Pilgrim Talk: Theology for Sojourners

Dylan and John talk about the contrast between the Tower of Babylon and the blessings promised to Abram. How do these two events in the book of Genesis connect to the gospel? Who is the true seed of Abraham? Why is the song "Father Abraham" rich in biblical theology?

Dylan and John discuss how Paul preached the gospel to Jews and Gentiles from the Old Testament. The Old Testament is Christian Scripture, and there is one gospel message from the Fall of Adam to the second coming of Christ. The Old Testament is the gospel promised. The New Testament is the gospel established.

In this episode, Dylan and John continue through 1 Peter.

Accurately handing the Bible is drawing out the text’s God intended meaning. This is why expository preaching and expository reading of Scripture must be the primary diet of the Christian and the church because God did not reveal himself through bunch of random truisms or isolated statements. Proof texts are often wielded in a way that ignores their context or are used as spring boards to say “true things” that the text does not address. Failing to properly interpret Scripture will result in a failure to distinguish the voice of God from the voice of men.

Scripture is the progressive unfolding of the unified and intertwined historical story of redemption- seed to tree (promise to fulfillment / shadow to substance/ type to antitype with Jesus Christ as the center. If we fail to understand the organic unity and centrality of Christ in Scripture, then we will err greatly in our interpretation of Scripture. 

This is the beginning of a short series that John taught at Covenant Community Church on How to Read the Bible. In this lesson, John unpacks the doctrine of Scripture leaning on chapter 1 of the Second London Confession. What Scripture is must be understood before we can ask how we are to read Scripture. 

In this episode, John and Dylan discuss chapter two of Bavinck's, The Wonderful Works of God. Bavinck in this chapter speaks of the knowledge of God and how it is distinguished from other forms of knowledge. The knowledge of God is distinct from other knowledge in its origin, object, essence, and effect. 

Adam was no mere gardner and Eve was no mere garden. In this episode, the guys discuss the significance of Adam's vocation and place in the Garden of Eden, and how it connects to the gospel and the work of Christ. 

Marriage is for our joy and God's glory. Yet on this side of the Fall, marriage is full of difficulty, sin, and struggle. How does the Christian enjoy God's good design in marriage and glorify God through it? How does the gospel undergird, shape, fuel, and give marriage its telos? 

1 Peter 2:1-3 Because we have tasted the goodness of the LORD in the gospel, we are to put away ungodliness and crave the word. In this episode we talk about sanctification and the vital necessity of the Word for our growth as Christians. 

Can we know God, and if so, how do we come to know him? If God is distinct from his creation, can we use positive and true language to describe him?

These questions are addressing epistemology- that is how do we know what we know. Every philosophical tradition or theological system has at its foundation assumptions and convictions answering the question “how do you know.”

The doctrine of the knowledge of God and our theological method used to arrive at this doctrine shapes our understanding of our relationship with Him and our trust in what He has said. 

What is man's highest good? The guys are bumping with Bavinck again looking at his Wonderful Works of God and discussing how Bavinck answers this question. 

The way of the Pilgrim is centered on corporate worship on the LORD's Day. The pilgrim travels to and from the LORD's Day as they make their way to the heavenly city in the Christian life. Corporate worship is vital for the Christian life. 

Jeff Johnson joins John and Dylan to discuss his important and controversial new book The Failure of Natural Theology: A Critical Appraisal of the Philosophical Theology of Thomas Aquinas. How the Christian theologian arrives at doctrinal truths is as important as those doctrines themselves. Johnson in this interview highlights the main problems with Aquinas' theological method and further clarifies some of his points in the book. The question of the usefulness of natural theology in theology is an important question that both the ordinary pastor and regular church member in the Reformed tradition must wrestle with. Any version of natural theology that undermines the sufficiency and authority of Scripture is a natural theology that is no friend to the Christian faith. 

The Failure of Natural Theology: A Critical Appraisal of the Philosophical Theology of Thomas Aquinas

1. Book- https://freegracepress.com/collections/new-releases/products/the-failure-of-natural-theology

2. Book Review- https://johnsweatjrblog.wordpress.com/2021/11/03/the-failure-of-natural-theology-a-book-review/

Grace Bible Church- http://www.gbcconway.com

Grace Bible Theological Seminary- https://www.gbtseminary.org

Free Grace Press- https://freegracepress.com

There is this reality that at one time we were aliens and strangers and outsiders to the Kingdom of Christ. But now, we have been brought into that kingdom by the work of Christ, making us aliens and strangers in this world. Therefore, the Christian sojourner has to wrestle with the tension between being a citizen of the Kingdom of Christ and a citizen of a kingdom in this world. Scripture helps us understand authority, navigate this tension, and glorify King Jesus's authority above all other authorities.

Episode on Church and State that John did with the Covenant Conversation guys: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/covenant-conversations/id1412764902?i=1000500073709

Tyndale was born in 1494 and was executed as a heretic in 1536.  Tyndale’s mission caused him to be a fugitive from his own country and ultimately caused him to be executed as a heretic. Yet for Tyndale, bringing the knowledge of the Scriptures in English back to the common plowboy was well worth his own life. Tyndale’s experiential outworking of sola scriptura through his translation of the Bible into English released the sacred Scriptures from bondage and brought reformation to England.

Another episode from 1 Peter in the series Wandering through Peter

Peter moves from reminding Christians of their hope to then calling them to holiness. He calls them to holiness not first by beginning with the command itself but first by orienting their gaze to the hope of the gospel that purifies the Christian and equips them to pursue holiness.

In this episode, John and Dylan interview Dr. Gonzales on the theology of Genesis. Dr. Gonzales is the Dean of Reformed Baptist Seminary and author of the book Where Sin Abounds: The Spread of Sin and the Curse in Genesis with Special Focus on the Patriarchal Narratives. Dr. Gonzales discusses the structure and function of Genesis in relation to the Bible as a whole and how the book of Genesis gives us a foundational structure for how the gospel unfolds in Scripture. He also shows how Genesis lays out a Christian worldview and reveals  who God is in relation to who man is. 

Resources: 

https://www.amazon.com/Where-Sin-Abounds-Patriarchal-Narratives/dp/1606087479/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=robert+gonzales&qid=1633306546&sr=8-1

Robert Gonzales, "Cosmic Treason: The Fall Narrative Revisited"

_______, "Man God's Visible Replica and Vice Regent 

_______, "The Covenantal Context of the Fall: Did God Make a Primordial Covenant with Adam" 

Hope is a powerful thing and the Christian's hope is unshakeable because of who it is grounded in. The Christian hope is grounded in Christ, who is their sure and steady anchor. Peter reminds the wandering Christians of their hope as they suffer and pursues holiness in this evil age. Here is the way we outline the text in the episode: 

I. Born Again to a Living Hope 3-5 

Predestination by God v3

Preservation by God v5

II. Joy in Suffering 6-9

III. Grace Promised to You 10-12

In this series John and Dylan will look at the Dutch Theologian Herman Bavinck's writings and discuss how Bavinck can help us to think more clearly and biblically about theology. In this episode we talk about Dogma: what it is, what is its authority, and who is dogmatic. Those who oppose dogma do not oppose dogma itself but rather they simply oppose dogmas they do not agree with. The question  is not are you dogmatic but rather is your dogma consistent with God's revelation. Episode Outline: 

I. What is Dogma?

A. Definition

B. Authority

II. Dogmatic Responsibility of the Church

A. Recognizing and Confessing Dogma- Smoke but not the fire

B.  The Pillar and Buttress of Truth- recognize, explain, preserve, and defend

C. Theologian and Student of Creeds

III. The Necessity of Dogma

A. Dogma is inescapable

B. A Non-Dogmatic Christian is an illusion

C. Unbelief is dogmatic

IV. Application

A. Rightly Situating Divine Authority and Church Confessions

B. The Church’s Ongoing Pursuit of Dogmatic Fidelity

C. Everyone’s a Theologian

Sean DeMars joins Dylan and John to talk about the mission of the church, the philosophy, and tactics that are to be used in achieving that mission. Jesus gave a specific mission to his church and particular methods to be used in fulfilling it. Yet many churches today treat the methods as inconsequential or they confuse the mission with the creation mandate or great commandment. What does a Christian do if they find themselves in a church like that? 

Sean DeMars is the pastor of 6th Avenue Community Church in Decatur, Alabama. He is one of the hosts of the Defend and Confirm Podcast and is in the documentary The American Gospel on Netflix. 

www.watchagtv.com/defend-confirm-podcast-russell-berger-sean-demars

Is the community in your church built upon the gospel or common grace? In other words, is it a result of the power of the gospel or a result of common love that does not require the gospel at all? We can build relationships on a plethora of things that do not require the gospel to be true, and if your church community is built upon these things rather than the gospel, then your church community is no different from the community that can be found in the world. Your church community rather than revealing the supernatural power of the gospel mirrors the common “love” that can be found anywhere in the world. In this episode, John and Dylan discuss how the power of God is made manifest in the local church and how we must intently safeguard against anything that would move us off the gospel and God's glory being displayed in the local church. 

Book Resource: 

Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop, Compelling Community: Where God's Power Makes a Church Attractive 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1433543540/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1433543540&linkCode=as2&tag=oftheblood-20&linkId=5e5cb996b11a8ac7faad1a2174dde24f

Does the Christian merely work for the weekend? Is their vocational employment an obstacle to the "real Christian life"? Who does the Christian work for and what is the goal of their work? In this episode John and Dylan discuss how the Christian should view their employment from a biblical worldview. 

In this episode, John and Dylan talk about the Bible's position on war, self-defense, and pacifism as they seek to answer the question- Can a Christian serve in the military? This one will get you thinking and show how a Christian should consider ethical questions with biblical principles.

This is a short trailer that briefly unpacks what the podcast is along with short clips from some of the episodes in season 2. 

What is the church’s relationship to culture, to the modern state, to the kingdom’s of men? What is the church’s responsibility as the culture around her devolves into all that is anti-god? Is cultural engagement/cultural transformation the mission of the church? Is a form of Christendom the church's goal?

Arriving at a Biblical understanding of Christ/Church and Culture is dependent on a proper view of the fundamentals of the faith. How you answer the question is rooted in your understanding of covenant theology, the law of God, Christ’s work, the church’s mission, and the Christian’s hope. In other words, this is not an isolated issue but a core issue. The Christian is a two-age sojourner, and a member of two kingdoms, and he/she must understand how to travel in the tension and how to live wisely in God’s world as he waits for the King’s return.

In this episode John lays the covenant framework for how to answer this question. 

Resources: 

Abraham Booth, "The Kingdom of Christ" 

Meredith Kline, Kingdom Prologue

David VanDrunen, Living In God's Two Kingdoms

Lee Irons, "The Reformed Theocrats: A Biblical Theological Response" http://www.upper-register.com/papers/reformed_theocrats.pdf

Lee Irons, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjDbfuGcqD8

Since we are nearing the close of our first season, John Sweat circle's back to some of the content from the first episode and further unpacks what is meant by- Pilgrim Theology- using the book of 1 Peter. Understanding this New Testament theme shapes not only the way we do theology but the Christian life. 

The Christian is a dual citizen, a two-age sojourner, traveling to the heavenly city as they have at the same time been sent into the earthly city as ambassadors. They are to be in but not of, distinct from yet on mission in, pilgrims yet indigenous. They are to love their city yet love a greater city to come! Their King is Christ; their identity is Christ; their hope is the return of Christ; and they are on mission sent by Christ into the world.

John Murray wrote that “union with Christ is . . . the central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation. . . . It is not simply a phase of the application of redemption; it underlies every aspect of redemption”

Union with Christ is the indissoluble bond between the Triune God and his people, wherein they enjoy and share the eternal righteous love within and with the Trinity because of the work of Christ and by the work of the Spirit.

In this episode Spencer and John give an introduction into the New Testament's doctrine of Union with Christ: how it is central to our redemption in Christ, our communion with God, and our understanding of the Spirit's work within us. 

Resources: 

John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied

Todd Billings, Union with Christ: Reframing Theology and Ministry for the Church

Grant Macaskill, Union with Christ in the New Testament

Often in the halls of theology there are four major approaches, focuses, or locations in which theology is done. These are often referred to as the Encyclopedia of theology, the set of  theological disciplines used to understand Scripture and the Christian Faith. In this episode we are going talk about the theological disciplines: what are they; how do they serve us in theology, what is their relationship to one another, and why this even matters. 

In this interview with Pastor Murray Brett we talk about the Christian’s communion with the Triune God and how communion with God is the essence of the whole of the Christian life. There is the ever present danger of theological abstraction and self-sufficiency that can creep into our theology whereby we abstract or sever our theology from our communion with the Trinity. 

Pastor Murray, "Therefore, to enjoy the love of God the Father, the grace of God the Son, and the power and comfort of God the Spirit, we must by faith elevate Christ and his righteousness above self and self-righteousness."

Recommended Resources: 

"Growing Up in Grace: The Use of Means for Communion with God" by Murray Brett (https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/growing-up-in-grace-the-use-of-means-for-communion-with-god-brett.html)

“Delighting in the Trinity,” by Michael Reeves in which he gives an overview of the Trinity and why practical Trinitarianism makes such a big difference (Reading Level: Basic)

“The Trinitarian Devotion of John Owen,” by Sinclair Ferguson is the place to start in and understanding of communion with each member of the Trinity. This is the best overview and summary of John Owen’s book, “Communion with God” of which I’m aware. Its short and easily digestible, which is what is so greatly needed. This book and “Communion with God” must not simply be read, but imbibed! (Reading Level: Basic to Intermediate)

“Communion with the Triune God” by John Owen, eds. Kelly Kapic and Justin Taylor have made the original “Communion with God” a bit more accessible by changing antiquated spelling, defining unfamiliar words, breaking long paragraphs down, inserting section titles, and translating all Hebrew, Greek, and Latin into English. (Reading Level: Intermediate).

“Our God,” by Octavius Winslow is one the best studies on the attributes of God for the average reader that I’ve ever read. He can’t speak of one member of the Trinity, but what he speaks of all, and he’s always Christ-centered and very warm. (Reading Level: Basic)

“Meditations and Discourses on The Glory of Christ,” in Volume 1 of “The Works of John Owen.” This is one of the finest books on John 17:24, I’ve ever read. (Reading Level: Intermediate to Difficult)

“The Mutual Intercourse of the Trinity,” by Thomas Goodwin on John 17:21 in “The Works of Thomas Goodwin,” Volume 9:145-148. (Reading Level: Intermediate)

“Matchless Love and Inbeing,” by Richard Sibbes, is typical Sibbes preaching Christ to the heart, framed thoroughly in Trinitarian thought. (Reading Level: Intermediate)

In this episode the guys lay down some foundational principles for apologetics by talking about how the Bible's doctrine of sin is fundamental in shaping our approach and method of apologetics. 

Book Resources

Cornelius Van Til, The Defense of the Faith

Jason Lisle, The Ultimate Proof of Creation

Website Resources

https://biblicalscienceinstitute.com

https://www.the1689confession.com/1689/chapter-6

https://www.facebook.com/TheologyforSojourners

How does the Pilgrim deal with doubt and uncertainty? Why is there a gap between the assurance of faith in Christ and the experience of that assurance in the believer's life? In this episode we wrestle with these questions. 

Facebook Page- https://www.facebook.com/TheologyforSojourners

Recoures: 

https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/

http://ICR.org

http://AnswersinGenesis.org

The Marrow of Modern Divinity 

Sinclair Ferguson, The Whole Christ 

In this episode we discuss the Gospel Centered Movement. What are the strengths and potential weakness of this movement. Can the center hold? We offer an insider critique as well as a way forward. 

Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheologyforSojourners

Resources: 

https://founders.org/2019/03/18/be-christ-centered-not-just-gospel-centered/

https://www.challies.com/articles/the-gospel-centered-everything/

In this episode John Sweat interviews a dear friend, the Union County Theologian, Lem Lane. Pastor Lem is here to talk with me about the doctrine of the church and its vital connection to the Christian life. We will be talking about thing like:

Why is the church vital for the Christian life? Why does church government matter/ how does it impact the Christian?

Covenant Community Church- http://covenantcommunity.net

Covenant Conversations Podcast- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/covenant-conversations/id1412764902

https://johnsweatjrblog.wordpress.com/2020/12/20/church-sacraments-and-last-things/?fbclid=IwAR3K7cYboFmfjUaYOBRiIeXUbUqSaBmQnuFNj7y7qVfdAWNgNiZgMHYe6GE

Welcome to another episode of Pilgrim Talk, Theology for Sojourners and today I am joined by a special guest to talk with me about Manhood and Masculinity in the Church. Where have all the men gone in the church? What is the cause of this phenomenon in which so many men are attracted to and being discipled by Jocko, Joe Rogan, and Jordan Petersen? Why has the church abandoned disciplining men to be men both in the church, the home, and society?

Book Recommendations 

https://www.amazon.com/Defending-Boyhood-Building-Reading-Stories/dp/1505112427/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Defending%20boyhood&qid=1611872661&s=books&sr=1-1&fbclid=IwAR2xkVmUg9rlbS_staF4qQTfOaQgWeekwCRWBAEPy-Yao_mQUpsNoJYTHFs

https://www.amazon.com/Thoughts-Young-Men-J-C-Ryle/dp/1848716524/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1VD38L7EKX62E&dchild=1&keywords=jc%20ryle%20thoughts%20for%20young%20men&qid=1611872704&s=books&sprefix=JC%20Ryle%20%2Cstripbooks%2C176&sr=1-2&fbclid=IwAR0qaYygDDjrrWUBSlj_qKHtDrm4PP02_8NxQxUxuKbByT_sX-3etBBdq-8

https://www.amazon.com/Why-Gender-Matters-Teachers-Differences/dp/0767916255?fbclid=IwAR2Qv1iKum9728wBemWx9JgFRThCay7nCIuZSp8vWe45qb-qtSnZtUGNtwA

https://www.amazon.com/Story-Sex-Scripture-Barbara-Mouser-ebook/dp/B00BR2PJ7O/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Story+of+sex+in+Scripture&qid=1611878146&s=books&sr=1-1

Articles 

https://calvinistinternational.com/2019/01/16/male-only-ordination-is-natural-why-the-church-is-a-model-of-reality/

https://itsgoodtobeaman.com/a-primer-on-patriarchalism-versus-complementarianism/

https://dougwils.com/books-and-culture/s7-engaging-the-culture/masculinity-without-permission.html

https://calvinistinternational.com/2018/07/15/what-is-effeminacy/

This is part 2 of a series on the "What, Why, and How" of Scripture. In part 1 we covered the status, shape, and scope of Scripture. In this episode we talk about how to study Scripture, answering questions like why interpretation is necessary and why studying Scripture  is vital for the Christian to study Scripture. We also give a summary of the principles and tools of interpretation along with a list of resources. 

Book Recommendation: Bernard Ramm, Protestant Biblical Interpretation