Theology on the Go

Though we know God is righteous, defining that term can be challenging. What does it mean that God is righteous? How do we define and describe God's righteousness? How is it connected to divine justice? How does He demonstrate His righteousness?  James and Jonathan take a fresh look at this topic, considering the various forms of righteousness and how they apply to our Holy God and, therefore, to...

Award-winning author and editor Donald McKim joins James and Jonathan to discuss his book, Daily Devotions with Herman Bavinck. Bavinck was a significant Reformed scholar and theologian whose popularity has increased in recent years. Though Bavinck did not leave behind a body of devotional material, Don has written eighty-four brief devotional readings accompanied by Scripture exploring Bavinck's...

According to Joseph Pipa, "We need a robust theology of tithing" to remain faithful Christians. Jonathan and James sit down with Dr. Pipa to discuss his booklet, What Are the Benefits of Biblical Stewardship and Tithing?, in which he establishes the duty of tithing from both the Old and New Testaments and shows us that our stewardship is an essential act of worship that flows from the grace of God...

“When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.”  Returning guest Geoffrey Thomas joins James and Jonathan today for an inspiring conversation about his new book, Knowing the Cross, in which he investigates God's Word to understand the true meaning of the cross of Christ. How did this instrument of death bec...

James and Jonathan welcome Todd Rester back to the podcast to discuss the 4th volume of Petrus van Mastricht's Theoretical-Practical Theology: Redemption in Christ. An associate professor of Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, Todd has spent many years translating Volumes 1-4 of this comprehensive, influential work and has already started working on the fifth vo...

James and Jonathan spend time reflecting on Psalm 46 today. Martin Luther claimed this was “his psalm,” it is the basis for one of our most well-known hymns, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” This beautiful psalm starts with the comforting words, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Written for all of us who will at some point face troubles that seem to shake the ground...

The much-anticipated follow-up to the first episode of James and Jonathan’s book club is here! Today, the guys sit down again with their friend, Jeffrey Stivason, pastor of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church and a professor at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, for Part 2 of this series. Though written in the 17th century, The Pilgrim’s Progress has essential applications that we can glea...

In today’s culture, it’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t been impacted by sexual sin, either personally or in their family or social circles. Issues of pornography, transgenderism, and homosexuality are pervasive, yet many in the evangelical church do not feel equipped to face the challenges of sexual brokenness. James and Jonathan are joined today by Mark Sanders, the executive director of Harvest...

James and Jonathan welcome their bowtie-clad friend, T. David Gordon, to discuss his latest book, Choose Better: 5 Biblical Models for Making Ethical Decisions. How do we know if we’re making the best choices possible? T. David says that over the centuries, Christians in different traditions have distilled scriptural guidance into five models for ethical decision-making. These models give us clear...

It’s a trip down memory lane as Jonathan and James sit down with their former student, John Biegel, who is now serving as the lead pastor at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church in Annandale, VA. John recently authored a book, Offering and Embracing Christ: The Marrow Theology of John Colquhoun of Leith. Less well known than the famous “marrow man,” Thomas Boston, Colquhoun was a faithful Scottish...

Jonathan and James sit down with Brandon Crowe, an author and professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary, to discuss his latest work, The Lord Jesus Christ: The Biblical Doctrine of the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. Brandon traces Christ’s person and work throughout the Old and New Testaments and church history through biblical, historical, and theological study and then pre...

James and Jonathan are excited to kick off the Theology on the Go book club today with their good friend Jeffrey Stivason, coming together to discuss The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. Jeff is pastor of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church and a professor at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary.  In this episode, they will discuss the book's first section, from the City of Destruction to t...

Zachary Groff, pastor of Antioch Presbyterian Church and managing editor of The Confessional Presbyterian Journal, joins James and Jonathan today to discuss the 19th annual edition of the publication, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Presbyterian Church in America. While serious-minded academically, the journal is accessible to readers from all backgrounds. One ringing theme is the int...

James and Jonathan are happy to welcome Carl Trueman back to the podcast to discuss his newly-released book, Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity. An updated version of The Creedal Imperative (2012), Carl’s new edition analyzes how ancient creeds and confessions protect and promote biblical Christianity in a culture of expressive...

In the past century, one question has constantly plagued the church: How should the people of God respond to social issues? In this episode of Theology on the Go, Alex DiPrima talks to Jonathan and James about an unexpected source for us to consider for an answer: Charles Haddon Spurgeon. In his recent book, Spurgeon and the Poor: How the Gospel Compels Christian Social Concern, Alex examines how...

Author and Greenville Seminary professor Ryan McGraw sits down with James and Jonathan today to discuss his latest book, A Mystery Revealed: 31 Meditations on the Trinity. In this book, Ryan offers a fresh perspective on how the Trinity forms the foundation for everything from evangelism to corporate worship. The 31 daily meditations help bring this heavenly doctrine down to earth for the average...

In this episode, Jonathan and James are joined by their close friend and Mortification of Spin podcast host, Carl Trueman. They dive into a discussion of The Doctrine of Justification by Faith, a book by John Owen that Carl considers the #1 book on justification. He has such high regard for it that he wrote an introductory essay for the latest edition published by Reformation Heritage Books. Liste...

What is the chief end of man? Many of us can recite the answer from memory. For centuries, the Westminster Shorter Catechism has helped Christians, young and old, know their “chief end.” Today, James and Jonathan are joined by William Boekestein, co-author of a new book, Glorifying and Enjoying God: 52 Devotions through the Westminster Shorter Catechism. In a year’s worth of Lord’s days, this valu...

James and Jonathan are joined by Chris Castaldo today to discuss his new book, The Upside Down Kingdom: Wisdom for Life from the Beatitudes. In our sinful world, we often struggle with anxiety, loneliness, and heartache. How can we cultivate God’s kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven” in such a broken place? In the Beatitudes, Jesus urges us to set ourselves apart from the world, living in a count...

Most pastors understand that prayer is an essential element of pastoral calling. Yet, many struggle to devote consistent time and affection to this sacred means of grace. David Irving sits down with James and Jonathan to discuss his new book, Devote Yourself to Prayer: A Call to Pastors, in which he seeks to motivate his fellow pastors to pray more for their people and their labors and delight in...

One of the central tenets of the Reformed faith, the perseverance of the saints, is not a belief held by all Christians, but it should be, argues Jonathan Master. James and Jonathan sit down to discuss this vital doctrine and what it does – and does not mean. What exactly is the perseverance of the saints? Does it give us license to sit back and rest on our laurels? If not, how do we participate i...

Nathan Eshelman, author of I Have a Confession: The What and Why of the Westminster Confession of Faith, joins James and Jonathan on the podcast to discuss the importance of creeds and confessions. Focusing on The Westminster Confession of Faith, Nathan argues that, understood rightly, historic creeds can help us find a church that promotes right thinking about the Bible, encourage unity with trut...

James and Jonathan sit down with long-time friend and highly esteemed theologian G.K. Beale to discuss his latest book, Union with the Resurrected Christ. Union with Christ is an important theological and practical concept that has received considerable attention in recent years. But not much consideration has been given to this union and its benefits in light of Jesus' resurrection and ascension…...

James and Jonathan are joined by Ryan Anderson, author of When Harry Became Sally—a book on responding to transgenderism that was banned by Amazon. On this episode, Ryan discusses his new book, Tearing Us Apart: How Abortion Harms Everything and Solves Nothing, co-written with pro-life journalist Alexandra DeSanctis. So far, the book is still available for purchase. Tune in for this fascinating co...

What are angels? How are they different from God, and how are they different from humans? How should we think about angels and demons, and how do they impact our lives? James and Jonathan discuss this fascinating and oft-misunderstood topic today in anticipation of the Gap Bible Series seminar at which James will be speaking in October, where he will cover this subject in greater depth.  We are pl...