Theocast

The sacrament of communion was given to us by God as a means of His grace. In the Lord's Supper, Jesus is really and spiritually present to minister to us. We are confirmed in the faith and in all the benefits of Christ's death. We are nourished, sustained, and strengthened through receiving the bread and the cup. In other words, the Table is for our assurance and for our growth in the faith. Sadly, this is not how communion is typically talked about in the church. What happened? Why is it not talked about this way? In today's episode Jon and Justin have a theological, historical, and biblical conversation about communion as a means of grace. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin discuss Reformed worship--and communion as a part of that. In addition, the guys give some thoughts regarding churches that do not observe communion regularly. Resources:Our episode on "What Happened to Baptism?"Our episode on "The Resting Heart Rate of the Christian Life"Ask Theocast on "What Are the Means of Grace?"1689 LBC 30.1"Truth We Can Touch" by Tim ChesterBarcellos's book on the Lord's Supper

The sacrament of baptism was given to us by God as a means of His grace. Baptism is about our union with Christ. It is a sign of being grafted into him in his life, death, and resurrection. It is a sign of the remission of our sins. It is a sign of God's promise to keep us unto salvation. Sadly, this is not how baptism is typically talked about in the church. What happened? Why is it not talked about this way? In today's episode Jon and Justin have a theological, historical, and biblical conversation about baptism as a means of grace. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin continue to discuss baptism as a sign of our union with Christ. In particular, the guys consider how pietism, revivalism, and Arminianism have affected how many have understood union with Christ--and thereby, baptism. Resources:Our episodes on Lordship SalvationOur episode "The Resting Heart Rate of the Christian Life"Our episode on "Leaving Pietism"

In today's episode, the guys talk about God's will. Many Christians agonize over the will of God for their lives. Is there a secret will of God that we are called to discern? Can we make decisions that put us outside the will of God? Has God spoken to what His will is for our lives? Jon and Justin consider these things and more. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin continue the conversation on the will of God. What do we say to people who fear they have ruined their lives through a past sin? Resources:Our episode on "Mercy for Those Who Doubt"Our episode "What is Biblicism? Why Is It dangerous?"Our episode on "Leaving Pietism"

The title for today's episode comes from a 20th century hymn. That hymn is illustrative of the common mindset in the evangelical church--that the real stuff of the Christian life happens when we are alone. Is that what the New Testament teaches? How is it that we grow in the faith? How is it that we become mature in Christ? Jon and Justin consider these questions and discuss how the Christian life is inherently corporate, how devotion is church-shaped, and how the corporate realities of the gathered church drive our private lives. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin give some of their perspective on personal time of Bible reading and prayer. What are healthier ways to approach these things? How does the corporate life of the church help us devotional lives? Resources:Our episode on "How Not to Read Your Bible"Our episode "Have We Missed the Point of Church?"Our episode on "Leaving Pietism"Our episode on "Your Sanctification Is Not for You?"Our "Dazed and Confused" episode on Hebrews 12:1-14

This is the second of at least two episodes from James 5. In James 5:16, the apostle writes that the prayer of a righteous person is effective. This raises the question: is righteousness required for prayer? If so, what kind of righteousness is James talking about? He gives the example of Elijah and how effective his prayers were. How are we to understand that? Jon and Justin discuss all of this--and more in today's podcast. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk about positional and personal righteousness. And, the guys go in on pietism and revivalism, in particular, as to how these things have resulted in confusion and have hindered us in approaching God. Resources:Our episode on "Do John Piper and Doug Wilson Obscure Faith Alone?"Our episode "Self + Righteousness = Rubbish (Are You Struggling With It?)"Our episode on "Why the Gospel Terrifies Christians"Our episodes on Lordship SalvationJon's two sermons on Faith and Healing

This is the first of at least two episodes from James 5. In James 5:14, the apostle writes that if a person is sick he should have the elders of the church anoint him and pray for him. Then he says that the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. How are we to understand this? What kind of healing is in view? What is the prayer of faith? Jon and Justin consider these questions and more. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin talk in more depth about interpreting the Bible. They consider tools that help us interpret the Bible, as well as how we should approach debated passages. Resources:Our episode on James 2Our episode "Dying with Dignity"Our episode on "There Will Be Weakness"Jon's two sermons on Faith and Healing

In the church, we can struggle to rightly understand and apply the grace of God in Christ. We know we need grace on the front end of salvation, but then, once in, we flip to an economy of merit. And now, we're just collecting stars and earning cookies. It is as though we think that through our working we can retroactively vindicate God's saving of us and turn ourselves into the kind of people God would've been happy to save in the first place. In this episode, Jon and Justin talk about how the Christian life is a project of self-validation for many. Semper Reformanda: Jon and Justin continue to consider how a lot of teaching today communicates that the Christian life is a project of validating ourselves as legitimate. The guys talk about the effects of unhealthy introspection, as well as better motivations for Christian living. Resources:Our episode on James 2 "Faith Without Works Is Dead"Our episode on "How Pietism Ruins Good Works"Our episode on "Leaving Pietism"

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.