Christ the Center was pleased to speak with David B. McWilliams about his commentary on Galatians. Pastor McWilliams has been the Senior Pastor at Covenant for most of the last 20 years. David’s passions are Christ centered preaching, applying theology to the life of the church, and shepherding people. Join us for a great discussion on Paul’s letter to the Galatians.

Participants: Camden Bucey, David McWilliams, Glen Clary, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, Nick Batzig

Christ the Center recently interviewed Rev. Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer PCA in Manhattan, about his most recent book Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters. The panel discussed the nature of sin as idolatry and how such things as money, sex, and power, vie for God’s rightful place in the human heart. Pastor Keller provided powerful insights into the nature of idolatry and how the human heart really is deceitful. This was a very fruitful discussion.

Participants: Jeff Waddington, Josh Walker, Nick Batzig, Tim Keller

While celebrating the 100th episode, Jeff, Jim, Camden and friends engage in an open forum. The conversation begins with a discussion of Westminster Theological Seminary and admissions, then quickly charts a course to “punchy” territory. Listen to the participants debate the issues of what it means to be “Reformed” and the eschatology of credo-baptism.

Participants: Bob LaRocca, Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, Jonathan Brack

The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of conversing with Dr. David VanDrunen, the Robert B. Strimple professor of systematic theology and ethics at Westminster Seminary in California, about his new book published by Crossway entitled Bioethics and the Christian Life: A Guide to Making Difficult Decisions. The panel talked about the rise in the importance of bioethics with the advances in contemporary medical technology and procedures. Dr. VanDrunen stressed the necessity of Scripture and godly wisdom (as seen, for instance, in Proverbs) in dealing with these matters. The challenges of “beginning of life” (abortion, in-vitro fertilization) and “end of life” (euthanasia, physician assisted suicide) issues were discussed at length. Especially helpful was the brief discussion about the difference between actively seeking to end someone’s life and withholding heroic measures, with particular attention paid to the question of withholding nutrition. This is a thoughtful and very practical episode.

episode graphic from Frabuleuse

Participants: Camden Bucey, David VanDrunen, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, Nick Batzig

Dr. Vern Sheridan Poythress returns to Christ the Center to discuss his latest book In the Beginning was the Word: Language: A God-Centered Approach to Language published by Crossway. The panel discusses Dr. Poythress’s multi-perspectival approach to Biblical studies and theology and specifically the trinitarian basis for language and the meaning of language. Contrary to evolutionary theory, language is not merely a humanly constructed reality but is a gift from God. The panel also considers the unique problems about how modernism and postmodernism view language

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Nick Batzig, Vern Poythress

K. Scott Oliphint returns to Christ the Center to discuss God’s attributes. Understanding God as He is related to creation is no doubt a complicated task. Traditionally, theologians have spoken of God’s attributes using the communicable/incommunicable distinction. While this remains a helpful distinction, Oliphint presents another distinction more closely tied to covenantal theology. Dr. Oliphint is Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westmister Theological Seminary and is the author of Reasons for Faith: Philosophy in the Service of Theology.

Participants: Camden Bucey, K. Scott Oliphint, Nick Batzig

When approaching the question of credo-baptism during the Reformation, James Dolezal argues for viewing three distinct categories: Anabaptists, general baptists, and particular baptists. The theological differences between these groups are as great as the differences among all forms of paedo-baptism. As such, it is important to trace these three groups separately throughout the Reformation. This informative discussion chronicles this history and concludes with a friendly debate on the issue of credo-baptism from a covenantal position. For credo- and paedo-baptists alike, this discussion will be both engaging and insightful.

Belyea, G. “Origins of the Particular Baptists.” Themelios. 32, no. 3 (2007): 40-67.

Klaassen, Walter. Anabaptism in Outline: Selected Primary Sources. Kitchener Ont. Scottdale Pa.: Herald Press, 1981.

Renihan, James. True Confessions: Baptist Documents in the Reformed Family. Owensboro Ky.: RBAP, 2004.

White, B. The English Baptists of the Seventeenth Century. London: Baptist Historical Society, 1983.

Other Formats

Participants: Camden Bucey, James Dolezal, Nick Batzig

The old Christ the Center crew met with Dr. Ben Shaw, associate professor of Hebrew and Old Testament at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in one of those Carolinas, to converse about the Christological basis of the Old Testament sacrifices and festivals. It was a fascinating and enriching discussion about biblical hermeneutics and biblical theology, typology and eschatology, and the forward looking nature of Old Testament religion. Old Testament saints while saved in the same way as New Testament saints, lived with a sense of incompleteness and longing that would only be fulfilled with the coming of Jesus Christ.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, Nick Batzig

Given that Reformation Day is near, we thought it would be time to focus our attention on the monk with the mallet. Carl Trueman, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary speaks about Martin Luther and media. Luther’s is an interesting study in the effects of media on the church. Trueman discusses Luther’s context and draws parallels to the contemporary church. All the way from the printing press to Twitter, join us for a fascinating discussion on a timely subject.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carl Trueman, Nick Batzig

The Christ the Center panel met with Dr. Guy Waters, associate professor of NT at RTS/Jackson, about the importance of membership in a local congregation. The biblical basis for church membership was explored along with its connection to mutual support, discipline and observance of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Also discussed was the significance of the non-communicant/communicant member distinction. It was noted that aversion to local church membership among Christians is a relatively recent phenomenon and so this proved to be a very practical conversation.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Guy Prentiss Waters, Jeff Waddington, Josh Walker, Nick Batzig