The Jerusalem Chamber » Podcast

Who are the elect? Who are the reprobate? Why does “wicked and disobedient” qualify the reprobate? What is the justice of God? What comfort is there in the word “eternal”? What is the fullness of joy and refreshing? How does the Bible address those who think justice is only rehabilitative? How does the Bible depict everlasting destruction? Tune in as Shawn, Nathan, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 33.2:

The end of God’s appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of his justice in the damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient. For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and refreshing which shall come from the presence of the Lord: but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

Tune in as we interview Dr. David Noe who recently translated John Arrowsmith’s volume Plans For Holy War, as part of the Writings of the Westminster Divines series.

Why is the truth that God has appointed a day for judging everyone so important to our faith? Where does the Bible talk about this day? What’s the significance that it’s carried out by Jesus Christ? What does it mean that we will give an account? How can we see this day as hopeful? Tune in as Shawn, Nathan, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 33.1:

God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father. In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons, that have lived upon earth, shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.

What are some views that have been taught about the body in the life to come? How is the story of humanity’s creation and fall important to this paragraph? What is the dishonour to which the unjust will be raised? What is the honor of the just? How will the bodies of believers be made conformable to the body of Jesus Christ? Tune in as Joel, Nathan, Shawn, and Kyle discuss WCF 32.3:

The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor; the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honor, and be made conformable to his own glorious body.

What does “at the last day” mean? What’s going on with the souls of people as the body is laid to rest? What happens to those who are alive on the last day? Describe the resurrection of the dead. What does “selfsame” body mean? Tune in as Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle discuss WCF 32.2:

At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up with the self-same bodies, and none other, although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls forever.

Why does the confession say our bodies return to dust? Does this promote a low view of the body? What about cremation? How do we biblically know the soul has an immoral subsistence? Why is soul sleep unbiblical? What are the benefits of the soul at death? What is hell? Is there a place called purgatory? Join Shawn, Nathan, Joel, and Kyle as they discuss WCF 32.1:

The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption; but their souls (which neither die nor sleep), having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies: and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. Besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.

What matters would the Westminster Assembly regard as ecclesiastical as opposed to civil affairs? What does intermeddle mean in this context? What specific biblical passages guide Presbyterianism in its understanding of separation between church and civil authority? How have some of these things been practiced in presbyterian history? How can we understand faithful citizenship? How do you see this section helping the church today? Tune in as Shawn, Joel, Nathan, and Kyle discuss WCF 31.5:

Synods and councils are to handle or conclude nothing but that which is ecclesiastical: and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs which concern the commonwealth, unless by way of humble petition in cases extraordinary; or by way of advice, for satisfaction of conscience, if they be thereunto required by the civil magistrate.

How can synods and councils err? What are examples of the “many” that have erred? How can we use decisions of synods and councils as a help to our faith? Join Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle as they discuss WCF 31.4:

All synods or councils since the apostles’ times, whether general or particular, may err, and many have erred; therefore they are not to be made the rule of faith or practice, but to be used as a help in both

We are told in this paragraph what belongs to synods and councils. We are told that these things belong “ministerially.” What’s that mean? What would the other option be? What are the four reasons for a Synod or Council to act, and what do they mean? How are the decisions to be received? Join Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle as they discuss WCF 31.3:

It belongeth to synods and councils, ministerially, to determine controversies of faith, and cases of conscience; to set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God, and government of his Church; to receive complaints in cases of maladministration, and authoritatively to determine the same: which decrees and determinations, if consonant to the Word of God, are to be received with reverence and submission, not only for their agreement with the Word, but also for the power whereby they are made, as being an ordinance of God, appointed thereunto in his Word.

Within American Presbyterianism why has this paragraph been deleted and within the RPCNA why is it rejected? Why does the confession say it’s lawful for a magistrate to call a Synod and can you give historical examples of this? What does the confession mean by “other fit persons”? What is meant by “consult or advise with matters of religion”? Where do we establish the right of ministers to call Synods? Join Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle as they discuss WCF 31.2:

As magistrates may lawfully call a synod of ministers and other fit persons to consult and advise with about matters of religion; so, if magistrates be open enemies to the Church, the ministers of Christ, of themselves, by virtue of their office, or they, with other fit persons, upon delegation from their churches, may meet together in such assemblies.