Theocast

In this special podcast, Jon and Justin are joined by fellow reformed podcasters, Mike Abendroth from No Compromise Radio, Pat Abendroth and Mike Grimes from The Pactum, and R. Scott Clark The Heidelcast! Recorded live at Westminster Theological Seminary California, all the guys discuss Covenant Theology, Assurance, Law/Gospel Distinction, and Sola Fide! Check out No Compromise Radio Check out The Pactum Check out The Heidelcast  

Today's episode is the second of two on the tactics of the accuser, Satan, the ancient serpent who is the devil. Jon and Justin continue the conversation on spiritual warfare and the work of the evil one by considering how he tempts the saints. And then, the guys spend the bulk of the time discussing how Satan distracts us in the church--with things that are not inherently bad; in fact, often he distracts us with things that are good and even appear pious. The work of Satan to tempt and distract us deters us in our mission in the kingdom of Christ. We are called to be sober minded. The guys consider what that means. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk more about our calling as believers. We are to be soldiers of Christ who are not distracted by civilian pursuits. We are to look to Christ and set aside things that weigh us down and entangle us. Finally, the guys talk some more about sober mindedness and glorifying God.

Today's episode is the first of two on the tactics of the accuser, Satan, the ancient serpent who is the devil. Spiritual warfare is real, and as C. S. Lewis wrote, Christians tend to either hardly consider the devil's power or obsess over his power and activity. Neither of these perspectives are helpful or biblical. Jon and Justin consider this and then talk at length about perhaps the first of Satan's tactics against the saints: accusation. He seeks to rob us of the peace, rest, and hope that is ours in Christ. He seeks to cause us to question whether God is really our Father and whether Christ is really our savior. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk more about the reality of spiritual warfare, the accusations of Satan, the sufficiency of Christ, and how this relates to the mission of the kingdom of Christ.

Over 1 MILLION downloads!   We at Theocast wanted to use this email to share the exciting news of how many people who have heard the gospel around the world this year. We are not doing this to boast, but to share with our supporters the impact they are having with their donations. 343k YouTube views 560 podcast downloads 217k webpage views Here are a few quotes from listeners about how our ministry has impacted them this year: “I, like most Christians, have struggled with legalism, pietism and lack of assurance. Listening to these pastors over the last 2 years has changed the way I see and understand Jesus. They have truly cleared the fog from the meaning and purpose of Church and and the work of Jesus on our behalf…” - Isaiah ”Bless this podcast! God has inestimably blessed this podcast to me for my comfort, peace, and trust towards Him. He is slowly removing my suspicion and fear. Trust the good news that Christ has fulfilled the ENTIRE Law *for you*, dear Christian!” - Holdmusic “I’ve struggled for years not understanding what is the problem with so many churches I’ve attended/joined. You explain it perfectly. I’m learning all I can and will continue to ask God to teach, guide, change & grow me!” - Rachel “Praise God for messengers of grace. What an encouragement to listen to daily. Salvation is of God, and not we ourselves. And His grace is sufficient!” - Toya Free Resources Given Away in 2022: - eBook titled "REST" has been downloaded over 1,500 times- Series on Covenant Theology viewed by over 25,000 people this year (up from 3,700 in 2021- Series on Calvinism viewed by over 13,000 people this year (up from 1,000 in 2021) How Your Donations Will Help Reach More Listeners We estimate that for every $1 donated to Theocast, between 9 and 10 people will have the opportunity to hear the critical message we share. Your gift of any amount will help even more people find rest in Christ. Will you help us reach our goal of $50K by the end of 2022? How your gift will impact the world:A gift of $50 = 500 people impactedA gift of $100 = 1,000 people impactedA gift of $250 = 2,500 people impactedA gift of $500 = 5,000 people impactedA gift of $1000 = 10,000 people impacted Reaching our goal of $50K = 500,000 people impacted DONATE

On today's episode, Jon and Justin are again joined by Pat Abendroth, pastor of Omaha Bible Church and cohost of The Pactum. In the second of two conversations on the covenant of works, the guys consider the implications of the covenant works. Does it really matter if one affirms the covenant of works? What are the dangers of denying it? In particular, the guys focus on how an understanding of the covenant of works relates to our understanding of the work of Christ, the gospel, and assurance of salvation. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk with Pat Abendroth about the wreckage produced by a denial of a covenant of works/covenant of grace framework. We see this wreckage all around us in our day. Resources:Our teaching series on covenant theologyOur episodes on the implications of the covenant theologyOur episode "I Just Believe the Bible"The Pactum Podcast

On today's episode, Jon and Justin are joined by Pat Abendroth, pastor of Omaha Bible Church and cohost of The Pactum. In the first of two conversations on the covenant of works, the guys answer the question, "Is the covenant of works really in the Bible?" The guys seek to make a case for the legitimacy of the covenant of works from the Scripture and begin to venture into the significance of affirming (or denying) it. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk personally with Pat Abendroth about his ministry and about his "journey" from dispensationalism to covenant theology. Resources:Our teaching series on covenant theologyOur episodes on the implications of the covenant theologyOur episode "I Just Believe the Bible"The Pactum Podcast

"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