Together for the Gospel (T4G) directors have announced that they will be meeting for the final time in 2022, triggering a wide-ranging discussion on parachurch organizations. Todd waxes nostalgic as he recalls the many years he attended T4G and how those conferences influenced his life and ministry. Today, Pastor Pruitt shares his thoughts about the ministry’s dissolution as our two friends reflect on the current challenges that Gospel unity is facing everywhere. You don’t want to miss Carl’s analogy about the OPC and pest control. Listen in!

Congratulations to our winners of free copies of Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever:

Bruce J. from West Springfield, MA

Rod R. from Rose Hill, KS

Philip J. from Lenexa, KS

After a few weeks of solo hosting chores, Carl and Todd are back together and ready to tackle some pressing current affairs. The hot button issues of the day include the notions of “personhood” and “identity” as represented by Revoice, the PCA study committee report, and the opposition to passing overtures 23 and 37 to amend the Book of Church Order. Is the definition of “identity” ambiguous or unclear in the proposed overtures, or are some ministers backpedaling on what they previously affirmed to be true? An objective question requires a clear-cut and unequivocal answer, so Todd poses his queries to Carl, who—literally—“wrote the book” on issues of identity.

Check out our previous episode with Fred Greco addressing the PCA Overtures.

Congratulations to our winners of Kevin DeYoung’s book, What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? 

Eddie B. from Rocky Mount, NC

Chris B. from Camp Hill, PA

James C. from Chicago, IL

Now that we’ve adjusted to the new biweekly schedule for Mortification of Spin, we present one final encore of Theology on the Go. Carl and Todd return with a new episode next week, and then every other week thereafter. Thanks for listening!

Jonathan and James welcome a very special guest today. J. V. Fesko is the Harriet Barbour Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS. The Need for Creeds Today is one of Fesko’s most recent works and the topic of today’s conversation. 

Fesko defines four different ways Christians view creeds, as he argues that creeds are not only a wise and helpful practice for the wellbeing of the church, but a necessity for the being of the church! What does it mean to “give the sense,” and what does it have to do with catechizing the next generations?

The Blessings of the Faith series recently published by P&R is a valuable resource highlighting the distinctives of the Presbyterian and Reformed faith. The series, written for Church laity as an introduction to Presbyterian ecclesiology and polity, is particularly helpful for Christians with backgrounds in other traditions.

Carl’s guest is Jason Helopoulos, editor of the series and author of Covenantal Baptism. He’s the senior pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI. Jason shares his love for the sacrament of covenantal baptism and explains how his perspective on the subject has changed since his seminary days. What does baptism represent in the Reformed tradition? How is the concept of judgment associated with baptism? Do we pray with our children or for our children? Don’t miss this very insightful discussion. 

Congrats to our winners of complimentary copies of Jason's Covenantal Baptism: 

*Joan H. from Huron, OH   

*Bradley E. from Anthem, AZ

Mortification of Spin is now a biweekly podcast. As we adjust to the new schedule, we’d like to introduce you to another Alliance podcast: Theology on the Go, with Jonathan Master and James Dolezal. Another new episode of MoS is coming November 24th.

Dale Ralph Davis has been a minister at a few traditional Reformed churches in the US. For some time, he was Old Testament professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS. Dale lives a much quieter life now, and is happy to chat with Jonathan and James about one of his remarkable books, entitled The Word Became Fresh - How to Preach from the Old Testament Narrative Texts.

What is it about some OT narrative texts that intimidates many from preaching through them? What would be the possible negative effects on a church that does not receive the full revelation of God’s Word, including what Davis calls these “nasty narratives?”

Mortification of Spin is now a biweekly podcast. As we adjust to the new schedule, we’d like to introduce you to another Alliance podcast: Theology on the Go, with Jonathan Master and James Dolezal. A new episode of MoS is coming November 24th.

Dale Ralph Davis has been a minister at a few traditional Reformed churches in the US. For some time, he was Old Testament professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS. Dale lives a much quieter life now, and is happy to chat with Jonathan and James about one of his remarkable books, entitled The Word Became Fresh - How to Preach from the Old Testament Narrative Texts.

What is it about some OT narrative texts that intimidates many from preaching through them? What would be the possible negative effects on a church that does not receive the full revelation of God’s Word, including what Davis calls these “nasty narratives?”

A new series is available from P&R Publishing, produced in collaboration with some very accomplished and devoted pastors and theologians. Written for the Church, The Blessings of the Faith Series edited by Jason Helopoulos introduces and explores the distinctives of the Presbyterian and Reformed faith. Current topics include expository preaching, covenantal baptism, and persistent prayer, and more are on the way.

Today, Carl chats with David Strain, the senior minister of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS, and author of Expository Preaching. David explains the layout of the books, including content designed to answer questions commonly posed by Christians who are new to the Reformed faith. Why is expository preaching so vital? Is preaching simply the communication of information? David’s conviction and passion for expository preaching set the stage for this engaging conversation.

Congratulations to our winners of complimentary copies of Expository Preaching:

*Zaci S. from Gable, SC   

*Chrissy W. from Phoenixville, PA

NOTE: Mortification of Spin--now, a biweekly podcast--returns with a new episode November 10th. Today: from the archives of another Alliance podcast, it’s Theology on the Go with Jonathan Master and James Dolezal.

What is Federal Theology? Sam Renihan joins our hosts to address this very question. Sam is a pastor at Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in La Mirada, CA and author of From Shadow to Substance: the Federal Theology of the English Particular Baptists. 

Is it fair to say that Federal theology was the theology of the post-reformation English Puritan? If so, how? Sam focuses his attention on the distinctive features of Federal Theology among particular Baptists, their place in the 17th century literature, and the implications of departing from the English social institutions of long-held beliefs.

While Carl is globetrotting, fulfilling speaking engagements about what is (thus far) his magnum opus, Todd makes a promise to the loyal listeners of this podcast. As he’s the only host present, our megachurch minister sits down with a good friend to discuss a pressing issue in their common denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). 

It’s Fred Greco, pastor of Christ Church in Katy, TX, a General Assembly (GA) veteran trained in the art of unambiguous language. The two discuss this year’s passing of Overtures 23 and 37 at the GA and why the PCA should adopt them and amend the Book of Church Order. What are these overtures about? Why are they so significant for the future of the denomination? Todd and Fred review the proposals and discuss the objections raised by those who oppose them. Listen thoughtfully, because even if you’re not in a PCA church, the same issues may soon be knocking at the door of your denomination.

NOTE: Mortification of Spin is now a biweekly podcast. In the “off” weeks through the month of November, we’ll feature an encore episode of another Alliance podcast: Theology on the Go with Jonathan Master and James Dolezal. A new episode of “The Spin” is coming 10/27/21. 

Joel Beeke is a prolific author, professor, and president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He’s also a pastor of the Heritage Reformed Congregation of Grand Rapids. Beeke recently published Reformed Preaching: Proclaiming God’s Word from the Heart of the Preacher to the Heart of His People, which is the topic of today’s conversation.

Joel tells us why—for a long time—he wanted to write this book. He shares the distinctives of Reformed preaching, and explains what he means by “experiential preaching” by citing a few examples from the past. How can one preach experientially, and speak to the hearts of both believers and unbelievers in one single sermon? Dr. Beeke offers a satisfying answer!