What exactly do the terms Reformed and Reformed theology mean? Defining them is more challenging than it sounds. But in his latest book, Reformed Theology, our very own Jonathan Master has provided an excellent resource for anyone who wants a well-rounded and concise overview of these terms. Tune in as host James and guest Jonathan discuss what makes Reformed theology distinctive and how its specific doctrines apply to everyday life.

Our friends at P&R Publishing provided three giveaway copies of Jonathan's book. The winners of the drawing were Todd O. from Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, Craig F. from Aubrey, TX, and Femi O. from Barre, VT.

Dr. Gary Schnittjer returns for further conversation about the streamlined yet expanded second edition of his popular book on the Pentateuch. In part 2 of their interview, Jonathan and James dig deeper into what’s new in Professor Schnittjer’s book and how Gary’s experience in writing Old Testament Use of Old Testament may have offered new perspective to the updated content of Torah Story.

Thanks again to Zondervan Academic for graciously providing two more copies of Torah Story: Second Edition for a giveaway. Congratulations to our winners, Yev C. from Jacksonville, FL and Elizabeth H. from West Jefferson, NC. 

Gary Schnittjer’s The Torah Story: An Apprenticeship on the Pentateuch became an instant classic upon its release in 2006. Sophisticated yet highly accessible, The Torah Story approaches the first five books of the Old Testament as both internally intrinsic and interconnected, unfolding a metanarrative that ultimately culminates in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Torah Story, Second Edition streamlines and simplifies the content of the original, offering new sidebars and fresh insights to help students, scholars, and laypersons alike appreciate the very beginnings of the greatest story ever told. 

Thank you Zondervan Academic for providing two copies of Dr. Schnittjer’s book for a giveaway. Congratulations to our winners: Jonathan R. from Dubuque, IA and Lee N. from Hellam, PA.

The Sum of Saving Knowledge In 1650, a brilliant young theologian joined with a legendary pastor to write The Sum of Saving Knowledge, designed to summarize the Westminster Standards for the layperson.  David Dickson and James Durham’s book was so popular that it was bound with almost every edition of the Standards for the next three centuries. Crown and Covenant Publications has released a new gift edition of the book edited by our guest, professor/author David Whitla, who adds a study guide to further help readers navigate and understand this literary classic.

Crown & Covenant generously provided a number of giveaway copies of The Sum of Saving Knowledge, and the winners are Michael L. from Katy, TX, John B. from Amarillo, TX, and Gregory B. from Northumberland, PA. Congratulations!

Show Notes *David Whitla’s free study guide download  

Our guest—pastor, professor, lecturer, and author Nick Needham—continues his highly collectible series, 2000 Years of Christ’s Power. In volume 5—The Enlightenment and Awakening—Needham explores the many significant 18th-century developments in Church history, including the growing American church. Understanding how Christians responded to the quickly shifting events in the world around them will help pastors and laypersons alike put the 1700s into proper perspective.   

Christian Focus Publications graciously provided three copies of Dr. Needham's latest volume for a giveaway. The winners were Kaspars O. from Louisville, KY, Paul R. from McKinney, TX, and Mark A. from Grand Rapids, MI.

The Shadow of Christ in the Book of Lamentations How many sermons have you heard from the Old Testament book of Lamentations? Clearly, it’s not a “fan favorite,” but—as author and professor C.J. Williams explains—the prophet Jeremiah’s poetic laments offer us practical insights into grieving with faith, finding hope in suffering, and experiencing grace in life’s trials. As his title suggests, Dr. Williams makes a compelling case for reading Lamentations in the light of Christ’s suffering and the healing it brings. 

Thanks to Crown and Covenant's generosity, we were able to select three winners for a giveaway of Dr. Williams' book. Congratulations to Vincent R. from Newtown Square, PA, Doug B. from Medford, OR, and Ben M. from Anaheim Hills, CA.

Many define “worship” as the music Christians employ in Sunday services. Others hold to a certain “style” of worship. What kind of worship does God demand? In his new book, Trembling Joy: A Biblical Defense of Traditional Worship, Pastor Ryan Speck defines terms and points his readers to what Scripture has to say about how Christians corporately approach the throne of God. Our guest discusses the balance of music, the preached Word, the sacraments, and more—even suggesting an order of elements that follows what the Lord expects from our worship.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals provided three copies of Trembling Joy for a giveaway. The winners were Brian Z. from Manhattan, KS, Charlotte N. from Santa Clara, CA, and Joe K. from Williams, AZ. 

How do you envision a triune God carrying out the divine missions? Do you picture the Son and Spirit departing the throne room—lunchboxes in hand—only to return to Heaven in the evening and report to the Father? If so, how might we understand our communion with God or the presence of Jesus in the heart of a believer? To approach this level of contemplation, Jonathan and James welcome Dr. Adonis Vidu. The author and associate professor of theology at Gordon-Conwell Seminary builds on the content of his recent book on inseparable operations to help readers comprehend the divine missions as the presence of God united with a created being, which provides a foretaste of the banquet that is one day to come. 

Wipf and Stock Publishers generously provided two copies of The Divine Missions: An Introduction for a giveaway. Congratulations to Skyler M. from Vancouver, WA and James R. from Winona Lake, IN.

“I’m a Christian, but I don’t need a church. Nature is where I find God.” Whatever the stated reasoning, those who avoid church attendance and membership often do so without understanding why believers need the Church and the Church needs them.   Guest Terry Johnson has written many books and has served in church ministry for over 40 years. In his latest work, Johnson uses key New Testament passages to explain why local church attendance is essential in the life of every believer and how that mutual accountability cannot be replaced by parachurch activity or informal spirituality.    

Christian Focus Publications provided three copies of Who Needs the Church: Why We Need the Church (and Why the Church Needs Us) for a giveaway. Congratulations to our winners: Tony T. from Alderson, WV, Skyler M. from Vancouver, WA, and Kandice T. from Enterprise, AL.