Theology on the Go

Reformed Churches describe themselves as confessional, but what does that mean, and what does it matter? Blair Smith, president of the Charlotte campus of Reformed Theological Seminary, sits down with James and Jonathan today to answer these questions based on his new book, Reformed Confessionalism. Together, they explore the virtues of confessions and how historic confessions serve as guardrails for believers today. 

There are many Christians today, however, who are principally opposed to confessions. They think that confessions get in the way of our reading of the Bible. 

…I would say everybody has a confession, whether it's hidden or whether it's stated. We all have ways that we approach Scripture in which we understand the doctrine of Scripture. And what confessionalism does is it very clearly states what those doctrinal truths are. And it does so based on sort of the ritual of Christian tradition, whether that be ancient with the creeds or whether that be reformational with the Reformed confessions. – Blair Smith

Discover why these doctrines are not just relics of the past but vital tools for understanding Scripture and nurturing a balanced faith in our contemporary world.

We are pleased to award two of our listeners a copy of Blair Smith’s book, Reformed Confessionalism, thanks to the generosity of P&R Publishing. Congratulations to Jenny E. from Spartanburg, SC and Deana D. from Plymouth, MN.

Show Notes

Blessings of the Faith Series: https://www.prpbooks.com/series/blessings-of-the-faith

Jonathan and James are pleased to sit down with their friend and fellow Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals podcast host Carl Trueman, professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Grove City College, to discuss his latest book, The Desecration of Man: How the Rejection of God Degrades Our Humanity. Carl discusses the moral implications of modern expressive individualism, the quest for control over life and death, and the significance of anthropology in understanding contemporary issues of identity and ethics. 

The telos [ultimate objective] is that we should be like gods. The real telos is we reduce ourselves to nothing.”-- Carl Trueman

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges our understanding of what it means to be human.

We are pleased to award two listeners a copy of Carl’s book, The Desecration of Man: How the Rejection of God Degrades Our Humanity, thanks to the generosity of Sentinel Publishing. Congratulations to James P. from Summerville, SC and Abhishek P. from Langhorne, PA. 

Show Notes:

To buy your copy of The Desecration of Man, here is a link: https://reformedresources.org/the-desecration-of-man-hardcover/

Christians often think about the responsibilities of pastors to their flocks, but today James and Jonathan flip the script and consider the responsibilities of church members toward their pastors. Drawing insights from the works of John Owen, our hosts explore the biblical mandates for honoring, submitting to, and praying for ministers, emphasizing the mutual relationship between pastors and their congregations. 

When we submit and give honor to those to whom honor is due, we're actually doing something good for ourselves. – Jonathan Master

This conversation highlights the importance of pastoral care and the duties of church members in fostering a joyful and supportive church environment.

If your pastor is laboring without joy, it actually hurts you as a Christian. – James Dolezal

Thanks to our friends at Banner of Truth Publishing, we are pleased to award two two listeners a copy of John Owens, Duties of Christian Fellowship. Congratulations to Eric M. from Trotwood, OH and David M. from Newport News, VA!

Never should anyone run faster to deal with division in Church than someone would run to put out a fire in a house. – Matthew Vogan

Jonathan and James engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Matthew Vogan, editor of the book The Scandal of Church Divisions: Healing the Wounds of Schism by James Durham. They explore the complexities of church unity and division, examining the historical context of Durham's work and its relevance for contemporary Christians. Discover the distinctions between heresy, schism, and division, and learn how these concepts apply to today's church landscape. 

Tune in for valuable insights into the importance of edification and the biblical basis for unity within the body of Christ.

Thanks to our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are pleased to award two copies of James Durham’s The Scandal of Church Division to our listeners, Luke S. from Crest Hill, IL and Ray N. from Brampton, Ontario!

The dynamic trio continues their exploration of John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, focusing on the characters Ignorance and Little Faith. Join Jonathan, James, and Jeff Stivason as they unpack the complexities of faith and ignorance in the Christian journey. Discover how Ignorance, despite his good deeds, remains blind to his spiritual state, while Little Faith, though struggling, embodies the essence of a genuine believer. 

Ignorance is someone who knows the Lord's will and lives well, but lacks true understanding of his status before God. – Jeff Stivason

This thought-provoking discussion reveals the nuances of faith, fear, and the importance of companionship on the pilgrimage of life.

Thanks to our friends at Banner of Truth, we were pleased to award a copy of John Bunyan’s classic, A Pilgrim’s Progress, to Enoch C. from Chicago, IL!

In this episode of Theology on the Go, Jonathan and James welcome back John Fesco, Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, to discuss the upcoming Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, Declaring Our Faith: Confessions in a Modern Age, at which John and Jonathan will both be speaking. Today, they discuss the significance of confessions and creeds in the church, exploring common objections and misconceptions surrounding their use in the modern day. 

We need the Scriptures and we need the church, not just the church today, but the church throughout the ages. – John Fesko

Join us as we unpack the historical context, the causes of deconfessionalism, and the personal application of creeds in our devotional lives.

We’d love to see you at the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, April 24-26, at Proclamation Presbyterian Church in Bryn Mawr, PA! Click here for more details and to register: https://alliancenet.org/event/pcrt26/

Personal devotions is a practice that is a kind of consecrated time, a setting apart of your heart's attention and focus. – James Dolezal

Jonathan and James spend some time considering the significance of personal devotions and private worship in the Christian life. They explore the importance of setting aside time for prayer, Scripture reading, and meditation, emphasizing how this practice can fuel our daily walk with God. 

The dividends that it pays over time are almost impossible to calculate. – Jonathan Master

The hosts also share their own routines, best practices, and resources that can help listeners cultivate a rich devotional life. Tune in for insights that can transform your spiritual journey!

Thanks to our friends at Banner of Truth, we were pleased to award two copies of A.W. Pink’s book, Profiting from the Word, to our listeners. Congratulations to Gretchen G. from Flemington, NJ and Jessica W. from Zumbro Falls, MN!

Show Notes

Jonathan and James mentioned several resources they have found helpful in guiding their daily devotions:

Morning and Evening, by Charles Spurgeon

https://www.crossway.org/books/morning-and-evening-3case/

Come to the Waters, by James Montgomery Boice

https://reformedresources.org/come-to-the-waters-paperback/

Old Paths, by J.C. Ryle

https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/ebooks/old-paths/

The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, by Jeremiah Burroughs

https://reformedresources.org/rare-jewel-of-christian-contentment/

Puritan Paperbacks

https://reformedresources.org/books/publishers/banner-of-truth/puritan-paperbacks/

Jonathan and James welcome Gabe Fluhrer, the senior minister of First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to discuss Gabe’s latest book, Why Do I Personally Experience Evil and Suffering?, a deeply practical guide for anyone wrestling with depression, anxiety, chronic illness, abuse, poverty, or loss. Gabe shares insights from his book, providing a pastoral perspective that contrasts philosophical discussions with biblical truths. 

I know God is good, because all the suffering that has come into my life…is always filtered through the nail-pierced hands of Jesus. – Gabe Fluhrer

This episode is a comforting guide for anyone grappling with suffering and seeking to understand its place in the Christian life.

Thanks to our friends at 10ofThose Publishing, we are pleased to offer two copies of Gabe’s book, Why Do I Personally Experience Evil and Suffering?, to our listeners. Enter here to win!

Jonathan and James sit down with award-winning teacher and Old Testament scholar Brian Toews to discuss his insightful book, Voices of the Sages: Old Testament Wisdom in Dialogue. Voices of the Sages delves into biblical wisdom by exploring Old Testament wisdom texts within the Hebrew Bible's Writings (Ketuvim). Imagine these texts as sages in dialogue, presenting insights, clarifications, and debates on topics like the fear of the Lord and the consequences of good and evil.

These are books in conversation with other books. – Brian Toews

They explore the unique method of contextuality and montage that Toews employs to illustrate the conversations between the books of the Old Testament. This perspective encourages readers to see biblical wisdom as a living dialogue, illuminating the path to understanding God and pursuing wisdom in life's complexities.

Thanks to our friends at McGahan Publishing House, we are pleased to award two copies of Brian’s book, Voices of the Sages, to our listeners. Congratulations to Nancy J. from Albuquerque, NM and William K. from Marcus Hook, PA!

Jonathan, James, and their trusty companion, Jeff Stivason, continue their conversation about John Bunyan's classic work, The Pilgrim's Progress. Episode 10 focuses on Doubting Castle and the Delectable Mountains, unpacking the significance of these allegorical locations and their relation to the Christian experience of doubt, despair, and divine provision. In addition, they delve into the importance of pastoral care and the church's role in guiding believers through life's challenges.

We need someone who not only teaches us the truth and shows us the glories of the gospel of grace, but who will also warn us in no uncertain terms about subtle ways and significant ways in which we can be led [off the path]. – Jeff Stivason

Tune in for Part 10 in this fascinating discussion of this Christian classic.