Three Guys Theologizing (3GT)

The guys establish the fact that the pastor would not record weekly without listeners, the parishioner would be glad to talk without even recording, and the professor is just happy to be here. Then, the 3GTers get down to the subject in hand. Does God judge the nations of the earth? And if so, why and how? 

The guys first give the biblical evidence for God’s judgment on the nations, particularly found in the Psalms and the Prophets. Scott then points that Americans certainly want the positive side of God‘s judgment, as politicians regularly ask for God to bless America. The guys go on to explain how the judgments of God unfold as nations turned away from Him. They discuss the particular corporate sins of nations that break covenant with God and how godless countries deny His granting of the nations to Christ as His worthy inheritance. The gents point out ways the church should be involved in calling the nations to “kiss the Son” as Psalm 2 declares.

As the political world swirls with discussion and intrigue, believers should look with eyes of faith and see how the Lord’s hand is at work. Give this episode of Three Guys Theologizing a listen to that end!

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With Scott leading the way, the guys devote this episode to the “one anothers” of Scripture. They first demonstrate how to apply the more negative ones, such as provoking one another. Then they address briefly the more common one anothers that are a bit easier to understand, such as love one another. But then they take on some of the difficult one anothers we find in the Bible.

For the epistles contain one another admonitions that are not easy to understand and apply. Such as? Confess your sins to one another. Forgive one another. Bear with one another. Admonish one another. The 3GTers discuss practical ways to create an environment in the church where these hard to apply one another’s can be accomplished. Ideas, such as leadership modeling, intense teaching that uses the command’s context, and a willingness to enter messy situations, are offered.

Like taking medicine for the body, the one anothers of Scripture must be applied lovingly in the proper measure. Tune in to this episode of Three Guys Theologizing for some helpful prescription instructions on how to do so!

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The blogosphere and podcast world seem to be discussing Christian Nationalism these days. Why, even 3GT got into the act not too long ago in this episode. Yet, what about focusing this issue down to a more local level? How about a discussion on Christian Municipalism? As the Three Guys of 3GT get back in the studio together, they are joined by a guest to help speak to this subject.

Martin Monteith is the new pastor of the Fulton Reformed Presbyterian Church in the small town of Fulton, NY. In the relatively short amount of time Martin has ministered there, he has become quite involved in his community. The providence of a marijuana dispensary’s opening led him into a friendship with a man who became mayor this year. In turn, through the influence of Martin and a few others, the mayor made a proclamation in August at the City Council meeting calling on the community to set aside September as a month for prayer and fasting. This proclamation, posted below, acknowledges the Triune God and the Lordship of Jesus Christ, calling the churches and people of Fulton to look to the Lord for healing and help. The story of how this occurred and the response in the community are fascinating to hear.

Often discussions about Christians and culture are done in grandiose and theoretical ways. Tune into this episode of 3GT and learn from a humble man how practically we can be salt and light where we live!

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After a late summer hiatus, the gents return to their favorite extracurricular activity to record new episodes of Three Guys Theologizing. Yet alas, the parishioner is still not available. However, undeterred, the pastor and professor decide to give listeners an update on the latest in their lives and ministry.

With Kyle manning the mic, he begins to pepper Barry with questions about his life and ministry. Along the way, we hear about his work as a prof, pastor, and even executor (read that last label carefully!). Then, turning the tables, Kyle catches us up on being a new father, watching his older son play football, his failure as a Ninja Warrior, and what life is like as he enters his twelfth year of ministry.

Remember, there are real people behind those 3GT mics. We hope you find this brief update encouraging and preparing you for more regular future episodes of Three Guys Theologizing!

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As the summer ends, the guys welcome a guest to this episode of Three Guys Theologizing. Pastor William “Bill” Boekestein of the Immanuel Fellowship Church (URC) in Kalamazoo, Michigan, joins them to discuss his latest book Finding My Vocation: A Guide for Young People Seeking a Calling.

The interview begins by Bill defining Biblically the idea of vocation. He explains how the Protestant Reformation helped recapture the sense of all of God’s people serving the Lord, not just the clergy. Bill then discusses with the 3GTers the theology of work and rest, and how they add to the sense of vocation. From there, Bill describes ways young people growing up in the church can prepare for their vocational calling, chief of which is growing in wisdom and character. Toward the end of the episode, questions about vocation such as “What if I hate my job?”, “Should I go to college?” and “What about the military?” are addressed.

As you will see if you listen, Bill’s pastoral heart and Biblical practicality shine through his voice and this book. Parents, teachers, and pastors should desire to put this volume into the hands of the youth in their homes and churches. Learn more about Finding My Vocation: A Guide for Young People Seeking a Calling, and listen carefully to learn how you can win a free copy!

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Scott’s back in the hosting seat after cruising with his beloved for their 25th, which he thoroughly enjoyed and so apologizes to Kyle for making fun of his cruise history. This leads the guys to discus the possibility of a 3GT cruise like other high profile ministries. Yet knowing the 3GT budget, they quickly get back to being content to record as usual. They then pick up on the latest internet kerfuffles regarding seminary education.

Scott asks the pastor and seminary president about the many objections raised about seminary training. They question whether seminary is necessary in this digital age, where vast theological resources are available online. The negative influence of seminaries growing liberal and distributing theological corruption is evidenced. Critics point out the high cost of seminary education (Carl Trueman’s Follow the Money and Barry’s response are referenced). Older men find it difficult to transplant their families for the years of seminary education. Other models of training are also mentioned as alternatives to the seminary.

With Scott firing away with these objections like the prosecuting attorney he is, the pastor and seminary president respond. A vigorous discussion ensues. While acknowledging that no model is perfect, Barry and Kyle give answers and add balance to the question of the importance of seminary education.

As all of God’s people are impacted by the ministers that feed and shepherd them, every believer should become knowledgeable to a degree about pastoral training. So tune in to this episode of Three Guys Theologizing to learn more about this important topic!

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The parishioner is off on the high seas, enjoying a silver anniversary cruise with his beloved. So the professor takes the opportunity to interview the pastor about his new book on Presbyterianism, Household of Faith.

Kyle, as one of the managing editors of Grassmarket Press, a series of books introducing theological and Christian living topics published by Crown & Covenant, explains the purpose of this series as he begins. From there, he shares how the opening chapters of his book describe the nature of the church, which leads to how Christ, as head of the church, wants the church to be governed.

As Kyle explains, our high school civics courses helped us learn what being a good citizen of a country means and how to participate in our government. Similarly, Christians, as citizens of heaven, need to know the importance of seeing the church operate according to Biblical directives and their call to be involved in and honor the courts of the church.

However, you will not find Kyle’s book – or this 3GT episode! – just dry lessons on Christian duty. Instead, you will have explained with Biblical insight and pastoral heart the beauty of how Christ rules over His people in the church.

So tune into this episode of Three Guys Theologizing and learn how you can enter to win a free copy of Household of Faith!

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In this episode of Three Guys Theologizing, the gentlemen welcome back Pastor Nathan Eshelman as their guest. Nathan has authored another book in the Grassmarket Press series, entitled Worthy. They interview him about his book on worship.

As Nathan reminds us, the word “worship” is based on the word “worthy.” The Triune God is worthy of our praise and honor. But therein lies the rub. How is God to be praised and honored in worship? Man’s ideas and imaginations about this subject are nothing short of idolatry. As Nathan reminds us, for God to be worshipped properly we must follow his clear directives in Scripture, which his book explains plainly and practically as being centered on Christ. As our worship here on earth is preparing us to spend an eternity with God, what importance it has!

Listen to this episode to hear more about the book Worthy and how you can win a free copy!

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The boys start off talking about the pleasantry of mowing their lawns, which has nothing to do with this episode but is a continuation from the last one! Kyle gets the guys on track by sharing an anecdote that takes them to the subject at hand – church conflict. 

As Samuel Rutherford once said, there will always be disagreements in the church. To aid in thinking through how to handle them, the 3GTers utilize three stories of church struggles found in Acts 15-16.  From the Biblical witness, they discuss the different types of disagreements that can arise in the church, wrongful approaches to dealing with them, and proper ways of addressing them.

Sadly, believers will always have to deal with issues of conflict in their congregations and denominations. But being prepared for them is important in working through disagreements. So tune in to this episode of 3GT for a little help!

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As the three guys return to the studio, the prof has just mowed his lawn. He explains to the pastor and parishioner some trouble he had with his new riding lawn mower, which involved the tortoise and the hare on the throttle. From there, they move to the topic at hand – encountering the Christian slog.

The 3GTers define the slog as the dark and discouraging times Christians sometimes face. They describe its symptoms and the problems it brings to the Christian life. After referencing the Slough of Despond from Pilgrim’s Progress, they end up in a slough of their own making by discussing how to pronounce slough before getting back on track. They offer their listeners means that the Lord has provided to help leave the slog (no discrepancy in its pronunciation) and offer words of encouragement and promise as they conclude.

Feeling encumbered and weary in your Christian walk? Perhaps this episode of 3GT is just the help you need!

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