On this episode, the 3GTers welcome a guest onto the show to talk about one of their favorite topics. Worship! Pastor Jonathan Cruse joins them to discuss his new book What Happens When We Worship.

After an introduction by Jonathan and a correction on how to pronounce Tobias Fünke, he digs right in. He explains that he wrote this book on worship to help to people understand the dynamic interchange that takes place between God and the worshiper. Topics such as spiritual formation, covenant renewal, God’s agenda, and confession of sin are addressed. The importance of prioritizing public worship, especially in light of the Corona epidemic, is stressed. It’s a lively discussion about the most important act God’s people can do! (And a final dig about a cappella psalm singing is duly administered, as it’s only proper anytime Reformed Presbyterians talk about worship!)

You can listen and also enter an opportunity to win a free copy of What Happens When We Worship. So be sure to tune into this latest episode of Three Guys Theologizing!

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With Thanksgiving upon us, the 3GTers decide to theologize upon it. Surely many make comments and complaints about how difficult the year 2020 has been thus far. Yet why should the giving of thanks come naturally to the Christian?

To answer, the guys first give glimpses into how they typically celebrate Thanksgiving, with one of them revealing an interesting movie tradition his family has. They go on to talk about how the believer in Christ is duty-bound to “give thanks in everything.” They explain how our salvation undergirds all of life, even brining thanksgiving forth in difficult times. From there, they go on to discuss the place of giving thanks in worship, and how special days and services for giving thanks is appropriate in the Reformed faith. The gents then conclude with what they are personally thankful for these days, which includes Scott’s cardigan.

Need a little help in cultivating that spirit of thanksgiving? Tune in, theologize with the guys a bit, and let them encourage you to that end!

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Scott is back! Barry found him a fan! And Kyle sounds like who? Though this episode starts off all over the place, the 3GTers finally hone in on their topic by stepping into the cage.

For they take on what is often called Cage Stage Calvinism. They look their young opponents over by discussing the main doctrines cage stagers usually fight over, whether it is the five points of Calvinism or denominational distinctives. The 3GTers wrestle through how these tendencies can be hurtful to the church, and how every Christian has to be on the defense against them. They then offer several moves to try to pin to the mat – or at least bring to submission – cage stage Calvinists.

Do they succeed? You be the judge! Tune into into this episode of 3GT!

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No, the 3GTers are not talking about protesting election results, face masks, or any other hot button issue that gets people all riled up these days. The protest of their concern is much older than these modern affairs. They are reflecting on the “protest” in the Protestant church and why it continues on.

Without their fiery parishioner on hand, the pastor and professor have to supply the heat. They first take listeners through a basic history lesson that starts with Luther’s original 95 Theses protest. They then highlight the great divide that yet remains between the Catholic and Protestant church, looking at such matters as papal claims, justification by faith, and worship practices. The guys discuss some figures who have “returned to Rome” (one Kyle met on an airplane!) and discuss why that road has such an appeal today. They conclude by warning not only against going into the Catholic church, but remaining there if you are already are.

So push play and enter into another lively chat on this episode of 3GT!

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Three Guys Theologizing welcomes to this episode David Whitla, Professor of Church History at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. David co-authored with Gordon Keddie the book Portraits of Christ, and joins the 3GTers to discuss it.

Like photos you have in your home of those you love, the Bible uses word pictures to help us see with eyes of faith our Savior. Portraits of Christ shows readers such pictures. Listeners will hear about David’s background, then how these two men teamed together to write this book on the Biblical imagery of Christ from communion sermons they preached. Unique features of the book such as its 40 accessible chapters, the hidden identity of which man wrote each chapter, the rich devotional nature of the book, and how the book can be best used are discussed. And as usual, the guys have a bit of fun – there’s even a comparison of Gordon Keddie to Lebron James, which is a humorous word picture all on its own!

Listen, as you can enter to win a free copy of the book (limited to residents of USA only)! But even if you do not win one, purchase one for yourself or others and grow in seeing Jesus ever more clearly in the Scriptures!

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The guys start off lamenting Scott’s absence, and wondering if he who says he never listens to 3GT will tune into this episode to see what Kyle and Barry say about him. Then they discuss a new meaning for the 3GT acronym that they heard. Then Barry gives an update on Oscar the lost (now found!) family dog. Finally, they get to the subject at hand!

That subject is the mode of baptism. The guys treat the three main ways people are baptized: sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. They talk about why this topic is important. They share how they were baptized, and how when it comes to the church there is often a one-way street in accepting of modes of baptism. The 2GTers (now a mistype – remember Scott is gone!) put on Baptist hats for a while as they offer arguments for immersion baptisms. They then take those hats off and put on their Presbyterian ones, showing Scripturally the reasons that the word and imagery of baptism does not require that mode. Along the way they give the theological foundations for the modes, leaning heavily on John Murray’s Christian Baptism.

If you have ever wondered whether why many dunk, others sprinkle, and some pour, then this episode may help you out! And there’s even one last potshot at Scott to tempt him to listen to a whole episode!

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Three Guys Theologizing love it when listeners suggest topics! So when a follower of the podcast asked them to address a topic they also love, they were doubly joyed! That topic, and hence this episode, is on union with Christ.

The guys begin by defining what union with Christ is. They stress the experiential, spiritual, and even mystical nature of it. The 3GTers highlight the Scriptures where the Lord especially promises to be with His people. The role of the Holy Spirit in granting union with Christ is discussed. They offer personal examples of the times they have experienced Christ’s presence in life and ministry. Practical ways to enhance and develop the church’s union with Christ are given.

The joy the Lord gives to His people through His presence just seems to flow out of this episode. So tune in to this special episode, and may the Lord use it to help you be more in tune with Him!

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As the parishioner points out, some may be making people aware of other topics this month. But October is Pastor Appreciation Month. So he explores the subject of gratitude for pastors with the local pastor and the professor pastor.

Scott begins by asking the other two to share about influential pastors in their own lives that they appreciate. From there, he delves into how they were encouraged in their own calling by others. He then has them share the work they do behind the scenes as pastors. The 3GTers question the legitimacy of getting a whole month in pastors’ honor, when lawyers get none. Is this just a way for Hallmark to sell more cards? They go on to acknowledge different ways they have seen congregations showing some love to their ministers. The parishioner ends by encouraging listeners to go and do likewise.

Here is an episode geared toward helping you be more appreciative for that man behind the pulpit!

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One of the guys has a podcasting addiction, and it’s not the parishioner or the prof. The latter two discovered that the pastor has started a daily, brief news podcast for kids, and they want, well, the scoop on it!

Turns out that Kyle’s wife is the one that encouraged this habit. Seeing a lack of clean, Christian audio news sources aimed at children, Mrs. Borg urged Mr. Borg the news junkie to use his interest to help the kiddos. Voila! The Daily Scoop: News for Kids was launched! After hearing the story and the details, Barry and Scott played a portion of an episode to hear what it is like. Impressive! They especially liked the use of the Borg children’s voices for the intro and the ending. Scott even took notes.

So tune into this 3GT episode to hear about another podcast (here again is the link). And with his multiple podcasts now, you’ll have to consider when too much of Kyle becomes your own addiction!

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When it comes to Reformed theology, people have many misconceptions about what it actually teaches. On this episode of 3GT, the guys slay some of the mythological dragons that loom large around Calvinistic teaching.

What kind of myths? Oh, things such as believing in the doctrine of election means Reformed Christians do not evangelize. Or that the practice of baptizing babies means you are Catholic-like and promote baptismal regeneration. Or teaching that God is completely sovereign absolves people of responsibility and violates the concept of free will. And, of course, the myth that Calvinists are cold, ungracious people.

So the 3GTers start swinging the sword of the Spirit to bring down these lying, roaring beasts. Listen along and see how their victories are so convincing that you can actually hear the crickets chirping in the peace that ensues!

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