RTS Washington Faculty Podcast

Episode 49: Continuing on the Apostles’ Creed series, today the profs consider the next two statements: that Jesus “ascended to heaven“ and “is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.” Why are these affirmations significant for the work of Christ and our faith? And what does it mean that the Son of God becomes the Son of God? Listen as the biblical theology guys make the mess and the systematic theology guy fixes it.

Episode 48: Today the profs welcome Dr. Charlie M. Wingard to the conversation. Dr. Wingard serves as senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Yazoo City, Mississippi, and as associate professor of pastoral theology and dean of students at RTS Jackson. He’s also the author of Help for the New Pastor: Practical Advice for Your First Year of Ministry (P&R, 2018). As you might expect, the profs are excited to have a REAL pastor on the podcast. Enjoy the episode!

Episode 47: The profs discuss the next line on the Apostles’ Creed, which deals with the resurrection of Christ. What does the resurrection mean for Christ, our theology, the Christian life, and the church? How does the New Testament appropriate it? How does the Old Testament shed light on its significance? Despite Dr. Keene’s absence, this episode is still worth listening. Enjoy!

Episode 46: Today the profs discuss the controversial “descensus clause” in the Apostles’ Creed, i.e., that Jesus “descended into hell.” Is this a redundant statement, since the creed already says Jesus died and was buried? Is it the result of bad theology? Or is it rightly articulating the teaching of Scripture? Listen as the faculty engages with this issue from biblical, systematic, and Reformed perspectives.

Episode 45: The profs continue walking through this classical confession of Christian faith, and on this episode they discuss Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and burial. The Creed seems to slow down in order to highlight these events. Why? Why did Jesus die? And what did his death accomplish? How do we benefit from it? As a bonus, the profs give some fashion advice. Enjoy the conversation!

Episode 44: We pick back up our series on the Apostles’ Creed with a discussion on Jesus’ suffering “under Pontius Pilate.” Why does the Creed focus on this historical figure? What does Jesus’ humiliation demonstrate? How does his suffering underscore the uniqueness of the Christian faith? Also, don’t miss the profs’ insightful comments on the meaning of Pontius and the correct pronunciation of Pilate.

Episode 43 We are taking a break in this episode to talk through the tragic and unsettling events of the last few weeks. How can Christians find peace amidst unrest? How do we "seek first His Kingdom" while seeking good in this world? What does pastoral ministry look like when everyone's mind is elsewhere? Join our conversation.

Episode 42 It's that time of year when some of us are resolving to do better. We want to pray more, eat less, learn a new skill, or finish what we started. Why do we resolve, and what makes the new year a particularly appropriate time for such resolutions? The faculty engages these questions from a biblical and theological perspective.

Episode 41 As 2020 comes to an end, we take time to reflect on lessons we have learned and things we are grateful for over the course of this wild year. Highlights: God, pastors, fear, this podcast, and YOU our listeners.

Episode 40 Continuing our series through the Apostles’ Creed, today we talk about the other side of the incarnation: the Son was not only “conceived of by the Holy Spirit“ but also “born of the Virgin Mary.” What’s the significance of this uniquely miraculous birth? We touch on other miraculous births in the Bible, the Magnificat, Mary as theotokos, and Jesus’ qualifications as our Savior. Merry Christmas!