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 Through historical references and theological insights, Aldo and Benjamin unpack how this alleged shift impacts the understanding of the relationship between church and state and challenge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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In this insightful episode of Kingdom Polemics, host Aldo Leon provides a rebroadcast of a sermon delivered at Pinelands Presbyterian church. He delves into the rich and often debated practice of exclusive Psalm singing in Christian worship. Aldo guides us through a thought-provoking discussion on why the Psalms hold a unique place in the life of the church, not just as historical hymns but as the inspired words of Christ Himself. Drawing from scripture, early church teachings, and a deep theological perspective, this episode challenges modern hymnody and calls for a return to the timeless and Christo-centric tradition of singing the Psalms.

Episode Highlights:

• Biblical Foundation for Psalm Singing: Explore the scriptural basis for the exclusive use of Psalms in worship, emphasizing their divine inspiration and prophetic nature.
• Christo-centric Nature of the Psalms: Discover how the Psalms are not just about Christ but are His very words, revealing His experiences and ministry.
• Historical Context: Learn about the early church's commitment to Psalm singing, with references to influential figures like Augustine and Athanasius.
• Contrast with Modern Hymns: Understand the theological argument for favoring Psalms over modern hymns, highlighting the former's superiority in conveying biblical truth.
• Call to Action: Aldo urges the church to return to the practice of Psalm singing, aligning with the historical and biblical traditions of Christian worship.

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In this revealing episode of Kingdom Polemics, host Aldo Leon is joined by Gavin Beers, a Pastor from the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), to delve deep into a cornerstone of Reformed Protestant theology—the identification of the Pope as the Antichrist. With Gavin's insights and Aldo's theological rigor, the conversation explores how this belief has been rooted in the teachings of key Reformers like Calvin and Luther and codified in confessional standards such as the Westminster Confession. Whether you are familiar with these doctrines or hearing them for the first time, this episode challenges listeners to critically examine long-standing theological convictions.

Highlights:

• Historical Reformed Perspective: Aldo and Gavin discuss the longstanding tradition within Reformed Protestantism that views the Pope as the Antichrist, tracing this belief back to figures like Calvin and Luther, who articulated this position based on their interpretation of Scripture and the religious climate of their times.

• Biblical Interpretation: The episode breaks down specific biblical passages from Revelation and Thessalonians, explaining how these scriptures have been historically understood to describe the characteristics of the Papacy as fulfilling the role of the Antichrist.

• Confessional Standards: The discussion references the Westminster Confession, particularly Chapter 25, to underscore the theological argument that the Papacy, through its doctrines and practices, directly opposes the offices of Christ and thus fits the description of the Antichrist.

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In this insightful episode of Kingdom Polemics, host Aldo Leon delves into a critical analysis of the Westminster Confession of Faith and its implications for worship in the Reformed tradition. Through a detailed exploration, Aldo examines the historic and theological basis for exclusive psalmody, a practice that many Reformed churches have adhered to since the 17th century. This episode challenges listeners to reconsider the significance of the Psalms in corporate worship and what it truly means to align with the Westminster standards.

Highlights:

• The Historical Context of the Westminster Confession: Aldo discusses the origins of the Westminster Confession and its influence on Reformed worship practices, emphasizing the importance of understanding the historical backdrop.
• Exclusive Psalmody Explained: A deep dive into the theological reasoning behind singing only the Psalms in church, as outlined by the Westminster Confession. The discussion includes a comparison with modern worship practices.
• Implications for Modern Reformed Churches: The episode explores the relevance of exclusive psalmody in today's context and whether modern Reformed churches are adhering to or deviating from this tradition.
• Critiques and Counterarguments: Aldo addresses common objections to exclusive psalmody and provides counterarguments rooted in Reformed theology and scripture.
• Practical Applications: Suggestions for how churches and believers can re-incorporate psalmody into their worship in a meaningful and theologically sound manner.

References:

This is the article mentioned in the podcast written by Matthew Winzor regarding Nick Needham's article on RPW, EP and Instruments: https://www.cpjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Winzer-NeedhamReviewf.pdf

If you found this episode insightful, consider supporting Kingdom Polemics by visiting our Buy Me A Coffee page (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kingdompolemics). Your support helps us continue producing content that challenges and edifies the Reformed community. Additionally, we'd love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment on our YouTube page (https://youtube.com/@kingdompolemics) and join the conversation.

In this thoughtful episode of Kingdom Polemics, host Aldo Leon delves into the contentious topic of Federal Vision theology, engaging with the perspectives of prominent figures like Doug Wilson and Steve Lusk. Interacting with a video from Reformation Red Pill (https://youtu.be/2F0inNBqrgE), Aldo critically examines their arguments, shedding light on the implications of their theological positions and the broader impact on Reformed orthodoxy. This episode is a follow-up to a previous discussion, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of the theological nuances and implications of Federal Vision.

Summary of Highlights:

• Aldo Leon opens the discussion by addressing the recent defense of Federal Vision theology by Doug Wilson and Steve Lusk, emphasizing the need for critical engagement with their views.
• The episode features a detailed critique of Lusk's theological assertions, particularly regarding the nature of God's law and the concept of righteousness.
• Aldo references the 2003 Max Colloquium, where Lusk presented intriguing ideas that challenge traditional interpretations within Reformed circles.
• Aldo explains the history and nuances of Reformed covenant theology, arguing that the Federal Vision distorts the essential distinctions between the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace. He warns that such distortions can lead to a theological misunderstanding that undermines the core tenets of the gospel.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the ongoing debates within Reformed circles about the implications of Federal Vision theology. Leon's passionate defense of traditional Reformed doctrine serves as both a caution and a call to clarity for believers navigating these complex theological waters.

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In this episode of Kingdom Polemics, host Aldo Leon rebroadcasts a catechism session that he held at Pinelands Prebyterian Church in Cutler Bay, FL. In it, he delves into the Regulative Principle of Worship, exploring its significance within the Westminster Confession of Faith. Aldo discusses how worship should be conducted according to God's revealed will, emphasizing the importance of adhering to scriptural prescriptions rather than human inventions.

Catechism Highlights:

• Introduction to the Regulative Principle: Understanding worship as instituted by God and limited by His revealed will.
• Connection to Christian Liberty: How worship ties into the concept of Christian liberty and freedom of conscience.
• Historical Context: Insights from the Westminster Confession and contributions from theologians like Samuel Rutherford.
• Practical Implications: The importance of scriptural adherence in worship practices and the dangers of man-made innovations.

Support Kingdom Polemics by visiting their Buy Me A Coffee page (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kingdompolemics). Your contributions help keep the podcast running and allow for more in-depth discussions on important theological topics. Don't forget to leave your comments and feedback on our YouTube page (https://youtube.com/@kingdompolemics).