Reformed Forum

In this installment of #VosGroup, we turn to pages 198–199 of Vos’ book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider critical theories of prophetism. We extend and amplify the material in these pages more than usual by connecting Vos's teaching to the theology of Karl Barth and other modernist approaches. Broadly, the term can be associated with “instrument of revelation” and this is so important to note. For Vos, contra Barth, there is a direct, organic disclosure of God’s revealed truth in our calendar-time history. It is not in a distinct, third-time dimension that Barth calls Geschichte that “revelation” occurs. For Barth, revelation is Jesus Christ in a distinct time dimension, God’s third time for us, that “revelation” occurs. Revelation is Jesus Christ. The Scriptures, the prophets and calendar time history are not themselves revelation–they only point to revelation. Revelation is a “supra-historical” event in a time dimension altogether different from our calendar time. But Vos would say

Jeff Waddington speaks about the characteristics of natural and special revelation and their relationship to one another. Jeff recently delivered a lecture at Westminster Theological Seminary on the subject. https://youtu.be/Rli32nwewxw

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob return to John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress. In the section covered this week, we continue with Apollyon's confrontation of Christian in the Valley of Humiliation. With his words failing to persuade Christian to return to the City of Destruction, Apollyon rages and a glorious fight ensues. 

William Perkins (1558–1602), often called “the father of Puritanism,” was a master preacher and teacher of Reformed, experiential theology. Greg Salazar speaks about Perkins's works on predestination and his influence upon the Puritan and Reformed tradition. In speaking of predestination, we also cover related topics on Perkins's theology such as his Christology, his understanding of the ordo salutis, and even his views on Christian forms of memory recall. Dr. Salazar is Assistant Professor of Historical Theology for the PhD program at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Along with Dr. Joel Beeke, he has edited volume six of Perkins's works with Reformation Heritage Books. https://youtu.be/MRS2Emat6Rs

This week's episode of Theology Simply Profound brings Rob and Bob to Stage 4 of John Bunyan's, The Pilgrim's Progress. Here, moving on from the House Beautiful, Christian enters the Valley of Humiliation and is confronted by Apollyon where a war of words begins between the two. 

Cory Brock and Nathaniel Gray Sutanto speak about Herman Bavinck's Philosophy of Revelation (Hendrickson Publishers). Drs. Brock and Sutanto have edited a new annotated edition of Bavinck's Stone Lectures, which were delivered at Princeton in 1908. Other than his Reformed Dogmatics, this is Bavinck's most important work. We are blessed to welcome new editions and translations of these works. Along with James Eglinton, Brock and Sutanto are also editing Bavinck’s Christian Worldview, scheduled to be published by Crossway next year. Cory Brock is Minister of Young Adults and College at First Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Jackson, MS. He also serves on the faculty of Belhaven University teaching biblical studies. Nathaniel Gray Sutanto is Assistant Pastor at Covenant City Church in Jakarta, Indonesia. https://youtu.be/Y-yaTopNdzw

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob take another walk through John Bunyan's, The Pilgrim's Progress. In this episode we discuss Christian's strong response to his falling asleep, as well as his conversations with Watchful, Discretion, Prudence, Piety, and Chastity. These are those he meets on the way to and in the house described as beautiful, a place of relief and security for pilgrims.

Danny Olinger speaks about the life and thought of Geerhardus Vos. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. has identified Vos as the father of Reformed biblical theology and we take the time to speak of his contribution and legacy. Rev. Olinger is General Secretary for the OPC Committee on Christian Education. He has written a tremendous biography of Vos, titled Geerhardus Vos: Reformed Biblical Theologian, Confessional Presbyterian. The book is published by Reformed Forum and available for purchase.

Lane Keister speaks about features of Ezekiel 9–10 that help us understand the identity of the man of linen in the passage. Rev. Keister's article, "The Man in Linen: A New and Old Interpretation of Ezekiel 9–10" is published in issue 14 of the Confessional Presbyterian Journal (2018). Lane Keister is the pastor of Momence OPC in Momence, Illinois and a PhD student at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. https://youtu.be/Bi2eFU1fI6M

In this week's episode of Theology Simply Profound, the journey continues through The Pilgrim's Progress. Rob and Bob begin to discuss Stage 3 of Christian's journey from the Interpreter's House to the foot of the Cross and then along a difficult path eventually making his way to the Hill Difficulty. In this context, we come to matter concerning salvation, fear, doubt, and assurance.

We continue our #VosGroup series in pages 194–197 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider the biblical conception of prophetism. We discuss the Greek and pagan conceptions and their connection to contemporary modernist conceptions. Vos has in view here a Hellenic, and not New Testament, conception of the prophet. Some would seek to understand prophet as a foreteller, which brings into view predictive prophecy—a telling of a situation in advance of the actual occurrence of the situation. However, it is not proper to take the concept in this direction only. While there is a predictive element present in much of what the prophets communicate, it is better to take them as foretellers in a local sense. This means that prophet is one who speaks an oracle from God. It is a place in time where one speaks on behalf of God. However, the Greek terms, as it appears in a Hellenic, extra-biblical context, has a different connotation, and this is critical to grasp, that we must reject. That

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue their journey through John Bunyan's, The Pilgrim's Progress. From the Wicket Gate, Christian encounters Good Will and Interpreter whose house has many rooms. Interpreter leads Christian from one room to another explaining what Christian sees along the way in this second stage of our discussion of this classic book.

The Westminster Larger Catechism, Question and Answer 154 describes the ordinary and outwards means of grace as the Word, sacraments, and prayer. We discuss these ordinary means and how they apply to the day-to-day ministry of the local church. https://youtu.be/WOhnDru4630

This week on Theology Simply Profound, with some brief introductory remarks about reading fiction and allegory using J.R.R. Tolkien, Rob and Bob set out on a little journey of their own following Christian as he makes his way out of the City of Destruction toward the Wicket Gate with the help of Evangelist in this first stage our new discussion of John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress. 

Glen Clary compares and contrasts the Reformation liturgies of Martin Bucer, John Calvin, and John Knox. Studying each of these helps us to understand the significance of worship reformed according to Scripture and focuses our attention upon worship in our present day. Further Reading Knox Liturgy Genevan Liturgy Catholic Describes Communion Service in Calvin's Church John Knox and Public Prayer https://youtu.be/BO_ir9r7q1Q

The preacher should not preach in such a way that draws listeners to his own wisdom, but draws them to place their faith and trust in Christ alone as they witness his wisdom and power through the Word.

On this week's episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss the life of John Bunyan as we begin a new series on his book, Pilgrim's Progress.

Glen Clary and Camden Bucey discuss the apostle Paul's teaching in Romans 8:28–30. Paul speaks of the purpose of God's foreknowledge and predestination—leading to conformity to the image of Christ. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28–30, ESV)

Rev. Danny E. Olinger lectures on the connection Geerhardus Vos and J. Gresham Machen. This lesson was taught at Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois as part of the Reformed Forum 2018 Theology Conference. [embed]https://youtu.be/5fon82fe0u8[/embed]