Theology on the Go

Foundations of Covenant Theology Several songs of the 60s refer to man’s need to “get back to the Garden.” Lane Tipton reminds us of a much greater place: a heavenly temple made holy by the presence of the glory of the triune God. It’s the starting place for Lane’s latest book, Foundations of Covenant Theology: A Biblical-Theological Study of Genesis 1-3.  Dr. Tipton is pastor of Trinity Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Easton, PA, and Fellow of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Reformed Forum. Through the book, Tipton clarifies Jesus’ person and work and provides a fuller understanding of Sabbath rest. What was Adam’s “test?” Who would truly ascend the mountain of God? Expect an inspiring and encouraging conversation among friends. Reformed Forum has offered a few copies of the book for giveaway. Register here to win!

Dr. Carl Trueman visits from that “other” Alliance podcast (Mortification of Spin) to discuss his latest book: Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution. More than an abridged version of his 2020 bestseller The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, Trueman’s new release offers additional insights not explored in the larger work with a more accessible format designed for all readers. How can an allegiance forged online be “more real” to a young person than the actual community where he lives? When did internal feelings surpass external realities as the way we perceive the world around us? How does technology reinforce that inward focus? For those left wondering how the world arrived at its current state of identity politics, today’s conversation will prove most enlightening!  We have a few copies of Strange New World to offer as giveaways, so register to win one! The books are a gift from the publisher Crossway.

This World Is Not My Home We long for the end of the current pandemic and the opportunity to gather freely with old friends face-to-face. For now, our hosts make do with an online meeting with pastor, church planter, and author Mark Johnston. Mark has curated a series of his articles posted at PlaceForTruth.org into a compelling guidebook for pilgrims on the way entitled This World is Not My Home. Johnston reminds Christians of the nature of mankind’s redemption from Adam’s fall in Eden to its consummation in heaven and how that truth should give shape to living Christ-glorifying lives as “resident aliens” in this world.   

When you hear the title Expository Preaching, you may expect to find a “how-to” manual written for pastors. But David Strain’s contribution to the Blessings of the Faith series speaks instead to the congregation, providing a stout defense for expositional preaching in your Reformed church. David joins Jonathan and James on this episode to discuss the unique power and role of the preached Word and how God uses it in the context of gathered public worship within the local fellowship of believers. Great Bible teaching is available through various means, but your church is where God leads you in Christian growth. David’s final comments on today’s podcast will stay with you for a long time to come!

Today Jonathan and James welcome—not just any old theologian—but an Adonis! That’s Dr. Adonis Vidu, author and associate professor of theology at Gordon-Conwell Seminary. His latest book describes the Trinity and, more specifically, the doctrine of inseparable operations. Unfortunately, the Church has begun to view the Father, Son, and Spirit as three distinct beings, each with a different mission. The doctrine communicates the correct view of God as one in three Persons, operating in inseparable unity. Why is a correct view of the Trinity essential for the Church? How might an incorrect understanding of the triune Godhead affect our understanding of His divinity? Hear why Christ has always been about His Father’s work! We have a few copies of The Same God Who Works All Things: Inseparable Operations in Trinitarian Theology to give away, courtesy of Eerdmans Publishing. Register for an opportunity to win yours!

Old Testament Use of Old Testament - Part 2 Jonathan Master and James Dolezal are beginning the new year with one of their favorite chats of 2021! So, Gary Schnittjer returns this week to conclude a fascinating and vital conversation about his book Old Testament Use of Old Testament. Released just a few months ago, the book has already proven to be an essential tool in the hands of Bible scholars, pastors, and students of theology.   One tragic issue in the Church today is that great portions of the Old Testament are viewed as "non-essential" at best or even embarrassing for Christians. Gary demonstrates why reading scripture with Old Testament authors and walking with them is crucial. He encourages pastors to not shy away from using the Old Testament to help their congregations answer the difficult questions we face today. He also guides us through the structure of his book and offers helpful suggestions for use.    We are thrilled to be able to offer our listeners one final opportunity to win a free copy of Old Testament Use of Old Testament. Register! The books are a generous gift from our friends at Zondervan.

Old Testament Use of Old Testament - Part 1 NOTE: To begin the new year, Jonathan and James have chosen to repost one of their favorite interviews of 2021. This two-part conversation concludes on our next episode on 1/24/22.     Our hosts are delighted to welcome a friend and former colleague Gary E. Schnittjer. Gary joins them to discuss one of the most anticipated books of the year, Old Testament Use of Old Testament.    You’re likely familiar with how New Testament writers used the Old Testament. Gary explains that the New Testament authors modeled their interpretation based on how later Old Testament authors interpreted earlier Old Testament authors. His book is designed to help students and ministers make this connection and align their perspectives with the Old Testament authors as they study Scripture.    We’re giving away a copy of Old Testament Use of Old Testament. Register for the opportunity to win this great work published by Zondervan Academy.

Manual of Christian Doctrine   Working in close proximity for years provided many opportunities for conversation between Jonathan and James. An annual topic of concern: choosing the theology curriculum for undergraduate students, particularly those in their first year at the university. What’s the best single-volume introduction to theology? On this, our professors would agree: Manual of Christian Doctrine, published in 1933 by theologian Louis Berkhof. Our hosts regard the book as not just an academic resource for undergraduates but also a theological manual for all Christians.   Jonathan and James discuss the manageability, accessibility, clarity, and richness of content in this early 20th-century work. Listen to their compelling argument for a work that will surely enrich every Christian’s life. We have a few copies of Manual of Christian Doctrine that we are giving away. Register for the opportunity to win a free one. The copies are a complimentary gift from Eerdmans Publishing.

Do Calvinists believe in free will? Jonathan and James point to the Westminster Confession of Faith chapter 9 to help us tackle this turbulent topic. The Confession is very careful to qualify what it means for man to have free will while establishing the boundaries of human freedom. What does it mean to be “bound,” or to experience the loss of free will? If we affirm that man is free, well…what is man free from? What is he free for? This mind-expanding conversation will help calibrate your thinking! Show Notes ·  The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther The following listeners received a copy of The Way of Life by Charles Hodge thanks to our friends at Banner of Truth: Jonathan G. from Shippensburg, PA Mark L. from Altoona, PA Cindy B. from Borger, TX

Jonathan and James welcome Caleb Cangelosi. He’s the senior pastor of Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church in Ridgeland, MS, and the director and curator of Log College Press, an online archive of mostly 18th and 19th century documents of American Presbyterian writings. Log College Press is a free resource offering thousands of PDFs written by more than seventeen hundred authors from all flavors of American Presbyterianism. Caleb gives us insights on what prompted him to launch the project, on how he tracks down original works, and offers a sampling of the documents that are available at Log College Press.  The growing popularity of the site gave birth to the Dead Presbyterians Society! Tune in to discover the Society’s many benefits, and to learn how you can join.  We are pleased to offer our listeners the opportunity to win a free copy of Presbyterianism: Its History, Doctrine, Government and Worship. Register now!