Reformed Podmatics

The Real Christmas Story Vs. the Pop-Christmas Story - Episode 219

Do you know the REAL Christmas story, as opposed to the popular versions of the story we hear every year around this time? In this week's episode, we spend some time, like Mary herself, marveling at the goodness of God in the Matthew and Luke's accounts of the nativity of Christ our Lord. We get into the date of Christ's birth, the timeline leading up to and after His birth, the story of the shepherds, the wise men, and the slaughter of the innocents. As we prepare for Christmas, this is a devotional episode to help us focus on the reality of Christmas and the glad tidings of great joy.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

The Reformed Tradition & the Church Calendar - Episode 218

While it may sound strange to many, the Reformed tradition has had a long and complicated history with regard to the use of the Church Calendar. In some corners it's been outright rejected, whereas in others it's been strongly encouraged. So given that we are currently in the season of Advent and approaching Christmas, we thought it would be fun to sit down and discuss how Reformed Christians can and should use the Church Calendar today and how our tradition helps shine the spotlight on the so-called "evangelical feast days." We hope this is a fun and enlightening episode!
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Christmas Carols: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Episode 217

It's the most wonderful time of the year! As another Christmas season has now descended upon us, we thought it would we'd get a little festive and spend this week's episode ranking our favorite (and least favorite) Christmas carols and songs. Perhaps we'll step on some toes, but more importantly we hope to deepen your appreciation for some of the true gems of this wonderful season where we celebrate the arrival of the Son of God in the incarnation. 
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Ministry in Ripon California - Episode 216

In this week's episode we take a step back to ask the question, What is ministry like in Ripon, California, USA? Part of the goal of every Christian is to understand the mission field in which God has placed them, and so as pastors called to serve Almond Valley CRC in Ripon, CA, we often find ourselves thinking how ministry in Ripon both excites us and is a challenge to us. We hope that even those who live across the world will find this discussion encouraging, informative, and helpful as you seek to serve the Kingdom of God where God has put you.
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

The Case for the 'Long Prayer' - Episode 215

Over the past few decades it has become increasingly common throughout the church to relegate the congregational prayer to being merely a segue between other more favored elements of the modern worship service. So in this week's episode, we call for a recovery of the congregational prayer, or as some people have called it, "the long prayer" in the church's gathered worship. We also give some reflections on why this kind of prayer is so vital in the church today, and how pastors can labor in this area as means to deepening the prayer life and ministries of their congregations.
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Is Gambling A Sin? - Episode 214

Given recent headlines about the crackdown on illegal gambling in the NBA, we're betting some of you will be interested in this week's topic of discussion: is gambling permissible for the Christian? To answer this question we turn to Scripture and our Catechism for help, as we consider how Christians ought to approach gambling, betting, the lottery, and even stock market investing. 
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

On Nuance, Third Way-ism, & Navigating Politcally Fractious Times - Episode 213

Prompted by the recent peace agreement between Israel and Gaza—and the wide range of reactions it has sparked—this week we ask: how should Christians respond when their political “opponents” accomplish something that’s objectively good? In our polarized age, it can feel almost disloyal to celebrate the other side’s victories. But followers of Jesus serve a King whose kingdom transcends every earthly party and platform. In this episode, we explore the role of nuance, the challenges of “third way-ism,” and how to live faithfully in politically fractured times. We hope this conversation offers clarity—and a little encouragement—along the way.
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Escaping the Soul-Crushing Trap of Cynicism - Episode 212

As we grow and mature in our faith we can often find ourselves becoming more and more cynical of everything around us, even beginning to think of cynicism as a sign of maturity. And for those of us who have grown in our theological understanding and awareness, this can be especially true in how we begin to look down on expressions of Christianity we think are less evolved, less enlightened, and less robust. But is this really how things should be? In this week's episode, we explore how cynicism is actually a false kind of spiritual maturity and how real growth and real progress in the Christian life actually manifests itself in a spirit of gracious gratitude. This will be an especially helpful episode for those struggling with a temptation to either leave Protestantism for Catholicism or Orthodoxy, or to leave Christianity altogether.
 
The episode mentioned by Pastor Zac with historian Molly Worthen can be found here.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

How to Sift through the Failures of Our Faith Heroes - Episode 211

One of the perennially challenging questions we face in the Christian life is what we are supposed to do when our heroes in the faith fail theologically or ethically. As Reformed Christians, it's not uncommon to hear accusations against John Calvin for his involvement in the execution of the anti-Trinitarian Michael Servetus or of Jonathan Edwards' defense of slavery on theological grounds. So how are we to think through these things? Should we write them off? Should we ignore their failings or downplay them? Or is there another way? In this episode, we seek, as always, to offer a more constructive path forward. We hope this is a help to you!
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Are Christians Allowed to Doubt? - Episode 210

This week's episode comes from a listener question regarding whether or not doubt is allowed in the Christian walk. As we get into the particulars and try to make helpful distinctions for consideration, we hope this is a thought-provoking and pastoral conversation about the very real struggles many Christians face as they to honor and glorify the Lord, even in their intellectual lives. 
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Jesus, the Psalms, and Reformed Worship w/ Rev. Peter Holtvlüwer - Episode 209

In the Reformed tradition, the Psalms have always played a central role in our worship, piety, and formation. And the reason for this is simple: the Psalms are the hymnbook of Jesus Himself. Joining us week to discuss how this is the case and why this matters is Rev. Peter Holtvluwer, pastor at Ancaster Canadian Reformed Church and editor of a recent 4-volume pastoral commentary on the Psalms entitled Christ's Psalms, Our Psalms. 
 
For more on Peter's work, check out the following:
In the US: www.reformedfellowship.net
 
In Canada: www.providencebookspress.com
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Should Churches Have A "Ministry Year"? - Episode 208

In a spirit of semper reformanda and self-examination, this week we take some time to consider the modern church practice of thinking in terms of the "ministry year", where a congregation's programs and ministries follow the general schedule of the school year. Is this a wise or even a biblically defensible practice? What are the strengths and weaknesses of such an approach? Does ministry ever stop for the Christian or for the church? Join us for this week's episode as we think through these questions from a theological and pastoral perspective.
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Union with Christ: The Shape and Structure of Salvation - Episode 207

As Reformed Christians, salvation is at the very heart of our tradition. But how does salvation work, and how do all the concepts (e.g., election, regeneration, justification, adoption, etc.) fit together in a coherent whole? In Reformed theology, the answer has always been the framework of "union with Christ" whereby believers individually and the Church corporately are understood to be "one" with Christ. It is through this union that all that is Christ's becomes ours, and thus, how all the benefits of Christ become ours. And so in this week's episode we aim to explore this doctrine and its profound implications for the Christian life. 
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Food Regulations, Haircuts, and Sexual Ethics: Navigating Old Testament Ethics as the New Testament People of God - Episode 206

Are Christians "picking and choosing" which Old Testament laws we should keep and which ones no longer apply? In this episode Pastor Zac and Pastor Mark shed light on how believers have understood the civil, ceremonial, and moral laws of the Old Testament.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Burial vs. Cremation - Episode 205

"Is cremation permissible for a Christian?" That's one of the more common questions a pastor will hear when facing end-of-life decisions for believers. In this episode Pastor Zac and Pastor Mark provide biblical and theological guidance for those seeking answers for this important issue.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Covenant Theology in the Reformed Tradition - Episode 204

One of the distinctive features of the Reformed tradition is its commitment to what we call covenant theology, which is a framework of reading and understanding the Scriptures in a way that is especially attuned to the way our God relates covenantally to His people throughout the Scriptures. As this is an important aspect of the Reformed faith, in this week's episode we try to explore the ways in which this framework is found in the Scriptures and how it informs our doctrines of Scripture, salvation, the sacraments, eschatology, and more. We hope this is a helpful introduction to thinking covenantally as Reformed Christians.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Caricatures & Misconceptions of the Reformed Tradition - Episode 203

If you've been a Reformed Christian for any amount of time, odds are you've probably heard some half truths about our theological tradition. The truth is, there are a lot of caricatures and misconceptions out there. Often times, these come from outside the Reformed camp, but even sometimes from within. And sometimes, they are rooted in reality, albeit not entirely. So for this week's episode, join us as we work through what Reformed theology is by examining what it isn't. 
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

CRC Synod 2025 Preview - Episode 202

With the CRCNA's 2025 synod just around the corner, we take some time this week to reflect on the agenda and three of the big items on the docket: the virtual" church report, the assisted suicide report, and the overtures coming in regarding matters relating to gravamina, confessional subscription, and the Covenant of Officebearers.For a great snapshot of this year's agenda, check out the new Guide to Synod 2025

Can We Trust the Bible? - Episode 201

A perennial question in the Christian life is whether we can truly trust the Bible. With all the years that have come and gone between the original writings and now, can we really be sure the Bible hasn't just been corrupted like a long game of telephone, or twisted by this or that whim of ancient scribes? And what about those few passages or verses in the Gospels that are put in brackets and have strange footnotes about how the "earliest manuscripts" either do or don't contain them? In this week's episode, we try to take a pastoral look at how the field of study known as "textual criticism" not only doesn't challenge our trust in God's Word but actually deepens and strengthens it.
 
Recommended Resources for Further Study:
Can I Really Trust the Bible?, by Barry Cooper
How We Got the Bible, by Greg Lanier
How God Preserved the Bible, by Richard Brash
The Truth About the Bible and Early Christianity: Wes Huff, Michael Kruger, Daniel Wallace
 
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

The Beauty of Reformed Theology and the CRCNA (w/ Simon Veenstra) - Episode 200

By the Lord's grace, we've reached yet another milestone here at Reformed Podmatics: episode 200! To help us celebrate we invited back an old friend of the show, Simon Veenstra, to join in for a lively convivial conversation about what it is that continues to thrill and captivate us about the Reformed faith, and how we hope this beautiful inheritance will continue to guide our denomination in the years to come.
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.