Jim Cassidy speaks about the book of Hosea, exploring the theological themes of covenant and judgment in light of God’s love, faithfulness, and mercy expressed toward faithless sinners.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy

Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey discuss theological methodology in light of Calvin’s view of natural theology. As a starting point for the discussion, they turn to Thiago M. Silva’s article, “John Calvin and the Limits of Natural Theology,” Puritan Reformed Journal 8, 2 (2016): 33-48.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy

Dr. Robert J. Cara speaks about his book, Cracking the Foundation of the New Perspective on Paul: Covenantal Nomism versus Reformed Covenantal Theology (Mentor, 2017), which is published in the Reformed Exegetical and Doctrinal Series. The New Perspective on Paul is broadly united on its view of the theology contained in Second Temple Jewish literature. Arguing that these documents do not contain a doctrine of works righteousness, Paul certainly cannot be arguing against such a view—quite simply because it didn’t exist.

Dr. Cara examines the Jewish sources and “cracks the foundation” of the NPP by demonstrating how they incorporate meritorious works and thus establish the traditional Protestant view of Paul and his doctrine of justification. Dr. Cara is Provost, Chief Academic Officer, and Hugh and Sallie Reaves Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Robert Cara

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 159–161 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the relation between the offerer and his sacrifice.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

We took to Facebook to broadcast a live Q&A session. With questions submitted through email and the live comment thread, we covered Lord’s Day observance, fasting and gluttony, and membership in the New Covenant.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Glen Clary, Jeff Waddington

We celebrate five-hundred episodes of Christ the Center with an open discussion on worship, the regulative principle, and the apologetic impetus. Join us for a conversation that ties together many of our favorite themes from the past nine+ years.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Glen Clary, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 157–159 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider offerings, gifts, and sacrifices within the Mosaic economy.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Chris Castaldo compares the respective doctrines of justification of the Reformer Peter Martyr Vermigli and the Roman Catholic John Henry Cardinal Newman. Castaldo is the author of Justified in Christ: The Doctrines of Peter Martyr Vermigli and John Henry Newman and Their Ecumenical Implications. In the book, he compares the doctrines of the Reformed convert from Catholicism (Vermigli) and the Catholic convert from Anglicanism (Newman), drawing conclusions that prove insightful both for ecumenical dialogue and pastoral ministry.

Rev. Dr. Castaldo serves as Lead Pastor of New Covenant Church in Naperville, Illinois. You can visit him online at chriscastaldo.com.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Chris Castaldo, Jim Cassidy

In June 2011, we spoke with Bill Dennison, Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Covenant College, about Transformationalism and Christian Higher Education. In that episode, we touched upon his article, “Dutch Neo-Calvinism and the Roots for Transformation: An Introductory Essay” from the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 42/2 (June 1999). We only had a few minutes to discuss the article in episode 180, and so today, we pick up where we left off. Dennison contends that while Dutch neo-Calvinism sought to transform culture in response to the threat of the Enlightenment, they stood upon a foundation of Enlightenment principles to do it. Many of the themes discussed in this episode were developed and applied in our twelve-part series on Christ and Culture, in which Dennison debated Darryl Hart, Nelson Kloosterman, and Doug Wilson.

Participants: Bill Dennison, Camden Bucey, Glen Clary, Jim Cassidy

We welcome Brandon Crowe back to the program to speak about the gospel of Matthew. Dr. Crowe is assistant professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is the author of the article, “Fulfillment in Matthew as Eschatological Reversal” in Westminster Theological Journal 75 (2013), pp. 111–127. Matthew’s use of the Old Testament has perplexed interpreters for years. It is difficult to ascertain precisely how Jesus “fulfills” the prophets in several of Matthew’s references. Dr. Crowe argues that Jesus not only fulfills the Old Testament as the new Israel and consummate Davidic king, but according to Matthew’s formulae, he does so by reversing Israel’s pattern of covenant infidelity.

Participants: Brandon Crowe, Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy