Reformed Forum

Today, on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob enjoy a mostly lighthearted discussion about Christmas, including favorite Christmas cartoons, the question: “When does the Christmas ‘mood’ get started?”, the commercialization of the Christmas season, and on a slightly less humorous note, whether angels really do sing. First, though, we take a moment to remember and reflect upon the ministry of R. C. Sproul. Merry Christmas.

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

Christ the Center 1000

Today, on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob enjoy a mostly lighthearted discussion about Christmas, including favorite Christmas cartoons, the question: "When does the Christmas "mood" get started?", the commercialization of the Christmas season, and on a slightly less humorous note, whether angels really do sing. First, though, we take a moment to remember and reflect upon the ministry of R. C. Sproul. Merry Christmas.

Jeff Stivason joins us to speak about his article, “Benjamin B. Warfield and True Church Unity,” published in the Westminster Theological Journal 79 (2017): 327–43. He argues that Warfield developed a theology that requires the existence of denominations. Jeff is pastor of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPCNA) in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania and has joined us previously to speak about Warfield on the mode of inspiration.

This article examines Benjamin B. Warfield’s view of church unity. Though the research explores the entire corpus of Warfield’s body of work, the primary exploration encompasses the exegesis of two articles that are almost identical and yet separated by fourteen years, “True Church Unity: What It Is,” and “Christian Unity and Church Union; Some Primary Principles.” The teaching of these writings substantiate the following claim: the progressive and constructive nature of Warfield’s understanding of theology requires the existence of denominations. The article proceeds in the following manner. First, the research focuses on Warfield’s understanding of what church unity was not according to the apostolic church. Second, having understood the unity in the negative, the article moves on to observe the ground and nature of ecclesiastical unity in the apostolic church as understood by Warfield. The third point explores the progressive and constructive nature of systematic theology and how it applies to Warfield’s understanding of ecclesiastical unity. In this point, the idea of unity and the legitimacy of denominational separation is explored and substantiated from Warfield’s perspective. The fourth and final point gives attention to the minimalism that has the power to eclipse the church’s visible unity. In particular, the failure to engage in theological inquiry grounded upon the Scriptures will hinder and even destroy the unity of the church.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Stivason, Jeff Waddington

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

Christ the Center 1000 Summit

Christ the Center 1000 Live in Austin, TX

Christ the Center 1000 Summit

Jeff Stivason joins us to speak about his article, "Benjamin B. Warfield and True Church Unity," published in the Westminster Theological Journal 79 (2017): 327–43. He argues that Warfield developed a theology that requires the existence of denomination

Matthew Patton speaks about Augustine’s hermeneutical principle totus Christus, which recognizes an interpretive role for the Church in that the “whole Christ” (head and body) serves as the eschatological fulfillment of the Old Testament. Dr. Patton delivered a paper titled, “Totus Christus as Hermeneutical Key for a Christian Reading of Jeremiah,” at the 2017 National Convention of the Evangelical Theological Society. Rev. Dr. Patton is the pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Vandalia, Ohio. Dr. Patton is the author of Deuteronomy: A 12-Week Study in Crossway’s Knowing the Bible series.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Glen Clary, Jeff Waddington, Matthew Patton

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000 Live in Austin, TX

Christ the Center 1000 Summit

Christ the Center 1000

Christ the Center 1000 Summit

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Paul’s preaching in Athens and the role of philosophy or worldview in our various interactions with the world around us. Is philosophy useful? What about worldview? Is there any connection between these things and evangelism?

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

We continue our #VosGroup series starting on page 166 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the meaning of covering. Vos focuses on the meaning of expiation and demonstrates how the blood of Jesus functions with reference to sin. God covers, takes away, and obliterates the sin of his elect.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the contrast between Paul’s reception at Thessalonica and Berea. In Thessalonica, there was jealousy and hostility. In Berea, there was an examination of the Scriptures. How are we to receive the word of God preached to us through our pastors?

Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Mentioned in this episode:

Christ the Center 1000

Christ the Center 1000

Ryan Noha speaks about several rare books to be added to the Reformed Forum online store.

Today on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the contrast between Paul's reception at Thessalonica and Berea. In Thessalonica, there was jealousy and hostility. In Berea, there was an examination of the Scriptures. How are we to receive the word of God preached to us through our pastors?