Cincy Reformed Podcast

Engaging the Source of ”Calvinism”

What is "Calvinism"? Can it really be summed up into five points? Is the acronym TULIP sufficient for our understanding of salvation? In this episode, Pastor Zac discusses the Canons of Dort. 

For more information, see: 

Saving the Reformation: The Pastoral Theology of the Canons of Dort by Robert Godfrey 

Crisis in the Reformed Church: Essays in Commemoration of the Great Synod of Dort  ed. by Peter Y. De Jong

But for the Grace of God: An Exposition of the Canons of Dort by Cornelius Venema

 

Eucharistic Miracle?

On September 8, 2023 it was claimed that a Eucharistic Miracle happened in Cincinnati, OH wherein the bread of the Lord's Supper became stained with physical blood. The samples were subsequently sent off for verification. In this podcast episode, Pastor Brandon reflects on this local event from a Reformed perspective. 

Should We Swear?

Should we swear? What about oaths? In this episode Pastor Zac discusses the Third Commandment. 

For more information, see: 

Heidelberg Catechism Qs. 99-102. 

Theories on Education from a Christian Perspective

How should children be educated? What is education? What is the goal of education? What should be taught? Are the children products of chance, or are they covenant children made in God's image? Are teachers passive chaperones or mature shepherds who lead with authority? Who shapes the curriculum and what is included? What is the standard for education? Numerous theories on education seek to answer these questions, but many of them are not from a Christian worldview. How should Christians understand the various theories at play in schools across the country? In this episode, Pastor Brandon discusses several theories of education from a biblical worldview. 

For more information, see: 

Philosophy and Education: An Introduction in Christian Perspective by George R. Knight 

Voices from the Past: Reformed Educators, ed. by Donald Oppewal

Essays on Christian Education by Cornelius Van Til 

 

The Word that Lifts Anxiety

In this episode, Pastor Brandon discusses Proverbs 12:25 and Psalm 45:1-6. What is the "good word" that lifts anxiety and gives hope to the heart? 

For more information, see: 

A Small Book for the Anxious Heart: Meditations on Fear, Worry, and Trust by Ed Welch 

Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness by Ed Welch 

Overcoming Anxiety: Relief for Worried People by David Powlison 

"Paralyzing Fear," in Counseling the Hard Cases ed. by Heath Lambert 

The Salvation of Covenant Children

In this episode, Pastor Zac explores the salvation of covenant children from an article in the Canons of Dort (1.17):

Since we must make judgments about God’s will from his Word, which testifies that the children of believers are holy, not by nature but by virtue of the gracious covenant in which they together with their parents are included, godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom God calls out of this life in infancy.

Foxes Destroy Vineyards, But God Makes New

In this episode, Pastor Brandon gives a devotional from Song of Songs 2:15. 

For more information, see: 

Sermon on Song 2:15 by Ian Duguid 

Song of Songs (Reformed Commentary) by Ian Duguid

Grateful Christian Living: The Ten Commandments in Worship

In this episode, Pastor Zac explains the role of gratitude in the Christian life. 

For more information, see: 

Heidelberg Catechism 

God Cares for the Next Generation

It is so comforting that God cares for the next generation, and they are in His mighty hands. Even when we fail, God is faithful to His covenant promises. But that doesn't mean we don't have a lot of work to do. Judges 2:10 recounts a sad story when "there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel." How could this happen? How could they forget about creation, Adam and Eve, Abraham, and the Exodus event? But it did happen. As yearly statistics warn of the religious decline in the next generation, Judges 2:10 becomes a stark warning. In this episode, Pastor Brandon discusses how to equip the next generation. 

For Pastor Brandon's favorite Apologetics books, see: 

8th Grade - Know Why You Believe by K. Scott Oliphint 

9th Grade - Why Should I Believe Christianity? by James Anderson 

10th Grade - The Ultimate Proof of Creation by Jason Lisle 

11th Grade - Covenantal Apologetics: Principles and Practice in Defense of Our Faith by K. Scott Oliphint & Redeeming Science: A God-Centered Approach by Vern Poythress (chapters 1-3, 11-23)

12th Grade - Christian Apologetics by Cornelius Van Til & Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the New Testament Books by Michael Kruger 

Also: from 8th grade to 12th grade read this book with your child to help him or her to navigate and critique other forms of thought: A History of Western Philosophy and Theology by John Frame. This book will help them understand the aforementioned books and will go along nicely with them. 

 

Amillennialism and the Two Ages

In this episode, Pastor Zac continues the series on Amillennialism, speaking here of the two ages found in Scripture. 

For more information, see: 

Musings on Amillennialism - Part 1 by Pastor Brandon 

A Case for Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times by Kim Riddlebarger

Notes: 

Biblical Texts Which Speak of “This Age”
Matthew 12:32 - There is no forgiveness for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
Matthew 24:3 - The end of the age will be preceded by signs
Matthew 28:20 - Christ will be with us until the end of the age
Luke 18:30 - There are material rewards given to us in this life
Luke 20:34 - The people of this age marry and are given in marriage
Mark 10:30 - The present age is an age of homes, fields, and families
Romans 12:2 - We are not to be conformed to the pattern of this world (age)
I Corinthians 1:20 - Philosophy is the wisdom of this age
I Corinthians 2:6-8 - Wisdom and rulers are of this age
II Corinthians 4:4 - Satan is the god of this age who has blinded the minds of men and women
Galatians 1:4 - The present age is evil
Ephesians 1:21 - Christ reigns in present age
Ephesians 2:2 - The ways of this world (age) are evil
I Timothy 6:17 - Those who are rich in this age, are not to hope in their wealth for the next
Titus 2:12 - We are to live Godly lives in the present age

In every instance the qualities associated with “this age” are temporal in nature. These texts describe the present course of history before the return of Christ and are things which pass away at his return.

 

Biblical Texts Which Speak of the “Age to Come”
Matthew 12:32 - No forgiveness for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
Matthew 13:40 - The weeds will be thrown into the fire
Mark 10:30 - Eternal life as a reward
Luke 18:30 - Eternal life as a reward
Luke 20:35 - No marriage or giving in marriage
I Corinthians 6:9-10 - Evil doers will not inherit the kingdom of God
I Corinthians 15:50 - Flesh and blood will not inherit the kingdom of God
Galatians 5:21 - Those who live evil lives will not inherit the kingdom
Ephesians 1:21 - Christ will reign in age to come
Ephesians 5:5 - Immoral people will not inherit kingdom of God
I Thessalonians 2:12 - We are encouraged to live lives worthy of the kingdom
II Thessalonians 1:5 - Faith will count you worthy of the kingdom of God
I Timothy 6:19 - The coming age has life that is truly life
II Timothy 4:18 - The Lord will bring us to kingdom of God
In marked contrast to “this age” the qualities assigned to the age to come are all eternal (or non-temporal)

in nature. These references are clearly describing the future eschatological state of believers (and non-
believers if you factor in the references to judgment).

The Line of “Demarcation” Between the Two Ages
Matthew 13:39 - The harvest is the end of the age, and the angels are the harvesters
Matthew 13:40 - The weeds will be burned in the fire at the end of the age (judgment)
Matthew 13:49 - The angels will separate the wicked from the righteous