to keep it short this channel has reinvigorated my fascination with God and for the first time, made me super interested in the nitty gritty of the Bible. Thanks for what you do and how you do it, I have a ton of fun watching these God bless Matt!
Agreed. I've returned to the faith after 30 years. Now I'm interested by the denominations and their intricacies...... I agree.... The nitty-gritty is where it's at!
Hi Matt, I was raised in the Presbyterian faith and even went to a Presbyterian faith based College, and I've never had my faith explained like this man has explained it! I love the Presbyterian Church and was graced by my church as a young person many times. Thank you, and thank you to this minister!
Matt! I thank you for what you do. I was raised Baptist and Pentecostal. I am 46 years old and have played music in both in denominations, as well as others, such as the CMA, most of my life. I find Presbyterianism interesting. I sometimes get upset that some of the teachings, especially in Pentecostalism, stress the constant repenting of sin, so that you won’t go to hell - teaching. To me that is a work. I appreciate you keeping and open mind and doing what you do.
I pretty much hold the opposite view on each of those 5 points, but he sure did a good job articulating them. Quite the steel-man for his position. And good job pushing back Matt. Good questions from you and good answers from him.
I'd be very curious to hear your points of view if you don't mind sharing them here or we can talk privately or whatever seriously no joke I love having these types of conversations
Yeah I don’t buy any predestination stuff either, some Lutherans make a big deal out of a form of it too. I don’t believe a living god excludes anyone.
@@burtwonderstone5315 Hey man, soteriology is a great thing to look into, but I don't think that TMBH comment section is the right place to start a debate. Matt's channel is to help people understand other peoples points of view. Not to debate the ins and outs of it. Leighton flowers, or James whites channel would be a better place to have that discussion. 😀
Great video, Matt! I was raised moderate Presbyterian. Never heard the terms Protestant, Reformed or Calvinist. All I knew is that my parents loaded us into the car every Sunday morning to take us to Sunday School, which we endured, and survived 🤓
I very much appreciated this conversation. There is plenty to consider and pray about. Regarding the length of videos, no one has to watch a video in one setting. I often watch videos in pieces. Absolutely no big deal. I enjoyed every moment. Thanks for your efforts, Matt. Blessings to you and your family.
I loved this video. Thank you for giving this platform to so many traditions. I watched most of your other videos first and finally watched this one as a PCA member. I love your final point. We don’t all do everything well. I just had a conversation about this with a friend recently. He was reinvigorated at this wonderful non-denominational (baptist) church. He and his wife spent 7 years there. They now are PCA but they have nothing but live for that church. They did a wonderful job bringing new believers in. They served easy to chew on ideas and helped you grow. This is a struggle for the PCA as we tend to be reserved and very needy about the scripture (almost all pastors can read the original Greek and Hebrew for instance). The PCA is excellent for seasoned believers looking to dive in deep. We’re not great at gaining new members to this weeks sermon on Habakuk.. Please continue this important work!
hey Matt, thank you very much for all these interviews. I am one of those lost souls that have been visiting different churches, trying to get to know different branches of Christianity and even outside of Christendom. Cheers from Brazil!
Left the charismatic Pentecostal church a few years back and have recently come to believe in reformed theology. What this pastor said is so refreshing compared to what I have been taught my whole life
I return to your videos all the time, Matt. They've been an indispensable resource for me. I grew up in a Baptist church, walked away from the faith in college, and then met God for the first real time after I graduated. Thank you so much for your content. God bless!
This is so good. I’ve been looking for an honest, friendly and reliable Q&A on this topic. This conversation between two lovely and genuine Christians has been a delight for me. Thank you and God bless.
Your work helps me enter in to the understanding that I am part of the one church, with many flavours and worship styles, nuances in theology from orthodox to reformed to Pentecostal but ultimately one in affirming the early creeds and therefore all one family in Christ. Thank you
Thank you, Matt, for this informative video. As an elder in my particular Missouri Synod Lutheran congregation, I have to say that this was a fascinating conversation in light of our last elders' bible study about predestination. Suffice it to say that we didn't arrive at the same place that Pastor Sayler did...
Have you read Luther’s Bondage of the Will? Many of his sermons also sound like they could have been written by a Presbyterian with respect to soteriology.
@@erc9468Wonderful work! Yes, Luther, in his writings, actually held to the same view as Calvin. It was only later after his death that his successor, Philipp Melancthon claimed Luther had privately changed his position and moved the Lutheran church to their current view on predestination. Naturally there’s a lot of debate on if Luther really changed his position given the lack of any written evidence. It’s a very fascinating side topic.
For sure! The PCUSA branch is still the primary branch by size and they don’t teach this anymore. The PCA is the largest branch that still holds to the confessions. I thought this was beautifully done.
Thank you Matt. I've followed this series for a good while now. I have to say I am in the same boat when it come to hearing what others think and not what I grew up hearing they think. Its been refreshing. I still hold my beliefs as well, but its nice to see most of the difference are only "skin deep" if you will. Keep up the good work!
Great Conversation. One thing I might add is something a Reformed Church pastor related to me which makes a ton of good sense. Reformed Theology involves a constant reformation of faith and perspective as we live and grow in Christ. IICor 3:18 "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." NASB
Recently stumbled upon you channel Matt. Like others have said, your channel has reinvigorated my belief in god. I’m truly excited. I am buying a Bible and will read through with you on your podcast. I really enjoy learning about different denominations.
Honestly it has been a struggle lol. Learning about all these denominations have really thrown me for a loop. Not sure what to believe is important as some take certain sacraments more seriously than others if at all. Lots of the churchs around me have a diminishing congregation. Still kind of lost but my faith is remaining strong. Thank you for asking.
@@LeeRoyJenkz absolutely my brother! I’m so glad to hear you’re holding strong. Don’t lose hope! Remember, most of these differences, while important, are not the main point. The Apostles Creed is a great litmus test. If a church holds to these and doesn’t waver, they are, at least, holding to the faith. All the rest is good to hold each other accountable but we’re still brothers and sisters in Christ! Our prayers go with you
I just want to say that I hope that F.A.R.T.S. lives on. I love you, Matt, never stop doing what you do. (lifelong reformed CRC person here. Thought this series was great.)
I LOVE MY PRESBYTERIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS! Confessional , holding fast to the scriptures of Gods word. We need more churches holding to historic confessions teaching the truth of Gods word. May God Bless you all
I love this series talking with the different traditions. I agree with where Matt's going with this in seeing each tradition as providing a particular emphasis within the body. We all need each other so we can supply in the areas others lack and be built up in the areas where we're lacking. Paul's metaphor of the body with its various organs applies to both us as individuals within a particular congregation as well as the various traditions within the Bride as a whole.
Harley, the term, "traditions," is a satanic, misleading, weak euphemism. Most of them are nothing more than groups of hysterical heretics giving themselves validity when the true, foundational Christians will not. If you are reformed or Protestant or other splinter group, you are heretics. Yes. There is a blight of break away cults, but it has nothing to do with tradition.
What is the appropriate denominator for 'books read' by this dude. Books per week? Per day? Per hour? Holy smokes what a wealth of knowledge Minister Sayler has at his fingertips. Great interview and discussion.
So so glad to have found this channel. I am happy someone beside myself took this project on since I don't want to continue learning about numerous religions first hand. I want to be part of a local church family and am ready to let my roots grow deep with others. God bless
I would love to see you go back to all these different churches and sit down with them again and talk about their views on Eschatology. There are a lot of different views and it's a really interesting topic to me. Sure do appreciate what you're doing man! Keep up the good work!
I absolutely love this, especially at the very end how you wrapped the video up. Thank you for all your time and effort into giving the internet something positive. Btw, you have to visit a United Methodist Church now. We gotta hear the other side of the Tulip / Arminian - Calvinism debate.
There is so much useless information and even bad entertainment that is full of vulgarity and sin on the internet. I have recently started diving into the ancient faith study Bible and learning about what ancient fathers of the faith thought about the Bible has lead me deeper into the word and into theology. Your channel is a great resource to fill my mind with Gods word and information that helps me understand things of God better and even how my brothers in Christ think and how maybe huge differences that separate us from others. All to say thank you so much! Grew up reformed Mennonite (believed in technology and lived in normal society), then got saved in a Assemblies of God church, had serious theological differences there and after maybe a decade of being there went to a northern baptist church (yes that’s a thing) and now attend a good old non denom church that is super low church but glad for all of my experiences and have kept so much great things! You should do Amish denominations! That would be an interesting one!
This is so helpful for me to better understand.my own Christian tradition. After seeing the videos on the other Christian traditions I cannot help but conclude that they all complement each other.
Thanks for really digging into these concepts from a very practical standpoint. I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone equate choosing to follow Jesus as a work that counts toward salivation. It has been very beneficial to hear you struggle through the various implications of both viewpoints.
It's why there's no boasting. If I am unable to do anything good, and following Jesus is good, it is not by my power that I have faith, but only by God.
TY Matt. The body is broken for the edification and the glory of God. So amazing. Something great is at the end of this. Ty for these conversations. Has helped me so much.
I know where Lennox is. When I was 10 years old my family moved from Philadelphia PA to a small one-horse town, Chancellor, SD, not far from Lennox. I remember our schools played sports against each other.
Science for the Church is an organization with a splendid website. A co-founder is a Presbyterian minister. It seeks to bring scientists, engineers, young adults, pastors and others into dialogue and reaches many.
Hey Matt, I love this series. I'm curious if you're considering visiting very liberal denominations that seem to deny Christian fundamentals in the same way. I don't even know if you should or how those episodes would look but I was curious what your plan is for the future.
Man I think this is a good question but I'm a little afraid it could make a wolf come across as a sheep. It would have to be done with serious intentionality but could be interesting. That might get to the point where Matt might have to reject and teach against what other person would say.
Essentially, that would be visiting non-Christian denominations. I'm not sure that's within the scope of this channel. There are some other good channels that delve into the beliefs of progressive "Christianity". Matt excels at exploring within the realm of "normal" Christianity.
"Not every group is geared to do everything super well." The Orthodox: the liturgy and church building design The Catholics: open universities that teach natural law ethics The Protestants: responsible for Bible study and Sunday School
The problem with that idea, attractive as it is, is that you can’t join all three or even any two. You have to pick one. And you can get much of the benefit of the other two once you have.
I'm usually able to follow these theological discussions, but I was thoroughly confused by Presbyterian theology. I need it explained to me like I was 5 with citations or something.
I love that you don't shy away from the hard questions, Matt. The real questions. We worship a sovereign, holy God and without the work of Christ, we would all remain dead in our trespasses. God bless you and I hope these videos lead people to repentance and faith
I love these reformed or reformed inspired churches I struggle greatly with total depravity and conditional election since Jesus died for all Sinners especially those who come love believe and have faith in him truly in their hearts and visibly In Their lives. That’s why the EFCA although biased in its foundation is so wonderful in practice.
The thing that I don't get in the thought of Calvinism is why God would pick who to save and then the rest are just kinda damned. Like he's picking favorites, and the others exist just for destruction. Like if all desperately need him, why would he not make salvation available for all?
He also makes a point of stating that the gamut of possible choices is limited to sin (owing to the total depravity of man). So maybe he could be better understood as saying “they selected the specific sin which they would commit”. Not a Presbyterian. Just a thought.
Thank you so much. This has.been so informative. Also interesting to hear you are a descendant of a man who was burnt for his faith; you do him proud. I do not agree with the pastors teaching on the idea that accepting Christ is work. It is faith and not work. When you asked hm how to become a Christian towards the end, he contradicted himself. Thanks again, I learned something new about Presbyterianism today🙏
Matt! That was so interesting. Maybe I'm just a nerd and slightly biased as a member of a Reformed Baptist church, but this is one of the most theologically rich and gospel rich episodes I've seen. It was really good to hear you walk through all that with him. Loved touching on the Westminister confession, TULIP, and even getting real on the flaws of the church in the past.
Thanks, Matt, to you and Ethan for this very helpful interview. One important point I'd like to make. The Arminian resistance to TULIP is NOT because of the harm that it presents to man's depiction. Arminians are concerned with God's depiction by Reformed theology. The difference is which aspect of God is presented poorly. The Reformed are concerned that synergism diminishes God's sovereignty and glory. Arminians are concerned that TULIP diminishes God's love and justice. Just wanted to make that important distinction.
In the end, though, the concern you've presented only comes around if you start with the assumption that God can't be loving or just without man being fully, and independently, free. So, yes, it does still come down to the depiction of man.
@@Sgman1991 No it isn't. My concern is based on the depiction of God as one who punishes people that he chose not to make obedient - even though they are totally incapable of obedience only because of a single act of disobedience that he orchestrated millennia ago in the first place. That's completely about the depiction of God. Period. As for your dismissal, it's an ad hominem dressed in different clothes. You're saying Arminians only pretend to care about God's depiction.
I know this comment was a year ago, but thank you for this. The character of a God that makes sentient creatures for the express purpose of torturing them for eternity with no other end as a possibility--all while claiming to love them deeply--is a decidedly monstrous character. What would we say about a father who tortures his children while repeatedly telling them he loves them? Or maybe he says "Children, please understand, this is all for my glory."
Get ahold of Sam Waldron for a baptist perspective. He’s both a pastor and a seminary president. I think it’d be fascinating and he’d be readily capable of providing a accurate historical perspective.
The minister uses the word "foreknowledge" when describing Tulip. I had a professor say that reformed theology goes beyond the idea of foreknowledge in that God actively chooses the elect. So is "foreknowledge' an accurate description of reformed theology, or is it more than a passive knowledge?
Hi, Lily. In Romans 8:29, it states "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Notice that the person is the object of the foreknowing. When the verb "to know" takes a person as an object, then the word refers to a relationship, not facts about the person. For instance, I can know facts about President Biden, but not actually know President Biden. If the verse said, "For those about whom he foreknew, he also predestined ...," then it might mean that God's predestining was based on his knowledge of what someone might do. But it doesn't say that. It says that the ones that he foreknew (relationally), these he predestined. So in some way that we don't understand, God had a love relationship with his elect before the foundation of the world, and he did everything necessary to save those he foreknew and loved.
Hey Matt, thank you for your content - I'm loving it. I am a Presbytarian but I am interested in the different assumptions and doctorines of the different denominations and the Catholics (I consider all brothers and sisters in Christ). Just wondering, if you could, would you consider interviewing Tim Keller? He is a famous Presbytarian pastor. I'd be fascinated to see your discussions with him.
Love these videos , I always try to understand different denominations and try to find Biblical truth without trying to find things to support my own traditions.
Raised as an Anabaptist (and still am? I guess?) and I find these videos absolutely fascinating. Don't worry about the 10 minute thing. Keep doing what you're doing, I think it's good for everyone.
49:49 So then, according to Reformed theology, is believing not a choice, but rather something you're predestined to do? Like, are you saved because you believe or do you believe because you are saved/predestined? Or is that is what is meant by "as many as were ordained to eternal life believed"? Because in many other verses, it sounds like believing in Jesus causes salvation, but that (and other verses) makes it sound like salvation causes believing in Jesus. I'm confused, and having half my family as Calvinists and the other half as Arminians doesn't help. Which may be why Lutheranism would be enticing to me, were it not for my disagreement on perseverance of the saints.
Salvation according to Reformed theology is a process (predestination comes first, then the regeneration of our nature/ calling, then justification, sanctification, and our final glorification (Rom8:30)) all of it is one process of salvation, so in reformed theology people were ordained before the beginning of time, then in time they were regenerated and given faith (the heart is softened and enables you to profess your belief in God) and only then are you able to profess that faith outwardly and declare your need for a saviour. Faith itself is a gift given by God because he predestined it (Eph 2:8-10) but you yourself believe. That belief specifically causes what is called justification.
@@ejc4421 Thank you for the response. That clears things up a bit. My dad was a preacher in a denomination with a similar theology, so that's all familiar to me, but I never put it together mentally like that.
@@ShuajoX glad to hear! Yeah, i'm definitely a visual learner so sometimes i think its good to make a mental map of the various categories and how they all fit together.
There is a fundamental misunderstanding in the Evangelical world as to what exactly the Reformed are saying when they use the word Predestination (Unconditional Election). The usual objection from the Arminian is something along the lines of "what are we, just automatons? God decides everything action we take in our lives? Don't we have free will?" No Reformed person has ever held to this. What the Reformed believe is that the human will is in bondage to sin and evil ("The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9). What this means is that man obviously makes free choices every single day and he freely decides what to do. BUT he can only make these choices according to his will. The unregenerate man, because he is dead in trespasses and sins and because he is in bondage to sin, can only choose those things that are displeasing to God and can in no way choose to believe in and confess Jesus as Lord as his will is bound to evil. The only way that a man can freely to choose to believe and trust in Christ is if God changes his will ("I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26) Therefore, when the Lord gives man the gift of faith, he is FREELY acting according to his will when he believes and trusts in Jesus.
@@jcpg9592 Thanks for the detailed response. That's essentially what I've been told before. Although that makes me wonder, if man can only do evil without God, then does that mean everyone, believer yet or not, that does a good deed is among the elect? Or, if I understand correctly, is the ability to do good separate from and before the choice to believe?
Love your videos matt! Gotta point out the filming eye lines are off, it’s hard to tell who you two are looking at (180 rule, not to be a stickler/nerd about it)
God bless you Matt for the task you've taken on, I love learning about other denominations watching your videos, ot has open my eyes and my heart. I am thinking while listening to the end of your video and what you say about weakness and strength of denominations, that isn't that all part of being the Body of Christ as church? As individuals we are all a different part of the Body, we are all different the Body could not work if we were all an eye or a leg, right? Therefore aren't denominations working the same way? They are all different, they all contribute to the Body in a different way, being different parts. Where one is a leg but can't see the other one is an eye, type off. Beside looking at the differences, what common denominator de we have? Christ, right? He is our heart, He is the head. I'd really love you to explore and get in touch with a Messianic church, I believe it'd be a great addition to your work and videos 😉😊 (unless I missed episode and you've done it already). Love what you do Brother 💜🙏🙏🙏💜
I really love your content Matt - okay, I'm still coming to grips with the Rhino, but the faith centric stuff is awesome! It's really great to learn about other denominations and your way to approach it iss really good. Keep doing your work! 👍❤
Loved this video , I would love for you to visit the UPCI church . It's the church I'm a part of. I feel like we are extremely caracaturized and misrepresented because we reject the Trinity . Even though we believe Jesus in the true deity and humanity of Christ . We are what is called Oneness Pentecostals . I love your spirit and attitude and would love for you to hear us out , God bless !
On your last point near the end there about how different denominations and churches have different strengths and weaknesses I have thought about that in a similar way. I have applied the the "market place of ideas" concept to churches and I think it is important that Christianity is not a monolith. That because of the strength and weaknesses of churches exist they compete to be the best church in a way and help to check the excessive of other denominations. The most obvious example being the Reformation, because of the criticism of the Catholic church and the start of Protestantism the Catholic church actually had to get together and affirm their core beliefs while cutting away the abuse and excess of the church.
I have head the convenient, but Satan-based argument that the Christianity is not a monolith. But, it is just wrong. There only three foundationally valid Christians: the Orthodox Church, the Coptic Church, and the Catholic Church. Since Luther, many have divided themselves continually until we have a mere, watered down imitation of Christianity. Luther and those "reformers" who followed, have done Satan's work to bring down the Church. Protestant pastors only call it out to be Satan's work when it has to do with division in their own churches. You are all heretics. It is cowardly and satanic to refuse to work within the Church to bring about change. Luther was a coward who sought only to criticize and not to do anything constructive. The worst part, is that Luther would not accept most protestants in the world today. They are all heretics.
@@muthah3013 Wait, you're forgetting the Union of Utrecht Catholic Church, Union of Catholic Apostolic Churches, Genuine Orthodox Church, Russian Orthodox Old-Rite Church, Russian Old-Orthodox Church, Pomeranian Old-Orthodox Church, Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia, Old Calendar Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, Syrian Church of the East, Assyrian Church of the East, Chaldean Church of the East, Ancient Church of the East.
@@muthah3013 meh...this is the attitude I so often hear from the orthodox/Catholic folks. I think it wildly underestimates the power of God to reveal Himself to people and redeem them to Himself. I always chuckle when the Orthodox/Catholic group once again toots the “one true apostolic church” horn...because it rings so true. There Christ was, going to lunch with Zacchaeus, teaching little kids, feeding 5,000, getting his feet washed...welcoming it, embracing it...where were the apostles? Always pushing it away, keeping folks at an arms length, trying to mandate the “way” people approach Christ. Trying to put parameter on who can come, when they come, precisely how they come. That attitude continues with the old churches that can’t see the vibrant response to Christ being lived out in Christian communities all over the world. Many that NEVER had access to the “one true apostolic church” but who DO have access to the one True God through the redemptive power of Christ. I think we are all going to be amazed at the vastness of Christ’s church someday.
If God finds us where we are. And if we are not all in the exactly the same place. Then, perhaps, at least some of the differences among the various denominations help each find some people the others couldn't. Just a thought.
I've watched all of your videos with other faith traditions. This is the first that didn't make me feel closer to them, or make me want to visit their church, like there was something I could learn from that faith tradition. In one of the other comments I saw someone use the term off-putting, and that is totally how I feel about this.
I felt the same way. The whole conversation about "the elect" seeemed to be in odds with the Great Commission, if only that this conversation creates a potential for failure for anyone who decides to turn to God, "saved by grace through faith", and then - through the commission of a sin - decides they must not have been one of the "elect"...
@Grumpy Forester The great commission is the mandate to preach, is not a sure thing that everybody we preach is gonna be saved. We don’t know who is gonna be saved or not. The elect is biblical: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he HATH CHOSEN US him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: HAVING PREDESTINED US unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Ephesians 1:3-5
@@thomasglass9491 you started in vs. 3 Calvinists always start this passage in vs. 3. They never start it in vs 1 and 2 which is where the "US" is defined. "The faithful IN Christ". God has predestined that those who have put their faith in Christ will be chosen and would be holy, blameless, and adopted. Chose those in Christ TO BE, not Chose those TO BE in Christ. Huge difference.
I didn't find the man off-putting, but this aspect of Reformed theology really troubles me. It strongly implies that God created some people specifically for damnation and I cannot understand how a perfectly loving and good God would do this.
Excellent discussion, I feel that presbyterianism is not effectively explained enough and yes there is a huge defense ( argument) towards election. Once you say this ( explain)the back hairs come up and the fight is on. God is unjust,mean,evil, unloving etc., these are the responses and no amount of explanation is going to work at that point. Due to the fact that the evangelicals have done a way better job evangelizing than anyone else. With “God loves all” point in the past 50-100 yrs. But anyway wonderful interview glad I ran across your channel Matt we will be watching for you more.
The Church has many parts, and there is room for all of them (to an extent). The issue largely lies when it becomes 1) semantics (Are you fully immersed in a cistern, or simply anointed for baptism) and 2) when God's definitions of objective sin and righteousness are redefined by man, i.e. (so long as you are loving than everything is okay, etc...)
The thing I love about the Reformed (and Lutheran) traditions is their focus on the absolute qualitative difference between us and God. God's goodness and sovereignty are far about our imagining, and the depths of human wretchedness are difficult to see because we're so deep in the muck. I don't think that that serves as an argument against the Great Tradition (Catholic and Orthodox), but it is an important leaven. We must always start anew, as St. Benedict said, from that foundation Christ's action and my unworthiness, and conduct our works according to no power but the sheer gift of Christ and his grace.
@@nate9601, for the record, we papists don’t really venerate Calvin either. 😉. All kidding aside, yes, your answer is how I understood the pastor’s comment as well. Peace, Brother.
What he missed on covenental theology, is that it also implies that the Christian Church is the continuation of old testament Israel. That means all the old promises, covenants, and prophecies now apply to the Church rather than to Israel
I assume that someone who emphasizes only two points (not the five doctrinal points-but what was actually emphatically stated) would try to stick to them. 1. The chief end of man is to glorify God, [therefore act so as to magnify God and humble yourself in the sight of the Lord]. 2. Get into the Bible, read it, know it, conform to it. The new covenant is explicitly identified with the forgiveness of sins which motivates the pouring out of the blood of Jesus. This is the content of Matthew 26:28. This second covenant or New Testament is a central concept in Christian thought. I don’t think we can fairly conclude that either of the speakers are ignorant of the existence of the second half of the Bible. So we are left with the other interpretation, namely that covenant in question is the new covenant. Maybe I missed something.
@@polyhistorphilomath Yeah, so covenant theology usually insists on a continuation between the old and new covenants. This is opposed to dispensationalism which see the old and new covenants as discrete. This explains many of the ways in which Reformed/Presbytarian churches vary from Baptists, including infant baptism. Some baptists (like James White and John Piper) are also covenental, you'll see this most clearly in how they interpret old testament prophecies. They have no qualms about applying the some parts of Joel (as an example) to the Church, whereas dispensationalists (like John MacArthur) insists that it applies to Israel exclusively. At least, that's how I understand the distinctions.
the principle is that God works in a series of consistent Covenants or contracts - which he obviously upholds no matter what - because he never breakers a promise. All the covenants of the Law (Dueteronimical) has been satisfied in the person of Jesus Christ, including His death as punishment for our transgressions of that Law. So the OT law and covenants have been completely satisfied. So we, in the NT stand ONLY in Jesus Christ. In Union with Christ we are partakers in His righteousness. So we stand before the throne of Judgement in Christ’s righteousness - so nothing will be held against us. This is Substitutionary Atonement. So there are a variety of Covenants - but only one is now relevant to us - that is the new Covenant in Jesus Christ.
On behalf of the thousands of people that don't comment or like, thank you for the great content. We look forward to your next video!
Here here!
Humility is certainly a virtue modern America could do better with. I’m glad you’ve been humble and allowed each to share their traditions.
to keep it short this channel has reinvigorated my fascination with God and for the first time, made me super interested in the nitty gritty of the Bible. Thanks for what you do and how you do it, I have a ton of fun watching these God bless Matt!
This is most encouraging thing I've read in a long time Cam. I'm right with you.
Thank you for taking the time to write it.
Agreed. I've returned to the faith after 30 years. Now I'm interested by the denominations and their intricacies...... I agree.... The nitty-gritty is where it's at!
Hi Matt, I was raised in the Presbyterian faith and even went to a Presbyterian faith based College, and I've never had my faith explained like this man has explained it! I love the Presbyterian Church and was graced by my church as a young person many times. Thank you, and thank you to this minister!
That actual made a lot more sense than I thought it would. Thank you so much for the conversation.
I thought Ethan did a good job of explaining complex things.
Matt! I thank you for what you do. I was raised Baptist and Pentecostal. I am 46 years old and have played music in both in denominations, as well as others, such as the CMA, most of my life. I find Presbyterianism interesting. I sometimes get upset that some of the teachings, especially in Pentecostalism, stress the constant repenting of sin, so that you won’t go to hell - teaching. To me that is a work. I appreciate you keeping and open mind and doing what you do.
Yes, I too believe that constant repenting is a work, and we then set ourself above God who said it is finished on the cross. Blessings
I pretty much hold the opposite view on each of those 5 points, but he sure did a good job articulating them. Quite the steel-man for his position. And good job pushing back Matt. Good questions from you and good answers from him.
So you adhere to FARTS :)
Seriously though, thanks for the kind feedback.
I'd be very curious to hear your points of view if you don't mind sharing them here or we can talk privately or whatever seriously no joke I love having these types of conversations
Yeah I don’t buy any predestination stuff either, some Lutherans make a big deal out of a form of it too. I don’t believe a living god excludes anyone.
@@m.v.5425 "I don’t buy any predestination stuff" - interesting, considering the fact that scripture speaks about it. Do you just erase those verses?
@@burtwonderstone5315 Hey man, soteriology is a great thing to look into, but I don't think that TMBH comment section is the right place to start a debate. Matt's channel is to help people understand other peoples points of view. Not to debate the ins and outs of it. Leighton flowers, or James whites channel would be a better place to have that discussion. 😀
Great video, Matt! I was raised moderate Presbyterian. Never heard the terms Protestant, Reformed or Calvinist. All I knew is that my parents loaded us into the car every Sunday morning to take us to Sunday School, which we endured, and survived 🤓
I very much appreciated this conversation. There is plenty to consider and pray about. Regarding the length of videos, no one has to watch a video in one setting. I often watch videos in pieces. Absolutely no big deal. I enjoyed every moment. Thanks for your efforts, Matt. Blessings to you and your family.
I loved this video. Thank you for giving this platform to so many traditions. I watched most of your other videos first and finally watched this one as a PCA member.
I love your final point. We don’t all do everything well. I just had a conversation about this with a friend recently.
He was reinvigorated at this wonderful non-denominational (baptist) church. He and his wife spent 7 years there. They now are PCA but they have nothing but live for that church. They did a wonderful job bringing new believers in. They served easy to chew on ideas and helped you grow.
This is a struggle for the PCA as we tend to be reserved and very needy about the scripture (almost all pastors can read the original Greek and Hebrew for instance). The PCA is excellent for seasoned believers looking to dive in deep. We’re not great at gaining new members to this weeks sermon on Habakuk..
Please continue this important work!
hey Matt, thank you very much for all these interviews. I am one of
those lost souls that have been visiting different churches, trying to
get to know different branches of Christianity and even outside of
Christendom. Cheers from Brazil!
Left the charismatic Pentecostal church a few years back and have recently come to believe in reformed theology. What this pastor said is so refreshing compared to what I have been taught my whole life
Same boat
If you like reformed theology, but also enjoy the charismatic gifts, Sam Storms would be right up your alley.
I return to your videos all the time, Matt. They've been an indispensable resource for me. I grew up in a Baptist church, walked away from the faith in college, and then met God for the first real time after I graduated. Thank you so much for your content. God bless!
54:31 - 58:48
100% the reason I'm on this journey with you, and 100% the conclusion I've been ever creeping towards. You literally spoke my mind here.
This is so good. I’ve been looking for an honest, friendly and reliable Q&A on this topic. This conversation between two lovely and genuine Christians has been a delight for me. Thank you and God bless.
Your work helps me enter in to the understanding that I am part of the one church, with many flavours and worship styles, nuances in theology from orthodox to reformed to Pentecostal but ultimately one in affirming the early creeds and therefore all one family in Christ. Thank you
Love these chats. 👏🏼 It helps solidify my ongoing love of Catholic theology.
Thank you, Matt, for this informative video. As an elder in my particular Missouri Synod Lutheran congregation, I have to say that this was a fascinating conversation in light of our last elders' bible study about predestination. Suffice it to say that we didn't arrive at the same place that Pastor Sayler did...
Have you read Luther’s Bondage of the Will? Many of his sermons also sound like they could have been written by a Presbyterian with respect to soteriology.
@@erc9468Wonderful work! Yes, Luther, in his writings, actually held to the same view as Calvin. It was only later after his death that his successor, Philipp Melancthon claimed Luther had privately changed his position and moved the Lutheran church to their current view on predestination.
Naturally there’s a lot of debate on if Luther really changed his position given the lack of any written evidence. It’s a very fascinating side topic.
Great to hear from a real Presbyterian. Haven't heard stuff like this from a Presbyterian church since I was a kid
For sure! The PCUSA branch is still the primary branch by size and they don’t teach this anymore. The PCA is the largest branch that still holds to the confessions. I thought this was beautifully done.
Thank you Matt. I've followed this series for a good while now. I have to say I am in the same boat when it come to hearing what others think and not what I grew up hearing they think. Its been refreshing. I still hold my beliefs as well, but its nice to see most of the difference are only "skin deep" if you will. Keep up the good work!
Wow! This entire series has been a blessing, helping me understand perspectives different from mine. Thanks!
This is a video that you can watch over and over again God bless you Matt !
Great Conversation. One thing I might add is something a Reformed Church pastor related to me which makes a ton of good sense. Reformed Theology involves a constant reformation of faith and perspective as we live and grow in Christ. IICor 3:18 "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." NASB
Amen.
Recently stumbled upon you channel Matt. Like others have said, your channel has reinvigorated my belief in god. I’m truly excited. I am buying a Bible and will read through with you on your podcast. I really enjoy learning about different denominations.
What a wonderful story! How is your journey going my friend?
Honestly it has been a struggle lol. Learning about all these denominations have really thrown me for a loop. Not sure what to believe is important as some take certain sacraments more seriously than others if at all. Lots of the churchs around me have a diminishing congregation. Still kind of lost but my faith is remaining strong. Thank you for asking.
@@LeeRoyJenkz absolutely my brother! I’m so glad to hear you’re holding strong.
Don’t lose hope! Remember, most of these differences, while important, are not the main point. The Apostles Creed is a great litmus test. If a church holds to these and doesn’t waver, they are, at least, holding to the faith. All the rest is good to hold each other accountable but we’re still brothers and sisters in Christ! Our prayers go with you
Best video series on UA-cam.
I just want to say that I hope that F.A.R.T.S. lives on. I love you, Matt, never stop doing what you do.
(lifelong reformed CRC person here. Thought this series was great.)
Thanks Art :)
Fully able to do good
Ability to choose to be elect
Really unlimited atonement
Totally resistible grace
Salvation can be lost
Salvation cannot be lost@@mkirules
I LOVE MY PRESBYTERIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS! Confessional , holding fast to the scriptures of Gods word. We need more churches holding to historic confessions teaching the truth of Gods word.
May God Bless you all
I love this series talking with the different traditions. I agree with where Matt's going with this in seeing each tradition as providing a particular emphasis within the body. We all need each other so we can supply in the areas others lack and be built up in the areas where we're lacking. Paul's metaphor of the body with its various organs applies to both us as individuals within a particular congregation as well as the various traditions within the Bride as a whole.
Harley, the term, "traditions," is a satanic, misleading, weak euphemism. Most of them are nothing more than groups of hysterical heretics giving themselves validity when the true, foundational Christians will not. If you are reformed or Protestant or other splinter group, you are heretics. Yes. There is a blight of break away cults, but it has nothing to do with tradition.
What is the appropriate denominator for 'books read' by this dude. Books per week? Per day? Per hour?
Holy smokes what a wealth of knowledge Minister Sayler has at his fingertips. Great interview and discussion.
This was an excellent conversation! Thanks, Matt, love what you do. Keep it going!
Thank you for doing this! I absolutely love what these videos does to my mind, my soul, and my understanding of God.
So so glad to have found this channel. I am happy someone beside myself took this project on since I don't want to continue learning about numerous religions first hand. I want to be part of a local church family and am ready to let my roots grow deep with others. God bless
I don't have to agree with the reformed view fully to appreciate this beautiful conversation.
I would love to see you go back to all these different churches and sit down with them again and talk about their views on Eschatology. There are a lot of different views and it's a really interesting topic to me.
Sure do appreciate what you're doing man!
Keep up the good work!
What hurts is when your children don't/won't/can't believe.
I absolutely love this, especially at the very end how you wrapped the video up.
Thank you for all your time and effort into giving the internet something positive.
Btw, you have to visit a United Methodist Church now. We gotta hear the other side of the Tulip / Arminian - Calvinism debate.
I really enjoyed that conversation between you two.
Fantastic series! Loved this!
There is so much useless information and even bad entertainment that is full of vulgarity and sin on the internet. I have recently started diving into the ancient faith study Bible and learning about what ancient fathers of the faith thought about the Bible has lead me deeper into the word and into theology. Your channel is a great resource to fill my mind with Gods word and information that helps me understand things of God better and even how my brothers in Christ think and how maybe huge differences that separate us from others. All to say thank you so much! Grew up reformed Mennonite (believed in technology and lived in normal society), then got saved in a Assemblies of God church, had serious theological differences there and after maybe a decade of being there went to a northern baptist church (yes that’s a thing) and now attend a good old non denom church that is super low church but glad for all of my experiences and have kept so much great things!
You should do Amish denominations! That would be an interesting one!
Thank you for all the questions. They answered questions I had myself. May God bless you.
This is so helpful for me to better understand.my own Christian tradition. After seeing the videos on the other Christian traditions I cannot help but conclude that they all complement each other.
To glorify God and enjoy Him forever...wow. The most beautiful and succinct explanation I've ever heard! Glory to GOD!!!
God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in him- AMEN!
I wanted to know what these guys were thinking! Thanks for the great discussion!
Thanks for really digging into these concepts from a very practical standpoint.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone equate choosing to follow Jesus as a work that counts toward salivation.
It has been very beneficial to hear you struggle through the various implications of both viewpoints.
It’s a work that can be done only after God changes the heart. Then one freely chooses to follow Jesus
It's why there's no boasting. If I am unable to do anything good, and following Jesus is good, it is not by my power that I have faith, but only by God.
I'm sorry but every time I hear someone try to explain TULIP it just sounds further and further away from "good news ".
When I was new to Christianity, presbyterians were the first ones I ran into. I was horrified when I heard about their beliefs.
FARTS! Hilarious.
Great video. Really appreciated the open conversation and dialogue.
I am predestined to like the video
TY Matt. The body is broken for the edification and the glory of God. So amazing. Something great is at the end of this. Ty for these conversations. Has helped me so much.
So good. God bless you Matt
I love these conversations.
Love this channel so much
I know where Lennox is. When I was 10 years old my family moved from Philadelphia PA to a small one-horse town, Chancellor, SD, not far from Lennox. I remember our schools played sports against each other.
Love it and would rather take your time... thanks for your work.
Thank you so much for your insight. Super useful! Such a blessing 🙏
Science for the Church is an organization with a splendid website. A co-founder is a Presbyterian minister. It seeks to bring scientists, engineers, young adults, pastors and others into dialogue and reaches many.
Hey Matt, I love this series. I'm curious if you're considering visiting very liberal denominations that seem to deny Christian fundamentals in the same way. I don't even know if you should or how those episodes would look but I was curious what your plan is for the future.
he could go to ebeneezer lutheran church in San francisco...it is ELCA
Man I think this is a good question but I'm a little afraid it could make a wolf come across as a sheep. It would have to be done with serious intentionality but could be interesting. That might get to the point where Matt might have to reject and teach against what other person would say.
You mean like presbyterianism?
Essentially, that would be visiting non-Christian denominations. I'm not sure that's within the scope of this channel. There are some other good channels that delve into the beliefs of progressive "Christianity". Matt excels at exploring within the realm of "normal" Christianity.
@@chrisbennett3290 Very true. Thanks for your insight.
"Not every group is geared to do everything super well."
The Orthodox: the liturgy and church building design
The Catholics: open universities that teach natural law ethics
The Protestants: responsible for Bible study and Sunday School
The problem with that idea, attractive as it is, is that you can’t join all three or even any two. You have to pick one. And you can get much of the benefit of the other two once you have.
Once again Matt, thanks for the great work!
I'm usually able to follow these theological discussions, but I was thoroughly confused by Presbyterian theology. I need it explained to me like I was 5 with citations or something.
What sections did you have trouble with?
Read the Westminster confession and/or catechism. Heidelberg catechism is good reformed also
The 5 points of calvinism?? TULIP...
See that's the thing lol, that's just... calvinism. It don't really make sense
I love that you don't shy away from the hard questions, Matt. The real questions. We worship a sovereign, holy God and without the work of Christ, we would all remain dead in our trespasses. God bless you and I hope these videos lead people to repentance and faith
This is brilliant.
Thank you
Excellent presentation of the finer points, the cautious approach, and the Biblical basis of Reformed Theology.
Interesting as always!!!
1:58 a perfectly good presbyterian is an oxymoron
This is hilarious!
I laughed at that too!
I love these reformed or reformed inspired churches I struggle greatly with total depravity and conditional election since Jesus died for all Sinners especially those who come love believe and have faith in him truly in their hearts and visibly In Their lives. That’s why the EFCA although biased in its foundation is so wonderful in practice.
The thing that I don't get in the thought of Calvinism is why God would pick who to save and then the rest are just kinda damned. Like he's picking favorites, and the others exist just for destruction. Like if all desperately need him, why would he not make salvation available for all?
at about 11:30 he says, "they willing chose their sin", that's freewill, not predetermined by anyone.
He also makes a point of stating that the gamut of possible choices is limited to sin (owing to the total depravity of man). So maybe he could be better understood as saying “they selected the specific sin which they would commit”.
Not a Presbyterian. Just a thought.
Thank you so much. This has.been so informative. Also interesting to hear you are a descendant of a man who was burnt for his faith; you do him proud. I do not agree with the pastors teaching on the idea that accepting Christ is work. It is faith and not work. When you asked hm how to become a Christian towards the end, he contradicted himself.
Thanks again, I learned something new about Presbyterianism today🙏
Matt! That was so interesting. Maybe I'm just a nerd and slightly biased as a member of a Reformed Baptist church, but this is one of the most theologically rich and gospel rich episodes I've seen. It was really good to hear you walk through all that with him. Loved touching on the Westminister confession, TULIP, and even getting real on the flaws of the church in the past.
Thanks, Matt, to you and Ethan for this very helpful interview. One important point I'd like to make. The Arminian resistance to TULIP is NOT because of the harm that it presents to man's depiction. Arminians are concerned with God's depiction by Reformed theology. The difference is which aspect of God is presented poorly. The Reformed are concerned that synergism diminishes God's sovereignty and glory. Arminians are concerned that TULIP diminishes God's love and justice. Just wanted to make that important distinction.
Arminians are humanistic.
In the end, though, the concern you've presented only comes around if you start with the assumption that God can't be loving or just without man being fully, and independently, free. So, yes, it does still come down to the depiction of man.
@@Sgman1991 No it isn't. My concern is based on the depiction of God as one who punishes people that he chose not to make obedient - even though they are totally incapable of obedience only because of a single act of disobedience that he orchestrated millennia ago in the first place. That's completely about the depiction of God. Period.
As for your dismissal, it's an ad hominem dressed in different clothes. You're saying Arminians only pretend to care about God's depiction.
I know this comment was a year ago, but thank you for this. The character of a God that makes sentient creatures for the express purpose of torturing them for eternity with no other end as a possibility--all while claiming to love them deeply--is a decidedly monstrous character. What would we say about a father who tortures his children while repeatedly telling them he loves them? Or maybe he says "Children, please understand, this is all for my glory."
Get ahold of Sam Waldron for a baptist perspective. He’s both a pastor and a seminary president. I think it’d be fascinating and he’d be readily capable of providing a accurate historical perspective.
You rang?
@@SamWaldronACommonCold88 Lol if the shoe fits
That would be a great dialogue!
Yes! And Richard Barcellos
Waldron commentary on the 1689 London baptist confession. Good stuff.
Can you do a bookshelf tour?
It takes a certain type of person to effectively use the terms "determinism" and "farts" in the same video. Matt is an absolute treasure.
The minister uses the word "foreknowledge" when describing Tulip. I had a professor say that reformed theology goes beyond the idea of foreknowledge in that God actively chooses the elect. So is "foreknowledge' an accurate description of reformed theology, or is it more than a passive knowledge?
Hi, Lily. In Romans 8:29, it states "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Notice that the person is the object of the foreknowing. When the verb "to know" takes a person as an object, then the word refers to a relationship, not facts about the person. For instance, I can know facts about President Biden, but not actually know President Biden.
If the verse said, "For those about whom he foreknew, he also predestined ...," then it might mean that God's predestining was based on his knowledge of what someone might do. But it doesn't say that. It says that the ones that he foreknew (relationally), these he predestined. So in some way that we don't understand, God had a love relationship with his elect before the foundation of the world, and he did everything necessary to save those he foreknew and loved.
You’re a good guy, Matt.
Wow such good questions.
Hey Matt, thank you for your content - I'm loving it. I am a Presbytarian but I am interested in the different assumptions and doctorines of the different denominations and the Catholics (I consider all brothers and sisters in Christ). Just wondering, if you could, would you consider interviewing Tim Keller? He is a famous Presbytarian pastor. I'd be fascinated to see your discussions with him.
Love these videos , I always try to understand different denominations and try to find Biblical truth without trying to find things to support my own traditions.
Raised as an Anabaptist (and still am? I guess?) and I find these videos absolutely fascinating. Don't worry about the 10 minute thing. Keep doing what you're doing, I think it's good for everyone.
49:49 So then, according to Reformed theology, is believing not a choice, but rather something you're predestined to do? Like, are you saved because you believe or do you believe because you are saved/predestined? Or is that is what is meant by "as many as were ordained to eternal life believed"? Because in many other verses, it sounds like believing in Jesus causes salvation, but that (and other verses) makes it sound like salvation causes believing in Jesus.
I'm confused, and having half my family as Calvinists and the other half as Arminians doesn't help. Which may be why Lutheranism would be enticing to me, were it not for my disagreement on perseverance of the saints.
Salvation according to Reformed theology is a process (predestination comes first, then the regeneration of our nature/ calling, then justification, sanctification, and our final glorification (Rom8:30)) all of it is one process of salvation, so in reformed theology people were ordained before the beginning of time, then in time they were regenerated and given faith (the heart is softened and enables you to profess your belief in God) and only then are you able to profess that faith outwardly and declare your need for a saviour. Faith itself is a gift given by God because he predestined it (Eph 2:8-10) but you yourself believe. That belief specifically causes what is called justification.
@@ejc4421 Thank you for the response. That clears things up a bit. My dad was a preacher in a denomination with a similar theology, so that's all familiar to me, but I never put it together mentally like that.
@@ShuajoX glad to hear! Yeah, i'm definitely a visual learner so sometimes i think its good to make a mental map of the various categories and how they all fit together.
There is a fundamental misunderstanding in the Evangelical world as to what exactly the Reformed are saying when they use the word Predestination (Unconditional Election). The usual objection from the Arminian is something along the lines of "what are we, just automatons? God decides everything action we take in our lives? Don't we have free will?" No Reformed person has ever held to this. What the Reformed believe is that the human will is in bondage to sin and evil ("The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9). What this means is that man obviously makes free choices every single day and he freely decides what to do. BUT he can only make these choices according to his will. The unregenerate man, because he is dead in trespasses and sins and because he is in bondage to sin, can only choose those things that are displeasing to God and can in no way choose to believe in and confess Jesus as Lord as his will is bound to evil. The only way that a man can freely to choose to believe and trust in Christ is if God changes his will ("I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26) Therefore, when the Lord gives man the gift of faith, he is FREELY acting according to his will when he believes and trusts in Jesus.
@@jcpg9592 Thanks for the detailed response. That's essentially what I've been told before. Although that makes me wonder, if man can only do evil without God, then does that mean everyone, believer yet or not, that does a good deed is among the elect? Or, if I understand correctly, is the ability to do good separate from and before the choice to believe?
will you be doing a session with the PCUSA?
PCUSA is horrific lol
@@northmd He should interview Bobby Shuller.
Love your videos matt! Gotta point out the filming eye lines are off, it’s hard to tell who you two are looking at (180 rule, not to be a stickler/nerd about it)
God bless you Matt for the task you've taken on, I love learning about other denominations watching your videos, ot has open my eyes and my heart. I am thinking while listening to the end of your video and what you say about weakness and strength of denominations, that isn't that all part of being the Body of Christ as church? As individuals we are all a different part of the Body, we are all different the Body could not work if we were all an eye or a leg, right? Therefore aren't denominations working the same way? They are all different, they all contribute to the Body in a different way, being different parts. Where one is a leg but can't see the other one is an eye, type off. Beside looking at the differences, what common denominator de we have? Christ, right? He is our heart, He is the head.
I'd really love you to explore and get in touch with a Messianic church, I believe it'd be a great addition to your work and videos 😉😊 (unless I missed episode and you've done it already).
Love what you do Brother 💜🙏🙏🙏💜
I really love your content Matt - okay, I'm still coming to grips with the Rhino, but the faith centric stuff is awesome!
It's really great to learn about other denominations and your way to approach it iss really good.
Keep doing your work! 👍❤
I took a detour from evangelical Pentecostalism through reformed theology and landed on Confessional Lutheranism. Great interview.
I'm glad you talked to this pastor. It's good to hear from someone who has to lead a congregation and isn't just an apologist.
Always a great video! Learning about perspective XYZ from purveyor of position XYZ is terrific.
Loved this video , I would love for you to visit the UPCI church . It's the church I'm a part of. I feel like we are extremely caracaturized and misrepresented because we reject the Trinity . Even though we believe Jesus in the true deity and humanity of Christ . We are what is called Oneness Pentecostals . I love your spirit and attitude and would love for you to hear us out , God bless !
Thank you Matt for streaming 6 segments of TMBH together for us. :)
On your last point near the end there about how different denominations and churches have different strengths and weaknesses I have thought about that in a similar way. I have applied the the "market place of ideas" concept to churches and I think it is important that Christianity is not a monolith. That because of the strength and weaknesses of churches exist they compete to be the best church in a way and help to check the excessive of other denominations. The most obvious example being the Reformation, because of the criticism of the Catholic church and the start of Protestantism the Catholic church actually had to get together and affirm their core beliefs while cutting away the abuse and excess of the church.
I have head the convenient, but Satan-based argument that the Christianity is not a monolith. But, it is just wrong. There only three foundationally valid Christians: the Orthodox Church, the Coptic Church, and the Catholic Church. Since Luther, many have divided themselves continually until we have a mere, watered down imitation of Christianity. Luther and those "reformers" who followed, have done Satan's work to bring down the Church. Protestant pastors only call it out to be Satan's work when it has to do with division in their own churches. You are all heretics. It is cowardly and satanic to refuse to work within the Church to bring about change. Luther was a coward who sought only to criticize and not to do anything constructive. The worst part, is that Luther would not accept most protestants in the world today. They are all heretics.
@@muthah3013 Wait, you're forgetting the Union of Utrecht Catholic Church, Union of Catholic Apostolic Churches, Genuine Orthodox Church, Russian Orthodox Old-Rite Church, Russian Old-Orthodox Church, Pomeranian Old-Orthodox Church, Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia, Old Calendar Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, Syrian Church of the East, Assyrian Church of the East, Chaldean Church of the East, Ancient Church of the East.
@@muthah3013 meh...this is the attitude I so often hear from the orthodox/Catholic folks. I think it wildly underestimates the power of God to reveal Himself to people and redeem them to Himself.
I always chuckle when the Orthodox/Catholic group once again toots the “one true apostolic church” horn...because it rings so true. There Christ was, going to lunch with Zacchaeus, teaching little kids, feeding 5,000, getting his feet washed...welcoming it, embracing it...where were the apostles? Always pushing it away, keeping folks at an arms length, trying to mandate the “way” people approach Christ. Trying to put parameter on who can come, when they come, precisely how they come. That attitude continues with the old churches that can’t see the vibrant response to Christ being lived out in Christian communities all over the world. Many that NEVER had access to the “one true apostolic church” but who DO have access to the one True God through the redemptive power of Christ.
I think we are all going to be amazed at the vastness of Christ’s church someday.
If God finds us where we are. And if we are not all in the exactly the same place. Then, perhaps, at least some of the differences among the various denominations help each find some people the others couldn't. Just a thought.
I've watched all of your videos with other faith traditions. This is the first that didn't make me feel closer to them, or make me want to visit their church, like there was something I could learn from that faith tradition. In one of the other comments I saw someone use the term off-putting, and that is totally how I feel about this.
I’m right there with you.
I felt the same way. The whole conversation about "the elect" seeemed to be in odds with the Great Commission, if only that this conversation creates a potential for failure for anyone who decides to turn to God, "saved by grace through faith", and then - through the commission of a sin - decides they must not have been one of the "elect"...
@Grumpy Forester The great commission is the mandate to preach, is not a sure thing that everybody we preach is gonna be saved. We don’t know who is gonna be saved or not. The elect is biblical:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he HATH CHOSEN US him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: HAVING PREDESTINED US unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Ephesians 1:3-5
@@thomasglass9491 you started in vs. 3
Calvinists always start this passage in vs. 3. They never start it in vs 1 and 2 which is where the "US" is defined. "The faithful IN Christ". God has predestined that those who have put their faith in Christ will be chosen and would be holy, blameless, and adopted. Chose those in Christ TO BE, not Chose those TO BE in Christ. Huge difference.
I didn't find the man off-putting, but this aspect of Reformed theology really troubles me. It strongly implies that God created some people specifically for damnation and I cannot understand how a perfectly loving and good God would do this.
Excellent discussion, I feel that presbyterianism is not effectively explained enough and yes there is a huge defense ( argument) towards election. Once you say this ( explain)the back hairs come up and the fight is on. God is unjust,mean,evil, unloving etc., these are the responses and no amount of explanation is going to work at that point. Due to the fact that the evangelicals have done a way better job evangelizing than anyone else. With “God loves all” point in the past 50-100 yrs. But anyway wonderful interview glad I ran across your channel Matt we will be watching for you more.
The Church has many parts, and there is room for all of them (to an extent). The issue largely lies when it becomes 1) semantics (Are you fully immersed in a cistern, or simply anointed for baptism) and 2) when God's definitions of objective sin and righteousness are redefined by man, i.e. (so long as you are loving than everything is okay, etc...)
Curious: what denomination are you?
LOVE your videos!
The thing I love about the Reformed (and Lutheran) traditions is their focus on the absolute qualitative difference between us and God. God's goodness and sovereignty are far about our imagining, and the depths of human wretchedness are difficult to see because we're so deep in the muck. I don't think that that serves as an argument against the Great Tradition (Catholic and Orthodox), but it is an important leaven. We must always start anew, as St. Benedict said, from that foundation Christ's action and my unworthiness, and conduct our works according to no power but the sheer gift of Christ and his grace.
Are you wearing YETI tshirt, as in YETI the mountain bikes?
No. It means he likes to drink outside.
42:00 "We don't raise Calvin up as a saint."
So, does that mean they think of him as a reprobate?
@@tintinismybelgian no. It means they don’t venerate him like the papists do
@@nate9601, for the record, we papists don’t really venerate Calvin either. 😉. All kidding aside, yes, your answer is how I understood the pastor’s comment as well. Peace, Brother.
@@johnhale383You just venerate Mary ...
What he missed on covenental theology, is that it also implies that the Christian Church is the continuation of old testament Israel. That means all the old promises, covenants, and prophecies now apply to the Church rather than to Israel
I assume that someone who emphasizes only two points (not the five doctrinal points-but what was actually emphatically stated) would try to stick to them. 1. The chief end of man is to glorify God, [therefore act so as to magnify God and humble yourself in the sight of the Lord]. 2. Get into the Bible, read it, know it, conform to it.
The new covenant is explicitly identified with the forgiveness of sins which motivates the pouring out of the blood of Jesus. This is the content of Matthew 26:28.
This second covenant or New Testament is a central concept in Christian thought.
I don’t think we can fairly conclude that either of the speakers are ignorant of the existence of the second half of the Bible.
So we are left with the other interpretation, namely that covenant in question is the new covenant.
Maybe I missed something.
@@polyhistorphilomath Yeah, so covenant theology usually insists on a continuation between the old and new covenants. This is opposed to dispensationalism which see the old and new covenants as discrete. This explains many of the ways in which Reformed/Presbytarian churches vary from Baptists, including infant baptism. Some baptists (like James White and John Piper) are also covenental, you'll see this most clearly in how they interpret old testament prophecies. They have no qualms about applying the some parts of Joel (as an example) to the Church, whereas dispensationalists (like John MacArthur) insists that it applies to Israel exclusively. At least, that's how I understand the distinctions.
the principle is that God works in a series of consistent Covenants or contracts - which he obviously upholds no matter what - because he never breakers a promise. All the covenants of the Law (Dueteronimical) has been satisfied in the person of Jesus Christ, including His death as punishment for our transgressions of that Law. So the OT law and covenants have been completely satisfied. So we, in the NT stand ONLY in Jesus Christ. In Union with Christ we are partakers in His righteousness. So we stand before the throne of Judgement in Christ’s righteousness - so nothing will be held against us. This is Substitutionary Atonement. So there are a variety of Covenants - but only one is now relevant to us - that is the new Covenant in Jesus Christ.
Nice video!