Theocast

In this third of three episodes on God's law, Jon and Justin talk about the threefold division of the law. This conversation is important for anyone who has ever wondered what to make of all the laws God gave to Israel in the Old Testament. What is binding for us today? What is not? What do some of these obscure sounding commands have to do with us in the new covenant era? In short, the confessional, Reformed understanding of the threefold division of the moral, ceremonial, and judicial law is very helpful for our understanding. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin consider the fourth commandment in depth regarding the Sabbath day. There is some division of opinion--even amongst Reformed types--as to what observance of the Lord's Day should look like. The distinction between the moral and ceremonial law is a factor, as is one's understanding of covenant theology. Resources:Our first episode in this series on Law & Gospel DistinctionOur second episode in this series on The Three Uses of the LawOur first episode in a series on Covenant TheologyOur first of three episodes on Implications of Covenant Theology

In this second of three episodes on God's law, Jon and Justin talk about the three uses of the law. In considering the three uses of the law, we are essentially answering the question, "Why did God give the law?" The first use of the law is to show us our sin and drive us to Christ. The second use is to teach all men right and wrong--and to restrain our corruption. The third use is to serve as the guide for our living in Christ. Without these uses in view, we are prone to make all kinds of errors in our application and understanding of God's law. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin consider how the uses of the law are often collapsed in our day and the resulting fallout of this confusion. In contending for the uses of the law, we are simply seeking to use the law lawfully (1 Timothy 1:8). Resources: First episode in this series: "Intro to Law and Gospel Distinction"Our episode on "What Must I Do to Be Saved?"Our episode on "John Piper on Holiness"Our episode on "Following Jesus Is Not the Gospel"Our episode on "Faith Without Works is Dead: James 2"

Delve into the crucial distinction between law and gospel, pivotal for understanding theology and preaching. Explore God's commands as the standard of righteousness and discover the grace of the gospel fulfilled in Christ. Uncover how the law exposes humanity's inability to earn righteousness and Christ’s role as our representative. Learn about the gifts of the gospel, such as forgiveness and regeneration, and the dangers of conflating law with gospel. Good works are presented not as conditions for salvation, but as the natural fruit of faith.

Often in the church, we try to figure out exactly what God is doing when we are going through difficult things. Simply put, we shouldn't do that. The secret things belong to the Lord, and we are not privy to the counsel of God when it comes to our suffering. In today's episode, Jon and Justin aim to point out things that God has clearly revealed and promised to us in his Word. We do have an unshakable hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, and this is what we cling to--in the midst of joy or pain. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin continue the conversation on suffering by considering less-than-good ways suffering is talked about and dealt with in the church. We have a gentle, patient, and merciful Savior. This should inform how we interact with one another in the midst of pain. Resources:Our episode on "There Will Be Weakness"Our episode on Two KingdomsOur episode on "The Quest for Religious Experience"

In today's episode, Jon and Justin aim to have a pastoral conversation with two groups of people in view. First, those who are beat down and weary, who are seeking to find rest. And second, those who have found rest in Christ but still wrestle with what that rest means for their Christian lives. Where does the power for sanctification come from? What do we do now that we know Christ has done everything for our salvation? Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin have a fun conversation about Jesus, calming down, assessing ourselves honestly, looking to God's Word, and loving our brothers and sisters. Resources: Our episode on "How Pietism Ruins Good Works" https://youtu.be/19OhlchARt0 Our episode on "Your Sanctification Is Not for You?" https://youtu.be/nfDuTYz3pnA Our episode on "Have We Missed the Point of Church?" https://youtu.be/JLHz0Cgga4s Our episode on "What Is--and Is Not--the Gospel" https://youtu.be/NmrZA951WYU  

In this episode, Jon and Justin discuss a message recently given by John Piper on Christ's death and the holiness of the believer. The guys interact with clips from the message and seek to consider it from a biblical, confessional, and Reformed perspective. At Theocast, we are in complete agreement that Christ's work has secured the holiness of the saints. Significant things to consider along these lines are: union with Christ; the active obedience of Christ; the relationship of justification and sanctification; and the proper way to preach the law and the gospel. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin continue the conversation on the holiness of believers. The guys consider better--and more biblical--ways to pursue and instill holiness in the church. Resources:Our episode on Hebrews 12 https://theocast.org/dazed-and-confused-hebrews-121-14-and-holiness/Our episode on "Your Sanctification Is Not for You" https://theocast.org/your-sanctification-is-not-for-you/Our episode on "Piper and Wilson Obscuring the Gospel" https://theocast.org/do-john-piper-and-doug-wilson-obscure-faith-alone/

Following Jesus is not the gospel. There are a number of things that are fruits of regeneration and fruits of the gospel that are not the gospel. Biblically speaking, the gospel has nothing to do with us whatsoever. The gospel is completely about the person and work of Jesus Christ, our substitute and mediator. Jon and Justin talk about the fruit of the gospel, the order of salvation, and justification from a confessional, reformed perspective. Semper Reformanda: The guys talk about the legitimacy of using confessions and of critiquing the doctrine of notable figures. Then, they go into more depth on some of the ways justification is under assault in our day. Resources:Our episode on "What must I do to be saved?"Our episode on Take up your crossOur episode on biblicismOur episode on how pietism ruins good works

We believe that all of the Bible--from Genesis to Revelation--is a testimony about Jesus. We believe there is law and gospel in the Old and New Testaments. These convictions are historical, confessional, Reformed convictions. Yet, many in our day get very nervous about seeing Christ in all of the Bible and of understanding the Scriptures in terms of law and gospel. Our fear is that, at the end of it, well-meaning people discourage the saints from seeing Christ for them in all of the Scriptures. Jon and Justin talk about this on today's episode. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin continue to talk (passionately) about the tendency of many to remove Jesus from many passages of the Bible. Then the guys talk about how effective the heralding of Christ actually is. Resources: Introduction to Covenant Theology: https://youtu.be/iCfzmujnlHo Desiring God Article: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/exposition-or-imposition The Master's Seminary Article: https://blog.tms.edu/is-christ-in-every-verse Grace To You Article: https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A235/reexamining-the-eternal-sonship-of-christ #reformedtheology #preachingChrist #theocast

Jon and Justin talk about the start of a new network of confessional Baptist churches, called the Grace Reformed Network. The guys explain the need for the network, as well as the theological positions of the network. If you'd like to learn more, please visit gracereformednetwork.org Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk more personally about what led to starting the Grace Reformed Network and the need for more confessional churches.

We are often made to think that the Christian life is one where we move from triumph to triumph--and from spiritual experience to spiritual experience. But that is not reality. It is not the promise of the Scripture. This side of the resurrection, we are learning to trust Christ in the midst of weakness and the battle against the flesh. We are learning to depend more upon grace. It is not a bad thing for us to come to a place where we know Christ is all we have. The guys consider all of this in today's episode. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin answer listener questions on Two Kingdoms doctrine and also on views of eschatology as it relates to the redemptive-historical framework of Scripture. Resources:Our episode on triumphalismOur episode on Two KingdomsOur episode eschatology (Left Behind?) FREE EBOOK Theocast.org/primer