
The Pactum
Theological Discussion for Christ's Church
The Pactum is shorthand for the Latin Pactum Salutis. The Pactum Salutis is the trinitarian covenant made before the foundation of the world spoken of in texts such as Ephesians 1 and John 17. It is also known as the covenant of redemption. According to the pactum salutis, the triune God who works all things after the counsel of His will commits to save elect sinners. Since the pactum salutis is the basis for all of God’s work in human history, we find The Pactum a fitting banner for our conversations of all things theological.
Latest episodes

Jul 20, 2022 • 29min
Ep. 77 - Sacred Bond
In this episode Pat and Mike are joined by special guest, Zach Keele. We discuss covenant theology, how to read the Bible, and Zach's culinary endeavors. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Sacred Bond by Zach Keele and Michael Brown - The Unfolding Word by Zach Keele Zach Keele grew up on a ranch in a small town named Crawford, Colorado. He attended Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and then received his Master of Divinity from Westminster Seminary California. He was ordained in February 2004 by the Southern California Presbytery and in the summer of 2006 was called to be the pastor of Escondido OPC.

Jul 13, 2022 • 39min
Ep. 76 - Suffering and the Sovereignty of God
In this episode Pat sits down with special guest, Jenny Hare, to talk about suffering and the sovereignty of God. Jenny is a cancer survivor and offers some encouragement to those who are suffering. Jenny is a church member at Omaha Bible Church. You can find more about Jenny and get in touch with her on her website, Heart & Soul Art Studio.

Jul 6, 2022 • 31min
Ep. 75 - The Reformation Study Bible
In this episode Pat and Mike sit down with Chris Larson, President of Ligonier Ministries, to talk about The Reformation Study Bible. Chris Larson is president and chief executive officer of Ligonier Ministries. He directs and leads all strategic outreach initiatives and oversees daily ministry operations, seeking to spread the historic Christian faith to as many people as possible. Resources mentioned in this episode: - The Reformation Study Bible

Jun 29, 2022 • 35min
Ep. 74 - Biographies
Pat and Mike talk about the benefits of reading biographies and give some recommendations of biographies that you may find interesting. Resources mentioned in this episode: - The Underlying Problem: A Brief Analysis of Meredith G. Kline’s Response to Theonomy by Michael Beck

Jun 22, 2022 • 44min
Ep. 73 - Preaching
Join Pat and Mike as they offer tips about preaching and how to be better at communicating in the pulpit. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture by Graeme Goldsworthy - Him We Proclaim by Dennis Johnson

Jun 15, 2022 • 43min
Ep. 72 - Antinomianism
Join Pat and Mike for a discussion on Anitnomianism. They talk about things like what is antinomianism, why is it bad, and what are some ways to deal with it? Resources mentioned in this episdoe: - The True Bounds of Christian Freedom by Samuel Bolton - The Whole Christ by Sinclair Ferguson - The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification by Walter Marshall

Jun 8, 2022 • 40min
Ep. 71 - Pactum Responsum
In this Lone Ranger Responsum episode, Pat answers questions on Israel, Doctrine of God, Politics, Imputation, and more. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Understanding the Land of the Bible by O. Palmer Robertson - Simply Trinity by Matthew Barrett - The Trinity: An Introduction by Scott Swain - Eternal Subordinationism Video by David Strain - On the Eternal Functional Subordination Debate Video by Jordan Cooper - Trinity Crisis and Cures by Pat Abendroth - Trinitarian Discipleship by Pat Abendroth - The Christian Faith by Michael Horton - My Pilgrimage From “Lordship” to Law/Gospel (part 1) by Mike Abendroth - My Pilgrimage From “Lordship” to Law/Gospel (part 2): Test Case—The Rich Young Ruler by Mike Abendroth - Politics after Christendom by David VanDrunen

Jun 1, 2022 • 28min
Ep. 70 - Human Sexuality
Pat sits down in this episode with Chris Gordon to discuss his new book, The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality. Chris Gordon is senior minister of Escondido United Reformed Church in Escondido, California, and host of Abounding Grace Radio. Chris can be found online at agradio.org and on Twitter @agradio1 The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality is availalbe from Reformation Heritage Books.

May 25, 2022 • 44min
Ep. 69 - Will it Cult?
In this episode, Pat and Mike discuss a top ten list of common cultic signs and characteristics.

May 18, 2022 • 32min
Ep. 68 - FADianity
This week Pat and Mike talk about the fads that we see come and go in evangelicalism. They offer an alternative and solution to those looking to the next shiny new fad that comes along. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Ordinary by Michael Horton