Theology On The Go

James and Jonathan welcome Todd Rester back to the podcast to discuss the 4th volume of Petrus van Mastricht's Theoretical-Practical Theology: Redemption in Christ. An associate professor of Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, Todd has spent many years translating Volumes 1-4 of this comprehensive, influential work and has already started working on the fifth volume! Redemption in Christ examines God's great work of obtaining redemption in the Mediator, Jesus Christ.  "The whole thing is about has Christ done everything necessary that we might have full assurance of God's love and mercy, His grace, and His covenant and faithfulness to us, and the answer is a resounding yes!" – Todd Rester In addition to learning about various aspects of this book, be sure to tune in to discover how Mastricht's work is still relevant today and was referenced in a recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling!We're giving away two copies of Theoretical-Practical Theology, Volume 4: Redemption in Christ

James and Jonathan spend time reflecting on Psalm 46 today. Martin Luther claimed this was “his psalm,” it is the basis for one of our most well-known hymns, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” This beautiful psalm starts with the comforting words, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Written for all of us who will at some point face troubles that seem to shake the ground beneath us, Psalm 46 has been a source of strength and comfort to countless people through the ages by focusing our attention on heaven.  We need to train our minds and train our hearts to be attentive to heaven precisely because that’s the anchor for our souls in many respects when we face these times of great troubles. – Jonathan Master “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Be encouraged by this reflection of Psalm 46, a balm for our souls.  Enter here for the opportunity to win a copy of Learning to Love the Psalms by Robert Godfrey, generously pro

The much-anticipated follow-up to the first episode of James and Jonathan’s book club is here! Today, the guys sit down again with their friend, Jeffrey Stivason, pastor of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church and a professor at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, for Part 2 of this series. Though written in the 17th century, The Pilgrim’s Progress has essential applications that we can glean from reading this classic work. Based on the feedback from listeners, you’re as excited about this as we are! “When you think about the Wicket Gate being readiness, when you think about the scroll being assurance, and that whole idea that this is what Christ has done for you. You don’t learn those once, and then your Christian life is made easy because of them. Those are things that you say to yourself repeatedly every day of your life, you know. That’s the Gospel preaching that you do to yourself every day, that you need or you’re not going to last with any sort of vigor or strength.” – Jeffrey Stivason   We hope

In today’s culture, it’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t been impacted by sexual sin, either personally or in their family or social circles. Issues of pornography, transgenderism, and homosexuality are pervasive, yet many in the evangelical church do not feel equipped to face the challenges of sexual brokenness. James and Jonathan are joined today by Mark Sanders, the executive director of Harvest USA. Harvest brings the truth and mercy of Jesus Christ by helping individuals and families affected by sexual struggles and by providing resources that address biblical sexuality to individuals and churches. Over the years, as the rise of the internet, it’s become much more of a broad discipleship ministry addressing any way that sin has affected our sexuality and our gender, and we’re just seeing more and more the ways that the fall and denial of God as our creator is going in more and more directions with sin. So we want to continue to see how Scripture brings clarity on God’s design but also brings clarity on th

James and Jonathan welcome their bowtie-clad friend, T. David Gordon, to discuss his latest book, Choose Better: 5 Biblical Models for Making Ethical Decisions. How do we know if we’re making the best choices possible? T. David says that over the centuries, Christians in different traditions have distilled scriptural guidance into five models for ethical decision-making. These models give us clear questions to ask in every situation, helping us improve our choices and better understand the choices of fellow believers—especially when they differ from ours. The creature made in God’s image has the capacity for reflection, for contemplation, for decision making, and so any choice we make about any aspect of our life is a reflection of the image of God in us, and therefore, it is subject to ethical inspection. – T. David Gordon Tune in to discover how T. David’s five biblical models for making ethical decisions equip believers to think biblically and choose better. And also learn why one of these models has him r

It’s a trip down memory lane as Jonathan and James sit down with their former student, John Biegel, who is now serving as the lead pastor at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church in Annandale, VA. John recently authored a book, Offering and Embracing Christ: The Marrow Theology of John Colquhoun of Leith. Less well known than the famous “marrow man,” Thomas Boston, Conquhoun was a faithful Scottish minister and Calvinist whose life and preaching reflected the thought of the Marrow men on offering and embracing Christ. Colquhoun stands out as being especially indebted to Boston and Erskine and this whole stream of Marrow theology in a way that is unparalleled in the Church of Scotland at the time and really sets up what ends up being this evangelical revival in the Church of Scotland in the early 19th century. – John Biegel  James and Jonathan are justifiably proud of their former student and commend his book to all, but in particular to anyone who feels the tension between the free offer of the gospel and parti

Jonathan and James sit down with Brandon Crowe, an author and professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary, to discuss his latest work, The Lord Jesus Christ: The Biblical Doctrine of the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. Brandon traces Christ’s person and work throughout the Old and New Testaments and church history through biblical, historical, and theological study and then presents systematic and practical implications.  The book is something like a one-stop-shop where it’s not just the systematics or just biblical theology. It really brings those two between the same covers, and not just that, but also the practical applications of what this means for our salvation and for our worship of Christ. – James Dolezal Written from a confessionally Reformed perspective in concert with the great creeds of the church, The Lord Jesus Christ provides a thorough and trustworthy guide to understanding Jesus and his salvific work. For the opportunity to win a copy of Brandon’s book, thanks to the gener

James and Jonathan are excited to kick off the Theology on the Go book club today with their good friend Jeffrey Stivason, coming together to discuss The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. Jeff is pastor of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church and a professor at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary.  In this episode, they will discuss the book's first section, from The City of Destruction until The Wicked Gate. So grab your copy of The Pilgrim's Progress (or order one here if you don't own one) and follow along with our knowledgeable and passionate hosts. Jeff believes this book has profoundly impacted his Christian experience, and he highly commends it to others. [The Pilgrim's Progress] has the ability to take me by the heart…I just find myself thinking; this is so much like us – to not be able to see the best of things but to be able to see the worst of things so clearly. And here [Christian] is, arriving at the gate, and it's a little triumph and it's a lot of joy to see him move through this part of

Zachary Groff, pastor of Antioch Presbyterian Church and managing editor of The Confessional Presbyterian Journal, joins James and Jonathan today to discuss the 19th annual edition of the publication, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Presbyterian Church in America. While serious-minded academically, the journal is accessible to readers from all backgrounds. One ringing theme is the intersection of faithfulness to the Scripture, being true to the Reformed faith, and obedience to the Great Commission.  It is a very helpful platform...or venue for promoting discussion among conservative and confessional evangelicals on matters not just of confessional theology but also, more broadly, speaking biblical theology, recent publications, and even ongoing debates. — Zach Groff Get a copy to read about John Gresham Machen and his role in forming the PCA, the history and formation of the Standing Judicial Commission, a fascinating look at oaths and vows and witnesses in the courts of Presbyterian churches, an

James and Jonathan are happy to welcome Carl Trueman back to the podcast to discuss his newly-released book, Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity. An updated version of The Creedal Imperative (2012), Carl’s new edition analyzes how ancient creeds and confessions protect and promote biblical Christianity in a culture of expressive individualism. Listen to find out what has changed in the culture in the 11 years since he wrote the first book and why this updated version is so important.  Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Crossway Books, we have a couple copies of Crisis of Confidence to give away. Register here for the opportunity to win.

In the past century, one question has constantly plagued the church: How should the people of God respond to social issues? In this episode of Theology on the Go, Alex DiPrima talks to Jonathan and James about an unexpected source for us to consider for an answer: Charles Haddon Spurgeon. In his recent book, Spurgeon and the Poor: How the Gospel Compels Christian Social Concern, Alex examines how Spurgeon's belief that gospel preaching and soul-winning should be the church's primary mission informed his commendable benevolence and mercy ministry. Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we have a couple copies of Alex DiPrima's book to give away. Register here for the opportunity to win.

Author and Greenville Seminary professor Ryan McGraw sits down with James and Jonathan today to discuss his latest book, A Mystery Revealed: 31 Meditations on the Trinity. In this book, Ryan offers a fresh perspective on how the Trinity forms the foundation for everything from evangelism to corporate worship. The 31 daily meditations help bring this heavenly doctrine down to earth for the average Christian to experience. Register here for the opportunity to win a copy of Ryan’s book, thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books.   Show Notes: Dr. McGraw recommended this book on the Holy Spirit by Fred Sanders: https://www.crossway.org/books/the-holy-spirit-tpb-2/

In this episode, Jonathan and James are joined by their close friend and Mortification of Spin podcast host, Carl Trueman. They dive into a discussion of The Doctrine of Justification by Faith, a book by John Owen that Carl considers the #1 book on justification. He has such high regard for it that he wrote an introductory essay for the latest edition published by Reformation Heritage Books. Listen in to discover more about Owen, why he wrote a book on justification, and why his writing is still relevant.  Register here for the opportunity to win a copy of The Doctrine of Justification by Faith, thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books.

What is the chief end of man? Many of us can recite the answer from memory. For centuries, the Westminster Shorter Catechism has helped Christians, young and old, know their “chief end.” Today, James and Jonathan are joined by William Boekestein, co-author of a new book, Glorifying and Enjoying God: 52 Devotions through the Westminster Shorter Catechism. In a year’s worth of Lord’s days, this valuable new resource is excellent for individual and family use for all who desire to “glorify and enjoy God forever.” Register here for the opportunity to win a copy of this new devotional by William Boekestein, Jonathan Landry Cruse, and Andrew Miller, thanks to the generosity of Reformation Heritage Books.

James and Jonathan are joined by Chris Castaldo today to discuss his new book, The Upside Down Kingdom: Wisdom for Life from the Beatitudes. In our sinful world, we often struggle with anxiety, loneliness, and heartache. How can we cultivate God’s kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven” in such a broken place? In the Beatitudes, Jesus urges us to set ourselves apart from the world, living in a counterculture with a new identity rooted in him. The Upside Down Kingdom examines this counterintuitive wisdom and explores its relevance for today.  Register here for the opportunity to win a copy of The Upside Down Kingdom, thanks to our friends at Crossway Books.  

Most pastors understand that prayer is an essential element of pastoral calling. Yet, many struggle to devote consistent time and affection to this sacred means of grace. David Irving sits down with James and Jonathan to discuss his new book, Devote Yourself to Prayer: A Call to Pastors, in which he seeks to motivate his fellow pastors to pray more for their people and their labors and delight in this vital discipline.  Register here for the opportunity to win a copy of David’s book, thanks to our friends at Reformation Heritage Books.  

One of the central tenets of the Reformed faith, the perseverance of the saints, is not a belief held by all Christians, but it should be, argues Jonathan Master. James and Jonathan sit down to discuss this vital doctrine and what it does – and does not mean. What exactly is the perseverance of the saints? Does it give us license to sit back and rest on our laurels? If not, how do we participate in our growth as believers?  Register here for the opportunity to win a copy of the classic work Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray, available thanks to Eerdmans Publishing. 

Nathan Eshelman, author of I Have a Confession: The What and Why of the Westminster Confession of Faith, joins James and Jonathan on the podcast to discuss the importance of creeds and confessions. Focusing on The Westminster Confession of Faith, Nathan argues that, understood rightly, historic creeds can help us find a church that promotes right thinking about the Bible, encourage unity with truth, protect us from error, and help us proclaim the good news. Register here for the opportunity to win a copy of Nathan’s new book, I Have a Confession, courtesy of Crown and Covenant Publishing.   Show Notes: Thank you to this month's sponsor Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Explore which theological degree best fits you at SBTS.EDU/EXPLORE.

James and Jonathan sit down with long-time friend and highly esteemed theologian G.K. Beale to discuss his latest book, Union with the Resurrected Christ. Union with Christ is an important theological and practical concept that has received considerable attention in recent years. But not much consideration has been given to this union and its benefits in light of Jesus' resurrection and ascension…until now. Tune in as Dr. Beale shares highlights from the book and explains some important practical applications for everyday Christian living. Register here for the opportunity to win a copy of G.K. Beale’s book, courtesy of Baker Academic. Show Notes: Thank you to this month's sponsor Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Explore which theological degree best fits you at SBTS.EDU/EXPLORE.

James and Jonathan are joined by Ryan Anderson, author of When Harry Became Sally—a book on responding to transgenderism that was banned by Amazon. On this episode, Ryan discusses his new book, Tearing Us Part: How Abortion Harms Everything and Solves Nothing, co-written with pro-life journalist Alexandra DeSanctis. So far, the book is still available for purchase. Tune in for this fascinating conversation about the catastrophic failure—social, political, legal, and personal—of legalized abortion. Register here for the opportunity to win a copy of their book, courtesy of Regnery Publishing.   Show Notes https://www.amazon.com/Tearing-Us-Apart-Abortion-Everything/dp/1684513502 Thank you to this month's sponsor Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Explore which theological degree best fits you at SBTS.EDU/EXPLORE.