Reformed Forum

Reformed Forum supports the church in presenting every person mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28) by providing Reformed theological resources to pastors, scholars, and anyone who desires to grow in their understanding of Scripture and the theology that faithfully summarizes its teachings.

Vos Group #101 — The Essence of the Kingdom 09/12/2025

Genesis 35:19–29 — The Weeping of Rachel 09/10/2025

What Is Worship? | Redemptive History and the Regulative Principle of Worship (Lesson 1) 09/08/2025

Marcus Mininger | Impossible to Be Restored? Temptation and Warning in the Epistle of Hebrews 09/05/2025

Conclusion: A Vision for Faithful Apologetics | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 12) 09/01/2025

David Bahnsen | Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life 08/29/2025

David Bahnsen | Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life 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 Post-Crisis World, and There’s No Free Lunch, 250 Economic Truths. Mark Van Drunen works in finance and is a ruling elder at Redeemer PCA in Hudson, Ohio. He serves on the Reformed Forum Board of Directors. Together, they explore how a robustly Reformed view of vocation challenges the sacred–secular divide, recovers the dignity of labor, and reorients our understanding of productivity and flourishing. Drawing from Genesis 1, Reformed anthropology, and the legacy of Kuyper, Bahnsen argues that work is not a mere means to consumption or status, but an essential expression of our identity as image-bearers of God. The discussion also addresses pressing contemporary questions—from the pitfalls of “work–life balance” and “follow your passion” mantras, to the theological problems with universal basic income and the cultural obsession with consumption. Listeners will be encouraged to see their daily labor as an act of worship, anticipating the greater work of the new creation secured in Christ. This is a conversation at the intersection of theology, economics, and discipleship—aimed at helping Christians recover a biblically grounded vision for work that fosters maturity in Christ and glorifies God in every sphere of life. Chapters 00:00 Reformed Forum Conference Early Bird Rate 01:53 Introduction 08:18 Work Is Not a Curse 11:22 Working in Heaven? 17:10 The Meaning of the Title, Full-Time 21:57 Making Money and Gaining 24:49 Glorifying God at Work 28:10 The Bible and Economics 36:55 Universal Basic Income 41:11 Following Your Passion 47:39 Work and the Pulpit 51:03 Don’t Waste Your Life 55:12 If You Don’t Find Joy at Work 58:34 Conclusion /episode/index/show/reformedforum/id/38016145

The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church — Chapters 10 and 11 08/26/2025

Providing Testimony: The Role of Proof and Evidence | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 11) 08/25/2025

Vos Group #100 — The Two-Sided Conception of the Kingdom 08/22/2025

Standing Firm: Engaging in Spiritual Conflict | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 10) 08/18/2025

Christ in All of Scripture — Previewing the 2025 Theology Conference 08/15/2025

The Implementation Plan: Developing an Apologetic Method | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 9) 08/11/2025

William Dennison | Van Til and the Problem of Evil 08/08/2025

Starting Points: The Role of Presuppositions | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 8) 08/04/2025

Starting Points: The Role of Presuppositions | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 8) This is the eighth lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. What fundamental commitments lie beneath every argument—ours and others’? In this lesson, we explore the essential concept of presuppositions: the foundational beliefs that shape how people interpret reality. We begin by surveying a range of influential thinkers who challenge the notion of objective, neutral knowledge. Though differing in emphasis, each demonstrate that human understanding is always shaped by deeper frameworks: whether through paradigms that govern scientific inquiry, social structures that define reality, or systems of power that shape what is accepted as truth. Building on this recognition, we turn to Cornelius Van Til, who shows that beneath all such frameworks lie ultimate commitments—religious in nature—that govern how people interpret every aspect of life. This lesson equips you to uncover the presuppositions behind objections to the faith and to expose the necessity of the Christian worldview as the only foundation for truth, meaning, and rationality. Understanding Presuppositions Key Thinkers and Concepts The Theological Foundations of Presuppositions The Danger of Autonomy The Demand for Consistency Compassionate Engagement with Unbelievers Summary and Conclusion Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress, download supplemental resources, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to more than two dozen more video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: Camden Bucey (MDiv, PhD) is Executive Director of Reformed Forum and a minister of Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Grayslake, Illinois. He is the author of Karl Rahner (Great Thinkers) and Lamentations, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah: A 12-Week Study. Your donations help us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you worldwide: /episode/index/show/reformedforum/id/37205135

David Saxton | Biblical Meditation: God's Battle Plan for the Mind 08/01/2025

David Saxton | Biblical Meditation: God's Battle Plan for the Mind David W. Saxton’s (Reformation Heritage Books, 2015) presents a compelling argument for recovering the lost art of biblical meditation, a discipline once central to Puritan piety and spiritual formation. Saxton argues that the modern church, though rich in theological resources and preaching, suffers from a superficial spirituality precisely because it has neglected meditation—a practice essential for transforming doctrinal knowledge into heartfelt godliness. Drawing extensively from the Puritans and Scripture, Saxton defines biblical meditation as the intentional, sustained, and spiritual reflection on God’s Word. Unlike Eastern or mystical forms of meditation that promote mental emptying, biblical meditation involves filling the mind with divine truth, leading to spiritual transformation and godly living. The book is structured thematically, beginning with the importance of meditation, contrasting it with unbiblical forms, and moving through practical guidance on how to meditate—whether occasional or deliberate. It outlines occasions for meditation, offers advice on selecting subjects, and highlights both the benefits and the spiritual enemies of the practice. Saxton concludes with pastoral encouragement to begin and persist in this vital spiritual discipline. Rev. Saxton is pastor of in Cambridge, Ohio. Chapters 00:00 Mid-America Center for Missions and Evangelism Conference 01:41 Introduction 06:06 The Background to This Book 10:08 Distinguishing Meditation from Prayer 14:58 Why the Practice of Meditation Has Been Lost 18:12 Retraining Our Minds to Delight in the Right Things 21:44 God’s Battle Plan for the Mind 25:22 Meditation as Essential to Spiritual Vitality 29:08 Practical Expectations 33:47 Steps to Beginning Effective Meditation 36:52 Occasional and Deliberate Meditation 42:37 Satan Especially Opposes Meditation 48:44 The Powerful Benefit of Meditation 53:15 The Spiritual Benefits of Meditation 59:10 Conclusion /episode/index/show/reformedforum/id/37616190

The Bridge: Finding a Connection through Common Grace | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 7) 07/28/2025

David VanDrunen | Faith in Exile (Psalm 119) 07/25/2025

The Great Divide: Life in and outside of Christ | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 6) 07/21/2025

Guy Waters | One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church 07/18/2025

Guy Waters | One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church Dr. Guy Waters is the Professor of New Testament at the Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi and a teaching elder in the Mississippi presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America. Today, he joins us to speak about his book, One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church (Lexham Academic), in which he sets out a full-scale Reformed doctrine of the church. The title echoes the four classical “marks” confessed in the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed. This study is an extended exploration of how Scripture, read through a Reformed lens, fills out each of those creedal descriptors and binds them together into a single, coherent doctrine of the church. Dr. Waters organizes the book in three movements: Biblical Revelation (Part I). Seven chapters trace “the people of God” from creation and Eden through Abraham, Moses, the prophets, Christ and the apostles, showing that God has always had one covenant people that reaches its eschatological maturity in the new-covenant church. Doctrinal Construction (Part II). Waters treats the classic loci of ecclesiology: the church’s four attributes (one, holy, catholic, apostolic); its marks (pure preaching, right sacraments, biblical discipline); its government (Christ the king, officers and courts); its worship (word, sacraments, prayer, Lord’s Day); its life (gifts and discipline); and its mission (“gathering and perfecting the saints” until Christ returns) . Truth for Life and Mission (Part III). A final chapter applies the doctrine to church-state relations, defending a robust spirituality of the church and principled religious liberty. The conclusion distills the argument into seven theses that function as a theological checksum. Throughout, Waters interlaces biblical exegesis, historical theology and confessional sources (especially the Westminster Standards). The result is both an academic survey and a pastoral manifesto aimed at equipping the church for faithful witness today. The conversation explores the essential identity and mission of the church, the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, and what is distinctly new through Christ’s redemptive work. Waters outlines the seven theses of his book, offering clarity on ecclesiology for today’s church, particularly in light of confusion over polity, worship, and the church’s relation to the state. This episode is an invitation to recover a robust, Reformed understanding of the church’s nature and calling, rooted in Scripture and developed in the tradition of historic confessions. Chapters 00:00 Mid-America Reformed Seminary CME Conference 01:30 Introduction 03:20 The Story Behind the Book 06:54 The Emphasis of this Book 10:43 The Need for Ecclesiology Today 15:33 The Seven Theses of the Book 18:54 The Continuity of God’s People in the Old and New Testaments 22:02 What Is New in the NT through Christ 28:02 The Mission of the Church 33:56 The Relation of Scripture to Polity 38:00 Worship 43:32 Ministering in Word and Deed 47:28 The Church and the State 52:26 The Spirituality of the Church 56:27 Conclusion /episode/index/show/reformedforum/id/37337970

The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church – Chapter 9 07/15/2025

Bearers of His Image: The Doctrine of Man | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 5) 07/14/2025

Vos Group #99 — Millennial Views and Modern Theories of the Kingdom 07/11/2025

Understanding Matthew 24 07/08/2025

God Speaks: The Doctrine of Revelation | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 4) 07/07/2025

Van Til Group #16 — A Response to Keith Mathison, Part 2 07/04/2025

Van Til Group #16 — A Response to Keith Mathison, Part 2 In 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 , 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, Cornelius Van Til, The Defense of the Faith Cornelius Van Til, Common Grace and the Gospel 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 /episode/index/show/reformedforum/id/37098190

Selecting Psalms and Hymns for Worship 07/02/2025

The One We Defend: The Doctrine of God | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 3) 06/30/2025

Michael Morales | The Lord Bless You and Keep You: Exploring the Heart of Numbers 06/27/2025

Understanding Eastern Orthodoxy: A Reformed Introduction, Part 3 (Worship and the Sacraments) 06/25/2025

The Book of Daniel, Part 7 06/24/2025

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