Reformed Podmatics

Church Membership - Episode 148

What does it mean to be a member of a church? Is membership biblically valid? And how should we go about becoming members, and pastorally caring for members? And when do we "lapse" members versus "excommunicating" them? All these questions and more are the topic of this week's episode of Reformed Podmatics.
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

The Fall of Rome? - Episode 147

On December 18th, one week before Christmas, the Roman curia released a document titled Fiducia Supplicans which gave permission, under specific circumstances and conditions, for Roman Catholic priests to perform blessings of same-sex couples. While there is no shortage of debate within the Roman church as to what this means and doesn't mean, the aim of this episode is to consider this document from a Reformed Protestant perspective and discuss what it might mean for the rest of us, especially in the Western part of the world.Carl Trueman's essay in First Things Magazine:https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2023/12/the-pope-same-sex-blessings-and-protestants?fbclid=IwAR1JNdjx4LFzmdPKyNgN5KVkVqpFdAWQyX2u7BhrRNYjpVwg__0j0BBoa00#Paul VanderKlay's episode on Fiducia Supplicans:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qo9aU6NwQU
 
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

CRCNA Year in Review 2023 - Episode 146

Get out the milk and cookies! For the final episode of the year, Mark and Zac look back on the past year and reflect on the Christian Reformed Church in North America and all that has taken place in the denomination, paying special attention to Synod 2023, the issue of "gravamen", and the more recent goings on in the lead up to Synod 2024. Thanks for tuning in!
Paul VanderKlay's episode "5 Stages of Nightmare for CRC Progressives": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kb-K3vXBPo
Classis Watch Late Fall 2023 article from The Banner: https://www.thebanner.org/news/2023/12/classis-watch-late-fall-2023
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

The Perception of Christianity in Modern Culture - Episode 145

Pastor Mark and Pastor Zac are back at it again this week with a festive Christmas ("holiday"?) episode full of funny Freudian slips and serious reflections on how people today seem to think of the Christian faith and its place in our modern, secular culture. As Christians seeking to share the gospel with our neighbors, it's important that we consider the ways in which ordinary people tend to think of Christianity as a faith, a worldview, and a moral framework. We hope this episode is helpful toward that end.
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

CS Lewis, The Abolition of Man, & Ministry Today - Episode 144

In his 1943 classic, The Abolition of Man, C. S. Lewis took modern education to task and aimed instead to offer a better vision for the education of young people, particularly in regards to morality and virtue.And so in this episode, Mark and Zac spend some time reflecting on a famous quote from the book and its implications for ministry in the 21st century: "The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts." Join along as they seek to apply this wise approach to ministry in the world today.Lastly, we want to encourage our listeners to check out a brand new podcast from two fellow CRC ministers, Tyler Wagenmaker and Lloyd Hemstreet, the Three Forms Podcast. This promises to be a great way for Christians from both within the Reformed tradition and without to get a better grasp on the theological foundations of our confessional inheritance!
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

The Dangers (and Benefits) of Listening to Podcasts - Episode 143

A podcast a podcasts? That's where we're going on this episode of Reformed Podmatics. What are the dangers of podcast gluttony? What might our consumption of podcasts be replacing in our spiritual lives? And what are some podcasts that Zac and Mark have enjoyed in recent months?
Zac's List: Mere Fidelity, 5 Minutes in Church History, Simply Put, Speak Life with Glen Scrivener
Mark's List: First Things, Unbelievable, Messy Reformation, Meet an African Pastor, Rochester CRC Sermons, Martyn Lloyd Jones
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Artificial Intelligence - Episode 142

One of the more important technological advancements over the past several years has come in the form of artificial intelligence. From social media algorithms to ChatGPT, many of these developments promise to change the world as we know it. So how can Christians joyfully discern both the promise and the peril of them? Join us as Pastor Mark and Pastor Zac sit down to think it over.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

The Blessings of Other Denominations - Episode 141

Lutherans and Methodists and Charismatics, oh my! While Christians have unity in Christ, there is also great diversity in our family tree. In this episode we look at various denominations in their best light and ask what the Lord might have to teach us through traditions outside our own.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Masculinity - Episode 140

What does it mean to be a man? What is God's calling on a Christian man? What does God teach us in the Bible about masculinity?
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Israel and the Church - Episode 139

With Israel re-entering the news cycle, many Christians are asking theological questions concerning the connection between Israel and the Church. Did the Christian Church replace Israel? Whose side should a Christian take in the current conflict between Israel and Palestine?
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Conversation with Simon Veenstra on the Value of the Reformed Faith - Episode 138

This week we're excited to have "concerned layman" Simon Veenstra on the show. In this episode Simon shares about his theological journey in coming to more deeply value the Reformed faith and his perspective as a highly involved layman from Brampton, Ontario and Classis Toronto. 
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Conversation with Pete VanderBeek on Revisionism and ”Relational Theology” in the CRC - Episode 137

In this episode we are joined by Rev. Pete VanderBeek, who serves as a Situational Transitional Minister in the CRC. Pete is a self-proclaimed "revisionist," and here he shares his thoughts on the past, present, and future of the CRC.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Conversation with Stephen Hamidu of the CRC-Nigeria - Episode 136

Rev. Stephen Hamidu joins us from Veenstra Theological Seminary in eastern Nigeria. After serving a church in the CRC of Nigeria, Stephen now serves as professor of systematic theology, ethics, and pastoral care.
For information on how to support Veenstra Theological Seminary please contact Stephen at hamidustephen007@gmail.com. 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Conversation with Anthony Selvaggio on Reformed Identity - Episode 135

The pastor of Rochester CRC in Rochester, NY, Anthony Selvaggio, joins us for this week's episode. Anthony served the Lord for several yeras in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, and in this episode he shares his thoughts on the similarities and differences between the RPCNA and the CRC.
Anthony's Published Works Include:
Considering Job
Sing a New Song: Recovering Psalm Singing for the Twenty-First Century (Co-Authored with Dr. Joel Beeke)
A Proverbs Driven Life: Timeless Wisdom for Your Words, Work, Wealth and Relationships
From Bondage to Liberty: The Gospel According to Moses
Faith Once Delivered: Essays in Honor of Dr. Wayne R. Spear
Table Talk Magazine - A monthly periodical produced by Ligonier Ministries.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Conversation with Paul Van Maaren on the RCA and the ARC - Episode 134

Our first conversation in the "Reformed Perspectives" series is with Pastor Paul Van Maaren of First Reformed Church of Sheldon, Iowa. The congregation in Sheldon recently departed from the Reformed Church in America and became affiliated with the Alliance of Reformed Churches. In this conversation we learn about the state of the RCA and how things are going in the newly formed ARC.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Perspectives on the Reformed World (Series Intro) - Episode 133

Things have been getting very interesting in the Reformed world over the past few years, both within the CRC and without. So in this week's episode we're kicking off a new series where we'll be trying to consider where things are and where things are headed. Today we reflect on some of the bigger trends within the Reformed churches today and how we've gotten here, and in the weeks to come we'll be getting some interesting guests from around the Reformed community (and the globe) to help give us some perspective on what the Lord is doing all around us today.
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

A Christian in the Culture Wars - Episode 132

How should a Christian engage the surrounding culture when there are so many passionately debated issues that divide us? Do we participate in the culture wars? Do we retreat into the church and wait to go to heaven?
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

How to Talk About Baptism - Episode 131

As Reformed Christians, our beliefs about baptism set us apart from many American Christians, especially those who believe babies should not be baptized. How can we talk about baptism in a way that will help conversations move in a constructive rather than divisive direction?
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Sabbatical, Worship, and Lessons Learned on Pilgrimage - Episode 130

Mark is back from sabbatical and sharing what he learned while traveling in Europe and North America. Much of the conversation centers on worship and the differing emphases of traditional and modern liturgical styles.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

A Theology of Rest

Life today in our busy, fast-paced world rarely affords us the freedom of rest--but perhaps there is nothing more needful for our souls. Throughout the Bible, the subject of rest plays a crucial role, from beginning to end. And our own Reformed tradition has much to say on the matter as well. So in this week's episode (the final one with guest Lucas before Mark's return in 2 weeks' time), we cover this important subject and reflect on ways that we might reconsider and reorient our understanding of rest according to God's Word. Grace + peace!
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Visit www.escaloncrc.org/ for information about Escalon CRC.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.