Reformed Forum

In this conversation from the Reformation and Worship Conference, Camden Bucey speaks with Dr. Jonathan Master, president of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, about the unshakable relationship between doctrine and life. Drawing on J. Gresham Machen's insight that Christianity for Paul was not only a life but also a doctrine—and logically, the doctrine came first, Master reminds us that Christianity is irreducibly doctrinal. Without doctrine, there is no gospel. They discuss Greenville's pastoral training mission, the seminary's remarkable 92% long-term ministry retention rate, and why theological integrity in vows, confessional subscription, and seminary education is essential for the health of Christ's church. Master insists that doctrine is not a straitjacket—it's the lifeblood of the church's joy, sincerity, and freedom in Christ. 00:00 Introduction and Conference Setting 02:00 Introducing Dr. Jonathan Master and Greenville Seminary 04:10 Doctrine Before Life: Machen's Insight 08:30 Theological Integrity and Confessional Fidelity 12:40 Training Pastors for a Lifetime of Ministry 17:00 Why Christianity Is Irreducibly Doctrinal 21:15 Confessions as Gifts, Not Straitjackets 25:00 Doctrine That Shapes Life and Love 29:30 Seminary Education and Church Health 33:45 Closing Reflections on Faithful Ministry

Dr. Camden Bucey speaks at the Reformed Forum Annual Theology Conference, held at Lakeland Church in Gurnee, Illinois on September 27, 2025. Dr. Bucey weaves together the themes of the previous lectures into one coherent narrative centered on Christ. The address establishes that the entire grand narrative of Scripture, from the promise of the serpent-crushing seed in Eden to the apocalyptic visions of Daniel, is converging on the single, brilliant point of Christ's person and work. Dr. Bucey emphasizes that Christ's incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension constitute the central objective act of redemption and bring the era of special revelation to its completion. The focus is on Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God, who is the ultimate fulfillment of all covenant promises and redemptive types, particularly the Passover, and the one who brings history to its appointed, glorious consummation, which is the eternal Sabbath rest of God's kingdom. Chapter Markers 00:00 - Introduction: Reformed Forum Conference and Speaker/Topic 00:23 - Bringing Together the Covenantal Threads (Eden, Abraham, David, Exile) 01:44 - Scripture as a Single, Coherent, Unfolding Narrative 03:43 - Christ's Redemptive Acts Complete Special Revelation and Close the Canon 04:37 - The Alpha Creator is the Omega Consummator: The Prophetic Sabbath Rest 05:21 - The Exodus and the Passover as Foundational Redemptive Types 06:16 - Standing at the Summit: The Lamb of God in Whom All Scripture Finds its 'Yes and Amen' 07:09 - Luke 24: Christ's Hermeneutical Key to the Canon (Law, Prophets, Psalms) 09:21 - Essential Element 1: Divine Necessity (The Greek dei - "Must Be Fulfilled") 10:44 - Essential Element 2: The Scope of Fulfillment ("Everything Written About Me") 13:39 - Essential Element 3: Christ's Work as the Fulfillment (The telos - Goal and Consummation) 17:09 - Christ as the True Passover Lamb: John the Baptist's Proclamation 20:10 - Fulfillment in the New Testament: The Eschatological Passover Meal (Last Supper) and True Exodus (Cross) 22:44 - Christ in Consummation: The Lion of Judah is a Lamb That Was Slain (Revelation 5) 24:58 - The Lamb's Worthiness and the Eruption of Universal Worship 27:08 - The Lamb's Work in Consummation: Fulfilling Eden, Abraham, David, and Passover 29:38 - Living in the Already and Not Yet: Awaiting the Final Consummation 32:43 - Living in Light of the Consummation: Witnesses, Worshippers, and Those Who Wait 35:19 - The Unchanging Goal: God Glorified in and Through the Lamb (From Garden to City) 37:32 - Eternal Worship: Joining the Praise of Heaven and Earth (Revelation 5:13) 39:04 - Conclusion

Dr. Daniel Ragusa, a Reformed theologian and ordained minister, delves into the themes of exile and restoration through Christ. He explains how Israel's exile reflects a deep human longing for God's presence, contrasting it with the pilgrimage described in Psalm 23. Ragusa emphasizes the redemptive promise found in the Heidelberg Catechism, illustrating a journey from the valley of exile to the mountain of God. He also highlights Christ's role as the ultimate mediator and the hope that shines through prophetic voices, ultimately fulfilled in the gospel.

Dr. R. Carlton Wynne speaks at the Reformed Forum Annual Theology Conference, held at Lakeland Church in Gurnee, Illinois on September 27, 2025. Dr. Wynne explores how the vast portion of the Old Testament covering the monarchy and prophetic periods (approximately 417 chapters) points to Jesus Christ. Dr. Wynne first establishes the central, Christ-centered scope of all Scripture, affirming that everything in the Old Testament looks forward to and finds its fulfillment in Christ's person and work, including his death and resurrection. The address then moves beyond viewing Christ merely as being prefigured in the Old Testament through "scale models" or "macro typology." Instead, it seeks a deeper sense in which the pre-incarnate Christ's power and heavenly kingdom principles were actively revealed through the history of Israel's kings and prophets, positioning these figures and institutions as intrusions of heavenly glory mediated by Christ himself. Chapter Markers 00:00 - Introduction: Reformed Forum Conference and Speaker/Topic Introduction 00:23 - Welcome and Scope of the Address (Monarchy and Prophets) 03:19 - Speaker's Three Goals for the Address 03:56 - The Gospel is First and Foremost About Jesus Christ 04:36 - Question 1: What exactly do we mean by Christ being in the Old Testament? * 05:44 - Christ's "Crash Course in Old Testament Hermeneutics" (Luke 24) 08:16 - Moving Beyond Mere Prediction: Was Christ's Power and Glory Revealed Before His Incarnation? 08:41 - The View of Macro Typology (Graeme Goldsworthy) 14:36 - Goal 2: Interpreting the Old Testament with Reformed Voices (Vos, Murray, Owen) 21:40 - Goal 3 (Main Topic): The Monarchy and Prophets as Intrusions of the Heavenly Kingdom 23:25 - The Davidic Covenant and the Kingdom's Typological Rest 25:27 - Israel's Demand for a King: Mistaking the Shadow for the Substance 28:25 - God's Design for the Davidic King (Insights from Proverbs) 30:17 - The Great Example: King David and the Heavenly King 35:23 - Jesus Christ as the Exalted King of all Flesh 36:48 - The Prophets' Role: Calling the Monarchy to its Christ-Centered Design 38:52 - The Suffering of the Prophets as a Type of Christ 41:26 - Conclusion: Christ is the Source, Foundation, and Substance of Every Blessing 42:28 - Christ, Our High Priest and King of Kings 43:54 - Final Exhortation and Benediction 44:30 - Closing Remarks

This is the ninth lesson in Dr. William Wood's Reformed Academy course, Redemptive History and the Regulative Principle of Worship. This lesson covers the following topics: 0:00 Heavenly Worship through Song 8:05 Songs in Redemptive History from Adam to Moses 22:04 David, The Psalter, and Temple Worship 46:23 Singing in the New Testament Era 1:00:37 The Regulative Principle and Exclusive Psalmody Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-seven additional video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/red... Your donations help us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you worldwide: https://reformedforum.org/donate/ #biblicaltheology #worship #reformedtheology

In this episode, Camden Bucey speaks with Danny Olinger, General Secretary of the OPC Committee on Christian Education, about his new book Christ and His Church-Bride: Meredith G. Kline's Biblical-Theological Reading of Revelation (Reformed Forum). Olinger traces how Kline's covenantal and redemptive-historical reading of Revelation portrays the church's transformation into the radiant Bride of Christ, moving from imperfection and suffering in the present age to consummate glory in the new creation. The discussion unfolds key themes of recapitulation, the conflict between Babylon and the Bride, and the covenantal drama of creation to consummation. Through rich historical and exegetical reflection, Olinger shows how Kline weaves together Genesis, Daniel, Zechariah, and Revelation to present a unified vision of redemptive history centered on Christ's victory and the Spirit's work in the church. The conversation is both theologically rigorous and pastorally hopeful—reminding listeners that Christ reigns now, the church's pilgrim identity is secure, and the gospel's progress continues unthwarted by the powers of this world. Watch on YouTube Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Book Announcement 06:27 Origins of the Book and Rediscovery of Kline's Revelation Paper 11:19 Kline's Covenant Drama: Creation to Consummation 20:55 Understanding Recapitulation in Revelation 26:24 The Deeper Conflict: The Woman, the Dragon, and the Church 31:18 The Church Imperfect and Perfected in Glory 34:25 The Armageddon Paradigm and Covenant Mount 37:51 Christ and His Church-Bride: Theological and Pastoral Heart 48:13 The New Jerusalem and the Covenant of Grace 53:09 Suffering, Sanctification, and the Bride's Purification 57:07 Babylon vs. the Bride: The Church's Pilgrim Calling 01:01:02 Christ Reigns Now: Hope for the Pilgrim Church 01:04:29 Closing, Resources, and Final Reflections

Dr. James Cassidy speaks at the Reformed Forum Annual Theology Conference, held at Lakeland Church in Gurnee, Illinois on September 27, 2025. The lecture, titled "The Seed of Abraham, Christ in the patriarchs and the promise" by Dr. James Cassidy, addresses the common theological perception that New Testament authors, particularly the Apostle Paul in Galatians 3, give a "surprise ending" to the Old Testament, seemingly reading it against its original intent. Dr. Cassidy argues against this view by showing that the Abrahamic Covenant is fundamentally a covenant of grace, centered on Christ as the singular "offspring" of promise. He explains that the promise is both individual (Christ himself) and collective (all those redeemed through him from every nation), a subtlety Paul rightly handles without misinterpreting Genesis. Crucially, the address highlights that the subsequent giving of the Mosaic Law 430 years later did not and could not annul the original promise of justification by faith, thereby maintaining the primacy and immutability of God's covenant of grace. Chapter Markers 00:00 - Introduction 00:23 - Greetings and Reading of Galatians 3:15–20 02:20 - The "Surprise Ending" View of the New Testament Reading the Old Testament 04:13 - Three Parts of the Address: Paul's Theology, Eschatology, and Primacy of the New Testament Reading 04:35 - Part 1: Paul's Theology of Abraham's Offspring (Galatians 3) 05:25 - Argument from the Lesser to the Greater: Human vs. Divine Covenants 07:13 - Paul's Interpretation: Offspring is Singular (Christ) and not Plural (Ethnic Israel) 08:24 - The Grammatical Ambiguity of "Offspring" (Collective and Individual) 11:12 - The Individual and Collective Scope of the Offspring (Christ and the Church) 11:35 - The Law's Function: It Did Not Annul the Promise to Abraham 13:30 - The True Seed of Abraham is Christ and Those In Him 14:13 - Part 2: The Eschatology of Abraham's Promise 15:35 - The Delay in Fulfillment: Hope Against Hope (Romans 4) 18:24 - Abraham as the Archetypal Believer and the Nature of Saving Faith 20:18 - The Promised Land and the City Whose Builder is God (Heavenly Fulfillment) 22:15 - Christ is the Mediator of the Abrahamic Covenant 23:43 - The Abrahamic Covenant's Fulfillment in the New Covenant 25:27 - **Part 3:** The Primacy of the New Testament's Reading of the Old 26:40 - Reading the Old Testament Through the Lens of Christ 28:13 - The New Testament is the Proper Hermeneutical Key to the Old 30:17 - Application: Gospel Living and World Missions 32:00 - Conclusion and The Blessings to All Nations 35:55 - Final Exhortation

Dr. Lane Tipton speaks at the Reformed Forum Annual Theology Conference, held at Lakeland Church in Gurnee, Illinois on September 27, 2025. Dr. Tipton presents Jesus Christ as the "mountain ascending mediator" and the promised seed of the woman from Genesis 3:15. Dr. Tipton argues that God's plan for redemption is framed by the concept of a holy mountain dwelling, beginning with heaven itself and its earthly counterpart, the Garden of Eden. After Adam's fall and subsequent exile from the holy mountain, God announced the first promise of the gospel—that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head. This salvific ascent was foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament on key mountains (Ararat, Sinai, Moriah, and Zion), all pointing to the final ascent of Christ. Through his sacrifice, Christ successfully ascended to the heavenly mountain, providing covering for sin, overcoming the devil, and bringing his people to see God in perfected worship and everlasting beatitude. Watch on YouTube 00:00 – Introduction: The Seed of the Woman 00:24 – Christ, the Mountain-Ascending Mediator 01:00 – Heaven: The Original Mountain Temple 02:20 – Eden as Earthly Replica of Heaven 05:30 – The Covenant of Works on the Holy Mountain 07:00 – The Fall and the Promise of the Gospel 09:00 – The Proto-Evangelium: Blood and Fire 10:40 – Mountains of God: Ararat to Zion 11:00 – Heaven as Temple and Mountain of Assembly 14:00 – The Fall of Satan and the Holiness of Heaven 17:00 – Eden as Holy Mountain Sanctuary 21:00 – Adam the Priestly Guardian 23:30 – Covenant Goal: From Earthly to Heavenly Rest 27:00 – The Fall and Banishment from Eden 30:00 – The Promise of the Seed and the Symbols of Blood and Fire 33:00 – The Typological Pattern: Blood and Fire on God's Mountains 35:00 – Mount Ararat: Worship and Rest after Judgment 39:00 – Mount Sinai: Ascent through Blood and Fire 45:00 – Mount Moriah and Mount Zion: The Lord Will Provide 49:00 – The Glory Descends: Temple Worship and God's Presence 52:00 – Christ, the True Mountain-Ascending Mediator 55:00 – Hebrews: The Second Adam and True Moses 59:00 – Christ's Ascent and Heavenly Rest 1:02:00 – The Consuming Fire and the Final Ascent 1:05:00 – The New Jerusalem and the Mountain of Glory 1:07:00 – Worship the Mountain-Ascending Mediator 1:09:00 – Closing and Reformed Forum Outro

This is the eighth lesson in Dr. William Wood's Reformed Academy course, Redemptive History and the Regulative Principle of Worship. This lesson covers the following topics: 0:00 Sabbath as Creation Ordinance 14:28 The When of Worship in the Patriarchal Period 17:09 Mosaic Legislation about the When of Worship 28:58 The Lord's Day as Christian Sabbath 37:08 Answering Objections Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-seven additional video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/red... Your donations help us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you worldwide: https://reformedforum.org/donate/ #biblicaltheology #worship #reformedtheology

In this episode, Camden Bucey sits down with Carlton Wynne and Marc Harrington at the Reformation and Worship Conference hosted by Midway PCA. Together they reflect on the beauty and theological significance of Reformed worship—where form and content work together to glorify God. The conversation explores how music shapes the soul, why pastors must think theologically about song selection, and how the unity and maturity of the church depend on maintaining the fixed truth of Scripture. From discussions of Scott Aniol's lecture on music that accords with sound doctrine to Wynne's reflections on doctrinal immutability, the episode reminds us that worship is not mere performance—it's the embodied response of the redeemed to the unchanging God. The conversation concludes with reflections on confessional fidelity, the training of pastors, and the importance of cultivating a love for Reformed unity grounded in truth. Chapters 00:07 Introduction 02:47 Introduction to the Reformation and Worship Conference 03:58 The Conference's Heritage, Accessibility, and Scholarship 05:09 The Worship at the Conference (Hymns and Psalms) 06:32 A Variety of Conference Sessions and Speakers 07:21 Discussion of Scott Aniol's Session on Music and Worship 08:14 Music that Accords with Sound Doctrine (Titus 2) 11:39 The Importance of Tune and Singability in Hymns 14:46 The Pastor's Role in Music and the Worship Service as a Cohesive Unit 20:13 Carlton Wynne's Breakout: Why the Church Must Maintain Fixed Truth 22:31 Why Truth Must Be Maintained (Confessionalism) 24:06 The Connection Between Fixed Truth and Faithful Worship 27:01 The Fixed Self in Christ and Eternal Life 30:00 Council from Dr. Godfrey: Be Reformed Unashamedly 31:07 Teaching the Westminster Standards to New Members 33:55 Using Confessions to Filter Music for Worship 37:34 Organizing Theology around the Westminster Confession of Faith 41:00 Teaching Redemption Accomplished vs. Redemption Applied 43:40 The Importance of the Regulative Principle of Worship 47:22 Conclusion