Pilgrim Talk

21/07/2023

Dylan and John discuss how Paul preached the gospel to Jews and Gentiles from the Old Testament. The Old Testament is Christian Scripture, and there is one gospel message from the Fall of Adam to the second coming of Christ. The Old Testament is the gospel promised. The New Testament is the gospel established. These truths shape both the way we read Scriptures and how we share the gospel.

Dylan and John discuss how Paul preached the gospel to Jews and Gentiles from the Old Testament. The Old Testament is Christian Scripture, and there is one gospel message from the Fall of Adam to the second coming of Christ. The Old Testament is the gospel promised. The New Testament is the gospel e...

23/05/2022

Greg Parker Jr. has recently translated two of Bavinck's essays which has recently been published with Hendrickson Publishing Group under the title What is Christianity. Greg joins us on the podcast to talk about Bavinck's purpose in writing these two essays, where they fall into the rest of Bavinck's corpus, what Bavinck sees as the essence of Christianity, how the subjective side of Christianity permeates all of life and culture, and closing with a reason why Pastor's should read this work.

Greg Parker Jr. has recently translated two of Bavinck's essays which has recently been published with Hendrickson Publishing Group under the title What is Christianity. Greg joins us on the podcast to talk about Bavinck's purpose in writing these two essays, where they fall into the rest of Bavinck...

20/04/2022

Scripture is the progressive unfolding of the unified and intertwined historical story of redemption- seed to tree (promise to fulfillment / shadow to substance/ type to antitype with Jesus Christ as the center. If we fail to understand the organic unity and centrality of Christ in Scripture, then we will err greatly in our interpretation of Scripture.

Scripture is the progressive unfolding of the unified and intertwined historical story of redemption- seed to tree (promise to fulfillment / shadow to substance/ type to antitype with Jesus Christ as the center. If we fail to understand the organic unity and centrality of Christ in Scripture, then w...

12/04/2022

This is the beginning of a short series that John taught at Covenant Community Church on How to Read the Bible. In this lesson, John unpacks the doctrine of Scripture leaning on chapter 1 of the Second London Confession. What Scripture is must be understood before we can ask how we are to read Scripture.

This is the beginning of a short series that John taught at Covenant Community Church on How to Read the Bible. In this lesson, John unpacks the doctrine of Scripture leaning on chapter 1 of the Second London Confession. What Scripture is must be understood before we can ask how we are to read Scrip...

05/04/2022

The effect of this knowledge is eternal life. Ecclesiastes speak much about how much wisdom causes grief, but Bavinck goes on to explain that the richest lives are men full of knowledge, but in the end both the scholar and the simpleton’s end are the same-death. This type of knowledge may produce temporary effects in man’s life, but the end is all the same. The effect of saving knowledge is eternal life. The knowledge that leads to life is not mere knowledge of creation, but rather it is real knowledge of God through Jesus Christ “that brings with it imperturbable joy, and heavenly blessedness.”

https://anchor.fm/john-sweat/episodes/The-Knowledge-of-God-Distinguished-from-Other-Knowledge-e1goemr

In this episode, John and Dylan discuss chapter two of Bavinck's, The Wonderful Works of God. Bavinck in this chapter speaks of the knowledge of God and how it is distinguished from other forms of knowledge. The knowledge of God is distinct from other knowledge in its origin, object, essence, and ef...

29/03/2022

The Wonderful Works of God is Bavinck's handbook for Reformed Theology that he wrote for the ordinary Christian. In this episode, John and Dylan introduce the book and talk about how it is immensely devotional and Christ centered. As we study the work of God, we are moved to wonder and awe. Bavinck's book reminds us of this and takes us along on a journey to consider these wonderful works.

Bavinck writes, “I wish to give a simple explanation of the Christian faith in a book of modest scope, as confessed by the Reformed Churches.”

The Wonderful Works of God is Bavinck's handbook for Reformed Theology that he wrote for the ordinary Christian. In this episode, John and Dylan introduce the book and talk about how it is immensely devotional and Christ centered. As we study the work of God, we are moved to wonder and awe. Bavinck'...

22/03/2022

Adam was no mere gardener and Jesus was no mere priest!

Adam was no mere gardner and Eve was no mere garden. In this episode, the guys discuss the significance of Adam's vocation and place in the Garden of Eden, and how it connects to the gospel and the work of Christ.

15/03/2022

This episode is an eschatological intrusion as Dr. Lee Irons joins Pilgrim Talk for the third time to talk about the life and theology of Meredith Kline. Dr. Irons discusses with us Kline's contribution to Biblical Theology, theological influences, the conflict with John Murray over the covenant of works, and Kline's critique of theonomy. We close our discussion with Dr. Irons giving a brief overview of Kline's writing, and he gives some helpful suggestions on where a person should start reading.

This episode is an eschatological intrusion as Dr. Lee Irons joins Pilgrim Talk for the third time to talk about the life and theology of Meredith Kline. Dr. Irons discusses with us Kline's contribution to Biblical Theology, Kline's theological influences, Kline's conflict with John Murray over the....

08/03/2022

Marriage is for our joy and God's glory. Yet on this side of the Fall, marriage is full of difficulty, sin, and struggle. How does the Christian enjoy God's good design in marriage and glorify God through it? How does the gospel undergird, shape, fuel, and give marriage its telos?

https://anchor.fm/john-sweat/episodes/Marriage-Our-Joy-and-Gods-Glory-e1fdek8

Marriage is for our joy and God's glory. Yet on this side of the Fall, marriage is full of difficulty, sin, and struggle. How does the Christian enjoy God's good design in marriage and glorify God through it? How does the gospel undergird, shape, fuel, and give marriage its telos?

01/03/2022

We are back. Season 3 begins today- 1 Peter 2:1-3 Because we have tasted the goodness of the LORD in the gospel, we are to put away ungodliness and crave the word. In this episode we talk about sanctification and the vital necessity of the Word for our growth as Christians. https://anchor.fm/john-sweat/episodes/Crave-the-Word-e1f2iu4

1 Peter 2:1-3 Because we have tasted the goodness of the LORD in the gospel, we are to put away ungodliness and crave the word. In this episode we talk about sanctification and the vital necessity of the Word for our growth as Christians.

21/12/2021

Can we know God, and if so, how do we come to know him? If God is distinct from his creation, can we use positive and true language to describe him?

These questions are addressing epistemology- that is how do we know what we know. Every philosophical tradition or theological system has at its foundation assumptions and convictions answering the question “how do you know.”

The doctrine of the knowledge of God and our theological method used to arrive at this doctrine shapes our understanding of our relationship with Him and our trust in what He has said.

Can we know God, and if so, how do we come to know him? If God is distinct from his creation, can we use positive and true language to describe him? These questions are addressing epistemology- that is how do we know what we know. Every philosophical tradition or theological system has at its founda...

14/12/2021

What is man's highest good? The guys are bumping with Bavinck again looking at his Wonderful Works of God and discussing how Bavinck answers this question.

07/12/2021

The way of the Pilgrim is centered on corporate worship on the LORD's Day. The pilgrim travels to and from the LORD's Day as they make their way to the heavenly city in the Christian life. Corporate worship is vital for the Christian life.

30/11/2021

Our regular new episodes will continue to drop again next week but did you catch one of our very first interviews on masculinity? Give it a listen. https://anchor.fm/john-sweat/episodes/Masculinity-and-Manhood-with-Professor-Peter-Van-Kleeck-epkbfk

Welcome to another episode of Pilgrim Talk, Theology for Sojourners and today I am joined by a special guest to talk with me about Manhood and Masculinity in the Church. Where have all the men gone in the church? What is the cause of this phenomenon in which so many men are attracted to and being di...

23/11/2021

Many of you are looking for a new episode this morning. Don't worry, we haven't gone anywhere, but we are taking a break the next two weeks due to Thanksgiving. We will have two remaining episodes for the season that will release 12/7 and 12/14.

In the meantime:
1. Why don't you go find some older episodes that you missed.
2. Comment and share with us what your favorite episode of season two has been so far.
3. Invite your friends to like our page
4. Leave us a rating on Apple Podcasts.

Top Episodes in Seasons One and Two
1. Imputation and Union with Christ with Dr. Irons.
2. Church and Culture
3. Jeff Johnson- The Failure of Natural Theology
4. Theology of Genesis with Dr. Gonzales
5. Masculinity and Manhood with Professor Peter Van Van Kleeck

16/11/2021

Jeff Johnson joins John and Dylan to discuss his important and controversial new book The Failure of Natural Theology: A Critical Appraisal of the Philosophical Theology of Thomas Aquinas. How the Christian theologian arrives at doctrinal truths is as important as those doctrines themselves. Johnson in this interview highlights the main problems with Aquinas' theological method and further clarifies some of his points in the book. The question of the usefulness of natural theology in Christian theology is an important question that both the ordinary pastor and regular church member in the Reformed tradition must wrestle with. Any version of natural theology that undermines the sufficiency and authority of Scripture is a natural theology that is no friend to the Christian faith.

Jeff Johnson joins John and Dylan to discuss his important and controversial new book The Failure of Natural Theology: A Critical Appraisal of the Philosophical Theology of Thomas Aquinas. How the Christian theologian arrives at doctrinal truths is as important as those doctrines themselves. Johnson...

12/11/2021

We have had a tremendous Second Season and it will come to a close mid December for a Christmas break, but don't worry we have even more content coming in the Spring as Season Three launches. Also, this season we still have several episodes to release, one of which is an interview with Jeff Johnson on his newest book The Failure of Natural Theology which will come out November 16.

09/11/2021

There is this reality that at one time we were aliens and strangers and outsiders to the Kingdom of Christ. But now, we have been brought into that kingdom by the work of Christ, making us aliens and strangers in this world. Therefore, the Christian sojourner has to wrestle with the tension between being a citizen of the Kingdom of Christ and a citizen of a kingdom in this world. Scripture helps us understand authority, navigate this tension, and glorify King Jesus's authority above all other authorities.

https://anchor.fm/john-sweat/episodes/Authority-and-Power-are-Always-the-Problem--or-Is-It-e19voic

There is this reality that at one time we were aliens and strangers and outsiders to the Kingdom of Christ. But now, we have been brought into that kingdom by the work of Christ, making us aliens and strangers in this world. Therefore, the Christian sojourner has to wrestle with the tension between....

02/11/2021

Tyndale was born in 1494 and was executed as a heretic in 1536. Tyndale’s mission caused him to be a fugitive from his own country and ultimately caused him to be executed as a heretic. Yet for Tyndale, bringing the knowledge of the Scriptures in English back to the common plowboy was well worth his own life. Tyndale’s experiential outworking of sola scriptura through his translation of the Bible into English released the sacred Scriptures from bo***ge and brought reformation to England.

Tyndale was born in 1494 and was executed as a heretic in 1536. Tyndale’s mission caused him to be a fugitive from his own country and ultimately caused him to be executed as a heretic. Yet for Tyndale, bringing the knowledge of the Scriptures in English back to the common plowboy was well worth h...

26/10/2021

Continuing through 1 Peter (Wandering through 1 Peter), John and Dylan discuss 1 Peter 1:22-25 and the love that the Christian is called to.

The command to love (1:22) is between two indicative grounds:

1. Since you have been purified vs.22

2. Since you have been born again vs. 23-25

Continuing through 1 Peter (Wandering through 1 Peter), John and Dylan discuss 1 Peter 1:22-25 and the love that the Christian is called to. The command to love (1:22) is between two indicative grounds: 1. Since you have purified vs.22 2. Since you have been born again vs. 23-25 This love is a comes...

25/10/2021

19/10/2021

In this episode, Dylan and John interview Dr. Lee Irons on the New Perspective on Paul- what is it, how does the NPP understand the "righteousness of God," how does this impact the church, and much more!

In this episode, Dylan and John interview Dr. Lee Irons on the New Perspective on Paul- what is it, how do they understand the righteousness of God, how does this impact the church, and much more! For an introduction to who Lee Irons is: listen to this interview with him on union with Christ- https:...

12/10/2021

Another episode on 1 Peter in the series Wandering through Peter.

Peter moves from reminding Christians of their hope to then calling them to holiness. He calls them to holiness not first by beginning with the command itself but first by orienting their gaze to the hope of the gospel that purifies the Christian and equips them to pursue holiness.

Another episode from 1 Peter in the series Wandering through Peter Peter moves from reminding Christians of their hope to then calling them to holiness not by first beginning with the command itself but first by orienting their gaze to the hope of the gospel that purifies the Christian and equips th...