MARSCAST

In this episode, Dr. Beach looks at the concluding chapters of Book 2 of The Institutes of the Christian Religion, where Calvin examines the work of Christ as our Redeemer. He’ll unpack Calvin's discussion of Christ's three offices - Prophet, Priest, and King - and how these roles relate to our salvation. He'll also explore Calvin's insights on Christ's atoning work, looking at concepts like divine wrath, divine love, and how Christ's death and resurrection reconcile us to God.

We’re diving deep once again into John Calvin's monumental work, Institutes of the Christian Religion, focusing on the end of Book 2. Joining us to unpack these theological insights is Dr. J. Mark Beach, utilizing his commentary on the Institutes, Piety’s Wisdom. In this episode, we'll explore Calvin's understanding of Christ as the mediator between God and humanity. Dr. Beach will guide us through Calvin's explanation of why Christ needed to be both fully God and fully man and how this enables Him to bridge the gap between sinful humanity and a just God. Dr. Beach will also discuss the historical context of Calvin's work, address common misconceptions, and examine how Calvin's theology refutes various Christological heresies that have cropped up throughout church history.

In today's episode, Dr. Andrew Compton examines the intersection of fantasy writing and theological themes with OPC Pastor Rev. Jeremiah Montgomery. As the author of The Dark Harvest trilogy, Montgomery discusses his journey into writing fiction with a distinctively theological flavor. We explore his approach to storytelling, the influence of his reformed faith, and how his experiences in ministry have shaped his writing. From the seeds of historical events to the imaginative creation of fantasy worlds, Montgomery reveals the depth of thought behind his work and the power of fiction to convey profound truths. Tune in to learn more about how fiction can reflect the reality of good and evil, the importance of imagination, and the role of storytelling in communicating the Christian worldview. You can purchase the Dark Harvest Trilogy from P&R Publishing ⁠here⁠.

In today's episode, Dr. Andrew Compton and Rob McKenzie continue their conversation on Rob’s book Seeker’s Progress, exploring how storytelling can effectively convey theological truths, make them memorable, and address common faith questions. They’ll touch on the challenges of publishing Christian fiction and the importance of encouraging Christians to read more. You can find Seeker's Progress here on Amazon.

In this episode, Dr. Andrew Compton once again explores the use of fiction in apologetics, featuring guest Rob McKenzie, an elder at Westminster OPC in Countryside, IL, and co-host of the "Theology Simply Profound" podcast through Reformed Forum. Rob discusses his book Seekers Progress, a modern take on John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, that addresses contemporary issues. Their conversation examines Rob's writing background and the inspiration behind Seekers Progress. Rob explains how the book examines the growing acceptance of religious pluralism within churches, using allegory to illustrate the dangers of compromising biblical truth. They also discuss the fine line between asking sincere questions and deconstructing faith, touching on themes of discernment, the resurgence of paganism in modern society, and the challenges facing contemporary Christianity.

In this episode, Dr. Venema concludes this series on the Holy Spirit by looking at the doctrine of sanctification and the role of the Holy Spirit. He discusses the biblical and theological understanding of sanctification as an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit rather than a "second blessing" or higher level of Christian experience. Dr. Venema emphasizes that sanctification is a progressive work, which will ultimately result in the complete holiness and conformity to Christ of all believers when the Spirit's work is finished. He refutes various perfectionist teachings and instead upholds the scriptural call for believers to actively put to death sin and live in obedience, all while relying on God's grace.

In today’s episode, Dr. Venema will explore the controversial topic of spiritual gifts in the modern church, focusing on prophecy, speaking in tongues, and healing. He’ll present a cessationist perspective, arguing that certain foundational gifts have ceased with the closure of the biblical canon while emphasizing the continued presence of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers for ministry and service.

In today’s episode, Dr. Cornelis Venema explores the identity, deity, and distinct personhood of the Holy Spirit - the third person of the Trinity. He unpacks the various names used for the Holy Spirit in Scripture, examines attributes that confirm the Spirit's deity, and discusses the Spirit's role in creation and redemption. He’ll also touch on the nature of the Spirit's work and his relationship to the Father and Son.

This episode explores John Calvin's perspective on the relationship between the Old and New Testaments as outlined in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, focusing on Book Two, Chapters 9-11. Dr. J. Mark Beach looks at Calvin's view of law and gospel, explaining how Calvin sees both continuity and differences between the testaments. Key points include: Calvin's understanding of how Christ was revealed in the Old Testament and more fully manifested in the New Testament. The similarities between the Old and New Testaments, including the same covenant substance and hope of salvation. Five key differences Calvin identifies in how the covenants are dispensed, including: The shift from earthly to heavenly focus The transition from shadows to reality in Christ The contrast between letter and spirit The move from bondage to freedom The expansion from one nation to all peoples The episode provides a nuanced look at Calvin's theology, emphasizing his view that while the manner of dispensation differs, the substance of God's covenant remains the same across both testaments.

In this episode, Dr. Beach explores John Calvin's teachings on how fallen humanity can find redemption in Christ according to Book 2, Chapter 6 of his famous work The Institutes of the Christian Religion. Calvin argues that true knowledge of God is useless without also having faith in Him as our Redeemer through Christ. He explains how the Old Testament law was never intended to provide a way to achieve righteousness through our own efforts but rather to expose our depravity and desperate need for God's redemptive grace. Dr. Beach walks through Calvin's threefold "uses of the law" - to show our sin, restrain evil, and instruct believers in righteousness after being freed from the law's condemnation through Christ. We learn how even the Old Testament ceremonies foreshadowed the coming of the gospel promises fulfilled in Jesus. Throughout, Calvin masterfully shows how the way of salvation through grace alone in Christ alone was the same essence in both the Old and New Testaments. The law served to drive us to the Redeemer, in whom alone we can be justified and reconciled to God.