Three Guys Theologizing (3GT)

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!

Download

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!

Download

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!

Download

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!

Download

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!

Download

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!

Download

The 3GTers are joined on this episode by Dr. Nathan Eshelman. Under California lockdowns, with fires raging all around him, Nathan bravely takes on a topic sure to bring even more challenges to him. He addresses the subject of moderation as developed by the Puritan William Perkins.

Having dug into Perkins’ writings on moderation, Nathan first gives a Biblical and historical definition of moderation as a virtue, showing how it used to define one who exhibited Christian patience and forbearance in discussing, teaching, and debating theology. He then explains how in the last century the idea of moderation became associated with liberalism and so took on a negative connotation.

From there, Pastor Eshelman develops Perkins’ teaching on moderation further. He shows how Perkins’ understanding on the subject was developed during the Elizabethan age in which he lived, how this virtue is based on the patience God has toward mankind and the church, and ways Perkins taught moderation should be practiced in the church. From there the guys suggest some needed application in today’s Reformed church.

Join in for this thought-provoking episode of 3GT! (For a brief review of Perkins’ newly published works, go here. For details and online text on his work on moderation entitled Hepieíkeia: or, a treatise of Christian equitie and moderation, go here.)

Download

After several false starts, Delightful Scott, Meal Ticket Kyle, and Lowly Co-Host Barry finally get to the topic at hand. With the new academic year starting up, what challenges are seminaries facing?

They start off by talking about the difficulties the Corona crisis has brought to schools. From there, they discuss models of theological education, the place of distance learning, and the history of seminary training. The weaknesses of the modern seminary model are then highlighted. When Meal Ticket starts listing off numerous shortcomings of seminaries, Lowly Co-Host responds with rebuttals. Through it all and especially at the end, Delightful remains, well, delightful as he reminds us that nearly every parishioner is influenced by what takes place at seminaries.

So tune into this lively episode, which is sponsored by Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. (And if interested further, you can click on Dr. Carl Trueman’s “Follow the Money” talk here, President York’s response here, and Trueman’s promise to York for that dinner he still owes him here.)

Download

This episode begins with the (strange) discussion of just how delightful our parishioner is. But the guys quickly get back on track to the topic at hand, which is the importance of hospitality.

The conversation is a pretty zesty one. Hospitality is quickly defined. Its Biblical importance is highlighted. Anecdotes of it are given. Distinctions are made between commands to practice it and giftedness for it. The need for it in the modern church is emphasized. Guidelines for practicing it wisely are offered. And no, Rosaria did not join us (But we reference her and did you catch the allusion in the title?).

At the end, the guys all confess that their wives would have been far better at this episode than they! Any listeners out there want to write and urge our wives to join us for a follow-up episode?

So accept the hosts’ invitation, come on in, and enjoy their hospitality on this episode of 3GT!

Download

As a boy, our parishioner used to look up certain Bible passages in church and titter over them. You know, texts such as Deuteronomy 23:12-14, 1 Kings 14:10, or about anywhere in the Song of Solomon. Now, as a dad, he wonders how these texts are to be handled with children and the church. What are we to think about those places in Scripture that could be considered R-rated? Should we avoid them in church and when children are present?

The pastor and the prof respond. They explain how prevalent texts involving murder, adultery, and “earthy” language are in the Bible. Giants have heads cut off, God describes His people as whores, and even the Sermon on the Mount talks about plucking out eyes and cutting off hands! The 3GTers then show how these types of passages often teach us about the awful depths of sin and the wondrous heights of covenant love. They go on to discuss dealing with these matters in a pastoral manner, especially with children. The guys emphasize how needed texts like these are in our modern age, as the church must be equipped to deal with gross sins.

3GT is a family show, so we think you can turn on this episode and listen with children present. But be warned – they will hear what used to make Scott titter!

Download