Reformed Forum

Jim Cassidy, a pastor and author focused on the themes of Job, and Dan Ragusa, who delves into 2 Peter, share insights on redemptive-historical Bible studies. They explore complex topics like the significance of suffering in Job, divine justice, and how 2 Peter fortifies believers against false teachings. Cassidy emphasizes a Christ-centered approach to understanding Scripture, while Ragusa connects Old Testament references to modern Christian life. Together, they advocate for a transformative reading of the Bible that reveals its unified message of redemption.

Dr. William Wood, a theological educator specializing in covenant and worship, dives deep into the significance of oaths and vows in both the Old and New Testaments. He explores the Old Testament laws governing these promises, examining key figures like Jacob and Hannah as exemplars of faithfulness. The discussion also critiques negative examples, such as Jephthah and Absalom. Dr. Wood highlights the voluntary nature of vows, their ties to covenant obedience, and the intricate structure of oaths, emphasizing their relevance in contemporary worship.

Chad Van Dixhoorn, a historian and professor at Reformed Theological Seminary, shares insights on the Westminster Assembly's pursuit of theological clarity through collaboration. He emphasizes that the Westminster Confession embodies compromise without being a compromise document. The conversation touches on the importance of respectful debate, the varied tones of confession chapters, and the need for confessions to unite rather than constantly be rewritten. Van Dixhoorn also discusses doctrinal preaching and the balance between scriptural authority and catechism-based teachings.

On today's episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. Having discussed the faithfulness of God's people in the midst of fiery trials in Daniel 3, we take a look at Nebuchadnezzar's response to that ordeal, he praises God or is it the gods?

This is the eleventh 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 Introduction 3:58 Tithing in the Patriarchal Narratives 13:59 Tithing in the Mosaic Era 26:40 Tithing in Malachi 33:26 Giving in the New Testament 40:15 Giving as a Continuing Act of Worship 53:08 Concluding Observations 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 of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton explore Geerhardus Vos's profound treatment of faith in the Gospel of John (pp. 390–392 of Biblical Theology). Vos unfolds faith not as an abstract belief but as a living, continuous union with the incarnate and ascended Truth—Jesus Christ Himself. John's theology binds faith and truth together: the Son comes down from heaven as the true light, true bread, true vine, and the Truth (John 1:9; 6:32; 15:1; 14:6). Faith, therefore, is a Spirit-wrought communion with the heavenly reality revealed in Him. Tipton and Bucey trace how this Johannine vision lifts believers from the shadowy worship of the old covenant to true, eschatological worship "in spirit and in truth." Faith beholds Christ even now, anticipating the beatific vision. In contrast to philosophical or impersonal notions of truth, Vos insists that truth is personal, Trinitarian, and heavenly—rooted in the self-revealing God. Thus, saving faith is not blind trust but an intimate, knowing participation in the life of the risen Christ, a foretaste of the age to come. Order Lane Tipton's book, Introduction to the Theology and Apologetics of Van Til Chapters 00:07 Introduction 01:44 New Book: Introduction to the Theology and Apologetics of Cornelius Van Til 11:11 Faith in the Gospel of John 16:19 Defining Truth According to the Son 26:49 Heaven and the Truth 29:44 The Typological Dimension of Truth 34:32 Faith as the Human Relation to Truth 37:35 Faith Anticipates the Glorified Christ 40:56 Faith, Unbelief, and Knowledge 44:25 Faith and Beholding the Lord 46:48 Scripture and the Truth 52:00 The Need for More Redemptive-Historical Study in John 57:40 Conclusion

This is the tenth 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 What is Prayer? 10:02 Old Testament Prayer Narratives 24:20 The Role of Prayer in Liturgical Ascent 33:36 New Covenant Prayer and Christ's Heavenly Intercession 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 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.