Reformed Forum

Latest Episodes:

Robert Boyle, Christianity, and Science Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

In the latest episode of Christ the Center, we explore the fascinating intersection of science, faith, and philosophy through the life and contributions of Robert Boyle, the seventeenth-century chemist often dubbed the father of modern chemistry. Our guest, Dr. Edward B. Davis, Professor Emeritus of the History of Science at Messiah University, shares his extensive knowledge on Boyle’s experiments, the development of Boyle’s Law, and the broader implications of Boyle’s work on the relationship between emerging scientific disciplines and religious thought. We also delve into the historical context of Boyle’s era, his influence on the mechanical philosophy, and how his devout Anglican faith shaped his understanding of the natural world. Listen as we explore the complex relationship of how scientific inquiry and religious belief have related throughout history.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:02:00 Christianity and History of Science
00:12:45 The Philosophical and Methodological Awareness of Scientists
00:18:52 Gaining Humility through Historical Perspective
00:25:02 Robert Boyle in Historical Context
00:37:28 Boyle’s Scientific Pursuits
00:41:57 Robert Boyle and James Ussher
00:44:03 Natural Philosophy
00:51:33 Boyle’s Views Contrasted with Deism
00:54:24 Boyle’s Contributions
00:59:13 Dr. Davis’ Scholarship on Boyle
01:03:41 Researching Boyle
01:08:13 Reading Dr. Davis’ articles
01:10:21 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Edward B. Davis

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Psalm 5 — Christian Hatred Nov 08, 2023

Show notes

What is a Christian to do with the imprecatory Psalms? Are they to be read and sung today, and if so, with what understanding? Jim Cassidy talks about how to situate the Psalms within their redemptive-historical context, instead of reading them in the abstract.

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

After recording a course on the subject for Reformed Academy, Dr. Carlton Wynne comes to the podcast studio to discuss John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion. Topics covered include Calvin’s theology, the right ordering of knowledge, general and special revelation, the effects of the fall on human reasoning, natural theology, and comparisons to the thought of Thomas Aquinas and Cornelius Van Til. Carlton also shares about his experience as a pastor-theologian and his talk on maintaining true religion in a modernist world at the recent Reformation Worship Conference. The conversation touches on the legacy of J. Gresham Machen and the need for the church to guard the good deposit of faith.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction
00:05:41 Introduction to Carlton’s Course on Calvin’s Institutes
00:13:56 The Church and the Academy
00:20:58 Approaching a Course on the Institutes
00:30:30 The Natural Knowledge of God
00:37:52 Natural Theology, Ethics, and “Formal” Truth
00:49:48 The Reformation Worship Conference
00:57:28 Machen 2.0
01:10:39 Calvin and the Threefold Office of Mediator
01:12:52 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne

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Christ the Center 1000 Live in Austin, TX

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What is the Future of Israel? Part 2 Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue their discussion of the future of Israel? With geopolitical affairs in the Middle East as they are currently and the end times speculations that arise and questions as to how Christians should think of the nation-state of Israel, we discuss the promises regarding the land of Israel, Israel as a nation, the promises to Abraham and his seed, that is Christ, and Romans 11.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

Elect Exiles in 1 Peter 1:1–2 | Reformed Forum Update Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

Ryan Noha and Camden Bucey offer an update regarding several projects and initiatives at Reformed Forum including the launch of Kevin Chiarot’s course on 1 Peter. We include the first lesson of the course, which is available for free on reformedforum.org and on YouTube.

In the first lesson, Dr. Chiarot teaches on the elect exiles Peter addresses in 1 Peter 1:1–2. Rev. Dr. Kevin Chiarot is pastor of Westminster PCA in Rock Tavern, New York.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
02:50 Carlton Wynne on Calvin’s Institutes
04:50 Reformed Academy
07:43 Update on Publishing and Other Work
13:42 Course Translations
16:46 Debrief on the Annual Conference
19:51 Continuing Education Certification
22:26 Looking Ahead
28:13 Kevin Chiarot’s New Course on 1 Peter
30:51 Elect Exiles in 1 Peter
52:29 Final Thoughts
54:22 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Ryan Noha

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

What is the Future of Israel? Part 1 Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the future of Israel? With geopolitical affairs in the Middle East as they are currently and the end times speculations that arise and questions as to how Christians should think of the nation-state of Israel, we consider some history, some dispensational views, and some Reformed views.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

**Machen’s Enduring Significance | Unfolding Redemption** Oct 20, 2023
Show notes

Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey reflect on the recent Reformed Forum Theology Conference on J. Gresham Machen’s *Christianity and Liberalism* before turning to a discussion of their new booklet, *Unfolding Redemption: Exploring the History and Order of Salvation*.

Chapters

00:00:07 Introduction

00:03:35 Reflecting on the 2023 Reformed Forum Conference

00:08:27 Machen and Denominational History

00:17:02 The Church and Culture

00:28:09 The History and Order of Salvation

00:35:41 The Unchanging Person of the Son

00:42:29 Jesus Declared to Be the Son of God in Power

00:55:05 The Benefits of Adoption

01:07:44 Conclusion

Unfolding Redemption: Exploring the History and Order of Salvation (10-Pack) $49.99 Add to cart
Unfolding Redemption: Exploring the History and Order of Salvation $9.99 Add to cart

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton
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**Christ the Center 1000 Live in Austin, TX**
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William Jennings Bryan, the Round Table Club, and Religious Freedom Oct 13, 2023

Show notes

Richard Gamble and Jeff McDonald join us again. On this episode, McDonald introduces several significant points about William Jennings Bryan, including his early life and upbringing in a strong evangelical tradition, his belief that schools and universities posed a problem to religious freedom, and his concern that students could be led away from faith into unbelief if they fell under the influence of mind worshipers. He also notes Bryan’s political career and his advocacy for economic and religious freedom, as well as his influence on the Democratic party and his ongoing relevance to current political issues.

Jeffrey McDonald is a Presbyterian minister, historian, and author of John Gerstner and the Renewal of Presbyterian and Reformed Evangelicalism in Modern America (Wipf & Stock, 2017).

Richard M. Gamble is Professor of History and holds the Anna Margaret Ross Alexander Chair in History and Politics at Hillsdale College.

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
02:40 The Presbyterian Scholars Conference
10:27 William Jennings Bryan
18:48 Misconceptions about Bryan
22:05 Bryan’s Background
26:49 The Round Table Club
32:30 Concerns Regarding Religious Freedom and Education
37:11 Responding to Secularism
39:04 Machen and Libertarianism
41:11 Surprising Findings about Bryan
50:17 Bryan as a Nebraskan
53:26 Learning from Bryan
58:17 Conclusion

Books

Jeffrey S. McDonald, “Advancing the Evangelical Mind: Melvin Grove Kyle, J. Gresham Machen, and the League of Evangelical Students”
Richard M. Gamble, A Fiery Gospel: The Battle Hymn of the Republic and the Road to Righteous War (Religion and American Public Life)
Richard M. Gamble, The War for Righteousness: Progressive Christianity, the Great War, and the Rise of the Messianic Nation. Wilmington, DE: ISI Books, 2003.
Richard M. Gamble, The Great Tradition: Classic Readings on What It Means to be an Educated Human Being. Wilmington, DE: ISI Books, 2007.
Richard M. Gamble, In Search of the City on a Hill: The Making and Unmaking of an American Myth. New York: Continuum/Bloomsbury, 2012.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff McDonald, Richard M. Gamble

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

Summary of Christian Doctrine: Conversion: Repentance & Faith, Part 1 Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. We turn to chapter XX, “Conversion: Repentance & Faith.” This week we discuss how Berkhof addresses the doctrine of conversion.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

The Importance of Cornelius Van Til for Today Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

Camden Bucey recently lectured on “The Importance of Van Til for Today” for the OPC’s Presbytery of Michigan and Ontario at Harvest OPC in Wyoming, MI. Jim Cassidy and Camden discuss the main points of the lecture before we turn to a recording of the lecture and its accompanying Q&A session.

Cornelius Van Til (1895–1987) has shaped the field of Reformed apologetics, drawing upon the strengths of Old Amsterdam and Old Princeton. But his impact extends beyond apologetics, affecting broader theological discussions and the identity of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. In this lecture, we explore the enduring relevance of Van Til’s work and thought, analyzing his theological contributions against the backdrop of his historical context while tracing their resonance in our own.

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