Three Forms Podcast

The world shares the message of Lady Gaga, encouraging us that "we are on the right track because we were born this way." But David, Job, and Paul, warn us that we have a problem from our conception. Article 15: The Doctrine of Original Sin We believe that by the disobedience of Adam original sin has been spread through the whole human race. It is a corruption of the whole human nature—an inherite...

Here we begin to consider the tragedy that is humanity, in that we were created with such honor, in the image of God, but in sinful rebellion, have plunged ourselves into animal like shame. Article 14: The Creation and Fall of Humanity We believe that God created human beings from the dust of the earth and made and formed them in his image and likeness—good, just, and holy; able by their will to c...

The Providence of God is not fully revealed to us, yet from the Biblical testimony, we rest assured that our Lord is engaged and active in His world. What a comfort for God's people! Article 13: The Doctrine of God's Providence We believe that this good God, after creating all things, did not abandon them to chance or fortune but leads and governs them according to his holy will, in such a way tha...

Here we confess that our Lord's creation of all things includes the angels. This opposes those that deny the reality of spirits, or who claim there are equal opposing forces of good and evil. Article 12: The Creation of All Things We believe that the Father, when it seemed good to him, created heaven and earth and all other creatures from nothing, by the Word—that is to say, by the Son. God has gi...

One reason the Eastern and Western Church divided, was a difference over the role and work of the Holy Spirit. With the Western Church, the Belgic testifies that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son. Article 11: The Deity of the Holy Spirit We believe and confess also that the Holy Spirit proceeds eternally from the Father and the Son—neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but only proceeding f...

Jesus was not just a human, like us, but he is also revealed to be eternal, and thus God. Though this brings us into conflict with Muslims, and challenges our civil religion, we can not deny Scripture. Article 10: The Deity of Christ We believe that Jesus Christ, according to his divine nature, is the only Son of God—eternally begotten, not made or created, for then he would be a creature. He is o...

While the word Trinity isn't found in God's Word, in Article 9, we have an example of how we take such truths straight from the Scripture. Proof texting is not the "bogeyman" that some today claim! Article 9: The Scriptural Witness on the Trinity All these things we know from the testimonies of Holy Scripture as well as from the effects of the persons, especially from those we feel within ourselve...

One Essence, yet Three Persons? The word Trinity isn't in the Bible, so when did the church start using it? And how do songs from Arius and the Ghost Busters play into our proper understanding of God? We cover it all in this episode! Article 8: The Trinity In keeping with this truth and Word of God we believe in one God, who is one single essence, in whom there are three persons, really, truly, an...

The sixth article addressing the authority of God's Word, we consider how catechisms, confessions, and even creeds, hold authority only to the extent that they properly reflect Scripture. Article 7: The Sufficiency of Scripture We believe that this Holy Scripture contains the will of God completely and that everything one must believe to be saved is sufficiently taught in it. For since the entire...

What are God's people to do with the extra-Biblical books of the Apocrypha? They appear in Roman Catholic Bibles. They are regarded by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Are they banned and forbidden by Protestants? Or, should they be read, even if they are kind of mediocre? Learn more in today's Episode! Article 6: The Difference Between Canonical and Apocryphal Books We distinguish between these holy...

What came first, the Bible or the Church? In Article 5 of the Belgic Confession, we continue to outline what we understand about God's Word, and both its authentication and authority. Article 5: The Authority of ScriptureWe receive all these books and these only as holy and canonical, for the regulating, founding, and establishing of our faith. And we believe without a doubt all things contained i...

Why is the Bible called Canonical? Did the church create the Bible, or does the Bible create the church? When were the 66 books of the Protestant Bible recognized? Episode 204 answers these questions and more! Article 4: The Canonical BooksWe include in the Holy Scripture the two volumes of the Old and New Testaments. They are canonical books with which there can be no quarrel at all. In the churc...

The second of six Articles focusing on God's Revelation, and specifically the Scripture. Here we discuss how we have received God's Word, and recognize it as both Holy and Divine. Article 3: The Written Word of God We confess that this Word of God was not sent nor delivered “by human will,” but that “men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God,” as Peter says. Afterward our God— with spe...

While Article 1 confesses the reality of God, Article 2 starts to explore how we come to know this God. Scripture and the Confession point to two books telling us of who God is, Creation and His Word. Article 2: The Means by Which We Know God We know God by two means: First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe, since that universe is before our eyes like a beautiful book...

The Belgic Confession begins with a declaration of who God is. We discuss what the confessions means when it says He is a "simple Being," and then explore ten of His attributes that it focuses on. Article 1: The Only GodWe all believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that there is a single and simple spiritual being, whom we call God— eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, unchangeable, in...

Our hosts share about an upcoming training opportunity in West Michigan. For more details, or to register, check out the Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/our-three-forms-of-unity-tickets-1050672167737?msockid=3c83194c9de6682f223b0bcc9c986909 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threeformspodcast.subst...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit threeformspodcast.substack.com

In this final Lord's Day, we consider our three sworn enemies, the aim of our prayers being God's glory, and our assurance that our God not only hears but answers our prayers! Lord’s Day 52 Q & A 127 Q. What does the sixth petition mean? A. “And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one” means: By ourselves we are too weak to hold our own even for a moment. And our swor...

Dave Ramsey encourages us to pay off our debts, but spiritually, we all have debt to the Lord that we can not pay. Yet, He has graciously forgiven our debt, and expects us to now live in forgiveness. Lord’s Day 51 Q & A 126 Q. What does the fifth petition mean? A. “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” means: Because of Christ’s blood, do not hold against us, poor sinners tha...

While the Lord's Prayer starts with several lofty and spiritual requests, the 4th request shows us that our Lord cares about both our bodies and souls. In fact, the two are closely related! Lord’s Day 50 Q & A 125 Q. What does the fourth petition mean? A. “Give us this day our daily bread” means: Do take care of all our physical needs so that we come to know that you are the only source of everyth...

What is the most dangerous request to pray for? How earnestly and diligently are we seeking and working to see God's Kingdom come? These are some of the questions we explore in today's episode. Lord’s Day 49 Q & A 124 Q. What does the third petition mean? A. “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” means: Help us and all people to reject our own wills and to obey your will without any back...

What Kingdom are we focused upon? Whose kingdom are we seeking to promote or build? What wars against the kingdom of God, and how do we rightly oppose it? We explore these questions and more today! Lord’s Day 48 Q & A 123 Q. What does the second petition mean? A. “Your kingdom come” means: Rule us by your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to you. Preserve your church and m...

The first request of the Lord's Prayer is that God's name would be glorified! To faithfully do this, we must know who our God is, how he has revealed himself, and avoid being glory thieves. Lord’s Day 47 Q & A 122 Q. What does the first petition mean? A. “Hallowed be your name” means: Help us to truly know you, to honor, glorify, and praise you for all your works and for all that shines forth from...

At the very beginning of our prayer, we are instructed to recognize both the immanence and transcendence of our God, as we pray to him as our father, while being reminded of his heavenly abode. Lord’s Day 46 Q & A 120Q. Why did Christ command us to call God “our Father”? A. To awaken in us at the very beginning of our prayer what should be basic to our prayer—a childlike reverence and trust that t...

Today we begin the final section of the Heidelberg Catechism, which focuses on the most important part of our thanksgiving, prayer! Why do we pray if God is in control of everything? How does God use our prayers? Lord’s Day 45 Q & A 116 Q. Why do Christians need to pray? A. Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness God requires of us. And also because God gives his grace and Ho...