Mid-America Reformed Seminary

Rev. Josh Engelsma, pastor at Crete Protestant Reformed Church in Crete, Illinois, delivers a chapel message aimed at those aspiring to gospel ministry. Drawing from 1 Timothy 4-6-16, Rev. Engelsma exhorts his listeners to remain vigilant in examining their personal conduct and safeguarding the doctrinal integrity of their teaching and preaching.

In today's episode, Rev. Paul Ipema begins a series discussing the history, practice, and relevant issues associated with catechism preaching. Catechism preaching has long been an important tradition in Reformed churches, where the doctrinal summaries contained in the Heidelberg Catechism were not just taught but expounded upon regularly from the pulpit. However, there are some concerning trends today where catechism preaching is being sidelined or abandoned, par-ticularly as churches move away from having a Sunday evening service. Rev. Ipema explores the importance of maintaining this practice to preserve our theological rootedness and identity as Reformed churches. He'll also touch on how some ministers entering Reformed churches lack training in this aspect of pastoral ministry and how we here at Mid-America Reformed Seminary offer unique preparation for prospective ministers in this area of ministry.

Looking into Matthew's parable of the talents, Rev. Paul Ipema's chapel message explores the bold, faithful risks pastors must undertake in their ministerial duties, drawing parallels between the servants' actions and the courageous leaps required in spiritual leadership.

In today's episode, Dr. Beach explores John Calvin's teachings on divine providence - the doctrine that God actively governs and sustains all of creation, not as a detached creator but through His continual power and wisdom. Dr. Beach discusses how Calvin argued that even seemingly random or insignificant events are part of God's overarching purpose. His providence extends to the decisions and actions of human beings, guiding them to fulfill His decrees while still holding them accountable for sin. Though we don't always understand God's ways, Calvin saw providence as a comfort amid life's troubles and a call to reverent submission.

In today's episode, Dr. J. Mark Beach explores the biblical account of creation and what it reveals about the nature of God and humanity. Tracking with the Institutes of the Christian Religion, Dr. Beach examines John Calvin's key insights, including how the creation story testifies to God's eternal power and benevolent care in preparing the earth for humans made in His image. He'll also look at the role of angels as God's servants ministering to the Church, as well as the tragic corruption of humanity's image through the Fall. Despite this, Calvin shows how the creation narrative points to God's wisdom in renewing us through Christ.

In today's episode, Dr. J. Mark Beach looks once again at John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion, this time examining his writing on the biblical doctrine of the Trinity. While the natural world around us gives glimpses of God's eternal power and divine nature, Scripture provides the clearest, most complete revelation of who He truly is - revealing God's attributes like His boundless mercy, perfect righteousness, and endless goodness toward us as our Maker and Provider. But the Scriptures don't just tell us about God's qualities- they untangle the complexity of His very being and lead us to the truth that God eternally exists as one Being in three co-equal, co-eternal Persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

In today's episode, Dr. Andrew Compton concludes his series on teaching theology through fiction by engaging with author Richard Coffeen, a PCA pastor serving in the Chicago metropolitan area. Coffeen has penned an intriguing science fiction novel that, much like the works of Brian Godawa, blends narrative storytelling with Christian apologetics. However, Coffeen's imaginative tale takes readers on an otherworldly journey, exploring the concepts of space missionaries, uncharted worlds ripe for sharing the gospel, and a pastoral perspective on artificial intelligence.

In today's episode, Dr. Compton sits down with Brian Godawa, celebrated novelist and author. Their conversation dives into Godawa's creative process in narrative storytelling and his unique approach of intertwining apologetics and a defense of the Christian faith, particularly in the gripping tale he wrote called Cruel Logic about a psychopathic philosophy professor. In their dialogue, Dr. Compton and Godawa look at how Christians can reconcile living in a world marred by darkness and evil with biblical teachings, examining the potential of fiction as an artistic medium to portray and communicate such realities.

In today's episode, Dr. Andrew Compton introduces a rather fascinating topic that will carry us over into the next couple of weeks- Teaching and defending the Christian faith through fiction. In this first episode, Dr. Compton gives us an overview of how the concept of story is presented to us in Scripture, followed by the value of storytelling and how it's been utilized by Christians over the centuries to communicate the message of the Bible to readers.

Could pastors be some of the most prominent Sabbath-breakers---In today's episode, Rev. Paul Ipema asks, -How can we encourage pastors to honor the Lord's will in observing the Sabbath--- How can congregations create a culture that supports their leader's need for rejuvenation rather than burnout-- Tune in as Rev. Ipema brings practical wisdom to this question, an answer that, we hope, can bring more joy and fruitfulness to the callings of our pastors.

In a chapel sermon, Rev. Chris Barnard of Grace OPC in Hanover Park, IL, expounds on Exodus 16-1-12. He connects this passage about God providing manna to the Israelites to the account in John 6, where Jesus feeds the five thousand. Drawing parallels between the two stories, Rev. Barnard highlights how they both point to Jesus as the true bread from heaven that gives eternal life. Just as God sustained the Israelites physically with manna in the wilderness, Jesus sustains us spiritually as the bread of life who came down from heaven. Rev. Barnard encourages us to feed on Christ by trusting in his finished work for our salvation.

In this chapel message, Dr. R. Andrew Compton looks at the words of Isaiah 42-1-4, exploring the role and impact of the Servant of the Lord. Through a careful examination of the text, Dr. Compton sheds light on how this Servant, the Messiah, brings both the power of God's Word and the comforting balm of His compassion to a world desperately in need of both.

In today's episode, Rev. Paul Ipema considers the responsibility of the pastor to read - a responsibility to not only feed his own spirit but also an activity that allows him to take what he's read to nourish his own congregation. So, whether you're a faithful parishioner or a devoted shepherd, listen carefully to Rev. Ipema as he describes how reading can be an aid to your ministry and, as a congregant, help deepen your habits with engaging God's Word.

You may be unfamiliar with the concept of mutual censure in the church. We're referring to the practice of open comments shared between leadership for the purpose of accountability and strengthening that leadership. Joining the podcast and beginning a new series on habits in pastoral ministry is Rev. Paul Ipema, Assistant Professor of Ministerial Studies, who will tell us more about it.

Is the Bible really God's Word-- In this episode, Dr. J. Mark Beach continues to explore John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion and his uncompromising view of Scripture. Dr. Beach will help us see through Calvin's eyes why we can fully trust the absolute authority of God's Word and how a right view of Scripture fuels vibrant spirituality.

In his chapel message, Dr. Alan Strange explores Hebrews 12-1-3. He expands on the theme of persevering and how the Lord urges us to cast aside hindrances and continue the race, keep our eyes on Jesus, follow Him in faith, and develop fortitude in times of distress.

In this inaugural episode of 2024, Dr. Beach enters part 2 of a series he started on John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion. In this episode, he briefly summarizes Calvin's main purpose and approach in the opening chapters of the Institutes- to show that all people have a knowledge of God through creation and conscience and, therefore, are without excuse, but this knowledge is corrupted and insufficient for salvation.

We were pleased to welcome Mr. Andy Iversen to our inaugural chapel of the new year. Andy serves as the Professor for our Greek Language studies and is currently a PhD student at Wheaton College. --In this chapel message, he reflects on Romans 8-1-4, reminding the seminary community of who they are in their union with Christ.

In this final episode of the year of our Lord, 2023, Dr. Beach begins a multi-episode journey of taking us through the seminal work of John Calvin and his Institutes of the Christian Religion. He starts with part 1 to whet your appetite for when he picks it up again in February after we take a break in January. In this inaugural episode, he provides context to the Institutes, emphasizing the theological stakes and issues that Calvin will address in the 16th century.

In this final episode on the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, Rev. Nick Lamme takes us through the implications for the Church today regarding identifying false teachers and provides encouragement, warning, and exhortation for Christians wrestling with this difficult passage. He concludes by reflecting on how understanding this sin should shape pastoral ministry.