Theology on the Go

You may have heard that our dear friend and colleague James Dolezal was recently struck by a car and suffered very serious injuries. He remains in the hospital and is receiving excellent medical care, but his condition is grave. Before the accident, James and Jonathan had recorded several interviews for Theology on the Go. Those episodes will continue to be released through August 17. After that,...

The three J’s – Jonathan, James, and Jeff – continue their exploration of John Bunyan's classic, Pilgrim's Progress, exploring the themes of flattery, ignorance, and the challenges faced by Pilgrims on their journey to the Celestial City. The hosts discuss the dangers of being led astray by deceptive flatterers and the importance of remaining vigilant in faith, especially as one approaches the end...

Reformed Churches describe themselves as confessional, but what does that mean, and what does it matter? Blair Smith, president of the Charlotte campus of Reformed Theological Seminary, sits down with James and Jonathan today to answer these questions based on his new book, Reformed Confessionalism. Together, they explore the virtues of confessions and how historic confessions serve as guardrails...

Jonathan and James are pleased to sit down with their friend and fellow Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals podcast host Carl Trueman, professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Grove City College, to discuss his latest book, The Desecration of Man: How the Rejection of God Degrades Our Humanity. Carl discusses the moral implications of modern expressive individualism, the quest for control...

Christians often think about the responsibilities of pastors to their flocks, but today James and Jonathan flip the script and consider the responsibilities of church members toward their pastors. Drawing insights from the works of John Owen, our hosts explore the biblical mandates for honoring, submitting to, and praying for ministers, emphasizing the mutual relationship between pastors and their...

Never should anyone run faster to deal with division in Church than someone would run to put out a fire in a house. – Matthew Vogan Jonathan and James engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Matthew Vogan, editor of the book The Scandal of Church Divisions: Healing the Wounds of Schism by James Durham. They explore the complexities of church unity and division, examining the historical conte...

The dynamic trio continues their exploration of John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, focusing on the characters Ignorance and Little Faith. Join Jonathan, James, and Jeff Stivason as they unpack the complexities of faith and ignorance in the Christian journey. Discover how Ignorance, despite his good deeds, remains blind to his spiritual state, while Little Faith, though struggling, embodies the...

In this episode of Theology on the Go, Jonathan and James welcome back John Fesco, Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, to discuss the upcoming Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, Declaring Our Faith: Confessions in a Modern Age, at which John and Jonathan will both be speaking. Today, they discuss the significance of confessions and creeds in...

Personal devotions is a practice that is a kind of consecrated time, a setting apart of your heart's attention and focus. – James Dolezal Jonathan and James spend some time considering the significance of personal devotions and private worship in the Christian life. They explore the importance of setting aside time for prayer, Scripture reading, and meditation, emphasizing how this practice can fu...

Jonathan and James welcome Gabe Fluhrer, the senior minister of First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to discuss Gabe’s latest book, Why Do I Personally Experience Evil and Suffering?, a deeply practical guide for anyone wrestling with depression, anxiety, chronic illness, abuse, poverty, or loss. Gabe shares insights from his book, providing a pastoral perspective that contrasts ph...

Jonathan and James sit down with award-winning teacher and Old Testament scholar Brian Toews to discuss his insightful book, Voices of the Sages: Old Testament Wisdom in Dialogue. Voices of the Sages delves into biblical wisdom by exploring Old Testament wisdom texts within the Hebrew Bible's Writings (Ketuvim). Imagine these texts as sages in dialogue, presenting insights, clarifications, and deb...

Jonathan, James, and their trusty companion, Jeff Stivason, continue their conversation about John Bunyan's classic work, The Pilgrim's Progress. Episode 10 focuses on Doubting Castle and the Delectable Mountains, unpacking the significance of these allegorical locations and their relation to the Christian experience of doubt, despair, and divine provision. In addition, they delve into the importa...

Jonathan and James welcome back Todd Rester, associate professor of Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary, to discuss the profound themes of assurance, faith, and the application of redemption as presented in Volume Five of Petrus van Maastricht's Theoretical Practical Theology. The discussion navigates the conflicts between Reformed theology and Roman Catholic understanding, emphasiz...

The guys are switching things up today, with Jonathan interviewing James about the profound topic of free will in glory. They explore the nuances of free will as defined in the confessions, discussing how glorified saints in heaven experience a unique form of freedom. In the state of glory, your will will be so immutably perfected for good alone that it would be wrong not to do all that is in your...

“Music transports us to the heavenly. It moves our souls and puts courage in our bones.” On this episode of Theology on the Go, Jonathan and James engage in a heartfelt conversation with David and Barbara Lehman, authors of Hosannas Forever: Hymns of Heaven and Our Pilgrimage. In Hosannas Forever, David and Barbara include 52 hymns about heaven that speak to the trials, longings, and sufferings we...

Back by popular demand, Jonathan and James continue their exploration of John Bunyan's classic, The Pilgrim's Progress, with expert Jeff Stivason. They delve into the harrowing encounter with Giant Despair, discussing themes of depression, guilt, and the importance of fellowship in overcoming despair.  Depression is not a monster that can do with us anything that it will. Depression is something t...

We left our listeners on a cliffhanger at the end of Numbers 19. – Jonathan Master But never fear, Jonathan and James are pleased to welcome Michael Morales back to the podcast to continue where he left off when he was a guest late last year. A professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Michael returns to discuss the second volume of his commentary on the Book o...

Jonathan and James are joined by noted theologian O. Palmer Robertson, founder of Consummation Ministries. They delve into his monumental work, Christ of the Consummation, a three-volume series in which he explores progressive revelation across the redemptive history of the New Testament. Today's conversation focuses specifically on Volume Two, which examines the testimony of the Book of Acts, com...

Today, James and Jonathan talk with Guy Waters, the James M. Baird Jr. Professor of New Testament and academic dean at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, and author of One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church: The Biblical Doctrine of the Church. Guy’s latest book provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the nature and purpose of the church. Throughout redemptive history,...

Jonathan, James, and regular guest, Jeff Stivason, continue their discussion of John Bunyan’s classic allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress, delving into the themes of true versus false contentment. Today, Christian and Hopeful arrive at a strange monument, before having a period of rest along a pleasant river.  Sometimes, God gives his people a foretaste of heaven; he gives them periods of rest in thi...

James and Jonathan welcome Patrick O'Banion back to Theology on the Go to discuss Girolamo Zanchi, a pivotal yet often overlooked figure who made significant contributions to Reformation theology. In particular, they focus on Zanchi's book, Confession of the Christian Religion, which Patrick translated into English. Written in the 1580s, Zanchi's Confession never attained confessional status at th...

In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.' – Jeremiah 23:6 Jonathan and James sit down for a one-on-one discussion today to discuss the life and work of Puritan author Obadiah Grew, particularly his classic book, The Lord Our Righteousness. They explore the essential Christian doctrine of Christ...

Jonathan and James sit down with Steven Spinnenweber today, the senior minister of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, Florida, about his new book, Loving the Law: The Law of God in the Life of the Believer. Stephen offers a fresh, engaging exploration of the Ten Commandments and their enduring relevance for Christians today as they convict, restrict, and guide us.  You could think of...

On today’s episode of Theology on the Go, Jonathan and James explore the pivotal Council of Nicaea, held in 325 A.D, when the Nicene Creed was written which has shaped the church for centuries. What were the heretical teachings that led to this significant council, and why was the development of a creed necessary?  A good creed will positively state orthodoxy such that a myriad of false teachings...

The Pilgrim's Progress book club continues today as Jonathan, James, and Jeff Stivason continue their exploration of Bunyan's classic work. This week, Christian and Hopeful leave Vanity Fair and encounter a new character on their journey, known as By-Ends. The discussion delves into the complexities of Christian companionship, the challenges of faith, and the nuances of worldly versus spiritual va...