Reformed Forum

This is the sixth lesson in Dr. James Cassidy's Reformed Academy course, The Doctrine of the Church. This lesson covers the following topics: 00:00 The Structure of Church Government: Preliminary Considerations 11:32 The Elders: Preliminary Considerations 15:40 Presbuteroi 28:08 How Many Offices? 34:05 Overseers (Episkopos) 37:03 The Deacons Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to dozens of additional video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedacademy.org/course/do... Your donations help us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you worldwide: https://reformedforum.org/donate/ #church #reformed #presbyterian #ecclesiology #reformedtheology

Dr. C. N. Willborn, pastor of Covenant PCA in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, speaks about the life, ministry, and enduring theological legacy of John Lafayette Girardeau—a figure often hidden in the shadow of Thornwell and Dabney, yet towering in pastoral warmth, covenant theology, and confessional clarity. Girardeau emerges as a remarkably gifted scholar, a pastor deeply loved by both enslaved and free Black congregants, and a theologian who married doctrinal precision with heartfelt pastoral care. Through stories of his early intellectual formation, his ministry at Zion Presbyterian Church, his courageous stand against segregation in 1874, and his role in shaping debates on adoption, the will, worship, and evolution controversies, listeners gain a moving portrait of a man captivated by Christ and devoted to the communion of the saints. This episode invites us to look beyond caricatures of Southern Presbyterianism and see a pastor who was shaped by his Huguenot and Scottish heritage, attentive to the spiritual well-being of the marginalized, and unwavering in his conviction that the church must be governed by Scripture and formed by a robust federal theology. Girardeau's story not only expands our understanding of American Presbyterian history—it encourages believers today to pursue ministry marked by doctrinal fidelity, Christ-centered preaching, and sacrificial love. Watch on YouTube Chapters 00:00:16 Introduction 00:03:28 Introducing John L. Girardeau 00:24:49 French Huguenot Background 00:31:48 Academic Abilities 00:42:29 Girardeau's Relation to the Church After the War 00:49:44 Significant Motions and Statements 00:56:05 Opposition to Segregation at the 1874 General Assembly 01:00:19 Influence upon Southern Presbyterianism 01:05:19 The Battle over Evolution 01:11:21 Works by Girardeau 01:21:59 Conclusion Links Biographical sketch on Girardeau This is Christ the Center episode 940 (https://www.reformedforum.org/ctc940)

This is the fifth lesson in Dr. James Cassidy's Reformed Academy course, The Doctrine of the Church. This lesson covers the following topics: 00:00 Church Power is Suasive, not Coercive 15:21 Church Power is Service, not Domination 19:01 Church Power is Spiritual, not Carnal 23:00 Church Power is Ministerial, not Magisterial 26:17 Church Power is Declarative, not Legislative 28:18 Church Power is Derived, not Original 30:40 The Spirituality of the Church Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to dozens of additional video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedacademy.org/course/do... Your donations help us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you worldwide: https://reformedforum.org/donate/ #church #reformed #presbyterian #ecclesiology #reformedtheology

As Christ the Center closes out another year of weekly theological conversation, this special episode reflects on God's faithfulness throughout 2025 by revisiting the most-watched and most-listened-to episodes of the year. Drawing from YouTube engagement, Camden Bucey highlights ten conversations that resonated deeply with listeners—spanning biblical exegesis, redemptive-historical interpretation, Trinitarian theology, apologetics, and pastoral formation. Together, these clips showcase the breadth of Reformed Forum's work: rigorous scholarship, confessional clarity, and a steady commitment to Christ-centered interpretation of Scripture. The episode also celebrates significant ministry milestones: thousands of students served through Reformed Academy, international reading cohorts across six continents, new books published, and the largest theology conference in Reformed Forum's history. Framed by the theme "Growing Together into Christ" (Ephesians 4:15–16), this highlights episode not only looks back with gratitude but looks forward with confidence—inviting listeners to partner in the ongoing work of theological education for the church worldwide. Watch on YouTube Chapters 00:00:07 Introduction 00:00:57 Looking Forward to 2026 00:01:38 Growing Together into Christ 00:04:26 Top 10 Episodes of 2025 00:05:05 Greg Beale | The Use of the Old Testament in Colossians (YouTube) 00:08:59 Van Til Group #15 — A Critique of Mathison's Toward a Reformed Apologetics (YouTube) 00:19:44 Robert Letham | The Holy Spirit (YouTube) 00:23:57 David Saxton | Biblical Meditation: God's Battle Plan for the Mind (YouTube) 00:29:04 William Dennison | Van Til and the Problem of Evil (YouTube) 00:34:28 Danny Olinger | Meredith G. Kline's Biblical-Theological Reading of the Book of Revelation (YouTube) 00:45:06 Marcus Mininger | Redemptive-Historical Interpretation (YouTube) 00:51:14 Vos Group #99 — Millennial Views and Modern Theories of the Kingdom (YouTube) 00:59:37 Marcus Mininger | Impossible to Be Restored? Temptation and Warning in the Epistle of Hebrews (YouTube) 01:14:02 J. Brandon Burks | The Puritans and the Salem Witch Trials (YouTube) 01:19:38 Conclusion Participants: Bill Dennison, Camden Bucey, Carlton Wynne, Danny Olinger, David Saxton, Greg Beale, J. Brandon Burks, Jim Cassidy, Lane G. Tipton, Marcus Mininger, Robert Letham This is Christ the Center episode 939 (https://www.reformedforum.org/ctc939)