In this episode of Christ the Center, Daniel Ragusa leads us in a consideration of nativity through the lens of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology. As this season prompts reflection on the incarnation of Christ, this conversation explores the eight aspects of the nativity highlighted by Vos, including its linguistic and redemptive-historical continuity, non-political and gracious character, eschatological significance, and missional scope. Along the way, we examine how Vos’s insights foster a deeper sense of wonder and worship, connecting the nativity to God’s covenantal promises and his grand redemptive plan.

Whether you’re a student of biblical theology or seeking to enrich your understanding of the nativity, this episode offers profound insights and a timely celebration of the wonder of Christ’s coming. Listen in for a thought-provoking conversation that ties the nativity to the broader redemptive narrative and stirs your heart to worship this season.

Chapters

• 00:00:00 Sponsor: Five More Talents
• 00:01:04 Introduction
• 00:13:17 Vos on the Nativity
• 00:15:59 Horizontal and Vertical Dimensions
• 00:26:21 The Structure of Revelation regarding the Nativity
• 00:31:55 Aspects of the Nativity
• 00:33:36 Organic-Linguistic Continuity
• 00:35:26 Historical Continuity
• 00:37:49 The Redemptive Aspect
• 00:42:16 The Non-Political Aspect
• 00:46:56 The Aspect of Grace and Obedience
• 00:56:30 The Eschatological Aspect
• 01:02:07 The Universal/Missional Aspect
• 01:06:44 The Supernatural Aspect
• 01:11:53 Bonus: A Covenantal Aspect
• 01:14:24 Practical Application
• 01:22:43 Conclusion

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. On today’s episode, before moving forward in this chapter entitled, “The Doctrine of the Last Things,” we engage with what it means to live in these last days. What are the last days anyway?

This is the second lesson in Dr. Lane G. Tipton’s Reformed Academy course, Calvinism: The Plan of Salvation. This lesson covers the following topics:

0:00 The Works of God Distinguished

2:12 The Decrees of God

9:21 The Biblical Basis for the Fact of the Decree

22:55 The Plan of Salvation and the Person of Christ

24:58 John 17:1–5 and the Pactum Salutis

Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress, download supplemental materials, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-four additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/calvinism-the-plan-of-salvation/

 Your donations enable us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you all across the world: https://reformedforum.org/donate/

 #Calvinism #salvation #reformedtheology

In this episode, Chad Vegas, founding pastor of Sovereign Grace Church and founding board chairman of Radius International, joins us to discuss the extraordinary life and ministry of John G. Paton, a nineteenth-century missionary to the New Hebrides. Drawing from his experience contributing to a docuseries on global missions, Chad reflects on Paton’s unwavering faith, theological convictions, and perseverance in the face of immense challenges, including tribal conflicts and personal loss.

Together, we explore the spiritual and cultural context of the New Hebrides (present day Vanuatu), the lessons Paton’s life offers for modern missionaries, and the role of local churches in supporting mission work today. We also discuss the importance of heavenly-mindedness, the grace of God made perfect in weakness, and practical ways listeners can get involved in the Great Commission.

Whether you’re passionate about missions or looking for inspiration to deepen your faith, this episode offers rich insights into the transformative power of the gospel and its call to every believer.

00:00:00 Sponsor: Five More Talents 00:01:35 Introduction 00:03:58 New Books from Reformed Forum 00:07:47 Christmas Extravaganza (12/20/2024) 00:10:40 Radius International, Missionary, and Resources on Missions 00:18:42 Missions and Theology 00:20:32 Escaping a Small-Minded Mindset Regarding Missions 00:25:55 Missions and the Family 00:33:36 John G. Paton's Story 00:39:38 The Testimony of an "Elephant" Church 00:41:22 The Islands and the People Paton Served 00:46:19 Heavenly-Mindedness and God's Grace Made Perfect in Weakness 00:52:39 Obstacles to Going into the Field 00:57:41 Supporting Missions 01:05:38 Next Steps for Getting Involved 01:11:15 The Work of the Great Commission Is Everywhere 01:18:53 Conclusion

This is Christ the Center episode 885 (https://www.reformedforum.org/ctc885)

This is the first lesson in Dr. Lane G. Tipton’s Reformed Academy course, Calvinism: The Plan of Salvation. This lesson covers the following topics:

0:00 The Bible as the Norm than Norms

4:49 Creeds and Confessions as Norms that are Normed

12:08 Biblicism

17:53 Exegetical, Biblical, and Systematic Theology

22:15 Warfield’s “The Idea of Biblical Theology”

30:55 Warfield on the Relation of Biblical to Systematic Theology

34:01 Vos on the Relation of Biblical to Systematic Theology

38:25 The Doctrine of Man and the Fourfold Estate

45:14 Conclusion

Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress, download supplemental materials, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-four additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/calvinism-the-plan-of-salvation/

Your donations enable us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you all across the world: https://reformedforum.org/donate/

#Calvinism #salvation #reformedtheology

In this episode, Camden Bucey connects with Dr. Ben Gladd, the inaugural executive director of the Carson Center for Theological Renewal at The Gospel Coalition. Dr. Gladd shares the vision behind the Carson Center, its commitment to biblical theology, and its efforts to provide accessible resources to the global church.

The conversation touches on the center’s flagship projects, including a comprehensive, multimedia-enhanced Bible commentary and its ambitious translation goals. Dr. Gladd also discusses the current state of biblical theology and New Testament studies, highlighting the opportunities and challenges facing the church today.

Listeners will also enjoy insights into Dr. Gladd’s writing methods, his editorial role in the New Studies in Biblical Theology series, and the vital work of connecting the Bible’s story to believers around the world. Whether you’re a scholar, pastor, or simply curious about biblical theology, this episode provides a wealth of insight and encouragement.

Links

• Learn more about the Carson Center: The Carson Center
• Explore Reformed Forum’s new publications: Order in the Offices, 2nd Edition and Fullness of Joy by Dan Ragusa

Chapters

• 00:00 Sponsor: Five More Talents
• 01:35 Introduction
• 05:20 Woodworking Talk
• 12:04 New Books from Reformed Forum
• 15:16 Reformed Forum Christmas Extravaganza
• 17:31 Introducing the Carson Center
• 26:15 Key Programs
• 33:59 Theological Journals
• 43:34 The Current State of Biblical-Theological Studies
• 56:59 How to Follow Up
• 59:12 Conclusion

This is the tenth lesson in Rev. Robert Arendale’s Reformed Academy course, The Life of Abraham (Genesis 12–25). This lesson covers the following topics:

0:00 Abraham's Full Christian Life

6:28 Promises Fulfilled

12:26 Promises Foreshadowed

Register for this free on-demand course on our website to download supplemental materials, track your progress, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-two additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/the-life-of-abraham-genesis-12-25/

Your donations enable us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you all across the world: https://reformedforum.org/donate/

#Genesis #Bible #reformedtheology

Join Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy in this special live-streamed episode of Christ the Center. From discussing the “first annual” Reformed Forum Christmas Extravaganza to regional meetups and exciting book releases, this episode highlights the many ways Reformed Forum is connecting with its community. As Jim and Camden take questions from listeners in the live chat, the conversation also explores theological questions, including Karl Barth’s doctrines, the nature of ministerial church membership, and practical advice for theological students. Don’t miss this rich blend of theological discussion, community updates, and some unnecessary sports talk.

Chapters

• 00:00:07 Introduction
• 00:01:26 News, Updates, and Events
• 00:04:19 New Book: Order in the Offices (2nd ed.)
• 00:18:07 Which Denomination Is the “Best”?
• 00:29:56 Karl Barth’s Christology
• 00:35:25 Should I Study Karl Barth?
• 00:41:09 Advice for Research Students
• 00:52:33 Ministers as Members of Presbyteries vs. Local Churches
• 01:04:19 Three Favorite Systematic Theologies
• 01:05:45 Is Gordon Clark Worth Reading?
• 01:09:28 Conclusion

This is the ninth lesson in Rev. Robert Arendale’s Reformed Academy course, The Life of Abraham (Genesis 12–25). This lesson covers the following topics:

0:00 Summing Up of the Land Promise

20:24 Summing Up of the Seed Promise

Register for this free on-demand course on our website to download supplemental materials, track your progress, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-two additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/the-life-of-abraham-genesis-12-25/

Your donations enable us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you all across the world: https://reformedforum.org/donate/

#Genesis #Bible #reformedtheology

Danny Olinger, John Muether, Darryl Hart, and Camden Bucey explore the life and legacy of J. Gresham Machen, discussing Richard E. Burnett’s provocative book, Machen’s Hope: The Transformation of a Modernist in the New Princeton. Burnett seeks to reframe Machen as both modern and orthodox, portraying him as a “conservative modernist” who employed modern intellectual methods while remaining firmly committed to Reformed theology. This episode critically examines Burnett’s thesis and evaluates its contribution to understanding Machen’s theological and historical significance.

While Burnett rightly highlights Machen’s struggles in Germany and at Princeton, the panel critiques his use of terms like “modern” and “modernist,” noting they often diverge from Machen’s own vocabulary and theological focus. They emphasize that even the younger Machen remained theologically orthodox and discerning of heterodoxy, as seen in his critiques of figures like his professor Wilhelm Herrmann.

Furthermore, the panel questions Burnett’s emphasis on Machen’s early crises over his later, defining contributions—such as founding Westminster Seminary and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church—arguing that this framing risks downplaying Machen’s lifelong theological battle against liberalism, which he saw as denying God’s direct intervention in history and thus undermining the gospel.

This episode sheds light on Machen’s enduring legacy and his vital contributions to Reformed orthodoxy. Overall, the panelists contend that Machen’s hope was centered on God’s supernatural action in history, a hope Machen famously summarized in his final words: “So thankful for active obedience of Christ. No hope without it.”

Links

• D. G. Hart, Defending the Faith: J. Gresham Machen and the Crisis of Conservative Protestantism in Modern America
• Ned B. Stonehouse, J. Gresham Machen: A Biographical Memoir
• The Presbyterian Conflict
• D. G. Hart and John Muether, Fighting the Good Fight: A Brief History of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church
• Richard E. Burnett, Machen’s Hope: The Transformation of a Modernist in the New Princeton

Chapters

• 00:00:07 Introduction
• 00:05:00 Machen’s Significance
• 00:25:13 Machen’s Family Background
• 00:41:44 Machen at Marburg
• 00:48:31 Machen, Vos, and History
• 00:54:54 Machen’s Mentors
• 01:05:28 Assessing Machen
• 01:20:53 Conclusion