Reformed Podmatics

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.

CRC Synod 2023 Roundtable - Episode 128

On this week's episode, Zac and Lucas sit down with Pastor Patrick Anthony (Immanuel CRC of Ripon, CA) and Pastor Dave Vander Meulen (Escalon CRC of Escalon, CA) to reflect on Synod 2023 and their experiences there as two of the four delegates from Classis Central California. The aim of this episode is twofold: to provide a simple report of what took place at synod and to discuss the implications of these decisions for the interested lay person.Thanks for tuning in and putting up with this rather lengthy installment of Reformed Podmatics. We hope it's helpful in terms of getting a better sense of #CRCSynod2023 and where we go from here.
 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Visit www.immanuelcrc.org/ for more information about Immanuel CRC in Ripon, CA.
Visit www.escaloncrc.org/ for information about Escalon CRC.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Just War Theory - Episode 127

No, we're NOT talking about #CRCSynod this week. Instead, Pastor Zac and Pastor Lucas sat down to discuss the question: is fighting in war biblically justified? This is a difficult but important subject for Christians to consider, not only because it gets to the very heart of how the Lord has called us to live in this world, but also because it touches on several other important topics such as nationhood, government, justice, self-defense & protection of innocents, etc. We pray this discussion will help you sharpen you and edify you - even if it's not the discussion on Synod 2023 you may have been hoping for (but stay tuned, that will come!).
Mentioned in the episode:
"Just War Theory", essay in Protestant Social Teaching: An Introduction
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.

Two ”CRC Outsiders” & the Three Forms of Unity - Episode 126

In this first episode since Pastor Mark's sabbatical, Pastor Zac welcomes to the show our friend and special guest co-host for the summer, Lucas Geiger, youth pastor of Escalon CRC in Escalon, CA. In this first episode together, Zac and Lucas discuss their journeys into the CRCNA as well as what they appreciate most about this denomination, especially given their perspectives as fellow "outsiders" who have now been blessed to call it home. 
 
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.

Synod 2023 & John 17 - Episode 125

With Synod 2023 just around the corner for the Christian Reformed Church, Mark and Zac take some time to reflect together on recent developments within the denomination, and discuss arguments such as those put forward by the Better Together movement that we ought to prioritize unity and mission over sexual ethics. 
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

How Reformed Christians Pray - Episode 124

In this week's episode Mark & Zac take up the questions of a listener regarding the daily practices and rhythms of prayer in the Reformed tradition. We hope this is both a practical and helpful discussion for learning how to grow deeper in your own prayer life as well as learning about Reformed prayer through the centuries. Prayer resources mentioned in the episode:
Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Prayer, by Jonathan Gibson
ReformationWorship.com
ReformedStandards.com
Directory for Publick Worship
Directory for Family Worship
2019 Book of Common Prayer (ACNA) (PDF)
The Online Book of Common Prayer (1979, TEC)
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.