In Episode 422 of the Reformed Brotherhood Podcast, hosts Jesse Schwamb and Tony Arsenal embark on a thorough exploration of the Lord's Supper, focusing on its representation in the Scots Confession. They delve into the concept of "real presence," discussing how the Holy Spirit actively unites believers with Christ through the sacrament of communio…

Christians often examine their “prayer lives,” wondering if they are praying correctly, praying enough, or if their prayers are effective at all. As with other elements of the Christian life, we can rob prayer of its inherent supernatural power by imposing our own fleshly expectations upon it. In this episode, Jon and Doug discuss how prayer is les…

Over the years, Jon and Justin have sought to defend the gospel message: that we are saved by Jesus Christ through faith in Him alone. This belief has often been met with criticism. People frequently object, saying, “Surely it’s not that simple—it has to involve more than just faith in Jesus.” In response, Jon and Justin argue that faith is not as …

In this episode of the Reformed Brotherhood Podcast, hosts Jesse Schwamb and Tony Arsenal engage in a discussion about the theology and significance of the sacraments, particularly baptism and the Lord's Supper, through the lens of John Knox's perspective as outlined in the Scots Confession. They begin by emphasizing the sacraments as more than mer…

Many Christians are confused about the sacrament of the Lord’s Table, also known as communion. Some say that it is merely a memorial for remembrance only. Others say that there is a physical element of Christ within it. These focuses are missing the point of communion and the role it holds within the Christian life. Participation in the Lord’s Supp…

Many Christians often struggle with a significant question: How does God truly feel about me? We are aware of the sins we try to hide and the personal struggles we face. God knows all our weaknesses and failures, and deep down, we question whether He is angry or disappointed with us. We may wonder if He will discipline us or pursue us in judgment b…

In Episode 420 of the Reformed Brotherhood Podcast, hosts Tony Arsenal and his wife Ashley engage in a lively discussion centered around their favorite podcasts and personal anecdotes. The episode kicks off with Tony introducing Ashley as his co-host for the day, setting the stage for a relaxed and informal conversation. Ashley shares her insights …

Baptism is more than just a tradition or historical practice, the sacrament contains very real spiritual power and reality! When Christians participate in this blessed sacrament, we receive the baptism of Christ. The means through which God shares His mercy and love are seen in baptism. In this episode, Jon and Doug discuss how baptism is a confirm…

If God is both sovereign and good, why does He allow evil and suffering in the world? These are questions we often ask. For Justin, who lives in Asheville, North Carolina, they’ve just gone through a hurricane, so there are many people asking these questions. Today, Jon and Justin are having a conversation about this, and we acknowledge that we don…

In this episode of the Reformed Brotherhood Podcast, Tony Arsenal and Jesse Schwamb engage in a thought-provoking discussion about the authority of church councils within reformed theology. They explore how church councils serve as a collective authority, combining the insights of individual ministers to make decisions that align with the marks of …

In our attempts to make the Bible compelling to the world, we try to downplay or completely ignore the amazing, supernatural power that the gospel holds! In this episode, Jon and Doug discuss the etymology of the word gospel and how its full power is often hidden through improper teaching. The word of the Lord is more than information. It has the p…

The distinction between law and gospel is one of the most important topics covered at Theocast, as it lies at the heart of resting in Christ. Many struggle with trusting in Christ’s sufficiency because they mistakenly mix the law with the gospel, believing there’s something they must do to earn God’s acceptance. This episode compiles key points fro…

In this episode of the Reformed Brotherhood Podcast, hosts Tony Arsenal and Jesse Schwamb explore the fundamental concept of the authority of Scripture, emphasizing its unparalleled role in guiding and shaping the lives of Christians. They discuss how elevating human interpretation above the Bible can lead to dangerous theological errors, underscor…

Christians around the world don’t understand the real significance behind many of the most famous Psalms. The key to understanding the pictures described in these Psalms is a full view of the supernatural battle that takes place throughout the entire Bible. Centering all around Jesus, His work on earth, and His conquering of Hell, the evil realm, a…

Is there a right and wrong way to read your Bible? We’re going to argue that yes, there is. There’s a dangerous way where passages are misapplied—for example, reading the law as gospel or the gospel as law, which leads to confusion and distorts the message. In today’s podcast, we discuss how to read your Bible with a law-gospel distinction. We’ll c…

In this episode of the Reformed Brotherhood Podcast, Tony Arsenal and Jesse Schwamb engage in a profound discussion on the subject of church discipline, examining its biblical foundations and its vital role within the Christian faith community. They delve into John Knox's perspectives, underscoring the significance of spiritual authority and the un…

Satan, the arch-villain of the entire Biblical narrative. How should Christians understand “the Satan” in relation to history, their lives, and the supernatural battle against evil? What insights can scripture show us into how Satan operates and the kind of power he holds as “the prince of this world.” How has Satan demonstrated his grip on the wor…

Today’s conversation is one that Jon and Justin wanted to have as they look at the broader Christian landscape. Even within their own churches, it seems that many Christians operate out of fear and are overly concerned with certain theological directions. This fear may prevent us from partnering with sincere, well-meaning Christians to promote the …

In this episode of the Reformed Brotherhood Podcast, hosts Tony Arsenal and Jesse Schwamb engage in a deep exploration of the theological insights of John Knox as delineated in the Scots Confession. The discussion intricately weaves through various theological concepts, emphasizing the critical role of the Lord's Supper as an integral part of Refor…

What is the origin of the naturalistic view of Genesis 6? There is a surprisingly alarming and sinister history to the conception and widespread acceptance of the Sethite, non-supernatural view of scripture. In this episode, Jon and Doug give an overview and summary of Doug’s article on the origin and history of the Sethite heresy and how it was us…

When you hear the word “humility,” what comes to mind? How do you feel when you recall how a pastor, perhaps in your past, spoke to you about the need to be humble? How did that affect you? In today’s episode, Jon and Justin have a conversation about humility—specifically, humbling ourselves before and under the mighty hand of God. The purpose of h…

In this episode, Jesse Schwamb and Tony Arsenal of the Reformed Brotherhood delve into the parable of the wheat and tares, offering an insightful discussion on the challenges of discerning true believers from false ones. They explore the theological implications of this parable, emphasizing the responsibility of Christians to recognize the true Chu…

As confessional pastors, Jon and Doug hold historic, biblical theology in high regard. However, tradition is not our highest authority. Scripture is our highest authority! That being said, is newer theology that differs from church tradition inherently bad, worse, or even, dangerous? Doug’s Podcast: Giant Steps Doug’s Books Doug’s Website Join the …

Jon and Justin were recently invited onto the Room for Nuance podcast with Sean DeMars to discuss various topics surrounding assurance of salvation, law-gospel distinction, and the relationship between faith and works. We hope you find this conversation informative and encouraging! ROOM FOR NUANCE Join the Theocast Community! FREE EBOOK PARTNER WIT…

In this episode of the Reformed Brotherhood Podcast, hosts Jesse Schwamb and Tony Arsenal delve into Chapter 17 of the Scots Confession, focusing on the intriguing subject of the soul and its significance within Reformed theology. They explore how the soul's immortality is perceived in Reformed teachings and what this means for believers. The conve…

Demon exorcisms, pulling demons out of people, casting out demons… Are these things Christians should be trying to do? Do we even hold the power to do so? Popular culture, sensationalism, and media would say yes, but what does scripture say about these phenomena? Unsurprisingly, the common ideas of these actions are far off from how the Bible instr…

Oh no, Jon and Justin are talking about obedience again. Yes, we are—and it’s an important subject because, to be frank, we truly want everyone who listens to this podcast to obey sincerely. The question is, how is that accomplished? There is no good news for those who only emphasize obedience. We have to look to a power beyond ourselves, and that’…

In this episode of the Reformed Brotherhood Podcast, Tony Arsenal and Jesse Schwamb engage in a comprehensive discussion about the theological intricacies of the Lord's Supper. They explore the significance of the elements used in the sacrament, focusing on the symbolism of the bread and wine and their cultural analogs. The hosts emphasize the impo…

Demon possession? Demon oppression? Like with many things Jon and Doug have discussed, we see these concepts all throughout popular culture and art, but are these concepts biblical? Today, we’ll be answering your questions about the powers of these evil spiritual forces as well as their limitations. And, most importantly, how we can defend our hear…

We live in a time where we’re prone to throw mud, be condescending, self-righteous, and accusatory, and we often misrepresent those with whom we disagree. This behavior doesn’t seem to align with what Scripture teaches about being gentle, kind, patient, and avoiding arguments. So, today, Jon and Justin are going to talk about that. We’ll also discu…