you; unwrap them and benefit from them. To learn more about the sacraments and how to benefit from them, check out these GREAT resources: Heidelberg Catechism 65-82 ; Westmin...

Christians do good works by God's grace and Spirit, but do good works count toward their righteous standing before God? Is Christ our righteousness or are Christ and our good works our righteousness? Tune in for comfort for the soul. CLARIFICATION: When I say at the end of the podcast, "will reward us with grace when our race is finished" I am not talking about us meriting the grace of God in any...

In this episode, Rev. Michael Brown unpacks Christ's Great Commission to his church from Matthew 28. This message comes out of California, however, Michael is now serving Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia in Milan. He preaches in Italian. One more faithful pastor doing faithful ministry in a "small town" (or massive city) of the world. Here is a link to Rev. Brown's EXCELLENT book on Covenant Theology -...

Is it important for you and me to believe the Apostles' Creed, indeed everything in it? If we believe the Apostles' Creed, how does that help or benefit us? Believing the gospel is critical to having comfort in life and death, especially considering how much we sin in thought, word, and deed. Take comfort in the gospel by believing the doctrine of double imputation.  Please find "Small Town T...

When believers die do they immediately receive a new body as they enter the presence of Jesus? Some Christians seem confused about the resurrection of the body on the last day. Tune in to finetune your beliefs about the resurrection of your body.  Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts , Podcast Addict , Overcast, Google Podcasts , Spotify , Amazon Music , etc. and SUBSCRIBE. T...

What does it mean to confess "I believe in . . . the holy catholic church"? Protestants may not like confessing that, but they should, and the line should bring them great comfort. Tune in to learn why.  Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts , Podcast Addict , Overcast, Google Podcasts , Spotify , Amazon Music , etc. and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode d...

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Robert M. Godfrey tackles the important topic of Christ's two natures. This message comes out of New Holland, PA. Another faithful pastor doing faithful ministry in a small town of America. Here is a link to read the Athanasian Creed , and you can purchase the Heidelberg Catechism which has a copy of the Athanasian Creed in the back.  Check out Rev. Godfrey and Zelte...

The Holy Spirit is a tremendous gift to the church. Believers would not survive in their battle against their flesh, the world, and the devil without the Holy Spirit. And yet, many professing Christians don't actually know the Holy Spirit. They have idolatrous conceptions of him. Do you know the Holy Spirit?  Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Goo...

Jesus Christ physically left the earth to return to his Father in heaven. How is this good? How is this good for us? We want him with us. Tune in to learn a bit about how the ascension of Jesus benefits us his beloved people. Please go to "Small Town Theologian" on your podcast listening platform and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you! Books: Head to m...

In this episode, Rev. Adam Wells tackles Luke 7:11-17. This message comes out of Middletown, PA. Another faithful pastor doing faithful ministry in a small town of America. Check out Rev. Adam and Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church at www.calvaryopc.com . Here's the link to Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works on S. Union Street if you're ever in the area. Resources for the history of Middlet...

Jesus Christ physically left the earth to return to his Father in heaven. How is this good? How is this good for us? We want him with us. Tune in to learn a bit about how the ascension of Jesus benefits us his beloved people. Please go to "Small Town Theologian" on your podcast listening platform and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you! DISCUSSION QUEST...

Jesus Christ rose from the dead! You've likely heard this news. However, do you know how you benefit from it? This episode explores a bit of the benefit you receive from the resurrection of Christ.  Please go to "Small Town Theologian" on your podcast listening platform and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you! DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY WORSHI...