Theocast

"The Chosen" is a phenomenon in our day. Many people watch it. Many people are passionate about it. It is a polarizing show. Is it a good thing to watch "The Chosen"? Is it wrong to watch it? In today's episode, Jon and Justin aim to have a conversation that goes underneath the specific questions about "The Chosen" and gets to the real issues pertaining to the sufficiency of Scripture, how we are to worship God, the second commandment, and the quest for illegitimate religious experience. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk more openly about the dangers of media like "The Chosen," as well as the potential value of so called "secular" media.

UPDATED: We were recently contacted by Dr. Steve Lawson's ministry with an update after this episode went live (onepassion.org/statement-on-justification). We are thankful for the update. We were unaware of this update when we recorded this episode. We normally record 4-6 weeks in advance. Justin and Jon's concerns are not fully addressed in this update which is why this video has remained live on our channel. A video was released by One Passion Ministries in which Steve Lawson answered the question, "What doctrine is most missing in churches today?" His answer was the doctrine of regeneration. While that sounds good, where he went with it was concerning. In the video, Dr. Lawson said that justification by faith alone in Christ alone is, in a sense, just paperwork in heaven--and that it does nothing to change your life. What do we make of that? How should we respond? Jon and Justin have that conversation on today's episode. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin continue the conversation around Steve Lawson's comments about justification, the new birth, and the change of life. The guys also talk about reasons for recording an episode like this. Resources:Steve Lawson's video "What doctrine is most missing in churches today?"Our episode on “The Resting Heart Rate of the Christian Life”Justin’s sermon on Faith Alone, In Christ Alone UPDATE: Statement by Lawson's ministry onepassion.org/statement-on-justification    

Many Christians in our day are convinced that they can grow in understanding and reach a better knowledge of the truth on their own. The perspective is, "I have the Bible. I have the Holy Spirit. I'm good to go." After all Jesus says the Holy Spirit will lead the disciples into all truth when he comes. That's true. But how does he do this? Jon and Justin examine the Scriptures--that the Holy Spirit inspired--to see how we are grown in our knowledge of the truth. Semper Reformanda: Jon answers questions submitted by members in today's S|R episode. Resources:Our episode on "I Just Believe the Bible"Our episode on "Authority Gone Wrong"Our episode on "Is Your Theological System Any Good?"Our episodes on Law/Gospel DistinctionOur episodes on Covenant Theology

"I'm just saying what the Bible says." "I just believe the Bible." "That's what the verse says." Have you ever heard people say these things while contending for a theological position that sounds off to you? This practice has a name. It's called biblicism. As Christians, we all want to be people of the Word. The question is whether we are handling the Word correctly. Many people through history have drawn false conclusions by "just reading the Bible" divorced from orthodox theological frameworks. Jon and Justin have a conversation about all of this in today's episode. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk more about the inherent inconsistency of biblicism, as well as the significance of theological debate through the history of the church. Resources:Our episode: “Is Your Theological System Any Good?”Our Introduction to Covenant Theology SeriesJustin’s sermon: “The Promised Gospel of God’s Son””Reexamining the Eternal Sonship of Christ” from John MacArthur

It is Reformation Week. And here at Theocast, in the tradition of the Reformation, we always seek to clarify the gospel. When we do, people respond in somewhat predictable ways. "Well, you do believe that Christians are required to obey, right?" "Obedience is required for salvation." Are these questions indicative of misunderstanding? How should we respond to these kinds of questions? Jon and Justin double down on union with Christ by faith in today's episode. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin discuss the vitriol that often meets the clear proclamation of the gospel. The guys talk quite a bit about holiness and how many people's definitions of holiness are off-centered. Resources:Our episodes on 1 JohnOur episodes on Lordship SalvationOur episode on Easy-Listening Legalism

In today's episode, the second of two episodes on 1 John, the guys consider some specific passages from the letter that are often used to unsettle Christians and cause them to question their standing in Christ. 1 John 2:3 and surrounding, as well as 1 John 3:4-10, are discussed. How should we understand John's words on keeping the commandments and making a practice of sinning? Should these verses produce fear and doubt? Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin put a bow on the conversation about 1 John. The guys rejoice in the goodness of the letter and contrast that with how it is often taught. Resources:Justin's sermon series on 1 John

At Theocast, we get as many questions about 1 John as we do any book in the Bible. It is often a book that has been used to cause Christians to question whether they are really legitimate. But is that the reason John wrote the letter? In today's episode, the first of two episodes on 1 John, Jon and Justin give an overview of the letter and discuss the purpose for which the apostle wrote it. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk about how far removed we are from the historical context of 1 John--and why that matters. The guys also reflect further upon the apostle's gentle, pastoral, and reassuring tone in the letter. Resources:Justin's sermon series on 1 John

Fallen human beings have always had issues with authority. And, in a fallen world, authority is often abused. All of this is true in our day--even in the church. In today's episode, Jon and Justin have a conversation about authority, how it can be used well, and how it can be abused. The guys give some particular time to discussing how not to abuse pastoral authority. That part might surprise you.

On today's podcast, Jon and Justin have Chad Bird on to discuss the ideology of having a personal relationship with Jesus. Where does this ideology and language come from? Is it helpful? Is it biblical? The guys consider these things and then move on to discuss the fact that the Christian life is inherently corporate and our Christian devotion is church-shaped. Why do we need the church? What is the point of the corporate gathering? (Hint: this has everything to do with our need for Jesus to minister to us and give us his gifts.) Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk in more depth with Chad Bird about a theology of the cross versus a theology of glory--and how these two ways of doing theology manifest themselves in our perspective on church. Resources: Our episode: "Your Sanctification is Not For You"Our episode: "Have We Missed the Point of Church?"40 Minutes In The Old Testament from 1517 PodcastsHidden Streams from 1517 PodcastsAbout Chad Bird from 1517 Podcasts

Jon and Justin follow up on the conversation last week about smuggling works into faith. Today's episode is a little different than the norm. The guys critique teaching from John Piper, John MacArthur, and Doug Wilson on the relationship between faith and works. Multiple excerpts and quotes are cited, all of which are available in the show notes. The reason for this episode is to defend the clarity of the gospel--that we are saved by Christ alone and receive his merits by faith alone, apart from any works we could ever do. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk about the legitimacy of critiquing doctrine that has been publicly taught and distributed. And then, the guys make a number of observations about the ways social and political concerns seem to be the tie that binds in many conservative Christian streams. Resources:Our episodes on the Law/Gospel DistinctionOur episode on "Smuggling Works into Faith" Full Show Notes Page