Jim Cassidy and Camden Bucey | Listener Questions
Reformed Forum
Join Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy in this special live-streamed episode of Christ the Center. From discussing the “first annual” Reformed Forum Christmas Extravaganza to regional meetups and exciting book releases, this episode highlights the many ways Reformed Forum is connecting with its community. As Jim and Camden take questions from listeners in the live chat, the conversation also explores theological questions, including Karl Barth’s doctrines, the nature of ministerial church membership, and practical advice for theological students. Don’t miss this rich blend of...
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Land and Seed Again (Gen. 23:1–24:67) | The Life of Abraham (Genesis 12–25) (Lesson 9)
Reformed Forum
This is the ninth lesson in Rev. Robert Arendale’s Reformed Academy course, The Life of Abraham (Genesis 12–25). This lesson covers the following topics: 0:00 Summing Up of the Land Promise 20:24 Summing Up of the Seed Promise Register for this free on-demand course on our website to download supplemental materials, track your progress, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-two additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: Your donations enable us to...
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Hart, Muether, and Olinger | The Early Machen
Reformed Forum
Danny Olinger, John Muether, Darryl Hart, and Camden Bucey explore the life and legacy of J. Gresham Machen, discussing Richard E. Burnett’s provocative book, . Burnett seeks to reframe Machen as both modern and orthodox, portraying him as a “conservative modernist” who employed modern intellectual methods while remaining firmly committed to Reformed theology. This episode critically examines Burnett’s thesis and evaluates its contribution to understanding Machen’s theological and historical significance. While Burnett rightly highlights Machen’s struggles in Germany and at...
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Grace on the Mountain (21:22–22:24) | The Life of Abraham (Genesis 12–25) (Lesson 8)
Reformed Forum
This is the eighth lesson in Rev. Robert Arendale’s Reformed Academy course, The Life of Abraham (Genesis 12–25). This lesson covers the following topics: 0:00 Abraham Walking by Faith 3:47 Abraham's Test 13:12 God's Provision of Grace Register for this free on-demand course on our website to download supplemental materials, track your progress, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-two additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: Your donations enable...
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Dan Ragusa | Fullness of Joy: A Biblical Theology of God with Us
Reformed Forum
Join Camden Bucey and Ryan Noha as they welcome Dr. Daniel Ragusa, pastor of Messiah Reformed Fellowship in Manhattan, to discuss his new book, , 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 Reformed Academy, making it ideal for church groups, Bible studies, or...
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The Birth of the Promised Son (Gen. 20:1–21:21) | The Life of Abraham (Genesis 12–25) (Lesson 7)
Reformed Forum
This is the seventh lesson in Rev. Robert Arendale’s Reformed Academy course, The Life of Abraham (Genesis 12–25). This lesson covers the following topics: 0:00 A Thematic Survey of Genesis 20 4:36 The Birth of the Promised Seed 13:50 The Protection of the Promised Seed Register for this free on-demand course on our website to download supplemental materials, track your progress, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-two additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church...
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Vos Group #92 — Parables and Allegories
Reformed Forum
In this episode of Christ the Center, we continue our 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...
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Summary of Christian Doctrine: Physical Death and the Intermediate State, Part 1
Reformed Forum
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. On today’s episode, we come to the last section of the Summary, "The Doctrine of the Last Things." Rob and Bob begin to a discuss chapter XXVIII, “Physical Death and the Intermediate State.” What is physical death? Why is there death? What is death for believers?
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A Prayer, a Feast, and a Judgment (Gen. 18:1–19:30) | The Life of Abraham (Genesis 12–25) (Lesson 6)
Reformed Forum
This is the sixth lesson in Rev. Robert Arendale’s Reformed Academy course, The Life of Abraham (Genesis 12–25). This lesson covers the following topics: 0:00 Abraham's Communion with God 10:25 Abraham's Prayer to God 17:56 God's Judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah Register for this free on-demand course on our website to download supplemental materials, track your progress, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-two additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and...
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Craig Ott | Missions, Culture, and Online Education
Reformed Forum
In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey welcomes , 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, ““, Dr. Ott explores the opportunities and challenges presented by digital learning platforms, especially in a global...
info_outlineDanny Olinger, John Muether, Darryl Hart, and Camden Bucey explore the life and legacy of J. Gresham Machen, discussing Richard E. Burnett’s provocative book, Machen’s Hope: The Transformation of a Modernist in the New Princeton. Burnett seeks to reframe Machen as both modern and orthodox, portraying him as a “conservative modernist” who employed modern intellectual methods while remaining firmly committed to Reformed theology. This episode critically examines Burnett’s thesis and evaluates its contribution to understanding Machen’s theological and historical significance.
While Burnett rightly highlights Machen’s struggles in Germany and at Princeton, the panel critiques his use of terms like “modern” and “modernist,” noting they often diverge from Machen’s own vocabulary and theological focus. They emphasize that even the younger Machen remained theologically orthodox and discerning of heterodoxy, as seen in his critiques of figures like his professor Wilhelm Herrmann.
Furthermore, the panel questions Burnett’s emphasis on Machen’s early crises over his later, defining contributions—such as founding Westminster Seminary and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church—arguing that this framing risks downplaying Machen’s lifelong theological battle against liberalism, which he saw as denying God’s direct intervention in history and thus undermining the gospel.
This episode sheds light on Machen’s enduring legacy and his vital contributions to Reformed orthodoxy. Overall, the panelists contend that Machen’s hope was centered on God’s supernatural action in history, a hope Machen famously summarized in his final words: “So thankful for active obedience of Christ. No hope without it.”
Links
- D. G. Hart, Defending the Faith: J. Gresham Machen and the Crisis of Conservative Protestantism in Modern America
- Ned B. Stonehouse, J. Gresham Machen: A Biographical Memoir
- The Presbyterian Conflict
- D. G. Hart and John Muether, Fighting the Good Fight: A Brief History of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church
- Richard E. Burnett, Machen’s Hope: The Transformation of a Modernist in the New Princeton
Chapters
- 00:00:07 Introduction
- 00:05:00 Machen’s Significance
- 00:25:13 Machen’s Family Background
- 00:41:44 Machen at Marburg
- 00:48:31 Machen, Vos, and History
- 00:54:54 Machen’s Mentors
- 01:05:28 Assessing Machen
- 01:20:53 Conclusion