Reformed Forum

Given that Reformation Day is near, we thought it would be time to focus our attention on the monk with the mallet. Carl Trueman, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary speaks about Martin Luther and media. Luther’s is an interesting study in the effects of media on the church. Trueman discusses Luther’s context and draws parallels to the contemporary church. All the way from the printing press to Twitter, join us for a fascinating discussion on a timely subject.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carl Trueman, Nick Batzig

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

The Christ the Center panel met with Dr. Guy Waters, associate professor of NT at RTS/Jackson, about the importance of membership in a local congregation. The biblical basis for church membership was explored along with its connection to mutual support, discipline and observance of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Also discussed was the significance of the non-communicant/communicant member distinction. It was noted that aversion to local church membership among Christians is a relatively recent phenomenon and so this proved to be a very practical conversation.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Guy Prentiss Waters, Jeff Waddington, Josh Walker, Nick Batzig

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

Bill Dennison returns to Christ the Center to bring the fire about the eschatological structure of Paul’s thought and its relation to apologetics. Dr. Dennison has written a wonderful book title Paul’s Two-Age Construction and Apologetics which was originally his ThM thesis at Westminster Theological Seminary. This is a fantastic discussion regarding the interconnectedness of the theological encyclopedia.

Dr. Dennison is Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA as well as Visiting Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Northwest Theological Seminary. In addition to the book which is the topic of discussion today, Bill has authored The Young Bultmann: Context for His Understanding of God, 1884-1925 and A Christian Approach to Interdisciplinary Studies: In Search of a Method and Starting Point.

Dennison, William D. Paul’s Two-Age Construction and Apologetics. Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2000.

—. A Christian Approach to Interdisciplinary Studies: in Search of a Method and Starting Point. Eugene Or.: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2007.

—. The Young Bultmann: Context for His Understanding of God,1884-1925. American university studies. New York: P. Lang, 2008.

Oliphint, K. Scott, and Lane G. Tipton. Revelation and Reason: New Essays in Reformed Apologetics. 1st ed. Phillipsburg N.J.: P&R Pub., 2007.

Tipton, Lane G., and Jeffrey C. Waddington. Resurrection and Eschatology: Theology in Service of the Church : Essays in Honor of Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. Phillipsburg N.J.: P&R Pub., 2008.

Other Formats

Participants: Bill Dennison, Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy, Nick Batzig

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

Dr. Joseph A. Pipa, Jr. visits Christ the Center to speak about William Perkins’ role in the development of Puritan preaching. Pipa argues that Perkins’ overall influence and his book The Arte of Prophecying were significant factors in shifting the dominant Puritan model for preaching.

Perkins, William. The Art of Prophecying, or, A treatise concerning the sacred and only true manner and method of preaching. London: Printed by Iohn Legatt, 1631.

Pipa, Jr. Joseph A. Root and Branch. Evangelical Press, 1997.

———. The Covenant. Southern Presbyterian Press, 2005.

———. The Lord’s Day. Christian Focus, 1996.

———.Westminster Confession Of Faith Study Book: A Study Guide for Churches. Christian Focus, 2005.

Other Formats

Participants: Camden Bucey, Joseph A. Pipa, Jr., Nick Batzig

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

The Christ the Center corporal’s guard spoke with Matthew Patton, PhD student in biblical studies at Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton, IL about his paper “Searching for a Truly Repentant Israel: Ezra-Nehemiah and Restoration Prophecy.” A very fascinating discussion was had about such things as the already/not yet eschatology of Ezra-Nehemiah and how even though Israel was back in the land, they had not returned from exile. The significance of typology was also addressed. One of the strengths of Matt’s research is that he shows the intertexuality of the various parts of the Bible. This paper particularly highlights Nehemiah’s prayer and his citations and allusions to Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and 1st Kings. This discussion augers well for future in-depth biblical theological and exegetical conversations.

order Nehemiah and the Wall by Justin Gerard from 12 Stone Art

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Matthew Patton

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

Nick Batzig, Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey discuss the usual book news.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Nick Batzig

Burk Parsons visits Christ the Center to discuss two books he has edited. A majority of the discussion centers on Assured by God: Living in the Fullness of God’s Grace, a wonderful collection of contributions on the reformed doctrine of assurance. Burk explains the importance of the doctrine for the Christian life.

The second book is John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, and Doxology, another great book about the great reformer. This book stands out from the multitude of recent Calvin titles in that it was written for the layperson. Listen to Burk speak about these two books.

Beeke, Joel. The Quest for Full Assurance: The Legacy of Calvin and His Successors. Edinburgh; Carlisle Pa.: Banner of Truth, 1999.

Parsons, Burk, ed. Assured by God: Living in the Fullness of God’s Grace. Phillipsburg N.J.: P & R Pub., 2006.

—. John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, and Doxology. Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust, 2008.

Ryle, J. C. Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots. Cambridge Eng.: J. Clarke, 1956.

Other Formats

Participants: Burk Parsons, Camden Bucey, Josh Walker, Nick Batzig

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

Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey play clips of Keith Olberman, R.C. Sproul and The Onion. The clips provide fodder for a discussion that touches on Christianity and politics, presuppositional apologetics, and Jonathan Edwards and conversion.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington

Christ the Center was pleased to welcome Dr. Thomas R. Schreiner to discuss New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ. Dr. Schreiner’s book has been warmly welcomed by many respected scholars in the reformed community and listeners will understand why when they hear Dr. Schreiner detail his project.

Ridderbos, Herman. The Coming of the Kingdom. Edinburgh: Christian World Publications, 1979.

Schreiner, Thomas R. New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ. Baker Academic, 2008.

Vos, Geerhardus. Biblical Theology. New Ed. Banner of Truth, 1975.

———. Pauline Eschatology. P & R Publishing, 1979.

———. The Eschatology of the Old Testament. P & R Publishing, 2001.

———. The Kingdom of God and the Church. Presbyterian & Reformed Pub Co, 1972.

Vos, Geerhardus, and Richard B., Jr. Gaffin. Redemptive History and Biblical Interpretation: The Shorter Writings of Geerhardus Vos. P & R Publishing, 2001.

Other Formats

Participants: Camden Bucey, Josh Walker, Nick Batzig, Tom Schreiner

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

Richard D. Phillips visits Christ the Center to discuss his new book The Masculine Mandate: God’s Calling to Men. The book is a reaction to recent cultural trends as well as John Eldredge’s mega-hit Wild at Heart. Much more than a simple reaction, Rev. Phillips promotes a positive, biblical approach to masculinity by touching on biblical anthropology and God’s specific call that men should “work” and “keep.”

Rick is Senior Minister of Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC and the author of several books including Jesus the Evangelist, What’s So Great About the Doctrines of Grace?, and the Hebrews and Zechariah Reformed Expository commentaries.

Eldredge, John. Wild at Heart: Discovering the Passionate Soul of a Man. Nashville Tenn.: T. Nelson, 2001.

Phillips, Richard D. Hebrews. Reformed expository commentary. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Pub., 2006.

———. Jesus the Evangelist: Learning to Share the Gospel From the Book of John. Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Pub., 2007.

———. The Masculine Mandate: God’s Calling to Men. Lake Mary Fla.: Reformation Trust Pub., 2009.

———. What’s So Great About the Doctrines of Grace? Lake Mary FL: Reformation Trust Pub., 2008.

———. Saved by Grace: The Glory of Salvation in Ephesians 2. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Pub., 2009.

———. Zechariah. P & R Publishing, 2007.

Other Formats

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy, Josh Walker, Nick Batzig, Rick Phillips

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