Mid-America Reformed Seminary

When we think of the faithful preaching of the Word of God as the Word of God, as the voice of Christ himself, does that mean Christ is adding chapters to the books of Scripture every Lord's Day- Are faithful sermons adding to the canon if we rightfully call it God's Words being preached- In today's episode, Dr. Beach addresses these objections and more.

In today's episode, Dr. J. Mark Beach, Professor of Ministerial and Doctrinal Studies, addresses a most peculiar question- Is hearing faithful preaching equivalent to hearing the voice of Christ himself- In other words, is it appropriate to affirm that faithful preaching is, indeed, the very word of God-

Guest chapel speaker Richard Zekveld looks at the grace of Jesus Christ towards the unclean in his midst.

As we wrap up this segment of early Church history, Dr. Alan Strange comments on the dangerous teachings of Arius and its impact on orthodox Christianity leading up to and following the first ecumenical council- The Council of Nicaea.

In today's episode, Dr. Strange looks at the early Church Fathers Irenaeus and Tertullian. What were some of Irenaeus' significant contributions, and what do we learn about the heretics of his day from his writings- Did he accurately describe them- Did Tertullian join the ranks of the early heretics, the Montanists- Tune in to listen as Dr. Strange answers all these questions and more.

In today's episode, Dr. Alan Strange continues his series on the early church by examining one of the great apologists and defenders of the Christian faith, Justin Martyr, and a rather complex theologian named Origen.

In today's episode, Dr. Alan Strange, Professor of Apologetics and Church History, begins a new series on the early church, beginning with the famed Apostolic Fathers. Who were they, and what is their significance in church history- What did they think about persecution and martyrdom- Listen as Dr. Strange answers these questions and more on Mid-America Reformed Seminary's Round Table podcast.

In today's episode, Rev. Andrew Compton wraps up his assessment of Ezekiel. He comments on the dynamic between Ezekiel's identity as both a prophet and a priest, particularly as it relates to purity rituals, his vision of the glory of God, and his final prophecy of an eschatological temple.

In today's episode, Rev. Andrew Compton looks at Ezekiel's sign acts -such as his building a model of the siege of Jerusalem- and how this informs his vocational identity as both a priest and a prophet.

The Old Testament book of Ezekiel is known for its peculiar imagery and prophetic visions. Associate Professor of Old Testament Studies, Rev. Andrew Compton, has taken a keen interest in this fascinating piece of God's Word and is currently working on a dissertation exploring a particular theme that he sees embedded within the text- the idea of vocational identity, and how this shapes not only Ezekiel's priestly identity but also his prophetic identity.

In today's episode, Dr. Venema concludes his assessment of the doctrine of hell. He looks at the imagery of fire and the language of eternity and answers arguments that say the doctrine of hell is incompatible with what we know of the love and justice of God and that this doctrine mars the perfection and glory of the eternal state.

In today's episode, Dr. Venema introduces us to a very sobering topic in the study of theology- the doctrine of eternal punishment -Hell-. Today he'll present this doctrine, remark on what the confessions say about it in a traditional view, and introduce some popular objections to it, most notably, universalism and annihilationism -or conditional immortality-.

In today's episode, Dr. Venema continues to explore the intermediate state of believers, but from the perspective of the Old Testament. What do the Psalms say about what happens to believers after they die- Did Old Testament saints experience the same state as New Testament believers- Tune in today to find out.

Beginning today and for the next few weeks, you'll hear Dr. Cornelis Venema speak on matters of a heavenly nature, that being the intermediate state and the resurrection of the body. These talks come from his Spring Evening class that he taught in 2015, titled -What Happens After I Die-- In today's episode, Dr. Venema elaborates on what death means for the Christian and examines two erroneous views associated with the death of believers- annihilationism and soul sleep.

In today's episode, Dr. Beach wraps up his discussion on the Christian and free will by tackling the subject of Libertarian Free Will, a concept you'll hear most commonly in Arminian circles.

Last time Dr. Beach affirmed the Reformed teaching on free will, that Christians do indeed have free will, but a will that is only awakened and enabled by the grace of God to freely obey his will, not a will of our own volition, a will left in darkness. In our Reformed heritage, we love to reflect on the work of John Calvin, of course. So what did he think of free will- You may be surprised to learn that he affirms what Dr. Beach was talking about but that he was a little cautious in using the exact terminology of -free will.-

In today's episode, Dr. J. Mark Beach, Professor of Doctrinal and Ministerial Studies, begins to look carefully at the theological issue of free will by asking the simple question- Do Christians have free will-

In today's episode, Dr. Alan Strange concludes his series on church offices by looking at the Office of Deacon and the ministry of mercy.

In today's episode, Dr. Alan Strange, continuing his series on church offices, elaborates on the role of the Elder in the church. What does it mean to be a ruling Elder or teaching Elder- What are his obligations and duties in this ordained office- Dr. Strange is here to help answer those questions.

In today's episode, Dr. Alan Strange looks once again at the Office of Minister of the Word and Sacrament, tracing its history, especially in the eyes of the Reformers.