For the Church

Keaton Paul and Seth Scruggs answer some questions that have come in as they have talked about sacraments (and some other questions).For questions and feed back, email keaton.paul@pcazion.orgFor more information about Zion Presbyterian Church, visit zioncolumbia.org

Keaton Paul and Seth Scruggs zoom out to discuss sacraments across the Bible and how covenant theology shapes how we view sacraments in the Reformed tradition.For questions and feedback, email keaton.paul@pcazion.orgFor more information about Zion Presbyterian Church, visit zioncolumbia.org.

Keaton and Seth continue their conversation about The Lord's Supper by discussing who the Lord's Supper is for and how we practice this sacrament.For questions and feedback, email keaton.paul@pcazion.orgFor more information about Zion Presbyterian Church, visit zioncolumbia.org.

Pastor Keaton Paul from Zion Presbyterian Church discusses the historic Reformed view of The Lord's Supper as well as comparing the Reformed view with other historic views.For questions and feedback, email keaton.paul@pcazion.orgFor more information about Zion Presbyterian Church go to www.zioncolumbia.org.

In this episode, Keaton Paul and Seth Scruggs continue their discussion on the sacraments with a discussion of baptism, including the historical positions of several denominations and why Zion Presbyterian Church practices this sacrament the way they do. For questions and feedback, email keaton.paul@pcazion.org For more information about Zion Church go to zioncolumbia.org

Continuing our series on sacraments, Keaton and Seth discuss Passover in the Old Testament and its relevance for Christians today. For feedback and questions, email keaton.paul@pcazion.org For more information about Zion Presbyterian Church go to zioncolumbia.org

As we continue our series on the sacraments, Keaton and Seth discuss the Old Testament sacrament of circumcision and how it is still relevant for Christians today. For questions and feedback, reach out to keaton.paul@pcazion.org For more information about Zion Presbyterian Church go to www.zioncolumbia.org

This episode starts a new season of For the Church dealing with sacraments. We start with the major question, what is a sacrament? For questions and feedback, email keaton.paul@pcazion.org For more information about Zion visit zioncolumbia.org Resources mentioned in this episode: Westminster Catechism Westminster Confession of Faith Belgic Confession First Helvetic Confession This are all available at https://creedsandconfessions.org/

For most of church history, Advent was actually a celebration focused not on Jesus's first coming, but on his second coming. This week, Keaton and Seth talk about the second coming and what it means for us now as we look forward to it. Learn more about Zion Presbyterian Church at zioncolumbia.org For questions and feedback, email keaton.paul@pcazion.org.

Why would we talk about the Resurrection at Advent? This week, Keaton and Seth talk about the implications of the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus and how it can help us during the Advent season. For more information about Zion Presbyterian Church visit zioncolumbia.org For questions and feedback email keaton.paul@pcazion.org

In the second episode of our Advent series, Keaton and Seth discuss the importance of the Incarnation of Jesus. Why is it so important that Jesus became a man? What does it mean to us now? For more information about Zion Presbyterian Church at zioncolumbia.org For questions and feedback, email keaton.paul@pcazion.org

This week, Pastor Keaton Paul and Seth Scruggs start a new series as we prepare to enter the Advent season. For many, Advent is an ancient celebration that is new to them. This series seeks to explain what Advent is and how and why we celebrate it, starting with the question: what is Advent? Learn more about Zion at zioncolumbia.org For feedback and questions, email keaton.paul@pcazion.org.

Keaton and Seth discuss the 2019 film A Hidden Life along with themes of sacrifice and obedience and a dive into how to watch movies like this. Resources: Brett McCracken on A Hidden Life in The Gospel Coalition A Hidden Life For more information about Zion Presbyterian Church visit www.zioncolumbia.org For questions and feedback contact keaton.paul@pcazion.org.

This week, we continue our At The Movies series with a discussion of the 2019 film A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood. Resources: Video Essay on Intertextuality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeAKX_0wZWY For questions and feedback, email keaton.paul@pcazion.org For more information about Zion Presbyterian Church visit zioncolumbia.org.

This week Keaton and Seth discuss Best Picture winner Everything Everywhere All At Once. Resources: The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/everything-everywhere-all-at-once/ Learn more about Zion Presbyterian Church at zioncolumbia.org.

Keaton and Seth discuss the 2019 film Knives Out and what it shows us about the nature of greed and the human heart. Learn more about Zion Presbyterian Church: zioncolumbia.org For questions and feedback email keaton.paul@pcazion.org Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: youtube.com/@zioncolumbia

Keaton and Seth are joined by Meagen Anderson to talk about the 2023 phenomenon Barbie. It leads to a discussion on what it means to be human and what we can learn from a plastic doll. Learn more about Zion Presbyterian Church at zioncolumbia.org. For questions and feedback: keaton.paul@pcazion.org. Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@zioncolumbia Resources mentioned in this episode: Barbie Why Johnny Can't Preach by T. David Gordon

This week, Seth and Keaton go deep in the desert to discuss the films Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two. The films open up a conversation about power and what we should look for in leaders. Learn more about Zion Presbyterian Church at zioncolumbia.org For questions and feedback reach out to keaton.paul@pcazion.org Resources: Dune (Book): https://a.co/d/0aLK2gWm Dune: Part One: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1160419/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 Dune: Part Two: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15239678/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_dune%253A%2520part%2520two The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill:https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill/

This season on For The Church, we are discussing movies! Keaton Paul and Seth Scruggs introduce the new season with a wide ranging discussion about movies, why we are discussing them, what we will be looking for and more. This season we will be discussing: Dune (Parts One and Two) Barbie Everything Everywhere All At Once Knives Out A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood A Hidden Life To learn more about Zion Presbyterian Church go to www.zioncolumbia.com. Resources: The Stories We Tell by Mike Cosper Common Sense Media PluggedIn The Social Network Opening (Caution: some harsh language)

Pastor Keaton Paul of Zion Presbyterian Church and Seth Scruggs discuss the events of the Presbyterian Church in America's 2024 General Assembly. To read more about the events of the General Assembly go to https://byfaithonline.com/a-summary-of-the-actions-of-the-51st-general-assembly/ More from Ryan Burge on Church Statistics: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/russell-moore-show/predictions-future-of-christian-church-evangelicalism.html To learn more about Zion Presbyterian Church go to www.zioncolumbia.org.

This week, Keaton answers listener questions about worship and we give a little bit of a preview of our upcoming summer season. To learn more about Zion Presbyterian Church go to: www.zioncolumbia.org. Resources mentioned in this episode: Confessing the Faith by Chad van Dixhoorn

Keaton and Seth talk with Cam McAulay, Zion's Worship Director, about his background and philosophy around leading worship as well as his favorite hymns and what he hopes people take away from worshiping at Zion. To submit feedback or ask a question, email keaton.paul@pcazion.org. To learn more about Zion Presbyterian Church go to www.zioncolumbia.org.

Keaton and Seth have a conversation with songwriter (and Zion member and worship leader) Logan Peck. They unpack why the church needs new music, Logan's approach to writing songs for different contexts, and whether or not "Reckless Love" is that bad. This episode ends with "Praise the King Upon the Throne," written by Logan Peck for Peck Music Publishing. Listen to the whole song here.

This week, Keaton and Seth talk about benedictions: what they are, why we use them, and what makes a good one. For more about Zion Presbyterian Church go to www.zioncolumbia.org To send in questions for our Q&A or for feedback, email keaton.paul@pcazion.org. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Lord Bless and Keep You by Mike Glodo God's Big Picture by Vaughn Roberts Christ Centered Worship by Bryan Chappell Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (07:33) Benediction as the story of redemption (09:34) What does it mean to receive God's blessing? (19:26) Why we use benedictions in worship (21:41) The pattern of redemptive history (23:00) What happens theologically in a benediction (38:32) Assurance for the already, and a hope for the not-yet

This week, Keaton and Seth discuss the importance of creeds, catechisms, and confessions as well as what they are and some of the historical development behind the confessions we hold to today. To learn more about Zion Presbyterian Church go to www.zioncolumbia.org For feedback and questions, email Keaton at keaton.paul@pcazion.org (00:00) What are creeds, confessions and catechisms? And why do we need them? (31:13) Creeds (44:40) Confessions & Catechisms (51:28) Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms and their Biblical basis (57:58) Why do we use them in worship? Resources mentioned in this episode: The Creedal Imperative by Carl Trueman Christ Centered Worship by Bryan Chappell

Landon Paul is the director of worship and men's ministry at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee (he also happens to be the brother of our very own Keaton Paul). He sat down with Keaton and Seth to discuss his approach of organizing a worship service for a church of more than 3000 people. They also discuss some of the contrasts between Zion's worship and Cedar Springs' worship. For feedback and questions, send an email to keaton.paul@pcazion.org. For more information about Zion go to zioncolumbia.org. Resources mentioned in this episode: Christ Centered Worship by Bryan Chappell

Keaton and Seth discuss the role sacraments play in our public worship at Zion, why we only have two sacraments (Baptism and the Lord's Supper), and the historical development and theological significance of each sacrament. If you have questions, you can email keaton.paul@pcazion.org For more information, visit www.zioncolumbia.org Resources mentioned in this episode: Westminster Shorter Catechism Didache Apostolic Traditions by Hippolytus Eastern Orthodox Baptism Westminster Confession: Baptism

Keaton and Seth tackle the topic of preaching in public worship, what it has looked like throughout church history, how to know what a good sermon is, and how to listen to a sermon. For more information about Zion Presbyterian Church visit www.zioncolumbia.org. For feedback and questions, email keaton.paul@pcazion.org. (00:00:00) Introduction (00:10:30) Preaching in the Bible (00:16:30) Expository Preaching (00:21:00) Preaching Through Church History (00:54:26) What is happening during preaching? (00:59:37) What makes a good sermon? (01:06:30) How to listen to sermons (01:16:00) Why Sermons Will Never Be Outdated Resources mentioned in this episode: Preaching and Preachers by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Between Two Worlds by John Stott Origen of Alexandria Expositions of the Psalms by Augustine Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin The Art of Prophesying by William Perkins 2nd Helvetic Confession WLC #155 Expository Exultation by John Piper Christian Directory by Richard Baxter Christ Centered Preaching by Bryan Chappell WLC #160

This week Keaton and Seth discuss the role of prayer in public worship and seek to answer some questions surrounding it. (00:00) Introduction (02:20) Prayer in the Bible (13:00) Why pray in public at all? (17:38) Prayer in Public Worship Throughout Church History (36:11) Why read written prayers? (44:02) Different Kinds of Prayer in Our Worship (59:32) Corporate Prayer Resources Mentioned in this Episode For The Glory of God by Daniel Block Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible Book of Common Prayer Westminster Directory of Public Worship Method for Prayer by Matthew Henry Prayer by Tim Keller The Valley of Vision Thoughts on Public Prayer by Samuel Miller O Come Let Us Adore Him by Robert Rayburn

This week, Keaton and Seth discuss the importance of reading scripture in our weekly public worship. (00:00) Introduction (05:30) Biblical Precedent for Public Reading of Scripture (20:55) History of Reading Scripture in Worship (53:00) How the Bible Should Be Read (01:06:43) What is happening when we read Scripture? Resources referenced in this episode: Christ-Centered Worship by Bryan Chappell Our Episode on Liturgy Bernard of Clairvaux Westminster Directory of Public Worship Ferris Bueller Scene Ligon Duncan Reading Psalm 119 On Preparation and Delivery of Sermons by John Broadus A Peculiar Glory by John Piper

Keaton and Seth take on music...why we sing, some of the history of singing and music in the church, and the criteria Zion Church has for the selection of our music. Chapters: (00:02:41) - Why sing? (00:10:15) - What does singing do? (00:30:13) - Singing in Church History (01:03:09) - Why Zion Sings What We Sing Resources: Rhythms of Grace by Mike Cosper For The Glory of God by Daniel Block Come Let Us Adore Him by Robert Rayburn Trinity Hymnal Indelible Grace Music Sam Elliott

This week, Keaton and Seth talk about liturgy, what it is, and why we do it. They also discuss the differences between high and low churches and dig into some church history to shed some light on why Zion Presbyterian Church does what it does each week. Resources mentioned in this episode: Bryan Chappell: Christ-Centered Worship Mike Cosper: Rhythms of Grace Scene from The Office Douglas McKelvey: Every Moment Holy The Didache Hughes Oliphant Old

Keaton and Seth discuss what worship is. They define the differences between broad and narrow worship, horizontal and vertical aspects of worship, the normative and regulative principles, and the elements and conditions of worship. Resources mentioned in this episode: Geerhardus Vos: Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments John Frame: Worship in Spirit and Truth Contemporary Worship Music David Peterson: Engaging With God Brian Chappell: Christ-Centered Worship To learn more about Zion Presbyterian Church go to www.zioncolumbia.org

Keaton and Seth begin a new season of For the Church. This season will focus on worship: How we worship, why we worship, how Christians have worshiped through the ages, what the Bible says about worship, and why Zion Presbyterian does the things we do. This episode focuses on why we worship. (00:00) Introduction: Why do we worship? (04:00) We Are All Worshiping Something (08:45) We Are Created for Worship (27:50) Christian Worship is a Subversive Counter Culture Resources: For The Glory of God by Daniel Block The Lord Bless You and Keep You: The Promise of the Gospel in the Aaronic Blessing by Michael Glodo Engaging With God by David Peterson Rhythms of Grace by Mike Cosper

This week, Seth is in the host seat as he asks Keaton questions about where we are in the pastoral search process, more information in what we are looking for in a pastor, and a discussion on what sets Zion apart as church. We also look forward to what will be coming on the next season of the podcast when we return in the new year. For more information, visit www.zioncolumbia.org.

Keaton and Seth take a look at some statistics of pastors facing burnout and discuss how a congregation might be able to help take care of our pastors. Ask us a question by emailing keaton.paul@pcazion.org. Visit www.zioncolumbia.org for more information about Zion Presbyterian Church. (00:00) Introduction (06:53) Statistics of Pastor Burnout (34:45) Helpful Helps

In the conclusion of our mini-series on pastor profiles, Pastor Keaton Paul and Seth Scruggs discuss what it looks like for someone to be an ordinary pastor. If you have questions, send an email to keaton.paul@pcazion.org. (00:00) Intro (04:21) Tom Carson's Story and What We Can Learn From It (17:40) Eugene Peterson's Assessment (32:57) What does the life of an ordinary pastor look like? Learn more about Zion Church at www.zioncolumbia.org

Keaton and Seth discuss what it means for the pastor to be a theologian and the importance of lifelong study for pastors. (00:00) Introduction (03:00) What is theology? What is a theologian? (09:40) Pastors as Theologians: Education, Augustine, B.B. Warfield (40:42) What Being A Theologian Means (50:04) Characteristics of a Faithful Theologian (and Pastor)

This week, Keaton and Seth take a look at what it means for a pastor to endure for the gospel by looking at the lives of church leaders Athanasius and Charles Simeon. (00:00) Introduction - Enduring for the Gospel (11:30) The Life of Athanasius (20:52) The Life of Charles Simeon (45:03) What does it look like for pastors today to endure for the gospel?

This week, Keaton and Seth discuss the role of a pastor as a leader in a changing culture through the lens of some past leaders of the church who have done this well.For further reading:Augustine's City of God: https://www.amazon.com/City-Translated-Introduction-Marcus-Dods/dp/1420956892/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=37KLO1GEQDIWS&keywords=city+of+god&qid=1698007302&sprefix=city+of+god%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1Augustine's Confessions: https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Penguin-Classics-Saint-Augustine/dp/014044114X/ref=sr_1_4?crid=361BTCNSRBLL8&keywords=confessions&qid=1698007320&sprefix=confessions%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-4Making Faith Magnetic by Daniel Strange: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Faith-Magnetic-Culture-Talking/dp/178498650X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1698007118&sr=8-1Biblical Critical Theory by Christopher Watkin: https://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Critical-Theory-Unfolding-Culture/dp/0310128722/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1698007523&sr=8-1Mark Sayers: https://marksayers.co/The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/thekellercenter/Zion Presbyterian Church — www.zioncolumbia.org

This week, Keaton and Seth take a look at what it means for the pastor to be a preacher, the role of preaching in the church, and how a congregation should receive preaching. If you have questions, you can submit them to keaton.paul@pcazion.org for an upcoming Question and Answer episode.Zion Presbyterian Church — www.zioncolumbia.org

This week, Keaton and Seth begin a look at profiles of different pastors throughout history. In this episode they look at what it means for pastors to be Physicians of the Soul.For further reading, check out:The Pastor and the Modern World by Edgar, Hughes, and Poirier: https://www.amazon.com/Pastor-Modern-World-Reformed-Ministry/dp/1955859043/ref=sr_1_1?crid=376U5X73UHJQQ&keywords=the+pastor+and+the+modern+world&qid=1696266900&sprefix=the+pastor+and+the+modern+worl%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1The Care of Souls by Harold Senkbeil: https://www.amazon.com/Care-Souls-Cultivating-Pastors-Heart/dp/1683593014/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1696267014&sr=8-1If you have questions that would like answered in a future Q&A episode, email keaton.paul@pcazion.org.Zion Presbyterian Church — www.zioncolumbia.org

This week Pastor Keaton Paul and Seth Scruggs talk about the denominational process for getting our next pastor. They dig into the Book of Church Order and how pastors are prepared for ministry.We are going to be doing a Q&A episode in a few weeks. If you have questions about the process, what we are looking for in a pastor, or anything else regarding calling our next pastor send them to keaton.paul@pcazion.org.Chapters:0:00 Introduction3:04 What is the Book of Church Order?9:48 The Calling of a Pastor16:27 The Preparation of a Pastor41:57 What is a Senior or Lead Pastor?47:06 The Process of Getting A Pastor to Our ChurchZion Presbyterian Church — www.zioncolumbia.org

In our current moment of Zion's history we are on a journey to find our new lead pastor. This is an exciting time, but also one that can raise questions and concerns. In this season we want to ask and hopefully answer some of those questions. What is a pastor? What makes a good one? How do we find a new lead pastor? How do we get them here? What is the process?'In this week's episode, Pastor Keaton Paul and Seth Scruggs dig into the biblical qualifications of pastors, how our denomination defines and calls pastors, and what Zion is looking for as we begin our search for a new pastor.Zion Presbyterian Church — www.zioncolumbia.org

This season we are focusing on theological topics that are important foundations for the church. These will be theological topics that need to be deeply installed as bedrock truths for the followers of Jesus.For the next few episodes, we are going to talk about the Trinity — the one true God eternally exists in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.The Trinity has fallen on hard times for the average Christian. It just doesn't seem that practical to everyday life, so we nod our heads as truth about God and then move on.Fred Sanders writes, “Nothing we do as evangelicals make sense if it is divorced from a strong experiential and doctrinal grasp of the coordinated work of Jesus and his Spirit, worked out against the horizon of the Father's love. Personal evangelism, conversational prayer, devotional Bible study, authoritative preaching, world missions, and assurance of salvation all presuppose that life in the gospel is life in communion with the Trinity. Forget the Trinity ,and you forget why we do what we do; you forget who we are as gospel Christians, you forget how we got to be like we are.” (Deeper Things of God, 9)And yet — I would guess that for most Christians, what Sanders considers to be foundational “a strong experiential and doctrinal grasp of the coordinated work of Jesus Dan his Spirit, worked out against the horizon of the Father's love.” — is something that we have given little thought to.We have a tendency to bring all things of God down so that they revolve around us. Nowhere is this seen than in the intense tendency to make things “practical.” But — our goal is not to bring God down to us, so that he can serve our daily lives, but to bring us up to God that we might behold his glory. To know God is the greatest reward. Of all the benefits that Jesus gives to us: the forgiveness of sins, the amazing power to experience change, the hope of the resurrection, adoption into the family of God, and the satisfying of God's wrath — all of these are but servant benefits to the master benefit of beholding the glory of God. If we were to receive these things and not receive God himself, we would be deeply impoverished. Knowing God is the great benefit of Jesus.For further study:Credo Magazine's Issue on the Trinity - https://credomag.com/magazine_issue/undivided-trinity/Simply Trinity, by Matthew Barrett - https://amzn.to/3k0reczDelighting in the Trinity, by Michael Reeves - https://amzn.to/3CvqTF8Zion Presbyterian Church — www.zioncolumbia.org

In this episode we talk about navigating todays world theologically, with some help from Herman Bavinck and Dr. Cam Clausing. Here's our premise -- everyone has a theology. Being made in the image of God means that we were made to run off of revelation -- we simply can't operate without a theology. And the hard thing that we often find as we walk with Jesus is that we have our stated theological beliefs and our actual theological beliefs. That is, we may say that we believe God is sovereign over all of life, but then we worry and fret. Or, we may say that we believe in the doctrine of total depravity -- that every human being is corrupt in every part of our being, but then we get surprise when people actually act like sinners and wrong us.And since we all have a theology, we are all theologians. The question for everyone is always two-fold -- does your theology match God's revelation? And do you live in light of it?So today, we have a special guest. Cam Clausing. Cam is the Lecturer in Applied Theology at Christ College in Sydney, Australia. Cam earned his PhD from the University in Edinburgh on the Dutch Theologian Herman Bavinck.Guidebook for the Instruction in the Christian Religion, Herman Bavinck

In this episode, we discuss the value of studying theology with three of our sisters in Christ who are in seminary: Lauren Holley, Terry Eaves (our Women's Ministry Director) and Destiny Paul.Here's our premise -- everyone has a theology. Being made in the image of God means that we were made to run off of revelation -- we simply can't operate without a theology. And the hard thing that we often find as we walk with Jesus is that we have our stated theological beliefs and our actual theological beliefs. We may say that we believe God is sovereign over all of life, but then we worry and fret. Or, we may say that we believe in the doctrine of total depravity -- that every human being is corrupt in every part of our being, but then we get surprised when people actually act like sinners and wrong us.And since we all have a theology, we are all theologians. The question for everyone is always two-fold -- does your theology match God's revelation? And do you live in light of it.

So the question doesn't center on whether predestination is biblical — but rather on what basis does God predestine. Does God predestine some to eternal life according to his free and sovereign choice, OR does he predestine based on the foreknowledge of who will choose Jesus?Or -- maybe another way to frame the question: Who initiates faith and repentance, God or man?For the church, a podcast for the flock of Zion Presbyterian Church in Columbia, TN. We want to help you think biblically about everyday matters.Zion Church exists to join Jesus in his mission to reach people with his gospel, and then to equip his people to worship and serve.I am Paul Joiner, the Senior Pastor back with my regular conversation partners and friends, Jon Kelly and Keaton Paul.We are finishing our series on the Sovereignty of God — that God ordains whatsoever comes to pass. Today we are going to talk about the doctrine of predestination or God's sovereignty applied to salvation.Predestination is biblical. Everyone who takes the Bible seriously has to have a doctrine of predestination. Consider just two passages from Ephesians 1.Ephesians 1:3-6Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.Ephesians 1:11-12In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

For the church, a podcast for the flock of Zion Presbyterian Church in Columbia, TN. We want to help you think biblically about everyday matters.Zion Church exists to join Jesus in his mission to reach people with his gospel, and then to equip his people to worship and serve.I am Paul Joiner, the Senior Pastor back with my regular conversation partner and friend, Jon Kelly and today we have our Youth Director and Head of our Bible Department, Keaton Paul.This season we are focusing on theological topics that are important foundations for the church. These will be theological topics that need to be deeply installed as bedrock truths for the followers of Jesus.We are talking about God's sovereignty — his rule over all of creation, his ordering of whatever comes to pass according to his eternal plan — his kingly decree. The WCF 3.1 states that "God from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass."That is - God is ruling over all things and nothing happens apart from his will. Het sets the boundaries and times of the nations, and not a bird falls from the sky apart from our Father's will.That is a great comfort - God is solely in control, he is executing his good plans in the world, and nothing can thwart him. He is not contingent on the creation.But - that is also a great confrontation. Because it means that we are not sovereigns. Which then makes us ask the next question -- what role do my actions play?Or, often it is asked this way: What about free will? Today we are going to tackle the question generally -- that is the question of free will in relationship to God's sovereignty. Next week, we are going to talk about free will in relationship to sin. Or, to say it another way, this week we are going to talk about the creature's relationship to the Sovereign Creator, and in the next episode we are going to talk about the creature's will in relationship to sin.

For the church, a podcast for the flock of Zion Presbyterian Church in Columbia, TN. We want to help you think biblically about everyday matters.Zion Church exists to join Jesus in his mission to reach people with his gospel, and then to equip his people to worship and serve.I am Paul Joiner, the Senior Pastor back with my regular conversation partner and friend, Jon Kelly.This season we are going to focus more on theological topics that are important foundations for the church. These will be theological topics that need to be deeply installed as bedrock truths for the followers of Jesus.In our last episode, we talked about God's sovereignty — his rule over all of creation, his ordering of whatever comes to pass according to his eternal plan — his kingly decree.But — this quickly brings up the question, “What about evil?” If God ordains whatsoever comes to pass, how is he not the author of evil? Or — if God is sovereign, and evil exists — why doesn't he do something about it…and the tension seems to be that either he isn't sovereign or he isn't good.We often call this a "theodicy" (compound of the Greek words for God (theos) and justice (dikē) -- which carries the sense of putting God on trial and vindicating him). This is the heart of the book of Job -- a theodicy, God on trial. Isn't interesting that the first book of the Bible — that is the oldest book — is dedicated to this question. It is probably one of the deepest and most difficult questions that we ask. Eventually, in suffering, we ask “Why?”We aren't going to say everything — we just simply can't — I have had the privilege over the years of sitting with people who have been deeply sexually abused or experienced evil at the hand of another. And when they ask, “Why did this happen to me? Why didn't God do something about it?” The only answer I have to give is, “I don't know.” 

We are going to start this season with the Sovereignty of God. Reformed theology is uniquely God-centered. When people discover Reformed thought the God-centered nature of it is the thing that first strikes them — even our children's catechism starts with the question, “Why did God create humanity?” “For his glory.”The Bible is one story of God working all things toward his glory in the person and work of Jesus. All history moves toward this purpose. But what do we mean when we say “Sovereign”? It is a term that comes from the realm of a “king”…a “king” is a “sovereign” — a king rules and executes his decrees. That is, he speaks his plans -- that is a decree - and then he makes sure his plan or "decree" is accomplished.Or, as the WCF 3.1 - "God, from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass."And that is what we mean by the Sovereignty of God -- God the Creator accomplishing his purposes in the world according to his plan.