Three Guys Theologizing (3GT)

With Kyle away, the 3GT minus 1 crew decides to go a bit more tender this episode. For they address the simple yet profound topic of Christian love.

In this polarized age that is affecting (infecting?) the church, the guys turn to the Lord’s three-fold command to His disciples to love found in John 13:34-35. They discuss why Jesus called it a new commandment, and look at how to love like He did. They suggest applications of love when sin, disagreement, and error are present. As the Lord said love identifies those who are His disciples, they interact with the classical marks of the church and show how each mark manifests the love of God. They then speak about further applications that can be made as a result.

If you need a little dose of love, tune into this episode of Three Guys Theologizing!

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As staid Presbyterian men, using their bodies in worship it’s not something Scott and Barry think about all that much. But a recent inquiry from a parishioner get them to thinking!

For as Paul told the church at Rome “to present their bodies as a living sacrifice,” the guys discuss what he meant by this command. The imagery of the Old Testament sacrifice behind this admonition is discussed. The means that Christians are to use their bodies to serve the Lord are highlighted. And, yes, the place for bowing, kneeling, and raising hands in worship – actions Psalm singers sing about! – is also examined.

You’ll want to push the play button and join in this lively discussion on 3GT!

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We do it all the time. Listen to sermons, that is. Yet are we listening as we ought? Most preachers behind the pulpit spend a great deal of time preparing to deliver their messages. But what about the other side of the pulpit? How should a congregation listen to those messages?

Starting with James’ admonition to be “doers of the Word” with further instruction from the larger catechism, Barry and Scott discuss the duty of hearing the Word of God. From preparing to come to church, to examining the content of a sermon, to responding to it in faith and obedience, the preaching professor and practicing parishioner talk about the ins and outs of hearing God’s Word. Avoiding the self-deception James warns against, that of listening to a sermon but failing to truly hear it, is emphasized.

So take a listen to this episode of 3GT and, well, learn how to listen!

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After a holiday hiatus, the boys are back! Well, at least two of them are, as Kyle’s extended hiatus continues.

After new year’s greetings, the guys decide to reflect on 2021 with the help of Christianity Today’s Top 20 Stories for the past year. They quickly note these stories were the most popular on CT, not necessarily the most important. For they then introduce a whole new generation to the wonders of 70’s Christian rock music with the #2 story. From there, the episode takes a more serious turn, as they look at the number of stories on the abuse of Christian leaders, the polarization of society and the church, and the persecution faced by the church in other parts of the world. They then express their own thoughts about the major issues of 2021.

Before looking too far ahead into 2022, some reflection on the past year is warranted. So push the play button and let this episode of 3GT help you!

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Do you have a favorite trilogy? George Lucas’ Star Wars? J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings? Perhaps even Ali v. Frazier? Well, on this episode of 3GT we have another legendary trilogy for you. For Dr. Rick Gamble has completed the third volume of The Whole Counsel of God!

Rick joins Scott and Barry to put the 3 into 3GT as he discusses this final volume of his magnum opus. He describes the journey that led him to this life work. He then explains how he developed the biblical theology of the Old and New Testaments in the first two volumes that led to the systematic theology he also treats there. Now, in this third volume, he tackles the two thousand plus years of historical theology in the church that hammered out the orthodox, confessional teaching of the church. Standing at three thousand plus pages, Dr. Gamble will lead you on a theological journey through his trilogy that is far more epic and eternal then any of the ones mentioned above!

If you are in the Pittsburgh area on Wednesday, December 15, be sure to come at 3:00 p.m. to the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (sponsors of this episode) to hear more of this wondrous tale as Dr. Gamble shares more about this third volume and signs copies available to purchase! If you cannot make it, then listen to this episode and consider purchasing your own copy here!

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Though still 3GT-1, Barry and Scott strike up a conversation about church planting. In particular, they discuss the different approaches that can be taken.

They begin by sharing their own experiences in church planting, both together as well as individually. From there, the professor quizzes the parishioner on the various models that can be utilized in planting a church. He finds Scott to be quite a good student! From daughtering to adopting, from hiving to cloning, from the parachute drop to the accidental – the many different ways a church can form are explained, illustrated, and critiqued.

If you want to understand more how new churches are formed, tune into this week’s episode of 3GT!

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With so much heated rhetoric, it’s difficult to have a decent conversation these days. Everyone is shouting and no one is listening. No one seems to know how to disagree peaceably anymore. And with families and friends gathering for Thanksgiving this week, help is needed in having civil discourse instead of civil war!

So the guys offer some simple wisdom from God’s Word on the art of conversation. They look at the ways the Scriptures encourage gentleness in our speech. The importance of meeting fiery arguments with a cool spirit is stressed. How to lose an arguments is covered. Looking at Paul and Barnabas’ missions split-up, they draw principles for when the parting of ways might be advantageous and help maintain liberty of conscience. And for those times you may be stuck in an interminable conversation (or actually on the receiving end of a non-ending monologue), a secret is offered on the proper way of escape.

Here’s an episode designed to help you with the holidays. So find some quiet time, hit play, and prepare for Thanksgiving dinner with a little assistance from 3GT!

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With the pastor still absent, the parishioner and professor bring on another preacher to fill in. For Lee Hutchings, pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in North Canton, Ohio, joins the boys to discuss matters in his denomination of the Presbyterian Church in America.

Primarily, they discuss the prime numbers of 23 and 37. For two overtures with these numbers currently have the attention of the entire denomination. Lee explains what overtures are and how they work in the PCA. He then helps the listener understand why the PCA is voting on language and procedures that would prevent those with homosexual orientation from being ordained. He also updates listeners to the status of where things are currently in the voting.

From there, this episode turns to the organization within the PCA known as the National Partnership. The guys describe how recently published emails show their “secret society” type operations and how working in secret is contrary living in the light as encouraged by Scripture. Questions are then asked of Lee about another PCA organization called the Gospel Reformation Network and what distinguishes it from the National Partnership.

You will find this episode fascinating and even rollicking at points! So be sure to tune in and hear how the Lord is at work in this branch of His church!

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Without Kyle around to stir up trouble, Barry and Scott decide to get into some trouble of their own. For on this episode they discuss wives and mothers staying at home.

They begin by talking about how controversial this topic can be and why that is so. Next, the guys explain what they are not saying about women and the home. Following this, they offer Biblical justification for families to consider the benefits of wives centering their life, work, and ministry in the home. Then they speak of the blessings they have experienced in having their own wives at home and – Surprise! – two special guests join them to give their own personal testimony.

What could two guys possibly contribute to this subject? Well, hit play and see, and especially listen to the end as the real experts weigh in on this subject!

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The parishioner and the professor decide to take a virtual walk down the driveway to the mailbox and see what it contains. They read excerpts and respond to questions and issues 3GT listeners have sent in.

What types of issues? One newer listener wants to know how someone can listen to older episodes of the podcast. Another asked if the guys would consider doing an episode on the cults. Someone else expressed thankfulness for the episodes discussing asking Jesus into your heart. Another letter noticed that all three of the cohosts were not born into the RPCNA and wondered how they came into the denomination. Questions were raised by still another listener about how to respond to abuse by church leaders.

What a range of topics! So catch up on the latest news and views by listening to this episode of 3GT!

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