Vos Group #101 — The Essence of the Kingdom
Reformed Forum
In this installment of the Vos Group, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton continue their deep dive into Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. Together they explore Vos’s treatment of the essence of the kingdom of God (pp. 385–387), drawing connections to his “Doctrine of the Covenant in Reformed Theology.” This conversation highlights Vos’s thoroughly theocentric vision—where creation, redemption, and faith all center upon the glory of God. Dr. Tipton unpacks how this framework distinguishes Reformed theology from other traditions, and how the kingdom...
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Genesis 35:19–29 — The Weeping of Rachel
Reformed Forum
Triple tragedies strike Jacob in chapter 35. The death of his beloved Rachel, his firstborn son’s violation reprehensible sin disqualifying him from leadership, and his father Esau’s death. Yet in the middle of this passage is a genealogy signifying the fact that God’s plan of redemption will continue. We learn how important it is to trace important events throughout Scripture, and see how the weeping of Rachel becomes a signpost pointing to God’s work of redemption through Christ.
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What Is Worship? | Redemptive History and the Regulative Principle of Worship (Lesson 1)
Reformed Forum
This is the first lesson in Dr. William Wood’s Reformed Academy course, Redemptive History and the Regulative Principle of Worship. This lesson covers the following topics: 0:00 Introduction 10:26 Review of the Literature on Worship 14:43 Broad and Narrow Concepts of Worship 23:41 Definition and Features of Worship 30:28 The Importance of Humility Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-seven additional video courses in covenant theology,...
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Marcus Mininger | Impossible to Be Restored? Temptation and Warning in the Epistle of Hebrews
Reformed Forum
The warning passages of Hebrews, especially Hebrews 6:1–6, have long puzzled interpreters and unsettled readers. Is it a threat to assurance? A theological anomaly? In this episode, Dr. Marcus Mininger, Professor of New Testament Studies at , joins us to explore the redemptive-historical framework behind one of the New Testament’s most debated passages. Drawing on the insights from his new book, (B&H Academic), Dr. Mininger explains how the warning in Hebrews 6 fits not only within the argument of Hebrews but also within the broader flow of covenantal history. We...
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Conclusion: A Vision for Faithful Apologetics | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 12)
Reformed Forum
This is the twelfth lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. In the final lesson, we bring the threads together by affirming that faithful apologetics must be rooted in a comprehensive Christ-centered worldview. You will be reminded that defending the faith is not merely about technique but about seeing all of life through the “spectacles of Scripture.” From metaphysics to ethics, Christ’s lordship governs our understanding and our witness. This conclusion encourages you to press on in the calling of 1...
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David Bahnsen | Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life
Reformed Forum
What does it mean to see work not as a curse but as part of God’s original design? In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey is joined by board member Mark Van Drunen to welcome for a rich conversation about his new book, . Bahnsen is the founder, Managing Partner, and Chief Investment Officer of The Bahnsen Group, a private wealth management firm managing more than $4.5 billion in client assets. David is the author of Crisis of Responsibility: Our Cultural Addiction to Blame and How You Can Cure It, The Case for Dividend Growth: Investing in a...
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The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church — Chapters 10 and 11
Reformed Forum
This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob returns to a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church, chapters 10 and 11, "The Entrance Into the Kingdom: Repentance and Faith" and "Recapitulation"
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Providing Testimony: The Role of Proof and Evidence | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 11)
Reformed Forum
This is the eleventh lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. Does proof have a place in a Reformed apologetic? In this lesson, we explore the proper use of evidence in defending the faith—not as a neutral tool but as a witness to divine truth when interpreted within the framework of Scripture. You will learn how logical arguments and historical evidences can support the gospel without compromising the authority of God’s word. By examining biblical examples and distinguishing between uses of proofs that submit to...
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Vos Group #100 — The Two-Sided Conception of the Kingdom
Reformed Forum
In this milestone 100th installment of Vos Group, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton turn to page 381 of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to explore the “two-sided conception of the kingdom.” Together they unpack Vos’s insights into the already/not yet dynamic of the kingdom of God—its present spiritual reality and its future consummate glory. Along the way, they engage with historical-critical objections, consider the role of John the Baptist, reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ parables, and highlight the religious nature of the kingdom as forgiveness,...
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Standing Firm: Engaging in Spiritual Conflict | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 10)
Reformed Forum
This is the tenth lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. Apologetics is not merely intellectual—it’s spiritual warfare. In this lesson, we consider how to stand firm in the face of opposition, clinging to the truth of God’s word and the hope we have in Christ. You will learn how to engage others with boldness and Christlike character, especially in moments of suffering or ridicule. We explore the role of the heart, the importance of gentleness and respect, and the need for readiness to follow conversations...
info_outlineIn this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey is joined once again by Lane Tipton and Carlton Wynne for a substantive follow-up to their earlier discussion of Keith Mathison’s Toward a Reformed Apologetic: A Critique of the Thought of Cornelius Van Til. In the months since their first review, Dr. Mathison published a blog response, prompting deeper analysis and clarification.
Together, Drs. Bucey, Tipton and Wynne explore key critiques Mathison levels against Van Til, especially the claims of epistemological idealism and the so-called “omniscience requirement” for true knowledge. The panel addresses these concerns with thoughtful care, highlighting Van Til’s emphasis on covenantal epistemology, the distinction between psychological and ethical knowledge, and the non-neutrality of unbelieving thought.
The episode also tackles Mathison’s treatment of common grace and the antithesis—core concepts in Van Til’s apologetic system. Does Van Til teach that unbelievers attain true knowledge by way of common grace? What is the actual function of common grace in a fallen world? And how does Van Til preserve the absolute ethical antithesis between belief and unbelief without denying shared external reality or meaningful engagement?
This is a clarifying and edifying conversation for anyone interested in Reformed theology, presuppositional apologetics, or the legacy of Cornelius Van Til.
Mentioned Resources
- Keith Mathison, Toward a Reformed Apologetics
- Cornelius Van Til, The Defense of the Faith
- Cornelius Van Til, Common Grace and the Gospel
- Follow-up blog post by Dr. Mathison
Topics Covered
- Epistemological holism and the “omniscience thesis”
- Idealist influence and Van Til’s use of borrowed terminology
- The meaning of “true knowledge” in covenantal context
- The image of God, suppression of truth, and natural revelation
- Common grace and its relationship to knowledge and antithesis
- The continuing relevance of Van Til’s apologetic method
Chapters
- 00:00 – Introduction
- 02:56 – Upcoming General Assembly
- 03:45 – Overview of Keith Mathison’s Book and Blog Response
- 05:06 – Main Concerns: Common Grace, Antithesis, and Epistemology
- 07:12 – Van Til’s Doctrine of Knowledge and Ethical Implications
- 09:13 – Response to Mathison’s Critique and Blog Post
- 12:34 – The ‘Omniscience Thesis’ in Dr. Mathison’s Reading
- 17:18 – Clarifying True Knowledge in Van Til’s View
- 23:04 – Idealism, Epistemological Holism, and Formal Influence
- 28:36 – Borrowed Capital vs. Replanting from Idealism
- 33:13 – Ethical Antithesis and Knowledge Suppression
- 42:12 – Common Grace: Misunderstanding and Clarification
- 47:13 – Van Til’s View: Knowledge Precedes Common Grace
- 54:11 – True Knowledge and the Ethical Rebellion of Man
- 59:28 – Common Grace and Inconsistent Suppression
- 66:10 – Antithesis in Every Sphere of Life
- 69:55 – Common Grace Doesn’t Suspend Total Depravity
- 71:48 – Looking Ahead to Reconstructed Theistic Proofs