The Reformed Standard

In this episode, we unpack Westminster Shorter Catechism Answer 14: “Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.” This devastatingly clear definition exposes sin not merely as behavioral mistakes but as an offense against God Himself. The answer establishes God’s law as the unchangeable standard for defining sin and identifies two distinct ways we vio...

In this episode of The Reformed Standard, we continue our exploration of the Westminster Shorter Catechism by examining Question 14: “What is sin?” Building upon last week’s discussion of the Fall, this episode sets the stage for understanding the fundamental nature of sin—not merely as mistakes or poor choices, but as something that offends God Himself. The episode challenges mo...

In this episode of The Reformed Standard, we explore the Westminster Shorter Catechism’s Answer 13, which addresses the Fall of humanity. The catechism explains that “our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.” This profound statement illuminates three critical aspects of the Fall: its ca...

In this episode of The Reformed Standard, we explore Westminster Shorter Catechism Answer 12, which introduces the vital concept of the Covenant of Life (also known as the Covenant of Works) that God established with Adam in the Garden of Eden. This covenant established the terms of humanity’s original relationship with God—perfect obedience in exchange for eternal life, with death as the co...

In this episode, we explore the Westminster Shorter Catechism’s Question 12, which transitions from God’s general providence over all creation to a specific focus on His unique relationship with humanity before the Fall. Building on last week’s discussion of God’s universal providence, we examine what it means that God exercised a “special act of providence” tow...

In this episode of The Reformed Standard, we delve into Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 11, examining God’s works of providence. Moving beyond the finished work of creation, we explore how God actively preserves and governs all His creatures and their actions. The catechism presents a robust view of divine providence that stands in stark contrast to deistic notions of a distant, uninv...

In this episode of “The Reformed Standard,” we transition from examining God’s completed work of creation to exploring His ongoing works of providence. While creation was a singular, finished work that brought the universe into existence, providence represents God’s continuous, active governance of every aspect of His creation. The episode challenges the functional deism pr...

This episode examines how confessional Reformed churches navigate interpretive differences regarding Genesis 1 while maintaining confessional integrity. Using the Orthodox Presbyterian Church’s 2004 committee report on creation views as a case study, the episode explores five different interpretations of the creation days that have been considered compatible with the Westminster Standards. T...

This episode of The Reformed Standard unpacks Westminster Shorter Catechism Answer 10, exploring the profound implications of how God created humanity. Building on the previous episode’s question, “How did God create man?”, this installment examines the answer: “God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion ov...

This episode of “The Reformed Standard” examines Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 10, focusing on the creation of humanity. Building on the previous episode about God’s work of creation, this installment zooms in on what distinguishes humans from the rest of creation. The discussion highlights how the manner of humanity’s creation reveals our unique nature, purpose, a...

In this episode of The Reformed Standard, we delve into Westminster Shorter Catechism Answer 9, which addresses God’s work of creation. The answer states: “The work of creation is, God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.” This foundational doctrine encapsulates four distinct theological truths about creation...

In this episode of The Reformed Standard, we explore Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 9: “What is the work of creation?” The episode delves into the profound theological significance of framing creation as a singular “work” rather than multiple “works.” This distinction invites us to see God’s creative activity not as disconnected events but as one u...

In this episode of The Reformed Standard, we explore the Westminster Shorter Catechism’s answer to how God executes His eternal decrees. The catechism provides a beautifully concise yet profound answer: “God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.” This response reveals two grand arenas through which God’s eternal purposes unfold—not as separate activ...

In this episode of The Reformed Standard, we delve into Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 8: “How doth God execute his decrees?” Building on the previous episode’s exploration of God’s eternal decrees, we now examine how these divine plans are actively implemented in time and space. This question bridges the doctrine of God’s decrees and His providence, challengi...

Summary In this theological exploration of the Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 7, we delve into one of the most profound doctrines of Reformed theology: the decrees of God. The episode unpacks the catechism’s assertion that “The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass...

In this episode of The Reformed Standard, we delve into Question 7 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: “What are the decrees of God?” Building on previous discussions about God’s nature and attributes, we now turn to what God does. The episode examines the profound theological concept of God’s eternal decrees—His authoritative, sovereign plan that encompasses all of creat...

In this Wednesday deep-dive episode, we explore the doctrine of the Trinity through the lens of the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. Building on our previous discussion of God’s triune nature, we examine how the three persons of the Godhead are distinguished while sharing one divine essence. The episode unpacks the precise theological language deve...

In this illuminating episode, we explore Westminster Shorter Catechism Answer 6, which addresses the doctrine of the Trinity. The episode traces how the early disciples came to understand that the one God of Israel exists as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who share the same divine substance and are equal in power and glory. Through biblical examples from both the New and Old Testaments...

This episode of The Reformed Standard explores the profound theological question from Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 6: “How many persons are there in the Godhead?” The discussion navigates the apparent tension between the fundamental Jewish and Christian affirmation that God is one (the Shema) and the New Testament revelation of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Through a narrativ...

In this episode of The Reformed Standard, we explore Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 5, “Are there more Gods than one?” and its answer: “There is but One only, the living and true God.” The episode unpacks this foundational truth in two parts: first, establishing God’s absolute oneness and uniqueness, grounded in the Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4, and then exploring...

In this episode of The Reformed Standard, we explore the seemingly simple yet profoundly challenging question from the Westminster Shorter Catechism: “Are there more Gods than one?” Far from being merely an academic inquiry about monotheism, this question probes the human heart’s ultimate allegiances. Building on the previous episode’s exploration of God’s nature, we...

In this profound episode of The Reformed Standard, we delve into Westminster Shorter Catechism Answer 4: “God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.” Building on the previous episode’s examination of how we should approach the question “What is God?”, we now explore the answer itself—not a...

In this foundational episode of “The Reformed Standard,” we pivot from establishing our purpose (glorifying God), our guide (Scripture), and our framework (what to believe and what duty God requires) to contemplating the profound question: “What is God?” Drawing on John Calvin’s insight that true wisdom consists of knowing God and ourselves, the episode explores how t...

In this episode of The Reformed Standard, we explore Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 3: “What do the Scriptures principally teach?” The answer provides a profound organizational framework for the entire Christian life: “The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.” This episode unpacks how Scripture’...

In this illuminating episode of “The Reformed Standard,” we explore Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 3: “What do the scriptures principally teach?” Building upon previous discussions about our chief end and the authority of Scripture, this episode tackles the common challenge many believers face when confronting the Bible’s vast and sometimes overwhelming conten...