This is the home of Reformed Forum’s podcasts—Christ-centered, confessionally Reformed conversations and teaching shaped by redemptive-historical theology. Warm, accessible, and theologically rigorous, our shows aim to equip the global Church toward maturity in Christ—helping listeners trace the unfolding story of redemption in Scripture and find trusted guides along the way.
Geerhardus Vos and the Covenant of Works
Oct 29, 2021
Show notes
Danny Olinger delivers an address at the 2021 Reformed Forum Theology Conference. The event was held October 8–9, 2021 at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas.
The conference theme was, “The Promise of Life: God’s Plan for His People in the Covenant of Works.” In contrast to Roman Catholic, modernist, and evangelical approaches, we explored a thoroughly Reformed understanding of God’s relationship to Adam as he was created. We learned how Jesus Christ ultimately brings us to the glorious future which God originally offered to Adam in the garden of Eden.
00:00:00 Introduction 00:04:46 Geerhardus Vos and the Covenant of Works 00:10:49 Summary in The Eschatology of the Psalter 00:16:20 Adam and Christ in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15 00:26:06 The Promise of Life in the Covenant of Works 00:41:28 The Nature and Destiny of Man 00:48:43 Reformed and Roman Catholic Theology 00:59:15 Theology from Genesis 2:16–17 01:02:22 The Sabbath Day 01:12:25 Conclusion
Nature, Grace, and Covenant: The Deeper Protestant Conception and Twentieth-Century Roman Catholicism
Oct 22, 2021
Show notes
The beatific vision (1 John 3:2) is the consummation of God’s relationship with his people. While Christians of all traditions acknowledge this blessed future to some degree, there are significant differences as to how it all works out. The Reformed tradition has understood this future and its genesis in terms of a covenantal relationship between God and Adam.
If you have listened much to our podcasts or courses at Reformed Forum, you likely have heard us discuss “the deeper Protestant conception.” This is a phrase first used by Geerhardus Vos in his Reformed Dogmatics. It involves the notion that man originally was created good yet with an eschatological purpose. Even before the fall into sin, Adam was intended to advance to a higher, more glorious, eschatological life with God in heavenly places. Elsewhere, this is captured in the phrase, “eschatology precedes soteriology.”
Yet developments in Roman Catholic theology throughout the end of the nineteenth century and into the twentieth century gave rise to a movement that also advocates for eschatology preceding soteriology and a dismantling of the traditional dualistic separation of nature and grace.
In this address, Camden Bucey traces the historical developments of Roman Catholic theology in the twentieth century. In so doing, we may deepen our understanding of the already deeper Protestant conception while improving our ability to represent the diversity of Catholic thought leading up to and following the Second Vatican Council.
This address was delivered at our 2021 Theology Conference held at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas.
Chapter Markers
00:00:00 Introduction 00:05:22 Nature, Grace, and Covenant 00:11:01 Basic Features of the Covenant of Works 00:18:42 The Deeper Protestant Conception 00:31:43 Twentieth-Century Developments in Catholicism 00:40:03 Henri de Lubac’s Proposal 00:45:57 Karl Rahner’s Response 00:50:22 Understanding Merit in Relation to Nature, Grace, and Covenant 00:57:40 Twentieth-Century Catholicism and the Reformed Tradition 01:10:55 Conclusion
Theological Education in Foreign Missions
Oct 15, 2021
Show notes
In this episode, several OPC missionaries discuss theological education in foreign mission fields. Douglas Clawson is associate general secretary for the OPC’s Committee on Foreign Missions. Charles Jackson serves as a missionary in Uganda, and Mike serves in East Asia. Each of these ministers speaks about their experience in training officers for the building up of indigenous churches, sharing the joys, struggles, and present needs in various fields.
The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2: The Christian and the Monster
Oct 12, 2021
Show notes
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue a discussion of John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2. In this episode, we discuss what the Pilgrims’ learn about Mr. Not-Right as well as some more about Mr. Feeble-mind. What a great character Mr. Feeble-mind is for us to learn from. All of this on their way to Vanity Fair where they stay for a time on the outskirts of the city with Mr. Mnason where we also learn of the small Christian community in Vanity Fair; some of whom we meet are Mr. Contrite, Mr. Holy-man, Mr. Love-saint, Mr. Dare-me-to-lie, and Mr. Penitent. It’s while staying near Vanity that we meet the Monster, the beast, stealing the children of the city. Great-heart mortally wounds this beast.
Dr. Benjamin L. Gladd, Associate Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, speaks about his new Handbook on the Gospels. This book is part of a series edited by Dr. Gladd and published by Baker Academic, which covers the entirety of the New Testament in three volumes. Neither becoming preoccupied with the minutiae of the text nor losing sight of the big picture, Gladd’s handbook address the content of the gospels thoroughly yet in an accessible and compelling manner.
The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2: From Supper to Slaying
Oct 05, 2021
Show notes
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue a discussion of John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2. In this episode, we discuss the Pilgrims’ conversation around the dinner table and afterward and the value of good, godly conversations. After supper, the family (and Great-heart, of course) goes out to slay another giant, Giant Slay-good. What’s better than eating and drinking with good discussion and then off to slay wickedness! And, congratulations to Mercy and Matthew, Phoebe and James, now married after a month of hospitality from Gaius.
Vos Group #72 — Collective National Sin and the Corruption of Ritual Worship
Oct 01, 2021
Show notes
Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 264–266 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to consider the collective sin of the nation during the time of the prophets. Vos speaks particularly of the prophet Amos, and his indictment of false worship practices among the people.
The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2: Mr. Self-will and Gaius
Sep 28, 2021
Show notes
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue a discussion of John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress, Book 2. In this episode, we discuss the Pilgrims’ another story from old Mr. Honest about Mr. Self-will, who believed “that a man might follow the Vices as well as the Virtues of the Pilgrims; and that if he did both, he should be certainly saved.” We also meet the honorable disciple, Gaius, who shows great hospitality to the travelers with a refreshing meal cooked by Taste-that-which-is-Good, which is thus far the best name of any character in Pilgrim’s Progress. And, congratulations to Mercy and Matthew, now engaged to be married.
Supporting Diaconal Ministry
Sep 24, 2021
Show notes
David Nakhla speaks about the work of deacons and how the Orthodox Presbyterian Church is working to assist the diaconate in its labors for Christ’s church. Mr. Nakhla is the administrator for the OPC’s Committee on Diaconal Ministries and the Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response Coordinator.
Hosea prophesied that God would call his son out of Egypt. Of course, that was long after the Exodus. But here in Chapter 11 the Exodus serves as a motif for God’s redeeming grace. It recalled the Exodus as a foreshadow of Israel’s restoration from exile. Unfortunately, the restoration fell short of the great expectation Israel had for the fulfillment of God’s promises to the patriarchs. The day when God called his Son out of Egypt would ultimately arrive in Christ, the true Son and faithful Israel of God. He was called out of Egypt after he fled there to escape Herod’s deadly grasp. And so we, in our union with Christ, are sons of the living God who have been redeemed and called out of the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of his Son.
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