Reformed Forum

In this episode, we explore the biblical and historical foundations of Presbyterian church government through the lens of the three-office view—minister, ruling elder, and deacon. Joining us are two distinguished guests: Mark R. Brown, editor of Order in the Offices, and Gregory Edward Reynolds, contributor to the volume and editor of Ordained Servant: A Journal for Church Officers. Together, we discuss the scriptural and theological arguments for distinguishing the minister of the Word from the ruling elder, why this distinction matters for the health of the church, and the modern challenges facing Presbyterian polity. Brown shares insights from his decades-long defense of the three-office view, while Reynolds unpacks his essay, "Democracy and the Denigration of Office," explaining how cultural influences have shaped and distorted church governance. Whether you're a church officer, seminarian, or simply interested in Reformed ecclesiology, this conversation offers a compelling case for recovering the historic Presbyterian model of church leadership. Mark R. Brown is a minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. He is a graduate of Geneva College and Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. After completing his seminary education in 1977, he planted Westminster Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, where he faithfully served as pastor for forty years until his retirement in 2017. Greg Reynolds is a minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church who has served as a church planter and pastor in both New York and New Hampshire. Before entering the ministry, he worked in the field of architecture. In addition to his pastoral work, he is the editor of Ordained Servant: A Journal for Church Officers, where he has contributed numerous essays on ecclesiology and pastoral ministry. Reynolds is the author of The Word Is Worth a Thousand Pictures: Preaching in the Electronic Age, which explores the impact of media on preaching and worship. His academic background includes studies at the Boston Architectural College, the L’Abri Fellowship, Covenant College (BA, 1975), Westminster Theological Seminary (MDiv, 1979), and Westminster Seminary in California (DMin, 2001)​. This is Christ the Center episode 899 (https://www.reformedforum.org/ctc899)

This is the seventh lesson in Dr. Daniel Ragusa’s Reformed Academy course, Fullness of Joy: A Biblical Theology of God with Us.  This lesson covers the following topics: 0:00 Shift from Promise to Fulfillment 2:24 Jesus as the True Temple 8:28 The Resurrection and Ascension 13:22 Being Drawn Heavenward by Christ Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress, download supplemental materials, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-five additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/ful... Your donations enable us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you all across the world: https://reformedforum.org/donate/ #biblicaltheology #Immanuel #reformedtheology

In this episode we welcome Dr. Jean Decorvet and Dr. Kenneth Stewart to explore The Geneva Réveil, a significant yet often overlooked nineteenth-century evangelical revival that reshaped French-speaking Protestantism and left a lasting global impact. We discuss the origins, theological dynamics, and international reach of this movement, featured in the new volume, The Geneva Réveil in International Perspective. Dr. Decorvet shares personal insights, including his family’s connection to Adolphe Monod—known as “the voice of the revival”—while Dr. Stewart highlights the fascinating transatlantic ties between the Réveil and American Presbyterianism. The conversation considers the blend of warm piety and Reformed orthodoxy that fueled the movement, its influence on hymnody, social reform (including the founding of the Red Cross), and the broader currents of nineteenth-century evangelicalism. Listen to discover how the Geneva Réveil not only revitalized Francophone Protestantism but also shaped the course of global missions, theological education, and the enduring legacy of Reformed thought. Chapters 00:00:07 Introduction 00:05:32 Familiarity with the Genevan Reveil 00:11:31 European Roots of the Evangelical Free Church 00:12:50 Historical Background and Context 00:17:52 Unique Aspects of the Genevan Reveil 00:22:02 Pietism and Calvinist Orthodoxy 00:28:53 The Reveil and Theological Liberalism 00:31:33 The Far-Reaching Effects of the Reveil 00:38:12 Roman Catholicism and the Reveil 00:44:17 American Presbyterian Influence on the Reveil 00:50:41 Louis Gaussen’s Influence 00:58:49 Looking to the Future 01:01:59 Conclusion

This is the sixth lesson in Dr. Daniel Ragusa’s Reformed Academy course, Fullness of Joy: A Biblical Theology of God with Us. This lesson covers the following topics: 0:00 In the Days of Kings 4:14 God Sends His People into Exile 9:55 Promises of the New Covenant, New Jerusalem, and New Temple 16:09 Return from Exile Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress, download supplemental materials, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-five additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/ful... Your donations enable us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you all across the world: https://reformedforum.org/donate/ #biblicaltheology #Immanuel #reformedtheology

In our weekly livestream for March 7, 2025, Camden Bucey first speaks with Jonathan Master about the upcoming Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary conference focused on pastoral ministry. They explore the theological significance of the pastoral office and the communal aspects of the conference. In the second segment, Bucey speaks with David Noe, Tyson Watson, and Joan Crist about an innovative project centered on Calvin's Latin Bible. The panel details their collaborative work to make this important historical text more accessible to contemporary readers. They address the challenges of translation, their quality control processes, and the technological solutions they've developed. Joan Crist shares her personal journey to Reformed theology and explains how their project includes resources for learning Latin while engaging with Reformed theological traditions. The conversation highlights the enduring importance of liturgy and Latin in theological education, while offering insights into future developments of their digital platform. To learn more: GPTS Conference: The Pastor: His Call, Character, and Work Calvin's Latin Bible: Latin Per Diem Video Introduction: YouTube

In this episode we turn to Geerhardus Vos’s discussion on divine fatherhood as presented in Biblical Theology (pp. 365–369). Vos masterfully traces the theme of God’s fatherhood from the Old Testament to the New, demonstrating both its continuity and the profound transformation it undergoes in Jesus’ teaching. We explore key theological distinctions, including: The development from a national to an individual application of fatherhood The redemptive, rather than universal, nature of divine sonship Jesus’ unique relationship with the Father and its implications for believers The eschatological significance of adoption into God’s family Along the way, we challenge modern misconceptions about the fatherhood of God and discuss why Vos firmly rejects the notion of universal divine fatherhood. Join us as we uncover the richness of this biblical doctrine and consider its implications for the Christian life. Watch on YouTube and Vimeo. Chapters 00:07 Introduction 05:31 The Divine Fatherhood of God 10:37 Biblical References to God as Father 14:13 God as a Father to the Nation of Israel 17:26 The Scope of Divine Fatherhood 21:38 Divine Fatherhood Is Not a Macro-Attribute 24:26 The Redemptive and Eschatological Nature of Divine Fatherhood 29:45 God Relating to Believers as Father 34:23 Clarifications on Alleged Universal Fatherhood 38:37 Expansion of the Concept in the New Covenant 43:50 The Practical Import of Divine Fatherhood 46:59 Conclusion This is Christ the Center episode 897 (https://www.reformedforum.org/ctc897)

What happens when you leave the people of God and venture to a far country? And when tragedy strikes there, is there any hope that God’s grace can restore what sin has devastated? Welcome to the book of Ruth, where we find curse and death but also God’s amazing grace. Ruth reveals the power of God’s grace in Christ to bring fullness where there was emptiness.

This is the fifth lesson in Dr. Daniel Ragusa’s Reformed Academy course, Fullness of Joy: A Biblical Theology of God with Us. This lesson covers the following topics:  0:00 Introduction 2:53 Entering the Promised Land 6:17 King David and the Tabernacle 9:29 Temple in Jerusalem Built by Solomon 14:54 Looking Forward to the New Jerusalem Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress, download supplemental materials, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-five additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/ful... Your donations enable us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you all across the world: https://reformedforum.org/donate/ #biblicaltheology #Immanuel #reformedtheology

Dan Borvan, pastor of Christ Reformed Church and contributor to Abounding Grace Radio, dives into the pressing issue of the pastor shortage in the Reformed community. He discusses the reluctance of young men to relocate for ministry jobs and the changing mindset around pastoral work. The conversation also highlights innovative solutions like merging congregations and embracing bivocational ministry. Lastly, they stress the importance of revitalizing ministerial education to cultivate future church leaders, ensuring the Reformed tradition thrives.

In this special live recording of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey, Lane Tipton, Jim Cassidy, and guest Marcus Mininger explore the vital topic of redemptive historical interpretation. Dr. Mininger is Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Mid-America Reformed Seminary and author of Uncovering the Theme of Revelation in Romans 1:16–3:26: Discovering a New Approach to Paul’s Argument (Mohr Siebeck). Recorded in Oklahoma City as part of Reformed Forum’s Redemptive History Seminar, this discussion examines how Scripture should be read and understood through the lens of God’s unfolding revelation in Christ. Dr. Mininger provides fresh insights into Romans 1–3, uncovering the biblical theme of revelation and how it shapes our understanding of God’s righteousness. The conversation also tackles Hebrews 6, a notoriously difficult passage, through a redemptive historical framework—showing why a return to the Old Covenant is both impossible and perilous. Throughout the episode, the panel reflects on the importance of a Christ-centered hermeneutic, the role of Scripture as its own interpreter, and how biblical theology helps believers grasp the grand narrative of redemption. The discussion concludes with engaging audience questions, further unpacking key interpretive challenges. Join us for this rich theological discussion and discover how reading Scripture in its redemptive historical context deepens our understanding of God’s Word. Chapters 00:00:07 Welcome and Introduction 00:04:01 Introduction to the Live Podcast Session 00:07:02 What is Redemptive Historical Interpretation? 00:13:23 The Importance of a Christ-Centered Hermeneutic 00:20:13 Understanding Paul’s Argument in Romans 1-3 00:34:36 Exploring the Theme of Revelation in Romans 00:54:06 The Bible as Its Own Interpreter 01:00:21 A Redemptive Historical Reading of Hebrews 6 01:08:44 The “Jetway” Illustration for the Old and New Covenants 01:11:45 Audience Questions and Discussion