Christ the Center
286 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 115 ratingsChrist the Center is an audio program centered on Christian reformed theology. In each episode a group of informed panelists discuss important issues and stimulate listeners to critical thinking and a better understanding of reformed doctrine designed to yield godly living.
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Episodes
Vos Group #75: The Eschatological View of the Prophets
June 03, 2022 04:00 - 37.9 MBLane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 289–296 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. In this section, Vos introduces several significant interpretive practices which are critical for a proper understanding of the eschatology of the prophets. These are the principles of (1) finality and consummation, (2) prophetic idiom, and (3) […]
The Two Ages in Scripture
May 27, 2022 04:00 - 45.9 MBAdam York joins Camden Bucey to speak about the two age construction found throughout Scripture and especially in the Pauline epistles. Scripture frequently speaks of “this age” and “the age to come.” These categories have a significant effect upon how Christians should understand their place in the world. Jesus, the second Adam, has entered into […]
Shall the Fundamentalists Win? 100 Years Later
May 20, 2022 04:00 - 48.2 MBOn May 21, 1922, Harry Emerson Fosdick preached a sermon titled “Shall the Fundamentalists Win?” that helped spark the modernist-fundamentalist controversy. Fosdick was a Baptist minister serving as an associate at First Presbyterian Church in New York and a faculty member at Union Theological Seminary. He was well-known and had published several popular religious books. […]
The Necessity of Christ’s Obedience for Our Salvation
May 13, 2022 04:00 - 38.8 MBWe welcome Dr. Brandon Crowe to the program to discuss the obedience of Christ and the salvation of his people. In his latest book, Why Did Jesus Live a Perfect Life?: The Necessity of Christ’s Obedience for Our Salvation, Dr. Crowe sets out to answer the basic but all-important question: Is perfect obedience necessary for […]
The Practical Import of Ecclesiology
May 06, 2022 04:00 - 33.9 MBJim Cassidy and Camden Bucey discuss ecclesiology (the doctrine of the church) and the significant ways it informs our daily lives. Dr. Cassidy is studying R. B. Kuiper’s The Glorious Body of Christ with his congregation, and we take the opportunity to speak about the nature and limits of church authority, the distinction between the […]
Van Til Group #7 — Creation, Sin, and its Curse
April 29, 2022 04:00 - 47.2 MBCarlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey open Cornelius Van Til’s book, The Defense of the Faith to pages 43–47. Van Til addresses the unity and diversity within creation before covering the fall into sin and the curse. Throughout this chapter, Van Til reminds his readers of the categorical difference between God and creation while […]
A History of Presbyterian Publications
April 22, 2022 04:00 - 39.9 MBDr. Dominic Aquila joins Camden Bucey to speak about the history of Presbyterian publications. While they focus primarily on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Dr. Aquila connects this storied history to the recent past and the dramatic shifts in communication that have come about with the introduction of the Internet and technologies such as social […]
Natural Theology and the Effects of Sin
April 15, 2022 04:00 - 34.8 MBLane Tipton, Ryan Noha, Rob McKenzie, and Camden Bucey pull up to a table for the first podcast recording at the new Reformed Forum headquarters in Libertyville, Illinois. We discuss the new facility, the new course we recording in our Fellowship in Reformed Apologetics, and the current interest in natural theology. For those watching the […]
Van Til, Aquinas, and the Natural Knowledge of God
April 08, 2022 04:00Lane Tipton speaks about his new course on Van Til’s doctrine of revelation, which is the third course in our Fellowship in Reformed Apologetics. In this course, Dr. Tipton covers: The implications of the self-contained and immutable Trinity for a doctrine of revelation in the work of creation and in the special act of providence […]
The Text of Kuyper’s Stone Lectures on Calvinism
April 01, 2022 04:00 - 33.8 MBAt the invitation of B. B. Warfield (and the suggestion of Geerhardus Vos), Abraham Kuyper delivered the Stone Lectures at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1898. In these lectures, he presented his vision for an international Calvinism. And while many people may be familiar with Kuyper’s famous work, few may know the complicated history of these […]
Questions and Answers
March 25, 2022 04:00 - 49 MBWe turn to the mailbag today to answer questions from listeners. We discuss the “organic” unity of the Scriptures, Van Til’s understanding of the phenomenal world, why the covenant of works and the covenant of grace point to something better than Eden, and vital and formal aspects of covenant membership. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:04:57 Update […]
Ruling Elders and General Assembly
March 18, 2022 04:00 - 43 MBPodcast worlds collide! Jim and Camden welcome Brad Isbell, perhaps even better known as @ChortlesWeakly, to the program to discuss ruling elders and general assemblies within Presbyterianism. Along with @wresbyterian, Mr. Isbell hosts Presbycast, a delightful mix of high Presbyterian polity and low brow culture. Listen as we discuss the organization and operation of the […]
Machen and the Era of Tragedy
March 11, 2022 05:00 - 52.9 MBIn 1992, Charles G. Dennison published three articles in the Mid-America Journal of Theology. These were based upon a series he delivered at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Dennison identifies three eras between 1936 and 1962—tragedy, hope, and ambivalence. The era of tragedy is focused on the figure of J. Gresham Machen. Cornelius Van Til and Ned […]
Vos Group #74 — Social Sin
March 04, 2022 13:48 - 39.9 MBLane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 269–286 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to consider social sin in the time of the prophets. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 05:41 Join Our Private Chat Server 10:07 The Corruption of Ritual Worship 11:53 Social Sin 20:34 The Problem of the City 25:54 Social Justice and […]
Catechesis, Education, and the Church
February 25, 2022 05:00 - 45.6 MBJim Cassidy and Camden Bucey speak about Jim’s latest course, The Westminster Shorter Catechism (Questions 39–107), which is available for free through Reformed Academy. In speaking about the new series, Jim and Camden also share several encouraging updates about Reformed Forum as well as their thoughts about parachurch ministries, denominational seminaries, and the future of […]
The Value of Studying B. B. Warfield
February 18, 2022 05:00 - 46.9 MBJeff Waddington and Camden Bucey discuss the value of reading and studying the works of B. B. Warfield. Jeff has written an article in our forthcoming newsletter wherein he identifies Warfield as a theological “renaissance man.” With significant works covering topics from New Testament textual criticism to apologetics and the doctrine of salvation, the “lion […]
The Value of Studying B. B. Warfield
February 18, 2022 05:00 - 46.9 MBJeff Waddington and Camden Bucey discuss the value of reading and studying the works of B. B. Warfield. Jeff has written an article in our forthcoming newsletter wherein he identifies Warfield as a theological “renaissance man.” With significant works covering topics from New Testament textual criticism to apologetics and the doctrine of salvation, the “lion […]
Reformed Ministry in Bogotá, Colombia
February 11, 2022 05:00 - 35.9 MBRodrigo Andrés Espinoza and Douglas Clawson speak about Reformed and Presbyterian ministry in the nation of Colombia and specifically, its capital, Bogotá. Rev. Clawson has been visiting and serving in Colombia for more than a decade through OPC foreign missions. Rev. Espinoza serves as pastor of Raah Iglesia Cristiana Biblical in Bogotá. The church is […]
John Owen, Jeremiah 31, and the Relationship between the Old and New Covenants
February 04, 2022 05:00 - 58.6 MBDr. R. Carlton Wynne leads us in a study of Jeremiah 31 and the relationship between the Old and New Covenants. In discussing typology and symbolism, Wynne describes the views of John Owen with a view toward understanding better several contemporary views. Dr. Wynne is Associate Pastor of Westminster PCA in Atlanta and Adjunct Professor […]
The Exile of Adam in Romans
January 28, 2022 05:00 - 46.8 MBDr. David Barry joins us to speak about his book, The Exile of Adam in Romans: The Reversal of the Curse against Adam and Israel in the Substructure of Romans 5 and 8 (Fortress Academic, 2021) In this book, Barry investigates the “divine son” motif in Romans 5 and 8 through the lens of exile […]
Persistent Prayer
January 21, 2022 05:00 - 33.8 MBWe take the podcast on the road for three episodes to visit Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. In our first episode of the road trip, we speak with Dr. Guy Richard about his book Persistent Prayer (P&R, 2021). This book is in P&R’s Blessings of the Faith series. This book will prove useful to […]
Vos Group Excursus: A More Excellent Ministry
January 14, 2022 05:00 - 38 MBDanny Olinger, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey discuss Geerhardus Vos’s sermon, “A More Excellent Ministry” from 2 Corinthians 3:18. This sermon is included in Grace and Glory: Sermons Preached at Princeton Theological Seminary. In this sermon, Vos proclaims the good news of the consummate and unfading glory of Christ’s new covenant ministry and its implications […]
Vos Group Excursus: The More Excellent Ministry
January 14, 2022 05:00 - 38 MBDanny Olinger, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey discuss Geerhardus Vos’s sermon, “The More Excellent Ministry” from 2 Corinthians 3:18. This sermon is included in Grace and Glory: Sermons Preached at Princeton Theological Seminary. In this sermon, Vos proclaims the good news of the consummate and unfading glory of Christ’s new covenant ministry and its implications […]
Reformed Missions and Evangelism
January 07, 2022 05:00 - 28.2 MBDr. Eric Watkins joins us to speak about missions and evangelism from a Reformed perspective. Dr. Watkins is senior pastor of Harvest Presbyterian Church (OPC) in San Marcos, California as well as Director of the Center for Missions and Evangelism at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. The Center for Missions and Evangelism is a new initiative at […]
Highlights from 2021
December 31, 2021 05:00 - 48.7 MBIt’s that time of year again. Since 2008, we have been taking a beat around New Year’s Day to bring you some of the top moments from the preceding year. We have a bunch of great clips lined up for you today. Throughout 2021 we continued to develop Reformed Academy, our online learning platform. We doubled […]
Karl Barth: A Life in Conflict
December 24, 2021 05:00 - 37.3 MBDr. Christiane Tietz speaks about her tremendous biography, Karl Barth: A Life in Conflict (Oxford University Press, 2021). Dr. Tietz is Professor for Systematic Theology at the Institute of Hermeneutics and Philosophy of Religion at the University of Zurich. From 2008 until 2013 she was Professor for Systematic Theology and Social Ethics at the University […]
Perichoresis, Endoxation, and the Glory-Spirit
December 17, 2021 17:00 - 47.8 MBLane Tipton delivers a plenary address from the annual Reformed Forum Theology Conference, which was hosted October 8–9 at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas. Dr. Tipton’s address is titled, “Perichoresis, Endoxation, and the Glory-Spirit: Foundations for Image-Endowment and Covenant Theology in the Work of Meredith G. Kline“ Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:36 Perichoresis, Endoxation, and the […]
Van Til Group #6 — The Christian Philosophy of Reality
December 03, 2021 05:00 - 46.2 MBCarlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey open Cornelius Van Til’s book, The Defense of the Faith to pages 40–43, in which Van Til describes the Christian philosophy of reality. While to some degree it is necessary to use categories of God, man, and universe common to unbelievers in order to engage them apologetically and to evangelize, […]
Girolamo Zanchi and Spiritual Marriage
November 26, 2021 05:00 - 46.4 MBPatrick O’Banion joins us to speak about Girolamo Zanchi and his book, The Spiritual Marriage between Christ and His Church and Every One of the Faithful. O’Banion translated and introduced a new edition of the book published by Reformation Heritage Books. Zanchi was an Italian Reformer, with close ties to Peter Martyr Vermigli. Developing from […]
“This is a Myth”: Barth’s Rejection of the Covenant of Works
November 19, 2021 05:00 - 42.7 MBJim Cassidy delivers a plenary address from the annual Reformed Forum Theology Conference, which was hosted October 8–9 at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas. Cassidy investigates the ontological assumptions which led Karl Barth to reject the doctrine of the covenant of works. He considers how Barth’s doctrine of God, with its actualistic ontology, is the […]
Vos Group #73 — The Corruption of Ritual Worship (continued)
November 12, 2021 05:00 - 35 MBLane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 267–269 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to consider the collective sin of the nation during the time of the prophets. Vos addresses several passages in this section, including Amos 5:25, Isaiah 1:10–17, and Hosea 6:6. Links OPC Report of the Committee to Study […]
Roman Catholicism and American Politics during the Cold War
November 05, 2021 04:00 - 55.5 MBRoman Catholicism entered the mainstream of American national life the morning following the November 8, 1960 election when John F. Kennedy won and became the president. While it may seem strange to people who did not grow up in the era, Protestant voters were wary of a Roman Catholic potentially serving as president of the […]
Geerhardus Vos and the Covenant of Works
October 29, 2021 04:00 - 51.4 MBDanny Olinger delivers an address at the 2021 Reformed Forum Theology Conference. The event was held October 8–9, 2021 at Providence OPC in Pflugerville, Texas. The conference theme was, “The Promise of Life: God’s Plan for His People in the Covenant of Works.” In contrast to Roman Catholic, modernist, and evangelical approaches, we explored a […]
Nature, Grace, and Covenant: The Deeper Protestant Conception and Twentieth-Century Roman Catholicism
October 22, 2021 04:00 - 50 MBThe beatific vision (1 John 3:2) is the consummation of God’s relationship with his people. While Christians of all traditions acknowledge this blessed future to some degree, there are significant differences as to how it all works out. The Reformed tradition has understood this future and its genesis in terms of a covenantal relationship between […]
Theological Education in Foreign Missions
October 15, 2021 16:00 - 48.3 MBIn this episode, several OPC missionaries discuss theological education in foreign mission fields. Douglas Clawson is associate general secretary for the OPC’s Committee on Foreign Missions. Charles Jackson serves as a missionary in Uganda, and Mike serves in East Asia. Each of these ministers speaks about their experience in training officers for the building up […]
Handbook on the Gospels
October 08, 2021 04:00 - 36.9 MBDr. Benjamin L. Gladd, Associate Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, speaks about his new Handbook on the Gospels. This book is part of a series edited by Dr. Gladd and published by Baker Academic, which covers the entirety of the New Testament in three volumes. Neither becoming preoccupied with […]
Vos Group #72 — Collective National Sin and the Corruption of Ritual Worship
October 01, 2021 04:00 - 43 MBLane Tipton and Camden Bucey turn to pages 264–266 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to consider the collective sin of the nation during the time of the prophets. Vos speaks particularly of the prophet Amos, and his indictment of false worship practices among the people. Links OPC Report of the […]
Supporting Diaconal Ministry
September 24, 2021 04:00 - 41 MBDavid Nakhla speaks about the work of deacons and how the Orthodox Presbyterian Church is working to assist the diaconate in its labors for Christ’s church. Mr. Nakhla is the administrator for the OPC’s Committee on Diaconal Ministries and the Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response Coordinator. Links OPC Diaconal Ministries Website OPC Disaster Response OPC […]
Reformed Academy Update / Union with Christ and Sanctification
September 17, 2021 04:00 - 69.1 MBRyan Noha and Camden Bucey discuss Reformed Academy and the newest course to launch on the platform, titled Union with Christ: The Benefits of His Suffering and Glory. This latest course is taught by Lane Tipton, and we include the tenth and final lecture toward the end of this episode. Video Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction00:04:13 The […]
The Influence of Modernism on Catholicism and Presbyterianism
September 10, 2021 04:00 - 49.2 MBAfter discussing their trips to Colombia with OPC foreign missions, Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey explore the influence of modernism upon Roman Catholicism and American Presbyterianism. Modernism led to many changes in American Presbyterianism, including the reorganization of Princeton Seminary and the founding of Westminster Seminary and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. The mainline church eventually […]
Vos Group #71 — The Rupture of the Bond
September 03, 2021 04:00 - 36.6 MBWe turn to pages 263–264 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to consider the sin of Israel and the resulting rupture of their covenant bond with the Lord. Links OPC Study Committee Report on Republication, Chapter 8 Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton
The Committee of Nine and Evangelicalism
August 27, 2021 04:00 - 59.5 MBDanny Olinger and John Muether join Camden Bucey to speak about the early history of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the forces within the young ecclesiastical body desiring broader influence throughout the culture. J. Gresham Machen gathered a broad coalition of “fundamentalists” in leading a charge against modernism at Princeton Theological Seminary and then throughout […]
Van Til Group #5 — The Doctrine of Salvation, the Church, and the Last Things
August 20, 2021 04:00 - 39.4 MBCarlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey open Cornelius Van Til’s book, The Defense of the Faith to pages 33–39 wherein Van Til discusses the doctrine of salvation. Van Til is insistent to maintain the incommunicable attributes of God in all aspects of theology, even here in soteriology. Throughout this section, Van Til refuses to admit any […]
Encountering the Westminster Shorter Catechism
August 13, 2021 04:00 - 30.4 MBJim Cassidy and Camden Bucey discuss their experiences with catechisms among Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism , and evangelicalism and then their introduction to the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy
Vos Group #70 — The Bond between Jehovah and Israel
August 06, 2021 04:00 - 43.2 MBWe turn to pages 256–263 of Geerhardus Vos’ book, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, to discuss the bond between the Lord and Israel. In this chapter, Vos considers revelation during the period of the prophets, but in this section, he specifically considers the unique perspective on covenant (berith) offered by Isaiah and Hosea. Participants: […]
Listener Questions
July 30, 2021 04:00 - 39.2 MBRyan Noha poses several questions submitted by our listeners and views. Along with Jeff Waddington and Camden Bucey, the panel discusses Thomas and Van Til on the doctrine of God, how the eternal decree relates to the well-meant offer of eschatological life in the covenant of works, aspects of our union with Christ, and several […]
The Liturgy of the Apocalypse
July 23, 2021 04:00 - 36.6 MBGlen Clary discusses the worship setting of Revelation 4–5 and its significance for the church’s present and future worship. While on the isle of Patmos, John was given a vision of the highest heavens. While we may consider these visions as symbols conveying cryptic messages for the church, they are a picture of the worship […]
The Work of Christ
July 16, 2021 04:00 - 40 MBWe preview a forthcoming course on Union with Christ and the Doctrine of Salvation, taught by Lane Tipton. Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton
General Assembly Discussion / The Covenant of Works
July 09, 2021 04:00 - 38.3 MBJim Cassidy and Camden Bucey discuss the 48th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, which recently adjourned in St. Louis, Missouri, and look forward to the 87th General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church to be held in Sioux Center, Iowa. They then turn their attention to the covenant of works, which is […]
Van Til Group #4 — The Doctrine of Christ
July 02, 2021 04:00 - 36.4 MBCarlton Wynne, Lane Tipton, and Camden Bucey open Cornelius Van Til’s book, The Defense of the Faith to pages 32–33 wherein Van Til discusses the doctrine of Christ. These are the fundamental building blocks of the consistent Christian apologetic. Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Lane G. Tipton