Reformed Forum: Westminster Faculty

Vos Group #19 — The Patriarch Jacob at Bethel and Peniel

Fri, 04 Sep 2015 04:00:10 +0000

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 95–99 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to learn about revelation during the patriarchal period. In this episode we look to the patriarch Jacob and focus upon his Bethel dream vision and his encounter with the angel at Peniel. Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton Christ the Center focuses on Reformed Christian theology. In each episode a group of informed panelists discusses important issues in order to encourage critical thinking and a better understanding of Reformed doctrine with a view toward godly living....

Van Til’s Common Grace and the Gospel

Fri, 21 Aug 2015 04:00:39 +0000

Today we speak with Dr. K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania about Cornelius Van Til’s book Common Grace and the Gospel (P&R Publishing). Dr. Oliphint has annotated a new edition of Van Til’s important work. In the trajectory of other recently annotated volumes of Van Til, such as The Defense of the Faith and An Introduction to Systematic Theology, this edition will help readers to understand the ecclesiastical and theological context of Van Til’s work and its enduring value.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, K. Scott Oliphint

Christ the Center focuses on Reformed Christian theology. In each episode a group of informed panelists discusses important issues in order to encourage critical thinking and a better understanding of Reformed doctrine with a view toward godly living. Browse more episodes from this program and learn how to subscribe.

Vos Group #18 — Jacob and Election

Fri, 07 Aug 2015 04:00:13 +0000

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 93–95 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to learn about the patriarch Jacob and election. Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton Christ the Center focuses on Reformed Christian theology. In each episode a group of informed panelists discusses important issues in order to encourage critical thinking and a better understanding of Reformed doctrine with a view toward godly living....

Vos Group #17: The Patriarch Isaac

Fri, 03 Jul 2015 04:01:58 +0000

We continue our #VosGroup series by opening pages 90–93 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to learn about the patriarch Isaac. Isaac is the middle figure of the oft-repeated patriarchal formula of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He uniquely demonstrates God’s promise to his people and the hope of redemption through a sacrifice, God’s own Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

The Message of the General Epistles

Fri, 19 Jun 2015 04:03:00 +0000

In this episode, Brandon Crowe introduces the redemptive-historical message of Peter, James, John, and John. Dr. Crowe is Associate Professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. His latest book, The Message of the General Epistles in the History of Redemption: Wisdom from James, Peter, John, and Jude (P&R Publishing) shares important insights from these oft-neglected books of Scripture.

Participants: Brandon Crowe, Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy

Vos Group #16: The Ethical Dimension of Circumcision

Fri, 05 Jun 2015 04:00:00 +0000

Geerhardus Vos develops the ethical elements present during the patriarchal period through a brilliant treatment of circumcision. In this episode, Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey discuss pages 88–90 of Vos’s book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to shed light on the indicative and imperative dimensions of God’s covenantal relationship to his people. In the course of this study, the relationship of circumcision to baptism is developed as both are signs of the righteousness God’s people have by faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 4:11–12; cf. Col 2:11–12).

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #15 — Revelation in the Patriarchal Period, Part 4

Fri, 24 Apr 2015 04:00:49 +0000

We open Vos’s Biblical Theology to study pages 81–87, which deal with the divine name El-Shaddai and faith as found in patriarchal religion. While faith in God and his Word has always been present since the earliest promise of the gospel in Genesis 3:15, faith becomes an explicit part of Shemitic life with Abraham, the father of all who would believe. Saving faith is not merely faith in God generally, it is a deep and abiding trust in God almighty, the one who acts supernaturally in history.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

TGC 2015: Coming Home

Fri, 17 Apr 2015 04:00:22 +0000

In this episode, we recap our time at the Gospel Coalition 2015 National Conference. The conference was titled Coming Home: New Heaven and New Earth, and the sessions focused on eschatology. To start off, Erica Bucey speaks about several sessions and related books dealing with women’s ministry including Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin and the forthcoming Word-Filled Women’s Ministry edited by Gloria Furman and Kathleen B. Nielson.

Jared Oliphint then details one of the conference sessions, which was convened by Westminster Theological Seminary. The session, hosted by RTS Chancellor J. Ligon Duncan, featured Lane Tipton, Greg Beale, and Jeff Jue. In this riveting session, the panelists discussed different facets of Reformed eschatology. While the session should eventually be available through The Gospel Coalition, we thought we’d share some related content.

Dr. Jeffrey K. Jue currently serves as Provost of Westminster Theological Seminary and is the Stephen Tong Associate Professor of Reformed Theology at Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Jue joined us on Christ the Center episode 31 to speak about the eschatological views of the Westminster divines. We include a segment from that interview as it touches upon the subject matter of his panel discussion at #TGC15.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Erica Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jeff Jue

Luther on the Christian Life

Fri, 27 Mar 2015 04:00:53 +0000

Dr. Carl Trueman joins us to speak about his book Luther on the Christian Life, in which he paints a portrait of Martin Luther through his historical context, theological system, and approach to the Christian life. Luther is often treated in a black-and-white fashion or exclusively through his succinct theological quips and mottoes. Trueman helps us to see the practical and pastoral context in which Luther lived and ministered and thereby grants to us a better understanding of both the man and his theology.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carl Trueman, Jim Cassidy

Redeeming Mathematics

Fri, 13 Mar 2015 04:00:56 +0000

Vern Poythress joins us to speak about his book Redeeming Mathematics: A God-Centered Approach. Dr. Poythress explains how the Triune God of the Bible is the foundation for mathematics by arguing that the harmony of abstract mathematical truths, the physical world of things, and the personal world of our thinking depends on the existence of the Christian God.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Vern Poythress

Revelation in the Patriarchal Period, Part 3 — The Patriarch Abraham

Fri, 06 Mar 2015 05:00:48 +0000

Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey discuss the patriarch Abraham as they turn to pp. 76–81 of Geerhardus Vos’s book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. This chapter covers Abraham’s election, and we connect that to the doctrine of God, the nature of biblical covenants, and God’s gracious gift in the gospel of his Son.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Revelation in the Patriarchal Period, Part 2 — The Angel of Jehovah

Fri, 06 Feb 2015 05:00:02 +0000

Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey speak about theophanies before turning to pages 72–76 of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology to speak about the Angel of Jehovah, or the Angel of the Lord. The presence of the Angel punctuates epochal moments in covenant history, and his presence is critical during the patriarchal period. Camden’s article, “The Lord and His Messengers: Toward a Trinitarian Interpretation of Malachi 3:1–4,” which was mentioned during the program, was published in The Confessional Presbyterian, Volume 7 (2011).

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Pneumatology and Eschatology in the Light of 1 Corinthians 15:45 and 2 Corinthians 3:6–18

Fri, 09 Jan 2015 05:00:31 +0000

Building upon Geerhardus Vos’s foundational essay “The Eschatological Aspect of the Pauline Conception of the Spirit” Dr. Lane Tipton develops the role of the Spirit with regard to redemptive history, the law and soteriology. Vos remarks that the core of Paul’s eschatology lies in the sphere of the Spirit. The Spirit, given to the resurrected Christ, inaugurates the eschatological age of the world to come. This world to come is realized climactically in the resurrection of Christ as the firstfruits of the one great resurrection of harvest in the Spirit.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #12 — Revelation in the Patriarchal Period, Part 1

Fri, 02 Jan 2015 05:00:46 +0000

For the first Vos Group of 2015, Dr. Lane Tipton guides us through Chapter 7 of Geerhardus Vos’ Biblical Theology, “Revelation in the Patriarchal Period,” pp. 66–72. The section titles are Critical Views, The Historicity of the Patriarchs, and Theophanies.

Roughly each month, Lane and Camden will work through the pages of Vos’ Biblical Theology. While Vos’ book is foundational, it’s tough for the “uninitiated” to access. This will be a great opportunity for study groups to listen to our discussions and work things out together. We hope everyone who participates will learn more about Reformed biblical theology. Pick up a copy of Biblical Theology and get on the BT wagon!

Lane G. Tipton is Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. He has appeared numerous times on our programs. Please visit our archives to listen to Dr. Tipton speak about a range of theological topics.

All the episodes in this series will be available at http://reformedforum.org/vos/

If you’d like to subscribe only to these episodes (rather than all episodes of Christ the Center), just use the following feed: http://reformedforum.org/category/series/vos-group/feed

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Highlights from 2014

Fri, 26 Dec 2014 05:00:44 +0000

We close our year with a look at some of our best clips from 2014. Listen to the full episodes of the clips we’ve chosen to include by using the following links:

Episode 318 — Michael Kruger, The Question of Canon
Episode 322 — James Anderson on worldviews
Episode 326 — Matt Perman on gospel-driven productivity
Episode 329 — Randall Pederson on the Puritan family resemblance
Episode 331 — Lane Tipton on the Tree of Life and the goal of eschatology
Episode 335 —Shai Linne on hip-hop, the gospel, and cultural contextualization
Episode 345 — Marcus Peter Johnson on union with Christ and the incarnation
Episode 351 — Charles Hill on the New Testament, the early church and Bart Ehrman’s book How Jesus Became God
Episode 357 — Glen Clary on Zwingli, church tradition, and Reformed worship

Participants: Camden Bucey, Charles Hill, Glen Clary, James Anderson, Jared Oliphint, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, Lane G. Tipton, Marcus Johnson, Matt Perman, Michael Kruger, Randall Pederson, Shai Linne

Redeeming Philosophy

Fri, 21 Nov 2014 05:00:42 +0000

Dr. Vern Poythress comes to the program today to speak about his book, Redeeming Philosophy. In today’s discussion, Dr. Poythress helps us examine the roots of Western philosophy, uncover some of its limitations, and find answers to our questions in dependence upon God’s word.

Dr. Poythress is the author of a number of books, including Redeeming Science, In the Beginning Was the Word, Redeeming Sociology, and Logic. He has also spoken on Christ the Center episodes 52, 98, 188, 235, 332, and 356, and on Philosophy for Theologians episode 20.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Vern Poythress

Vos Group #11 — Between Noah and the Patriarchs, Part 2

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 05:00:54 +0000

Dr. Lane Tipton is back for Vos Group #11, considering chapter 6 of Geerhardus Vos’ Biblical Theology, “The Period Between Noah and the Great Patriarchs.” This week we look at part 2 of the chapter, points 3, The division of tongues, and 4, The election of the Shemites to furnish the bearers of redemption and revelation (pp. 59-65).

All the episodes in this series will be available at http://reformedforum.org/vos/

If you’d like to subscribe only to these episodes (rather than all episodes of Christ the Center), just use the following feed: http://reformedforum.org/category/series/vos-group/feed

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Hermeneutics in Light of the Divine Author of Scripture

Fri, 24 Oct 2014 04:00:33 +0000

Dr. Vern Poythress joins us to discuss divine and human authorship, in connection with his recent article in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society (JETS), “Dispensing with Merely Human Meaning: Gains and Losses from Focusing on the Human Author, Illustrated by Zephaniah 1:2-3.” The major emphasis in current biblical scholarship is upon the Bible’s human authors compared to the divine author, but Dr. Poythress, in his article, questions this trend.

Dr. Poythress is Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA and Editor of the Westminster Theological Journal. Many of his writings are available here.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Vern Poythress

Redemptive-Historical Hermeneutics, Divine Authorship, and the Christotelism Debate

Fri, 17 Oct 2014 04:00:27 +0000

Reformed Forum kicks off their 2014 Theology Conference with a live recording of Christ the Center. In this special episode, Lane G. Tipton speaks about the differences Christotelism and Christocentrism with regard to biblical hermeneutics. A debate has been raging for several years, and the panel seeks to clarify the issues and what is at stake.

Vos Group #10 – Between Noah and the Patriarchs, Part 1

Fri, 03 Oct 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Dr. Lane Tipton returns for Vos Group #10, to speak about the first two points of chapter six of Vos’ Biblical Theology (pp. 56-59). The first point of chapter six is The prophetic deliverances of Noah [Gen. 9:20-27], and The table of the nations.

All the episodes in this series will be available at http://reformedforum.org/vos/

If you’d like to subscribe only to these episodes (rather than all episodes of Christ the Center), just use the following feed: http://reformedforum.org/category/series/vos-group/feed

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #9 – The Noachian Revelation, Part 2

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 04:00:27 +0000

Dr. Lane Tipton joins us to speak about the rest of chapter 5 (pgs. 51-55) of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology, “The Noachian Revelation and the Development Leading Up to It.” In this portion, Vos explains the significance of the Noahic covenant in its common application to the blessed line of Seth and even to the cursed line of Ham.

All the episodes in this series will be available at http://reformedforum.org/vos/

If you’d like to subscribe only to these episodes (rather than all episodes of Christ the Center), just use the following feed: http://reformedforum.org/category/series/vos-group/feed

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #8: The Development Leading Up to the Noachian Revelation, Part 1

Fri, 01 Aug 2014 04:00:25 +0000

This week, Dr. Lane Tipton leads Christ the Center’s “Vos Group” through chapter 5 of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology, “The Noachian Revelation and the Development Leading Up to It.” In the first part of the chapter, pages 45-51, Vos explores the significance of the Canaanites and the Sethites in the biblical story, prior to Noah. Next time, we will discuss the rest of chapter 5, pages 51-55.

Check out Banner of Truth’s new cloth-bound hardcover edition of Biblical Theology! (Select “cloth-bound.”)

All the episodes in this series will be available at http://reformedforum.org/vos/

If you’d like to subscribe only to these episodes (rather than all episodes of Christ the Center), just use the following feed: http://reformedforum.org/category/series/vos-group/feed

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #7: The Content of the First Redemptive Special Revelation

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 04:00:10 +0000

The seventh episode of Vos Group, we arrive at chapter 4 of Geerhardus Vos’ Biblical Theology, with Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey. Having completed discussion of pre-redemptive special revelation, Vos moves to consideration of the first redemptive special revelation, which includes three curses, mention of the seed of both the woman and of the serpent, and prophecy of human suffering.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #6: The Content of Pre-Redemptive Special Revelation, Part 2

Fri, 06 Jun 2014 05:00:22 +0000

Dr. Lane Tipton returns to Christ the Center for the sixth episode of Vos Group, concerning the second half of chapter three of Geerhardus Vos’ Biblical Theology (pp. 33-40). Vos established in the previous chapter the presence of special revelation in the garden of Eden, in the probationary covenant of works. In this chapter, he highlights four principles made known in the covenant, the first two of which are “the principle of life” and “the principle of probation,” discussed last episode. This episode, Drs. Tipton and Bucey discuss “the principle of temptation and sin symbolized in the serpent,” and “the principle of death symbolized by the dissolution of the body.”

All the episodes in this series will be available at http://reformedforum.org/vos/

If you’d like to subscribe only to these episodes (rather than all episodes of Christ the Center), just use the following feed: http://reformedforum.org/category/series/vos-group/feed

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Chance and the Sovereignty of God

Fri, 09 May 2014 05:00:12 +0000

Dr. Vern S. Poythress, Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, speaks about his new book, Chance and the Sovereignty of God: A God-Centered Approach to Probability and Random Events (Crossway). The fifth in a series of “God-Centered Approaches,” Chance and the Sovereignty of God explores the mathematics of probability as well as the relationship of God’s sovereignty to chance events. Today, Dr. Poythress explains how Christians can approach chance in practical events as well as in academic study, whether scientific or mathematical.

Dr. Poythress is the author of a number of books, including Redeeming Science, In the Beginning Was the Word, Redeeming Sociology, and Logic. He has also spoken on Christ the Center episodes 52, 98, 188, and 235, and on Philosophy for Theologians episode 20.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jeff Waddington, Vern Poythress

Vos Group #5: The Content of Pre-Redemptive Special Revelation, Part 1

Fri, 02 May 2014 05:00:00 +0000

For the fifth episode of Vos Group, Dr. Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey examine the first portion of chapter three of Geerhardus Vos’ Biblical Theology (pp. 27-33). Vos has established the presence of special revelation in the garden of Eden, God’s words to Adam and Eve concerning the probationary covenant of works. In this chapter, he highlights four principles made known in this special revelation, the first two of which are “the principle of life in its highest potency sacramentally symbolized by the tree of life,” and “the principle of probation symbolized in the same manner by the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”

All the episodes in this series will be available at http://reformedforum.org/vos/

If you’d like to subscribe only to these episodes (rather than all episodes of Christ the Center), just use the following feed: http://reformedforum.org/category/series/vos-group/feed

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #4: The Mapping Out of the Field of Revelation

Fri, 04 Apr 2014 05:00:36 +0000

This fourth episode of Vos Group, Dr. Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey tackle chapter 2 of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology (pp. 19-26). Topics of discussion include the relationship of general/natural and special/supernatural revelation, sin and revelation, and divine covenants.

All the episodes in this series will be available at http://reformedforum.org/vos/

If you’d like to subscribe only to these episodes (rather than all episodes of Christ the Center), just use the following feed: http://reformedforum.org/category/series/vos-group/feed

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Vos Group #3: The Nature and Method of Biblical Theology, Part 2

Fri, 14 Feb 2014 05:00:39 +0000

For the third episode of Vos Group, Dr. Lane Tipton joins Camden Bucey to discuss the final portion of the first chapter of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology (pp. 11-18, “Guiding Principles” through the end of ch. 1). Vos’s view of biblical authority governs his method of studying Scripture and particularly the use he makes of knowledge of the biblical authors’ historical contexts. Today’s discussion also covers the relationship between biblical and systematic theology.

All the episodes in this series will be available at http://reformedforum.org/resources/vos/

If you’d like to subscribe only to these episodes (rather than all episodes of Christ the Center), just use the following feed: http://reformedforum.org/category/series/vos-group/feed

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

By Faith, Not by Sight

Fri, 07 Feb 2014 05:00:34 +0000

Dr. Richard B. Gaffin Jr. joins us to speak about his book By Faith, Not by Sight: Paul and the Order of Salvation, now in its second edition and published by P&R Publishing. This study in Paul’s theology begins with the recognition that what is of first importance for Paul is the history of salvation, Christ crucified and raised. But the history of redemption does not exclude the application of redemption to believers. Rather, the application of redemption is grounded in its once-for-all accomplishment. Listen in to hear an exciting discussion about an illuminating book.

Dr. Gaffin is Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Emeritus at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is also the author of numerous articles and books, including Resurrection and Redemption, Calvin and the Sabbath, Perspectives on Pentecost, By Faith, Not By Sight and he has edited a collection of the shorter writings of Geerhardus Vos, Redemptive History and Biblical Interpretation. In May of 2008 Dr. Gaffin entered into honored retirement and was the recipient of a festschrift entitled Resurrection and Eschatology co-edited by Lane G. Tipton and Jeffrey C. Waddington. Christ the Center has featured Dr. Gaffin on several episodes.

Dr. Gaffin’s book was given to the attendees at the 2014 Desiring God Conference for Pastors. The topic of the conference was union with Christ. To introduce the attendees of that conference to Reformed Forum, we compiled many of episodes and links to resources on the doctrine. Please visit our union with Christ page.

Lectures by Dr. Gaffin on union with Christ at Calvary OPC, Ringoes, NJ. Lectures at Matthews OPC. iTunes U: By Faith, Not by Sight. Also available is a PDF version of “The Puritans on Justification, Union with Christ, and Regeneration” in A Puritan Theology, edited by Joel Beeke and Mark Jones.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jeff Waddington, Richard B. Gaffin Jr.

Vos Group #2: The Nature and Method of Biblical Theology, Part 1

Fri, 10 Jan 2014 05:00:15 +0000

Dr. Lane Tipton and Camden Bucey open up Geerhardus Vos’ Biblical Theology for the second episode of Vos Group. On pages 3-11 (Chapter 1 up to, but not including, “Guiding Principles”), Vos sets out the nature of the discipline of biblical theology and its relationship to the different departments of theology. In short, biblical theology is a study of the history of God’s special revelation which is his authoritative interpretation of the history of redemption. The discussion also covers Vos’ historical methodology, the organic nature of special revelation, and the particularly practical side of biblical theology.

All the episodes in this series will be available at http://reformedforum.org/resources/vos/

If you’d like to subscribe only to these episodes (rather than all episodes of Christ the Center), just use the following feed: http://reformedforum.org/category/series/vos-group/feed

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Highlights from 2013

Fri, 03 Jan 2014 05:00:12 +0000

We begin the New Year with a look at some of our best clips from 2013. Listen to the full episodes of the clips we’ve chosen to include by using the following links:

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carl Trueman, Carlton Wynne, Darryl G. Hart, David Gibson, David Murray, James White, Jared Oliphint, Jim Cassidy, John Currid, Jonathan Gibson, K. Scott Oliphint, Lane G. Tipton, Michael Emlet, Nick Batzig, Scott Manetsch, Scott R. Wright, Timothy Brindle, Vern Poythress, William Edgar

An Introduction to Geerhardus Vos’ Biblical Theology

Fri, 13 Dec 2013 05:00:04 +0000

Dr. Lane G. Tipton joins Camden Bucey to begin a new series on Geerhardus Vos’ important book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. For the past thirteen years, Dr. Tipton has led the “Vos Group” at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Glenside, PA. Each month, the Vos Group gathers to discuss Reformed biblical theology by studying Scripture and important works by Vos, Kline, Clowney, Gaffin, et al. We are delighted to bring this great teaching to a broader audience.

All the episodes in this series will be available at http://reformedforum.org/category/series/vos-group/

If you’d like to subscribe only to these episodes (rather than all episodes of Christ the Center), just use the following feed: http://reformedforum.org/category/series/vos-group/feed

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

The Virgin Birth of Christ

Fri, 29 Nov 2013 05:00:40 +0000

Dr. Brandon Crowe explains the reality and significance of the virgin birth, based on his booklet, “Was Jesus Really Born of a Virgin?,” from the Christian Answers to Hard Questions series. He explains the biblical basis for the doctrine and responds to a host of objections – those scientific, philosophical, mythological, and theological, to name a few.

Dr. Crowe is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. He received his M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh. His dissertation has been published as The Obedient Son: Deuteronomy and Christology in the Gospel of Matthew which he spoke about on Christ the Center episode 239. The Christian Answers to Hard Questions series is published by Westminster Press through P&R Publishing.

Participants: Brandon Crowe, Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy

Definite Atonement in Perspective

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 05:00:41 +0000

The doctrine of definite atonement is the subject of this week’s episode, which features guests David Gibson and Jonathan Gibson, editors of the forthcoming From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective (Crossway), and Carl Trueman, a contributor to the book and former guest on Christ the Center. The 700-page book features essays from twenty-one scholars and pastors and is intended to be a definitive treatment of the topic. In the episode, we consider definite atonement in church history, in the scriptural witness, in relation to the doctrine of the trinity, with a view to common objections.

David Gibson ministers at Trinity Church in Aberdeen, Scotland and received his Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen. Gibson has also written Rich: The Reality of Encountering Jesus and Reading the Decree: Exegesis, Election and Christology in Calvin and Barth.

Jonathan Gibson is currently working on a Ph.D. in Hebrew Studies at Cambridge University. He studied at Moore Theological College, in Sydney, Australia, and has been published in Themelios, in the Journal of Biblical Literature, and in the NIV Proclamation Bible.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carl Trueman, David Gibson, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan Gibson

The Aseity of the Son

Fri, 23 Aug 2013 05:00:14 +0000

Scott Oliphint speaks about the aseity of the Son of God, following up on a review of Brannon Ellis’ book Calvin, Classical Trinitarianism, and the Aseity of the Son. The thesis of the book, which Dr. Oliphint takes up, is that Calvin’s teaching on the Son’s aseity was a way of maintaining orthodoxy but also of advancing and clarifying orthodoxy. The question was, if God the Son is “God of God,” as the Nicene Creed teaches, is he therefore not God of himself? Listen and hear how Calvin answered that question.

Dr. Oliphint’s full-length review of Ellis’ book is in the Spring 2013 issue of the Westminster Theological Journal. For more on the doctrine of God, see Dr. Oliphint’s book God with Us: Divine Condescension and the Attributes of God.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Deryck Barson, Jared Oliphint, K. Scott Oliphint

Covenantal Apologetics

Fri, 12 Jul 2013 05:00:24 +0000

Dr. Scott Oliphint returns to Christ the Center to discuss his recent book, Covenantal Apologetics. Oliphint’s forthcoming book is an accessible treatment of Van Tilian presuppositional apologetics, the fruit of years of teaching apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. We discuss with Dr. Oliphint the significance of the book’s title, namely, that the covenantal theology of the Reformed confessions underlies a covenantal apologetic approach. Oliphint explains the “quicksand quotient,” the role of common grace in apologetics, and discusses the motivation behind the example apologetic conversations found in the book.

Other Books on Apologetics

This selection is taken from our suggested reading list. For more information on how to use this list as well as books in other disciplines, please look at our list.
Level 1

Machen, J. Gresham. Christianity and Liberalism. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009.
Oliphint, K. Scott. The Battle Belongs to the Lord. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 2003.
Pratt, Richard. Every Thought Captive: A Study Manual for the Defense of Christian Truth. Phillipsburg N.J.: Presbyterian and Reformed Pub. Co., 1979.
Bahnsen, Greg L. Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith. Covenant Media Press, 1996.

Level 2

Van Til, Cornelius and Greg L. Bahnsen, ed. Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings and Analysis. P&R Publishing, 1998.
Van Til, Cornelius with annotations by K. Scott Oliphint. The Defense of the Faith. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 2008.
Oliphint, K. Scott, and Lane G. Tipton, (eds.) Revelation and Reason. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 2007.
Bahnsen, Greg. Presuppositional Apologetics: Stated and Defended. Powder Springs Ga.; Nacogdoches Tex.: American Vision Inc.; Covenant Media Press, 2008.

Level 3

Oliphint, K. Scott. Reasons for Faith: Philosophy in the Service of Theology. Phillipsburg, N. J.: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 2006.

Participants: Camden Bucey, David Filson, K. Scott Oliphint

The Plan of Salvation

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 05:00:59 +0000

Rev. Dr. Lane Tipton walks us through the soteriological taxonomy offered by B.B. Warfield in his book The Plan of Salvation. In the book, Warfield asks a series of questions designed to distinguish biblically-consistent Christianity from other accounts of salvation. Who saves? How? And on what basis? As Dr. Tipton rehearses and adds to Warfield’s argument, we come to see how Calvinism is distinguished from paganism, Catholicism, Lutheranism, and all forms of Arminianism.

Dr. Tipton is Associate Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Calvin’s Company of Pastors

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 05:00:03 +0000

Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Scott Manetsch to the program to speak about Reformed pastoral ministry and his book Calvin’s Company of Pastors: Pastoral Care and the Emerging Reformed Church, 1536-1609, which is published by Oxford University Press. Dr. Manetsch is Professor of Church History at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and his scholarly expertise is in the area of late medieval and Reformation history, with particular interest in Calvin and French Protestantism, Theodore Beza, sixteenth-century Geneva, church discipline, and pastoral ministry in the Reformation era. Listen to this fascinating discussion of pastoral life in late 16th and early 17th century Geneva.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carl Trueman, Jim Cassidy, Scott Manetsch

Harmonizing the Gospels

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 05:00:06 +0000

Dr. Vern Poythress speaks about the important topic of harmonizing the gospels by sharing with us features of his book Inerrancy and the Gospels: A God-Centered Approach to the Challenges of Harmonization. Answering the challenges of critics, Dr. Poythress argues for the uncompromisingly foundational role of Scripture and a proper attitude as we come to approach it. He provides several useful principles for the task of harmonization and walks the reader through a number of examples in order to demonstrate his God-centered approach.

Dr. Poythress is Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy, Nick Batzig, Vern Poythress

Reasons for Faith

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 05:00:01 +0000

K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, speaks about the relationship of philosophy to theology. Dr. Oliphint has written Reasons for Faith: Philosophy in the Service of Theology, and he takes us through a number of important sections in his book.

Insider Movements

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 05:00:14 +0000

We welcome David Garner and Phil DeHart to speak about Insider Movements, which are increasingly popular approaches to missions predicated on controversial theological and hermeneutic foundations. Insider Movements have gained particular influence in mission fields and religio-sociological contexts that are particularly hostile to Christianity.

Dr. Garner is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary at Pastor of Teaching at Proclamation Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Bryn Mawr, PA. Dr. Garner has written “High Stakes: Insider Movement Hermeneutics and the Gospel,” an excellent essay on the subject. Phil DeHart has worked in the missions field in Asia and is currently a student at Westminster Theological Seminary.

Dr. Garner has also coordinated with the producers of the film Half Devil, Half Child, a documentary on Insider Movements, to offer a special discount to Reformed Forum listeners. Just visit halfdevilhalfchild.com to purchase the digital download, and use the code “reform” to receive 25% off the download price of the film.

Episode image by terbeck.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Dave Garner, Jim Cassidy, Nick Batzig, Phil DeHart

Justification Sola Fide

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 05:00:28 +0000

We are pleased to welcome back to the program Dr. Lane G. Tipton, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Tipton was recently inaugurated to the Charles Krahe Chair of Systematic Theology and delivered an inaugural address titled, “Biblical Theology and the Westminster Standards Revisited: Union with Christ and Justification Sola Fide.”

As he walks us through his inaugural lecture, Dr. Tipton addresses the relationship of justification to faith and union with Christ and then turns to interact with the distinction Louis Berkhof made between objective and subjective or active and passive justification. In short, Tipton demonstrates that union with Christ by faith is also antecedent to the declaration of righteousness, which is based on the imputed righteousness of Christ.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

Creeds and Confessions in the Contemporary Church

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 05:00:14 +0000

On this episode, we welcome Rev. Dr. Carl R. Trueman to discuss the important role of creeds and confessions in the church through his book The Creedal Imperative. Dr. Trueman is the Paul Woolley Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary and Pastor of Cornerstone Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Ambler, PA. Dr. Trueman brings his critical thought and historic sensitivity to this important plea to many conservative evangelicals.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carl Trueman, Jared Oliphint

Nature/Grace Dualism

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 05:00:54 +0000

Dr. Lane G. Tipton, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, addresses the Roman Catholic teaching of nature/grace dualism and a variety of its uses. Nature/grace dualism undergirds much of how the Catholic church thinks through issues of anthropology, epistemology, and even cultural engagement. Listen to this insightful interview that touches upon theological methodology, apologetics, and even generic two-kingdom theology.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy, Lane G. Tipton

Nature and Scripture

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 05:00:43 +0000

In 1946, the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary published a symposium on the doctrine of Scipture titled The Infallible Word. Cornelius Van Til’s contribution, an essay titled “Nature and Scripture,” is an important work describing the relationship of general and special revelation. In this episode, Dr. K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster, expounds on this essay and connects it to contemporary issues in philosophy and theological methodology.

Deuteronomy and Christology in the Gospel of Matthew

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 05:00:30 +0000

Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Brandon Crowe to speak about the themes in his book The Obedient Son: Deuteronomy and Christology in the Gospel of Matthew. The book is a published edition of Dr. Crowe’s dissertation written at the University of Edinburgh. It spans several key biblical themes, including sonship, God’s fatherly love, election, and obedience. Dr. Crowe is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary, where he teaches the core course on the gospels.

Participants: Brandon Crowe, Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Nick Batzig

Inerrancy and Worldview

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 05:00:33 +0000

Dr. Vern Poythress, Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary, speaks about his book Inerrancy and Worldview: Answering Challenges to the Bible (Crossway). In this important book, Dr. Poythress provides a worldview-based defense of inerrancy by demonstrating the influence various worldviews have on views of the Bible.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Vern Poythress

Did God Really Say?

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 05:00:55 +0000

David B. Garner, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, visits the studio to speak about the doctrine of Scripture. Dr. Garner has edited an excellent collection of essays titled Did God Really Say?: Affirming the Truthfulness and Trustworthiness of Scripture. Many of the contributions for this book were originally lectures delivered at the 2011 PCA General Assembly. Join us for this fascinating discussion on an important subject.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Dave Garner, Jared Oliphint

Celebrity, Authority, and Authenticity in the Church

Fri, 18 May 2012 05:00:47 +0000

Dr. Carl Trueman joins us once again for an exciting conversation of issues in the contemporary church. Today, we discuss Dr. Trueman’s latest book Fools Rush in Where Monkeys Fear to Tread (P&R Publishing), a collection of essays originally appearing at Reformation21.org. Dr. Trueman leads us in a critical look at at the contemporary church with his characteristic wit and historical sensitivity.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carl Trueman

Baptism, Covenant, and Election

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 05:00:02 +0000

Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. and Lane G. Tipton analyze arguments for credo-baptism and discuss Reformed views of covenant and election. Many Reformed Baptists will be quick to differentiate themselves from dispensationalists. They favor a covenantal hermeneutic that seeks to take into account the redemptive-historical features of Scripture. For this reason, many confessing credo-baptists argue that the Old Covenant administration has yielded several features to the New.

For instance, many Reformed Baptists argue that circumcision, the Old Covenant sign of membership, was given to physical seed, but water baptism, the New Covenant sign of membership, should only be given to spiritual seed. Moreover, the covenant included unregenerate members in its previous administration, but all people know the Lord in the New Covenant. Drs. Gaffin and Tipton analyze these and other arguments for credo-baptism.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Lane G. Tipton, Richard B. Gaffin Jr.

Justification and Union with Christ

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:57 +0000

Today we welcome Dr. Michael S. Horton and Dr. Lane G. Tipton to the program to discuss justification and its relation to union with Christ. Dr. Horton is Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Seminary California. He is the author of many books on a variety of theological topics—two of which that are germane to our discussion today are Covenant and Salvation: Union with Christ and The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way. Dr. Tipton is Charles Krahe Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. He has co-edited Revelation and Reasons: New Essays in Reformed Apologetics and Resurrection and Eschatology: Essays in Honor of Richard B. Gaffin, Jr.

In Christ the Center episode 200, Dr. Tipton spoke about the doctrine of union with Christ. In the course of the interview, Tipton drew out what he saw as implications of the views presented by Dr. Horton in his book Covenant and Salvation: Union with Christ. In Christ the Center episode 207, Dr. Horton responded to the remarks. We are delighted to welcome both men to the program to continue the conversation together.

The views and opinions expressed in this interview are solely of the individuals and are not the views of Reformed Forum or any other organization affiliated with the participants in this interview.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton, Michael Horton

Highlights from 2011

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:38 +0000

We celebrate another year of Christ the Center by bringing to you a number of highlights from 2011.

Episode 156 – Darryl Hart on Machen, Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, and the OPC
Episode 160 – Carl Trueman on historiography
Episode 161 – Winston Smith on marriage as a picture of Christ’s relation to the Church
Episode 162 – Mark A. Garcia on the justification landscape
Episode 163 – K. Scott Oliphint on Gordon Clark, Cornelius Van Til, the Trinity, and logic
Episode 185 – James Dolezal on the doctrine of divine simplicity
Episode 192 – Sandy Finlayson on the founding of the Free Church of Scotland
Episode 200 – Lane Tipton on various Lutheran theologies of justification
Episode 203 – Jim Cassidy on Van Til’s criticism of Barth
Episode 206 – Kevin DeYoung on holiness, antinomianism, and neo-nomianism

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carl Trueman, Darryl G. Hart, James Dolezal, Jim Cassidy, K. Scott Oliphint, Lane G. Tipton, Mark Garcia, Sandy Finlayson, Winston Smith

God… With Us

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:03 +0000

Dr. K. Scott Oliphint speaks about the doctrine of God and his book God with Us: Divine Condescension and the Attributes of God. Dr. Oliphint is Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Glenside, PA. In this episode, he entertains several general questions about the doctrine of God before moving to a more pointed discussion of how an infinite, eternal, and immutable God can create and then relate to that creation.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan Brack, K. Scott Oliphint

The King James Bible

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:13 +0000

Dr. Carl Trueman, Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary, describes the historical context leading up to the creation of the King James Bible. This year marks the 400th anniversary of the influential translation, and Dr. Trueman has appeared in a film detailing its birth. The movie, KJB: The Book that Changed the World is wonderfully done. Join us for this fascinating discussion of this incredibly influential translation.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carl Trueman

The Founders of the Free Church of Scotland

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 05:00:08 +0000

Christ the Center is very pleased to welcome Sandy Finlayson to the program to discuss his book Unity & Diversity: The Founders of the Free Church of Scotland. Mr. Finlayson is Professor of Theological Bibliography and Director of Library Services at Westminster Theological Seminary. The book is a wonderful perspective to the history of the Free Church as it presents stimulating and readable biographies of many key figures surrounding the founding of the Free Church of Scotland. This discussion is thoroughly enjoyable.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carl Trueman, Sandy Finlayson

The Reformation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 05:00:15 +0000

Dr. Carl Trueman, Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary, returns to Christ the Center to speak about the republication of his book The Reformation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Dr. Trueman speaks about the abiding significance of the Reformation even today as he adroitly describes its salient features and applies them to the contemporary church. Trueman’s insights are truly a joy to hear.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carl Trueman, Jared Oliphint

Redeeming Sociology

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 05:00:57 +0000

Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Vern Poythress back to the program to discuss his latest book Redeeming Sociology. The title alone may leave some people wondering why it was written by a professor of New Testament interpretation. Yet those familiar with Dr. Poythress’ work will quickly come to realize how he has thoroughly applied his God-centered Trinitarian approach to the subject of human relationships. From the publisher:

Redeeming Sociology advocates a biblically informed model for human relationships—relationships rooted in the Trinitarian character of God, his governance of the world, and his redemption accomplished in Christ. Poythress examines how the breaking of relationships through sin leads to strife, murder, and oppression among human beings and sets cultures against one another. And he shows how these broken relationships are restored through the outworking of redemption in Christ.

Though typical sociological models for interpersonal relationships may offer some valuable insights, they are handicapped by a fundamental misunderstanding of humanity. The biblical model that Poythress presents correctly diagnoses the problem of human relationships, so it can likewise prescribe a biblical solution that infuses new meaning and power into how we relate to others made in the image of God.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Nick Batzig, Vern Poythress

The Role of the Seminary in Today’s World

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 05:00:32 +0000

Christ the Center is honored to welcome seminary presidents Albert Mohler and Peter Lillback to discuss the role of the seminary in today’s world.

Dr. Albert Mohler serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Listeners may know Dr. Mohler from The Albert Mohler Program, a daily nationwide radio program. Dr. Mohler is the author of He is Not Silent: Preaching in a Postmodern World, Atheism Remix: A Christian Confronts the New Atheists, and Culture Shift: Engaging Current Issues with Timeless Truth. He has appeared as a guest on a host of television and radio programs and we are very pleased to welcome him today.

Dr. Peter Lillback is President of Westminster Theological Seminary and he also serves as president of the Providence Forum, a non-profit organization whose mission is to re-instill and promote a Judeo-Chrsitian worldview within our culture. Dr. Lillback is the author of George Washington’s Sacred Fire and The Binding of God: Calvin’s Role in the Development of Covenant Theology.

Participants: Albert Mohler, Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, Peter A. Lillback

The Clark/Van Til Controversy

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 05:00:51 +0000

K. Scott Oliphint explores the issue of divine and human knowledge as it relates to the Clark/Van Til controversy. Dr. Oliphint is Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary and is the author of several books on apologetics including Reasons for Faith and The Battle Belongs to the Lord.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jared Oliphint, K. Scott Oliphint

Historical Methodology

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 05:00:57 +0000

Carl Trueman comes on to discuss his recent book, Histories and Fallacies: Problems Faced in the Writing of History, and other issues relating to historiography and a philosophy of history. Participants: Camden Bucey, Carl Trueman, Jared Oliphint, Jonathan Brack Christ the Center focuses on Reformed Christian theology. In each episode a group of informed panelists discusses important issues in order to encourage critical thinking and a better understanding of Reformed doctrine with a view toward godly living....

Highlights from 2010

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 05:00:54 +0000

Today we finish our third full year of Christ the Center episodes. And to date we’ve been able to bring you a new episode every Friday since we began three years ago. It has become our tradition to close each year with a brief selection of highlights from the year’s episodes. And so today we’re bringing you clips from eight different episodes that we think provide a decent representation of the types of discussions we have on Christ the Center.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carl Trueman, Chad Van Dixhoorn, Daniel Kunkle, Danny Olinger, Darryl G. Hart, Jared Oliphint, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, Jonathan Brack, K. Scott Oliphint, Nick Batzig, Peter A. Lillback, Richard B. Gaffin Jr.

Christianity and Politics

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:00:38 +0000

Dr. Carl Trueman, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Westminster Theological Seminary, and Dr. Peter A. Lillback, President of Westminster, discuss the proper relationship of Christianity to the political sphere.

Dr. Trueman is the author of Republocrat, a new book that challenges the reigning partisan brand of politics in the U.S. Dr. Lillback is the other of Wall of Misconception, a book arguing that the separation of church and state does not mean the separation of Christianity and government, as well as the book George Washington’s Sacred Fire, which was featured on the Glenn Beck program.

Natural Theology

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 05:00:11 +0000

The idea of natural theology has been much debated. One’s understanding regarding the project of natural theology will inevitably impact substantially one’s apologetic methodology and epistemology.

K. Scott Oliphint and James Dolezal visit the Reformed Forum studio to discuss natural theology. Michael Sudduth’s book The Reformed Objection to Natural Theology (Burlington: Ashgate, 2009) will act as the foil of the discussion. The book is in the Ashgate “Philosophy of Religion” series edited by Paul Helm and Linda Zagzebski.

In The Reformed Objection to Natural Theology Sudduth identifies three main categories in the world of Reformed objections to natural theology: objections from the immediacy of our knowledge of God, the noetic effects of sin, and the logic of theistic arguments. While recognizing various forms of natural theology, Sudduth argues that none of the main Reformed objections are successful against the project of natural theology itself.

The foundation for Sudduth’s book was laid in his 1996 D.Phil. dissertation at the University of Oxford. In that work, Sudduth attempted “to synthesize the Reformed epistemology of Alvin Plantinga and features of the evidentialist tradition with its emphasis on natural theology – rational arguments for the existence and nature of God.” (Sudduth, Preface) The book is even titled after Plantinga’s 1980 paper of the same title.

Perspectives on Pentecost

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:00:54 +0000

Christ the Center revisited with Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, professor of biblical and systematic theology, emeritus, at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, about the significance of Pentecost for redemptive history and the life of the church. Drawing from his book Perspectives on Pentecost and his “Acts and Paul” lecture notes, Dr. Gaffin explained the place of Pentecost as the culmination of that complex of events surrounding the person and work of Jesus Christ which includes his incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension. Pentecost, then, occurs as part of the accomplishment of redemption and is therefore unrepeatable although its significance and effects reverberate throughout the Christian life. This is a rich biblical theological discussion that will repay frequent rehearsals.

episode photo by knowhimonline

Books by Richard B. Gaffin, Jr.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, Nick Batzig, Richard B. Gaffin Jr.

Shepherding Ministry

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:00:57 +0000

The Christ the Center panel had the privilege of talking with Dr. Tim Witmer, professor of practical theology, coordinator of the PT department, and supervisor of the mentored ministry program at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia as well as pastor of Crossroads Community Church (PCA) in Upper Darby, PA, about his new book, The Shepherd Leader: Achieving Effective Shepherding in Your Church (P&R). The discussion revolved around the importance of formal and informal shepherding in the church by pastors and elders (and assisted by deacons) so that all members of a congregation are cared for. The book and the related courses at WTS stem from Dr. Witmer’s doctoral work at Reformed Theological Seminary and his extensive church planting and revitalization experience. This program demonstrates that sound doctrine produces sound practice.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jason Pickard, Jeff Waddington, Nick Batzig, Tim Witmer

The Task of the Preacher

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:04 +0000

John Currie, Lecturer in Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, discusses the challenges involved and the task of preaching. Rev. Currie is also Director of Alumni Relations and Educational Advancement at Westminster and formerly pastored Cornerstone Orthodox Presbtyerian Church in Ambler, PA. This episode retains much value for the listeners of sermons as well. The task of the preacher and the characteristics of a faithful sermon are things every believer ought to be familiar with.

episode photo provided by itspaulkelly

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy, John Currie

A God-Centered Approach to Language

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:00:12 +0000

Dr. Vern Sheridan Poythress returns to Christ the Center to discuss his latest book In the Beginning was the Word: Language: A God-Centered Approach to Language published by Crossway. The panel discusses Dr. Poythress’s multi-perspectival approach to Biblical studies and theology and specifically the trinitarian basis for language and the meaning of language. Contrary to evolutionary theory, language is not merely a humanly constructed reality but is a gift from God. The panel also considers the unique problems about how modernism and postmodernism view language

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Nick Batzig, Vern Poythress

Christian Essentialism

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:37 +0000

K. Scott Oliphint returns to Christ the Center to discuss God’s attributes. Understanding God as He is related to creation is no doubt a complicated task. Traditionally, theologians have spoken of God’s attributes using the communicable/incommunicable distinction. While this remains a helpful distinction, Oliphint presents another distinction more closely tied to covenantal theology. Dr. Oliphint is Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westmister Theological Seminary and is the author of Reasons for Faith: Philosophy in the Service of Theology.

Participants: Camden Bucey, K. Scott Oliphint, Nick Batzig

Luther and Media

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:34 +0000

Given that Reformation Day is near, we thought it would be time to focus our attention on the monk with the mallet. Carl Trueman, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary speaks about Martin Luther and media. Luther’s is an interesting study in the effects of media on the church. Trueman discusses Luther’s context and draws parallels to the contemporary church. All the way from the printing press to Twitter, join us for a fascinating discussion on a timely subject.

Books by Carl Trueman

Sanctification and the Gospel

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:00:56 +0000

Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Emeritus at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, joined the Christ the Center panel to discuss the nature of the gospel and the relation of the benefits of redemption to union with Christ. The significance of the contribution of John Calvin was delved into, especially his handling of the duplex gratia dei or two-fold blessing of justification and sanctification and how this relates to our union with the risen Lord.

Of special interest was the conversation about how justification and sanctification relate to each other within union. A discussion was also had regarding the distinction between definitive and progressive sanctification and the biblical basis for that distinction. The panel also discussed the relation of the historia salutis (the history of redemption or the accomplishment of redemption) to the ordo salutis (the order of salvation or its application).

Dr. Gaffin is the author of numerous articles and books, including Resurrection and Redemption, Calvin and the Sabbath, Perspectives on Pentecost, By Faith, Not By Sight and he has edited a collection of the shorter writings of Geerhardus Vos, Redemptive History and Biblical Interpretation. In May of 2008 Dr. Gaffin entered into honored retirement and was the recipient of a festschrift entitled Resurrection and Eschatology co-edited by Lane G. Tipton and Jeffrey C. Waddington.
Archive.org

Panel

Richard B. Gaffin, Jr.
Jeff Waddington
James Dolezal
Jim Cassidy
Camden Bucey

Bibliography

Bogue, Carl W. Jonathan Edwards and the Covenant of Grace . Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2009.

Gaffin, Richard. By Faith Not By Sight . Paternoster, 2006.

Gaffin, Richard B., Jr. Resurrection and Redemption: A Study in Paul’s Soteriology . 2nd ed. P & R Publishing, 1987.

Larson, Mark J. Calvin’s Doctrine of the State: A Reformed Doctrine and Its American Trajectory, the Revolutionary War, and the Founding of the Republic . Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2009.

Payne, Jon D. In The Splendor Of Holiness: Rediscovering the Beauty of Reformed Worship for the 21st Century . First. Tolle Lege Press, 2008.

Other Formats

Participants: Camden Bucey, James Dolezal, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, Richard B. Gaffin Jr.

The Eschatology of Adoption

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:00:48 +0000

Christ the Center had the honor to interview the newest faculty member of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Rev. Dr. David Garner, who also serves as the institution’s vice president of advancement, about the doctrine of adoption. Adoption, one of the benefits of redemption that the believer gains by faith alone in union with Christ, relates to the believer’s gaining admittance into the family of God because of the work of the Son of God, elder brother Jesus Christ. Many aspects of the doctrine are discussed in this episode. Dr. Garner did his dissertation on this topic and has contributed a chapter, â€œThe First and Last Son,â€ to Resurrection and Eschatology.
Archive.org

Panel

Dave Garner
Jeff Waddington
Jim Cassidy
Nick Batzig
Camden Bucey

Bibliography

Beeke, Joel. Heirs with Christ: The Puritans on Adoption. Grand Rapids Mich.: Reformation Heritage Books, 2008.

Burke, Trevor J. Adopted into God’s Family: Exploring a Pauline Metaphor. Nottingham, England; Downers Grove, Ill.: Apollos ; InterVarsity Press, 2006.

Gaffin, Richard B., Jr. Resurrection and Redemption: A Study in Paul’s Soteriology. 2nd ed. P & R Publishing, 1987.

Garner, David. Adoption in Christ, 2002.

Hall, David W. The Legacy of John Calvin: His Influence on the Modern World. Calvin 500 series. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Pub., 2008.

Mathison, Keith A. From Age to Age: The Unfolding of Biblical Eschatology. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P & R Pub., 2009.

Phillips, Richard D. Saved by Grace: The Glory of Salvation in Ephesians 2. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Pub., 2009.

Scott, James M. Adoption as Sons of God: An Exegetical Investigation into the Background of [huiothesia] in the Pauline Corpus. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament, 48. TÃƒ¼bingen: J.C.B. Mohr, 1992.

Spijker, W. Calvin: A Brief Guide to His Life and Thought. 1st ed. Louisville KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009.

Still, William, Nigel M. de S. Cameron, and Sinclair B. Ferguson. Pulpit & People: Essays in Honour of William Still on His 75th Birthday. Edinburgh: Rutherford House Books, 1986.

Withrow, Brandon. Katherine Parr: A Guided Tour of the Life and Thought of a Reformation Queen. Phillipsburg N.J.: P&R Pub., 2009.

Other Formats

Participants: Camden Bucey, Dave Garner, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, Nick Batzig

The Erosion of Inerrancy in Evangelicalism

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:00:22 +0000

The Christ the Center panel, ably augmented by Dr. Carl R. Trueman of Westminster Theological Seminary, interacts with Dr. Greg K. Beale, the Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of New Testament and coordinator of the MA program in Biblical Exegesis, at Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton, IL, about his recent book The Erosion of Inerrancy in Evangelicalism. In addition to this book, Dr. Beale has written the New International Greek Testament Commentary on Revelation, The Right Doctrine from the Wrong Texts?, The Temple and the Church’s Mission, We Become What We Worship, and several other books and articles. Dr. Beale discusses the significance of Biblical inerrancy, its Scriptural basis, and the problems with jettisoning the doctrine. In addition to a proper concern for inerrancy, Beale explains how scholars can rightly approach the use of Ancient Near Eastern and 2^nd Temple Jewish literature without undermining the authority and perspicuity of Scripture. Along the way the panel considers the influence of postmodernism on Biblical studies. All in all, this is a very interesting discussion that hopefully will lead to further interaction.
Archive.org

Panel

Greg Beale
Carl Trueman
Jeff Waddington
Nick Batzig
Camden Bucey

Bibliography

Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text (New International Greek Testament Commentary. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998.

—. The Erosion of Inerrancy in Evangelicalism : Responding to New Challenges to Biblical Authority. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2008.

—. The Temple and the Church’s Mission: A Biblical Theology of the Dwelling Place of God. InterVarsity Press, 2004.

Beale, G. K., and D. A. Carson. Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament. Baker Academic, 2007.

Carson, D. Becoming Conversant With The Emerging Church: Understanding A Movement And Its Implications. Grand Rapids Mich.: Zondervan, 2005.

Enns, Peter. Inspiration and Incarnation : Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2005.

Geisler, Norman. Biblical Errancy, 1981.

Hannah, John D. Inerrancy and the Church. Chicago: Moody Press, 1984.

Institutes of the Christian Religion 1541 French Edition. Eerdmans Pub Co, 2009.

John Calvin’s Impact on Church and Society, 1509-2009. Eerdmans Pub Co, 2009.

McGowan, A. The Divine Spiration of Scripture: Challenging Evangelicial Perspectives. Nottingham: Apollos, 2007.

Packer, J. I. “Fundamentalism” and the Word of God: Some Evangelical Principles. Christian classics series. Leicester: Inter-Varsity, 1996.

Selderhuis, H. John Calvin: A Pilgrim’s Life. Downers Grove Ill.: IVP Academic, 2009.

Sparks, Kenton L. God’s Word in Human Words: An Evangelical Appropriation of Critical Biblical Scholarship. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2008.

Warfield, Benjamin Breckinridge, Samuel G. Craig, and Cornelius Van Til. The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible. Philadelphia: Presbyterian and Reformed Pub. Co., 1948.

Woodbridge, John D. Biblical Authority: A Critique of the Rogers/McKim Proposal. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Pub. House, 1982.

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Participants: Camden Bucey, Carl Trueman, Greg Beale, Jeff Waddington, Nick Batzig

Redeeming Science

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:00:11 +0000

Science and faith are often pitted against each other. Many have felt they must make a choice between either being a person of science or a person of faith. Dr. Vern Poythress, Professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary and the author of Redeeming Science, joins the panel on Christ the Center to discuss the relationship between Christianity and science. He argues that not only is science compatible with Christianity, but that the Triune God of the Bible is required in order for the very possibility of science to exist. Listen to this broad-ranging discussion that touches upon science, mathematics, the creation days, and a Christian approach to education.
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Panel

Vern Poythress
James Dolezal
Jim Cassidy
Nick Batzig
Camden Bucey

Bibliography

Nickel, James. Mathematics: Is God Silent? Vallecito, Calif.: Ross House Books, 2001.

Poythress, Vern S. God-Centered Biblical Interpretation. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Pub., 1999.

—. Redeeming Science: A God-Centered Approach. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2006.

—. The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses. Brentwood, Tenn.: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, 1991.

—. Understanding Dispensationalists. 2nd ed. P & R Publishing, 1993.

Van Til, Cornelius. Introduction to Systematic Theology. 2nd ed. P & R Publishing, 2007.

Wolterstorff, Nicholas. On Universals: An Essay in Ontology. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1970.

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Participants: James Dolezal, Jim Cassidy, Nick Batzig, Vern Poythress

Calvin and the Development of Covenant Theology

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 05:00:42 +0000

Dr. Peter Lillback, President of Westminster Theological Seminary, in Philadelphia, Pa., Senior Minister of Proclamation Presbyterian Church, in Bryn Mawr, PA, and President of the Providence Forum, talked with the panel of Christ the Center about his book The Binding of God: Calvin’s Role in the Development of Covenant Theology, published in the Texts & Studies in Reformation & Post-Reformation Thought series by Baker Book House. Dr. Lillback has contributed numerous articles to various publications and journals, and is the author of George Washington’s Sacred Fire and Wall of Misconception. Dr Lillback has set out to offer an objective reading of John Calvin in regard to his view of â€œcovenantâ€ and the role that it plays in theology. The Binding of God is a significant contribution to the understanding of the covenant concept in church history.
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Panel

Peter Lillback
Jim Cassidy
Nick Batzig
Camden Bucey

Bibliography

Bullinger, Heinrich. De Testamento seu foedere Dei unico & aeterno. Tiguri: In aedibus Christoph. Frosch, 1534.

Lillback, Peter. The binding of God : Calvin’s role in the development of covenant theology. Grand Rapids Mich. ;Carlisle Cumbria [England]: Baker Academic ;;Paternoster, 2001.

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Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy, Nick Batzig, Peter A. Lillback

A Brief History of Trinitarian Thought

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:00:14 +0000

Christ the Center welcomes Dr. Carl Trueman, vice president for academic affairs and professor of historical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and author of several books including The Claims for Truth: The Trinitarian Theology of John Owen, John Owen: Reformed Catholic and Renaissance Man, Luther’s Legacy, Protestant Scholasticism, The Wages of Spin, and Minority Report, for a discussion of the history of Trinitarian theology and the theology of John Owen. Among the many aspects of Trinitarian theology discussed were the Nicene Creed and the Chalcedonian formula. Particular individuals who come in for comment, in addition to John Owen, include the Cappadocian Fathers (Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory Nazianzus, and Basil the Great), Athanasius, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Jonathan Edwards, Karl Barth, and Cornelius Van Til.

Trueman specifically highlights the contribution of Owen to Trinitarian theology and practice with his emphasis on the believer’s communion with each person of the Godhead and Owen’s understanding of the Holy Spirit as the bond of communion and communication between the divine and human natures of the one person of Jesus Christ. Listeners will go away from this episode with a renewed appreciation for the importance of understanding the God of Scripture as Triune.

Panel

Carl Trueman
Nick Batzig
Jeff Waddington
Camden Bucey

Bibliography

Augustine. On the Trinity. Cambridge UK ;;New York: Cambridge University Press, 2002.

—. Tractates on the Gospel of John. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press, 1988.

Ayres, Lewis. Nicaea and Its Legacy: An Approach to Fourth-Century Trinitarian Theology. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.

Edwards, Jonathan, and Sang Hyun Lee, ed. The Works of Jonathan Edwards. Vol. 21, Writings on the Trinity, Grace and Faith. New Haven, Conn.; London: Yale University Press, 2003.

Gibbon, Edward, and D. M. Low. The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1960.

Hanson, R. P. C. The Search for the Christian Doctrine of God: The Arian Controversy, 318381. Baker Academic, 2006.

Letham, Robert. The Holy Trinity: In Scripture, History, Theology And Worship. P & R Publishing, 2005.

Owen, John. Communion with God. Edinburgh; Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth Trust, 1991.

—. Epistle to the Hebrews. Banner of Truth, 1996.

—. Of communion with God the Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost, each person distinctly in love, grace, and consolation, or, The saints fellowship with the Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost, unfolded. Oxford: Printed by A. Lichfield … for Tho. Robinson, 1657.

Owen, John, and W. H. Goold, ed. The Works of John Owen. London: Banner of Truth Trust, 1965.

Owen, John, R. J. K. Law, and London. Banner of Truth Trust. The Spirit and the Church. Puritan paperbacks. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2002.

Trueman, Carl R. John Owen. Ashgate, 2007.

—. Luther’s Legacy: Salvation and English Reformers, 1525-1556. Oxford [England]; New York: Clarendon Press ; Oxford University Press, 1994.

—. Minority Report: Unpopular Thoughts on Everything From Ancient Christianity to Zen-Calvinism. Fearn Ross-shire Scotland: Mentor, 2008.

—. The Claims of Truth : John Owen’s Trinitarian Theology. Carlisle, Cumbria: Paternoster Press, 1998.

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Participants: Camden Bucey, Carl Trueman, Jeff Waddington, Nick Batzig

The Defense of the Faith

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:00:01 +0000

The Christ the Center panelists engage Dr. K. Scott Oliphint, professor of apologetics and systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, in a wide-ranging discussion about Cornelius Van Til and the recent publication of th fourth edition of his The Defense of the Faith . Dr. Oliphint, who is arguably the most authoritative expert on Van Til, shares about the historical context which gave rise to this book, including disputes with individuals connected with Calvin College, Calvin Theological Seminary, and what is now Kuyper College, in the 1950s concerning common grace and philosophical idealism. Much of the material in the original edition of the book that evinced this debate was removed in subsequent editions and has now been restored and amply expanded with a helpful introduction and explanatory notes. Of special interest is the discussion of Van Til’s connection with Reformed Scholasticism and Herman Bavinck through his doctrine of analogy. When all is said and done, it comes down to this: Van Til was simply applying orthodox Reformed theology to apologetics.
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Panel

K. Scott Oliphint
Jeff Waddington
Jim Cassidy
James Dolezal
Camden Bucey

Bibliography

Bahnsen, Greg L. Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings and Analysis . P & R Publishing, 1998.

Bavinck, Herman. Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 1: Prolegomena . Baker Academic, 2003.

—. Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 2: God and Creation . Vol. 2. Reformed Dogmatics. Baker Academic, 2004.

—. Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 3: Sin and Salvation in Christ . Baker Academic, 2006.

—. Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 4: Holy Spirit, Church, and New Creation . Baker Academic, 2008.

Bristley, Eric D. A Guide to the Writings of Cornelius Van Til, 1895-1987 . Chicago: Olive Tree Communications, 1995.

Johnson, Gary L. W., and Ronald N. Gleason. Reforming or Conforming? : Post-Conservative Evangelicals and the Emerging Church . Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2008.

Kim, Seyoon. Christ and Caesar: The Gospel and the Roman Empire in the Writings of Paul and Luke . Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Pub., 2008.

Letham, Robert. The Holy Trinity: In Scripture, History, Theology And Worship . P & R Publishing, 2005.

Muether, John. Cornelius Van Til: Reformed Apologist and Churchman . Phillipsburg N.J.: P&R Pub., 2007.

Muller, Richard A. Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics: The Rise and Development of Reformed Orthodoxy, ca. 1520 to ca. 1725 . 2nd ed. Baker Academic, 2003.

Rehnman, Sebastian. Divine Discourse: The Theological Methodology of John Owen . Texts and studies in Reformation and post-Reformation thought. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002.

Sproul, R. C., John H. Gerstner, and Arthur. Lindsley. Classical Apologetics: A Rational Defense of the Christian Faith and a Critique of Presuppositional Apologetics . Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1984.

Turretin, Francis. Institutes of Elenctic Theology 3 vol. set . P & R Publishing, 1997.

Van Til, Cornelius. A Survey of Christian Epistemology . 2nd ed. Presbyterian and Reformed Pub. Co, 1980.

—. Christian Apologetics . 2nd ed. P & R Publishing, 2003.

—. Christian-Theistic Evidences . Philadelphia: Westminster Theological Seminary, 1961.

—. Common Grace and the Gospel . Presbyterian and Reformed Pub. Co, 1973.

—. Defense of the Faith . P & R Publishing, 1967.

—. â€œGod and the Absolute,â€ 1927.

—. Introduction to Systematic Theology: Prolegomena and the Doctrines of Revelation, Scripture, and God . 2nd ed. P & R Publishing, 2007.

—. The Defense of the Faith . 4th ed. Phillipsburg N.J.: P & R Pub., 2008.

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Participants: Camden Bucey, James Dolezal, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy, K. Scott Oliphint

The Eschatological Views of the Westminster Divines

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 05:00:42 +0000

We had the opportunity to sit down with Jeff Jue, Associate Professor of Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary. Dr. Jue is an expert on the eschatological views of the Westminster Divines and his research is a very stimulating subject. The answer to the question “What were the views of the divines?” may surprise you.
Archive.org

Panel

Jeff Jue
Lane Tipton
Jeff Waddington
Nick Batzig
Camden Bucey

Bibliography

Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text (New International Greek Testament Commentary. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998.

Carson, D. A. Christ and Culture Revisited. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 2008.

Hardman Moore, Susan. Pilgrims : New World Settlers & The Call of Home. New Haven [Conn.]; London: Yale University Press, 2007.

Hoekema, Anthony A. The Bible and the Future. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1979.

Johnson, Dennis E. Triumph of the Lamb: A Commentary on Revelation. P & R Publishing, 2001.

Jue, Jeffrey K. Heaven Upon Earth : Joseph Mede (1586-1638) and the Legacy of Millenarianism. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer, 2006.

Kline, Meredith G. â€œThe Covenant of the Seventieth Weekâ€ (1974).

Mohler, R. Albert. Atheism Remix : A Christian Confronts the New Atheists. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2008.

Poole, Matthew. An advertisement concerning the fourth and last part of Mr. Poole’s Synopsis criticorum aliorumque S. ScripturÃ¦ interpretum. [London: s.n., 1676.

Poythress, Vern S. The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation. P & R Publishing, 2000.

Ramsay, Richard B. The Certainty of the Faith : Apologetics in an Uncertain World. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Pub., 2007.

Riddlebarger, Kim. A Case for Amillennialism : Understanding the End Times. Grand Rapids, Mich.; Leicester, England: Baker Books ; Inter-Varsity Press, 2003.

Tipton, Lane G., and Jeffrey C. Waddington. Resurrection and Eschatology : Theology in Service of the Church : Essays in Honor of Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. Phillipsburg N.J.: P&R Pub., 2008.

Toon, Peter. Puritans, the Millennium and the Future of Israel: Puritaneschatology, 1600 to 1660: A Collection of Essays. Cambridge: James Clarke, 1970.

White, Randall Fowler. The Millennial Kingdom-City : Epic Themes Ezekiel 36-39, and the Interpretation of Revelation 20:4-10, 1991.

Zachman, Randall C. â€œJohn Calvin and Roman Catholicism : Critique and Engagement, Then and Now.â€ Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.

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Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Jue, Jeff Waddington, Lane G. Tipton, Nick Batzig

Reformed Forum: Westminster Faculty

Vos Group #19 — The Patriarch Jacob at Bethel and Peniel

Van Til’s Common Grace and the Gospel

Vos Group #18 — Jacob and Election

Vos Group #17: The Patriarch Isaac

The Message of the General Epistles

Vos Group #16: The Ethical Dimension of Circumcision

Vos Group #15 — Revelation in the Patriarchal Period, Part 4

TGC 2015: Coming Home

Luther on the Christian Life

Redeeming Mathematics

Revelation in the Patriarchal Period, Part 3 — The Patriarch Abraham

Revelation in the Patriarchal Period, Part 2 — The Angel of Jehovah

Pneumatology and Eschatology in the Light of 1 Corinthians 15:45 and 2 Corinthians 3:6–18

Vos Group #12 — Revelation in the Patriarchal Period, Part 1

Highlights from 2014

Redeeming Philosophy

Vos Group #11 — Between Noah and the Patriarchs, Part 2

Hermeneutics in Light of the Divine Author of Scripture

Redemptive-Historical Hermeneutics, Divine Authorship, and the Christotelism Debate

Links

Vos Group #10 – Between Noah and the Patriarchs, Part 1

Vos Group #9 – The Noachian Revelation, Part 2

Vos Group #8: The Development Leading Up to the Noachian Revelation, Part 1

Vos Group #7: The Content of the First Redemptive Special Revelation

Vos Group #6: The Content of Pre-Redemptive Special Revelation, Part 2

Chance and the Sovereignty of God

Vos Group #5: The Content of Pre-Redemptive Special Revelation, Part 1

Vos Group #4: The Mapping Out of the Field of Revelation

Vos Group #3: The Nature and Method of Biblical Theology, Part 2

By Faith, Not by Sight

Vos Group #2: The Nature and Method of Biblical Theology, Part 1

Highlights from 2013

An Introduction to Geerhardus Vos’ Biblical Theology

The Virgin Birth of Christ

Definite Atonement in Perspective

The Aseity of the Son

Covenantal Apologetics

Other Books on Apologetics

The Plan of Salvation

Calvin’s Company of Pastors

Harmonizing the Gospels

Reasons for Faith

Related Articles by Dr. Oliphint

Insider Movements

Justification Sola Fide

Creeds and Confessions in the Contemporary Church

Nature/Grace Dualism

Nature and Scripture

Links

Deuteronomy and Christology in the Gospel of Matthew

Inerrancy and Worldview

Did God Really Say?

Celebrity, Authority, and Authenticity in the Church

Baptism, Covenant, and Election

Justification and Union with Christ

Highlights from 2011

God… With Us

The King James Bible

The Founders of the Free Church of Scotland

The Reformation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Redeeming Sociology

The Role of the Seminary in Today’s World

The Clark/Van Til Controversy

Historical Methodology

Highlights from 2010

Christianity and Politics

Links

Natural Theology

Links

Perspectives on Pentecost

Books by Richard B. Gaffin, Jr.

Shepherding Ministry

The Task of the Preacher

A God-Centered Approach to Language

Christian Essentialism

Luther and Media

Books by Carl Trueman

Links

Sanctification and the Gospel