Reformed Forum

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Simeon’s Gift Dec 28, 2017

Show notes

Today on Theology Simply Profound, we hear a sermon preached at the evening service of Westminster OPC, December 24, 2017, reflecting on Simeon’s reception of Jesus in Luke 2.

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

Epistemology, Antithesis, and Revelation in the Book of Proverbs Dec 22, 2017

Show notes

In this episode, Rev. Andrew Compton, Assistant Professor of Old Testament Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, speaks about the book of Proverbs. While many have approached Proverbs as a source for personal guidance or a collection of general life lessons, Compton argues that Proverbs possesses a canonical awareness and presents itself as the divinely inspired source of true wisdom, as well as the infallible norm for the wisdom of God, against which all other so-called “wisdom” must be tested.

Participants: Andrew Compton, Camden Bucey

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Christ the Center 1000 Live in Austin, TX

Christ the Center 1000 Summit

Christ the Center 1000

Christ the Center 1000 Summit

2nd Annual Christmas Special Dec 19, 2017

Show notes

Today, on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob enjoy a mostly lighthearted discussion about Christmas, including favorite Christmas cartoons, the question: “When does the Christmas ‘mood’ get started?”, the commercialization of the Christmas season, and on a slightly less humorous note, whether angels really do sing. First, though, we take a moment to remember and reflect upon the ministry of R. C. Sproul. Merry Christmas.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

Warfield and True Church Unity Dec 15, 2017

Show notes

Jeff Stivason joins us to speak about his article, “Benjamin B. Warfield and True Church Unity,” published in the Westminster Theological Journal 79 (2017): 327–43. He argues that Warfield developed a theology that requires the existence of denominations. Jeff is pastor of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPCNA) in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania and has joined us previously to speak about Warfield on the mode of inspiration.

Abstract

This article examines Benjamin B. Warfield’s view of church unity. Though the research explores the entire corpus of Warfield’s body of work, the primary exploration encompasses the exegesis of two articles that are almost identical and yet separated by fourteen years, “True Church Unity: What It Is,” and “Christian Unity and Church Union; Some Primary Principles.” The teaching of these writings substantiate the following claim: the progressive and constructive nature of Warfield’s understanding of theology requires the existence of denominations. The article proceeds in the following manner. First, the research focuses on Warfield’s understanding of what church unity was not according to the apostolic church. Second, having understood the unity in the negative, the article moves on to observe the ground and nature of ecclesiastical unity in the apostolic church as understood by Warfield. The third point explores the progressive and constructive nature of systematic theology and how it applies to Warfield’s understanding of ecclesiastical unity. In this point, the idea of unity and the legitimacy of denominational separation is explored and substantiated from Warfield’s perspective. The fourth and final point gives attention to the minimalism that has the power to eclipse the church’s visible unity. In particular, the failure to engage in theological inquiry grounded upon the Scriptures will hinder and even destroy the unity of the church.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Stivason, Jeff Waddington

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

Christ the Center 1000 Summit

Christ the Center 1000 Live in Austin, TX

Christ the Center 1000 Summit

Hermeneutics in Light of Christ’s Relationship to His Body Dec 08, 2017

Show notes

Matthew Patton speaks about Augustine’s hermeneutical principle totus Christus, which recognizes an interpretive role for the Church in that the “whole Christ” (head and body) serves as the eschatological fulfillment of the Old Testament. Dr. Patton delivered a paper titled, “Totus Christus as Hermeneutical Key for a Christian Reading of Jeremiah,” at the 2017 National Convention of the Evangelical Theological Society. Rev. Dr. Patton is the pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Vandalia, Ohio. Dr. Patton is the author of Deuteronomy: A 12-Week Study in Crossway’s Knowing the Bible series.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Glen Clary, Jeff Waddington, Matthew Patton

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000 Live in Austin, TX

Christ the Center 1000 Summit

Christ the Center 1000

Christ the Center 1000 Summit

Should We Trust Philosophy? Dec 05, 2017

Show notes

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Paul’s preaching in Athens and the role of philosophy or worldview in our various interactions with the world around us. Is philosophy useful? What about worldview? Is there any connection between these things and evangelism?

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Vos Group #41 — The Meaning of Covering Dec 01, 2017

Show notes

We continue our #VosGroup series starting on page 166 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the meaning of covering. Vos focuses on the meaning of expiation and demonstrates how the blood of Jesus functions with reference to sin. God covers, takes away, and obliterates the sin of his elect.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Listening to the Truth Nov 29, 2017

Show notes

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the contrast between Paul’s reception at Thessalonica and Berea. In Thessalonica, there was jealousy and hostility. In Berea, there was an examination of the Scriptures. How are we to receive the word of God preached to us through our pastors?

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

December 2017 Book Update Nov 28, 2017

Show notes

Ryan Noha speaks about several rare books to be added to the Reformed Forum online store.

Jonathan Edwards on God’s Involvement in Creation Nov 24, 2017

Show notes

Jeff Waddington speaks about his chapter in the new festschrift for Vern Poythress, Redeeming the Life of the Mind (Crossway). Jeff’s chapter, titled, “Jonathan Edwards on God’s Involvement in Creation,” is an examination of “Miscellanies,” no. 1263. Jeff examines four theological and philosophical themes in Edwards’s doctrine: Trinitarian-theistic idealism, occasionalism, and continuous creation. A fourth element in Edwards’s understanding of God’s relation to creation is his apparent embrace of the analogia entis or chain of being.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

Christ the Center 1000 Summit

Christ the Center 1000 Live in Austin, TX

Christ the Center 1000 Summit