Theology on the Go Alliance Podcast Network

James and Jonathan welcome Todd Rester back to the podcast to discuss the 4th volume of Petrus van Mastricht's Theoretical-Practical Theology: Redemption in Christ. An associate professor of Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, Todd has spent many years translating Volumes 1-4 of this comprehensive, influential work and has already started working on the fifth volume! Redemption in Christ examines God's great work of obtaining redemption in the Mediator, Jesus Christ. 
"The whole thing is about has Christ done everything necessary that we might have full assurance of God's love and mercy, His grace, and His covenant and faithfulness to us, and the answer is a resounding yes!" – Todd Rester
In addition to learning about various aspects of this book, be sure to tune in to discover how Mastricht's work is still relevant today and was referenced in a recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling!We're giving away two copies of Theoretical-Practical Theology, Volume 4: Redemption in Christ. Register here for an opportunity to win, courtesy of Reformation Heritage Books.

James and Jonathan spend time reflecting on Psalm 46 today. Martin Luther claimed this was “his psalm,” it is the basis for one of our most well-known hymns, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” This beautiful psalm starts with the comforting words, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Written for all of us who will at some point face troubles that seem to shake the ground beneath us, Psalm 46 has been a source of strength and comfort to countless people through the ages by focusing our attention on heaven. 
We need to train our minds and train our hearts to be attentive to heaven precisely because that’s the anchor for our souls in many respects when we face these times of great troubles. – Jonathan Master
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Be encouraged by this reflection of Psalm 46, a balm for our souls. 
Enter here for the opportunity to win a copy of Learning to Love the Psalms by Robert Godfrey, generously provided by Ligonier Ministries. 

The much-anticipated follow-up to the first episode of James and Jonathan’s book club is here! Today, the guys sit down again with their friend, Jeffrey Stivason, pastor of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church and a professor at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, for Part 2 of this series. Though written in the 17th century, The Pilgrim’s Progress has essential applications that we can glean from reading this classic work. Based on the feedback from listeners, you’re as excited about this as we are!
“When you think about the Wicket Gate being readiness, when you think about the scroll being assurance, and that whole idea that this is what Christ has done for you. You don’t learn those once, and then your Christian life is made easy because of them. Those are things that you say to yourself repeatedly every day of your life, you know. That’s the Gospel preaching that you do to yourself every day, that you need or you’re not going to last with any sort of vigor or strength.” – Jeffrey Stivason
 
We hope you enjoy this second installment of our book club as James, Jonathan, and Jeff (J3) discuss the Interpreter’s House through Hill Difficulty. If you’re following along, plan to read Palace Beautiful through the Valley of Despair and Into the Valley of the Shadow of Death for next time.
For the opportunity to win a copy of The Pilgrim’s Progress, thanks to the generosity of Banner of Truth, enter here. 
 
Show Notes:
The Strait Gate by John Bunyan: https://a.co/d/4dgBmk8

In today’s culture, it’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t been impacted by sexual sin, either personally or in their family or social circles. Issues of pornography, transgenderism, and homosexuality are pervasive, yet many in the evangelical church do not feel equipped to face the challenges of sexual brokenness. James and Jonathan are joined today by Mark Sanders, the executive director of Harvest USA. Harvest brings the truth and mercy of Jesus Christ by helping individuals and families affected by sexual struggles and by providing resources that address biblical sexuality to individuals and churches.
Over the years, as the rise of the internet, it’s become much more of a broad discipleship ministry addressing any way that sin has affected our sexuality and our gender, and we’re just seeing more and more the ways that the fall and denial of God as our creator is going in more and more directions with sin. So we want to continue to see how Scripture brings clarity on God’s design but also brings clarity on the hope that we have in Christ. – Mark Sanders
Harvest USA has always been an important ministry, but it is becoming increasingly vital in today’s culture. Tune in to hear more, and check out their website to see what resources are available, including two new online courses, “Raising Sexually Faithful Kids” and “Parenting Boys and Girls in a Gender-Confused World.
For the opportunity to win a copy of Across the Kitchen Table, thanks to the generosity of Harvest USA, enter here. 
Show Notes:
For more information about Harvest USA and to access their new online courses: https://harvestusa.org/

James and Jonathan welcome their bowtie-clad friend, T. David Gordon, to discuss his latest book, Choose Better: 5 Biblical Models for Making Ethical Decisions. How do we know if we’re making the best choices possible? T. David says that over the centuries, Christians in different traditions have distilled scriptural guidance into five models for ethical decision-making. These models give us clear questions to ask in every situation, helping us improve our choices and better understand the choices of fellow believers—especially when they differ from ours.
The creature made in God’s image has the capacity for reflection, for contemplation, for decision making, and so any choice we make about any aspect of our life is a reflection of the image of God in us, and therefore, it is subject to ethical inspection. – T. David Gordon
Tune in to discover how T. David’s five biblical models for making ethical decisions equip believers to think biblically and choose better. And also learn why one of these models has him regularly spending a night sleeping in the forest. You may be inspired to grab a hammock and follow suit!
Amber F. from Langhorne, PA and Brett F. from Ballwin, MO were each chosen to win a copy Choose Better, thanks to the generosity of P&R Publishing!
 
Show Notes:
Why Johnny Can’t Preach by T. David Gordon:
https://reformedresources.org/why-johnny-cant-preach-paperback/
 

It’s a trip down memory lane as Jonathan and James sit down with their former student, John Biegel, who is now serving as the lead pastor at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church in Annandale, VA. John recently authored a book, Offering and Embracing Christ: The Marrow Theology of John Colquhoun of Leith. Less well known than the famous “marrow man,” Thomas Boston, Colquhoun was a faithful Scottish minister and Calvinist whose life and preaching reflected the thought of the Marrow men on offering and embracing Christ.
Colquhoun stands out as being especially indebted to Boston and Erskine and this whole stream of Marrow theology in a way that is unparalleled in the Church of Scotland at the time and really sets up what ends up being this evangelical revival in the Church of Scotland in the early 19th century. – John Biegel 
James and Jonathan are justifiably proud of their former student and commend his book to all, but in particular to anyone who feels the tension between the free offer of the gospel and particular atonement. 
Congratulations to Delano R. from Conway, AR and TH from Soldotna, AK, each of whom won a copy of John’s book, thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books!
 
Show Notes:
John recommends the following books by John Colquhoun: 
The Covenant of Grace: https://heritagebooks.org/products/the-covenant-of-grace-colquhoun.html
A View of Saving Faith: https://a.co/d/4C2HKUl
A Treatise on the Law and the Gospel*: https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/a-treatise-on-the-law-and-the-gospel-colquhoun-hardcover.html
https://thelawandthegospel.com/Repentance: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/theology-books/repentance/