Down Under Theology

Welcome to Season 4 of Down Under Theology, a podcast equipping and encouraging Australian Christians to get down and under the theology impacting the life and mission of the church.

In this episode, we're joined by Rev. Dr John McClean to talk about the Westminster Assembly and all to come out of it. We discuss the Westminster Confession of Faith, the other Assembly Documents (Shorter and Larger Catechisms, Form of Church Government, Directory of Public Worship), how the Assembly came about, and its impact on the church going forward.

Rev. Dr John McClean is the Vice Principal and Lecturer is Systematic Theology at Christ College, and co-editor (alongside Murray Smith) of the 'We Believe' series (Lexham Press).

Thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch with us at [email protected].

---

Episode Hosts:

• Allister Lum Mow (@allisterlm)
• Cameron Clausing (@cam_clausing)
• Murray Smith
• John McClean

Producer:

• Nick Rabe

Episode Sponsor:

• Christ College, Sydney

---

S4 Episode 13 - Show Notes

Recommended Resources - 

• Confessing the Faith: A Reader's Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith by Chad Van Dixhoorn
• The Westminster Assembly: Reading its Theology in Historical Context by Robert Letham
• Fair Sunshine: Character Studies of the Scottish Covenanters by Jock Purves

Welcome to Season 4 of Down Under Theology, a podcast equipping and encouraging Australian Christians to get down and under the theology impacting the life and mission of the church.

In this episode, we look at the Act of Supremacy and the rise of the Church of England. We use this moment as a platform to discuss issues such as the interpretation and application of Old Testament Law, the localisation of churches, and matters of Church and State.

Thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch with us at [email protected].

---

Episode Hosts:

• Allister Lum Mow (@allisterlm)
• Cameron Clausing (@cam_clausing)
• Murray Smith

Producer:

• Nick Rabe

Episode Sponsor:

• Christ College, Sydney

---

S4 Episode 12 - Show Notes

• S1 E19: The Law of God

Recommended Resources - 

• William Tyndale: A Biography by Daivd Daniell (Amazon link)
• Foxe's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe
• 39 Articles
• Scots Confession

Welcome to Season 4 of Down Under Theology, a podcast equipping and encouraging Australian Christians to get down and under the theology impacting the life and mission of the church.

In this bonus episode, we're joined by Dr Harrison Perkins to speak about his new book Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction (Lexham Academic). Murray says this is the book he has been waiting for - a comprehensive introduction to Covenant Theology from a Reformed perspective. Join us for a deep dive into the topic of Covenant Theology with the author of this fantastic book.

Dr Harrison Perkins (PhD) is the pastor of Oakland Hills Community Church. He is also a visiting lecturer in systematic theology for Edinburgh Theological Seminary and part of the online faculty in church history for Westminster Theological Seminary.


Thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch with us at [email protected].

---

Episode Hosts:

• Allister Lum Mow (@allisterlm)
• Cameron Clausing (@cam_clausing)
• Murray Smith
• Harrison Perkins

Producer:

• Nick Rabe

Episode Sponsor:

• Christ College, Sydney

---

S4 Bonus Episode 2 - Show Notes

Recommended Resources - 

• Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction by Harrison Perkins

Welcome to Season 4 of Down Under Theology, a podcast equipping and encouraging Australian Christians to get down and under the theology impacting the life and mission of the church.

In this episode, we're joined by Stephen Eccher, author of Zwingli the Pastor: A Life in Conflict (2024, Lexham Press) to talk all things Zwingli and the Swiss Reformation. We examine the impact of Zwingli and the Swiss Reformation on the church today, especially the idea of working vs worshipping together, and the importance of finishing well.

Dr Stephen Eccher is the Associate Professor of Church History and Reformation Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, North Carolina.


Thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch with us at [email protected].

---

Episode Hosts:

• Allister Lum Mow (@allisterlm)
• Cameron Clausing (@cam_clausing)
• Murray Smith
• Stephen Eccher

Producer:

• Nick Rabe

Episode Sponsor:

• Christ College, Sydney

---

S4 Episode 11 - Show Notes

Recommended Resources - 

• Zwingli the Pastor: A Life in Conflict by Stephen B. Eccher
• Plague and Providence: What Huldrych Zwingli Taught Me About Trusting God by Stephen B. Eccher (TGC Blog Post)

Welcome to Season 4 of Down Under Theology, a podcast equipping and encouraging Australian Christians to get down and under the theology impacting the life and mission of the church.

In this episode, we tell the story of Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms - it's not what you think!! This is an important moment in the Protestant Reformation, and we examine the reasons behind it. We talk about the resulting protestant churches coming out of the Reformation and dig into the common theology holding these churches together (commonly known as the 5 Solas).


Thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch with us at [email protected].

---

Episode Hosts:

• Allister Lum Mow (@allisterlm)
• Cameron Clausing (@cam_clausing)
• Murray Smith

Producer:

• Nick Rabe

Episode Sponsor:

• Christ College, Sydney

---

S4 Episode 10 - Show Notes

Recommended Resources - 

• The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation by Michael Reeves
• The Necessity of Reforming the Church by John Calvin
• Luther (2003) - Movie
• The Freedom of a Christian by Martin Luther
• Luther on the Christian Life: Cross and Freedom by Carl R. Trueman
• Calvin on the Christian Life: Glorifying and Enjoying God Forever by Michael Horton

Welcome to Season 4 of Down Under Theology, a podcast equipping and encouraging Australian Christians to get down and under the theology impacting the life and mission of the church.

In this episode, we discuss the Great Schism of AD1054 between the church in the East and West, with particular focus on the theological issues behind the division. We then ask ourselves some practical questions arising out of our chat - what does it mean to be "one church"? Is all church division bad? When is it ok to leave a church?


Thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch with us at [email protected].

---

Episode Hosts:

• Allister Lum Mow (@allisterlm)
• Cameron Clausing (@cam_clausing)
• Murray Smith

Producer:

• Nick Rabe

Episode Sponsor:

• Christ College, Sydney

---

S4 Episode 9 - Show Notes

Recommended Resources - 

• Documents of the Christian Church edited by Henry Bettenson & Chris Maunder
• Through Western Eyes: Eastern Orthodoxy: A Reformed Perspective by Robert Letham

Welcome to Season 4 of Down Under Theology, a podcast equipping and encouraging Australian Christians to get down and under the theology impacting the life and mission of the church.

In this episode, we take a look at the coronation of Charlemagne in AD800 and the associated era of Christendom. We examine the impact of Christendom on the world and the church discussing issues like the relationship between Church and State, and the rise of sacramental theology and the papacy.


Thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch with us at [email protected].

---

Episode Hosts:

• Allister Lum Mow (@allisterlm)
• Cameron Clausing (@cam_clausing)
• Murray Smith

Producer:

• Nick Rabe

Episode Sponsor:

• Christ College, Sydney

---

S4 Episode 8 - Show Notes

• S1 E23: Civil Magistrate (with Kamal Weerakoon)
• Season 3 - a whole half season on the 10 Commandments!

Recommended Resources - 

• The Book of Pastoral Rule by St Gregory the Great (Amazon link)
• Ecclesiastical History of the English People by Bede (Amazon link)
• The Crisis of Civil Law: What the Bible Teaches about Law and What It Means Today by Benjamin B. Saunders
• The Rise of Western Christendom: Triumph and Diversity by Peter Brown (Amazon link)

Welcome to Season 4 of Down Under Theology, a podcast equipping and encouraging Australian Christians to get down and under the theology impacting the life and mission of the church.

In this episode, we discuss the rise of Monasticism and the Rule of St Benedict. Monasticism has had a great impact on the church today, perhaps more than we realise. We examine the implications of monasticism on Christian living today, especially with regard to spiritual disciplines.


Thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch with us at [email protected].

---

Episode Hosts:

• Allister Lum Mow (@allisterlm)
• Cameron Clausing (@cam_clausing)
• Murray Smith

Producer:

• Nick Rabe

Episode Sponsor:

• Christ College, Sydney

---

S4 Episode 7 - Show Notes

Recommended Resources - 

• The Rule of Saint Benedict (Google it!)
• How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill (Amazon link)
• Life of St Antony by Athanasius (Online link)
• Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity (4th edition) by Mark A. Noll

Welcome to Season 4 of Down Under Theology, a podcast equipping and encouraging Australian Christians to get down and under the theology impacting the life and mission of the church.

In this episode, look at the Council of Chalcedon and examine its declarations about Jesus, his nature and person, and how his divinity and humanity interact. We then look at the impact of the definition of Chalcedon on the life and mission of the church today.


Thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch with us at [email protected].

---

Episode Hosts:

• Allister Lum Mow (@allisterlm)
• Cameron Clausing (@cam_clausing)
• Murray Smith

Producer:

• Nick Rabe

Episode Sponsor:

• Christ College, Sydney

---

S4 Episode 6 - Show Notes

Recommended Resources - 

• The Lord Jesus Christ: The Biblical Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ by Brandon D. Crowe
• The Person of Christ: An Introduction by Stephen J. Wellum
• Lord Jesus Christ by Daniel J. Treier

Welcome to Season 4 of Down Under Theology, a podcast equipping and encouraging Australian Christians to get down and under the theology impacting the life and mission of the church.

In season 4, we are sinking our teeth into Church History! We'll look at key moments in the history of the church and discover their significance for the life and mission of the church today.

In the fifth episode of season 4, we conclude our short mini-series looking at the factors that helped to stabilize the church as it started to grow - church government, creeds, and the canon. This week, we dig into Athansius' Festal Letter which, among other things, lists the books of the Bible. We have a discussion about the recognition and reception of the canon, and the implications for the church today.


Thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch with us at [email protected].

---

Episode Hosts:

• Allister Lum Mow (@allisterlm)
• Cameron Clausing (@cam_clausing)
• Murray Smith

Producer:

• Nick Rabe

Episode Sponsor:

• Christ College, Sydney

---

S4 Episode 5 - Show Notes

Recommended Resources - 

• Canon Fodder - Michael Kruger's blog
• Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the New Testament Books by Michael J. Kruger
• Who Chose the Gospels?: Probing the Great Gospel Conspiracy by Charles E. Hill (Amazon Link)
• Who Chose the Books of the New Testament? by Charles E. Hill