In this episode of Kingdom Polemics, host Aldo Leon and guest Pastor Benjamin Glasser engage in a deep analysis of Kevin DeYoung's recent article on The Gospel Coalition (TGC) regarding the American version of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). They critically examine DeYoung's claim that the 1788 revisions of the WCF on the civil magistrate signify a sharp departure from the original 1646 confession. Through historical references and theological insights, Aldo and Benjamin unpack how this alleged shift impacts the understanding of the relationship between church and state and challenge the notion that these changes represent a rejection of Reformed orthodoxy in political theology.

Articles discussed:

• "'Of the Civil Magistrate': How Presbyterians Shifted on Church-State Relations" (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/civil-magistrate-presbyterians/)
• "The Westminster Tradition vs. DeYoung and the Gospel Coalition, Part I (https://americanreformer.org/2024/08/the-westminster-tradition-vs-deyoung-and-the-gospel-coalition-part-i/)

Key Discussion Points:

• DeYoung's Claim on WCF Revisions: Aldo and Benjamin analyze DeYoung's argument that the American revisions of WCF 23.3 represent an irreconcilable difference with the 1646 version, especially regarding the role of the civil magistrate.
• Role of the Civil Magistrate: The conversation explores the concept of the "nursing father" as used in the WCF and how Reformed theologians like Samuel Rutherford and others historically viewed the civil magistrate's duty in enforcing both tables of the law.
• Historical and Theological Context: The episode delves into historical precedents, such as the Adopting Act of 1729, and how American Presbyterians navigated changes in political context while maintaining Reformed theological commitments.
• TGC's Approach to Church-State Relations: Critique of how The Gospel Coalition tends to separate church and state while simultaneously bringing state ideologies into the church, especially on issues like social justice.
• Modern Implications for Reformed Christians: The hosts discuss the importance of understanding the continuity between the original and revised WCF and how this impacts the church's engagement with civil government today.

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In this compelling episode of Kingdom Polemics, host Aldo Leon dives deep into the spiritual significance of hymns and songs in Christian worship by rebroadcasting a sermon he delivered at Pinelands Presbyterian Church. Through a profound exploration of Scripture, Aldo draws attention to the crucial role that God's inspired words play in shaping both personal holiness and communal unity. Using Hezekiah's reform in 2 Chronicles as a foundational text, he explains how the revival of biblical temple worship, with its emphasis on Psalms, mirrors the need for today's church to return to the pure, God-given form of worship, untouched by human innovation.

Key Points:

• Hezekiah's Reform and Worship: Aldo emphasizes how King Hezekiah's revival centered on restoring temple worship by aligning it with God's commands, using the Levites and inspired songs.
• Psalms as a Means of Reformation: The episode unpacks the history of how Psalms have been pivotal in spiritual revivals, from the early church to the Reformation, and how their removal stifles the church's vitality today.
• Unity through Psalms: By singing God's words, Christians across ages, cultures, and denominations can be unified in one voice, while man-made hymns often cause division.
• Holiness and the Severity of Sin: The Psalms do not shy away from the severity of sin and the necessity for holiness. Aldo explains how singing Psalms leads believers to a balanced and biblical view of sin, grace, and God's justice.
• Spiritual Nourishment: Drawing an analogy to processed foods, Aldo compares modern worship songs to spiritual junk food that, while seemingly beneficial, leads to spiritual malnourishment over time.

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Aldo Leon joins his close friend and fellow pastor, George Sayour, on a rebroadcast of George's Podcast, The Reformed Churchman, to delve into pressing concerns within the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Aldo candidly discusses the challenges he faces, both personally and within the broader Reformed community, as he navigates controversial theological positions. This episode offers deep insights into Aldo's journey, addressing questions and misunderstandings about his stance on key issues like eschatology, the establishment principle, and the role of psalm singing in worship.

Episode Highlights

• Aldo's Theological Journey: Aldo reflects on how his views have evolved over time, particularly in response to recent events and the feedback he has received from the PCA community.
• Controversial Theological Positions: The episode covers the pushback Aldo has received on several fronts, including his optimistic eschatology, the establishment principle, and his advocacy for exclusive psalmody.

• Christian Nationalism Concerns: The hosts discuss the rising concern about Christian nationalism and how Aldo's views are often misunderstood or misrepresented in this context.

• Radical Two Kingdoms (R2K) Theology: Aldo offers a robust critique of R2K theology, explaining its dangers and its impact on Christian life and the church's mission.

• Impact of Theological Shifts: Aldo shares how major societal events like the COVID-19 pandemic have influenced his theological reassessment and led to significant shifts in his thinking.

• Psalm Singing in Worship: The conversation turns to the importance of psalm singing in worship, with Aldo advocating for its inclusion in every PCA church's worship practice.

References

• Book mentioned by Aldo Leon at 01:20:06: "Honor Thy Fathers: Recovering the Anti-Feminist Theology of the Reformers", by Zachary Garris (https://a.co/d/bUmFcXt)

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