Three Guys Theologizing (3GT)

After a summer hiatus, the guys are back! After catching up a bit, they turn their attention to the important topic of preparing to come to the Lord’s Table.

In the words of institution the Apostle Paul gave the church at Corinth, he told them they were to “examine themselves” so as not to come to the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner. So how does one prepare for communion? The guys discuss such things as the need for preparation as urged by the Westminster Confession, the historic practice of preparatory services in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Scripture texts that aid in preparation, the need for awareness in the church when communion is being celebrated, and many practical ways pastors and members of a local church can ready themselves to commune with the Lord.

In order not to trample upon the body and blood of the Lord represented in the sacrament of communion, the Lord’s people need to be prepared. So tune into this latest episode of Three Guys Theologizing to find encouragement to that holy end!

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As the three amigos / three musketeers / three stooges (You choose one!) are back together again, they respond to a question from a regular listener. What are Christians who have earthly riches to do?

So they have a discussion regarding wealth. They seek to define it and note how wealth is often defined in how much one has in relationship to others. They speak to the right of private ownership and voluntary use of one’s wealth versus political and ecclesiastical systems where distribution of resources are coerced. The guys reference Scriptural warnings regarding wealth, noting how its lust, injustice, and misuse that’s condemned rather than possession itself. They then offer positive ways the Lord desires believers to view and use the wealth He has given, making a special reference to training children in this regard.

Though you will not get any Dave Ramsey or (for you older listeners) Larry Burkett type of advice here, you may find some help in remembering how the Lord wants you to treat your earthly mammon. So tune into this latest edition of 3GT!

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Often discussions about church and state are of the big picture variety. Theological debates about Christ’s rule over the nations. Arguments over the boundaries of ecclesiastical and governmental authority. Opinions about supporting and voting for candidates in federal elections. But what about some practical ways a local church can be involved in its local government?

To help answer that question, 3GT turned to its own cohost, Scott Hunt, and then invited Pastor Jason Camery to join us. Scott and Jason serve on the same session together in Marion, Indiana, but are also both deeply involved in their local government. Scott, as our regular listeners will know, serves as the Prosecutor of Grant County. Recently, Jason, who still serves as a teaching elder in the church, was appointed by the Sheriff to be a Captain and serve as the Detention Director of the Grant County Jail.

Jason and Scott both discuss their journey, which has many mutual touchpoints, on their way to entering these positions. From there, they share how their faith in Christ affects their service in the local government and some of the incredible opportunities they have had. The guys talk about the Biblical duty to be salt and light in our communities and the proper relationship Christians should have with the government. They conclude with other practical ways the church can be involved in ministering to those who are civil ministers of justice.

So tune into this insightful episode of Three Guys Theologizing!

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Crown & Covenant Publications continues to issue accessible books on basic Christian doctrine through their Grassmarket Press imprint. Their most recent release, Worship, Feasting, Rest, Mercy: The Christian Sabbath, is an insightful and helpful introduction to the New Testament practice of keeping the Lord’s Day holy in honor of Christ’s resurrection on the first day of the week. The 3GTers interview the author, Pastor Daniel Howe, of the Providence (RI) Reformed Presbyterian Church.

After introducing himself and his ministry, Daniel explains the factors that brought him to the convictions he has regarding the Lord’s Day. From there, he addresses the four main themes captured in the title of his book. The guys interact on these themes of worship, feasting, rest, and mercy, and seek to offer ready reasons and applications for remembering the Christian Sabbath along these lines. Daniel’s biblical and societal insights enliven the conversation throughout.

When the church forgets the Christian Sabbath, they forget something even more important. Their Triune God. So tune into this episode to be renewed in your love for God’s truly holy day. And also listen closely to learn how to enter to win a free copy of Worship, Feasting, Rest, Mercy: The Christian Sabbath!

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The guys open up this episode reflecting on the recent passing of some prominent pastors, such as Gordon Keddie, Tim Keller, and Harry Reeder. These ministers were not only pastors but theologians and authors whose ministries impacted many.

With Scott away, the pastor and professor use these notable deaths to discuss On the Character of a True Theologian by the Dutch theologian Herman Witsius. In this short work, Witsius develops the qualities a teacher of theology should have. The guys highlight a number of them, such as a familiarity with heaven and the ability to communicate it to others; a desire to preserve peace as well as truth; an unbending precision in self-examination while maintaining a gracious, forgiving spirit toward others; and having a fervent zeal for the things of God while approaching others with great gentleness.

The church needs this type of true theologians. So push play, listen along, see if you agree, and then consider reading Witsius’ short work for yourself!

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Pink-Floyd protested, with deliberate grammatical incongruity, against bad school systems. As they said, we don’t need just another brick in the wall. But what should the education of our children look like? One listener asked, and the 3GT Team responded!

They begin this episode by discussing the purpose of education. Reasons related to anthropology, God’s creation, and the family are given. From there, they bring the Scriptures to bear on the question and highlight the goals we should be seeking in training our children. An emphasis on parental responsibility in all things related to children is made. Different means of education are analyzed, and warnings about the dangers of the human heart that can manifest themselves through these means are offered. The guys then share some of the experiences and lessons they have personally learned in educating their own children.

We need education about education! So tune into this latest episode of Three Guys Theologizing and don’t “just leave them kids alone!”

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Thankfully, all three guys are back behind their mics for this episode! After catching up with one another, they jump right into the topic of the day. The transgender movement. What are Christians to do?

They share statistics that show among this current generation an alarming rate of increase in young people who identify as LGBTQ+. The guys then reference an article by Rosaria Butterfield, who recently repented over using transgender names and pronouns. They discuss the sinfulness of transgender ideology and call on Christians to proclaim the truth in the face of the vain philosophies of this age. The dangers of transgender ideology are then laid out. The 3GTers then describe various scenarios where LGBTQ+ persons might show up and offer practical guidance on how to deal with them. Calls to suffer for the truth are offered.

If you are wondering how and where to step during these uncertain times, tune into this episode of 3GT!

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Finally, the guys are back in the recording studio! Well, at least two of them are. After their usual banter, they get down to the task at hand as they discuss the necessity of church membership.

Where does the Bible warrant membership in the local church? The guys point out numerous scriptures that indicate this need. From being a member of the body of Christ, to language associating baptism with membership, to identifying people as belonging to different congregations, to the need to submit to elders, to the mark of discipline, to the church being the new Israel – the guys make a strong case! They then discuss how to lead children into communicant membership, conducting membership classes, how to treat people transferring in from sister denominations, the basic knowledge new members need, and looking as elders for a consistent testimony.

This episode is chockfull of helpful teaching on church membership for elders and lay people. So tune in and give this latest episode of 3GT a listen!

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While the parishioner is away on vacation, the guys were still able to keep the 3 in 3GT! For they welcome pastor and author, Dr. Nathan Eshelman, as they review his new book I Have a Confession.

After hearing of Nathan’s journey into Presbyterianism, the guys discuss the place of a confession of faith in the life of the church. Nathan shows how the Scriptures themselves reveal the need for doctrinal statements in the life of the church. The guys then differentiate between common statements of faith found on most church websites and a true confession of faith that has more historic and universal roots. They show how confessions aid in fulfilling our call to contend for the faith. Confessions help define who we are as Christians and show us practical ways that we are to follow the Lord. Special emphasis is placed upon the Westminster Confession of Faith. The gents show how the different realms in this world in which we are called to live faithfully are addressed in the WCF, such as in the family, church, or society.

This episode is guaranteed to make you thankful for your church if it has a confession and desirous for one that does if your present congregation does not! And not only that, you can listen and hear the unique way you can win a copy of I Have a Confession!

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With all the guys in the studio again, they are putting the 3 back into 3GT! With the increasing hostility in the culture against Christ and the church, they discuss the subject of enemies and how to deal with them on this episode.

The guys first look at some basic texts on treating rightly our own personal enemies. Christians need to guard against personal retaliation when wronged and actually meet hurtful acts with love, as taught in such texts as Matthew 5:43-48 and Romans 12:14-21. Yet what does that actually look like? For they make some qualifications, such as not compromising the gospel or, with respect to the LGBTQ movement, biological truth even when it may appear unloving to others. Loving our enemies does not mean accepting their choices and promotion of evil. So the guys speak about how believers can engage in cultural battles in a way that they sprinkle salt, shine with light, but demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit.

Tune into another helpful episode of Three Guys Theologizing!

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