Theology for the Church

In this week’s episode, Caleb is joined by Richard Lucas (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) Pastor of Teaching and Reaching at First Baptist Jacksonville to discuss God’s covenant with creation from a progressive covenantalist perspective. Together, they compare and contrast progressive covenantalism with dispensationalism and covenant theology to highlight how the creation covenant is foundational for the rest of the bible.ResourcesThe Creation Covenant According to Progressive Covenantalism: Laying the Right Foundation by Richard LucasKingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryGod's Kingdom through God's Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryChrist from Beginning to End: How the Full Story of Scripture Reveals the Full Glory of Christ by Stephen Wellum and Trent HunterAn Arc of the Covenants: Tracing How the Bible’s Storyline Climaxes in Christ by Jason DeRouchieCovenant and God's Purpose for the World by Thomas SchreinerGender Essentialism in Anthropological, Covenantal, and Christological Perspective by Michael Carlino and Kyle ClaunchAdam and the Covenant of Works by J.V. FeskoGod and Adam: Reformed Theology & The Creation Covenant by Rowland WardCovenant and Creation: An Old Testament Covenant Theology by William DumbrellGetting the Garden Right: Adam's Work and God's Rest in Light of Christ by Richard BarcellosRighteous By Design: Covenantal Merit and Adam's Original Integrity by Harrison Perkins

In this week’s episode, Caleb is joined by Peter Gentry (PhD, University of Toronto) Distinguished Visiting Professor of Old Testament and Senior Research Fellow at the Text & Canon Institute at Phoenix Seminary, to talk about the importance of covenantal relationships in the biblical story. Together, they discuss the similarities and differences between ancient Near Eastern covenants and and modern day contracts with how the Bible defines covenantal relationships before showing how the biblical covenants are more than a unifying theme of Scripture but the backbone to Scripture’s entire storyline.ResourcesKingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryGod's Kingdom through God's Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryAn Arc of the Covenants: Tracing How the Bible’s Storyline Climaxes in Christ by Jason DeRouchieCovenant and God's Purpose for the World by Thomas SchreinerCovenant and Creation: An Old Testament Covenant Theology by William Dumbrell

In this episode, Caleb is joined by Stephen Dempster (PhD, University of Toronto) professor emeritus of religious studies at Crandall University, to discuss a biblical theology of the kingdom of God. Together, they trace the themes of kingship and kingdom throughout Scripture exploring how the story of God’s kingship is ultimately the fulfillment of a promise to restore the rightful rule of humanity over creation by defeating sin and death and to establish a world of peace and justice.ResourcesThe Return of the Kingdom: A Biblical Theology of God's Reign by Stephen DempsterReturn of the Kingdom (concise essay) by Stephen DempsterKingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryThe End of the Beginning: Revelation 21-22 and the Old Testament by William DumbrellThe Kingdom of God (essay) by Graeme Goldsworthy God's Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible by Vaughan Roberts

In this episode, Caleb is joined by Mitch Chase (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) Preaching Pastor at Kosmosdale Baptist Church and Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Southern Seminary, to discuss his new book, Walking the Way of the Wise: A Biblical Theology of Wisdom. Together, they unpack how wisdom is not merely knowledge or cleverness but a life-giving path of joyful obedience to God's Word. By tracing the themes of wisdom and folly from Genesis to Revelation, this conversation illuminates the role of wisdom in the covenant life of God's people.ResourcesWalking the Way of the Wise: A Biblical Theology of Wisdom by Mitch Chase

In this episode, Caleb is joined by Ardel Caneday (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School), retired professor of New Testament at University of Northwestern in St. Paul Minnesota, to discuss a biblical theology of perseverance and assurance. Together they discuss eight different kinds of biblical passages that help give us a holistic understanding of these doctrines and their  relationship in light of the eschatological tension that pervades the New Testament. Prominent views on such things as the warnings, admonitions, and assurance of salvation passages in Scripture are discussed as well.Resources​The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance Assurance by Ardel Caneday and Thomas Schreiner​Covenant and Commandment: Works, Obedience and Faithfulness in the Christian Life by Bradley Green​Paul vs. James: What We've Been Missing in the Faith and Works Debate by Chris Bruno

In this episode, Caleb is joined by Stephen Presely (PhD, University of St. Andrews), Senior Fellow for Religion and Public Life at the Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy (CRCD) and Associate Professor of Church History at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to discuss his new book: Biblical Theology in the Life of the Early Church: Recovering an Ancient Vision. ResourcesBiblical Theology in the Life of the Early Church: Recovering an Ancient Vision by Stephen PresleyThe Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching: An Early Christian Writing by IrenaeusOn the Incarnation by AthanasiusOn God and Christ: The Five Theological Orations by Gregory of Nazianzus

In this episode, Caleb is joined by Matthew Bingham (PhD, Queen’s University Belfast) vice president of academic affairs and associate professor of church history at Phoenix Seminary in Scottsdale, Arizona to discuss his new book: A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation. Together they discuss spiritual formation practices that are consistent with the 5 solas of the Protestant Reformation.Resources:A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation by Matthew BinghamSpiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald WhitneyA Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life by J.I. PackerVoices from the Past: Puritan Devotional Readings various authors.

In this episode, Caleb is joined by August Konkel (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) Professor of Old Testament at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ontario Canada to discuss the theology of the book of Deuteronomy. Together they unpack the main idea, purpose, structure, key themes, and gospel connections. Resources: ESV Expository Commentary: Deuteronomy–Ruth by August Konkel (Deuteronomy)The Gospel According to Moses by Daniel BlockDeuteronomy: A 12-Week Study by Matthew PattonDeuteronomy: Loving Obedience to a Loving God by Ajith Fernando

Greg Beale, an expert in biblical theology from Reformed Theological Seminary, delves into the profound significance of the temple throughout scripture. He discusses Eden as the original sacred space and Adam's priestly role, tying it to the Israelite temple. The conversation also covers Jesus as the new temple, emphasizing His authority to forgive sins and the transformative nature of the church as God's temple. Beale highlights the church's identity and mission, illustrating the rich continuity of God's presence from Genesis to Revelation.

In this episode, Caleb has a conversation with his father, Tim Lenard, about fighting for faith while wrestling with cancer. Tim was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer three years ago and this conversation peels back the curtain into what kinds of questions and struggles have come up along the way as well as how the ordinary means of grace and Christ’s church have brought comfort, encouragement, and joy in the darkest days.