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Vos Group #31 — The Third and Fourth Words Dec 02, 2016

Show notes

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 137–143 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the third and fourth commandments. The third commandment prohibits taking the Lord’s name in vain. Often, this is interpreted to mean we must not swear by the Lord’s name or blaspheme it. While these are certainly things we must not do, Vos communicates a much deeper understanding of the commandment that pertains to the pagan practice of word-magic. He also introduces a rich eschatological view of Sabbath rest.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

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

The Book of Revelation – Part 9 Nov 25, 2016

Show notes

In episode 49, Rob and Bob discuss chapter 9 of the Book of Revelation.

There are many religions in this world and they all claim to offer truth. The Pharisees claimed to be the children of God subjects of His Kingdom but the reality was they rejected both God Himself and His Kingdom. What does this have to do with us today, most of the people that we talk with are not Jewish religious leaders? Why are there locusts being sent out into the world and what are angels doing in a river?

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

Christ and Culture: Marriage as a Biblical Test-Case Nov 25, 2016

Show notes

Marcus Mininger is Associate Professor in New Testament Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana. Today he joins us to speak about his article, “Eschatology and Protology, Christ and Culture: Marriage as a Biblical Test-Case” MAJT 25 (2014): 117–140. The substance of this article was first delivered as a lecture at Mid-America’s Alumni Conference on April 9, 2014. The relationship between Christ and culture has elicited many different responses within the Reformed tradition. Mininger offers an insightful way to consider the matter through typology and a redemptive-historical consideration of creation.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Marcus Mininger

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

The Reformed Church in Latvia Nov 18, 2016

Show notes

Mark Vander Hart and Cornelis P. Venema join us to speak about the Reformed church in Latvia. Mark Vander Hart is Associate Professor of Old Testament Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Cornelis Venema is President and Professor of Doctrinal Studies. Both men have taught at Baltic Reformed Seminary in Riga, Latvia.

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Participants: Camden Bucey, Cornelis Venema, Mark Vander Hart

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

The Book of Revelation – Part 8 Nov 11, 2016

Show notes

In episode 48, Rob and Bob discuss chapter 8 of the Book of Revelation.

There is something that I love about submarines. It amazes me that a metal tube filled with people can dive to depths that try their best to crush them. It amazes me. The captain of a submarine is charged with piloting this machine blind. He has maps, sonar, computers but he still must decide how far, at what degree, when to turn and at what depth he needs to maneuver at. In order to perform these maneuvers, he must tell those who steer the ship at what degree and what angle the sub needs to be at. He will talk with the engine room to change speeds. The sailors that are making these changes never know why they are making them. They can’t see out the window so they don’t know what they are trying to avoid. In the end it is the faith in the ability of the captain that keeps them calm. In Revelation chapter 8 we are given vivid descriptions regarding the judgment of God that He is unleashing on the earth. John must have been terrified. If we go through life and take our eyes off of the fact that the Kingdom of God is being built by King Jesus we will react to disasters with greater fear. We don’t see what God is doing and why He is doing it, but one of the great comforts of the book of Revelation is that we do not need to know why God is doing what He is doing, we just need to be obedient to His word and trust Him. But this passage can still be very troubling. Where did these trumpets come from? Why is blood mixed with incense and do Eagles usually talk?

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

By His Spirit and Word: How Christ Builds His Church Nov 11, 2016

Show notes

Cornelis P. Venema joins us to speak about his book By His Spirit and Word: How Christ Builds His Church (Reformed Fellowship, Inc.). Venema engages in an extended exposition on the doctrine of the church and its ministry as described in the historic confessions and catechisms of the Reformation churches. These confessions emphasize the church’s indispensability to the salvation of believers, for the triune God’s redemptive mission is principally effected through the ministry of the church. Dr. Venema is President and Professor of Doctrinal Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Cornelis Venema

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

The Book of Revelation – Part 7 Nov 04, 2016

Show notes

In episode 47, your hosts, Rob and Bob, discuss chapter 7 of the Book of Revelation.

If like most people you are listening to the radio when you drive you know that usually at the top and bottom of the hour there will be a news update. Usually this will bring tension just to hear that familiar opening music. It doesn’t help that the news media know that if they present everything as potentially life threatening they will get your attention, which is why according to the news media everything from your toothpaste to tomatoes is going to kill you. But we are also reminded everyday of every natural and manmade disaster that is taking place around the world. Floods, fires, wars, rumors of wars, provide the negatively fueled news media an ample supply of stories to terrify us with. When Jesus used the example of a tower that had fallen over and killed people He used an example that everyone knew. The fall of this tower was the talk of the town and seems to have been used to teach unrighteous people that unless they repent they will suffer a similar fate. But Jesus redirected the thinking. Instead of seeing this as sinners getting what they deserved, Jesus made it clear that the people who died were just as guilty as the people that He was talking with. Jesus is highlighting to those listening, and to us that we will all die. We all will suffer the same fate. Jesus was pointing to the repentance through Faith that leads to life that is the only way to escape everlasting death. When a volcano explodes or there is a large flood or earthquake not to mention wars where lots of people die, some will be Christians and some will be unbelievers. So how should we look at these tragedies? Were they God’s judgments? Were they persecutions? Was it something that is outside the control of God? Are there only 144,000 people that will be safe from these kinds of events?

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

Vos Group #30 — The Decalogue: The Second Word Nov 04, 2016

Show notes

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 135–137 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the Decalogue and the second commandment.

¹ And God spoke all these words, saying, ² “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. ³ “You shall have no other gods before me. ⁴ “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. ⁵ You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶ but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:1–6, ESV)

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

The Unfinished Reformation Oct 28, 2016

Show notes

We speak with Gregg Allison and Chris Castaldo about their excellent book The Unfinished Reformation: What Unites and Divides Catholics and Protestants after 500 Years (Zondervan, 2016). Rev. Dr. Allison is Professor of Christian Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Rev. Dr. Castaldo serves as Lead Pastor of New Covenant Church in Naperville, Illinois. We are driven to ask, Why are we accepted by God? In the final analysis, it must be Christ’s person and work and his imputed righteousness to sinners. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone. It depends solely on Christ and not anything we do.

Episodes of Christ the Center

Roman Catholic Theology and Practice with Gregg Allison
Speaking with Catholics about the Gospel with Chris Castaldo

Books by Allison and Castaldo

Allison, Roman Catholic Theology and Practice: An Evangelical Assessment
Allison, Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine
Castaldo, Talking with Catholics about the Gospel
Castaldo, Holy Ground: Walking with Jesus as a Former Catholic

Participants: Adam York, Camden Bucey, Chris Castaldo, Gregg Allison, Jeff Waddington

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

The Book of Revelation – Part 6 Oct 21, 2016

Show notes

In Episode 46 we continue our new series on the Book of Revelation.

Your hosts, Rob and Bob, discuss the Book of Revelation chapter 6.

The second vision of the Book of Revelation show us that Jesus is King and reigns supreme over all. The Lord wants his people to know his love in Christ. That, even though there our troubles in varying degrees through the course of human history, he upholds his people in life and in death. In chapter 6, the second vision continues, the seal are opened and the four horsemen. What do these horsemen mean? What is it that they bring to the earth? How do all of these things bless Christ’s church?

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

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