Theology on the Go

Avoiding Chronological Snobbery    Nick Needham joins us from across the Atlantic. He’s the minister of Inverness Reformed Baptist Church and a lecturer at Highland Theological College. Nick’s also the writer of an outstanding four volume set entitled 2000 Years of Christ’s Power: The Age of the Early Church Fathers.   What can we gain from learning church history beyond the inspiring example of those who have gone before us? Will understanding the past keep us from error today, and just how far back should one look for doctrinal help and spiritual guidance? Needham deftly and thoughtfully provides the answers we seek.   Register for the opportunity to win a free copy of The Early Church Fathers: Daily Readings by Nick Needham.

Original Sin: Born This Way James and Jonathan tackle a foundational theological topic this week. The doctrine of original sin is integral to our grasp of many other biblical doctrines. How should we define original sin, and how is it different from the sins we commit daily? Guilt, corruption, imputation, and federal headship are but a few of the terms worthy of discussion… but don’t be intimidated. Our hosts deftly describe how these concepts help define our status through our relationship with Adam.    We’re offering you the opportunity to win a copy of Imputation of Adam’s Sin, a classic on this topic. Register here! The books are a complimentary gift from our friends at P&R Publishing.   Imputation of Adam’s Sin is available for purchase at Reformed Resources. Show Notes Charles Hodge on original sin: Systematic Theology Vol. II Louis Berkhof on total depravity: Manual of Christian Doctrine, see Sin in the Life of the Human Race Westminster Larger Cathecism, in particular starting at question 22

No Creed but the Bible?   James Renihan joins us. He’s president and professor of Historic Theology at IRBS Theological Seminary in Mansfield, TX. At issue: Is it accurate to say that Baptists have no confessions, and “no creed but the Bible”? Our guest quickly and politely debunks these myths!   What motivated the 17th century Baptists to produce confessions, as they were already part of a broad Protestant movement that believed in the fundamental doctrines of Scripture? Hear what Renihan has to say about the interesting, uniting aspect of those confessions and about his upcoming project on the first London Confession.

By Good and Necessary Consequence James and Jonathan welcome special guest Ryan McGraw. Ryan is academic dean and professor of Systematic Theology at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. His book, By Good and Necessary Consequence, is the topic of today’s conversation. It is part of the series Explorations in Reformed and Confessional Theology by Reformation Heritage Books.   The phrase “by good and necessary consequence” appears in the Westminster Confession of Faith: Chapter 1, paragraph 6. What does this phrase mean, and why has Ryan written a book about it? How do we guard against abusing the principle by taking it too far and deriving whatever we want from any text of Scripture?   Register for the opportunity to win a free copy of “By Good and Necessary Consequence.” The books are a generous gift from our friends at RHB.

The Case for Biblical Archaeology    Jonathan and James meet to share a conversation with John Currid. He’s the Chancellor’s Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, a trained archaeologist, and an ordained minister in the PCA. Dr. Currid is in to chat about his fascinating book, The Case for Biblical Archaeology.   In what ways does such research serve Christians and the Church? How does archaeological knowledge help the lay Christian understand the Bible, and assist pastors in expositing Scripture? The book is accessible and edifying for all who will read it.   Register for the opportunity to win a free copy of The Case for Biblical Archaeology. The books are a complimentary gift from our friends at P&R Publishing.

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self - Part 1   Jonathan and James receive the visit of a close friend who has written one of the most significant books of 2020. Carl Trueman is the co-host of Mortification of Spin—another podcast from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals—and professor of Biblical and Religious Studies at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. Carl’s new book is The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution.    Why do we believe that Carl’s topic is so relevant? Short answer: Because the sentence “I am a woman trapped in a man’s body” is not just a passing statement; it’s a declaration loaded with philosophical underpinnings that have developed in the past several hundred years carrying implications in the educational, socio-economic, political, and religious spheres, among others.    We’ll be happy to give away copies of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self to some of our listeners. Register for the opportunity to win one! The books are a generous gift from our friends at Crossway.

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self - Part 1   Jonathan and James receive the visit of a close friend who has written one of the most significant books of 2020. Carl Trueman is the co-host of Mortification of Spin—another podcast from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals—and professor of Biblical and Religious Studies at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. Carl’s new book is The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution.    Why do we believe that Carl’s topic is so relevant? Short answer: Because the sentence “I am a woman trapped in a man’s body” is not just a passing statement; it’s a declaration loaded with philosophical underpinnings that have developed in the past several hundred years carrying implications in the educational, socio-economic, political, and religious spheres, among others.    We’ll be happy to give away copies of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self to some of our listeners. Register for the opportunity to win one! The books are a generous gift from our friends at Crossway.

Exodus Old and New   Michael Morales is professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and his most recent book is getting some well-deserved attention. It’s titled Exodus Old and New, and Michael tells us how the book—which is not a commentary—traces the Exodus motif, which becomes the paradigm for redemption throughout God’s Word. What does the exodus from exile represent in the whole of Scripture? Listen as Michael chooses a few particular portions of Scripture to explain. We are giving away a few copies of Exodus Old and New. Register for an opportunity to win one. The books are a generous gift from IVP Press.

The Exclusivity of the Gospel   Jonathan and James have a one-on-one conversation to sort through three views surrounding the way of salvation. Is Jesus Christ really the only way? If so, what is required? Can one be saved without any knowledge of Christ’s person and work? Romans chapter one offers clarity in sorting through each of the three views.   We are giving away copies of Only One Way, a collection of essays on the subject from the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology. Register for the opportunity to win one.

Green Pastures Ryan Davidson is the pastor of Grace Baptist Chapel in Hampton, VA, and the author of Green Pastures, A Primer on the Ordinary Means of Grace. Ryan starts the discussion by defining means of grace, then drills down to explain the ordinary means of grace.  What does the word ordinary really mean in this context? Ryan identifies the fruit and the effects of the ordinary means of grace as they are biblically applied in the life of a congregation.   We have a few copies of Green Pastures that we are giving away. Register for the opportunity to win a free one!