Podcasts about reformed christians

Join us for this special introductory livestream where Dr. Camden Bucey offers an accessible first look at Eastern Orthodoxy from a Reformed theological perspective. This session represents only the beginning of our exploration into this tradition. Drawing from leading introductory texts—including works by Andrew Louth, Timothy Ware, Anthony Coniaris, and Frederica Mathewes-Green—Camden will guide us through the fundamental themes and distinctives of Eastern Orthodox theology and practice. In this initial presentation, we'll examine key doctrines such as Scripture, the Church, the Trinity, and theosis, while also considering the underlying assumptions that shape Orthodox spirituality. What distinguishes Orthodoxy from Protestantism—not just in its answers, but in the questions it asks? This introductory session is designed for: Reformed Christians seeking to understand the profound theological differences between Orthodox and Reformed interpretations of Scripture Those wanting to recognize how Eastern Orthodoxy's foundational assumptions and hermeneutical approaches diverge significantly from Reformed convictions Viewers interested in discerning the substantial distinctions in how these traditions approach authority, salvation, and worship Those who desire to strengthen their grasp of Reformed theology by understanding a tradition that takes significantly different paths on core doctrines Our aim is to begin understanding a historic Christian tradition on its own terms, while also evaluating its claims in light of the confessional Reformed faith. Initial topics we'll introduce: The foundations of Eastern Orthodoxy Orthodox understandings of Scripture and tradition The Trinity: mystery, apophaticism, and communion Theosis and sanctification Authority and conciliarity vs. sola Scriptura Orthodox perspectives on Protestantism and Roman Catholicism Reformed responses to Orthodox claims This livestream serves as an entry point for further exploration. Future sessions will explore these complex theological matters in greater detail. Join us for this engaging first exploration—and come ready to think theologically. Watch on YouTube

April 7, 2025 JERRY JOHNSON,Reformed Christian apologist &renowned documentarian, mostwell known for cowriting & co-producing the popular DVD series:“Amazing Grace: The History &Theology of Calvinism”, & hiswebcast series, “Against theWorld”, who will address: “WAS the APOSTLE PETERa RATIONALIST?” Subscribe: Listen:

March 12, 2025 Samuel Farag,Reformed Christian apologist, founderof ExpositingTheWord.org, & pastor ofBethel Baptist Church, Gorham, NY,who will address: “FROM EGYPT to GENEVA: ONE MAN'sJOURNEY OUT of COPTIC (ORIENTAL)ORTHODOXY into the REFORMED FAITH” Subscribe: Listen:

In this captivating episode of The Wandering Pilgrims, we journey back to the tumultuous 17th century to uncover the inspiring life of Benjamin Keach, a pivotal figure in religious history. Born on February 29, 1640, in Stoke Hammond, England, Keach's early years were shaped by the fervent faith of his family and the chaotic backdrop of the English Civil Wars. At just 15, a profound conversion ignited his passion for preaching, leading him to share his convictions in Winslow.As the political landscape shifted with the restoration of the monarchy, Keach faced severe persecution for his nonconformist beliefs, notably after publishing the revolutionary children's catechism, The Child's Instructor. His arrest marked a significant moment, but rather than retreating, Keach boldly preached from the pillory, exemplifying his unwavering commitment to his faith. Amidst the broader European upheaval, Keach's resilience and courage shone brightly.Relocating to London in 1668, Keach became a pastor in Southwark, where he introduced congregational hymn singing into Baptist worship—an act that sparked intense debates yet ultimately transformed worship practices. His prolific writing, including influential works like Tropologia and Exposition of the Parables, made complex theological concepts accessible to the ordinary believer, emphasizing practical applications of faith.Join us as we explore Keach's enduring legacy, from his contributions to hymnody to his role in the adoption of the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith. His life not only reflects the challenges of his time but also serves as a testament to the power of conviction and the impact one individual can have across generations. As we navigate through Keach's remarkable journey, we gain insight into the resilience required to uphold one's beliefs amidst adversity.Support our mission:▪️ Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/wanderingpilgrims▪️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheWanderingPilgrims▪️ Shop: https://shop.thewanderingpilgrims.com/▪️ Our Website: www.thewanderingpilgrims.comConnect with us here:▪️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewanderingpilgrims/▪️ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/The-Wandering-Pilgrims-581206039071736/

Tarry any length of time with evangelical and Reformed Christians, and one is likely to hear the name of Martyn Lloyd-Jones. ‘The Doctor' as he was affectionately known, had a ministry that was used by God in a quite unique way in the mid to late twentieth century. This week's articles provide a stimulus to engage with Lloyd-Jones through two distinct types of media: his letters and his books. Jeremy Brooks highlights the value of the volume of Letters published by the Banner in 1994 for our understanding of the Doctor, and Iain H. Murray offers a guide to Lloyd-Jones' book output, with suggestions as to which volumes readers ought to prioritise. Whether you've benefitted from Lloyd-Jones for years, or have just discovered him, these articles will provide valuable insights and encouragement to read the work of a wonderful servant of Christ.   Featured Articles: – 'Revisiting Lloyd-Jones' Letters', Jeremy Brooks, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 736 (January 2025). – 'Advice on Reading Dr Lloyd-Jones', Iain H. Murray, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 510 (March 2006). Our thanks to Jeremy Brooks, pastor at Wellcome Hall Evangelical Church, Catshill, Bromsgrove, for reading the article he authored.   Resources by Lloyd-Jones: The All-Sufficient God: Sermons on Isaiah 40 Authentic Christianity (Acts Set) Born of God: Sermons from John Chapter 1 Ephesians Set Expository Sermons on 2 Peter Knowing the Times: Addresses Delivered on Various Occasions 1942-1977 Letters of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Old Testament Evangelistic Sermons The Puritans: Their Origins and Successors Saved by Grace Alone: Sermons on Ezekiel 36:16-36   Resources about Dr. and Mrs Lloyd-Jones: D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Iain H. Murray (2 volume biography. Volumes can be bought separately: The First Forty Years, 1899-1939 and The Fight of Faith, 1939-1981) Lloyd-Jones: Messenger of Grace, Iain H. Murray Memories of Sandfields, Bethan Lloyd-Jones The Life of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Iain H. Murray (1 volume, 'a re-cast, condensed and, in parts, re-written version of the author's two volumes D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The First Forty Years (1982) and The Fight of Faith (1990). Since those dates, the life of Dr Lloyd-Jones has been the subject of comment and assessment in many publications and these have been taken into account. The main purpose of this further biography, however, is to put Dr Lloyd-Jones' life before another generation in more accessible form. The big story is all here.')   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

All the Episodes of the Heidelcast Giving Up Lent Subscribe to the Heidelcast! Browse the Heidelshop! On X @Heidelcast On Insta & Facebook @Heidelcast Subscribe in Apple Podcast Subscribe directly via RSS Call The Heidelphone via Voice Memo On Your Phone The Heidelcast is available wherever podcasts are found including Spotify. Call or text the Heidelphone anytime at (760) 618-1563. Leave a message or email us a voice memo from your phone and we may use it in a future podcast. Record it and email it to heidelcast@heidelblog.net. If you benefit from the Heidelcast please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts so that others can find it. Please do not forget to make the coffer clink (see the donate button below). SHOW NOTES How To Subscribe To Heidelmedia Download the HeidelApp on Apple App Store or Google Play The Heidelblog Resource Page Heidelmedia Resources The Ecumenical Creeds The Reformed Confessions The Heidelberg Catechism The Heidelberg Catechism: A Historical, Theological, & Pastoral Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2025) Recovering the Reformed Confession (Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2008) Why I Am A Christian What Must A Christian Believe? Heidelblog Contributors Support Heidelmedia: use the donate button or send a check to: Heidelberg Reformation Association 1637 E. Valley Parkway #391 Escondido CA 92027 USA The HRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

In a recent article in the New York Post entitled "Young men leaving traditional churches for ‘masculine' Orthodox Christianity in droves", journalist Ricki Schlott analyzes the growing trend among young men in Gen Z leaving Evangelicalism for the Eastern Orthodox Church. In this week's episode we discuss why we believe this is happening, what it teaches us about the needs of young people, and what we as Reformed Christians can do about it.   Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA. Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Recently, there have been two glaring instances of theologically conservative, Reformed Christians welcoming in false teachers, introducing them to their audiences, and, by doing so, essentially giving them their seal of approval. And they're not the only ones. This kind of thing happens all the time with high profile Christians, parachurch ministries, and churches. We’ll […]

Deut. 30:11­­–14 Joel 2:30–32 Luke 12:8–12 Rom. 10:11–14 Among the many pressing needs among Christians in the west is a better understanding of the main teachings of the Bible. Even we Reformed Christians, who love our doctrine and often like to talk about it, prove not to know it well enough to speak simply and clearly about it to others. Beginning this series in the Belgic Confession, we focus on the opening words: “We all believe in our hearts and confess with mouths…”

It's a live show so feel free to ask Jon whatever questions you have. Today, Jon shares some thoughts on the late president Jimmy Carter and also addresses concerns about upcoming conferences with non-Reformed Christians in the lineups including Calvin Robinson and Paul Gottfried. Last, Jon briefly mentions some of the accomplishments of 2024 and what people can expect for 2025.To Support the Podcast: https://www.worldviewconversation.com/support/Become a Patronhttps://www.patreon.com/worldviewconversationFollow Jon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonharris1989Follow Jon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldviewconversation/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/conversations-that-matter8971/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

With Advent now well and truly upon us, 'tis the season for some prophecy! This week, sparked by a radio preacher Mark heard who taught that Isaiah 19's prophecies about the conversion of Egypt are being fulfilled as we speak, we decided that for this week's episode we'd dig in a little bit to how Reformed Christians have and ought to think about the predictive prophecies given to us in Scripture, in both the Old and New Testaments.    Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA. Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Sunday, October 27 2024 - Sermon by Pastor Brett JenkinsGeneral podcast introduction using "Be Thou My Vision." General podcast outro using "Be Thou My Vision."

It all began with the assassination of Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914, and would result in World War I—a brother war that would tear the West apart. The King of England, the Kaiser, and Tsar Nicholas were all blood related cousins. To this day, no one really knows how, exactly, or why WWI happened. But it did. And it opened the door for chaos that led to World War II and the rise of men like Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini. Today, Reformed Christians are quick to go to war with each other, but this only weakens any attempt to rebuild Christendom. Our enemies make progress against us because, as Cain killed Abel, we are too quick to destroy those with whom we share 98% of theological principles. How can we work together instead? How can we maintain distinctives and differences without destroying one another? We will discuss in this episode. Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Visit Full Stadium Marketing to find your next marketing partner, aligning with your values and providing tools to grow your business all to the glory of God.Get 10% off your next order at Reformation Heritage Books with the code, "KINGSHALL."Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultation10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee. Visit their website squirrellyjoes.com/kingshall to purchase your first bag! Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.Purchase your body armor at Premier Body Armor. 

In this episode of the Reformed Brotherhood Podcast, Tony Arsenal and Jesse Schwamb engage in a comprehensive discussion about the theological intricacies of the Lord's Supper. They explore the significance of the elements used in the sacrament, focusing on the symbolism of the bread and wine and their cultural analogs. The hosts emphasize the importance of understanding these elements within the context of different cultures, considering what they signify in terms of sustenance and celebration. The conversation delves into the debates surrounding the appropriate use of these elements in worship, particularly highlighting the differences between unleavened and leavened bread, as well as the use of wine or grape juice. Tony and Jesse discuss how various cultures might interpret these elements differently, stressing the need for a fittingness that aligns with the theological purpose of the Lord's Supper. They underscore the importance of maintaining the symbolic integrity of the sacrament while also being mindful of cultural contexts. Throughout the episode, the hosts encourage listeners to reflect on the broader theological implications of the Lord's Supper within Reformed theology. They discuss how the elements of bread and wine serve as vital symbols in Christian worship, representing Christ's body and blood, and how their proper understanding can enhance one's worship experience. By examining the theological debates and cultural considerations, the episode provides a rich exploration of the complexities and significance of the Lord's Supper in Reformed Christian practice. Key Points: The significance of the elements in the Lord's Supper and their cultural analogs. Theological debates surrounding the use of bread and wine in the sacrament. The importance of understanding the symbolism of the Lord's Supper within Reformed theology. Questions for Reflection: How do cultural differences impact the interpretation and practice of the Lord's Supper? What are the theological implications of using different elements in the sacrament? How does understanding the symbolism of the bread and wine enhance one's worship experience?

Reformed Christians are skeptical of the writings of pagan philosophers such as Aristotle, Plato, and Plutarch. After all, these men did not possess the gift of regeneration, the Holy Scriptures, or the Holy Spirit. But as we grapple with the reality of forced multiculturalism, unchecked immigration, and burning cities in the UK it is time to consider the possibility that the great Western thinkers that our Reformed fathers extensively relied on, quoted, and used left us great wisdom and insights for our struggle today. Tune in now as we discuss the Reformed tradition, Aristotle, and his writings on the possibility of functional multiculturalism. Get your tickets now for our 2025 Conference. Christ Is King: How To Defeat Trash World at ⁠https://rightresponseconference.com⁠ *MINISTRY SPONSORS:* *Squirrelly Joes Coffee - Caffeinating The Modern Reformation* Our audience can get a free bag of coffee (just pay shipping) by visiting ⁠https://squirrellyjoes.com/rightresponse ⁠ *The Word Soap* https://thewordsoap.com *Reece Fund.* Christian Capital. Boldly Deployed https://www.reecefund.com/ *Domion Ranch* Enter the Dominion Ranch super summer only giveaway for some delicious Wagyu beef, a mouthwatering addition to your freezer! https://dominion-ranch.ck.page/e381a601e5 *Private Family Banking* Contact a Private Family Banking Partner today by emailing banking@privatefamilybanking.com Or reserve a day and time for a Free 30-minute Discovery Consultation by using the link below: https://calendly.com/familybankingnow/30min GET A FREE COPY of Protect Your Money Now! How to Build Multi-Generational Wealth Outside of Wall Street and Avoid the Coming Banking Meltdown by going to www.protectyourmoneynow.net

This is part two of my interview with Noelle Fitchett, host of the podcast “Out of Context” talking about the toxic nature of feminism and our reaction to Harrison Butker's Catholic commencement speech, from a Reformed Christian female perspective.—https://www.thebrandsunday.com/collections/all—https://policecoffee.com/collections/coffee

Questions about the best way to respond to someone who believes in double predestination and who dismisses many non-believers as lost causes and whether someone who believes they need faith plus works for salvation can still be saved by their faith. What's the best way to respond to someone in the double predestination camp who vocally dismisses many non-believers as lost causes? Can someone who believes they need faith plus works for salvation still be saved by their faith?

Questions about the best way to respond to someone who believes in double predestination and who dismisses many non-believers as lost causes and whether someone who believes they need faith plus works for salvation can still be saved by their faith. What's the best way to respond to someone in the double predestination camp who vocally dismisses many non-believers as lost causes? Can someone who believes they need faith plus works for salvation still be saved by their faith?

This episode addresses the heart of Reformed evangelism, featuring a compelling conversation with the Rev. Paul Murphy, pastor of evangelism at Messiah's Reformed Fellowship in New York, and Dr. Eric Watkins, director of the Center for Missions and Evangelism at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. In this conversation, we explore the unique approach of Reformed theology to evangelism, addressing common stereotypes, and addressing the challenges and opportunities for spreading the gospel in urban settings. We unpack the misconception that Reformed Christians do not engage in evangelism, shedding light on the historical and theological roots of this stereotype. It also highlights the exciting new opportunities, including church planting and revitalization efforts in Chicago and New York. Listeners will gain insights into the distinct aspects of Reformed evangelism, as outlined by the Reformed creeds and confessions, and the importance of understanding one's role within the Body of Christ. The discussion emphasizes the need for a culture of evangelism within local congregations and offers practical suggestions for fostering this culture.

May 6, 2024 JERRY JOHNSON, Reformed Christian apologist & documentarian most well known for his highly-praised, renowned DVD series: “The History & Theology of Calvinism”, who will address: PART *2* of “UNCLE JERRY's HODGE PODGE LODGE: Fielding Questions on ANY Topics Related to Christianity!”   Subscribe: iTunes  TuneIn Android RSS Feed Listen:

This week on Theonomoney, Jeremy talks with Josiah Stowe about a Reformed Christian approach to finances and how Christians can better honor God with their finances in this life. Subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher, tell your friends about Theonomoney, and follow Theonomoney on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Gab. Check out great theonomic shirts and hoodies here: bonfire.com/store/theonomoney/ Check out Josiah's company at reformed.money No part of this episode is legal financial advice and thus it should not be received as such. If you would like legal financial advice, hire a professional financial advisor who can tailor various options to your specific situation, such as Josiah's company discussed in this episode.

Brandon Durham, Bnonn Tennant, and Kevin Van Gelder, are the founders of Dominion Dating, a dating site for Reformed Christian singles. Topics: The origins of Dominion Dating Catechized to Hate Masculinity Big Eva Bobbleheads Sacrificial Men and Teachable Women Learning How To Be Normal Men's Dating Ineptitude Hesitancy of Pastors to Shepherd Women Bottle-Fed Self-Esteem Gospel CONNECT WITH DOMINION DATING https://dominiondating.com https://domioniondating.com/press https://dominiondating.substack.com https://instagram.com/dominiondating https://vangelder.tech/ SPONSORS https://ReformationCoffee.com Use the code SUBFREE to get one free bag of coffee with subscription. https://obrienfitnesslifestyle.com Use code RENOFMEN to get 10% off any online training package. LINKS https://x.com/renofmen https://instagram.com/renofmen https://youtube.com/@renofmen https://renofmen.com

Lindsey runs the Reformed Faith and Family website and podcast alongside her husband Caleb. Together they have seven children ranging in ages from three to fifteen years old. Caleb is a bi-vocational pastor, and Lindsey is a long-time homeschooling mom who enjoys reading to her children, dabbling in homestead hobbies, and being a doula for friends when she gets the chance. Their work on Reformed Faith and Family was born out of a deep desire to provide a solid resource for Christians trying to understand the Reformed perspective and help Christian families disciple their children from a Reformed Christian worldview.Lindsey has a helpful family devotional titled "Filling Hearts While Cleaning Homes: 5 Minute Devotionals for Families" -- teach your kids to do their chores diligently for the glory of God! Use coupon code "MYSTIE" they can get it for free now through April - a $9 value. Find it here --https://reformedfaithandfamily.com/product/filling-hearts-while-cleaning-homes-5-minute-devotionals-for-families/01:21 Challenges of Parenting and Homemaking02:41 Adapting to Different Personalities and Needs05:02 Embracing the Chaos and Trusting God's Plan06:36 Adapting to Children's Unique Learning Styles10:34 Encouraging Love for Reading in Dyslexic Children13:21 Adapting to the Changing Needs of Older Children14:15 Maintaining Kindness and Patience in Difficult SeasonsMystie Winckler encourages moms to organize their attitudes and get traction at home so we are no longer overwhelmed or frustrated with homemaking. We are a community of Christian women striving to be competent, cheerful homemakers so we are fruitful, faithful, and hospitable. Subscribe for regular encouragement!

Lindsey runs the Reformed Faith and Family website and podcast alongside her husband Caleb. Together they have seven children ranging in ages from three to fifteen years old. Caleb is a bi-vocational pastor, and Lindsey is a long-time homeschooling mom who enjoys reading to her children, dabbling in homestead hobbies, and being a doula for friends when she gets the chance. Their work on Reformed Faith and Family was born out of a deep desire to provide a solid resource for Christians trying to understand the Reformed perspective and help Christian families disciple their children from a Reformed Christian worldview.Lindsey has a helpful family devotional titled "Filling Hearts While Cleaning Homes: 5 Minute Devotionals for Families" -- teach your kids to do their chores diligently for the glory of God! Use coupon code "MYSTIE" they can get it for free now through April - a $9 value. Find it here --https://reformedfaithandfamily.com/product/filling-hearts-while-cleaning-homes-5-minute-devotionals-for-families/01:21 Challenges of Parenting and Homemaking02:41 Adapting to Different Personalities and Needs05:02 Embracing the Chaos and Trusting God's Plan06:36 Adapting to Children's Unique Learning Styles10:34 Encouraging Love for Reading in Dyslexic Children13:21 Adapting to the Changing Needs of Older Children14:15 Maintaining Kindness and Patience in Difficult SeasonsMystie Winckler encourages moms to organize their attitudes and get traction at home so we are no longer overwhelmed or frustrated with homemaking. We are a community of Christian women striving to be competent, cheerful homemakers so we are fruitful, faithful, and hospitable. Subscribe for regular encouragement!

Lindsey runs the Reformed Faith and Family website and podcast alongside her husband Caleb. Together they have seven children ranging in ages from three to fifteen years old. Caleb is a bi-vocational pastor, and Lindsey is a long-time homeschooling mom who enjoys reading to her children, dabbling in homestead hobbies, and being a doula for friends when she gets the chance. Their work on Reformed Faith and Family was born out of a deep desire to provide a solid resource for Christians trying to understand the Reformed perspective and help Christian families disciple their children from a Reformed Christian worldview.Lindsey has a helpful family devotional titled "Filling Hearts While Cleaning Homes: 5 Minute Devotionals for Families" -- teach your kids to do their chores diligently for the glory of God! Use coupon code "MYSTIE" they can get it for free now through April - a $9 value. Find it here --https://reformedfaithandfamily.com/product/filling-hearts-while-cleaning-homes-5-minute-devotionals-for-families/01:21 Challenges of Parenting and Homemaking02:41 Adapting to Different Personalities and Needs05:02 Embracing the Chaos and Trusting God's Plan06:36 Adapting to Children's Unique Learning Styles10:34 Encouraging Love for Reading in Dyslexic Children13:21 Adapting to the Changing Needs of Older Children14:15 Maintaining Kindness and Patience in Difficult SeasonsMystie Winckler encourages moms to organize their attitudes and get traction at home so we are no longer overwhelmed or frustrated with homemaking. We are a community of Christian women striving to be competent, cheerful homemakers so we are fruitful, faithful, and hospitable. Subscribe for regular encouragement!

Gregory Baus of the Reformed Libertarians Podcast was my guest to discuss how he grounds his libertarian views as a Reformed Christian. As an Anabaptist […]

On this episode, we will be talking about Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, why they're both biblically incorrect, how their church leaderships lie/manipulate/gaslight/conceal things from their church goers and the general public (just in order to obtain more power, money, and control), and how Reformed Theology's really going to be your best bet faith-wise if you want to be an actual, biblical Christian. Trash me if you guys want, this is what's biblically correct. I do this for God, not any of you. So go ahead and listen to a different podcast if you can't handle the truth. Safe travels. To the rest of you, you're on the narrow path, you're biblically correct, and never be afraid to call out pagans dressed as Christians. XOXO--https://noblegoldinvestments.com

Charles Spurgeon wrote, "If you have some worry, and you do not know how to meet it, some work, and you do not know how to do it, look to him who made the iron swim and he can do the same for you." Today I am sharing how a miracle about a man who lost a borrowed ax head can bring great encouragmenet to our hearts today. Website Maintenance February and March Mini Wisdom & Goal Workbook: http://www.sheprovesfaithful.com/shop/goals SPF Shop: sheprovesfaithful.com/shop  Support SPF $5 a Month (get the Wisdom and Goal Workbook free until end of March 2024): patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful Love natural, non-toxic products for your home and body? Try Earthley while supporting SPF: https://earthley.com/ref/lauren.hlushak/  

How did an atheist professor who wrote articles against evangelical Christians become one? In this week's episode Sam Hailes sits down with Rosaria Butterfield who describes her journey from being a liberal sceptic to becoming a Christian. Rather than a clean or easy process, she describes her conversion as "messy and dangerous." A significant part of Rosaria's journey involves her sexuality. From a young age, she found herself more drawn to women than men. However, it wasn't until the age of 28 that she came out as a lesbian to her friends. Her journey towards Christianity began when she decided to explore the religious right's views and beliefs regarding homosexuality. She wrote an article criticising them for infringing upon the rights of consenting adults. This article gained much attention and resulted in a letter from a pastor named Ken Smith who invited her to his home for a discussion. She accepted the invitation, seeing it as an opportunity to better understand evangelical Christianity for her research. Little did she know that this interaction would play a crucial role in her conversion, as she suddenly found herself absorbed in Bible study for hours each day. Rosaria is now an author and speaker whose books include The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert, The Gospel Comes with a House Key and most recently Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity magazine. Subscribe to receive full access in 2024 for just £24.

In This episode Restless React to the trailer of the upcoming documentary: God and Country. This movie coming out next year is going to expose the danger of Christian Nationalism. A number of old YRR days aquaintances show up to party. Matt and Michael have a discuss for the sake of Reformed Christians who will be asked about Christian Nationalism in the coming year. Join our patreon for bonus episodes every single week! You can follow this podcast all over the internet. twitter,   instagram.    or facebook Or email us at restlesspodcasting@gmail.com

All the Episodes of the Heidelcast Subscribe to the Heidelcast! On X @Heidelcast On Insta & Facebook @Heidelcast Subscribe in Apple Podcast Subscribe directly via RSS Call The Heidelphone via Voice Memo On Your Phone The Heidelcast is available wherever podcasts are found including Spotify. Call or text the Heidelphone anytime at (760) 618-1563. Leave a message or email us a voice memo from your phone and we may use it in a future podcast. Record it and email it to heidelcast@heidelblog.net. If you benefit from the Heidelcast please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts so that others can find it. Please do not forget to make the coffer clink (see the donate button below). SHOW NOTES Resources On Jonathan Edwards Resources On Revivals And Revivalism How To Subscribe To Heidelmedia The Heidelblog Resource Page Heidelmedia Resources The Ecumenical Creeds The Reformed Confessions The Heidelberg Catechism Recovering the Reformed Confession (Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2008) Why I Am A Christian What Must A Christian Believe? Heidelblog Contributors Support Heidelmedia: use the donate button or send a check to: Heidelberg Reformation Association 1637 E. Valley Parkway #391 Escondido CA 92027 The HRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Today, January 13, we remember the Hussites who, on this day in 1501, published the first hymnal in history written in the language of the common people. The descendants of the Hussites are known as the Moravian Brethren, who carry on the rich tradition of hymns and church music today.   Christians have good reason to commemorate this event. After all, ours, like Judaism, has always been a singing faith. The longest book in the Bible, and the one at its center, is the Psalms, a word that means “songs.” David's plans for the Temple included clans of Levites whose entire job was music. Choirs, soloists, orchestras, and antiphonal singing were prescribed parts of Temple life and practice, and an entire class of Psalms, the Songs of Ascent, were sung by the people as they traveled to Jerusalem for the annual pilgrimage festivals.   Throughout the biblical texts, music is also connected to prophecy and to dealing with evil spirits. Jesus and the apostles sang a hymn after the Last Supper, according to two of the Gospels. The Apostle Paul specifically associates singing with being filled with the Spirit in his epistle to the church at Ephesus.  And, in John's Revelation of what is constantly happening around the throne of God, there is lots of singing, sometimes accompanied by harps.   Music also is part of the culmination of the creation story. When Eve is taken from Adam's side, Adam awakes and exclaims, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Many scholars believe this to essentially be a celebratory song.   Eliminating the musical element from the text of Scripture would be to gut them and the practices that have emerged from them. Monks chanted the Psalms daily, in some cases covering the entire Psalter in a week. Medieval thinkers thought of the human heartbeat, respiration, and daily cycle of sleeping and waking as “music.” They also believed the motion of the heavenly bodies was regulated by the “music of the spheres.” To the medieval mind, music was a glue holding the universe together. These ideas shaped the imaginations of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, who used music as the agent of creation in their respective tales of Narnia and Middle Earth.   In the Reformation, Martin Luther reintroduced congregational singing to the liturgy, an idea that spread through all the branches of Protestantism and, eventually, returned to the Roman Catholic Church. Reformed Christians focused on singing the Psalms and other songs from Scripture, though some also incorporated hymns in their worship.   All of this points to a central truth of a Christian worldview, that God loves music. Because music has been so central to Church worship and the Christian imagination, the first common-language hymnal is a milestone to remember and an opportunity to reflect on how music serves Christian worship today.  While I have no desire to reignite the “worship wars” of recent decades, Christians should not think of music as mere decoration to services that are really about teaching and preaching. The essential question, even as music styles change and new music is created and incorporated, is what is music in worship services for?   The Psalms offer essential guidance. Some are songs of praise, others are confessions, but the largest category of Psalms are laments. In other words, the Psalms cover the full range of human emotions, bringing the totality of human experience into corporate worship.   And yet, the Psalms always direct our attention to God. Even when talking about their own experiences and hardships, they always turn attention outward and upward, from self and toward God. And often, this is done by remembering what God has done and who He has revealed Himself to be.   Too often, music utilized in churches fails to take us past expressing our own thoughts and feelings about God and, too often, only songs that elicit positive and happy emotions are sung. This does not follow the model of Scripture, a model that helps God's people see trouble and sorrow in light of God's faithfulness and character. This also misses what music is for. Music instructs. It is a tool of catechetical instruction, not merely a time of self-expression. In the end, songs centered on the subjective experience of Christians quickly become sources of bad theology.  Another consideration is that music is for the entire congregation. When music in the church is primarily about the performance of professional musicians, the songs are unsingable to much of the congregation. This is not an issue of style or preference. I thank God for modern writers of hymns and songs committed to producing music that is true and excellent for the glory of God and the people of God.   Music is a gift of God, a unique way of connecting His revelation with our hearts and minds. St. Augustine is thought to have said, “he who sings, prays twice.” The Church must recover a more robust understanding and practice of music.  This Breakpoint was co-authored by Dr. Glenn Sunshine. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to colsoncenter.org.  This Breakpoint was originally published on January 13, 2023.

All the Episodes of the Heidelcast Subscribe to the Heidelcast! On X @Heidelcast On Insta & Facebook @Heidelcast Subscribe in Apple Podcast Subscribe directly via RSS Call The Heidelphone via Voice Memo On Your Phone The Heidelcast is available wherever podcasts are found including Spotify. Call or text the Heidelphone anytime at (760) 618-1563. Leave a message or email us a voice memo from your phone and we may use it in a future podcast. Record it and email it to heidelcast@heidelblog.net. If you benefit from the Heidelcast please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts so that others can find it. Please do not forget to make the coffer clink (see the donate button below). SHOW NOTES Resources On Jonathan Edwards Resources On Revivals And Revivalism How To Subscribe To Heidelmedia The Heidelblog Resource Page Heidelmedia Resources The Ecumenical Creeds The Reformed Confessions The Heidelberg Catechism Recovering the Reformed Confession (Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2008) Why I Am A Christian What Must A Christian Believe? Heidelblog Contributors Support Heidelmedia: use the donate button or send a check to: Heidelberg Reformation Association 1637 E. Valley Parkway #391 Escondido CA 92027 The HRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

The internet of the reformed world continues to talk about Doug Wilson, the Moscow Mood, and the problems that separate from other Reformed Christians. Last week we covered Kevin DeYoung criticism of Doug Wilson and company. This week we cover Doug Wilson's response to the criticism on his blog. How well does he respond to KDY? Will Matt be in a good mood? What will we learn along the way? All this and more this week on Restless. , sign up for the patreon. Also at this level you can pick a topic for the show. Subscribe to the youtube as we plan to continue to live stream these reactions. You can follow this podcast all over the internet. twitter,   instagram.    or facebook

Veronica Shull is engaged to Samuel Condo, who is serving a 12-year federal prison sentence in Fort Worth, TX. Samuel has been developing a vibrant and busy ministry to men in prison and around the country after being saved in prison himself seven years ago. He and Veronica intend to pursue church ministry in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) upon his release in 2027. Dr. Tavis Bohlinger (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tavisbohlinger⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) is the creator, host, and co-producer of The Modern Puritan Podcast, and Director of Media at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reformation Heritage Books⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Grand Rapids, MI. He was associate producer and cinematographer for the feature-length documentary, “⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Revival: The Work of God⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,” and he has earned accolades for his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠documentary photography⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ work on autism. Tavis is a Navy veteran, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and he holds an MDiv from The Masters Seminary and both a Masters and PhD from Durham University in Biblical Studies. The Modern Puritan podcast is a production of Reformation Heritage Books, the premier publisher of Puritan, Reformed, experiential Christian literature worldwide. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠heritagebooks.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information about our ministry and to browse our extensive catalogue of exceptional resources for every Christian, young and old. *We are honored to part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Confessional Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, an online directory of trustworthy, confessional/Reformed podcasts. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/modernpuritan/support

November 27, 2023 JERRY JOHNSON, Reformed Christian apologist, documentarian & producer of the renowned documentary, “Amazing Grace: The History & Theology of Calvinism”, who will addrees: “MARKS OF A CULT” Subscribe: iTunes  TuneIn Android RSS Feed Listen:

Some of our best friends joined us to talk about the blessings and challenges of the Lord's Day for Reformed Christians. We looked at what Westminster teaches and what real-world application looks like for members, moms, and elders.  Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSEnFzEy9zk&t=2s

October 11, 2023 JERRY JOHNSON, Reformed Christian apologist & documentarian, who will address: “CELEBRATING the 19th ANNIVERSARY of the DOCUMENTARY: ‘AMAZING GRACE: The HISTORY & THEOLOGY of CALVINISM'” During this interview Chris Arnzen mentioned that the narrator of the "Amazing Grace" interview, Eric Holmberg, had apostatized into Eastern Orthodoxy. Mr. Holmberg corrected that denominational error by informing us he is actually now an Eastern Rite Catholic.   Subscribe: iTunes  TuneIn Android RSS Feed Listen:

Hal Shurtleff is a guest on the Iron Sharpens Iron Show hosted by Chris Arnzen.HAL SHURTLEFF,Co-founder & Camp Director of Camp Constitution,host of its radio program, & one of the speakers @The Future of Christendom Conference inManheim, PA this weekend featuringkeynote speaker & *DEBATER*Dr. James R. White of AOMin.org,who will address:“WHY THE UNITED STATESMUST GET OUT OF THEUNITED NATIONS!”Chris Arnzen | Christian Radio Programming & Advertising Executive & Talk Host of Iron Sharpens Iron.If you're weary of the typical fluffy Christian radio broadcasts, you'll find Iron Sharpens Iron addresses a multitude of topics from a distinctly Reformed Christian worldview. Chris Arnzen asks the right questions, presents guests who have the answers, and continually challenges Christians to apply their faith to every aspect of their lives.

July 31, 2023 JERRY JOHNSON, Reformed Christian apologist, documentarian & producer of the successful DVD series, "Amazing Grace: The History & Theology of Calvinism", who will address: "CHRISTONOMY: HOW DO WE DEMONSTRATE OUR LOVE of CHRIST?" Subscribe: iTunes  TuneIn Android RSS Feed Listen:

The five solas unite Reformed Christians past and present, but Pastor John notes how seven factors may be creating a new mold under the same banner.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3279340/advertisement

The five solas unite Reformed Christians past and present, but Pastor John notes how seven factors may be creating a new mold under the same banner.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3279343/advertisement

Giselle Huang is both as an English-Chinese translator/editor and as an assistant in the Biblical Counseling Program at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. She is also involved in establishing a local translation group called Old Path Translation Fellowship that focusses on translating Reformed Christian literature from English to Chinese for the sake of Chinese-speaking believers in China and worldwide. Dr. Tavis Bohlinger (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tavisbohlinger⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) is the host/producer of The Modern Puritan Podcast, and Director of Media at ⁠⁠⁠Reformation Heritage Books⁠⁠⁠ in Grand Rapids, MI. He was associate producer and cinematographer for the feature-length documentary, “⁠⁠⁠Revival: The Work of God⁠⁠⁠,” and he has earned accolades for his ⁠⁠⁠documentary photography⁠⁠⁠ work on autism. Tavis is a Navy veteran, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and he holds an MDiv from The Masters Seminary and both a Masters and PhD from Durham University in Biblical Studies. The Modern Puritan podcast is a production of Reformation Heritage Books, the premier publisher of Puritan, Reformed, experiential Christian literature worldwide. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠heritagebooks.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information about our ministry and to browse our extensive catalogue of exceptional resources for every Christian, young and old. *We are honored to part of the ⁠⁠Confessional Podcast Network⁠⁠, an online directory of trustworthy, confessional/Reformed podcasts. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/modernpuritan/support

April 26, 2023 JERRY JOHNSON, Reformed Christian apologist, documentarian & producer of the successful DVD series, "Amazing Grace: The History & Theology of Calvinism", who will address: "A BROTHERLY CRITIQUE of DISPENSATIONALISM"   Subscribe: iTunes  TuneIn Android RSS Feed Listen:

Many Christians want to have a godly home, but don't know where to start. Following our previous episodes describing what it means to be a Reformed Christian, as well as the benefits of including family worship in your home and attending a family-integrated church, we felt it a natural transition to talk about what it takes to build a godly home. You will find this episode full of practical advice for any individual or family. We hope it is a blessing to you, and if it is please leave a 5-star review and share it with your friends. This would help us immensely! Resources Listed in this Episode: Richard Baxter's The Godly Home The Household and the War for the Cosmos by C.R. Wiley Building a Godly Home by William Gouge Canon + App Keep Up with Reformed Faith and Family in the Following Ways: Never miss an episode, article, or a new FREEBIE by joining our weekly newsletter here: https://reformedfaithandfamily.com/subscribe/ Build your library with our recommended resources: https://reformedfaithandfamily.com/recommended-resources/ Read the latest articles: https://reformedfaithandfamily.com/blog/ Download your FREEBIES in our store: https://reformedfaithandfamily.com/store/ Check out the Swag Shop: https://reformedfaithandfamily.com/swag-shop/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reformed-faith-and-family/message

On this episode of The Friends Podcast, we welcomed our friend Pat (aka Trick Jesus bka Reformed Christian) for a hilarious episode. Topics include the new Chris Rock special Selective Outrage, fatherhood, reparations, the best Marvel movies of all time, semen retention, and a few more things yall should hear. Thank you for listening! Time Stamps Chris Rock's new comedy special [06:35] 4 Americans went to Mexico and got kidnapped and killed [16:10] Will reparations ever happen? [24:15] Tyler Perry or Byron Allen may buy BET network [32:05] Fatherhood [49:25] Links  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thefriendspodcast Follow us on Instagram!: @thefriendspod http://instagram.com/thefriendspod We're on TikTok: @thefriendspod https://www.tiktok.com/@thefriendspod Subscribe to our Youtube!:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT1mr5u3GWstsecxHvRwJ7g Reach out via email: Friendspodcastshow@gmail.com

This week's guest is Stacie, the creative mind behind the @apostacie on Instagram and the co-host of @skeptichaven on Youtube.Stacie grew up in charismatic churches, believing what she learned about and experienced at church was normal—from speaking in tongues to full-on demonic oppression. It wasn't until Stacie was an adult that she began to seriously question her upbringing. After watching a Reformed-Christian documentary about the Charismatic church, the questions started coming.“I made the promise to myself: If I had questions, I was going to find the answers to them.”Now, she uses her online platforms to reach both atheists and doubting religious folks. Her compassionate wisdom is helping many of people.LinksInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/apostacie/Skeptic Havenhttps://www.youtube.com/c/SkepticHavenInteractFor quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show noteshttps://gracefulatheist.com/2023/02/26/stacie-apostacie/Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversionSupport the podcast on Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheistSecular Gracehttps://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/Deconversionhttps://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/Deconstructionhttps://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/Attribution"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beatshttps://makaihbeats.net/

Theonomy & Classical Reformed Christian Nationalism: A Modest Proposal Introduction The conversation swirling around Christian Nationalism, the classical liberal order, and how Christians ought to think about particular policy proposals continues apace. These issues are in play with the current push for “school choice” and Education Savings Accounts, and they are in play with Senator Josh Hawley’s recent proposal to ban social media use for children under 16. To which I tweeted out: “Yikes. No. This is the kind of folly that conservatives propose in the name of "the common good" that gives me the creeping fantods. This is why Kuyper's sphere sovereignty and old fashioned theonomy are so necessary. God has not established the state/power of the sword to raise/train our children. Same goes for alcohol, tobacco, and firearms. As soon as you start letting the civil magistrate act like your mom, you will only get more of the Karen State that we currently have.” And that seems to have stirred the waters. At this point, I’m hoping I’ve stirred the waters of Bethsaida and not something more shark infested, but that remains to be seen. Part of the fun of the last few weeks was the honor of having Timon Cline on CrossPolitic, and we had a great time debating and discussing the differences between theonomy and what I think he and others would call classical reformed political theology – although I’m still not convinced that they are that far apart. Meanwhile, other conversations have continued behind the scenes with friendly critics of theonomy. And then we had the follow up honor of talking to David Bahnsen about his misgivings surrounding the “Christian Nationalism” conversation and his preference for the “classical liberal order.” Some related factors are that sometimes advocates of “classical liberal order” *sound* a bit cavalier about our current cultural moment, and some, like David French, seem to have sold the whole farm to the leftists in the name of his version of the “classical liberal order” which seems to be code for “surrendering slowly.” But David Bahnsen insists that is not at all what he means or thinks. He envisions an explicitly Christian public square, but he is concerned not to make the civil sphere the central or primary actor in such an endeavor. The role of the Church and the family also need to be reinvigorated and reinforced, otherwise, you have a semi-conservative version of the current regime. And to his credit, there are some in the Reformed Christian Nationalism conversation that think it’s perfectly reasonable for Josh Hawley to propose age limits for social media, and others have suggested taking over the public schools and turning them into explicitly Christian schools funded by tax dollars and run by departments of education. All of which, I repeat, gives me the creeping fantods. Warm Theonomic Fuzzies The old Puritans and Scottish Presbyterians and Genevans who first sought reinvigorate civil magistrates under the spell of Papist supremacy (hence the name “magisterial” Reformers) affirmed that the specific civil laws of old Israel had expired with that particular state, except for the “general equity thereof.” While many modern Reformed types have concluded that this means something akin to “cute metaphors and warm fuzzy feelings,” the actual authors of the Westminster Confession and their immediate heirs functioned as though the Old Testament civil laws had a lot more to teach us than that. The fact that the early American colonies had Sabbath civil laws and blasphemy laws and laws prohibiting sodomy and adultery and fornication and divorce, tell you that they understood “general equity” as including the eternal moral and ethical principles resident in those civil laws and penalties. Now first off I want to emphasize that I think we need to have this conversation. And by “this conversation,” I mean, I think we need to have those of you steeped in the Reformed political tradition talking with those of us who are more steeped in the biblical studies and theonomy. Some of us need to be reading Franciscus Junius and some us need to be reading Rushdoony. I really appreciated the olive branch of sorts from Stephen Wolfe on this topic (his article on “Classical Reformed Theonomy”), and I also really appreciated Bahnsen’s demeanor toward the whole thing as well. Look, we’ve got men in lingerie twerking in front of little kids in public parks and libraries; I think this is the moment for us to work together, not splinter into a million pieces because we didn’t get exactly what we wanted. So first, off, I want to issue a general invite to anyone interested in recovering a truly Christian America to join the conversation in good faith. The leftist progressives rally around their common hatred of our Lord and His people, and they are frequently able to get more done together because of that shared hatred than conservatives because we throw elbows and knife one another in the back in the name of truth and morality and justice. Look, if you want to see drag queens banned from the public square, and our nation submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, you are most welcome to the table, even if our philosophical categories and methodologies are different. Let’s talk. Let’s work together. Let’s spar, debate, and brainstorm. A Chastened Classical Reformed Theonomy And toward that end, I want to propose one way of pushing the conversation forward. One trusted and friendly critic of theonomy lamented theonomy because biblical law, he said, simply doesn’t have enough substance to fill out a complete law code or public policy system. And I don’t have any problem acknowledging that we need more than what is written in Scripture. As the Westminster Confession says, “Nevertheless we acknowledge… that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and the government of the church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed” (WCF 1.6). While this is primarily addressing the worship of God and the government of the church, I would argue that those activities that are “common to human actions and societies” would include the rational ordering of public policy and civil government, and therefore, those arrangements are to be “according to the general rules of the Word,” but must also “be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence.” So here’s a practical question for my “classical Reformed” brothers: Since I believe that we agree that wherever Scripture establishes transcendent morality or universal principles of justice, those principles are universally binding on all societies and governments, regardless of time or place, can we agree that since we are Reformed and Protestant, those principles are “First Principles?” In other words, Sola Scriptura (understood rightly) applies here as much as anywhere else. Sola Scriptura does not mean that Scripture is the only authority, but rather, it means that Scripture is the only ultimate and infallible authority. Tradition, creeds, common law, parents, and pastors all play true authoritative roles in the life of Christians and Christian society. Nevertheless, the First Principles of Scripture are foundational, and wherever any other true authority bumps up against one of them, Scripture always wins. Are we on the same page so far? Now here’s the proposal: I propose that we agree that wherever Scripture speaks on matters of universal morality and justice, those principles be nailed into the ground with enormous steel stakes (yuge ones). At that point, I would be happy to concede that all by itself, those general principles of justice are not enough to build out a modern civil law code, but since we are Protestants, we are agreed that whatever else ought to go into that law code, it must be deduced from those principles by good and necessary consequence, according to the light of nature and reason, and be consistent with them. Now this might be where I run into trouble with critics of theonomy, but as a fiercely loyal Protestant, I also want to insist on a sort of regulative principle of power. Since all power is derived from God (Rom. 13), all power is wielded by His blessing and in submission to His ultimate power or else it is wielded in defiance of His blessing and power. Furthermore, this fits with what the Confession says regarding worship, that what is clearly stated must be explicitly obeyed, and whatever else is necessary for a flourishing society must be deduced from those principles and the light of nature. This need not be taken as tight-shoed regulative principle, but simply, as my old seminary professor, Hughes Oliphant Old, like to say, it must be “according to Scripture,” obedient to the commands and consistent with its principles and examples. A Few Stakes in the Ground What follows is certainly not an exhaustive list, but this will do for a start. First, while I do believe that civil government was instituted before the Fall and would have developed as families filled the earth, organizing society with a body of customary laws to maximize their good (deciding which side of the road to drive on, for example), the primary postlapsarian instruction and picture we are given of civil justice in the Bible captured well in the paintings and statues of Lady Justice: she is blind (or blindfolded), holding balances in one hand, and a sword in the other. This accords with the repeated instructions to the judges, “Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s…” (Dt. 1:17). Justice requires diligent inquiry, but that inquiry is primarily for the purpose of putting all the facts in the scales of justice. While justice requires wisdom, it is not primarily a “creative” task. The judgment of justice is God’s. Diligent inquiry puts all the facts that we have in the scales, and it is the job of civil magistrates to deliver verdicts of equity, which is primarily punitive (as indicated by the sword). Now when I said that Josh Hawley ought not be leading the way in banning teenagers from social media since that is family/parental jurisdiction, some friends pointed out that the Bible on one occasion refers to magistrates as nursing fathers and mothers (Is. 49:23). And so it does. But that one image (which we should not abandon) cannot be made the normative image without doing great damage to the rest of Scripture. The key question of course is: how are civil magistrates to be faithful fathers and mothers? The answer is: by doing justice according to God’s law. Isaiah 49:23 is no more a defense of Social Security, Medicare, and government schools than is Paul’s description of himself as a father default permission for him to tell parents which breakfast cereal is right for their kids. The church is the household and family of God, but that doesn’t mean that the church is the first line of defense for widows. Paul insists that a man that doesn’t provide for his own family is worse than an unbeliever (1 Tim. 5:7). These natural affections, natural obligations remain firmly in place, including then the fact that the civil magistrate has no role in health, welfare, and education, unless you simply mean the role of punishing criminals and cheering churches and families on in their tasks. Another stake to drive into the ground is the most basic principle of biblical justice: the lex talionis: “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe” (Ex. 21:24-25). A number of case laws are laid out in the biblical law that give is a lot of information about how this principle is to play out (e.g. slaves that are struck and lose an eye or tooth must be set free). Related is the principle of restitution: a thief caught stealing must return double (Ex. 22:4). Because what he sought to do his neighbor ought to be done to him to restore balance to the scales of society. If the theft is of a particularly great value, perhaps including the ability of a man/business to do his productive labor, or if the stolen item has been sold for profit that restitution may be increased to four or five-fold (Ex. 22:1). The penalties in the Mosaic law should also be taken seriously, and they should be understood as maximum penalties. The only required death penalty is for murder (Gen. 9). Related to this is the principle that only civil magistrates have the power of the sword, and so church and family government may not execute criminals or heretics. This is part of the glory of Dt. 21:18-19 regarding the rebellious son. In some ancient societies, a father claimed the right to execute his own children, but God’s law forbids it. Perhaps a pagan father might have even argued “from nature” that since he had brought the life into the world, it was his to adjudicate, but God’s law prohibits it. The law provides that the family government may appeal to the civil government for adjudication and potential capital punishment. But notice that until an actual crime has been committed, the civil magistrate has no jurisdiction, and the civil magistrate is only involved upon appeal from the family government. This would be one such biblical principle that would render Sen. Hawley’s proposed social media legislation null and void. One of the most often cited laws in the Old Testament for explaining the continuing relevance or “general equity” of Mosaic law is Dt. 22:8: “When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.” On the one hand, this certainly is an extension of the sixth commandment forbidding murder, and it certainly establishes the notion of liability for negligent homicide or battery. The general equity of this law would be rightly applied to people who refuse to put a fence around their swimming pool or a deep pit or their upstairs balcony (and arguably, reckless driving): if someone falls and dies or is injured, the home owner/driver can be held negligently liable. And the overarching principle is certainly the duty of all to take reasonable precautions to protect and preserve life. At the same time, some want to reason from this principle that health and building codes are therefore a reasonable application of this justice. But while it would certainly be a “sin” to act in high-handed negligent ways, it was not a “crime.” The lex talionis principle requires that actual harm be measured for appropriate penalties to be exacted. But if a man built a balcony and refused to build a railing or drove recklessly through town, he may very well be in sin, but until actual damages have occurred, what penalty would truly be “eye for eye?” We also shouldn’t underestimate the power and influence of the family and church governments and their related communities. Not every problem must be solved with guns and fines. Many problems should be solved by community pressures and influence. Conclusion The fear of the classical reformed Christian Nationalist types is that “the classical liberal order” is code for more liberalism, more false offers of a seat at the table of a neutral public square, and defeatism and apathy, but let us be done with all offers of neutrality, secularism, and the like. Jesus is Lord of the public square, and the Great Commission requires us to preach and make disciples of all the nations. So America must confess that Jesus is Lord formally, and our laws must reflect is eternal law, as derived from Scripture and nature and reason, but with Scripture firmly ensconced as the Chief authority. On the other hand, my friends of the theonomic Kuyperian classical order flavor are understandably nervous that if we do not firmly root our “Christian order” in Rutherford’s axiom, that the Lex really is Rex, and that justice and the “common good” must be grounded in God’s Special Revelation in Scripture, then in the name of “the tradition” and “the common good” and “reason” and the “light of nature” we will end up right back where are, a Machiavellian power grab that happens to have Christian symbols and phrases attached to it. It's true that the “classical liberal order” guys sometimes sound like power is only icky and bad, but in our determination to take responsibility for this mess of country, we must have clearly defined limits to that power. And it’s also true that sometimes the Christian Nationalists sound like they would be willing to do anything to punch the liberals and score points. But tyranny is still tyranny even you try to defend it in the name of “the common good.” The “common good” is whatever God says it is, and nothing else. And if God has given the authority and power to wield, then we should not be afraid of it. We should take it up with boldness and joy in the name of Christ.

Charismatics & Reformed Christians Unite!? Gabe & Marcus are in Oklahoma at the Web3 Conference! Fussy Theonomists or Joyful Charismatics: Who do you want to hang out with? No matter what, Christians must MAKE & BUILD! Web3 Summit at Oral Roberts University https://forum12.com/web3-summit/ Loor TV https://www.loor.tv/ Become a Fight Laugh Feast Member (Support the Show!)https://flfnetwork.com/product/fightlaughfestclub/

Charismatics & Reformed Christians Unite!? Gabe & Marcus are in Oklahoma at the Web3 Conference! Fussy Theonomists or Joyful Charismatics: Who do you want to hang out with? No matter what, Christians must MAKE & BUILD! Web3 Summit at Oral Roberts University https://forum12.com/web3-summit/ Loor TV https://www.loor.tv/ Become a Fight Laugh Feast Member (Support the Show!)https://flfnetwork.com/product/fightlaughfestclub/