Reformed Forum

Latest Episodes:

Memorials and Resolutions Jan 05, 2021

Show notes

As we begin 2021 with our first episode, Rob and Bob reflect upon memorials, resolutions, and remembering in the Christian life.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

Highlights from 2020 Jan 01, 2021

Show notes

Since Christ the Center began nearly thirteen years ago, we have taken time to look back on the highlights of the year. Continuing the update to our tradition from last year, here this year’s top ten clips from Christ the Center as determined by YouTube views.

Ep. 633 – What Is Christendom? with David VanDrunen
Ep. 655 – 1689 Federalism and Reformed Covenant Theology with Jeremy Boothby
Ep. 638 – John Frame and Two Divine Existences with James Dolezal
Ep. 659 – Why Study Karl Barth? with Jim Cassidy
Ep. 633 – The Noahic Covenant with David VanDrunen
Ep. 630 – The Importance of Discourse Analysis with Matthew Patton
Ep. 641 – The Ancient Understanding of Baptism as Washing and Regeneration with Glen Clary
Ep. 629 – Abridged Bavinck with Carlton Wynne and Charles Williams
Ep. 666 – John Nelson Darby and Dispensationalism with Michael Glodo
Ep. 631 – What Is Public Theology? with Jordan Ballor

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Charles Williams, David VanDrunen, Glen Clary, James Dolezal, Jeff Waddington, Jeremy Boothby, Jim Cassidy, Jordan Ballor, Matthew Patton, Michael Glodo

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 Pilgrim’s Progress: The Interpreter’s House Dec 29, 2020

Show notes

As we look forward to walking through Part 2 of John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress, we repost our second episode from Part 1. Enjoy!

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue their journey through John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress. From the Wicket Gate, Christian encounters Good Will and Interpreter whose house has many rooms. Interpreter leads Christian from one room to another explaining what Christian sees along the way in this second stage of our discussion of this classic book. (first aired on November 13, 2018)

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

The Nativity Hymns in the Gospel of Luke Dec 25, 2020

Show notes

One of the highlights of the Christmas season is singing the Christmas hymns. Singing songs about the nativity of Jesus is one of the oldest traditions in the Christian church, and dates to the beginning of the New Testament church—even to the birth of Christ himself. Luke includes four such songs: Mary’s (1:46–55), Zechariah’s (1:68–79), Simeon’s (2:29–32), and the Angels’ (2:14).

In this episode, Glen Clary seeks to explain the redemptive-historical significance of the songs with reference to the temple cultus. These nativity canticles register a transition in the temple cultus from shadow to reality (type to antitype) in that they proclaim the arrival of the high priest of the heaven, who will bring the earthly temple cultus to its consummate fulfillment. They serve as a liturgical bridge between the old covenant and the new covenant and set the stage for the message of Luke, introducing significant theological themes developed in Luke-Acts.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Glen Clary

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 26:23–25 — God Alone Gives Peace Dec 23, 2020

Show notes

In Genesis 26, God confirms the covenant promise to Isaac—the heart of which is “I will be with you.” In this episode, we see how God not only keeps this promise to Isaac in the midst of conflict, but also how he continues to keep this promise to believers today, as we too journey through a hostile land, seeking peace through the gospel as we look to the land of promise where God will dwell with us perfectly.

Participants: Glen Clary, Mark A. Winder

The Pilgrim’s Progress: The Journey Continues Dec 22, 2020

Show notes

As we look forward to walking through Part 2 of John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress, we repost our first episode on Part 1. Enjoy!

This week on Theology Simply Profound, with some brief introductory remarks about reading fiction and allegory using J.R.R. Tolkien, Rob and Bob set out on a little journey of their own following Christian as he makes his way out of the City of Destruction toward the Wicket Gate with the help of Evangelist in this first stage of our new discussion of John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress. (first aired on November 6, 2018)

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

James Ussher and the Covenant of Works Dec 18, 2020

Show notes

Harrison Perkins discusses the theology and historical context of James Ussher with particular attention to the development of the confessional understanding of the covenant of works. Ussher was the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland between 1625 and 1656. He was a prolific scholar and significant church leader.

Perkins is the author of Catholicity and the Covenant of Works: James Ussher and the Reformed Tradition (Oxford University Press). In this book, he demonstrates how Ussher used the covenant of works to inform many of the most important features of his theology. While the covenant of works is most closely identified with the Reformed tradition, Perkins makes the case that when the interconnectedness of the various doctrines is explained, there is a deep catholicity undergirding it. Ussher constructed his understanding of the covenant from traditional teachings that he appropriated from the ancient and medieval church.

Perkins is pastor of London City Presbyterian Church in London and lecturer at Edinburgh Seminary in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Glen Clary, Harrison Perkins

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

Special Request for Prayer Dec 17, 2020

Show notes

On this special episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob ask that you pray for Dr. Benjamin L. Gladd, associate professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, as well as his family. We also briefly discuss how the fruit of the Spirit helps in our times of personal disaster.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

A Very Socially Distanced Christmas! Dec 15, 2020

Show notes

For the 5th Annual Christmas Special of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob wish you a very sanitized and socially distanced Christmas 2020.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

Herman Bavinck’s Use of Friedrich Schleiermacher Dec 11, 2020

Show notes

Cory Brock describes how Herman Bavinck interacted with and appropriated the theology of Friedrich Schleiermacher throughout his academic career. There is a significant shift toward a more pronounced and direct use of Schleiermacher later in his life. But any appropriation of Schleiermacher by Bavinck may surprise people.

Schleiermacher (1768–1834) is recognized as the father of modern liberal theology. It would appear that any incorporation of Schleiermacher’s theology or philosophy would compromise Bavinck’s Calvinist orthodoxy. Indeed, this manner of reading Bavinck gave rise to a so-called “two Bavincks hypothesis.” Brock builds a case for the relation of these two aspects in Bavinck in his book, Orthodox yet Modern: Herman Bavinck’s Use of Friedrich Schleiermacher (Lexham Press). Cory Brock serves as pastor of college and career at First Presbyterian Church (PCA), Jackson, Mississippi.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Cory Brock, 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