https://open.spotify.com/episode/0famBOjfBzNWwgHepAuOV2?si=83cb36a7739c40c7 In the preface, Gordon says that he based this catechism upon the Heidelberg Catechism, which was approved in its final version in 1563 and was written by Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus (who were both in their twenties when they first wrote). While the Westminster Shorter Catechism is unrivaled for instructing in sound doctrine, …
https://open.spotify.com/episode/44zgfaUe78UmXUE2L59WRW?si=3nT6Ej-xQXi7PzJ3XWNaUA While the complete sufficiency of Christ for salvation is not a newly introduced idea, we should note the progression that we find in the catechism. Questions 20-25 all addressed what foundation we have for believing in the all-sufficiency of Christ's redemption, particularly that He alone is both truly God and truly human, making Him …
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Aq1rykzVv05wiLgMnQdC1?si=5QC7eci6Swi-XIjFL3831Q Having answered what it means to have faith in Christ, the New City Catechism now takes us into doctrinal substance of our faith, which is summarized in the Apostles’ Creed. The main reason that we should affirm the Apostles’ Creed is that it is a faithful summary of essential Christian doctrine; it is a …
Continue reading Question 31: What Do We Believe by True Faith?
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0VywrflKYJkopyZ6oqhhLY?si=aF-rVwRFQpahy1JjfVfOBw This question (and answer) is an explanation of the answer to Question 29, which you may recall is the most personally significant question that anyone can ever ask: How can we be saved? That answer began with these words: “only by faith in Jesus Christ.” The meaning of those words is now the subject …
Continue reading Question 30: What Is Faith in Jesus Christ?
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6pYqBYN6YUbGnTHelawztG?si=suF8O04_Rsap8rhx-Aq04w When it comes to our own eternal destinations, there is no question that is more important than this one. Of course, many previous questions are more foundational than this one, and it cannot properly be understood without them. Yet when it comes to each persons immortal soul and future resurrection to either life everlasting …
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7hRCAxXkkZlMCXSGyna21r?si=7_iGsLchReye1iT6_k1Mww Having previously clarified that not all who are lost through Adam will be saved through Christ, we must now address what will become of those who are not united to Christ by faith. Although God will continuously display His common grace to those who reject His Son in this life, that grace will not …
Continue reading Question 28: What Happens After Death to Those Not United to Christ by Faith?
https://open.spotify.com/episode/03pIi4rYQBySIPcu7nZsnz?si=IjtELoQVTMWna48t5khVUg Since Christ's atoning sacrifice is entirely sufficient to forgive all the sins of all people and since Christ will surely redeem the entire cosmos, this question is a necessary one to ask: Are all people, just as they were lost in Adam, saved through Christ? The short answer is no. The slightly longer answer …
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ctSMlNIWZs8IJpQshCJ6l?si=ye1YZ0AJS9CrWFF0lNx-Sw Having addressed the necessity of Christ’s death in the previous question, our present question now considers the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrificial and atoning death. Does Christ’s death mean all our sins can be forgiven? The answer to this question is what makes the gospel good news. Yes, because Christ’s death on the cross fully …
Continue reading Question 25: Does Christ’s Death Mean All Our Sins Can Be Forgiven?
Brian Sauve's most recent album, Hearth Songs, has been my life's soundtrack for the past several weeks. I still get teary-eyed when thinking about my own wife while hearing: Oh she's awesome as a mighty host.She's an army with its banners flown.Now who is this who shines forth as the dawn,clear as the moon and …
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6cIpqS2UXw0wXk04MRnORg?si=jlzwEp4rR9WKZASlc4tTYw Was the cross really necessary? Behind this question lies the necessity of atonement, which is the idea of repairing or satisfying a wrong that has been committed. While church history has produced numerous theories for how Christ’s suffering and death atoned for our sins, all Christians must agree that Jesus did atone for our …
Continue reading Question 24: Why Was It Necessary for Christ the Redeemer to Die?
B. C. Newton 