Join Camden Bucey and Ryan Noha as they welcome Dr. Daniel Ragusa, pastor of Messiah’s Reformed Fellowship in New York, to discuss his new book, Fullness of Joy: A Biblical Theology of God With Us (single copies, ten-pack), published by Reformed Forum. In this engaging conversation, Dr. Ragusa dives into the biblical theme of Emmanuel, tracing the promise of “God with us” from Genesis to Revelation, showing how this theme unfolds through the covenantal storyline of Scripture and culminates in Jesus Christ. The book’s ten chapters correspond to a video course now freely available through our Reformed Academy, making it ideal for church groups, Bible studies, or personal study.

Explore how Dr. Ragusa uses biblical theology to reveal the coherence of Scripture and God’s redemptive plan for His people. From the Garden of Eden, through the patriarchs, tabernacle, and temple, to the final new creation, this episode unpacks how each stage of redemptive history points to Christ, inviting us to find true joy in fellowship with God. Perfect for believers wanting to deepen their understanding of Scripture’s unity and its application to the Christian life, this conversation offers accessible yet profound insights that are as useful for laypeople as they are for church leaders.

Tune in to discover the richness of God’s redemptive historical work and be encouraged to behold Christ on every page of the Bible.

Watch on YouTube.

Chapters

• 0:07 Introduction
• 14:16 Tracing the Theme of God with Us throughout the Scriptures
• 20:33 True God and True and Righteous Man
• 27:47 Eschatology and Fellowship with God
• 36:18 Deep Biblical Truths for Everyone
• 39:43 Christ Progressively Revealed in All of Scripture
• 46:38 The Tabernacle and Temple
• 54:58 Christ’s Resurrection and the Sending of the Spirit
• 1:02:06 The New Heavens and New Earth
• 1:10:31 Supporting Course Materials
• 1:13:11 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Dan Ragusa, Ryan Noha

In this episode of Christ the Center, we continue our Vos Group series with an in-depth discussion on Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology, focusing on Jesus’ use of parables and allegories on pages 352–355. Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton explore the unique role of parables in Jesus’ teaching, emphasizing the contrast between parables and allegories and unpacking their function, purpose, and the theological depth within each form.

They also discuss the eschatological significance of the natural-spiritual parallel Vos identifies, highlighting how Jesus’ parables point to a heavenly reality beyond earthly expectations. The conversation also touches on the implications for Christian eschatology and the proper focus of hope within reformed thought.

Join us as we explore the richness of Vos’s thought and its relevance for understanding Jesus’ mission and message. Listen now to deepen your grasp of the parabolic teaching method and its place in Reformed theology, and catch up on past Vos Group episodes.

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Chapters

• 00:07 Introduction
• 03:27 Parables and Allegories
• 17:31 The Purpose of Parables
• 30:07 The Natural-Spiritual Parallel
• 38:44 John’s Theological Distinction
• 51:24 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. Craig Ott, professor of Mission and Intercultural Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, for an in-depth discussion on the intersection of global missions, cultural engagement, and theological education. Dr. Ott shares his experiences in church planting across Germany, his insights on missions in Eastern Europe, and the complexities of online theological education. Reflecting on his recent article, “Culture and Online Theological Education: The Democratization of Education or a New Imperialism?“, Dr. Ott explores the opportunities and challenges presented by digital learning platforms, especially in a global context.

The conversation covers topics such as the cultural implications of digital education, the need for contextualized theological training, and the importance of empowering local churches to adapt sound doctrine within their unique cultural settings. Dr. Ott also discusses broader trends in global missions and the impact of diaspora communities.

Listeners interested in missions, intercultural studies, and online theological education will find this episode both insightful and thought-provoking, offering practical wisdom on how the Reformed tradition can effectively engage with the global church.

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Links

• Craig Ott, Teaching and Learning across Cultures (Baker Academic)

Chapters

• 00:00:07 Introduction
• 00:04:01 Dr. Craig Ott’s Background and Experience in Missions
• 00:14:43 The Influence of Digital Cultures
• 00:26:52 Media Ecology, and the Benefits and Detriments of Online Education
• 00:45:04 Cohort Models
• 00:52:45 Diversity in the Body of Christ
• 01:01:33 Current Challenges and Encouraging Aspects of Contemporary Missions
• 01:10:17 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Craig Ott

In pp. 77–79 of The Defense of the Faith (first edition), Cornelius Van Til addresses the fundamental differences between Christian and non-Christian perspectives on ethics, particularly focusing on the role of the will of God as foundational to ethical systems. Van Til begins by asserting that God’s will is absolute and self-determinative. God is eternally good, not becoming good through a process, but being so by his very nature. Unlike humans, God does not have to achieve goodness; it is intrinsic to his eternal character. Therefore, God is both absolutely necessary and absolutely free.

Van Til introduces a key distinction between Christian and non-Christian viewpoints. Christians uphold the concept of an absolutely self-determinative God, who is the necessary presupposition for all human activity. Non-Christian ethics, however, assume that if the Christian God were real, he would stifle ethical activity. This is because non-theistic views perceive God and man as having wills conditioned by an environment, implying that God must also achieve goodness through a process.

Van Til critiques Platonic philosophy, noting that Plato’s conception of “the Good” was ultimate, but his god was not. For Plato, “the Good” was abstract and separated from a fully personal God, leaving the ultimate reality as dependent on the element of Chance. Thus, even if Plato spoke of the Good, it was not self-determined or sovereign in the Christian sense. Modern idealist philosophers tried to build on Platonic thought by proposing an “absolutely self-determinative Experience,” but ultimately failed, according to Van Til, because they made God dependent on the space-time universe, blending time and eternity. As a result, God became dependent on external processes rather than being sovereign over them.

The core ethical difference between Christianity and non-Christian systems is the acceptance or rejection of an ultimately self-determinative God. Van Til argues that without the presupposition of God as absolute, there can be no coherent or purposeful human experience, including ethics. The absolute sovereignty of God is not a hindrance to human responsibility but rather its foundation.

Van Til makes a point to distinguish Christian doctrine from philosophical determinism. While both affirm necessity, philosophical determinism is impersonal, suggesting that everything is determined by blind, impersonal forces. Christianity, in contrast, asserts that the ultimate reality is personal; God’s sovereign will underlies the possibility of genuine human freedom and responsibility.

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Chapters

• 00:00:07 Introduction
• 00:05:31 Ethics and the Christian Philosophy of Reality
• 00:11:45 The Christian Conception of God
• 00:18:02 The Absolute Contrast between Christian and Non-Christian Ethics
• 00:29:48 Contrasts with Platonism
• 00:47:18 Contrast with Idealism
• 00:52:10 The Central Ethical Distinction
• 00:55:22 Contrast with Philosophical Determinism
• 01:05:11 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Lane G. Tipton

In this episode, we are joined by Jeffrey C. Tuomala, Professor of Law at Liberty University, to examine two landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions in light of two articles by Ned Stonehouse. Professor Tuomala, with his deep commitment to restoring the moral foundations of law, will offer his legal expertise to comment on Stonehouse’s reflections regarding McCollum v. Board of Education and Everson v. Board of Education. These cases addressed the relationship between church and state, religious education, and the issue of secularism in public schools.

We explore the deeper issues Stonehouse raised, such as the dangers of secularism in public education, the role of Christian education, and the balance between religious liberty and state control. Professor Tuomala provides a thoughtful legal and moral analysis of how these cases continue to influence contemporary debates about faith, law, and education in America. This conversation is a rich discussion on the intersection of theology, law, and Christian education in the modern world. Listen for a compelling exploration of these pivotal court decisions and their ongoing impact on religious freedom and Christian education.

Chapters

• 00:00:07 Introduction
• 00:08:49 Ned Stonehouse’s Comments on Two SCOTUS Decisions
• 00:14:00 The Context of SCOTUS during the 1940s
• 00:17:09 Everson v. Board of Education
• 00:19:13 Thinking Critically and Defining Terms
• 00:25:23 Religion, Secularism, and Neutrality
• 00:38:53 Rethinking the State’s Relation to Education
• 00:51:04 Vouchers for Private Education
• 00:58:28 Improving Stonehouse’s Case
• 01:02:59 Resources for Going Deeper
• 01:06:03 Conclusion

Articles

• Ned B. Stonehouse, “A Differing Opinion on the School Bus Issue,” The Presbyterian Guardian 16, no. 6 (March 25, 1947): 83–84.
• Ned B. Stonehouse, “Whither Religious Education?,” The Presbyterian Guardian 17, no. 9 (May 25, 1948): 99.
• Jeffrey C. Tuomala (2024) “Is Tax-Funded Education Unconstitutional?,” Liberty University Law Review: Vol. 18: Iss. 4, Article 6.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Tuomala

In this episode, we open Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments (pp. 348–352), exploring insights on the development and method of Jesus’s teaching. We examine Vos’s distinction between subjective and objective development, discussing why Vos rejects the idea that Jesus’s understanding evolved over time. Instead, we explore the progression of Jesus’s teachings as a deeper unfolding of divine truth, perfectly aligned with his dual nature as both fully divine and fully human.

We also explore the unique teaching methods Jesus employed during his ministry, focusing on his use of parables and concrete imagery to communicate the mysteries of the kingdom of God. From the simple similitudes comparing natural processes to spiritual realities, to the complex parables proper, Vos illustrates how Jesus’s teachings were both profound and adaptable, responding to the readiness of his disciples and the opposition of his critics.

Join us as we unpack these key theological themes and discuss the implications of Vos’s analysis for understanding the unchanging yet progressively revealing nature of Christ’s teaching ministry. Learn how the divine and human natures of Christ shape his perfect teaching and how Vos’s theological insights continue to challenge modern interpretations of Jesus’s life and ministry.

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Chapters

• [00:07] Introduction
• [01:48] Development in Jesus’s Teaching
• [04:53] Subjective Development of Jesus’s Teaching
• [17:38] Objective Development of Jesus’s Teaching
• [34:03] The Method of Jesus’s Teaching
• [38:46] Teaching through Parables
• [50:13] Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

In this episode of Christ the Center, we welcome Rev. Hank Bowen, pastor of First Reformed Church in Aberdeen, South Dakota, for an insightful conversation on the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS). Together with Camden Bucey and Ryan Noha, Rev. Bowen traces the rich historical roots of the RCUS, from its German Palatinate origins through its development in America. The discussion covers the denomination’s key theological influences, particularly its connections with the Heidelberg Catechism, and its intersections with other Reformed traditions such as the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC).

As they reflect on the challenges and blessings the RCUS has faced over the centuries, including its role in resisting liberalism and promoting confessional orthodoxy, the conversation highlights the enduring legacy and ongoing influence of the RCUS in Reformed theology today. Whether you are a familiar with the RCUS or new to its history, this episode offers valuable reflections on the faithfulness of God through the generations.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

• [00:00:07] Introduction
• [00:01:26] Overview of the Reformed Church in the U.S. (RCUS)
• [00:02:53] Updates from Reformed Forum
• [00:05:40] The History and Formation of the RCUS
• [00:08:14] Celebrating the 300th Synod of the RCUS
• [00:11:32] Rev. Bowen’s Personal Testimony
• [00:13:25] The RCUS and Theological Challenges
• [00:20:15] The Influence of Westminster Seminary on the RCUS
• [00:24:02] The Importance of Catechesis and the Heidelberg Catechism
• [00:33:33] Church Planting and Home Missions in the RCUS
• [00:37:55] Ecumenical Relations with the OPC and the URCNA
• [00:46:45] RCUS Foreign Missions Strategy
• [00:57:08] Rev. Bowen’s Doctoral Research and Pastoral Burnout
• [01:00:14] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Participants: Camden Bucey, Hank Bowen, Ryan Noha

In preparation of our upcoming annual theology conference, Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy reflect on the global mission of the church through the lens of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). They discuss how Reformed Forum supports the church’s work of making disciples by providing theological resources and education, focusing on the key elements of going, baptizing, and teaching.

Jim shares his experiences teaching in the Philippines and the surprising impact of Reformed Academy on the global Reformed community. The conversation explores the OPC’s approach to foreign and home missions, as well as Christian education, highlighting the importance of building self-sustaining and theologically mature churches around the world. The episode also touches on the need for contextualized, long-term confessional education and how technology is enabling the spread of Reformed theology in various cultural contexts.

Listeners will gain insight into how Reformed Forum serves as a resource for pastors and churches worldwide, including the challenges of foreign missions and the unique role of theological education in shaping the future of the global church.

Join us for this thoughtful discussion on missions, discipleship, and the Great Commission’s enduring relevance.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

• 00:07 Introduction
• 11:38 Jim’s Trip to the Philippines
• 15:02 The Great Commission: Making Disciples
• 27:34 The Role of Theological Education in Missions
• 35:26 The End of Missions
• 39:43 Addressing Concerns of Colonialism in Missions
• 50:32 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jim Cassidy

In this episode, we sit down with Rev. Ryan Swale, pastor of Immanuel URC in Jordan, Ontario, to discuss his dissertation, The Imprecatory Pastor: A Practical Theology of the Imprecatory Psalms. Swale challenges the church today to reconsider the often-overlooked imprecatory psalms, which call for divine justice upon enemies. He argues that these psalms are not only permissible for Christians to use but are essential for pastoral ministry. Grounded in the character of God and rooted in biblical promises, Swale shows how these prayers for justice play a vital role in counseling, preaching, prayer, and worship.

Swale explains the theological foundations of imprecatory psalms, demonstrating how both the Old and New Testaments affirm their use. He also explores practical applications for pastors, including how imprecatory psalms can be employed in “liturgical warfare,” apologetics, and pastoral counseling. Swale urges pastors to embrace these psalms as a powerful means of confronting evil and injustice, ultimately leading the church in glorifying God’s justice.

Join us as we explore the biblical and pastoral importance of imprecatory psalms and their role in faithfully navigating a fallen world. Learn more about the powerful place of imprecatory psalms in Christian life and ministry.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

• 00:07 Introduction
• 05:13 Choosing the Imprecatory Psalms as a DMin Dissertation Topic
• 11:25 What Is an Imprecatory Psalm?
• 14:17 Imprecations in Light of Genesis 3:15
• 23:03 Imprecatory Psalms and the New Testament
• 38:27 Imprecatory Psalms in Corporate Worship
• 45:30 The Judgment of God upon Christ for His People
• 48:21 Psalms for the Age of Rage
• 53:44 Suggestions for Beginning to Use the Imprecatory Psalms
• 57:43 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Ryan Swale

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey leads a discussion with Lane Tipton and Danny Olinger on Geerhardus Vos’s sermon, “The Christian’s Hope,” from his book Grace and Glory. The group explores the profound eschatological themes of 1 Peter 1:3-5, examining the nature of Christian hope as rooted in the resurrection of Christ and the believer’s heavenly inheritance. They unpack how this hope should shape the Christian life, influencing how we view suffering, earthly success, and our ultimate calling. The conversation highlights how Vos’s insights are still relevant for modern Reformed believers, particularly in a world distracted by temporal concerns. Tune in for a rich discussion on how our eschatological hope fuels a life of faithful pilgrimage toward the new heavens and new earth.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

• 00:07 Introduction
• 05:01 The Pilgrim Life and 1 Peter 1:3–5
• 07:49 The Historical Context of 1904
• 10:42 The Nature of Hope
• 21:15 The Christian Perspective on American and European Culture
• 27:02 Postmillennialism and Amillennialism
• 35:14 The Characteristics of the Heavenly Inheritance
• 40:48 The Powerful Witness of Christian Hope
• 48:17 Christ’s Blessing upon the Church
• 53:42 The Christian Purpose
• 57:42 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Danny Olinger, Lane G. Tipton

In Reclaiming the ‘Dark Ages’: How the Gospel Light Shone from 500–1500 (Christian Focus), authors Iain Wright and Yannick Imbert challenge the popular Protestant perception of the Middle Ages as a period of spiritual darkness and theological decay. They argue that this millennium was not devoid of Christian influence and that it produced many significant and influential Christian thinkers.

Wright and Imbert join us to present a more nuanced view of the medieval period, highlighting the spiritual and theological contributions of figures such as Bernard of Clairvaux, Anselm of Canterbury, and John Wycliffe, among others. They emphasize the continuity of orthodox Christian theology and the guiding hand of providence throughout this era, urging modern Christians to appreciate the historical richness and spiritual insights of the Middle Ages.

Iain Wright is pastor of Covenant OPC, Orland Park, Illinois. Yannick Imbert holds the William Edgar Chair of Apologetics at Faculté Jean Calvin, Aix–en–Provence, southern France. He also serves on the theological committee of the National Council of French Evangelicals.

Watch on YouTube and Vimeo.

Chapters

• 00:07 Introduction
• 06:01 Thinking about the Middle Ages
• 15:24 Reconsidering the Middle Ages
• 21:57 Selecting the Theologians to Include in the Book
• 27:24 Anselm of Canterbury
• 36:19 Peter Waldo, John Wycliffe, and Jan Hus
• 42:10 Lessons for the Church Today
• 46:42 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Iain Wright, Yannick Imbert