Sippin' on Theology

In this first lesson on the book of Ephesians Austin begins with the fundamental questions of "why we study the Bible" and "how we study the Bible". After laying necessary groundwork in terms of a Reformed hermeneutic, we move into an introduction to the book followed by an exposition on chapter 1 verses 1-6. 

We have exciting news!!Sippin' on Theology podcast will be going in a different direction as Austin Reifel has accepted a church planting internship in Indianapolis. Indy Reformed Church plant is a mission work of Zeltenreich Reformed Church and a church plant of the United Reformed Churches in North America. With this transition, the podcast will focus on developing the core group at Indy Reformed Church plant. However, our prayer is that the content will be helpful to a broader audience. 

Austin presents the doctrine of divine providence and shows how this doctrine is a great help to the people of God.

Austin introduces the Reformed doctrine of the means of grace and works through some ways in which this doctrine informs how we approach going to church.

Austin discusses the sacrament of the Lord's Supper for the purpose of defining the nature of sacraments and further understanding what is happening in the Holy Supper.

In this episode Austin continues a sermon series through the book of Genesis at Calvary United Reformed Church.

This week presents a special episode! Due to the irregularities of recording on the road, this episode consists of a sermon Austin recently preached on Genesis 22 at Calvary United Reformed Church in Loveland, CO.

This episode starts with a discussion on the nature of authority and how the Jehovah's Witness understanding of the authority of Scripture is different from that of historic Christianity. Austin then presents the Jehovah's Witness doctrine of God and continues building a case to support the thesis that Jehovah's Witnesses are not Christians.

In this introduction episode, Austin walks through the history of the Jehovah's Witness religion and begins to build a case to prove the stated thesis that despite their claim to Christianity, the Jehovah's Witnesses are in fact not Christians. Understanding their history and doctrine will help us to be a better witness to the Jehovah Witnesses. Jehovah's Witness website

This episode is one of clarification and further explanation. Austin follows up on a question from episode 14, "did God die on the cross?", and offers an answer that is more consistent with Christian orthodoxy. Tony Arsenal from the Reformed Brotherhood joins the show to offer a further explanation of the orthodox position and provide clarity to the discussion. Resources:Story of Creeds and Confessions - Donald Fairbairn and Ryan ReevesReformed Dogmatics, Vol 3: Christology - Geerhardus VosOn the Incarnation - AthanasiusReformed Brotherhood: Episode 143, God Died on the Cross - https://reformedbrotherhood.com/trb-143-god-died-on-the-cross/Reformed Arsenal - https://reformedarsenal.com/rc-sproul-and-nestorianism-a-clarification/ and https://reformedarsenal.com/clarified-chalcedonian-statement-by-dr-rc-sproul/

Austin continues working through the doctrine of the Trinity by introducing a few ways in which error from the past is still very much present in today's theological context. The teachings of Social Trinitarianism and the Eternal Functional Subordination of the Son are two ways the doctrine of the Trinity has been under fire as of late. This is followed by answering two big questions: Did God die on the cross? Was the Son separated from the Trinity on the cross?Resources used for this episode:Response to EFSSLiam Goligher's response to EFSSDid God Die on the Cross?Recommended Readings:Ecumenical CreedsBelgic ConfessionWestminster Confession of FaithDelighting in the Trinity, Michael ReevesSystematic Theology, Louis BerkhofReformed Dogmatics, Herman Bavinck

Austin picks up the discussion on the doctrine of the Trinity by looking at each person, the eternal Father, the eternal Son, and the eternal Holy Spirit. Looking at the three drives us back to the one as we remember that God has revealed himself as one God in essence and three in person. These personal subsistences in God can be distinguished, but never separated. Recommended Readings:Ecumenical CreedsBelgic ConfessionWestminster Confession of FaithDelighting in the Trinity, Michael ReevesSystematic Theology, Louis BerkhofReformed Dogmatics, Herman Bavinck

This week begins with some exciting announcements, including details about our first-ever giveaway! Austin then introduces the doctrine of the Trinity by providing a bit of the historical context in which the doctrine was first articulated and then works through a few essential statements the church has confessed throughout the ages about our Triune Lord.Question of the Week: "What do the terms single and simple mean in relation to God?"Roast of the Week: Honduras coffee beans roasted by Lone CoffeeKettle Coffee and TeaSt. Patrick's Bad AnalogiesHistoric Christian Creeds:Athanasian CreedCreeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical notes. Volume I. The History of Creeds.by Philip Schaff

Austin continues the study through the doctrine of God by explaining several of God's communicable attributes. This study through the attributes is meant to provide a better understanding and knowledge of who God is, which then drives us to worship Him in a way that is better pleasing and glorifying to His great name.Roast of the week: Medium Columbian roast from Lone CoffeeLone CoffeeKettle Coffee and Tea

This week Austin continues the study through systematic theology by introducing the doctrine of God, also known as theology proper. This introduction episode works through the being of God along with a few of God's incommunicable attributes.Roast of the week: La Naranja, Honduras roasted by Lone CoffeeLone CoffeeKettle Coffee and Tea

This week Austin spends time thinking about the spiritual discipline of prayer by answering the question of why the Christian should pray.Austin also announces the exciting news that Sippin' on Theology is now patterned with Kettle Coffee and Tea, purchase coffee or merchandise from Kettle at the below links. Kettle Coffee and TeaLone Coffee Resources on prayer: The Prayer of the Lord by RC Sproul Praying Backwards by Bryan Chappell A Praying Life by Paul MillerA Simple Way to Pray by Martin LutherThe Valley of Vision

This week Austin brings the discussion on the New Testament canon to a close while sipping on a medium bodied coffee from Nameless Coffee co. Question of the Week: What led you to attend seminary?Resources: Michael J. Kruger's Ten Basic Facts About the NT Canon that Every Christian Should MemorizeLigonier course on NT CanonThe Chicago Statement on Biblical InerrancyRecommended Books:Michael J. Kruger, The Heresy of OrthodoxyMichael J. Kruger, Canon RevisitedDon Kistler, Sola Scriptura: The Protestant Position on the Bible

This week, Austin continues the discussion on the New Testament canon by introducing the process of canonization and working through a few more of Michael Kruger's top ten facts about the canon. Michael J. Kruger's Ten Basic Facts About the NT Canon that Every Christian Should MemorizeLigonier course on NT CanonThe Chicago Statement on Biblical InerrancyRecommended Books:Michael J. Kruger, The Heresy of OrthodoxyMichael J. Kruger, Canon RevisitedDon Kistler, Sola Scriptura: The Protestant Position on the Bible

This week we break from discussing the canon to answer a listener's question. The question is, "what does Jesus mean when he tells the woman caught in adultery to 'go, and sin no more'"? Is Jesus implying that those who follow him are able to reach a point of sinless perfection?

This week begins with a debut of the new segment, the Question of the Week. Then, Austin picks up the ongoing discussion on the New Testament canon by introducing the idea of canon and covenant. Question(s) of the Week:Since we don’t have the original autographs, are the copies inspired?How can we know that we have exactly what the original autographs contained?Michael J. Kruger's Ten Basic Facts About the NT Canon that Every Christian Should Memorize Ligonier course on NT CanonThe Chicago Statement on Biblical InerrancyRecommended Books:Michael J. Kruger, The Heresy of OrthodoxyMichael J. Kruger, Canon RevisitedDon Kistler, Sola Scriptura: The Protestant Position on the Bible

This week begins with some exiting announcements and then we continue our discussion about Scripture, focusing on canonicity. This is part one of several episodes where we will work through the big questions of canonicity to further strengthen our faith in the reliability of the Bible. Michael J. Kruger's Ten Basic Facts About the NT Canon that Every Christian Should MemorizeRecommended Reading:Michael J. Kruger, The Heresy of OrthodoxyMichael J. Kruger, Canon RevisitedDon Kistler, Sola Scriptura: The Protestant Position on the Bible

This week we are considering the sufficiency of Scripture and addressing the question of how God speaks to his people. Has God clearly revealed his will in Scripture, and can we be confident that his revealed will is enough?

Today we are considering the God who reveals himself in two ways, in both nature and in Scripture. How does God reveal himself in nature and what is the need for God to then make himself known in Scripture? Should we be looking outside of Scripture today to find God, or can we meet him where he has promised to be?

In this episode Austin introduces Sippin' On Theology, provides a bit of his background, and discusses some foundational questions, like what is theology, is theology important, who has a theology, and the purpose of theology.