Theology for the Church

In this week's episode, Caleb is joined by Matt Smethurst (MDiv, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) lead pastor of River City Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia, to discuss his new book Tim Keller on the Christian Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel. Together they discuss the most prominent works and themes from Keller's teaching and ministry. Resources: Tim Keller on the Christian Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel by Matt SmethurstThe Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Tim KellerCounterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters by Tim KellerPrayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Tim KellerEncounters with Jesus: Unexpected Answers to Life's Biggest Questions by Tim Keller Making Sense of God: Finding God in the Modern World  by Tim KellerWhat Is Wrong with the World?: The Surprising, Hopeful Answer to the Question We Cannot Avoid by Tim KellerWalking with God through Pain and Suffering by Tim Keller

In this episode, Caleb is joined by Josh Howard (PhD, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) Senior Pastor at New Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Monroeville, Pennsylvania to discuss postmillennialism. This is the final installment of a three week miniseries on the various reformed millennial views.Resources: Stories About the End of Things: Revealing Themes of Eschatology Through Scripture by Joshua HowardThe Exorcism of Satan: The Binding of the Strong Man by Christ the King by Joshua HowardPostmillennialism: An Eschatology of Hope by Keith MathisonThe Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views⁠ edited by Robert ClouseEschatology Matters Podcast with Josh Howard

In this episode, Caleb is joined by Kim Riddlebarger (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminar) pastor emeritus of Christ Reformed Church (URCNA) in Anaheim, California and retired professor of systematic theology at Westminster Seminary California to discuss Amillennialism. This is the second installment of a three week miniseries on the various reformed millennial views.Resources: A Case for Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times by Kim RiddlebargerKingdom Come: The Amillennial Alternative by Sam StormsThe Great End Time Debate: Issues, Options, and Amillennial Answers  by Dean DavisThe Bible and the Future by Anthony HoekemaRevelation: A Shorter Commentary by Greg BealeReading the Book of Revelation: Five Principles for Interpretation by Alex Stewart

In this episode, Caleb is joined by Jim Hamilton (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) Senior Pastor of Kenwood Baptist Church and Professor of Biblical Theology at Southern Seminary to discuss Historic Premillennialism. This is the first installment of a three week miniseries on the various reformed millennial views.Resources:Revisiting The Millennium: An Evening of Eschatology by the Kenwood InstituteRevelation: The Spirit Speaks to the Churches by Jim HamiltonWith the Clouds of Heaven: The Book of Daniel in Biblical Theology by Jim HamiltonRevelation by Tom SchreinerThe Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views edited by Robert Clouse

In this week's episode, Caleb is joined by Sam Waldron (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) president of Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary and professor of systematic theology, to discuss his new book The Doctrine of Last Things: An Optimistic Amillennial View. Together, they focus on the history and hermeneutics of biblical eschatology. Resources:The Doctrine of Last Things: An Optimistic Amillennial View by Sam WaldronThe Bible and the Future by Anthony HoekemaKingdom Come: The Amillennial Alternative by Sam StormsA Case for Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times by Kim RiddlebargerThe Great End Time Debate: Issues, Options, and Amillennial Answers by Dean DavisPauline Eschatology by Geerhardus Vos

In this episode, Caleb is joined by Bobby Jamieson (PhD, Cambridge) senior pastor of Trinty Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina to discuss his most recent book Everything Is Never Enough: Ecclesiastes' Surprising Path to Resilient Happiness. Together they discuss the main idea, purpose, key themes, and interpretive challenges in the book of Ecclesiastes.Resources:Everything Is Never Enough: Ecclesiastes' Surprising Path to Resilient Happiness by Bobby JamiesonEcclesiastes by Craig BartholomewLiving Life Backward: How Ecclesiastes Teaches Us to Live in Light of the End by David GibsonRecovering Eden: The Gospel According to Ecclesiastes by Zach Eswine

In this episdoe, Caleb is joined by Richard Pratt Jr. (ThD, Harvard University) president of Third Millennium Ministries, to discuss the book of Joshua. Together they explore the structure, main idea, purpose, key themes, and gospel connections in Joshua.ResourcesJoshua by Richard Pratt Jr.Knowing the Bible: Joshua by Trent HunterJoshua: Strong and Courageous by John CurridJoshua: Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary  by David Firth

In this episode, Caleb is joined by Randy Johnson (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) Wisdom Head at Scholé Christian Tradition, to discuss how classical Christology entails a compatibilist view of free will. In other words, freedom and moral responsibility are compatible with determinism is a necessary consequence of the teaching about Jesus Christ found in Scripture and affirmed in Christian, historical orthodoxy.Resources: The Christological Case for Compatibilism by Randy JohnsonFreedom of the Will  by Jonathan EdwardsInstitutes of Elenctic Theology by Francis TurretinThe Person of Chrsit: An Introduction by Stephen WellumGod the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ by Stephen Wellum

In this week's episode, Caleb is joined by Brent Parker (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), assistant editor of the Southern Baptist Journal of Theology to discuss the Israel-Christ-Church relationship in biblical theology. ResourcesA Biblical and Theological Perspective of National Israel by Brent ParkerChrist Jesus, the True Israel: Progressive Covenantalism on Israel, Christ, and the Church by Brent ParkerCovenantal and Dispensational Theologies: Four Views on the Continuity of Scripture by Brent Parker and Richard LucasProgressive Covenantalism: Charting a Course between Dispensational and Covenantal Theologies edited by Stephen Wellum and Brent Parker

In this week’s episode, Caleb is joined by Joshua Greever (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) Associate Dean of Seminary Programs & Associate Professor of New Testament, to discuss the new covenant in Christ from a progressive covenantalist perspective. Together, they unpack the key points of the new covenant and how it fits in the larger storyline of Scripture.The New Covenant by Joshua GreeverThe Nature of the New Covenant: A Case Study in Ephesians 2:11-22 by Joshua GreeverAn Arc of the Covenants: Tracing How the Bible’s Storyline Climaxes in Christ by Jason DeRouchieCovenant and God's Purpose for the World by Thomas SchreinerKingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryGod's Kingdom through God's Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryChrist from Beginning to End: How the Full Story of Scripture Reveals the Full Glory of Christ by Stephen Wellum and Trent HunterProgressive Covenantalism: Charting a Course between Dispensational and Covenantal Theologies edited by Stephen Wellum and Brent Parker

In this week’s episode, Caleb is joined by Stephen Wellum (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) Professor of Christian Theology at Southern Seminary and Editor of The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, to discuss God’s covenant with David from a progressive covenantalist perspective. Together, they unpack the key points of the Davidic covenant and how it fits in the larger storyline of Scripture.ResourcesThe Davidic Covenant by Jason DeRouchieAn Arc of the Covenants: Tracing How the Bible’s Storyline Climaxes in Christ by Jason DeRouchieCovenant and God's Purpose for the World by Thomas SchreinerKingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryGod's Kingdom through God's Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryChrist from Beginning to End: How the Full Story of Scripture Reveals the Full Glory of Christ by Stephen Wellum and Trent HunterChrist-Centered Biblical Theology: Hermeneutical Foundations and Principles by Graeme Goldsworthy

In this week’s episode, Caleb is joined by David Schrock (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) Pastor of Preaching and Theology at Occoquan Bible Church and Adjunct Professor of Systematic Theology (Indianapolis Theological Seminary, Boyce College, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) to discuss the Levitical covenant from a progressive covenantalist perspective. Together, they unpack the key points of the Levitical covenant and how it fits in the larger storyline of Scripture.ResourcesThe Levitical Covenant (Parts I,II, and III) by David SchrockMaking Sense of Melchizedek Through the Framework of Progressive Covenantalism by Matthew EmadiThe Royal Priesthood and the Glory of God by David SchrockKingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryGod's Kingdom through God's Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryChrist from Beginning to End: How the Full Story of Scripture Reveals the Full Glory of Christ by Stephen Wellum and Trent Hunter

In this week’s episode, Caleb is joined by Thomas Schreiner (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) Associate Dean for the School of Theology and Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Biblical Theology at Southern Seminary, to discuss God’s covenant with Moses/Israel from a progressive covenantalist perspective. Together, they unpack the key points of the Mosaic covenant and how it fits in the larger storyline of Scripture.ResourcesCovenant and God's Purpose for the World by Thomas Schreiner40 Questions About Christians and Biblical Law by Thomas SchreinerPaul and the Law: Keeping the Commandments of God by Brian RosnerThe Law of God by Stephen Wellum3 Reasons Sunday Is Not the Christian Sabbath by Stephen WellumThe Law of Moses—The Mosaic Covenant Viewed Through Progressive Covenantalism by Ardel Caneday Parts I and IIApplying the Law of Moses to the Christian Life by Joshua GreeverA Progressive Covenantal Perspective: Paul and the Tripartite Division of Moses’s Law by Joshua GreeverA Progressive Covenantal Perspective: Theonomy and Moses’s Law by Jason DeRouchieRelating Moses’s Law to Christians by Jason DeRouchieEthics through Covenant: A Primer on Progressive Covenantalism and Moral Theology (Parts I, II, and III) by Andrew WalkerDelighting in the Old Testament: Through Christ and for Christ by Jason DeRouchieKingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryGod's Kingdom through God's Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryChrist from Beginning to End: How the Full Story of Scripture Reveals the Full Glory of Christ by Stephen Wellum and Trent HunterProgressive Covenantalism: Charting a Course between Dispensational and Covenantal Theologies edited by Stephen Wellum and Brent Parker40 Questions About Biblical Theology by Jason DeRouchie, Oren Martin, and Andrew NaselliAn Arc of the Covenants: Tracing How the Bible’s Storyline Climaxes in Christ by Jason DeRouchie

In this week’s episode, Caleb is joined by Jason DeRouchie (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) Research Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Theology at Midwestern Seminary, to discuss God’s covenant with Abraham from a progressive covenantalist perspective. Together, they unpack the key points of the Abrahamic covenant and how it fits in the larger storyline of Scripture.ResourcesAn Arc of the Covenants: Tracing How the Bible’s Storyline Climaxes in Christ by Jason DeRouchieCounting Stars with Abraham and the Prophets: New Covenant Ecclesiology in OT Perspective by Jason DeRouchieDelighting in the Old Testament: Through Christ and for Christ by Jason DeRouchieGod’s Covenant with Abraham by Peter GentryKingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryGod's Kingdom through God's Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryChrist from Beginning to End: How the Full Story of Scripture Reveals the Full Glory of Christ by Stephen Wellum and Trent HunterProgressive Covenantalism: Charting a Course between Dispensational and Covenantal Theologies edited by Stephen Wellum and Brent Parker40 Questions About Biblical Theology by Jason DeRouchie, Oren Martin, and Andrew NaselliCovenant and God's Purpose for the World by Thomas Schreiner

In this week’s episode, Caleb is joined by Michael Carlino (PhD Candidate), The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) Operations Director for the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and Assistant Director for the Mathena Center for Church Revitalization at Southern Seminary, to discuss God’s covenant with Noah from a progressive covenantalist perspective. Together, they show how the Noahic covenant’s placement and role within the larger metanarrative of Scripture by highlighting how it hearkened back to the original creation covenant and looks ahead to the consummation of the new creation at Christ's return.ResourcesThe Noahic Covenant within Progressive Covenantalism Parts I and II by Michael CarlinoGender Essentialism in Anthropological, Covenantal, and Christological Perspective by Michael Carlino and Kyle ClaunchThe Creation Covenant According to Progressive Covenantalism: Laying the Right Foundation by Richard LucasKingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryGod's Kingdom through God's Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryChrist from Beginning to End: How the Full Story of Scripture Reveals the Full Glory of Christ by Stephen Wellum and Trent HunterAn Arc of the Covenants: Tracing How the Bible’s Storyline Climaxes in Christ by Jason DeRouchieCovenant and God's Purpose for the World by Thomas Schreiner

In this week’s episode, Caleb is joined by Richard Lucas (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) Pastor of Teaching and Reaching at First Baptist Jacksonville to discuss God’s covenant with creation from a progressive covenantalist perspective. Together, they compare and contrast progressive covenantalism with dispensationalism and covenant theology to highlight how the creation covenant is foundational for the rest of the bible.ResourcesThe Creation Covenant According to Progressive Covenantalism: Laying the Right Foundation by Richard LucasKingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryGod's Kingdom through God's Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryChrist from Beginning to End: How the Full Story of Scripture Reveals the Full Glory of Christ by Stephen Wellum and Trent HunterAn Arc of the Covenants: Tracing How the Bible’s Storyline Climaxes in Christ by Jason DeRouchieCovenant and God's Purpose for the World by Thomas SchreinerGender Essentialism in Anthropological, Covenantal, and Christological Perspective by Michael Carlino and Kyle ClaunchAdam and the Covenant of Works by J.V. FeskoGod and Adam: Reformed Theology & The Creation Covenant by Rowland WardCovenant and Creation: An Old Testament Covenant Theology by William DumbrellGetting the Garden Right: Adam's Work and God's Rest in Light of Christ by Richard BarcellosRighteous By Design: Covenantal Merit and Adam's Original Integrity by Harrison Perkins

In this week’s episode, Caleb is joined by Peter Gentry (PhD, University of Toronto) Distinguished Visiting Professor of Old Testament and Senior Research Fellow at the Text & Canon Institute at Phoenix Seminary, to talk about the importance of covenantal relationships in the biblical story. Together, they discuss the similarities and differences between ancient Near Eastern covenants and and modern day contracts with how the Bible defines covenantal relationships before showing how the biblical covenants are more than a unifying theme of Scripture but the backbone to Scripture’s entire storyline.ResourcesKingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryGod's Kingdom through God's Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryAn Arc of the Covenants: Tracing How the Bible’s Storyline Climaxes in Christ by Jason DeRouchieCovenant and God's Purpose for the World by Thomas SchreinerCovenant and Creation: An Old Testament Covenant Theology by William Dumbrell

In this episode, Caleb is joined by Stephen Dempster (PhD, University of Toronto) professor emeritus of religious studies at Crandall University, to discuss a biblical theology of the kingdom of God. Together, they trace the themes of kingship and kingdom throughout Scripture exploring how the story of God’s kingship is ultimately the fulfillment of a promise to restore the rightful rule of humanity over creation by defeating sin and death and to establish a world of peace and justice.ResourcesThe Return of the Kingdom: A Biblical Theology of God's Reign by Stephen DempsterReturn of the Kingdom (concise essay) by Stephen DempsterKingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants by Stephen Wellum and Peter GentryThe End of the Beginning: Revelation 21-22 and the Old Testament by William DumbrellThe Kingdom of God (essay) by Graeme Goldsworthy God's Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible by Vaughan Roberts

In this episode, Caleb is joined by Mitch Chase (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) Preaching Pastor at Kosmosdale Baptist Church and Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Southern Seminary, to discuss his new book, Walking the Way of the Wise: A Biblical Theology of Wisdom. Together, they unpack how wisdom is not merely knowledge or cleverness but a life-giving path of joyful obedience to God's Word. By tracing the themes of wisdom and folly from Genesis to Revelation, this conversation illuminates the role of wisdom in the covenant life of God's people.ResourcesWalking the Way of the Wise: A Biblical Theology of Wisdom by Mitch Chase

In this episode, Caleb is joined by Ardel Caneday (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School), retired professor of New Testament at University of Northwestern in St. Paul Minnesota, to discuss a biblical theology of perseverance and assurance. Together they discuss eight different kinds of biblical passages that help give us a holistic understanding of these doctrines and their  relationship in light of the eschatological tension that pervades the New Testament. Prominent views on such things as the warnings, admonitions, and assurance of salvation passages in Scripture are discussed as well.Resources​The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance Assurance by Ardel Caneday and Thomas Schreiner​Covenant and Commandment: Works, Obedience and Faithfulness in the Christian Life by Bradley Green​Paul vs. James: What We've Been Missing in the Faith and Works Debate by Chris Bruno