MARSCAST

In this episode, Dr. J. Mark Beach continues exploring John Calvin's insights on Christian living from his seminal work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. Focusing on the themes of cross-bearing and meditation on the future life, he discusses Calvin's theological understanding of how believers should navigate life’s challenges and maintain a spiritual perspective, and further unpacks Calvin's nuanced view of suffering, explaining how trials are not punishments but opportunities for spiritual growth, humility, and deeper trust in God.

What books should aspiring seminary students read to prepare for their theological education? In this episode from the archives, Dr. J. Mark Beach and Dr. Andrew Compton discuss recommended reading for future seminarians, from foundational works like Machen's Christianity and Liberalism to comprehensive Bible surveys. They share personal experiences with influential books that shaped their own theological journeys and offer practical advice about building a theological library on a budget.

Today, we’re diving deep into an essential topic from our archives: systematic theology. This episode features a roundtable discussion with some of our faculty members—Dr. Cornelis Venema, Dr. J. Mark Beach, Dr. Alan Strange, and Dr. Andrew Compton—exploring why systematic theology is not just relevant but vital for ministry and the life of the church. Whether you’re a pastor, a student, or someone passionate about theology, this conversation is sure to challenge and inspire you.

As we listen to another episode from the archives, we’ll explore the concept of natural law – a topic with deep roots in Christian and non-Christian traditions. When this first of 3 episodes aired several years ago, Drs. Marcus Mininger, J. Mark Beach, Alan Strange, and Andrew Comp-ton discussed how natural law relates to God’s moral law, its role in civil society, and its relationship to special revelation. Drawing from Reformed thinkers like John Calvin and key biblical passages like Romans 1 and 2, they’ll examine how natural law functions in Christian and non-Christian contexts while considering important questions about its use and limitations in our contemporary world.

Throughout the month of January, we're reaching back into our archives, and today, we’re bringing you something special - the very first faculty roundtable discussion ever recorded at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. In this groundbreaking episode from 2019, our faculty tackles the important pastoral question of the salvation of infants of believers, examining Article 1.17 of the Canons of Dort and its lasting relevance for Reformed churches today. Contributors include Rev. Mark Vander Hart, Dr. Andrew Compton, Dr. Cornelis Venema, and Dr. J. Mark Beach.

In this final episode of 2024, Dr. J. Mark Beach continues his exploration of John Calvin's insights on the Christian life and, more particularly, the concept of self-denial. Drawing from Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion, Dr. Beach unpacks what it truly means to deny oneself—both in relation to our neighbors and to God. Calvin presents a challenging vision of Christian living: a life marked by humility, love, and a radical reorientation away from self-centeredness. How do we esteem others above ourselves? What does it mean to resign our possessions and will to God's purpose? Dr. Beach guides us through Calvin's theological landscape, offering rich insights into taking up our cross and finding grace in our human frailty.

In this episode, Dr. J. Mark Beach joins us to unpack John Calvin's insights on the essence of the Christian life from his seminal work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. Drawing from Book 3, chapters 6-10, Dr. Beach centers on Calvin’s thoughts on self-denial, where he’ll challenge us to move beyond nominal Christianity to a genuine faith. Calvin's teachings remind us that the Christian life is not about perfection but about continuous surrender, loving righteousness, and conforming ourselves to Christ's image. At the end of the day, we'll learn what it means to truly deny ourselves and live not for our own interests, but for God's glory.

In this episode, Dr. Alan Strange examines more forerunners of the Reformation, focusing on key figures like John Wycliffe, Jan Hus, and Erasmus. The discussion with host Jared Luttjeboer explores these reformers' revolutionary ideas challenging the medieval Catholic Church, including critiques of church authority, biblical interpretation, and clerical corruption. Dr. Strange also highlights Wycliffe's groundbreaking assertion of Scripture as the sole criterion of doctrine, Hus's continuation of Wycliffe's reformist teachings, and Erasmus's critical yet nuanced approach to church reform.

In this episode, join host Jared Luttjeboer and Dr. Alan Strange as they embark on a new chapter exploring the forerunners of the Reformation. Together, they examine how this monumental movement reshaped the church and the world, dissecting debates about whether it marked the end of the Middle Ages or the beginning of the modern era. Along the way, they delve into the cultural, political, and spiritual factors that set the stage for the Reformation, shedding light on its impact.

In this episode, Dr. Alan Strange explores the theological contributions of Thomas Aquinas, a pivotal medieval thinker. Exploring Aquinas's famous five proofs for God's existence, his integration of Aristotelian philosophy with Christian doctrine, and his lasting impact on Western theology, Dr. Strange also introduces other significant medieval theologians like John Duns Scotus and William of Ockham. He offers insights into medieval scholastic thought, the development of theological reasoning, and the complex intellectual landscape preceding the Reformation.