Cincy Reformed Podcast

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

Musings on Amillennialism - Part 1

What is Amillennialism? If you were asked to define it, where would you start? In this episode, Pastor Brandon gives some overarching contours for understanding the Amillennial position. 

For more information from the Amillennialist Perspective, see: 

Critical Questions of Postmillennialism by Cincy Reformed

Understanding Revelation 20:1-15 - The Millennial Reign of Christ and the Binding of Satan by Cincy Reformed 

Theonomy and Eschatology: Some Reflections on Postmillennialism by Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. 

Revelation: A Shorter Commentary by G.K. Beale 

Revelation (Reformed Expository) by Richard Phillips 

Revelation (Lectio Continua) by Joel Beeke

The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation by Vern Poythress

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

Amillennialism by Anthony Hoekema  

Amillennialism - Part 1 by Robert Strimple 

Amillennialism - Part 2 by Robert Strimple 

The Great Hope of Amillennialism by Pierce Taylor Hibbs 

Theonomy: A Reformed Critique ed. by William Barker and W. Robert Godfrey

Revelation (Gospel Coalition) by G.K. Beale and Thomas Schreiner  

The Gospel and Eschatology by Westminster Faculty 

Album or Sacrament? (Devotional)

In this devotional, Pastor Zac clarifies the nature of a sacrament. Too often people conceive of sacraments like a bare memorial akin to a photo album. But is that what the Bible teaches?

For more information, see:

The Lord's Supper: Answers to Common Questions by Keith Mathison 

The Lord's Supper as a Means of Grace: More Than Just a Memory by Richard Barcellos 

Reformed Dogmatics (Vol. 5) by Geerhardus Vos 

Between Wittenberg and Geneva: Lutheran and Reformed Theology in Conversation (ch. 7) by Robert Kolb and Carl Trueman 

The Lord's Supper and the Popish Mass by Cornelius Venema 

The Lord's Supper by Thomas Watson  

What Does it Mean to be Filled with the Holy Spirit? (Devotional)

In this episode, Pastor Brandon unpacks Ephesians 5:15-21:

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, ²⁰ giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Also see Colossians 3:12-17:

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Sources used and/or recommended, see:

In the Fullness of Time: An Introduction to the Biblical Theology of Acts and Paul by Richard B. Gaffin, Jr.

The Holy Spirit by Sinclair Ferguson 

Colossians and Philemon (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) by G.K. Beale 

The Life of a Church Plant: The Blessings and Challenges of Planting New Churches

How does a church plant differ from an established church? What preparation goes into church planting? What are some tips for people joining a church plant? In this episode, Pastor Brandon interviews Pastor Zac on his church planting experience. 

For more information, see: 

How to Plant a Reformed Church by URCNA

How to Plant a Reformed Church by URCNA (online version)

Planting, Watering, Growing: Planting Confessionally Reformed Churches in the 21st Century by Daniel Hyde and Shane Lems 

Welcome to a Reformed Church: A Guide for Pilgrims by Daniel Hyde 

The Ordinary Means of Growth by Ligon Duncan