Theology on the Go

The First Five  Jonathan and James welcome their friend Stephen Unthank. He’s pastor of Greenbelt Baptist Church in Maryland, and a contributing writer for PlaceForTruth.org. Stephen shares his experiences as a relatively new pastor…the joys and challenges of the calling…and, how it all lined up with his expectations.  Stephen’s convictions about the ordinary means of grace and the slow, steady preaching of the Word played an important role in his first years of ministry…not to mention the uniquely gifted people God has perfectly placed to serve alongside him. Listen to Stephen’s exciting and encouraging words! Show Notes ·  Reformation of the Church by Iain Murray ·  You Lift Me Up by Al Martin ·  The Work of the Pastor by William Still   We’re pleased to give away You Lift Me Up. Register for the opportunity to win a free copy!

Our dynamic duo brings up a topic that is usually difficult, and—many times—hard to swallow in the local church. Church leaders and congregants alike can also often misunderstand its procedure and purposes.   What is church discipline, and what does Scripture teach about it? What’s the purpose of church discipline, and what does it represent to the body of Christ? Jonathan and James answer those questions, and explain what ecclesiastical discipline is meant to protect as well.  If we say that we believe certain things about Scripture, we must back up that belief with action, drawing appropriate lines while caring for an offender. Difficult for sure, yet necessary nonetheless. Listen in!  Show Notes 1 Corinthians 5 Matthew 16 Matthew 18

God Without Passions What do we mean when we say that God is without passion…that He’s indifferent to His creation? Is God moved by anyone or anything? How should we handle the difficult Bible passages that seem to contradict the doctrine of impassibility?   Sam Renihan is a pastor at Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in La Mirada, CA, and adjunct faculty member of IRBS Theological Seminary. Sam joins Jonathan and James to discuss his ever-relevant 2015 publication, God without Passions - A Primer. As a pastor, Sam guarantees that there are practical personal applications, as well as pastoral implications, for the doctrine of impassibility.  As James puts it: God without Passions – A Primer is the most accessible, yet orthodox introduction to the doctrine of divine impassibility you’ll find. Listen to learn why!   Show Notes  IRBS Theological Seminary Reformed Baptist Academic Press We’re pleased to give away a few copies of God without Passions - A Primer. Register for the opportunity to win a free one!

Divine Knowledge Jonathan and James share an informal conversation about the knowledge of God.  What are we really saying when we claim that God knows all things? What’s the scope of God’s knowledge? Is God continuously learning everything at the moment it happens?  James affirms that God is “uneducated”—what does he mean by that? Join us for another mind-expanding episode of Theology on the Go!

Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord? Michael Morales, professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, joins us on the podcast to discuss his latest work, Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord? Who is able to approach God’s presence? This investigative study examines the book of Leviticus and the Regulative Principle of Worship, with a focus on Psalm 15 and Psalm 24. Michael shows the significance of the “Mountain of the Lord” in the New and Old Testaments and how the priestly sacrifice offered to bridge the chasm between God and man plays out in the book of Leviticus and throughout the New Testament.

Theoretical-Practical Theology Vol. II 17th-century Reformed theologian Petrus Van Mastricht wrote a comprehensive treatment of theoretical-practical theology. This extensive collection is gradually being made available in English by Todd Rester, lead translator of this massive work. The second volume, Faith in the Triune God, was released this year. Todd is an associate professor of church history at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.   Listen as Jonathan, James, and Todd discuss the priority and value Mastricht gave to the practical and pastoral aspect of theology in training church members—especially, new ones.

All Things for Good  James and Jonathan remove the dust from the cover of a classic book that’s played a big role in their lives. All Things for Good, formerly known as A Divine Cordial by Thomas Watson was originally published in 1663, and it reads as a series of sermons or expositions of Romans 8:28. Throughout the book, Watson offers reflections on the two greatest difficulties he faced in pastoral ministry: To make the wicked sad and the godly joyful.  Listen as Jonathan and James discuss the biblical and doctrinal muscle strength All Things for Good offers for whatever trials one might be going through.   Register for the opportunity to win a free copy of All Things for Good. The books are a gift from our friends at Banner of Truth.

Banner of Truth: A Conversation with Mark Johnston Mark Johnston is the pastor of Bethel Presbyterian Church in Cardiff, Wales. Mark also writes for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals on the Place for Truth website, has authored several books, and serves on the board of Banner of Truth Trust. Johnston joins Jonathan and James to talk a bit about the work of Banner; how it started and a few of its first publications.   What distinguishes Banner of Truth from other fine publishers? This conversation covers recommendations for beginners, Banner Mini Guides, and what’s in the pipeline: works addressing Christian living, use of the Psalms, church history, and more. Show Notes Martyn Loyd Jones Iain Murray H. Murray Robert Murray M’Cheyne John G. Paton’s Autobiography The Puritan Paperbacks Banner Mini Guides The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, along with Banner of Truth are pleased to offer you the opportunity to win a copy of one of the Banner Mini Guides. Register!!

From Shadow to Substance What is Federal Theology? Sam Renihan joins our hosts to address this very question. Sam is a pastor at Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in La Mirada, CA and author of From Shadow to Substance: the Federal Theology of the English Particular Baptists.   Is it fair to say that Federal theology was the theology of the post-reformation English Puritan? If so, how? Sam focuses his attention on the distinctive features of Federal Theology among particular Baptists, their place in the 17th century literature, and the implications of departing from the English social institutions of long-held beliefs. Show Notes ·  Theologian Casper Olevian ·  Theologian John Cameron ·  Minister Benjamin Cox  ·  Unity and Continuity in Covenantal Thought by Andrew Woosley ·  The Covenantal Theology of John Spilsbery by Matthew Bingham ·  The Distinctiveness of Baptist Covenant Theology by Pascal Denault  ·  Divine Rule Maintained: Anthony Burgess, Covenant Theology, and the Place of the      Law in reformed Scholasticism by Casselli

No Place for Truth Jonathan and James are discussing a book that influenced both of them decades ago. Why would they be talking about it now, and what is the book’s relevance for today?  25 years ago, David Wells wrote No Place for Truth, a microscopic analysis of how the purpose of the church and of pastoral ministry was shifting. Wells recounts a few responses from church members at large and theology students alike about what they thought really mattered in ministry. What was the thinking of the time, and how does it influence ministry today? Don’t miss this important conversation! We’d like to offer you the opportunity to win a free copy of this timeless book No Place for Truth by David Wells. Register!