Episode 472: Over the weekend on Saturday (7/13) there was an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump while he gave a speech during a rally in Pennsylvania. Since then, dozens of just plain bad readings and interpretations of the Bible have flooded social media. In this episode, I takedown some of the more prominent and egregious applications of the Bible to the event. Then, I give an account of God’s involvement in the whole ordeal based on Scripture.
Tag Archives: Theology
From Heiser to Heidelberg: How Zacharias Ursinus Answers the Heiser Question on Romans 5.12
Episode 471: Via a Twitter/X interaction I ran across Dr. Michael Heiser’s series of blog articles on Romans 5.12. The question Heiser believes those who affirm Original Sin cannot answer is “How is Jesus, being a Son of Adam, exempted from Original Sin?” This question is not new. Dr. Zacharias Ursinus nearly 500 years ago provided an explanation in his “Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism” under his exposition of Question 35. Tune in as I interact with both Heiser & Ursinus.
Some Brief Thoughts on “Sin Nature” by Heiser
Back to Romans 5.12 where Heiser fleshes out his question further
Commentary on Heidelberg Catechism by Ursinus (PDF)
Total Depravity: Rex Turner, Louis Berkhof, Michael Heiser
Episode 470: Start of the show with a review of part of Dr. Rex Turner, Sr.’s, Biblical Theology. His definition of Total Depravity is mere tautology. Thus, we look at Berkhof’s Systematic Theology for a more robust appreciation of the doctrine. Finally, land with Dr. Michael Heiser’s comments on Romans 5.12, which is part of the debate, but is not the whole debate.
Christ’s Proclamation to the Spirits, pt. 1
Episode 467: 1 Peter 3.18b-19 can be an enigmatic mystery. The traditional view sees Jesus going to the hadean realm and preaching the gospel to dead people for a posthumous opportunity at salvation. In this episode, I cut through the fog, approaching the text linguistically and exegetically for something a bit more coherent and consistent.
Alexander Campbell on Election & Reprobation
Episode 464: In 1817 Alexander Campbell wrote a circular letter for the churches within the Red Stone Baptist Association. Surprisingly, it contains a high view of divine sovereignty in election and reprobation. Also, there is a denial of Arminianism, as well as an implied agreement with John Calvin. Tune in as I read from this letter and get a sense of Campbell’s view on these biblical doctrines.
“He Glorified” in Romans 8.30
Episode 457: Yet another interpretation presents itself concerning the Golden Chain of Redemption in Romans 8.29-30, this one focusing on “He also glorified” at the end of verse 30. This particular take argues that since the aorist (past) tense is used, glorification is a already accomplished with a strong connection to baptism. In this episode, I take this view to task exegetically, contextually, and theologically to show that Paul’s use of the aorist does not negate his eschatological considerations.
Communion with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, pt. 4
Episode 455: I continue my reading of select excerpts from John Owen’s magisterial work Communion with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We venture from part 2 to part 3 and begin working through communion with the Holy Spirit. We make it to part 3, chapter 3.
Communion with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, pt. 3
Episode 454: In this episode I continue my reading of John Owen’s Communion with God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, that is, select excerpts and underlined portions I found beneficial. I am confident you will be edified too!
Moses E. Lard on Romans 8.28-30
Episode 449: The quest for resources within the Restoration Movement which do justice to Romans 8.28-30 continues! This time I grab Moses E. Lard’s Commentary on Romans off the book shelf and take a look inside to see what he says. I interact with his exposition linguistically, lexically, theologically, and anthropologically. Tune in & nerd out with me.
The Perspicuity of Scripture & Meme Theology
Episode 448: I’ve seen a certain meme floating around social media and felt compelled to respond to it. Actually, Francis Turretin responded to it centuries ago. We dive into Turretin’s Institutes of Elenctic Theology (2.17) to evaluate the meme, bolster our understanding of the clarity and plainness of Scripture, and rightly think about the parts of Scripture which may be “obscure.” Then, just a brief word about translation and interpretation of difficult phrases.
My article on the meme (with the meme included)
Live from the Pulpit 