Reformed Forum

Latest Episodes:

Typology and Jehoiachin Jun 07, 2013

Show notes

We welcome Matthew Patton to the program to speak about the nature and use of typology using Jehoiachin as an extended example. Mr. Patton is Visiting Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College and a PhD candidate in Old Testament at the Wheaton Graduate School. This Mr. Patton’s second time visiting Christ the Center, having spoken with us previously about restoration prophecy in Ezra-Nehemiah.

Participants: Adam York, Camden Bucey, Matthew Patton, Nick Batzig

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

Better Than the Beginning: Creation in Biblical Perspective Jun 05, 2013

Show notes

Jim Cassidy reviews Better Than the Beginning: Creation in Biblical Perspective by Richard Barcellos.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy

Genesis 2:8-15 — A Garden In Eden Jun 03, 2013

Show notes

On Today’s episode we discuss the garden of Eden and the description given to it in Genesis 2:8-15. We discuss how the garden motif found in Genesis 2 permeates the rest of Scripture. Also, we consider how the garden imagery is used within Scripture to describe God’s dwelling place among His people. We discuss similarities and polemical differences between the garden elements in Scripture and in Ancient Near Eastern writings. Finally we discuss Adam’s place in the garden and his priestly duty to “guard and keep” God’s garden.

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

The Early Text of the New Testament May 31, 2013

Show notes

Today we welcome Dr. Michael J. Kruger to speak about New Testament textual criticism and the early text of the New Testament. Dr. Kruger has co-edited an excellent book with Dr. Charles E. Hill, titled The Early Text of the New Testament and published by Oxford University Press.

The book aims to examine and assess from our earliest extant sources the most primitive state of the New Testament text now known. What sort of changes did scribes make to the text? What is the quality of the text now at our disposal? What can we learn about the nature of textual transmission in the earliest centuries? In addition to exploring the textual and scribal culture of early Christianity, this volume explores the textual evidence for all the sections of the New Testament. It also examines the evidence from the earliest translations of New Testament writings and the citations or allusions to New Testament texts in other early Christian writers.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Michael Kruger, Nick Batzig

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

In Defense of the Descent May 29, 2013

Show notes

In this episode, Carlton Wynne reviews In Defense of the Descent by Daniel Hyde. In the book, Hyde seeks to explain and defend an orthodox understanding the Apostles’ Creed when it claims that Christ “descended into hell.” Hyde analyzes this controversial claim, bringing valuable light to this long confessed doctrine. He presents the arguments raised against the descent clause, discusses the various understanding of it throughout church history, explains how the Reformed churches have adopted it, and demonstrated the benefits of retaining it as a point of our Christian confession today.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne

Covenant Solidarity May 24, 2013

Show notes

Chris Brauns visits Christ the Center to speak about covenant solidarity through his book Bound Together: How We Are Tied to Others in Good and Bad Choices published by Zondervan. Chris is the pastor of The Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley, Illinois and has also written Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds, an excellent treatment and call to return to a biblical conception of forgiveness.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Chris Brauns, David Filson

Trinity and Organism May 22, 2013

Show notes

Rev. Carlton Wynne reviews Trinity and Organism: Towards a New Reading of Herman Bavinck’s Organic Motif by James Eglinton and published by T&T Clark. Eglinton demonstrates how Herman Bavinck connected doctrines such as Christology, general and special revelation, ecclesiology. Carlton recently reviewed the book in The Westminster Theological Journal.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne

The Polemical Theology of the Old Testament May 17, 2013

Show notes

Scholars disagree on the relationship between portions of the Old Testament and similar ancient Near Eastern accounts. Many believe Moses simply plagiarized material from existing literature. In this episode, we welcome Dr. John Currid to speak about his book Against the Gods: The Polemical Theology of the Old Testament. In this book, Dr. Currid questions the higher critical trend by highlighting the highly polemical nature of Moses’ writings. From the Genesis creation account to the story of Israel’s exodus from Egypt, Currid shows how the biblical author’s continually emphasized the futility of paganism in contrast with the unparalleled worldview of the Hebrews.

Dr. Currid is the Carl MacMurray Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte. Prior to coming to RTS, he served as Associate Professor of Religion at Grove City College, as Byington Hebrew Teaching Fellow at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and as a member of the faculty at Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies in Jerusalem, Israel. Dr. Currid serves as Project Director of Bethsaida Excavations Project in Israel (1995-present). He lectures and preaches in many countries including Russia, Ukraine, Great Britain, Australia, and Brazil.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, John Currid

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 2:4-7 — Creation Expanded May 13, 2013

Show notes

In this episode of Proclaiming Christ we address the issue of whether there are two different creation accounts: one in chapter 1 and another in chapter 2. We discuss the covenant name of God which is introduced in chapter 2. We also reflect on the repeated use of the phrase “these are the generations of” which first appears in chapter 2 and provides a way of dividing the rest of the book. We also consider the description of the creation of man in chapter 2.

Participants: Adam York, Chad Bond, Mark A. Winder, Matt Cotta

Jonathan Edwards on Adam Before the Fall May 10, 2013

Show notes

The Christ the Center panel gather for an informal discussion about Jonathan Edwards and his treatment of the question of how Adam, who was created in righteousness and holiness and knowledge could ever fall into sin. Historically this has been a problematic issue and proves to be a challenge even to Edwards. Jeff Waddington has written a dissertation on Edwards’ anthropology as it pertains to apologetics, and one of the chapters deals specifically with this matter. Listen as we discuss this difficult issue.

Participants: Camden Bucey, David Filson, 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