Into Theology

In this episode, Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham discuss Calvin's view of the civil government and the church. We contrast Calvin's view, often called the two-kingdom view, with Theonomy, Roman Catholicism, and Anabaptism. We also discuss whether or not Christians should submit to unjust or even wicked rulers. Possibly, this might be one of the most practical episodes that we have recorded, given our current context (pandemic, restrictions, etc.). We think there is deep wisdom in looking to the past, to the great thinkers of Christianity like John Calvin. It protects us from creating a theology merely in response to present-day concerns. It allows us to avoid the temptation to create a theology that fits our desires rather than the truth of God. Calvin's doctrine of two-kingdoms, actually two-governments, ensures that we proclaim Christ as king of the whole universe while understanding our obligations to both God and to our neighbours. To learn more about two-kingdom theology from the reformation, see Brad Littlejohn's article here: https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/article/two-kingdoms-the-riches-of-reformational-political-thought/

Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham give an introduction to the life of Augustine of Hippo, as well as a discussion about his great work of theology—the Confessions. Join us as we spend the next weeks studying Augustine's Confessions.

In this episode, Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham discuss John Calvin's view of Baptism and the Lord's Supper from his Institutes 4.15.

In this episode, we discuss John Calvin's view of the sacraments. Calvin follows Augustine's view of sign and thing signified when it comes to the sacraments, namely, the Lord's Supper and baptism.

In this episode, Wyatt and Ian discuss John Calvin's view of the conscience. In sum, Calvin argues that governments cannot bind our consciences because they do not require us to believe things that would prevent our salvation. On the other hand, religious tyranny can bind our consciences by adding requirements to the free Gospel. Calvin here balances Christian freedom, conscience, and tyranny within Scriptural teaching. Religious tyranny binds the conscience by preventing or impeding salvation through its law. Christian freedom, however, means that despite what happens in our life, we remain free. We can be in prison and free. Governments simply do not have the tools to bind our consciences, but they only bind us to external works. To learn more, read Calvin himself and listen to this podcast! We cover Book 4 and Chapter 10 of Calvin's Institutes.

In this episode, we talk about John Calvin's view of Sola Scriptura and church councils from his Institutes of Christian Religion.

In this episode, Ian and Wyatt discuss John Calvin's view of the ancient church, the pope, and Calvin's argument that the Pope fits the biblical characteristics of the antichrist.

In this episode, Ian and Wyatt talk about Calvin's view of the early church. Calvin sees the early church as adhering to Scripture as well as human customs that accord with Scripture such as the development of bishops.

In this episode, Ian and Wyatt return from a summer break to talk theology. Before heading back to Calvin, we decided to talk about a whole set of theological issues. The conversation ranges from Augustine and Pelagius, Nature and Grace, Thomas Aquinas and Protestants to vaccine passports and why Amillennialism makes sense of the pandemic. Here is a link to Ian's new book: https://www.amazon.ca/God-Crowns-His-Own-Gifts-ebook/dp/B09DTF42NJ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=ian+clary+augustine&qid=1630616020&sr=8-1

Ian and Wyatt discuss podcasting for one year and what we've learned.