All Christians agree that the Bible is important, but understanding what it means by what it says is more challenging. And more challenging still is how the Bible is to be taught. In this episode, Pat is joined by Dennis Johnson to talk about understanding and communicating the Bible as Christians and like Christians. Dennis Johnson is Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary California, where he was a founding member of the faculty in 1982. He is the author of numerous b...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 227
When we fail to recognize the distinction between the law and the gospel, we fail to read the Bible like Christians. So wouldn’t it be nice if we had a teaching tool, like a catechism, to help us with this crucial distinction? Thankfully, we do! Pat is joined today by Jay Wipf, author of the newly released Learning God's Two Words: A Brief Catechism on the Law and the Gospel . Jay is also the co-host of the RenewalCast . You can find more from Jay and connect with him at https://lawgospelcatechi...
May 28, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 226
Have we been misguided when it comes to Bible interpretation? Joining Pat to talk about hermeneutics in this episode is Brandon D. Smith. Brandon is a professor at Oklahoma Baptist University, the host of the Church Grammar podcast, and author of Taught by God: Ancient Hermeneutics for the Modern Church .
May 21, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 225
Is there a coming judgment day for believers? On this episode of the Pactum, Pat is joined by T. Jeff Taylor who says, “There is no coming Judgment Day for the believer.” T. Jeff Taylor s a retired pastor, a graduate of Westminster Seminary California, the author of the book More Than Heaven: A Biblical Theological Argument for a Federal View of Glorification , and one who has done an excellent job of distilling the theological instruction of Meredith Kline. You can find more from Jeff on his we...
May 14, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 224
Meet your heroes! That is a favorite saying on The Pactum because showing honor where honor is due is one thing, but hero worship by Christians is just gross. And it is a real thing. On this episode Pat and Mike talk about Christian Celebrity Crushes. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Ordinary by Michael Horton
May 07, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 223
If you have been a Christian for even a brief time you know that Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches clearly that salvation is by grace through faith. But ask ten different people to define faith, and you may get ten different answers! In this episode, Pat and Mike talk about matters related to faith. What is it? What about faithfulness? Do people really oppose sola fide? Resources mentioned in this episode: - What is Faith by J. Gresham Machen - The Giver of Life by J.V. Fesko - Subjective and Objective Ju...
Apr 30, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 222
In this episode, Pat is joined by Johnny Gravino to talk about gospel ministry in Rome, Italy. You can find more about Johnny Gravino at Lifegate Worldwide
Apr 23, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 221
In this episode Pat is joined by Josh Lofthus to talk about life, ministry, and his podcast, The Reformatory. You can find more from Josh and The Reformatory on X @joshlofthus or @reformatorypod
Apr 16, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 220
Listen in to this Pactum Responsum episode where we answer listener questions. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction by Harrison Perkins - More Than Heaven: A Biblical Theological Argument for a Federal View of Glorification by Jeff Taylor - 40 Questions About Typology and Allegory by Mitchell Chase...
Apr 09, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 219
Is the Bible pro sports? What is the ultimate motivation for an athlete? Listen in as Pat, joined by his son, Owen, talk about christians and sports.
Apr 02, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 218
From start to finish, salvation belongs to the Lord! In this episode, Pat and Mike talk about the book The Plan of Salvation by B.B. Warfield. You can download a free PDF of The Plan of Salvation here .
Mar 26, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 217
In this episode, Pat and Mike tackle the temple. It’s not just some ancient building; it’s a massive biblical theme that runs from Genesis to Revelation, revealing God’s unique dwelling with His people. Resources mentioned in this episode: - The Temple by G.K. Beale and Mitch Kim - Last Things First by J.V. Fesko - The Temple and the Church's Mission: A Biblical Theology of the Dwelling Place of God by G.K. Beale...
Mar 19, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 216
On this episode, Pat and Mike talk about the doctine of the active obedience of Christ in honor of the one year anniversary of the release of Pat's book, The Active Obedience of Christ. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Why Did Jesus Live a Perfect Life?: The Necessity of Christ's Obedience for Our Salvation by Brandon Crowe - The Lord Jesus Christ: The Biblical Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ by Brandon Crowe - Death in Adam, Life in Christ: The Doctine of Imputation by J.V. Fesk...
Mar 12, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 215
In this episode, Pat and Mike discuss five questions about Eastern Orthodoxy. 1. What is Orthodoxy? 2. Why care about Eastern Orthodoxy? 3. What are some of the major distinctions, and how do they differ from the Bible? 4. What is the appeal? 5. How should we respond?
Mar 05, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 214
In this episode Pat is joined by Jason Alligood to talk about the important doctrine of glorification. Jason has a Ph.D. from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and teaches at Cedarville University. He has just released Raised in Splendor: The Hope of Glorification for a Secular Age .
Feb 26, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 213
In this episode, Pat and Mike answer listener questions about the sabbath, justification, false gods, baptism, ministry, and more. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Ordinary by Michael Horton - Taught by God: Ancient Hermeneutics for the Modern Church by Brandon D. Smith - Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture by Graeme Goldsworthy - Him We Proclaim by Dennis Johnson - Canon, Covenant and Christology by Matthew Barrett - The Active Obedience of Christ by Patrick Abendroth - A Cas...
Feb 19, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 212
In this Pat is joined by Sam Renihan to talk about the unchangeable nature of God and the doctrine of impassability. Sam Renihan is pastor of Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in La Mirada, CA. He is the author of God Without Passions: The Majesty of God's Unshakeable Perfection . You can find Sam on X @Petty_France
Feb 12, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 211
Pat and Mike talk about seven motivations for prayer in this episode. This is not a guilt trip to make you feel bad about your prayer life, but a little nudge and encouragment to approach the throne of grace with confidence.
Feb 05, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 210
In this episode, Pat and Mike talk about what R.C. Sproul called God's favorite doctrine—the sovereignty of God.
Jan 29, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 209
In this episode we are talking about law and gospel with Mike Abendroth. Mike recently released the book, Law & Gospel: A Primer available here . You can find more from Mike Abendroth at No Compromise Radio .
Jan 22, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 208
Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the King and He is therefore reigning and will reign forever and ever! Join us on this episode of the Pactum as we discuss seven questions about Amillenialism. Resources mentioned in this episode: - A Call for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity by Albert Mohler - A Case for Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times by Kim Riddlebarger - Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond by Darrell L. Bock - Triumph of the Lamb: A Commentary on Revelation by Denni...
Jan 15, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 207
In this episode Pat sits down with special guest R. Scott Clark to talk about bad theology. They talk about pietism, biblicism, antinomianism, neonomianism, and more. R. Scott Clark is a minister in the URCNA, Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California . He is the author of numerous books including the forthcoming The Heidelberg Catechism: A Historical, Theological, and Pastoral Commentary (Lexham Press, 2025). He is also the founder of the Heidelberg ...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 206
I never knew you, depart from me you who practice lawlessness! Could there be anything worse for anyone to hear from Jesus and how can one avoid hearing it on judgment day? Listen in as Pat and Mike discuss Matthew 7:21-23 and engage pertinent questions about the passage.
Jan 01, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 205
In this episode Pat and Mike answer listener questions about the Bible, theology, and Christian living. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Knowing God by J.I. Packer - Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer - On Covenant Theology by J.I. Packer - R.C. Sproul: A Life by Stephen J. Nichols - Not by Faith Alone: The Neonomianism of Richard Baxter by Michael Brown - Divorce and Remarriage in the Church: Biblical Solutions for Pastoral Realities by David Instone-Brewer - Covenant Th...
Dec 25, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 204
Life is filled with decisions to be made. So, what is the Christian to do? Follow the Bible? Yes. But what about when the Bible doesn’t say? Listen in as Pat and Mike talk about some guiding principles for decision-making and gray areas.
Dec 18, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 203
Theological education is important so we're talking about it on this episode. Listen in as Pat and Mike talk about Theology for Breakfast, a ministry at Omaha Bible Church that has been helpful in training and educating men in the church.
Dec 11, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 202
In this episode Pat and Mike talk about the topic of good works. Are good works required for salvation? What should be the motivation for our good works? Listen in as they discuss these questions and more.
Dec 04, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 201
In this episode we are listening in to the sixth session from the 2024 Pactum Conference, God’s Good Law . This session is titled “Theonomy and the Law” from conference speaker, David VanDrunen.
Nov 27, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 200
In this episode we are listening in to the fifth session from the 2024 Pactum Conference, God’s Good Law . This session is titled “Legalism and Antinomianism” from conference speaker, Mike Abendroth.
Nov 20, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 199
In this episode we are listening in to the fourth session from the 2024 Pactum Conference, God’s Good Law . This session is titled “Covenant Theology and the Law” from conference speaker, J.V. Fesko.
Nov 13, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 198
