Christ the Center

Reformed Forum
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  • Every two weeks

Christ the Center is an audio program centered on Christian reformed theology. In each episode a group of informed panelists discuss important issues and stimulate listeners to critical thinking and a better understanding of reformed doctrine designed to yield godly living.

  1. 8 hr ago

    Meeting God in His Means of Grace

    Camden Bucey speaks with Harrison Perkins about Meeting God in His Means of Grace: How Word, Sacrament, and Prayer Help Us Encounter Christ. Perkins argues that the Christian life is fundamentally receptive: we do not invent our own paths to God, but meet him where he has promised to be present and active for the good of his people. The conversation explores the ordinary means of grace—Word, sacraments, and prayer—as Christ’s appointed instruments for strengthening faith, assuring believers, and shaping the church’s worship. Perkins discusses the reading and preaching of Scripture, baptism as a covenantal sign, the Lord’s Supper as communion with Christ and a foretaste of the marriage supper of the Lamb, prayer as a means Christ uses to sustain his people, and congregational worship as active participation before God rather than religious spectatorship. Watch or learn more at reformedforum.org/ctc967. Chapters0:00 Introduction1:03 Meeting God in His Means of Grace3:04 The ordinary things Christ gives his church5:55 The Christian life as fundamentally receptive7:46 Connection, experience, and the means of grace12:54 The danger of treating faith as a mystical quest16:39 Means of grace as God’s work for us19:28 Christ at work through the reading and preaching of Scripture30:54 Private Bible reading and communion with God38:25 Grace as fellowship with God42:04 Baptism as Christ’s appointed means47:16 Baptism and the covenant community50:59 The Lord’s Supper and Christ’s presence51:30 Passover, the Lamb, and the Supper54:51 A foretaste of the wedding feast of the Lamb57:33 Prayer as a means of grace1:00:15 Singing as prayer in public worship1:03:59 Worshipers are not spectators1:08:05 Resisting consumerism in worship1:10:16 Closing thoughts and resources Mentioned in this episode: Join Us In Person: Four Upcoming Reformed Forum Events Before today's episode, Camden Bucey shares four opportunities to gather with Reformed Forum in person over the coming months: Apologetics and Evangelism Seminar — August 4–5, 2026, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Taylors, SC. Camden Bucey and Carlton Wynne lecture on apologetics and evangelism for the pastor at the GPTS Summer Seminar. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/apologetics-and-evangelism-seminar-greenville-sc/ Discovering Christ in All of Scripture — August 28–29, 2026, Cahaba Park Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL. A Friday evening and Saturday morning seminar exploring how every part of Scripture reveals God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/birmingham-alabama-seminar/ 2026 Annual Theology Conference — September 25–26, 2026, Lakeland Church, Gurnee, IL. The Covenant of Grace: One Savior, One People, One Purpose, featuring Dr. G. K. Beale. Early-bird pricing ends August 31. Register: https://rf26.reformedforum.org/ Christ the Center 1000th Episode Celebration — February 19–20, 2027, Hilton Austin, Austin, TX. A live recording of episode 1,000, a shared dinner, and conversations with longtime friends of the ministry. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/christ-the-center-1000th-episode-celebration/ Seats are limited — register today at https://reformedforum.org/events

    1hr 15min

  2. 3 Jul

    Lively Truths and Puritan Spirituality with Stephen Yuille

    In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey welcomes Stephen Yuille, director of Puritan publishing at Reformation Heritage Books, for a conversation on Puritan spirituality and the devotional series 90 Days with the Puritans. Yuille reflects on his work with Puritan writings, the relationship between the mind and the affections, and the way the Puritans seek to move biblical truth from mere cognition into doxology, repentance, obedience, and perseverance. The discussion centers on five “lively truths” that recur throughout the Puritan tradition: the majesty of God, the beauty of Christ, the severity of sin, the mystery of providence, and the hope of glory. Along the way, Camden and Stephen consider biblical meditation, Thomas Manton, holiness as divine beauty, beholding Christ through Scripture rather than mysticism, affliction as fatherly discipline, and the believer’s blessed hope in the face of death and suffering. Chapters0:00 Introduction0:33 Stephen Yuille and Reformation Heritage Books2:24 Stephen Yuille’s ministry and Puritan publishing work8:46 What gave rise to 90 Days with the Puritans11:15 Five lively truths in Puritan spirituality15:51 Biblical meditation and the Puritans22:42 Thomas Manton as a guide to meditation25:20 Holiness as beauty, not divine scowling31:07 Beholding Christ without mysticism36:10 Sin, holiness, and the doctrines of grace39:12 Christ altogether lovely45:53 Providence, affliction, and fatherly discipline51:24 Death, glory, and the blessed hope57:45 Closing thoughts and resources ParticipantsCamden BuceyStephen Yuille Resources mentionedReformation Heritage BooksThomas Manton, Holy MeditationStephen Yuille, The Sight of ChristStephen Yuille, The Heart Taken UpStephen Yuille, The Fullness of Grace Mentioned in this episode: Join Us In Person: Four Upcoming Reformed Forum Events Before today's episode, Camden Bucey shares four opportunities to gather with Reformed Forum in person over the coming months: Apologetics and Evangelism Seminar — August 4–5, 2026, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Taylors, SC. Camden Bucey and Carlton Wynne lecture on apologetics and evangelism for the pastor at the GPTS Summer Seminar. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/apologetics-and-evangelism-seminar-greenville-sc/ Discovering Christ in All of Scripture — August 28–29, 2026, Cahaba Park Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL. A Friday evening and Saturday morning seminar exploring how every part of Scripture reveals God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/birmingham-alabama-seminar/ 2026 Annual Theology Conference — September 25–26, 2026, Lakeland Church, Gurnee, IL. The Covenant of Grace: One Savior, One People, One Purpose, featuring Dr. G. K. Beale. Early-bird pricing ends August 31. Register: https://rf26.reformedforum.org/ Christ the Center 1000th Episode Celebration — February 19–20, 2027, Hilton Austin, Austin, TX. A live recording of episode 1,000, a shared dinner, and conversations with longtime friends of the ministry. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/christ-the-center-1000th-episode-celebration/ Seats are limited — register today at https://reformedforum.org/events

    1hr 1min

  3. 26 Jun

    Heaven Opened: Biblical Theology in the Gospels and Acts with Adam York

    In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey welcomes Adam York and Randy Lee back to the Reformed Forum classroom for the second part of a conversation on global theological education and OPC foreign missions. Whereas the previous discussion focused especially on Uganda and faith-centered finance, this episode turns to York’s recent teaching trip to Ethiopia and the biblical-theological material he taught on the Gospels and Acts. The conversation traces major themes from John 1:51 and Jacob’s ladder to Matthew’s genealogy, Jesus as true Israel, the Sermon on the Mount, the parables of the kingdom, Peter’s confession, Matthew 24–25, the Great Commission, and the book of Acts. Along the way, York shows how the hope of heaven opened in Christ, the end of exile, the gift of the Spirit, and the church’s missionary calling all belong together in the unfolding work of the risen and ascended Lord. Participants Camden BuceyAdam YorkRandy Lee Resources mentioned Hope Orthodox Presbyterian ChurchOPC Foreign MissionsOPC Short-Term MissionsReformed Academy Mentioned in this episode: Join Us In Person: Four Upcoming Reformed Forum Events Before today's episode, Camden Bucey shares four opportunities to gather with Reformed Forum in person over the coming months: Apologetics and Evangelism Seminar — August 4–5, 2026, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Taylors, SC. Camden Bucey and Carlton Wynne lecture on apologetics and evangelism for the pastor at the GPTS Summer Seminar. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/apologetics-and-evangelism-seminar-greenville-sc/ Discovering Christ in All of Scripture — August 28–29, 2026, Cahaba Park Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL. A Friday evening and Saturday morning seminar exploring how every part of Scripture reveals God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/birmingham-alabama-seminar/ 2026 Annual Theology Conference — September 25–26, 2026, Lakeland Church, Gurnee, IL. The Covenant of Grace: One Savior, One People, One Purpose, featuring Dr. G. K. Beale. Early-bird pricing ends August 31. Register: https://rf26.reformedforum.org/ Christ the Center 1000th Episode Celebration — February 19–20, 2027, Hilton Austin, Austin, TX. A live recording of episode 1,000, a shared dinner, and conversations with longtime friends of the ministry. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/christ-the-center-1000th-episode-celebration/ Seats are limited — register today at https://reformedforum.org/events

    56 min

  4. 19 Jun

    Global Theological Education and Faith-Centered Finance with Randy Lee and Adam York

    In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey welcomes Randy Lee and Adam York from Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois, to discuss recent teaching trips connected with OPC foreign missions in Uganda and Ethiopia. Lee, a ruling elder, reflects on teaching personal finance at Knox School of Theology in Uganda, while York, pastor of Hope OPC, describes his work teaching and training pastors in Ethiopia. The conversation explores the global need for theological education, Reformed Academy’s role in serving the church worldwide, and the biblical doctrine of stewardship. The discussion turns especially to faith-centered finance: why money must be brought under the lordship of Christ, how Scripture and the Reformed confessions shape our view of possessions, how prosperity theology distorts Christian hope, and why work, generosity, contentment, and vocation all belong to faithful stewardship before God. Participants Camden BuceyRandy LeeAdam York Resources mentioned Reformed AcademyOPC Foreign MissionsOPC Short-Term MissionsRon Blue Institute Mentioned in this episode: Join Us In Person: Four Upcoming Reformed Forum Events Before today's episode, Camden Bucey shares four opportunities to gather with Reformed Forum in person over the coming months: Apologetics and Evangelism Seminar — August 4–5, 2026, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Taylors, SC. Camden Bucey and Carlton Wynne lecture on apologetics and evangelism for the pastor at the GPTS Summer Seminar. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/apologetics-and-evangelism-seminar-greenville-sc/ Discovering Christ in All of Scripture — August 28–29, 2026, Cahaba Park Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL. A Friday evening and Saturday morning seminar exploring how every part of Scripture reveals God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/birmingham-alabama-seminar/ 2026 Annual Theology Conference — September 25–26, 2026, Lakeland Church, Gurnee, IL. The Covenant of Grace: One Savior, One People, One Purpose, featuring Dr. G. K. Beale. Early-bird pricing ends August 31. Register: https://rf26.reformedforum.org/ Christ the Center 1000th Episode Celebration — February 19–20, 2027, Hilton Austin, Austin, TX. A live recording of episode 1,000, a shared dinner, and conversations with longtime friends of the ministry. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/christ-the-center-1000th-episode-celebration/ Seats are limited — register today at https://reformedforum.org/events

    57 min

  5. 12 Jun

    Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution with D. G. Hart

    We welcome Darryl G. Hart back to Christ the Center to discuss Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution, published by the University of Notre Dame Press. Hart traces the transatlantic story of Presbyterianism from the Reformation through the age of revolutions, asking why Presbyterian polity so often became a political irritant in Britain, Ireland, North America, and beyond. The conversation ranges from Calvin’s Geneva and the French Reformed connection to the Scottish Covenanters, the English civil wars, John Witherspoon, the American founding, the 1788 revision of the Westminster Confession, and contemporary debates over Christian nationalism. Along the way, Hart helps us see how questions of church government, civil authority, establishment, liberty, and public memory are bound up with the church’s confession that Christ alone is head of his church. Chapters 0:00 Introduction and the road to episode 1,0002:00 Protestants and Patriots and the Presbyterian question3:10 The project’s origins and teaching the big picture5:12 Calvin’s ecclesiastical ordinances and Presbyterian polity7:26 Was the American Revolution a Presbyterian revolution?10:12 Lumpers, splitters, and Presbyterian identity11:09 Reformed and Presbyterian: why the names matter15:01 Presbyterians, nationalism, and the godly society16:12 Covenanters, national covenanting, and regicide19:31 Geneva, exiles, and the French connection22:26 The true Presbyterian revolutionary moment: the 1630s and 1640s24:21 Why Scotland became a Presbyterian laboratory28:29 Why England and Scotland became Reformed rather than Lutheran30:52 What did Presbyterians want? Church independence and state support34:43 The Glorious Revolution, moderation, and establishment compromises39:15 Regium donum, Canada, Ireland, and voluntary giving42:34 John Witherspoon and Presbyterian moderation in the American founding48:16 Revising Westminster Confession chapter 2355:30 American Heretics, Two Sons of Oil, and anti-liberal Presbyterianism60:30 Further conversations and Protestants and Patriots65:05 Independence Hall, historic preservation, and public memory70:07 Conclusion Participants Camden BuceyDarryl G. Hart Resources mentioned Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution by D. G. HartUniversity of Notre Dame Press interview with D. G. HartAmerican Heretics by Jerome CopulskyTwo Sons of Oil by Samuel B. WylieIndependence National Historical Park Mentioned in this episode: Join Us In Person: Four Upcoming Reformed Forum Events Before today's episode, Camden Bucey shares four opportunities to gather with Reformed Forum in person over the coming months: Apologetics and Evangelism Seminar — August 4–5, 2026, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Taylors, SC. Camden Bucey and Carlton Wynne lecture on apologetics and evangelism for the pastor at the GPTS Summer Seminar. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/apologetics-and-evangelism-seminar-greenville-sc/ Discovering Christ in All of Scripture — August 28–29, 2026, Cahaba Park Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL. A Friday evening and Saturday morning seminar exploring how every part of Scripture reveals God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/birmingham-alabama-seminar/ 2026 Annual Theology Conference — September 25–26, 2026, Lakeland Church, Gurnee, IL. The Covenant of Grace: One Savior, One People, One Purpose, featuring Dr. G. K. Beale. Early-bird pricing ends August 31. Register: https://rf26.reformedforum.org/ Christ the Center 1000th Episode Celebration — February 19–20, 2027, Hilton Austin, Austin, TX. A live recording of episode 1,000, a shared dinner, and conversations with longtime friends of the ministry. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/christ-the-center-1000th-episode-celebration/ Seats are limited — register today at https://reformedforum.org/events

    1hr 12min

  6. 5 Jun

    Act Like a Man: Biblical Masculinity with Matthew Adams

    In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey welcomes Matthew Adams, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Dillon, South Carolina, to discuss his book Act Like a Man: Understanding the Biblical Call to Masculinity, published by Christian Focus. Adams argues for a vision of manhood grounded in Scripture and formed by the Holy Spirit rather than by cultural capitulation, reactionary posturing, or online personality-driven models of masculinity. The conversation considers why the doctrine of Scripture and the work of the Spirit must come before any faithful account of biblical masculinity. Adams unfolds five marks of manhood—righteous living, sacrificial love, dependent leadership, courageous zeal, and humble servanthood—using David’s life as both a positive and negative example that ultimately points to Christ. The episode also addresses contemporary challenges in the church, the need for fathers and elders to disciple younger men, and the importance of presence, faithfulness, and generational responsibility in the home and covenant community. Participants Camden BuceyMatthew Adams Resources mentioned Act Like a Man: Understanding the Biblical Call to Masculinity by Matthew AdamsChristian Focus PublicationsReformed Forum EventsReformed Academy Mentioned in this episode: Join Us In Person: Four Upcoming Reformed Forum Events Before today's episode, Camden Bucey shares four opportunities to gather with Reformed Forum in person over the coming months: Apologetics and Evangelism Seminar — August 4–5, 2026, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Taylors, SC. Camden Bucey and Carlton Wynne lecture on apologetics and evangelism for the pastor at the GPTS Summer Seminar. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/apologetics-and-evangelism-seminar-greenville-sc/ Discovering Christ in All of Scripture — August 28–29, 2026, Cahaba Park Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL. A Friday evening and Saturday morning seminar exploring how every part of Scripture reveals God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/birmingham-alabama-seminar/ 2026 Annual Theology Conference — September 25–26, 2026, Lakeland Church, Gurnee, IL. The Covenant of Grace: One Savior, One People, One Purpose, featuring Dr. G. K. Beale. Early-bird pricing ends August 31. Register: https://rf26.reformedforum.org/ Christ the Center 1000th Episode Celebration — February 19–20, 2027, Hilton Austin, Austin, TX. A live recording of episode 1,000, a shared dinner, and conversations with longtime friends of the ministry. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/christ-the-center-1000th-episode-celebration/ Seats are limited — register today at https://reformedforum.org/events

    1hr 9min

  7. 29 May

    The Nature of the Church with Matthew Vogan

    We welcome Matthew Vogan to discuss The Nature of the Church by John Brown of Wamphray, a concise seventeenth-century work on Presbyterian ecclesiology republished by Grange Press. Brown, a Scottish Covenanter exiled to the Netherlands, wrote with deep conviction about Christ's headship over the church, the visible and invisible church, church government, discipline, unity, and the distinction between church and state. This conversation explores why Brown's work remains timely for pastors, elders, seminarians, and church members today. Rather than treating church government as a secondary or merely practical matter, Brown presents the church as a visible spiritual society established by Christ, governed by his Word, and ordered for the edification of his people. Watch on YouTube Chapters0:00 Introduction1:15 The Nature of the Church by John Brown of Wamphray4:30 John Brown's life, ministry, exile, and Covenanter context8:40 Matthew Vogan's introduction to John Brown9:36 Brown's 32 theses and the Westminster Confession10:54 A majestic view of Christ's church12:33 The scope of Brown's ecclesiology15:12 The church as a visible spiritual society21:43 Church and state under Christ's authority27:08 Scripture and Presbyterian church government30:53 Brown's polemics against Erastianism, prelacy, and independency35:00 Ministerial authority and edification39:17 The church's spiritual government42:14 The spirituality of the church44:59 Key insights from Brown's work46:06 Communion within the visible catholic church52:21 Further reading: Durham, Gillespie, Rutherford, and Bannerman53:55 Final thoughts on The Nature of the Church55:00 Scottish football and closing conversation56:57 Reformed Forum resources and conclusion ParticipantsCamden BuceyMatthew Vogan Resources mentionedGrange PressThe Nature of the Church by John Brown of WamphrayTrinitarian Bible SocietyChrist the Center 682: David Dickson's Sermons on Lamentations Mentioned in this episode: Join Us In Person: Four Upcoming Reformed Forum Events Before today's episode, Camden Bucey shares four opportunities to gather with Reformed Forum in person over the coming months: Apologetics and Evangelism Seminar — August 4–5, 2026, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Taylors, SC. Camden Bucey and Carlton Wynne lecture on apologetics and evangelism for the pastor at the GPTS Summer Seminar. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/apologetics-and-evangelism-seminar-greenville-sc/ Discovering Christ in All of Scripture — August 28–29, 2026, Cahaba Park Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL. A Friday evening and Saturday morning seminar exploring how every part of Scripture reveals God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/birmingham-alabama-seminar/ 2026 Annual Theology Conference — September 25–26, 2026, Lakeland Church, Gurnee, IL. The Covenant of Grace: One Savior, One People, One Purpose, featuring Dr. G. K. Beale. Early-bird pricing ends August 31. Register: https://rf26.reformedforum.org/ Christ the Center 1000th Episode Celebration — February 19–20, 2027, Hilton Austin, Austin, TX. A live recording of episode 1,000, a shared dinner, and conversations with longtime friends of the ministry. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/christ-the-center-1000th-episode-celebration/ Seats are limited — register today at https://reformedforum.org/events

    1 hr

  8. 22 May

    John Calvin as Counselor: Pastoral Wisdom from His Letters

    We welcome Dr. Michael Mock to discuss his D.Min. dissertation on John Calvin's pastoral counseling through his correspondence. Drawing from Calvin's letters, Mock shows how the Reformer cared for people amid grief, anxiety, marital conflict, abuse, persecution, and suffering with theological depth and compassion. The conversation challenges the caricature of Calvin as cold or detached, highlighting his attention to the whole person—mind, heart, and will—and his confidence in God's providence, prayer, Scripture, and the ministry of the local church. Calvin's letters reveal a model of soul care that remains deeply relevant for pastors, elders, and church members today.Mentioned in this episode: Join Us In Person: Four Upcoming Reformed Forum Events Before today's episode, Camden Bucey shares four opportunities to gather with Reformed Forum in person over the coming months: Apologetics and Evangelism Seminar — August 4–5, 2026, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Taylors, SC. Camden Bucey and Carlton Wynne lecture on apologetics and evangelism for the pastor at the GPTS Summer Seminar. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/apologetics-and-evangelism-seminar-greenville-sc/ Discovering Christ in All of Scripture — August 28–29, 2026, Cahaba Park Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL. A Friday evening and Saturday morning seminar exploring how every part of Scripture reveals God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/birmingham-alabama-seminar/ 2026 Annual Theology Conference — September 25–26, 2026, Lakeland Church, Gurnee, IL. The Covenant of Grace: One Savior, One People, One Purpose, featuring Dr. G. K. Beale. Early-bird pricing ends August 31. Register: https://rf26.reformedforum.org/ Christ the Center 1000th Episode Celebration — February 19–20, 2027, Hilton Austin, Austin, TX. A live recording of episode 1,000, a shared dinner, and conversations with longtime friends of the ministry. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/christ-the-center-1000th-episode-celebration/ Seats are limited — register today at https://reformedforum.org/events

    1hr 3min
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About

Christ the Center is an audio program centered on Christian reformed theology. In each episode a group of informed panelists discuss important issues and stimulate listeners to critical thinking and a better understanding of reformed doctrine designed to yield godly living.

Information

  • Creator
    Reformed Forum
  • Years Active
    2008 - 2026
  • Episodes
    968
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Reformed Forum
  • Show Website
    Christ the Center

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