Cincy Reformed Podcast

Why Should We Fast?

In Matthew 6:16, Jesus said, "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." Notice that Jesus said "when you fast," not "ifyou fast." Fasting is expected of, for those who follow Christ. As one author put it, "Christian fasting is not self-wrought discipline that tries to deserve more from God. It is a hunger for God awakened by the taste of God freely given in the gospel." And it need not be a daunting idea. "If you've never fasted before, start with a one-, two-, or at most three-meal fast. But start somewhere," said Donald Whitney. In this episode, Pastors Zac and Brandon look to Scripture and answer common questions about fasting. 

For more information, see: 

On Christian Fasting by Zac Wyse 

Fasting: A Neglected Practice by Zac Wyse 

Why Should I Fast? by Daniel Hyde 

 

 

 

Why Should We Fast? (Audio only)

In Matthew 6:16, Jesus said, "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." Notice that Jesus said "when you fast," not "if you fast." Fasting is expected of, for those who follow Christ. As one author put it, "Christian fasting is not self-wrought discipline that tries to deserve more from God. It is a hunger for God awakened by the taste of God freely given in the gospel." And it need not be a daunting idea. "If you've never fasted before, start with a one-, two-, or at most three-meal fast. But start somewhere," said Donald Whitney. In this episode, Pastors Zac and Brandon look to Scripture and answer common questions about fasting. 

For more information, see: 

On Christian Fasting by Zac Wyse 

Fasting: A Neglected Practice by Zac Wyse 

Why Should I Fast? by Daniel Hyde 

Should the Creeds Have Any Authority?

If the Apostles' Creed (2nd-7th c.), Nicene Creed (AD 325-589), and Athanasian Creed (5th-6th c.) were not "God-breathed," as are the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16), should they have any authority in our churches? In this episode, Pastors Zac and Brandon discuss the authority of these creeds. While the Bible is our highest authority, which makes it the "norming norm," creeds, confessions, and catechisms function as subordinate authorities, which makes them the "normed norm." Developing creedal summaries of the faith is a practice that goes all the way back to the early church, as they sought to "hold fast to the pattern of sound words" (2 Tim. 1:13). In fact, the Bible includes many early credal statements that existed prior to the writing of some of the New Testament books (e.g., Rom. 1:3-4; 1 Cor. 8:6; 15:3ff; Phil. 2:5-10; 1 Tim. 1:15; 3:16; 2 Tim. 1:9-10; 1 Pet. 3:18-21). Not only are creeds biblical, but everyone has one. [A]ll Christians engage in confessional synthesis," wrote Carl Trueman, "the difference is simply whether one adheres to a public confession, subject to public scrutiny, or to a private confession that is, by its very nature, immune to such examination."

For more information, see: 

Forms and Prayers by URCNA 

The Creedal Imperative by Carl Trueman 

Thinking God's Thoughts (ch. 16) by J. Brandon Burks 

Know the Creeds and Councils by Justin Holcomb 

Should the Creeds Have Any Authority? (Audio Only)

If the Apostles' Creed (2nd-7th c.), Nicene Creed (AD 325-589), and Athanasian Creed (5th-6th c.) were not "God-breathed," as is Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16), should they have any authority in our churches? In this episode, Pastors Zac and Brandon discuss the authority of these creeds. While the Bible is our highest authority, which makes it the "norming norm," creeds, confessions, and catechisms function as subordinate authorities, which makes them the "normed norm." Developing creedal summaries of the faith is a practice that goes all the way back to the early church, as they sought to "hold fast to the pattern of sound words" (2 Tim. 1:13). In fact, the Bible includes many early credal statements that existed prior to the writing of some of the New Testament books (e.g., Rom. 1:3-4; 1 Cor. 8:6; 15:3ff; Phil. 2:5-10; 1 Tim. 1:15; 3:16; 2 Tim. 1:9-10; 1 Pet. 3:18-21). Not only are creeds biblical, but everyone has one. [A]ll Christians engage in confessional synthesis," wrote Carl Trueman, "the difference is simply whether one adheres to a public confession, subject to public scrutiny, or to a private confession that is, by its very nature, immune to such examination."

For more information, see: 

Forms and Prayers by URCNA 

The Creedal Imperative by Carl Trueman 

Thinking God's Thoughts (ch. 16) by J. Brandon Burks 

Know the Creeds and Councils by Justin Holcomb 

 

Marriage According to Scripture

What does the Bible teach about marriage? If the church is commanded to "hold marriage in high honor (Hebrews 13:4), then we must know what marriage is. But whose definition should we seek? Who defines marriage, God or the world? 

For more information, see: 

Affirmations Regarding Marriage by URCNA

When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel in Marriage by Dave Harvey 

Marriage Matters: Extraordinary Change Through Ordinary Moments by Winston Smith

Song of Songs by Iain Duguid 

Marriage According to Scripture (Audio)

What does the Bible say about marriage? If the church is commanded to "hold marriage in high honor (Hebrews 13:4), then we must know what it is. Whose definition should we seek? Who defines marriage, God or the world? 

For more information, see: 

Affirmations Regarding Marriage by URCNA

When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel in Marriage by Dave Harvey 

Marriage Matters: Extraordinary Change Through Ordinary Moments by Winston Smith

Song of Songs by Iain Duguid 

Reformed Baptism

In this episode, Pastor Brandon introduces the Reformed view of Baptism, focusing on the fact that the children of believers are Christians - members of the Covenant of Grace - and as such they are entitled to the sacrament of Baptism. Baptism is a means of grace, whereby we are spiritually nourished by Christ. Throughout our lives, we are called to "remember your baptism." 

For more information, see:

Jesus Loves the Little Children: Why We Baptize Children by Daniel Hyde  

Christian Baptism by John Murray 

Baptism, Covenant, Election (video) by Richard B. Gaffin Jr. 

Why Do We Baptize Our Children? (video) by Richard Pratt 

Infant Baptism (video) by Lingon Duncan 

Fasting: A Neglected Practice

As one Catechism put it, "Fasting is abstaining from food or some enjoyment for a period of time for spiritual concerns, focusing on Christ and His purposes in the world." But was this really meant to be a routine Christian practice? What are some practical ways fasting can be a regular practice as part of our Christian piety? In this episode, Pastor Zac delivers a Catechism Sermon on the topic of Fasting. 

For more information, see: 

On Christian Fasting by Zac Wyse 

Why Should I Fast? by Daniel Hyde 

The Salem Witch Trials: A Puritan Theology of Witchcraft

There are no shortages of books, documentaries, and movies that attempt to grapple with the reality of what happened in Salem Village, 1692. Many approaches are admittedly secular and naturalistic, using the historical event to discredit religion, Christianity, or specifically the Puritans. But what is a Christian to think about the Salem Witch Trials? After all, Christians believe witchcraft not only to be real, but also to be a great evil (Exo. 7:11; Lev. 19:31; 20:6; Deut. 18:10-11; 1 Sam. 28:6-25; Acts 16:16-24; 19:17-20; Gal. 5:19-21). Moreover, the Puritans were spiritual giants whose writings have blessed many. John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, John Owen's Death of Death in the Death of Christ, Herman Witsius's The Lord's Prayer, Thomas Boston's The Crook in the Lot, Thomas Watson's The Doctrine of Repentance, and Richard Sibbs The Bruised Reed are just a few Puritan classics that have blessed Christians for generations. It would be wrong to "throw the baby out with the bathwater." Nevertheless, there are serious lessons to be learned, both negative and positive, from the terrible events of Salem Village, 1692. In this episode, Pastors Brandon and Zac explore this historical occurrence from a Puritan perspective. 

 

For the original source material (from a theological perspective), see: 

A Discourse on the Damned Art of Witchcraft by William Perkins 

The Certainty of the Worlds of Spirits by Richard Baxter 

Demonology and Theology by Nathaniel Holmes 

On Witchcraft by Cotton Mather 

The Sermon Notebook of Samuel Parris, 1689-1694

The Salem Witch Trials: A Puritan Theology of Witchcraft (Audio Only)

There are no shortages of books, documentaries, and movies that attempt to grapple with the reality of what happened in Salem Village, 1692. Many approaches are admittedly secular and naturalistic, using the historical event to discredit religion, Christianity, or specifically the Puritans. But what is a Christian to think about the Salem Witch Trials? After all, Christians believe witchcraft not only to be real, but also to be a great evil (Exo. 7:11; Lev. 19:31; 20:6; Deut. 18:10-11; 1 Sam. 28:6-25; Acts 16:16-24; 19:17-20; Gal. 5:19-21). Moreover, the Puritans were spiritual giants whose writings have blessed many. John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, John Owen's Death of Death in the Death of Christ, Herman Witsius's The Lord's Prayer, Thomas Boston's The Crook in the Lot, Thomas Watson's The Doctrine of Repentance, and Richard Sibbs The Bruised Reed are just a few Puritan classics that have blessed Christians for generations. It would be wrong to "throw the baby out with the bathwater." Nevertheless, there are serious lessons to be learned, both negative and positive, from the terrible events of Salem Village, 1692. In this episode, Pastors Brandon and Zac explore this historical occurrence from a Puritan perspective. 

 

For the original source material, see: 

A Discourse on the Damned Art of Witchcraft by William Perkins 

The Certainty of the Worlds of Spirits by Richard Baxter 

Demonology and Theology by Nathaniel Holmes 

On Witchcraft by Cotton Mather 

The Sermon Notebook of Samuel Parris, 1689-1694