MARSCAST

In this episode, Rev. Nick Lamme examines the meaning of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit in Matthew chapter 12. Specifically, he looks at verses 22-32, considering the larger context surrounding this passage. Rev. Lamme then analyzes Jesus's statement about this egregious sin, exploring who Jesus was addressing and why He made this warning at that moment.

In this episode, Jared speaks with Reverend Nick Lamme, a 2007 Mid-America alumnus and OPC pastor, about the complex biblical concept of "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit." Rev. Lamme brings a depth of expertise to this discussion, having explored the topic extensively in a 2012 Mid-America Journal of Theology article. Guiding listeners through centuries of competing perspectives, Rev. Lamme provides an accessible yet thoughtful overview of this challenging spiritual idea - what it has been understood to mean by scholars and clergy over time, and how we might start to make sense of it today.

In this episode, Dr. Venema wraps up our series on Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 80 by reflecting on the ongoing legacy and relevancy of Q&A 80 for today and answers the question of whether its critiques are still valid when considering contemporary Roman Catholicism.

In this episode, Dr. Cornelis Venema provides an in-depth examination of Question and Answer 80 of the Heidelberg Catechism, focusing on its critique of the Catholic Mass. Dr. Venema highlights two major critiques made by the Catechism against the Mass. First, charging the Mass constitutes an unbiblical, repetitive sacrifice, undermining the completeness of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice on the cross. Second, critiquing the Mass as an idolatrous worship of the physical bread and wine of the Eucharist, charging that elevating and adoring the elements leads to idolatry. In addition to discussing these two major critiques, Dr. Venema examines the relationship between Question and Answer 80 and the Council of Trent, the 16th-century Catholic council that affirmed the doctrine of transubstantiation and the sacrificial nature of the Mass.

In this episode, we kick off a three-part series on Question and Answer 80 in the Heidelberg Catechism. Led by President of Mid-America, Dr. Cornelis Venema, this series begins with an overview of the history of the Catechism and the origins specifically of Q&A 80, which deals with what it calls the “popish mass.”

In this episode, Dr. Strange concludes this segment on church history by looking at the rise of Islam, its spread, and its impact on the development of Europe during the period of the Middle Ages.

In this episode, we explore one of the most transformative periods in European history - the fall of Rome in the 5th century AD and the subsequent rise of new barbarian kingdoms. Dr. Alan Strange, Professor of Church History, provides an overview of the factors that led to Rome’s decline after centuries of dominance, the complex history of the barbarian tribes, their eventual conversion from paganism to Christianity, and how this helped integrate them into the fabric of medieval European civilization.

In this episode, Dr. Strange examines the Second and Third Council of Constantinople, which sought to affirm Christ's divine and human natures, and the Second Council of Nicaea, which authorized the legitimacy of using visual images in worship. In addition to the four Councils that came before them, the Eastern Church became known as the Church of the Seven Councils.

In this episode of our ongoing Church History series, Dr. Alan Strange delves into the topic of monasticism. He traces its origins, explaining why Protestants have historically been less inclined toward monastic practices, and discusses how monasticism evolved and spread during the Middle Ages.

In this episode, Dr. Beach examines the ordo salutis, which refers to the logical sequence or order of the various elements involved in the process of salvation according to Reformed theology. What is the order of salvation? Is it even correct to describe salvation in such terms? As Dr. Beach elaborates more on election, effectual calling, regeneration, conversion, justification, adoption, and sanctification, we hope you’ll come away from this episode with a little bit more of an understanding of what this is all about.