Mid-America Reformed Seminary

In this episode, Dr. Mininger continues his examination of the Book of Hebrews and its historical context, specifically addressing the ongoing debate about whether it was written before or after 70 AD. But more importantly, he'll discuss why this question, while interesting, might not be as crucial as some interpreters suggest.

In this episode, we'll be continuing our discussion on the preterist interpretation of the book of Hebrews. Last time, we looked at some evidence from Hebrews related to the persecution of Christians and how that might suggest the book was written before the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in 70 AD. Today, we're going to dig deeper into the text of Hebrews itself, examining whether the author's descriptions of the temple sacrificial system indicate it was still ongoing at the time of writing. Professor of New Testament Studies, Dr. Marcus Mininger, will walk us through some of the key passages in Hebrews and the nuances of the Greek language that shed light on the timing of when this epistle was composed. He'll weigh the evidence and consider how much this dating question really matters for how we interpret the message and theology of Hebrews.

This session of our 2024 Fall Evening Class focuses on examining the call of Ezekiel as a "priestly prophet" in chapters 2-3 of the Book of Ezekiel. Dr. Andrew Compton explores several key segments of Ezekiel's calling, including the "I am sending you" speech (Chapter 2:1-8), a vision of a scroll containing words of lamentation that Ezekiel has to eat (2:9-3:3), the "therefore go" speech (3:4-11), and Ezekiel's commission as a watchman (3:16-27). He highlights interesting elements like the irony of Israel being called "nations" of rebels, the Hebrew wordplay around Ezekiel's name and the concept of "hardness," and how Ezekiel's role as a watchman shapes the structure of the entire book, with his mouth being shut during judgment messages (chapters 1-32) and opened during salvation messages (chapters 33-48).

This first session of our 2024 Fall Evening Class introduces Chapter 1 of the Book of Ezekiel, focusing on the theme of God's glory. Dr. Andrew Compton explains how Ezekiel's opening chapter presents a dramatic vision of God's glory appearing to the prophet during the Babylonian exile in 593 BC. The vision includes extraordinary imagery: four creatures with multiple faces (human, lion, ox, and eagle), wheels within wheels, and storm winds - all accompanying God's glorious presence. Dr. Compton helps decode this complex imagery by comparing it to modern high-definition or IMAX experiences, explaining that these descriptions combine different powerful attributes to convey God's supreme might and presence. This session emphasizes that this vision was particularly meaningful to the exiled Jews, as it demonstrated that God's power remained undiminished and that He could be present with His people even in exile, making Ezekiel fundamentally a prophet of hope.

In this episode, Dr. Marcus Mininger, Professor of New Testament Studies, looks at the world of biblical interpretation, specifically examining preterist interpretations of the book of Hebrews. His discussion centers around a key question that has intrigued scholars for centuries: Was the Book of Hebrews written before or after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD? Perhaps more importantly, he'll explore whether this dating question is as crucial to understanding Hebrews as some might think. Dr. Mininger begins by examining evidence of Roman persecution in the early church and what it might tell us about when Hebrews was written.

On this episode of Marscast, host Jared Luttjeboer welcomes back Emeritus Professor of Old Testament Studies, Rev. Mark Vander Hart, to explore one of the most significant accounts in Genesis: The flood narrative of chapters 6-9. They dive (no pun intended) into the theological and interpretive debate between global and local flood perspectives, examining the biblical evidence, linguistic elements, and theological implications of these different views. Following their previous discussion on creation, this conversation sheds light on how this ancient account shapes our theology today.

In this episode, host Jared Luttjeboer sits down with Rev. Mark Vander Hart, emeritus professor of Old Testament Studies, to explore the complex topic of creation from a Reformed perspective. Rev. Vander Hart provides a comprehensive overview of various interpretations of the Genesis creation account within Reformed theology, from Augustine to modern-day theories. He tackles the historical context, discusses the framework hypothesis, and shares his personal view on the creation days. The conversation also touches on the implications of different interpretations for core Christian doctrines, including the historical nature of Adam and Eve and its connection to Christ's incarnation. Tune in now to understand the intersection of faith, scripture, and scientific inquiry within the Reformed tradition.

In this episode, Dr. Beach continues to explore Book 3 of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion, focusing on a topic that's often misunderstood: The relationship between faith and repentance. Many Christians wonder: Do we need to clean up our act before coming to God? Does our repentance earn us forgiveness? Calvin is helpful here. He provides insights for his time and ours that true repentance isn't a prerequisite for faith but rather its fruit. Join Dr. Beach now as he unpacks Calvin's thoughtful exposition on how the Holy Spirit bonds us to Christ, the nature of genuine repentance, and why this understanding is crucial for grasping the doctrine of justification by faith alone.

In today's episode, Dr. Beach explores John Calvin's thoughts on the role of the Holy Spirit in uniting believers to Christ through faith. He touches on the necessity of being "in Christ" to receive salvation's benefits, the nature of true faith as a firm knowledge of God's benevolence, and the struggle between faith and doubt in the believer's life. He also examines Calvin's critique of certain Catholic doctrines and emphasizes that genuine faith, while sometimes weak, ultimately triumphs through God's grace, highlighting Calvin's emphasis on resting in Christ's work rather than one's own efforts for assurance of salvation.

In this episode, Dr. Beach looks at the concluding chapters of Book 2 of The Institutes of the Christian Religion, where Calvin examines the work of Christ as our Redeemer. He'll unpack Calvin's discussion of Christ's three offices - Prophet, Priest, and King - and how these roles relate to our salvation. He'll also explore Calvin's insights on Christ's atoning work, looking at concepts like divine wrath, divine love, and how Christ's death and resurrection reconcile us to God.

We're diving deep once again into John Calvin's monumental work, Institutes of the Christian Religion, focusing on the end of Book 2. Joining us to unpack these theological insights is Dr. J. Mark Beach, utilizing his commentary on the Institutes, Piety's Wisdom. In this episode, we'll explore Calvin's understanding of Christ as the mediator between God and humanity. Dr. Beach will guide us through Calvin's explanation of why Christ needed to be both fully God and fully man and how this enables Him to bridge the gap between sinful humanity and a just God. Dr. Beach will also discuss the historical context of Calvin's work, address common misconceptions, and examine how Calvin's theology refutes various Christological heresies that have cropped up throughout church history.

In today's episode, Dr. Andrew Compton examines the intersection of fantasy writing and theological themes with OPC Pastor Rev. Jeremiah Montgomery. As the author of The Dark Harvest trilogy, Montgomery discusses his journey into writing fiction with a distinctively theological flavor. We explore his approach to storytelling, the influence of his reformed faith, and how his experiences in ministry have shaped his writing. From the seeds of historical events to the imaginative creation of fantasy worlds, Montgomery reveals the depth of thought behind his work and the power of fiction to convey profound truths. Tune in to learn more about how fiction can reflect the reality of good and evil, the importance of imagination, and the role of storytelling in communicating the Christian worldview.

In today's episode, Dr. Andrew Compton and Rob McKenzie continue their conversation on Rob's book "Seeker's Progress," exploring how storytelling can effectively convey theological truths, make them memorable, and address common faith questions. They'll touch on the challenges of publishing Christian fiction and the importance of encouraging Christians to read more.

In this episode, Dr. Andrew Compton once again explores the use of fiction in apologetics, featuring guest Rob McKenzie, an elder at Westminster OPC in Countryside, IL, and co-host of the "Theology Simply Profound" podcast through Reformed Forum. Rob discusses his book "Seekers Progress," a modern take on John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," that addresses contemporary issues. Their conversation examines Rob's writing background and the inspiration behind "Seekers Progress". Rob explains how the book examines the growing acceptance of religious pluralism within churches, using allegory to illustrate the dangers of compromising biblical truth. They also discuss the fine line between asking sincere questions and deconstructing faith, touching on themes of discernment, the resurgence of paganism in modern society, and the challenges facing contemporary Christianity.

In this episode, Dr. Venema concludes this series on the Holy Spirit by looking at the doctrine of sanctification and the role of the Holy Spirit. He discusses the biblical and theological understanding of sanctification as an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit rather than a "second blessing" or higher level of Christian experience. Dr. Venema emphasizes that sanctification is a progressive work, which will ultimately result in the complete holiness and conformity to Christ of all believers when the Spirit's work is finished. He refutes various perfectionist teachings and instead upholds the scriptural call for believers to actively put to death sin and live in obedience, all while relying on God's grace.

In today's episode, Dr. Venema will explore the controversial topic of spiritual gifts in the modern church, focusing on prophecy, speaking in tongues, and healing. He'll present a cessationist perspective, arguing that certain foundational gifts have ceased with the closure of the biblical canon while emphasizing the continued presence of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers for ministry and service.

In today's episode, Dr. Cornelis Venema explores the identity, deity, and distinct personhood of the Holy Spirit - the third person of the Trinity. He unpacks the various names used for the Holy Spirit in Scripture, examines attributes that confirm the Spirit's deity, and discusses the Spirit's role in creation and redemption. He'll also touch on the nature of the Spirit's work and his relationship to the Father and Son.

This episode explores John Calvin's perspective on the relationship between the Old and New Testaments as outlined in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, focusing on Book Two, Chapters 9-11. Dr. J. Mark Beach looks at Calvin's view of law and gospel, explaining how Calvin sees both continuity and differences between the testaments. Key points include: 1. Calvin's understanding of how Christ was revealed in the Old Testament and more fully manifested in the New Testament. 2. The similarities between the Old and New Testaments, including the same covenant substance and hope of salvation. 3. Five key differences Calvin identifies in how the covenants are dispensed, including: The shift from earthly to heavenly focus The transition from shadows to reality in Christ The contrast between letter and spirit The move from bondage to freedom The expansion from one nation to all peoples The episode provides a nuanced look at Calvin's theology, emphasizing his view that while the manner of dispensation differs, the

In this episode, Dr. Beach explores John Calvin's teachings on how fallen humanity can find redemption in Christ according to Book 2, Chapter 6 of his famous work The Institutes of the Christian Religion. Calvin argues that true knowledge of God is useless without also having faith in Him as our Redeemer through Christ. He explains how the Old Testament law was never intended to provide a way to achieve righteousness through our own efforts but rather to expose our depravity and desperate need for God's redemptive grace. Dr. Beach walks through Calvin's threefold "uses of the law" - to show our sin, restrain evil, and instruct believers in righteousness after being freed from the law's condemnation through Christ. We learn how even the Old Testament ceremonies foreshadowed the coming of the gospel promises fulfilled in Jesus. Throughout, Calvin masterfully shows how the way of salvation through grace alone in Christ alone was the same essence in both the Old and New Testaments. The law served to drive us to t

In this episode, Dr. J. Mark Beach explores John Calvin's views on human nature and free will as presented in Book II, Chapters 2-3 of his influential work Institutes of the Christian Religion. Calvin grapples with the difficult question of human freedom in light of the Fall and original sin. He warns against the perils of complacency if we deny human ability, or boastfulness if we overestimate our capabilities apart from God's grace. Calvin distinguishes three types of freedom - from necessity, from sin, and from misery. He argues that while humans are not under external compulsion, our wills are bound and enslaved to sin and misery because of our corrupt nature inherited from Adam. Dr. Beach explores how Calvin viewed the human faculties of understanding and will after the Fall. He saw the intellect as still capable in earthly matters due to God's common grace but blind to spiritual truths without divine illumination. The will, though enslaved to sin, still makes choices flowing from our fallen inclinations