Fairly regularly, we see posts or correspondence discouraging people from listening to Theocast because this podcast attracts those whose lives are shipwrecked. From our perspective, we are happy to receive such a compliment. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He came to save sinners. He came for the weak and frail. He came for those who were weighed down by guilt and shame. This is the gospel. And, here’s the thing: it is anything but the celebration and condoning of sin.
In this episode, Jon and Justin sit down with Kelsi Klembara of 1517 (host of “Outside Ourselves”). The guys talk personally about their own experiences in the church and how they came to grow in their understanding of Christ and the gospel. After that, the conversation centers on the clarity of the gospel but covers a number of topics, including trends in the contemporary church, half-gospels, the sacraments, and what’s going on with people in our generation.
Paul warns Timothy to be aware of the “teachings of demons” (1 Tim 4:1). What would this sound like? A half gospel. In this episode, Jon explains how Satan has many believing they are only saved from their sin, but not unto perfect righteousness causing believers to attempt to earn their own standing before God by good works.
What is the gospel? Sadly, the answer many church-going people would give has a lot to do with us. This has left some self-righteous and proud. This has left many anxious and fearful. The gospel, however, is the message about what Jesus alone has secured for sinners: the forgiveness of sins, imputed righteousness, and an eternal inheritance.
At multiple points, Paul writes that he is not ashamed of the gospel. Why did he need to write that? What is it about the gospel that could bring shame on someone who preaches it–or believes it? The gospel offends us in our self-righteousness. That’s clear. It also offends us in our licentiousness. The truth of our union with Christ and liberation from sin’s dominion can fly in the face of the desires of our flesh. In all of this, the Lord has us and will complete the good work he has begun in us! Jon and Justin talk about all of this on today’s episode.
Jon and Justin consider how we will bear reproach for the sake of Christ and the gospel. This is the normative experience of Christians.
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In this special podcast, Jon and Justin are joined by fellow reformed podcasters, Mike Abendroth from No Compromise Radio, Pat Abendroth and Mike Grimes from The Pactum, and R. Scott Clark The Heidelcast! Recorded live at Westminster Theological Seminary California, all the guys discuss Covenant Theology, Assurance, Law/Gospel Distinction, and Sola Fide!
Following Jesus is not the gospel. There are a number of things that are fruits of regeneration and fruits of the gospel that are not the gospel. Biblically speaking, the gospel has nothing to do with us whatsoever. The gospel is completely about the person and work of Jesus Christ, our substitute and mediator. Jon and Justin talk about fruit of the gospel, the order of salvation, and justification from a confessional, reformed perspective.
It sounds a little crazy to say that the gospel terrifies Christians. But it clearly does. Christians are prone to qualify the grace of God in Christ. Christians are prone to hedge on justification by faith alone. At times, Christians can even be unsettled by the preaching of Christ from all of Scripture. Why are these things so? Jon and Justin consider history, fear-based theology, pietism, law/gospel confusion, and Christ-centered preaching in today’s episode.
People make various diagnoses of what ails the church today. To some, it’s a loss of a commitment to moral and social values. To others, it’s a general lack of acceptance. To others, it’s that we don’t preach obedience and holiness enough. If we were to fix these things, would it cure what ails us? Jon and Justin consider these questions and suggest that the issue in so much of the church today is that we’re preaching an anemic gospel.
People like to talk about the “demands of the gospel.” But does the gospel make demands of us? Must we forsake sin in order to come to Christ? Do we need to make Jesus Lord of our lives?
The guys give advice to those who are stuck in a pietistic context.
There are a number of things discussed in the church as though they are part of the gospel–things like faith, repentance, obedience, and surrendering all to Jesus. But are these things the gospel? The guys have that conversation.
There are a number of things discussed in the church as though they are part of the gospel–things like faith, repentance, obedience, and surrendering all to Jesus. But are these things the gospel? The guys have that conversation.
Should We Live The Gospel?
Answered by Jon Moffitt
Jon and Justin talk about the mission of the church and what it looks like to keep the main things the main things.
If you listen to many in the church, our Christian lives should be characterized by happiness, excitement, and by overcoming difficulty. But, this life is often characterized by pain, toil, and suffering. What do we do with that? And what is it that we’re called to in the church?
Is There Only One Way a Christian Can Vote?
By Pastor Justin Perdue
Jon and Justin talk about the “taste and see” reality of a church where the gospel permeates everything in the life of the congregation.
Though we would never say it this way, it often seems that the gospel is just the starting point of the Christian life–and that once we believe, we need to move on to other things. Jon and Justin consider how this happens and what it means for people in the church.
