Theology on the Go

“I’m a Christian, but I don’t need a church. Nature is where I find God.” Whatever the stated reasoning, those who avoid church attendance and membership often do so without understanding why believers need the Church and the Church needs them.   Guest Terry Johnson has written many books and has served in church ministry for over 40 years. In his latest work, Johnson uses key New Testament passages to explain why local church attendance is essential in the life of every believer and how that mutual accountability cannot be replaced by parachurch activity or informal spirituality.     Christian Focus Publications provided three copies of Who Needs the Church: Why We Need the Church (and Why the Church Needs Us) for a giveaway. Congratulations to our winners: Tony T. from Alderson, WV, Skyler M. from Vancouver, WA, and Kandice T. from Enterprise, AL.

Theology for Ministry Since assuming his first pastorate in 1971, Sinclair Ferguson’s life and Bible teaching have left an indelible mark on the lives and ministries of his parishioners, students, colleagues, and friends. Our guest today edited and contributed to a Festschrift published in Ferguson’s honor—Theology for Ministry: How Doctrine Affects Pastoral Life and Practice. Like Ferguson, Chad VanDixhoorn is a pastor, professor, and author. Along with an impressive list of co-contributors, VanDixhoorn outlines a rich scriptural framework for ministry grounded in key Christian doctrines and the application of the benefits and blessings that come to us through the Spirit in our union with Christ. Thanks to P&R Publishing, we were able to offer three copies of Theology for Ministry for a giveaway. The winners were David R. from Williamsburg, VA, Cullen B. from Marietta, GA, and Brandt K. from Trevose, PA.

Growing in Grace   As both of our hosts are respected authors and enjoy discussing a great book, it would only follow that sometimes the interviewers would become interviewees. Such is the case today as James Dolezal grills (even fillets!) Jonathan Master, concerning his book Growing in Grace: Becoming More Like Jesus.   It’s an accessible work that deals with the scriptural command for Christians to work diligently at growing in the grace and personal knowledge of the Lord. That includes walking worthy of our calling and enjoying the blessings of our salvation through the gathering together with others in the Church. Dr. Master explains how we’re called to die to sin and be enslaved to righteousness and discusses the roles humility and suffering play in the growth of every believer.   Banner of Truth graciously provided three copies of Jonathan's book for a giveaway. Congratulations to our winners: Marianne M. from Sterling Heights, MI, Dwayne S. from Cedarburg, WI, and Joe K. from Williams, AZ. 

Face to Face with God We celebrate Christ’s work as our high priest and mediator.  Is Jesus active in those roles today? And how is Jesus “a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek?” Guest Desmond Alexander provides satisfying answers to these questions and others through the course of today’s conversation and with his new book, Face to Face with God: A Biblical Theology of Christ as Priest and Mediator. Courtesy of IVP Academic, we have a few copies of Desmond’s book to give away. To get in the running, sign up here.

Zwingli: God’s Armed Prophet In his time, Huldrych Zwingli was a deeply polarizing figure. Though clearly a leader of the Swiss Reformation, contemporaries Martin Luther and John Calvin denied Zwingli's influence,  due in large part to his position on the Lord's Supper. Unlike his more famous critics, Zwingli would die on a battlefield in Zurich engaged in an armed defense of the Reformation in his homeland. Today’s guest Bruce Gordon is the Titus Street Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Yale Divinity School and the author of many books on the Reformation. Dr. Gordon joins Jonathan and James to provide a fresh biography of the warrior prophet and a deeper appreciation of Zwingli's contribution to Reformation thought. Thanks to Yale Books, we were able to offer a copy of Gordon's book Zwingli: God's Armed Prophet. The winner was Kurt V. from Yuba City, CA.

The Fall of Satan and the Demons Today’s discussion began years ago when our hosts collaborated to create a college course on angels and demons. Today, Jonathan and James reconvene in our digital classroom and focus their discussion more specifically on the fall of the demons and their ringleader Satan. You’ll learn about the origins and specific sins of that rebellion, and how their fate differs from man’s corporate fall from grace. It’s a conversation rich with biblical truth about this unseen realm. Courtesy of Banner of Truth books, we have a few copies of Satan Cast Out by Frederick Leahy to give away. Here’s where you register.

In the Fullness of Time   Many Christians believe that eschatology is simply a matter of understanding a future event—what will happen when Christ returns. Over the years, students of today’s guest have observed that eschatology is defined by two points—past and future—Christ’s death, resurrection, and Pentecost in the past; and continuing through the ongoing fulfillment of Christ’s promises to the end of the age.    Richard Gaffin is professor emeritus of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. His seminal courses on Paul and the book of Acts have deeply influenced many, including Jonathan and James. Dr. Gaffin offers a clear perspective on Paul’s ministry and redemptive history in his book, In the Fullness of Time: An Introduction to the Biblical History of Acts and Paul.   Crossway Books has provided a limited number of copies of In the Fullness of Time for giveaway. For an opportunity to receive one, enter here.

Trinitarian Dogmatics It’s a question few Christians will typically entertain: how do you enjoy communion with all three persons of the Godhead in worship? Dr. Glenn Butner offers satisfying, biblical answers to many such queries in his outstanding book, Trinitarian Dogmatics: Exploring the Grammar of the Christian Doctrine of God. It’s his topic of discussion today with Jonathan and James.  Indeed, the word “Trinity” is not mentioned in Scripture. Still, the evidence for the eternal coexistence, inseparable operations, and unmistakable unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is found throughout its pages. Today’s conversation and Butner’s book help us clarify—or even “correct our grammar”—when considering this essential doctrine of God. Baker Academic has provided a few copies of the book for giveaway. Get in the running here.

God to Us   Jonathan and James welcome Stephen Myers to the podcast. He’s associate professor of Historical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.  Stephen explains that Covenant Theology is a wonderful, essential study. It reveals God’s character and how He binds Himself to us. It’s a helpful means of understanding how God’s other covenants are irreplaceable in the progressive unfolding of the Covenant of Grace. Myers’ book—God to Us: Covenant Theology in Scripture—explains the purpose and work of the covenant in detail so that our relationship with Him may become richer as we grow into living as His people.    We have a few copies of Stephen’s book to give away, courtesy Reformation Heritage Books. Click here to enter.

The title of the most recent Blue Ridge Bible Conference seems an appropriate descriptor for today's episode of Theology on the Go. Jonathan and James discuss the biblical, familial, and social implications of the latest manifestation of gender dysphoria: transgenderism. Why is a decision to reject one's "sexual assignment" at birth an example of covetousness? And if, as a recent Supreme Court candidate asserted, we can't describe what a woman is because we're "not biologists," then how can anyone make such a determination about his own "perceived gender identity?"