

MARSCAST
Mid-America Reformed Seminary
Join the faculty of Mid-America Reformed Seminary as they discuss everything from theology to cultural issues from a Reformed perspective.
*The opinions presented in each episode are those of the individual speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of the Seminary.*
*The opinions presented in each episode are those of the individual speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of the Seminary.*
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 23, 2022 • 21min
135. Do Christians Have Free Will?
In today’s episode, Dr. J. Mark Beach, Professor of Doctrinal and Ministerial Studies, begins to look carefully at the theological issue of free will by asking the simple question: Do Christians have free will?

Jun 16, 2022 • 16min
134. The Office of Deacon
In today’s episode, Dr. Alan Strange concludes his series on church offices by looking at the Office of Deacon and the ministry of mercy.

Jun 9, 2022 • 18min
133. The Office of Elder
In today’s episode, Dr. Alan Strange, continuing his series on church offices, elaborates on the role of the Elder in the church. What does it mean to be a ruling Elder or teaching Elder? What are his obligations and duties in this ordained office? Here’s Dr. Strange to answer these questions.

Jun 2, 2022 • 16min
132. Minister of the Word and Sacrament Pt 2
In today’s episode, Dr. Alan Strange looks once again at the Office of Minister of the Word and Sacrament, tracing its history, especially in the eyes of the Reformers.

May 26, 2022 • 17min
131. Minister of the Word and Sacrament Pt 1
In today’s episode, we will look at a particular vocation where one is called to proclaim the Word of God, that of the Minister of the Word and Sacrament. Being in this vocation, they hold an office. Dr. Alan Strange takes us on a tour of this office, particularly in its distinction from the office of Ruling Elder, and in the weeks ahead, look more narrowly at the office of Elder and the office of Deacon.

May 19, 2022 • 24min
130. Cessationism: Practical Suggestions
In today’s episode, Dr. Cornelis Venema and Dr. Marcus Mininger continue their case for the cessation of revelatory gifts – speaking in tongues, prophecy, miraculous healings – by addressing an important question. If the revelatory gifts have ceased, how do we respond to fellow believers who claim to have them or have experienced speaking in tongues and miraculous signs? If Cessationism is true, how do we, as those who hold to Reformed convictions, not come across as if we’re somehow diminishing the work of the Spirit today?

May 12, 2022 • 24min
129. The Case for Cessationism
Today’s episode continues our series on Cessationism vs. Continuationism and the spiritual gifts with Dr. Cornelis Venema and Dr. Marcus Mininger. In our previous conversation, they laid out the context for this debate. You could probably guess that they’ve landed on a position: Today, we’ll hear the case for Cessationism and the ceasing of revelatory gifts.

May 5, 2022 • 23min
128. Cessationism vs. Continuationism
Today’s episode kicks off a new series with Dr. Cornelis Venema (President of Mid-America) and Dr. Marcus Mininger (Professor of NT Studies). They are going to address spiritual gifts in the church. We can think of speaking in tongues, prophecy, and miraculous healing, for example, gifts that were common in the age of the Apostles. The question before us is whether those gifts continue to this day. In other words, this is a debate around Cessationism vs. Continuationism in the church.

Apr 28, 2022 • 18min
127. Responding to Conflict With Peers: Quiet Rejoicing
In today's episode, Dr. Marcus Mininger concludes our series on resolving conflict with peers from the perspective of the Apostle Paul. Today he focuses on Philippians 1:12-18, where the apostle Paul mentions that his imprisonment has served to advance the gospel. In this harsh reality, Paul sets an example of a God-centered response to conflict, namely, quiet rejoicing for the sake of Christ. Here's Dr. Mininger to elaborate.

Apr 21, 2022 • 14min
126. Responding to Conflict with Peers: Confronting One Another
In today’s episode, Dr. Marcus Mininger continues our series on resolving conflict with peers from the perspective of the Apostle Paul. Today he focuses on Galatians 2:11-14, where the apostle Paul confronts Peter, whose hypocritical conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel. In other words, what Dr. Mininger will show us today is the importance of confronting one another out of reverence for God.