Scott starts this episode with gusto and even receives a compliment from Kyle. But as he continues on, the normal order is quickly restored as Kyle gets his digs in.

For this week’s 3GT offering is on the church’s use of social media , and Scott needs a little help. He asks for the different types of digital platforms and Kyle gives him the run down. As the discussion moves to justification for the church to use such programs, Biblical and historical rationale is offered. The guys then talk about the plusses and minuses of app usage by the church. They warn about the dangers they have observed as the church and its personalities live on social media, and even the need in some places to “pluck out the (digital) eye.” Yet they stop short of offering a Luddite approach to this issue and theologize about how to use God’s gift of technological tools to His glory.

So, yes, open your favorite podcast app and tune into another rousing episode of Three Guys Theologizing!

Download

No, it’s supposed to be a C not a T. For the guys on 3GT are talking about PCSD – Post-Covid Stress Disorder.

For like the aftershocks of an earthquake, the aftermath of Covid has impacted the church. Fractures have developed. Sheep have strayed. People are hesitant. So how does the church respond? The guys discuss the hard work and praying that is needed to help the church recover.

So if you need a little balm to treat your PCSD, turn into this episode of 3GT!

Download

With the prof away, the boys play! For the pastor and parishioner throw out some big words and then get down to business.

Irenical Animadversions is a book written by the Dutch theologian Herrman Witsius. Addressing a historical theological controversy regarding God’s law, the title means “conciliatory or peaceful critiques.” The book is Witsius’ teaching on how to maintain a peaceful spirit in the midst of disagreements in the church. Kyle and Scott use the theme of this book to address this topic.

They discuss the biblical need to address this subject, offering numerous examples in Scripture. Controversies are unavoidable in the church, even for the most godly of saints – perhaps especially so! The guys then talk about the need to distinguish between needed and unnecessary disputes in order to avoid an argumentative spirit. They then raise principles from God’s Word that teach how to work through matters and even how to maintain at time a “sanctified disagreement.”

If you are not in heaven yet, then this episode is for you! So join along this latest episode from 3GT!

Download

With the guys “Kyle-less” once again, the parishioner and professor tackle a subject the solo pastor may not have wanted to discuss. What about congregations having more than one pastor?

For Scott’s congregation is headed that way, and he decides to have a conversation with Barry about it. For starters, they identify the principles of “two or three witnesses” and “two is better than one.” From there, they look at the Biblical examples of Jesus sending out His disciples in pairs, the traveling mission teams in Acts, and places where congregations had more than one minister.

After establishing the Scriptural foundation for multiple pastors, they then delve into the practical. When should a congregation consider adding another pastor? How does a “plurality of pastors” relate to the “plurality of elders” in Presbyterianism? How do you avoid clericalism? What are some guidelines to make better ensure this situation works? And to make sure a certain pastor’s feelings are not hurt, they also discuss the legitimacy of singular pastorates as well.

This episode is chock full of considerations and advice. So join in the conversation at 3GT!

Download

One of 3GT’s favorite guests is back! Gordon Keddie joins the guys as he discusses the new release of William McEwen’s The Glory and Fullness of Jesus Christ: In the Most Remarkable Types, Figures, and Allegories of the Old Testament.

Gordon begins by recounting the life – sadly shortened by illness – of this young Scottish minister of the eighteenth century. He then describes how he became familiar with McEwen and his work, relates the importance of McEwen in the history of the church, and explains how the modern reader could benefit from reading him. From there, Gordon shares some of the highlights of this book, pointing out the in-depth, balanced, and devotional typological treatment by McEwen on many key Old Testament passages. The interview concludes with a discussion on some of the proper principles needed in interpreting typology.

If you want to see more of Jesus in the Scriptures, then this book is for you! Be sure to listen carefully to this episode so you can enter to win a free copy of the book!

Download

This episode begins with some typical shenanigans. Kyle has to explain that the “Super Spreader” shirt he is wearing is not advertisement for a fertilizing company, but punishment for bringing Covid home to his family from Synod. Scott brings up quotes from a movie he and Kyle watched from their youth, while Barry is again clueless about this cultural reference. But finally they get on tack to the subject at hand. As many pastors are struggling, they discuss how the need for perseverance in pastoral ministry.

They look at the model of the Apostle Paul and various discussion points arise. The call to suffer. The need for companionship. The confession of weakness. The importance of Christ’s body. The fellowship with Christ in our sufferings. Numerous examples and practical applications are offered along the way.

As the guys have discussed pastoral burnout before (see Episode 225: How to Burnout Your Pastor) and the need for pastoral refreshment (Episode 142: Lifting Your Pastor’s Hands), this episode completes the trilogy on this subject. So whether you are a pastor needing further encouragement or a congregant wanting to give it, give these episodes a listen!

Download

With all three guys finally back in the saddle, they decide to tackle an issue the whole country is discussing. They theologize over the momentous news of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

They first rejoice over how the Lord used unlikely providence to bring this event to pass. They then explain how each state in the Union must now work through the process of outlawing abortion for this scourge to truly be removed from the land. From there, they discuss the way the church must provide salt and light to this issue through its ministries of preaching, praying, enacting Biblical justice, and showing mercy.

The battle to end the scourge of abortion in the land in many ways has just begun. This episode is offered in the hope that it will provide encouragement to the church to keep up the good fight.

Download

With Scott back out on the campaign trail kissing babies, Barry and Kyle turn to letters sent to 3GT for this episode’s topic. As such, their tone turns more serious. For a faithful listener wants to know how to counsel her friend who has been through divorce.

To establish a proper understanding of this subject, the guys first lay the Biblical understanding of marriage as a covenant. They then speak of what divorce represents, and go on to establish the only Scriptural reasons for taking this action. They conclude with loads of practical advice for the listener as well as anyone else needing help thinking through this matter.

As divorce represents the rendering asunder of a covenant ordained and established by God, it is vital the church thinks properly about this important subject. Hopefully this episode of Three Guys Theologizing (minus 1!) will help toward that end!

Download

With their tumultuous schedules finally colliding together, all three guys are back for this episode! After congratulating Scott again for his election victory, the 3GTers get to the subject at hand as they address preaching duty.

By this topic, they do not speak of the duty of preaching. Rather, they discuss the importance in preaching of making clear to the congregation the response God’s people are supposed to make to His Word. The parishioner and pastor describe numerous influences as to why preachers are hesitant to preach duty to their people. They mention such things as a reaction against fundamentalism, an emphasis on justification to the exclusion of sanctification, and a push to make every sermon redemptive-historical in nature. From there, the guys then show how Biblical sermons demonstrate a high expectation of a dutiful response from the hearers and how Reformed theology support this approach. They then become even more specific, speaking about how preaching duty is to be practiced and how applications are to be made.

This episode could help you be a better sermon preparer or listener – what could be more important than that? So be sure to listen to this episode, and be sure to listen for our special guest at the very end of the podcast!

Download

With the old guy away, the boys decide to play! Yes, Kyle and Scott turn this episode of 3GT into 2BT – Two Boys Theologizing! – as they discuss the process for examining officers for the church.

They first discuss Scott’s stirring victory in the prosecuting attorney’s race he recently won. Just as candidates for public office need to be qualified and properly elected, so do officers in Christ’s church. But the moral standard and spiritual importance is much higher. They explain the process Reformed Presbyterians go through in order to be qualified for office in the church. The boys begin with deacons, then address ruling elders, and finally pastors. Kyle discovers an office Scott once held that he did not know about. The different types of exams, their need, and the importance they serve in properly overseeing the church are emphasized.

Punctuated with their typical liveliness, the boys make this episode one you will want to be sure to listen to!

Download