The Shorter

Welcome to The Shorter Podcast: the podcast that demonstrates that the Shorter Catechism is for all and useful for all of life. You’ll find all of the The Shorter episodes right here. We are excited to journey through the Shorter Catechism with you. Please invite a friend to listen along.

In this bonus episode of the podcast, Tommy and Stephen interview Rev. Jason Helopoulos, Senior Pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan, on his book Neglected Grace concerning family worship.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Neglected Grace by Jason Helopoulos 

Let the Children Worship by Jason Helopoulos 

Family Worship by Terry Johnson

Training Hearts, Training Minds: Family Devotions Base on the Shorter Catechism by Starr Meade

First Catechism: Teaching Children Bible Truths (Great Resource) 

We are thankful to Christian Focus Publications for gifting us with great copies of the Shorter Catechism.

GET $5 From Westminster Bookstore 

Thanks to Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns for our intro and exit music. You can find his music on platforms like Amazon Music and Spotify. You can learn more about Andy here: https://www.yellowhammerhymns.com

Tommy Park can be found at www.unf.ruf.org and Stephen Spinnenweber at https://www.wpcajax.us

Welcome to The Shorter Podcast: the podcast that demonstrates that the Shorter Catechism is for all and useful for all of life. You’ll find all of the The Shorter episodes right here. We are excited to journey through the Shorter Catechism with you. Please invite a friend to listen along.

In this episode of the podcast, Tommy and Stephen interview Dr. J.V. Fesko, Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS. They discuss Questions 20 of the Shorter Catechism concerning the covenant of grace and election.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Sacred Bond by Michael Brown and Zach Keele

Economy of the Covenants by Herman Witsius

Growing in Holiness by J.V. Fesko

Word, Water, and Spirit by J.V. Fesko  

John Fesko's Web-site

Reformation Heritage Books

We are thankful to Christian Focus Publications for gifting us with great copies of the Shorter Catechism.

GET $5 from Westminster Book Store 

Thanks to Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns for our intro music and Bruce Benedict for our exit music. You can find their music on platforms like Amazon Music and Spotify. You can learn more about these talented musicians here:

Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns at https://www.yellowhammerhymns.com

Bruce Benedict at https://cardiphonia.org/

Tommy Park can be found at www.unf.ruf.org and Stephen Spinnenweber at https://www.wpcajax.us

Welcome to The Shorter Podcast: the podcast that demonstrates that the Shorter Catechism is for all and useful for all of life. You’ll find all of the The Shorter episodes right here. We are excited to journey through the Shorter Catechism with you. Please invite a friend to listen along.

In this episode of the podcast, Tommy and Stephen continue their journey through The Shorter Catechism by looking at Question 20 concerning the covenant of grace and the doctrine of election.

Q. 20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?

A. God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a redeemer.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Covenant of Grace by John Murray 

Back to the Basics: Rediscovering the Riches of the Reformed Faith - a great book 

What Are Election and Predestination by Rick Phillips 

What is Predestination? by RC Sproul (this book is free on kindle)

What is the Covenant of Grace? article from Ligonier 

We are thankful to Christian Focus Publications for gifting us with great copies of the Shorter Catechism.

Thanks to Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns for our intro music and Matt Howell for our exit music. Matt was a former RUF Campus Minister and currently a PCA Pastor in Memphis, TN. Matt wrote songs on The Shorter Catechism to help aid memorization. You can find Andy’s music on platforms like Amazon Music and Spotify. You can learn more about Andy here: Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns at https://www.yellowhammerhymns.com

Welcome to The Shorter Podcast: the podcast that demonstrates that the Shorter Catechism is for all and useful for all of life. You’ll find all of the The Shorter episodes right here. We are excited to journey through the Shorter Catechism with you. Please invite a friend to listen along.

In this episode of the podcast, Tommy and Stephen interview Dr. Hans Madueme, Associate Professor of Theological Studies at Covenant College. They discuss Questions 16-19 of the Shorter Catechism concerning the sin of our first parents Adam and Eve and the effects of sin.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Glittering Vices: A New Look at the Seven Deadly Sins and Their Remedies by Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung

Original Sin and The Fall: Five Views edited by J.B. Stump and Chad Meister

Audio Lectures from Covenant College by Dr. Hans Madueme

We are thankful to Christian Focus Publications for gifting us with great copies of the Shorter Catechism.

Thanks to Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns for our intro music and Bruce Benedict for our exit music. You can find their music on platforms like Amazon Music and Spotify. You can learn more about these talented musicians here:

Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns at https://www.yellowhammerhymns.com

Bruce Benedict at https://cardiphonia.org/

Tommy Park can be found at www.unf.ruf.org and Stephen Spinnenweber at https://www.wpcajax.us

Welcome to The Shorter Podcast: the podcast that demonstrates that the Shorter Catechism is for all and useful for all of life. You’ll find all of the The Shorter episodes right here. We are excited to journey through the Shorter Catechism with you. Please invite a friend to listen along.

In this episode of the podcast, Tommy and Stephen continue their journey through The Shorter Catechism by looking at Questions 16-19 concerning the definition of sin and specifically the sin of Adam and Eve.

Q. 16. Did all mankind fall in Adam's first transgression?

A. The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression.

Q. 17. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?

A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.

Q. 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?

A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.

Q. 19. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?

A. All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Sin and the Fall by  Reddit Andrews III

The Sinfulness of Sin  by Ralph Venning

Not the Way It's Suppose to Be by Cornelius Plantinga 

The Enemy Within by Kris Lundgaard 

GET $5 From Westminster Bookstore

We are thankful to Christian Focus Publications for gifting us with great copies of the Shorter Catechism.

Thanks to Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns for our intro music and Bruce Benedict for our exit music. You can find their music on platforms like Amazon Music and Spotify. You can learn more about these talented musicians here:

Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns at https://www.yellowhammerhymns.com

Bruce Benedict at https://cardiphonia.org/

Tommy Park can be found at www.unf.ruf.org and Stephen Spinnenwebber at https://www.wpcajax.us

Welcome to The Shorter Podcast: the podcast that demonstrates that the Shorter Catechism is for all and useful for all of life. You’ll find all of the The Shorter episodes right here. We are excited to journey through the Shorter Catechism with you. Please invite a friend to listen along.

In this episode of the podcast, Tommy and Stephen interview Rev. Jason Helopoulos, Senior Pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan. They discuss Questions 13-15 of the Shorter Catechism concerning the sin of our first parents Adam and Eve. Rev. Jason Helopoulos in the author of these books: A Neglected Grace: Family Worship in the Christian Home, Let the Children Worship and The New Pastor's Handbook.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Imputation of Adam's Sin by John Murray 

Human Nature in its Fourfold State by Thomas Boston

Boston's Fourfold State of Man by 5 Minutes in Church History (article and audio)

The Consequences of the Fall of Man by J Greshem Machen (article)

Get your Shorter Catechism TODAY. 

Get $5 from Westminster Bookstore

We are thankful to Christian Focus Publications for gifting us with great copies of the Shorter Catechism.

Shorter Catechism Memory Cards

Thanks to Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns for our intro music and Bruce Benedict for our exit music. You can find their music on platforms like Amazon Music and Spotify. You can learn more about these talented musicians here:

Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns at https://www.yellowhammerhymns.com

Bruce Benedict at https://cardiphonia.org/

Tommy Park can be found at www.unf.ruf.org and Stephen Spinnenweber at https://www.wpcajax.us

Welcome to The Shorter Podcast: the podcast that demonstrates that the Shorter Catechism is for all and useful for all of life. You’ll find all of the The Shorter episodes right here. We are excited to journey through the Shorter Catechism with you. Please invite a friend to listen along.

In this episode of the podcast, Tommy and Stephen continue their journey through The Shorter Catechism by looking at Questions 13-15 concerning the definition of sin and specifically the sin of Adam and Eve.

Q. 13. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?

A. Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.

Q. 14. What is sin?

A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.

Q. 15. What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?

A. The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created was their eating the forbidden fruit.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Sin and The Fall by Andrew Reddit

Not the Way It's Supposed to Be by Cornelius Plantinga (GREAT BOOK)

Imputation of Adam's Sin by John Murray 

Cosmic Treason by RC Sproul (Brief Article)

What is the difference between sin, transgression, and iniquity? by Ligonier (video)

We are thankful to Christian Focus Publications for gifting us with great copies of the Shorter Catechism.

Get $5 when you order from Westminster Bookstore

Thanks to Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns for our intro music and Bruce Benedict for our exit music. You can find their music on platforms like Amazon Music and Spotify. You can learn more about these talented musicians here:

Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns at https://www.yellowhammerhymns.com

Bruce Benedict at https://cardiphonia.org/

Tommy Park can be found at www.unf.ruf.org and Stephen Spinnenwebber at https://www.wpcajax.us

Welcome to The Shorter Podcast: the podcast that demonstrates that the Shorter Catechism is for all and useful for all of life. You’ll find all of the The Shorter episodes right here. We are excited to journey through the Shorter Catechism with you. Please invite a friend to listen along.

In this episode of the podcast, Tommy and Stephen interview Dr. Brian Cosby, Senior Pastor at Waypoint Presbyterian Church on Signal Mountain, TN. They discuss Questions 11 and 12 of the Shorter Catechism concerning the Providence of God. Dr. Cosby is Visiting Lecturer at RTS Atlanta. Brian is an officer (Capt.) in the United States Air Force Reserves and the author of over a dozen books, which can be found HERE. Brian serves as an assistant editor for The Gospel Coalition and editorial director for the Gospel Reformation Network.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

A Christian Guide to Suffering: How God Shapes Us Through Pain and Tragedy by Brian Cosby

God Willing by John Flavel

The Christ of the Covenants by O Palmer Robertson

Covenants Made Simple by Jonty Rhodes

Get $5 for Westminster Bookstore 

We are thankful to Christian Focus Publications for gifting us with great copies of the Shorter Catechism.

Thanks to Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns for our intro music and Bruce Benedict for our exit music. You can find their music on platforms like Amazon Music and Spotify. You can learn more about these talented musicians here:

Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns at https://www.yellowhammerhymns.com

Bruce Benedict at https://cardiphonia.org/

Tommy Park can be found at www.unf.ruf.org and Stephen Spinnenweber at https://www.wpcajax.us

Welcome to The Shorter Podcast: the podcast that demonstrates that the Shorter Catechism is for all and useful for all of life. You’ll find all of the The Shorter episodes right here. We are excited to journey through the Shorter Catechism with you. Please invite a friend to listen along.

In this episode of the podcast, Tommy and Stephen continue their journey through The Shorter Catechism by looking at Question 11 concerning God’s works of providence.

Q. 11. What are God's works of providence?

A. God's works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Concise Theology by JI Packer

What Is Providence? by Derek Thomas (a nice little book)

Does Grace Grow in the Winter by Ligon Duncan

The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel 

How to Mediate on God's Providence (article) by John Flavel

Reading God's Providence (article) by Nick Batzig 

Providence: God in Control (video series) by RC Sproul 

We are thankful to Christian Focus Publications for gifting us with great copies of the Shorter Catechism.

Get a $5 from Westminster Bookstore

Thanks to Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns for our intro music and Bruce Benedict for our exit music. You can find their music on platforms like Amazon Music and Spotify. You can learn more about these talented musicians here:

Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns at https://www.yellowhammerhymns.com

Bruce Benedict at https://cardiphonia.org/

Tommy Park can be found at www.unf.ruf.org and Stephen Spinnenwebber at https://www.wpcajax.us

Welcome to The Shorter Podcast: the podcast that demonstrates that the Shorter Catechism is for all and useful for all of life. You’ll find all of the The Shorter episodes right here. We are excited to journey through the Shorter Catechism with you. Please invite a friend to listen along.

In this episode of the podcast, Tommy and Stephen interview Dr. Dan Doriani, the Vice President at Large of Covenant Theological Seminary and the Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology. They discuss Question 10 of the Shorter Catechism concerning man being created in the image of God. Dr. Doriani is an author of many books, but their conversation focuses on his book Work: Its Purpose, Dignity, and Transformation published by P & R Publishing.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Work by Dan Doriani

12 Basic Principles for Faith and Work by Dan Doriani 

Designed with Dignity by Richard Pratt

The Call by Os Guinness 

Visions of Vocation by Steve Garber

Creation Regained by Al Waters

Discerning Your Call by Timothy Keller 

Here is a $5 coupon of the Westminster Book Store 

We are thankful to Christian Focus Publications for gifting us with great copies of the Shorter Catechism.

Thanks to Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns for our intro music and Bruce Benedict for our exit music. You can find their music on platforms like Amazon Music and Spotify. You can learn more about these talented musicians here:

Andy Zipf and Yellowhammer Hymns at https://www.yellowhammerhymns.com

Bruce Benedict at https://cardiphonia.org/

Tommy Park can be found at www.unf.ruf.org and Stephen Spinnenweber at https://www.wpcajax.us