Theology On The Go

What are angels? How are they different from God, and how are they different from humans? How should we think about angels and demons, and how do they impact our lives? James and Jonathan discuss this fascinating and oft-misunderstood topic today in anticipation of the Gap Bible Series seminar at which James will be speaking in October, where he will cover this subject in greater depth.  Register here for the opportunity to win a copy of C.S. Lewis’ book, The Screwtape Letters.   Show Notes To register for the Gap Bible Series seminar in Lancaster, PA, click here: https://www.alliancenet.org/gapcenter

Gary Schnittjer is back on the podcast to discuss his most recent book, Old Testament Narrative Books: The Israel Story, a survey of the histories of the Hebrew kingdoms. Gary's book expertly ties these Old Testament narratives to the overarching theme of redemption throughout the Bible. Tune in to hear James and Jonathan chat with their old friend and newly-crowned honorary co-host of Theology on the Go.  Register here for the opportunity to win a copy of Gary Schnittjer’s latest book, courtesy of B&H Academic.

James and Jonathan sit down with William Varner to discuss his new book about the Apostolic Fathers— Christian writers of the 1st and 2nd centuries who knew or were associated with the New Testament apostles. William argues that there is great value in studying and understanding the writings of Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, and others. Tune in and find out why.  Register here for the opportunity to win a copy of William Varner’s book, courtesy of our friends at T&T Clark Publishing.

Mack Tomlinson sits down with James and Jonathan to discuss his latest book, The Indomitable Brainerds: The Gospel Legacy of David and John Brainerd’s Mission to the Indians. David Brainerd’s missionary efforts among the Native Americans of colonial North America are legendary, but how many people know that David’s brother John devoted decades of his life to continue this mission? Mack Tomlinson tells the inspiring story of the Brainerd brothers’ unconquerable faith in God and how their relentless mission work accomplished more for Native Americans than any other individual or organization at that time.  Register here for the opportunity to win a copy of Mack Tomlinson’s book, courtesy of our friends at Reformation Heritage Book.

Christopher Wright joins Jonathan and James to discuss his latest book, An Island of Grace: Redeeming Love in the Book of Ruth. This well-loved book of the Bible exemplifies kindness and everyday grace as the residents of the town of Bethlehem care for one another. But it is much more. It is also a picture of the redeeming work of Jesus Christ for all of His people. Christopher explains that drinking deeply from Ruth will be a balm for your soul in this present age. Crown & Covenant has provided a few copies of Christopher Wright’s book for our listeners. Register here for the opportunity to win a copy.   Show Notes This podcast has been sponsored by SBTS. Explore which theological degree best fits you at SBTS.EDU/EXPLORE.

Decision Making and the Will of God How can we know God’s will for our lives and make responsible decisions? Why does decision-making and discerning the will of God seem so difficult? Jonathan and James tackle a topic that impacts every one of us, whether we’re making big, life-changing decisions or the seemingly less significant choices we face daily.  Banner of Truth has provided a few copies of the classic work by John Flavel, The Mystery of Providence, for our listeners. Register here for the opportunity to win a copy.   Show Notes This podcast has been sponsored by SBTS. Explore which theological degree best fits you at SBTS.EDU/EXPLORE. 

Today, Jonathan and James sit down with Bruce McClellan to discuss his latest book about Samuel Rutherford of Anwoth. Rutherford was an accomplished man—a university scholar, defender of the Reformed faith, and prolific author. But Bruce shares that Rutherford’s first love was preaching the gospel and shepherding the Lord’s people. Register here for the opportunity to win a copy courtesy of Reformation Heritage Books.  Show Notes This podcast has been sponsored by SBTS. Explore which theological degree best fits you at SBTS.EDU/EXPLORE. 

Most people are familiar with the well-known hymns “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” and “Joy to the World” by Isaac Watts. But Britt Stokes joins Jonathan and James on the podcast to share how Watts was more than just an accomplished hymn writer―he was a dedicated pastor-scholar pursuing sincere Christian devotion among the people of God. Register here for the opportunity to win one.    Show Notes Britt recommends these books by Isaac Watts: A Guide to Prayer Discourses on the Love of God The World to Come

To the Judicious and Impartial Reader James Renihan is back on the podcast to discuss his latest book with James and Jonathan, To the Judicious and Impartial Reader, an exposition of what is popularly known as the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. Dr. Renihan shines welcomed light on this important confession of faith that churches around the world have used for almost 350 years and still encourages and guides believers today. Thanks to Founders Press for providing three giveaway copies of Dr. Renihan’s book for our listeners. Congratulations to our winners -- Mona J. from Butler, KY, Aiden M. from Temple, TX, and Michael A. from Covington, KY!

The fear of God is essential to what it means to be a believer, yet there seems to be a modern aversion to this often misunderstood theme. Tune in as James and Jonathan talk to long-time friend Keith Plummer as he shares the security and courage that the fear of the Lord is intended to give to God’s people and how an appropriate fear of God is a delight and will result in a diminished fear of man.  Our friends at Reformation Heritage Books provided two copies of the classic book, Triumphing Over Sinful Fear, by John Flavel for a giveaway. The winners of the drawing are David L. from Arden, NC and Melinda M. from Turlock, CA. Congratulations!

What exactly do the terms Reformed and Reformed theology mean? Defining them is more challenging than it sounds. But in his latest book, Reformed Theology, our very own Jonathan Master has provided an excellent resource for anyone who wants a well-rounded and concise overview of these terms. Tune in as host James and guest Jonathan discuss what makes Reformed theology distinctive and how its specific doctrines apply to everyday life. Our friends at P&R Publishing provided three giveaway copies of Jonathan's book. The winners of the drawing were Todd O. from Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, Craig F. from Aubrey, TX, and Femi O. from Barre, VT.

Dr. Gary Schnittjer returns for further conversation about the streamlined yet expanded second edition of his popular book on the Pentateuch. In part 2 of their interview, Jonathan and James dig deeper into what’s new in Professor Schnittjer’s book and how Gary’s experience in writing Old Testament Use of Old Testament may have offered new perspective to the updated content of Torah Story. Thanks again to Zondervan Academic for graciously providing two more copies of Torah Story: Second Edition for a giveaway. Congratulations to our winners, Yev C. from Jacksonville, FL and Elizabeth H. from West Jefferson, NC. 

Gary Schnittjer’s The Torah Story: An Apprenticeship on the Pentateuch became an instant classic upon its release in 2006. Sophisticated yet highly accessible, The Torah Story approaches the first five books of the Old Testament as both internally intrinsic and interconnected, unfolding a metanarrative that ultimately culminates in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Torah Story, Second Edition streamlines and simplifies the content of the original, offering new sidebars and fresh insights to help students, scholars, and laypersons alike appreciate the very beginnings of the greatest story ever told.  Thank you Zondervan Academic for providing two copies of Dr. Schnittjer’s book for a giveaway. Congratulations to our winners: Jonathan R. from Dubuque, IA and Lee N. from Hellam, PA.

The Sum of Saving Knowledge In 1650, a brilliant young theologian joined with a legendary pastor to write The Sum of Saving Knowledge, designed to summarize the Westminster Standards for the layperson.  David Dickson and James Durham’s book was so popular that it was bound with almost every edition of the Standards for the next three centuries. Crown and Covenant Publications has released a new gift edition of the book edited by our guest, professor/author David Whitla, who adds a study guide to further help readers navigate and understand this literary classic. Crown & Covenant generously provided a number of giveaway copies of The Sum of Saving Knowledge, and the winners are Michael L. from Katy, TX, John B. from Amarillo, TX, and Gregory B. from Northumberland, PA. Congratulations! Show Notes *David Whitla’s free study guide download  

Our guest—pastor, professor, lecturer, and author Nick Needham—continues his highly collectible series, 2000 Years of Christ’s Power. In volume 5—The Enlightenment and Awakening—Needham explores the many significant 18th-century developments in Church history, including the growing American church. Understanding how Christians responded to the quickly shifting events in the world around them will help pastors and laypersons alike put the 1700s into proper perspective.    Christian Focus Publications graciously provided three copies of Dr. Needham's latest volume for a giveaway. The winners were Kaspars O. from Louisville, KY, Paul R. from McKinney, TX, and Mark A. from Grand Rapids, MI.

The Shadow of Christ in the Book of Lamentations How many sermons have you heard from the Old Testament book of Lamentations? Clearly, it’s not a “fan favorite,” but—as author and professor C.J. Williams explains—the prophet Jeremiah’s poetic laments offer us practical insights into grieving with faith, finding hope in suffering, and experiencing grace in life’s trials. As his title suggests, Dr. Williams makes a compelling case for reading Lamentations in the light of Christ’s suffering and the healing it brings.  Thanks to Crown and Covenant's generosity, we were able to select three winners for a giveaway of Dr. Williams' book. Congratulations to Vincent R. from Newtown Square, PA, Doug B. from Medford, OR, and Ben M. from Anaheim Hills, CA.

Many define “worship” as the music Christians employ in Sunday services. Others hold to a certain “style” of worship. What kind of worship does God demand? In his new book, Trembling Joy: A Biblical Defense of Traditional Worship, Pastor Ryan Speck defines terms and points his readers to what Scripture has to say about how Christians corporately approach the throne of God. Our guest discusses the balance of music, the preached Word, the sacraments, and more—even suggesting an order of elements that follows what the Lord expects from our worship. The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals provided three copies of Trembling Joy for a giveaway. The winners were Brian Z. from Manhattan, KS, Charlotte N. from Santa Clara, CA, and Joe K. from Williams, AZ. 

How do you envision a triune God carrying out the divine missions? Do you picture the Son and Spirit departing the throne room—lunchboxes in hand—only to return to Heaven in the evening and report to the Father? If so, how might we understand our communion with God or the presence of Jesus in the heart of a believer? To approach this level of contemplation, Jonathan and James welcome Dr. Adonis Vidu. The author and associate professor of theology at Gordon-Conwell Seminary builds on the content of his recent book on inseparable operations to help readers comprehend the divine missions as the presence of God united with a created being, which provides a foretaste of the banquet that is one day to come.  Wipf and Stock Publishers generously provided two copies of The Divine Missions: An Introduction for a giveaway. Congratulations to Skyler M. from Vancouver, WA and James R. from Winona Lake, IN.

“I’m a Christian, but I don’t need a church. Nature is where I find God.” Whatever the stated reasoning, those who avoid church attendance and membership often do so without understanding why believers need the Church and the Church needs them.   Guest Terry Johnson has written many books and has served in church ministry for over 40 years. In his latest work, Johnson uses key New Testament passages to explain why local church attendance is essential in the life of every believer and how that mutual accountability cannot be replaced by parachurch activity or informal spirituality.     Christian Focus Publications provided three copies of Who Needs the Church: Why We Need the Church (and Why the Church Needs Us) for a giveaway. Congratulations to our winners: Tony T. from Alderson, WV, Skyler M. from Vancouver, WA, and Kandice T. from Enterprise, AL.

Theology for Ministry Since assuming his first pastorate in 1971, Sinclair Ferguson’s life and Bible teaching have left an indelible mark on the lives and ministries of his parishioners, students, colleagues, and friends. Our guest today edited and contributed to a Festschrift published in Ferguson’s honor—Theology for Ministry: How Doctrine Affects Pastoral Life and Practice. Like Ferguson, Chad VanDixhoorn is a pastor, professor, and author. Along with an impressive list of co-contributors, VanDixhoorn outlines a rich scriptural framework for ministry grounded in key Christian doctrines and the application of the benefits and blessings that come to us through the Spirit in our union with Christ. Thanks to P&R Publishing, we were able to offer three copies of Theology for Ministry for a giveaway. The winners were David R. from Williamsburg, VA, Cullen B. from Marietta, GA, and Brandt K. from Trevose, PA.