Theocast

Latest Episodes:

Christian, You Are Not on Parole Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

As a Christian, do you ever feel like you are on probation or even on parole? As though you've been set free from prison, but now you need to do well enough to be finally free from fear and the threat of punishment? Many of us feel this way. Many in the church talk this way. Jon and Justin consider justification and the finished work of Christ--and what that means for the Christian life in today's episode.

Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk about final justification and why it is harmful. Then, the guys move on to consider being a fruitful Christian, as well as the writing of John Owen. Enjoy!

Resources:
Our episode on the law, the gospel, and sanctification
Our episode on why the gospel terrifies Christians
Our episode on more than forgiven

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How Pietism Ruins Good Works Feb 02, 2022

Show notes

When we preach the gospel, there are often objections. One of the most common is, "Yeah, but what about good works?" In this episode, Jon and Justin talk about good works from a confessional perspective. What are good works? Who and what are they for? Why do we do them? How do we do them? The guys answer these questions and consider how pietism has damaged our thinking about good works.

Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin consider how pietism has made us less effective in doing biblical good works for the good of neighbor and honor of God. The guys also talk about how the contemporary church has much more in common with the medieval church than many would like to admit.

Resources:
Our book: Rest
What is Peitism?
Leaving pietism
Our episode on spiritual disciplines
Series on Spiritual Disciplines

The Law, the Gospel, and Sanctification Jan 26, 2022

Show notes

Jon and Justin have a free and frank conversation about the law, the gospel, and sanctification. Oftentimes, the law and the gospel are confused. The law is relativized. The gospel is made to sound hard. And sanctification sounds terrible. This isn't how it should be. The guys consider the work of Christ in fulfilling the law as a covenant of works, the freedom that Christ has secured for us, and how God's law and work of sanctification are great things for the believer.

Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk about good works. There are many good works emphasized in the church today that are nowhere to be found in the Scriptures. What are good works, biblically defined? What are some of the good works that are clear in Scripture that just aren't talked about in the church?

Resources:
Our episode: Your Sanctification is not for You
Our episode: Law/Gospel Distinction
Our teaching series on Covenant Theology

Why the Gospel Terrifies Christians Jan 19, 2022

Show notes

It sounds a little crazy to say that the gospel terrifies Christians. But it clearly does. Christians are prone to qualify the grace of God in Christ. Christians are prone to hedge on justification by faith alone. At times, Christians can even be unsettled by the preaching of Christ from all of Scripture. Why are these things so? Jon and Justin consider history, fear-based theology, pietism, law/gospel confusion, and Christ-centered preaching in today's episode.

Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin continue the conversation on why the gospel is frightening for Christians. The guys answer some potential objections to a reformed understanding of the sufficiency of Christ.

Resources:
FREE Ebook
Our episodes on Lordship
Our episodes on pietism
Our episode on law/gospel

If I Knew Then What I Know Now Jan 12, 2022

Show notes

Today's episode is a little different than normal. Jon and Justin talk personally and autobiographically about their pilgrimage into finding rest--from a confessional and covenantal perspective. If you have been listening to Theocast for some time, we hope this encourages you. If you are newer, this will be a good and personal introduction to a number of the things we regularly discuss.

Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin hone in on the Christian life--and how a confessional perspective is completely different than that of pietism.

Resources:
Our FREE ebook: theocast.org/primer

This World Is a Sinking Ship Jan 05, 2022

Show notes

We all tend to hope in things of this world that will ultimately disappoint us. Our anger and frustration and despair make this abundantly clear. Jon and Justin talk about some of these things we tend to hope in--and how the church, at points, has only encouraged us to do so. At the end of it all, peace, rest, and hope can only be found in Jesus Christ and the promises God has made to us in him.

Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk more about how we tend to place our hope in things that cannot deliver. The guys also consider the theology of the cross and how we need to constantly remind one another of the hope we have in Christ.

Resources:
Our episode on the theology of the cross
Our episode on Two Kingdom doctrine
Our episode on the purpose of the church
Our episode on the cravings of the flesh

Christmas is Scandalous (with 1517) Dec 21, 2021

Show notes

In today’s episode, Jon and Justin have a conversation with friends from 1517 on the scandal of Christmas. We grow accustomed to talking about God becoming a man in order to suffer and die to save his people. But that is shocking news! Who would have ever planned salvation this way? We certainly would not have. But God did. The group discusses the humanity of Jesus, the purpose of the incarnation, the struggle of the disciples to understand the mission of Christ, as well as the point of Christmas.

Podcast:

30 Minutes in the New Testament - Chad Bird & Daniel Emry Price

40 Minutes in the Old Testament - Eric Sorensen & Daniel Emry Price

Mercy for Those Who Doubt Dec 15, 2021

Show notes

In today's episode, Jon and Justin consider two kinds of people: the people who are arrogant in their sin and do not think they need mercy; and the people who doubt and struggle wondering if there is in fact mercy for them. The guys talk about the law and the gospel, church discipline, and the posture of God toward the weak.

Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk further about observations they have made in the church regarding those who doubt and those who are arrogant in their sin. The guys get into church discipline, as well as how pastors have failed to rightly divide the law and the gospel.

Resources:
Our episode on the cravings of the flesh
Our episode on law/gospel
Our episode on the dark side of Christianity
Our FREE ebook on "Rest"

Can't Believe I Did It Again Dec 08, 2021

Show notes

We all battle besetting, habitual sin. The normal experience of the Christian in this fallen world is to battle against the corruption of our flesh. This war will go on until we die or Christ returns. We struggle to process this battle, though. We are often discouraged. And the church hasn't always helped. In this episode, Jon and Justin have a historical, theological, and biblical discussion on the battle against the flesh and the hope of Christ.

Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin answer some potential objections. They also consider how the grace that justifies is the grace that sanctifies, as well as the Christian's need for the church.

Resources:
Our video on habitual sin
Our episode on the cravings of the flesh
Our episode on pietism
Our episode on biblicism
Our episode on law/gospel
Our book on assurance, "Safe"

Narnia, the Reformation, & Hopelessness Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

Many of us, if we are honest, often live lives characterized by fear and hopelessness. This is the plight common to fallen man, true. But how has the church failed to help the saints have hope and peace? Jon and Justin talk about how a recovery of sound doctrine and of a confessional, otherworldly perspective is essential for our hope, peace, and rest.

Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin consider some of the most significant issues of doctrine that the saints need to be acquainted with. These include: a confessional perspective, law/gospel distinction, uses of the law, and covenant theology.

Resources:
Our three episodes on implications of covenant theology
Our episode on law/gospel
Our episode on "Have We Missed the Point of Church?"

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