Common Places

Josh Malone - The Doctrine Of The Trinity In Action by Davenant Institute

On October 16th, Davenant Institute President Brad Littlejohn was invited to give a lecture at Hillsdale College on the doctrine of the Eucharistic real presence in the Protestant Reformation. In the lecture, he argued that contrary to many popular narratives and misrepresentations, the Reformed did hold to a kind of real presence of the body and blood of Christ—only not in the elements outwardly considered, rather in the act of faithful reception. Moreover, he argued, they did this precisely to preserve the integrity of the bread and wine as creaturely means of God's gracious action. It was, they held, the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation, not the Reformed doctrine of the sacraments, that denied that created natures could become sites of God's presence.

Dr. Roberts argues for an understanding of male and female vocation within creation that mirrored the structure of God's own creative work of first "forming" and then "filling" his world. In the Q&A, he particularly draws attention to the changed social and economic conditions of modernity which have rendered formerly intelligible distinctions of gender roles increasingly difficult to understand and apply.

Dr. Aaron Denlinger joins the podcast and discusses some of the dangers surrounding a simplistic understanding of history and how his calling as a Christian historian compels him to be honest about heroes of history and the context of their lives.

Dr. Fred Sanders of Biola University and author of The Triune God discusses his journey into academia, advice for prospective grad students and his passion for a Biblical and theologically accurate understanding of the Eternal and Almighty God-Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Phd Candidate Gregory Soderberg describes the pre-Reformation world of communion practices and the changes that were both desired and implemented by various Reformers of the 16th century. Soderberg also shows how the Reformers' views of Church discipline impacted the frequency and participants at the Eucharist.

PhD candidate and author Andrew Fulford discusses his new book Jesus and Pacifism: An Exegetical and Historical Investigation. Highlights include: (1:30) Andrew's church background, (4:00) the six key arguments for pacifism, (10:00) what is natural law and how does it answer the pacifist arguments, (19:00) what is the moral character of the conquest and its application for today, (23:00) how are we to obey Jesus' commands to love our enemies, (25:00) how popular is pacifism for evangelicals, (34:00) what is the positive case for God's vengeance, (36:00) why is pacifism persuasive for many young evangelicals.

PhD Candidate Simon Kennedy discusses the protection of religious expression in the post-Christian west and how different periods of history have viewed liberty of worship. He also explains how different understandings of the doctrine of the fall have influenced Christian views of political theology.

Pastor and author Daniel R. Hyde discusses the context of John Owen's life and ministry and explains his lasting impact on Reformed theology and the broader church.

Dr. Michael Lynch discusses the context of John Davenant's life and his impact at the Synod of Dort and contributions to our understanding of election and atonement.