Reformed Forum

Matthew Patton speaks about his book, Basics of Hebrew Discourse: A Guide to Working with Hebrew Prose and Poetry (Zondervan Academic, 2019). Dr. Patton is pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Vandalia, Ohio. This book, written by Matthew H. Patton, Frederic Clarke Putnam, and Miles V. Van Pelt, is a syntax resource for intermediate Hebrew students. This Basics book introduces students to the principles and exegetical benefits of discourse analysis (text linguistics) when applied to biblical Hebrew prose and poetry. Where standard Hebrew reference grammars have traditionally worked to describe the relationship between words and phrases within discrete clauses (micro syntax), discourse analysis works to describe those relationships that exist between clauses and texts (macro syntax). This resource fills a needed gap for intermediate Hebrew students and gives them the tools to work with Hebrew syntax on the macro level. Professors and pastors working with Hebrew will also find this one-of-a-kind resource highly valuable. While students of Hebrew will certainly gain from Patton's work, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the Bible and tools for studying it in the English language as well. https://vimeo.com/383794787

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob begins reading the 1922 edition of Grace and Glory, a collection of sermons delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary by Geerhardus Vos. The first of these sermons is on Hosea 14:8, "The Wonderful Tree."

Carlton Wynne and Charles Williams speak about the new edition of Herman Bavinck's The Wonderful Works of God published by Westminster Seminary Press. The book was first published in English under the title, Our Reasonable Faith. The new edition is re-typeset and includes an introduction by Dr. Wynne, Bavinck's original introduction translated by Nathaniel Gray Sutanto, and helpful indices collected by Charles Williams. Carlton Wynne is associate professor of systematic theology and apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. Charles Williams is pastor of Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, Illinois. https://vimeo.com/383391932

Shawn Ritenour, Professor of Economics at Grove City College, speaks about the basics of economics and the Christian principles upon which the study must be based. Dr. Ritenour is the author of Foundations of Economics: A Christian View (Wipf & Stock). https://vimeo.com/377613306

In episode 81, Joel Fick leads us in a study of the birth of Moses. He demonstrates a model of preaching Christ not based upon merely noting a few parallels between an Old Testament character and the life of Christ, but based upon deep theological themes and direct scriptural references.

We turn to pages 224–229 of Vos's book, Biblical Theology, to speak about the intra-mental state of the prophet, by which Vos means to inquire into "how the soul felt and reacted under the things shown within the vision" (p. 224). Far too much attention has been given to what is represented by the Greek term ecstasis. The term served first as a translation of the Hebrew tardemah (cf. Gen. 2:21 with Adam and Genesis 15:12 with Abram). In Adam's case, there is no visionary state. In Abram's case, there is such a vision (expound the theology of the theophany). But tardemah does not throw any light on Abram's state of mind. Ecstasis, on the other hand, has a very definite conception in Greek consciousness that leads in the direction of error. That conception is that of "insanity or mania" and was applied to the oracular process—the process of receiving visions and the resultant state in which it put the seer-prophet. This led to a close association between the prophet and some feature of instability—some manic tendency that seems inherent to the process of receiving a vision. Vos points us to God's inspired, inerrant, and infallible revelation in history, which does not bypass the human mind or allow the recipient to escape his humanity, but elevates him to greater communion with God. https://vimeo.com/382475171

Since Christ the Center began nearly twelve years ago, we have taken time to look back on the highlights of the year. Given that we now post highlights from each episode every week we have taken an analytic approach. These are this year's top ten clips from Christ the Center as determined by YouTube views. Episode 614 — Bracy Hill, Nimrod, the Mighty Hunter Episode 600 — Glen Clary, Praying in Tongues Episode 580 — Camden Bucey, Liberation Theology Episode 603 — Cornelis Venema, Karl Barth and the Doctrine of Election Episode 600 — Glen Clary, What Is Cessationism? Episode 598 — Christopher Watkin, The Problem of the One and Many Episode 603 — Cornelis Venema, Augustine and Pelagius Episode 578 — Carl Trueman, Luther and Zwingli at Marburg Episode 619 — Alan Strange and Brian DeJong, The Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the United Reformed Churches in North America Episode 613 — Will Wood, Schools of Biblical Criticism https://vimeo.com/380761928

Welcome to the Fourth Annual Theology Simply Profound Christmas Special where Rob and Bob discuss Christmas traditions and everything silly that popped into their vacation ready minds. Merry Christmas!

David Woollin of Reformation Heritage Books and Matthew Robinson of Media Gratiae discuss Puritan: All of Life to the Glory of God. Centered around a feature-length film, the full box set includes books, thirty-five Sunday school lessons, and other resources for education. https://vimeo.com/375997466

While Rob and Bob finished up their discussion of the book of Malachi, on this week's episode of Theology Simply Profound, they discuss some of the expectations of the coming Messiah that arose during the 400 years or so of silence from God until John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth enter into story of redemption.