Reformed Forum

In this milestone 100th installment of Vos Group, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton turn to page 381 of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to explore the “two-sided conception of the kingdom.” Together they unpack Vos’s insights into the already/not yet dynamic of the kingdom of God—its present spiritual reality and its future consummate glory. Along the way, they engage with historical-critical objections, consider the role of John the Baptist, reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ parables, and highlight the religious nature of the kingdom as forgiveness, communion with God, and eternal life in Christ. This discussion not only brings clarity to Vos’s redemptive-historical vision but also deepens our understanding of Christ’s reign now and in the age to come. As the Vos Group nears completion of Biblical Theology, Camden and Lane also share exciting news about what’s next: a new series through Vos’s The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church.

This is the tenth lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. Apologetics is not merely intellectual—it’s spiritual warfare. In this lesson, we consider how to stand firm in the face of opposition, clinging to the truth of God’s word and the hope we have in Christ. You will learn how to engage others with boldness and Christlike character, especially in moments of suffering or ridicule. We explore the role of the heart, the importance of gentleness and respect, and the need for readiness to follow conversations wherever they lead. Grounded in 1 Peter 3:15, this lesson prepares you to endure with faith and to speak the truth in love amid a hostile world. 01:53 Encountering Opposition 05:43 Engaging with Christ-like Character 09:04 Finding Confidence in the Word 12:43 The Apologetic Context of Suffering 16:21 Ready to Go Wherever the Conversation Leads 18:47 Seeking Apologetic Encounters 22:22 Summary and Conclusion   Register for this fr

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy engage in a lively and theologically rich conversation. Fresh from attending Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary’s summer seminar with David Hall and Carl Trueman, Camden shares highlights from the event before turning to the main topic: a preview of the 2025 Reformed Forum Theology Conference. This year’s theme—The Things Concerning Himself: Christ in All the Scriptures—will explore how the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, reveals Christ as the sum and substance of God’s covenantal plan. Camden and Jim walk through each of the planned addresses, reflecting on why Christ is not an “added-on” figure to the Old Testament, but its very heart from the beginning. Along the way, they share personal ministry stories, insights on biblical theology, and a taste of the fellowship that makes these gatherings so special. Join us September 27, 2025 at Lakeland Church in Gurnee, Illinois, for an edifying day of teaching, conversation, and

This is the ninth lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. How do we put all the pieces together to faithfully defend our hope? In this lesson, we turn from theological foundations to practical methodology. You will learn how to construct a biblical and Reformed approach to apologetics—one that maintains the antithesis without compromise and resists conforming to unbelieving patterns of thought. We examine the two-step method, emphasizing internal critique and gospel proclamation, and contrast it with evidentialist, classical, and cumulative case approaches. Whether you are in a coffee shop or a classroom, this lesson equips you to defend the faith with theological integrity and practical confidence. 01:54 The Two-Step Method 04:19 Apologetics Is for Everyone 06:00 Apologetic Method Is Not Arbitrary 08:21 Building a Defense 11:28 Other Apologetic Methods 19:08 Summary and Conclusion  Register for this free on-demand course on our web

In this episode, we are joined by Rev. Dr. William D. Dennison, pastor of Emmanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Kent, Washington, to reflect on Cornelius Van Til’s student paper “Evil and Theodicy” and the enduring challenges of explaining evil in a world governed by a sovereign, good God. Dennison has edited The Problem of Evil, a new volume that includes an edition of this paper and a helpful introductory essay that brings Van Til’s paper in dialogue with contemporary thinkers. Dr. Dennison offers a deeply personal and theological meditation on Van Til’s conviction that God himself is the only sufficient theodicy. We explore how the mystery of evil cannot be unraveled by philosophical speculation or evidentialist reasoning, but only understood through the revelation of the triune God in Scripture. The conversation moves from Van Til’s early insights as a seminary student to the contemporary relevance of his critique of autonomy, his rejection of theistic rationalism, and his insistence on beginning all t

This is the eighth lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. What fundamental commitments lie beneath every argument—ours and others’? In this lesson, we explore the essential concept of presuppositions: the foundational beliefs that shape how people interpret reality. We begin by surveying a range of influential thinkers who challenge the notion of objective, neutral knowledge. Though differing in emphasis, each demonstrate that human understanding is always shaped by deeper frameworks: whether through paradigms that govern scientific inquiry, social structures that define reality, or systems of power that shape what is accepted as truth. Building on this recognition, we turn to Cornelius Van Til, who shows that beneath all such frameworks lie ultimate commitments—religious in nature—that govern how people interpret every aspect of life. This lesson equips you to uncover the presuppositions behind objections to the faith and to expose

David W. Saxton’s God’s Battle Plan for the Mind (Reformation Heritage Books, 2015) presents a compelling argument for recovering the lost art of biblical meditation, a discipline once central to Puritan piety and spiritual formation. Saxton argues that the modern church, though rich in theological resources and preaching, suffers from a superficial spirituality precisely because it has neglected meditation—a practice essential for transforming doctrinal knowledge into heartfelt godliness. Drawing extensively from the Puritans and Scripture, Saxton defines biblical meditation as the intentional, sustained, and spiritual reflection on God’s Word. Unlike Eastern or mystical forms of meditation that promote mental emptying, biblical meditation involves filling the mind with divine truth, leading to spiritual transformation and godly living. The book is structured thematically, beginning with the importance of meditation, contrasting it with unbiblical forms, and moving through practical guidance on how to medita

This is the seventh lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. Is there any shared ground between believers and unbelievers? In this lesson, we explore the doctrine of common grace—the means by which God, in his goodness, temporarily restrains judgment and bestows non-saving blessings even on those who remain in rebellion against him. You will discover how this temporary, non-saving grace provides space for meaningful interaction, cultural engagement, and the proclamation of the gospel. Drawing from biblical and theological insights, including historical reflections from Calvin, Warfield, Kuyper, and Van Til, we examine how common grace enables communication without compromising the antithesis. Learn how to faithfully build bridges without erasing the gospel’s call to repentance and faith. 01:53 The Nature and Scope of Common Grace  07:20 Common Grace in Redemptive History 09:51 Biblical Foundations of Common Grace 20:24 Common Grace an

In this episode, Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. David VanDrunen to discuss his new book, Faith in Exile: Psalm 119 and the Christian Life (Christian Focus). VanDrunen shares the backstory behind this unique project—his first published collection of sermons—and reflects on how Psalm 119, the Bible’s longest chapter, unfolds a deep theology of suffering, obedience, and the pilgrim experience. Drawing from the structure and literary artistry of the Psalm, VanDrunen explores its unifying themes and situates it within the broader redemptive narrative. He highlights how the psalmist’s experience of exile and longing resonates with believers today who sojourn in a world that is not their home. The conversation weaves together biblical theology, practical piety, and reflections on theological pedagogy—particularly the enduring influence of Dr. Robert Strimple. This episode offers rich insight into the Christian life shaped by the Word of God amid affliction, anticipation, and hope. Watch on YouTube Chapters 00:00 Mid-Amer

This is the sixth lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. Why is there such a stark contrast between the worldview of the believer and that of the unbeliever? This lesson addresses the theological concept of the antithesis—the fundamental spiritual divide between those in Christ and those outside of him. You will learn how this distinction, rooted in covenant representation and union with Christ, shapes every aspect of life and apologetic engagement. By understanding the nature of regeneration, resurrection life, and our new identity in Christ, we are better prepared to witness to the truth with clarity and conviction, while holding fast to the hope of God’s redemptive purpose for his people. 01:13 The Fundamental Distinction between Believers and Unbelievers 04:31 Covenantal Representation 09:25 The Resurrection 20:18 The New Identity in Christ 29:23 Living Out Our Union with Christ 32:10 Summary and Conclusion  Register for this f

Dr. Guy Waters is the Professor of New Testament at the Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi and a teaching elder in the Mississippi presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America. Today, he joins us to speak about his book, One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church (Lexham Academic), in which he sets out a full-scale Reformed doctrine of the church. The title echoes the four classical “marks” confessed in the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed. This study is an extended exploration of how Scripture, read through a Reformed lens, fills out each of those creedal descriptors and binds them together into a single, coherent doctrine of the church. Dr. Waters organizes the book in three movements: Biblical Revelation (Part I). Seven chapters trace “the people of God” from creation and Eden through Abraham, Moses, the prophets, Christ and the apostles, showing that God has always had one covenant people that reaches its eschatological maturity in the new-covenant church. Doctrinal Construction (Part

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Bob returns to a reading of Geerhardus Vos’s 1903 book, The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. Chapter 9, “The Kingdom and the Church.”

This is the fifth lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. What does it mean to be human? This lesson explores the doctrine of man, centered on the profound reality of being created in God’s image. We discover how this divine image manifests in official, formal, and ethical dimensions, shaping our knowledge, dignity, and purpose. Through the lens of covenant theology and Reformed thought, we investigate humanity’s original condition, the impact of sin, and the enduring significance of bearing God’s image. This foundational understanding strengthens apologetics by illuminating the connection between believers and nonbelievers, affirming that all people exist coram Deo—in the presence of God.  02:24 The Point of Contact: The Image of God 08:47 The Image of God and Sin 19:11 Narrow and Broad Senses of the Image of God 27:20 The Image of God and Human Knowledge 35:51 Summary and Conclusion  Register for this free on-demand course on our

In this installment of the Vos Group, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton turn to pages 378–381 of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, focusing on Jesus’ teaching and the eschatology of the kingdom. They explore the vital biblical distinction between the “already” and “not yet” aspects of the kingdom of God, examining how this two-age structure stands in contrast to various eschatological systems, including premillennialism, postmillennialism, and what Vos labels “ultra-eschatology.” Tipton and Bucey analyze Vos’s critique of these systems, highlighting the theological implications of denying either the inaugurated or consummated dimensions of the kingdom. They also discuss the resurrection, the second coming of Christ, and the theological coherence of amillennialism within the Reformed tradition. In the course of the discussion, they reflect on the life and teaching of Dr. Robert B. Strimple, affirming his Christ-centered theological pedagogy and lasting influence. Listeners will find this e

On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob takes us on a walk through Matthew 24, the Olivet Discourse.

This is the fourth lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. How can we know the God we seek to defend? In this lesson, we explore the doctrine of revelation—God’s gracious self-disclosure to humanity. You will learn the crucial distinction between general revelation, seen in creation and providence, and special revelation, given through Scripture and ultimately in Jesus Christ. This lesson lays a foundation for understanding why divine revelation is necessary for knowledge, faith, and apologetics. By examining how revelation reveals God’s character, will, and redemptive purposes, you will be equipped to uphold the authority of Scripture and the sufficiency of Christ in the face of skepticism and competing truth claims. 01:52 General Revelation 08:50 Special Revelation 21:51 Attributes of Revelation 29:16 The Relationship between General and Special Revelation 31:14 Jesus Christ 33:26 Summary and Conclusion Register for this free on-d

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey is joined once again by Lane Tipton and Carlton Wynne for a substantive follow-up to their earlier discussion of Keith Mathison’s Toward a Reformed Apologetic: A Critique of the Thought of Cornelius Van Til. In the months since their first review, Dr. Mathison published a blog response, prompting deeper analysis and clarification. Together, Drs. Bucey, Tipton and Wynne explore key critiques Mathison levels against Van Til, especially the claims of epistemological idealism and the so-called “omniscience requirement” for true knowledge. The panel addresses these concerns with thoughtful care, highlighting Van Til’s emphasis on covenantal epistemology, the distinction between psychological and ethical knowledge, and the non-neutrality of unbelieving thought. The episode also tackles Mathison’s treatment of common grace and the antithesis—core concepts in Van Til’s apologetic system. Does Van Til teach that unbelievers attain true knowledge by way of common grace

How should Reformed churches approach the selection of psalms and hymns for corporate worship? In this video, Camden Bucey offers a rich, pastoral, and practical guide for choosing music that reflects the theological and liturgical shape of a service. Drawing on years of ministry experience, Camden explains how to align musical selections with Scripture texts, sermon themes, and the redemptive-historical movement of the liturgy. This talk goes beyond personal preference or musical taste. Learn how thoughtful hymnody and psalmody can serve the worship of the triune God by reinforcing Scripture, guiding the congregation’s response, and cultivating reverence, joy, and theological depth. Key Topics Theological principles guiding music selection Aligning songs with the sermon text and liturgical moment Balancing musical accessibility with doctrinal richness The role of repetition, variety, and congregational familiarity The emotional and redemptive-historical flow of a worship service Special considerations for s

This is the third lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. Before we can defend the Christian faith, we must know the God we are defending. This lesson explores the heart of Christian apologetics: the doctrine of God. We explore the nature and attributes of the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as revealed in Scripture and expressed in the Reformed tradition. From God’s simplicity and independence to his communicable and incommunicable attributes, we see how every aspect of his character undergirds our hope. Learn how the Trinity shapes our understanding of reality, strengthens our confidence in the gospel, and compels us to a bold yet humble defense of the faith in a world longing for ultimate truth. 03:10 Theology Proper: A Study of the Triune God 15:15 The Attributes of God 21:46 God’s Communicable and Incommunicable Attributes 24:14 Relative Attributes 27:31 Divine Transcendence 31:46 Summary and Conclusion  Register for th

In this episode we welcome Dr. Michael Morales—professor of biblical studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary—for a conversation exploring the profound theological vision of the book of Numbers. Drawing from his newly released two-volume commentary in the Apollos Old Testament Commentary series, Dr. Morales unveils Numbers as more than ancient census lists and wilderness wanderings. Instead, it emerges as a richly textured narrative of covenant community, leadership, and the Lord’s presence among his people. Listeners will discover how the structure of Israel’s camp reflects Edenic hope and eschatological promise, how Numbers addresses the roles of prophet, priest, and king, and why the priestly blessing and Balaam’s oracles form theological bookends to this journey toward the Promised Land. Dr. Morales also shares personal reflections from his ten-year labor on the commentary, emphasizing the pastoral power and redemptive-historical depth of this often-overlooked book. Whether you’re a pastor,