Cincy Reformed Podcast

What is total depravity and what does it mean to be totally depraved? This episode is a catechism sermon preached by Pastor Brandon from Lord's Day Three of the Heidelberg Catechism. 

For more information, see: 

The Imputation of Adam's Sin by John Murray 

Saving the Reformation: The Pastoral Theology of the Canons of Dort by Robert Godfrey 

What is wisdom? How can a person get wisdom? What books of the Bible are considered "Wisdom literature"? In this episode, Pastors Brandon and Zac discuss these questions and others. 

For more information, see: 

The Christ of Wisdom by O. Palmer Robinson 

The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom by Tremper Longman 

The Book of Proverbs (2 Vol.) by Bruce Waltke 

Ecclesiastes by Douglas Sean O'Donald 

Job: The Wisdom of the Cross by Christopher Ash

Song of Songs by Ian Duguid 

What is wisdom? How can a person get wisdom? What books of the Bible are considered "Wisdom literature"? In this episode, Pastors Brandon and Zac discuss these questions and others. 

For more information, see: 

The Christ of Wisdom by O. Palmer Robinson 

The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom by Tremper Longman 

In the previous episode, Pastors Zac and Brandon discussed the doctrine of the Sabbath, examining Sabbath from Genesis to Revelation. In this episode, they turn their attention to the practical ways in which the Lord's Day is observed by believers in the New Covenant. They also speak into a debate between the Continental Reformed and the Puritan tradition. For example, in Isaiah 58:13, God speaks against "doing your own pleasure." Does this mean that we ought to abstain from our "works, words, and thoughts about [...] recreations" (WCF 21.8), or is Isaiah 58:13 speaking against  "a hypocritical religious ritual [i.e., formalism] on the Sabbath that is used as a cloak to cover the pursuit of one’s selfish and sinful agenda"? Regarding this intramural debate, R.C. Sproul, siding with the Continental tradition, wrote: 

“We find a division among Reformed theologians on how the Sabbath day is to be observed. Both the Continental believers and the Puritans believed that the seventh day was to be observed, but they differed as to how it was to be observed. They agreed that Christians are required to worship on the Sabbath day, which is set apart in the New Testament as the day when the people of God come together. We are not to neglect the assembling together of the saints on the Lord's Day (Heb. 10:24-25). Christians should be prepared to [according to the Puritans] "observe an holy rest, all the day, from their own works, words, and thoughts about their worldly employments and recreations." Here is the chief and principal point of difference between the Continental view of the Sabbath and the Puritan view of the Sabbath. It was the Puritan view that won out in the Westminster Confession. The Puritans believed that the Sabbath day was to be taken up in worship, in the study of the things of God, and in doing errands of mercy. It was not to include things like going  on picnics, playing badminton, swimming, or any of the recreational activities that are commonplace on the Sabbath day in our culture. The Continentals believed that though the Sabbath day should indeed be given principal to worship, there still was an opportunity for restful recreation. The whole idea of recreation was that the body was re-created by having rest and fellowship on the Sabbath day... To see how these views collided, imagine the consternation of John Knox, who was expelled from England during the reign of Bloody Mary and first sought refuge in Germany and finally went to Calvin's Geneva. Knox was shocked when he arrived in Geneva and found Calvin, with his family, lawn bowling on the Sabbath day. Calvin took the Continental view, while Knox took the Puritan view…. Both the Continental and the Puritan views on the Sabbath are tolerated within the Reformed community. Each takes a strong view of the central importance of worship and delighting in the things of God... The prophets weren't revolutionaries; they were reformers. They didn't come to change the law of Israel... The function of the prophets wasn't to add new burdens but to call the people back to the original terms. That is why it is unlikely that Isaiah [c.f., Isa. 58:13] was adding new regulations regarding the celebration of the Sabbath Day... The Puritans misunderstood the word 'pleasure.' The Israelites knew God's law, but they were violating it commercially.... It really had nothing to do with recreation; it had to do chiefly with commerce" (pp.485-491)

For more information, see: 

Heidelberg Catechism Q.103

The Lord's Day: Sabbath Worship and Rest by W. Robert Godfrey 

The Best Day of the Week: Why We Love the Lord's Day by William Boekenstein 

In the previous episode, Pastors Zac and Brandon discussed the doctrine of the Sabbath, examining Sabbath from Genesis to Revelation. In this episode, they turn their attention to the practical ways in which the Lord's Day is observed by believers in the New Covenant. They also speak into a debate between the Continental Reformed and the Puritan tradition. For example, in Isaiah 58:13, God speaks against "doing your own pleasure." Does this mean that we ought to abstain from our "works, words, and thoughts about [...] worldly employments and recreations" (WCF 21.8), or is Isaiah 58:13 speaking against  "a hypocritical religious ritual [i.e., formalism] on the Sabbath that is used as a cloak to cover the pursuit of one’s selfish and sinful agenda"? Regarding this intramural debate, R.C. Sproul, siding with the Continental tradition, wrote: 

“We find a division among Reformed theologians on how the Sabbath day is to be observed. Both the Continental believers and the Puritans believed that the seventh day was to be observed, but they differed as to how it was to be observed. They agreed that Christians are required to worship on the Sabbath day, which is set apart in the New Testament as the day when the people of God come together. We are not to neglect the assembling together of the saints on the Lord's Day (Heb. 10:24-25). Christians should be prepared to [according to the Puritans] "observe an holy rest, all the day, from their own works, words, and thoughts about their worldly employments and recreations." Here is the chief and principal point of difference between the Continental view of the Sabbath and the Puritan view of the Sabbath. It was the Puritan view that won out in the Westminster Confession. The Puritans believed that the Sabbath day was to be taken up in worship, in the study of the things of God, and in doing errands of mercy. It was not to include things like going  on picnics, playing badminton, swimming, or any of the recreational activities that are commonplace on the Sabbath day in our culture. The Continentals believed that though the Sabbath day should indeed be given principal to worship, there still was an opportunity for restful recreation. The whole idea of recreation was that the body was re-created by having rest and fellowship on the Sabbath day... To see how these views collided, imagine the consternation of John Knox, who was expelled from England during the reign of Bloody Mary and first sought refuge in Germany and finally went to Calvin's Geneva. Knox was shocked when he arrived in Geneva and found Calvin, with his family, lawn bowling on the Sabbath day. Calvin took the Continental view, while Knox took the Puritan view…. Both the Continental and the Puritan views on the Sabbath are tolerated within the Reformed community. Each takes a strong view of the central importance of worship and delighting in the things of God... The prophets weren't revolutionaries; they were reformers. They didn't come to change the law of Israel... The function of the prophets wasn't to add new burdens but to call the people back to the original terms. That is why it is unlikely that Isaiah [c.f., Isa. 58:13] was adding new regulations regarding the celebration of the Sabbath Day... The Puritans misunderstood the word 'pleasure.' The Israelites knew God's law, but they were violating it commercially.... It really had nothing to do with recreation; it had to do chiefly with commerce" (pp.485-491)

For more information, see: 

Heidelberg Catechism Q.103

The Lord's Day: Sabbath Worship and Rest by W. Robert Godfrey 

The Best Day of the Week: Why We Love the Lord's Day by William Boekenstein 

Does the 4th Commandment still command believers today to rest on the Sabbath Day? What is the relationship between the Lord's Day and the 4th Commandment? How is the Lord's Day to be observed? In this episode, Pastors Zac and Brandon discuss matters regarding the Lord's Day (sometimes called the Christian Sabbath). In Part 1, big picture doctrines are clarified. In Part 2, more practical issues will be surveyed. They also speak into a debate between the Continental Reformed and the Puritans. Regarding this intramural debate, R.C. Sproul wrote: 

“We find a division among Reformed theologians on how the Sabbath day is to be observed. Both the Continental believers and the Puritans believed that the seventh day was to be observed, but they differed as to how it was to be observed. They agreed that Christians are required to worship on the Sabbath day, which is set apart in the New Testament as the day when the people of God come together. We are not to neglect the assembling together of the saints on the Lord's Day (Heb. 10:24-25). Christians should be prepared to [according to the Puritans] "observe an holy rest, all the day, from their own works, words, and thoughts about their worldly employments and recreations." Here is the chief and principal point of difference between the Continental view of the Sabbath and the Puritan view of the Sabbath. It was the Puritan view that won out in the Westminster Confession. The Puritans believed that the Sabbath day was to be taken up in worship, in the study of the things of God, and in doing errands of mercy. It was not to include things like going  on picnics, playing badminton, swimming, or any of the recreational activities that are commonplace on the Sabbath day in our culture. The Continentals believed that though the Sabbath day should indeed be given principal to worship, there still was an opportunity for restful recreation. The whole idea of recreation was that the body was re-created by having rest and fellowship on the Sabbath day... To see how these views collided, imagine the consternation of John Knox, who was expelled from England during the reign of Bloody Mary and first sought refuge in Germany and finally went to Calvin's Geneva. Knox was shocked when he arrived in Geneva and found Calvin, with his family, lawn bowling on the Sabbath day. Calvin took the Continental view, while Knox took the Puritan view…. Both the Continental and the Puritan views on the Sabbath are tolerated within the Reformed community. Each takes a strong view of the central importance of worship and delighting in the things of God." (pp.485-491)

For more information, see: 

Heidelberg Catechism Q.103

The Lord's Day: Sabbath Worship and Rest by W. Robert Godfrey 

The Best Day of the Week: Why We Love the Lord's Day by William Boekenstein 

Does the 4th Commandment still command believers today to rest on the Sabbath Day? What is the relationship between the Lord's Day and the 4th Commandment? How is the Lord's Day to be observed? In this episode, Pastors Zac and Brandon discuss matters regarding the Lord's Day (sometimes called the Christian Sabbath). In Part 1, big picture doctrines are clarified. In Part 2, more practical issues will be surveyed. They also speak into a debate between the Continental Reformed and the Puritans. Regarding this intramural debate, R.C. Sproul wrote: 

“We find a division among Reformed theologians on how the Sabbath day is to be observed. Both the Continental believers and the Puritans believed that the seventh day was to be observed, but they differed as to how it was to be observed. They agreed that Christians are required to worship on the Sabbath day, which is set apart in the New Testament as the day when the people of God come together. We are not to neglect the assembling together of the saints on the Lord's Day (Heb. 10:24-25). Christians should be prepared to [according to the Puritans] "observe an holy rest, all the day, from their own works, words, and thoughts about their worldly employments and recreations." Here is the chief and principal point of difference between the Continental view of the Sabbath and the Puritan view of the Sabbath. It was the Puritan view that won out in the Westminster Confession. The Puritans believed that the Sabbath day was to be taken up in worship, in the study of the things of God, and in doing errands of mercy. It was not to include things like going  on picnics, playing badminton, swimming, or any of the recreational activities that are commonplace on the Sabbath day in our culture. The Continentals believed that though the Sabbath day should indeed be given principal to worship, there still was an opportunity for restful recreation. The whole idea of recreation was that the body was re-created by having rest and fellowship on the

For more information, see: 

Heidelberg Catechism Q.103

The Lord's Day: Sabbath Worship and Rest by W. Robert Godfrey 

According to the Bible, "Our citizenship is in heaven" (Phil. 3:20) and we, like the Patriarchs of old, are "sojourners and exiles" (1 Pet. 2:11) "seeking a homeland... a better country, that is, a heavenly one" (Her. 11:13-16). The church walks the "narrow path" (Prov. 4:25-27; Matt. 7:13-14), which encounters many blessings, but also challenges. The apostles warned us, "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God," (Acts 14:22), and Christ promised us: "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2:10). Nevertheless, being pilgrims does not means societal and cultural disengagement. J. Gresham Machen encouraged the church to take a stand when necessary, to consecrate our efforts to God, and to influence the cultural and intellectual "atmosphere" in order to give the Gospel a better hearing amid society. In other words, we are engaged pilgrims, doing all things to the glory of God, and calling unbelievers to faith and repentance (Mark 1:15). In this episode, Pastors Brandon and Zac discuss how the pilgrim motif has shaped their lives. 

For more information, see: 

The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan 

The Pilgrim's Progress (audio book) by John Bunyan 

Who Would True Valor See [Hymn] by John Bunyan 

Passing Though: Pilgrim Life in the Wilderness by Jeremy Walker 

Thinking God's Thoughts: An Introduction to a Pilgrim Worldview (ch.18) by J. Brandon Burks 

The Lordship of Christ: Serving Our Savior All of the Time, In All of Life, with All of Our Hearts by Vern Poythress 

According to the Bible, "Our citizenship is in heaven" (Phil. 3:20) and we, like the Patriarchs of old, are "sojourners and exiles" (1 Pet. 2:11) "seeking a homeland... a better country, that is, a heavenly one" (Her. 11:13-16). The church walks the "narrow path" (Prov. 4:25-27; Matt. 7:13-14), which encounters many blessings, but also challenges. The apostles warned us, "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God," (Acts 14:22), and Christ promised us: "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2:10). Nevertheless, being pilgrims does not means societal and cultural disengagement. J. Gresham Machen encouraged the church to take a stand when necessary, to consecrate our efforts to God, and to influence the cultural and intellectual "atmosphere" in order to give the Gospel a better hearing amid society. In other words, we are engaged pilgrims, doing all things to the glory of God, and calling unbelievers to faith and repentance (Mark 1:15). In this episode, Pastors Brandon and Zac discuss how the pilgrim motif has shaped their lives. 

For more information, see: 

The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan 

The Pilgrim's Progress (audio book) by John Bunyan 

Who Would True Valor See [Hymn] by John Bunyan 

Passing Though: Pilgrim Life in the Wilderness by Jeremy Walker 

Thinking God's Thoughts: An Introduction to a Pilgrim Worldview (ch.18) by J. Brandon Burks 

The Lordship of Christ: Serving Our Savior All of the Time, In All of Life, with All of Our Hearts by Vern Poythress