Reformed Forum

Latest Episodes:

Polemical Theology Aug 28, 2015

Show notes

We celebrate the four-hundredth episode with our founders. Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey recorded the first episode of Christ the Center in January 2008, and now they gather around the virtual roundtable again to discuss the purpose of polemical theology. Polemics is often viewed as form of degenerate theologizing—something unloving and sub-Christian. Nonetheless, when done out of faith, polemics is vital to the life and health of the church.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” (2 Corinthians 10:3–6 ESV) Responding to such a charge necessarily entails a proper polemical theology.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy

Van Til’s Common Grace and the Gospel Aug 21, 2015

Show notes

Today we speak with Dr. K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania about Cornelius Van Til’s book Common Grace and the Gospel (P&R Publishing). Dr. Oliphint has annotated a new edition of Van Til’s important work. In the trajectory of other recently annotated volumes of Van Til, such as The Defense of the Faith and An Introduction to Systematic Theology, this edition will help readers to understand the ecclesiastical and theological context of Van Til’s work and its enduring value.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, K. Scott Oliphint

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 History and Legacy of the Huguenots Aug 14, 2015

Show notes

Dr. William Edgar details the French Reformation and the Huguenots, connecting it through history in order to teach us about God’s plan for his church amidst struggle. Dr. Edgar is Professor of Apologetics and John Boyer Chair of Evangelism and Culture at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also serves as president of The Huguenot Fellowship, a non-profit organization committed to supporting the Reformation heritage in the French-speaking world.

Links

Christ the Center episode 196, La théologie Réformée en France
The Huguenot Fellowship

Participants: Adam York, Camden Bucey, William Edgar

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

Genesis 6:14–22 — Noah’s Ark Aug 11, 2015

Show notes

In this episode we discuss God’s command to Noah to build an ark. What is the theological significance of the ark itself? We discuss this matter as well as how Noah’s family was included in this covenant. We also consider how the New Testament regards this episode as a kind of baptism.

Participants: Adam York, Mark A. Winder, Mark Jenkins, Robert Arendale

Vos Group #18 — Jacob and Election Aug 07, 2015

Show notes

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 93–95 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to learn about the patriarch Jacob and election.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

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

The Pastor Theologian Jul 31, 2015

Show notes

On this episode we welcome Gerald Hiestand to speak about the pastor theologian. Gerald serves as Senior Associate Pastor of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Illinois and Executive Director for the Center for Pastor Theologians. Along with Todd Wilson, Hiestand has co-authored The Pastor Theologian: Resurrecting an Ancient Vision (Zondervan), in which they offer a new taxonomy of pastor theologians: local theologian, popular theologian, and ecclesial theologian. The latter is the authors’ core contribution and concern in this book as they seek to detail a type of theologian and theology that occurs in the immediate context of the Church and for the sake of the Church.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Gerald Hiestand, Jim Cassidy

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

Genesis 6:9–13 — Noah: Righteous and Blameless in his Generation Jul 28, 2015

Show notes

In this episode we discuss Genesis 6:9–13. We consider how to select a sermon pericope using this passage as an example. We also consider what it means for Noah to be considered righteous and blameless in his generation—a generation of violence. Likewise, we discuss what it meant for Noah to walk with God and that God brought Noah into his council.

Participants: Adam York, Mark A. Winder, Mark Jenkins, Robert Arendale

Jesus Christ as Apologist Jul 24, 2015

Show notes

Brian DeJong takes us to Jesus Christ as Lord as well as the preeminent practitioner of apologetics. Listen to this important conversation on an underdeveloped topic. Rev. De Jong is pastor of Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and currently serves as the chairman of the Candidates and Credentials Committee for the OPC’s Presbytery of the Midwest. His article, “Lord Defender: Jesus Christ as Apologist,” published in Ordained Servant,is an excellent treatment of Jesus’ apologetic example and an important call-to-action that Reformed apologists would devote time and attention to studying this topic.

Participants: Brian De Jong, Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne

The Incarnation of God Jul 17, 2015

Show notes

Marcus Peter Johnson joins us once again to talk about Christology and soteriology. With his colleague Dr. John C. Clark, Dr. Johnson has co-authored The Incarnation of God: The Mystery of the Gospel as the Foundation of Evangelical Theology (Crossway). Johnson and Clark examine the doctrine of the incarnation and its implications fro the church’s knowledge and worship of God, understanding of salvation, and approach to the Christian life. Be sure also to listen to our previous conversations with Dr. Johnson regarding his book One with Christ: An Evangelical Theology of Salvation (Crossway).

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Jim Cassidy, Marcus Johnson

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

Newton on the Christian Life Jul 10, 2015

Show notes

Tony Reinke joins us to speak about Newton on the Christian Life: To Live Is Christ, a new book in Crossway’s Theologians on the Christian Life series. Newton was a brilliant letter writer, and his vision for the Christian life shines brightly in these personal correspondences to friends and the people of his congregation. Listen as Tony Reinke unfolds this miraculous life in order to demonstrate fully the grace and truth of our savior Jesus Christ. Tony is a staff writer and researcher for desiringGod.org. He has also written Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books. You can follow Tony on Twitter and read his updates regarding his several other writing projects.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Tony Reinke

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