Kingdom Polemics

In this episode of Kingdom Polemics, Pastor Aldo Leon talks to Pastor Sean McGowan, a PCA pastor and author of the book "Psalms that Curse: A Brief Primer" (https://a.co/d/7i6Oj6x). They discuss the following topics:

• What are imprecatory psalms and why did Sean write a book about them?
  
• How do imprecatory psalms fit with the New Testament teaching on loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us?
  
• How do imprecatory psalms reflect the character and justice of God and his word?
  
• How can Christians today pray imprecatory psalms in a biblical and pastoral way?
  
• What are some of the common objections and misunderstandings about imprecatory psalms and how can we respond to them?

This episode is full of insights and challenges for anyone who wants to grow in their understanding and appreciation of the Psalms as God's inspired songbook for his people. Listen and share your thoughts with us!

You can reach Pastor Sean McGowan through his church, Westminster Presbyterian Church of Tallahassee (https://wpctlh.org/).

Are you enjoying Kingdom Polemics? Please help us out by supporting each episode with the purchase of a cup of coffee. Follow this link: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kingdompolemics, please leave us a comment or suggestion, we appreciate your support.

Join the Kingdom Polemics community on our YouTube page at https://youtube.com/@kingdompolemics, where you can subscribe, leave comments, and access more thought-provoking content. Additionally, find past episodes of Kingdom Polemics at https://reformationmiami.org/kp for a comprehensive exploration of these crucial theological discussions.

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Kingdom Polemics! In this installment, Pastor Aldo brings you a captivating excerpt from Ryan Biese's podcast, The Westminster Standard (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-westminster-standard/id1697897574). Join Pastor Aldo as he engages in a dynamic discussion with Pastor Ryan Biese (https://www.fpfo.org/leadership) and Pastor Derrick Brite (https://www.firstpresaliceville.org/), prominent figures within the PCA. Together, they delve into a timely topic: the recent trend of church planters departing from the PCA due to differing views on women's roles in the church.

Episode Highlights:

• Exploring Historical Position: The trio takes a deep dive into the PCA's historical and confessional stance on women's ordination and ministry roles. Gain insights into the origins of this position and its relevance in the current context.

• Understanding Departure Motivations: Listen in as the hosts dissect the potential reasons motivating PCA church planters to leave for other denominations. They explore the intricate interplay of theology and personal motivations.

• Challenges to PCA's Integrity: The conversation shifts to the challenges and risks associated with compromising the PCA's standards and polity. Discover the importance of upholding foundational principles.

• Enhancing Clarity and Consistency: Explore the need for clear and consistent training and evaluation of ministerial candidates. Learn how these aspects contribute to maintaining the PCA's theological identity.

• Balancing Doctrinal Purity: The episode concludes with a thoughtful discussion on the pros and cons of pruning the PCA community. Delve into the complexities of refining the denomination and its potential impact.

Join us for this intellectually stimulating episode, filled with insightful observations and thought-provoking insights. Whether you're well-versed in theology or simply curious, this episode offers a rewarding exploration of the evolving dynamics within the PCA and its stance on women's roles in the church.

Be sure to subscribe to Kingdom Polemics and join Pastor Aldo, Ryan Biese, and Derrick Brite as they unpack the ongoing theological journey of the PCA. Tune in now to gain fresh perspectives and informed viewpoints on this compelling subject.

Are you enjoying Kingdom Polemics? Please help us out by supporting each episode with the purchase of a cup of coffee. Follow this link: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kingdompolemics, please leave us a comment or suggestion, we appreciate your support.

Join the Kingdom Polemics community on our YouTube page at https://youtube.com/@kingdompolemics, where you can subscribe, leave comments, and access more thought-provoking content. Additionally, find past episodes of Kingdom Polemics at https://reformationmiami.org/kp for a comprehensive exploration of these crucial theological discussions.

In this episode of Kingdom Polemics, Aldo Leon warns about the dangers of white wokeness, a movement that elevates white ethnicity and culture to a spiritual and moral level. He exposes the faulty assumptions and arguments of white woke advocates, such as the Daily Genevan, who claim to defend their Christian nation, Anglo heritage, and God from globalist and anti-Christ enemies. He also traces the roots of white wokeness to the theonomic teachings of Rousas Rushdoony, who advocated for racial and cultural segregation based on a misinterpretation of biblical law. He contrasts this approach with the biblical way of addressing ethnic and cultural issues, which is based on the gospel of grace, the union with Christ, and the new covenant ministry. He challenges Christians to reject any form of ethnocentrism and to embrace the diversity and unity of God's people in Christ.

Are you enjoying Kingdom Polemics? Please help us out by supporting each episode with the purchase of a cup of coffee. Follow this link: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kingdompolemics, please leave us a comment or suggestion, we appreciate your support.

Join the Kingdom Polemics community on our YouTube page at https://youtube.com/@kingdompolemics, where you can subscribe, leave comments, and access more thought-provoking content. Additionally, find past episodes of Kingdom Polemics at https://reformationmiami.org/kp for a comprehensive exploration of these crucial theological discussions.

Welcome to Kingdom Polemics, the podcast where we explore the reformed perspectives on Christ's kingship and kingdom. In this episode, you will hear Pastor Aldo Leon preach on Psalms 2 from the pulpit of Pinelands Presbyterian Church in Cutler Bay, Florida. Psalms 2 is a powerful text that shows how Christ triumphs over the raging nations and blesses those who take refuge in him. The sermon connects Psalms 2 with Psalms 1, and shows how the blessed man of Psalms 1 has earned a kingdom by his obedience and faithfulness. The sermon also explains how Psalms 2 reveals what happens as Christ on His throne over the nations, extends his rule from Zion to the ends of the earth. The sermon applies the text to the current situation of the church and the world, and challenges us to be faithful to the king and his laws, and to proclaim his wrath and grace to the nations that rage against him. The sermon also shows how Psalms 2 is fulfilled in Christ's baptism, death, resurrection, ascension, and second coming, and how it gives us hope and confidence in the midst of opposition and persecution. The sermon concludes by calling us to kiss the son, serve the Lord with fear, rejoice with trembling, and take refuge in him. Don't miss this episode of Kingdom Polemics, where you will learn more about the exclusive, exhaustive, and extinctive rule of Christ over all things.

If you wish to watch the sermon, a post-live recording is available at: https://youtube.com/live/4J2mMw8MdFA.

Would you support our Podcast production by supporing each episode with the purchase of a cup of coffee? We would appreciate it, follow this link: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kingdompolemics

Join the Kingdom Polemics community on our YouTube page at https://youtube.com/@kingdompolemics, where you can subscribe, leave comments, and access more thought-provoking content. Additionally, find past episodes of Kingdom Polemics at https://reformationmiami.org/kp for a comprehensive exploration of these crucial theological discussions.

In this episode, Pastor Aldo Leon discusses the problem of churches that are more conservative than they are confessional. He argues that many churches in the reformed Presbyterian world have a superficial understanding of the first table of the law, which deals with our duties to God, and a lack of awareness of the confessional standards that summarize the biblical teaching on worship, liturgy, images, holy days, and the Sabbath. He points out the inconsistencies and dangers of this approach, and how it opens the door for idolatry, anarchy, and wokeness. He also challenges some of the common practices and arguments that are used to justify this more conservative but less confessional mindset. He calls for a return to a robust and consistent application of the first table of the law and the regulative principle of worship (RPW), as well as a deeper appreciation of the covenantal and redemptive historical framework of Scripture. He urges us to worship God according to his word and not according to our imaginations and devices. This is a challenging and thought-provoking episode that will make you examine your own views and practices in light of God's word and the reformed tradition.

Join the Kingdom Polemics community on our YouTube page at https://youtube.com/@kingdompolemics, where you can subscribe, leave comments, and access more thought-provoking content. Additionally, find past episodes of Kingdom Polemics at https://reformationmiami.org/kp for a comprehensive exploration of these crucial theological discussions.

In this episode of Kingdom Polemics, Pastor Aldo Leon engages in a robust critique of Doug Wilson's recent blog of 31-Jul-23 (https://dougwils.com/books-and-culture/s7-engaging-the-culture/ordo-order.html), dissecting key points of disagreement:

• Infused Righteousness and Roman Catholicism: Pastor Aldo challenges Doug Wilson's use of "infused righteousness," associating it with Roman Catholic theology. He argues that this term's implication of grace as a substance bears resemblance to Catholic teachings and cites Aquinas to underscore his concern.

• Rejection of Ontological Participation and Instrument of Imputed Righteousness: Pastor Aldo critiques Wilson's notion of righteousness as ontological participation in the deity, paralleling it with Osiander's theology. He counters with a reaffirmation of the Reformed understanding that regeneration precedes faith, and justifies renewal through imputed righteousness.

• Confessional Standards and Roman Catholic Comparisons: Drawing from the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Westminster Larger Catechism, Pastor Aldo reinforces his stance on infused and imputed righteousness, suggesting Wilson's divergence from these Reformed standards. He highlights perceived tensions between Wilson's viewpoint and Roman Catholic tendencies to fuse concepts.

• Gaffin's Approach and Affirmation-Denial Duality: Pastor Aldo introduces Richard B. Gaffin's solution to the regeneration-justification tension. He accuses Wilson of affirming orthodoxy while simultaneously denying it, pointing out potential inconsistencies in Wilson's position.

In this thought-provoking episode, Pastor Aldo Leon critically engages with Doug Wilson's theological perspectives, diving into intricate debates surrounding infused righteousness, ontological participation, regeneration, and justification, all while drawing from Reformed confessions and examining parallels with Roman Catholic thought.

Join the Kingdom Polemics community on our YouTube page at https://youtube.com/@kingdompolemics, where you can subscribe, leave comments, and access more thought-provoking content. Additionally, find past episodes of Kingdom Polemics at https://reformationmiami.org/kp for a comprehensive exploration of these crucial theological discussions.

In this episode, Pastor Aldo discusses the rules for the right understanding of the 10 commandments, as explained in the Westminster Larger Catechism, specifically, WLC #99 (https://reformedstandards.com/westminster/wlc.html?a=question-99). He explains how the law of God is perfect, spiritual, interconnected, and comprehensive, and how it requires us to obey God in every aspect of our lives. He also shows how the law of God reflects God's simple and unified character, and how it promises blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. He gives many examples of how breaking or keeping one commandment affects other commandments, and how we cannot separate the law into first and second tables, or into essentials and non-essentials, or into spiritual and temporal aspects. He challenges us to examine our hearts and motives, and to seek to glorify God by keeping his law in spirit and truth. This is a podcast for those who want to grow in their understanding and application of God's law.

Join the Kingdom Polemics community on our YouTube page at https://youtube.com/@kingdompolemics, where you can subscribe, leave comments, and access more thought-provoking content. Additionally, find past episodes of Kingdom Polemics at https://reformationmiami.org/kp for a comprehensive exploration of these crucial theological discussions.

In this episode of Kingdom Polemics, Pastor Aldo and Rev. Dr. Benjamin Glaser delve into the changes made to the 1788 Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) in the American version, currently used in the PCA. Dr. Glaser, a member of the ARPC, shares his thoughts on the appropriateness of these alterations.

The conversation starts with Pastor Aldo reading the changes introduced in the 1788 WCF. Dr. Glaser expresses concern over the undergirding libertarian conception of the individual in the American version, which was not present in the original.

One of Dr. Glaser's key points is that remnants of the establishment principle are still present in the American version. He argues that the expectation was for local civil governments to have a partiality towards Christianity and promote it, contrary to the notion of a complete separation between church and state at the time of the United States' establishment.

Pastor Aldo highlights historical calls from Presbyterians in Ireland, Scotland, and England for the end of prelacy, all of whom confess the lordship of Jesus through Presbyterian polity.

The discussion then moves into a review of various sections of the WCF and the larger catechism as they relate to Christendom and theocracy, touching on topics like Sabbatarianism, oaths, the role of the civil magistrate, just war, kings and queens as nursing father and mother, the distinction between the moral law and the natural law, George Gillespie's view of Civil Law in the Old Testament, covenant curses on nations, the magistrate's responsibility for the enforcement of the first table of the law, disapproval and opposition to false religion in one's place of calling, toleration of false religion, and prayers for removing atheism and idolatry.

Tune in to this thought-provoking episode as Pastor Aldo and Rev. Dr. Glaser explore the historical and theological nuances surrounding these significant revisions in the American version of the Westminster Confession of Faith. You can find out more about our guest, Rev. Dr. Benjamin Glaser, at: https://bethanyarp.org/leadership/rev-benjamin-glaser/.

Join the Kingdom Polemics community on our YouTube page at https://youtube.com/@kingdompolemics, where you can subscribe, leave comments, and access more thought-provoking content. Additionally, find past episodes of Kingdom Polemics at https://reformationmiami.org/kp for a comprehensive exploration of these crucial theological discussions.

In this episode, Pastor Aldo interacts with a video of a panel discussion that took place in September 2022 at 9Marks at Southeastern, titled "A Conference about the church, for the church." The focus of our discussion is Mark Dever, one of the panel participants, and his Baptist claims.

Pastor Aldo presents a compelling argument challenging the notion that Baptism and Regeneration occur simultaneously. Drawing reference from WCF Chapter 28, sections 5 and 6, he emphasizes the separation of church membership, baptism, and regeneration as distinct events with different timing for individuals. Additionally, he explores the concept of inward and outward expressions of faith, highlighting the possibility of external participation in church rituals without internal regeneration.

Dever counters with the argument that Congregationalism is essential for preserving orthodoxy and the Gospel. Pastor Aldo contrasts Episcopacy, where one speaks for the many, with Presbyterianism, where the many speak collectively in three concentric spheres: the local church, the regional church, and the general assembly. Pastor Aldo further explores the three types of polity: Episcopacy, Congregationalism, and Presbyterianism, clarifying the distinctions between them. He also highlights the departure of the PCUSA from Presbyterian polity and its descent into heresy.

The discussion then shifts towards the implications of baptizing uneducated or untrained adults, with Pastor Aldo arguing that it can lead to a loss of orthodoxy. He questions whether Congregationalism is the solution, using the example of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), where a wide range of expressions, including Dispensationalism, Arminianism, Prosperity gospel, and Charismatics, coexist within the same denomination. He raises the question of whether congregationalism can adequately address such diversity.

The interaction continues touching on other claims made. Join us as we explore and critically examine the claims made by Mark Dever and Pastor Aldo's counterarguments in this intriguing and enlightening discussion.

Join the Kingdom Polemics community on our YouTube page at https://youtube.com/@kingdompolemics, where you can subscribe, leave comments, and access more thought-provoking content. Additionally, find past episodes of Kingdom Polemics at https://reformationmiami.org/kp for a comprehensive exploration of these crucial theological discussions.

In this episode of Kingdom Polemics, Pastor Aldo Leon delves into the ongoing conversations surrounding the requirement for women to wear head coverings during worship. He provides a unique perspective on this topic, examining various viewpoints and analyzing relevant scriptures, particularly focusing on 1 Corinthians. Pastor Aldo addresses three prevailing views on head coverings: the cultural insignificance perspective, the belief in head coverings as a creation ordinance and part of the Regulative Principle of Worship (RPW), and the view that head coverings are a cultural expression of a creational principle.

Throughout the discussion, Pastor Aldo explores key themes such as tradition, the creation ordinance, customs of a nation, the meaning of covered heads in Biblical Israel, cessationism, women's natural head coverings, and angels in worship.

Following these thoughts and remarks, Pastor Aldo highlights some important considerations and takeaways. He emphasizes that individuals whose consciences do not lead them to practice head coverings need not worry or disregard the topic. The broader conversation should include discussions on hairstyles, clothing, jobs, bodies, and the arbitrary nature of gender norms. For those who do practice head coverings, caution is advised, ensuring a genuine understanding of the practice and refraining from using threats. It is crucial to avoid transforming head coverings into a confessionalized movement or imposing them as binding requirements for biblical ethics. Furthermore, Pastor Aldo notes that head coverings did not play a central role in the reformations or fall within specific sections of worship.

For background on this issue, consider the following video by Pastor Gavin Beers of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (Burlington, NC) which argues for the use of head coverings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8FGFgddoes. And for the case against, the following two part series is from Alistair Begg, "Man and Woman in Biblical Perspective", https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/man-woman-in-biblical-persp1/ and https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/man-woman-in-biblical-perspt2/. Also, Greg L Price wrote an exegetical/historical study of 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 where he argues against the use of headcoverings. You can read/download his works here: https://www.puritandownloads.com/greg-l-price-on-headcoverings/

Tune in to this thought-provoking episode as Pastor Aldo Leon sheds light on the intricate discourse surrounding head coverings in the context of the Reformed faith.

Join the Kingdom Polemics community on our YouTube page at https://youtube.com/@kingdompolemics, where you can subscribe, leave comments, and access more thought-provoking content. Additionally, find past episodes of Kingdom Polemics at https://reformationmiami.org/kp for a comprehensive exploration of these crucial theological discussions.