In this episode of The Westminster Podcast, Nate Shannon speaks from Istanbul with Göksel Erdoğdu, the first—and so far only—graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary from Turkey. Göksel shares his remarkable personal story as a second-generation Christian in a predominantly Muslim context, recounting how the gospel first came to his family amid social pressure, cultural shame, and political instability. From his upbringing in the Turkish church to his theological formation at Westminster, Göksel reflects on God’s faithfulness in sustaining both faith and witness across generations. The conversation explores the present state of the church in Turkey, including the legal challenges facing Protestant congregations, the need for sound theological resources, and the growing hunger among younger believers for serious engagement with Scripture. Göksel also describes his current ministry work as a pastor, publisher, and translator, and explains how Westminster’s emphasis on biblical foundations, apologetics, and cultural engagement has shaped his approach to ministry in a Muslim context. The episode concludes with a call to prayer and partnership, inviting listeners to consider how God may be at work in Turkey—and how the global church can faithfully support that work. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of The Westminster Podcast, Brandon McLean Smith is joined again by Brian Selby for a wide-ranging theological conversation on Herman Bavinck, Christology, and the enduring significance of the infralapsarian–supralapsarian debate. Selby explores recent developments in Bavinck scholarship, arguing that Bavinck is far more decisive than often assumed in ordering creation, fall, and redemption with a view to Christ as the telos of all things—while firmly rejecting problematic forms of “incarnation anyway.” Drawing on Bavinck’s engagement with Scripture, the Reformed tradition, and his 19th-century theological context, the conversation situates Bavinck as a critical foil to later neo-orthodox developments, particularly Karl Barth. The discussion also broadens to consider theological retrieval and method. Selby and Smith reflect on how Bavinck models a distinctly Reformed approach to engaging modern questions without surrendering confessional commitments—retrieving the tradition without mere repristination, and advancing dogmatics in service of the church’s witness in every age. Along the way, they address Christocentrism, revelation, apologetics, and the task of theology in a changing intellectual landscape, offering a compelling vision of how historic Reformed theology can remain faithful, catholic, and intellectually alive today. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

Recorded at the Nicaea Conference in Istanbul, this episode of The Westminster Podcast features a wide-ranging and incisive conversation with Pastor Leo de Chirico, a Reformed Baptist pastor serving in Rome, Italy. Drawing on his unique experience and years of evangelistic and theological engagement in a Roman Catholic context, Leo reflects on the significance of the Council of Nicaea, the purpose of the Nicene Creed, and what it really meant to confess Christ’s divinity in the face of Arianism. Rather than treating the creed as a sentimental or purely ecumenical touchstone, Leo argues that Nicaea functioned as an exegetical workshop—a Scripture-driven response to heresy grounded in the authority of the Bible. From there, the conversation explores how different Christian traditions interpret the same creedal language within very different theological frameworks. Leo traces the divergent trajectories of Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism, contending that the Reformation did not reject Nicene Christianity but sought to recover what Nicaea assumed: the supremacy of Scripture as the norma normans. The discussion also turns to contemporary issues, including the renewed attraction of Roman Catholicism among evangelicals, the legacy of Vatican II, and the challenge of engaging a Catholicism that is adaptive, plural, and often misunderstood. Throughout, Leo presses a consistent theme: Christians may use the same words, but they often inhabit very different worlds—and faithful dialogue requires clarity, historical awareness, and a renewed confidence in Scripture alone. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of the Westminster Podcast, Brandon McLean Smith speaks with Jordan Bush, executive director of Thank God for Bitcoin and they explore the practical and theological implications of Bitcoin as a tool for missions and ministries in places cut off from traditional banking, how it can protect individuals and organizations from financial censorship, and the dangers posed by central bank digital currencies. Jordan ties monetary questions to a broader Reformed framework—invoking “sowing and reaping,” the kingdom’s economics, and the need for Christian economists—while offering concrete steps churches can take (accepting crypto donations, educating congregations, building endowments) to steward resources responsibly in an unstable monetary age. If you enjoyed this conversation and were inspired by it to consider ways to utilize Bitcoin and other Crypto currencies to support the work of the Gospel I am glad to announce that Westminster now accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, and most major coins and tokens. This is a great way to donate and support Westminster’s mission to train specialists in the Bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and His Global church. You avoid capital-gains tax, You receive a tax deduction for the full fair-market value and Westminster receives 100% of the value of your donation. If you want to know more about how to go about making such a donation. Please visit wts.edu/donate to get in touch with our stewardship representatives. You can also access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of the Westminster Podcast, host Nate Shannon, along with co-host Blake Franze, engage in a deep conversation with Sharif Fahim, a New Testament scholar from Alexandria, Egypt. They explore Sharif's journey from a nominal Coptic Christian to a reformed theologian, the critical need for reformed literature in Arabic, and the challenges of translating theological works. The discussion also delves into the complexities of Paul's theology in Romans, the significance of justification and sanctification, and the historical importance of Alexandria in church history. Sharif emphasizes the current state of theological education in the Middle East and the potential for reformation in the region. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

In this episode Nate kicks off a series of interviews conducted in Istanbul at the Nicea Conference. He begins with his colleague, the latest addition to the Westminster Faculty, Blake Franze. They discuss Blake's PhD dissertation which was on the concept of reward in the Pauline epistles. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

In this episode Nate Shannon engages with Dave Garner, Chief Academic Officer and future president of Westminster Theological Seminary, to discuss the complex topic of spiritual gifts, particularly tongues and prophecy. They explore the importance of theological discourse, the role of the church in shaping theology, and the necessity of handling disagreements with respect and tenderness. Dr. Garner emphasizes the need for a thoughtful approach to these discussions, recognizing the personal stakes involved for individuals within the church. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

This week Brandon McLean Smith speaks with Dr. James Baird. His book "King of Kings: A Reformed Guide to Christian Government" presents a case for the government's responsibility to promote and protect Christianity as the true religion. While this topic has become controversial, James stakes his claim in the soil of Reformed theology, redemptive-historical hermeneutics, while avoiding the pitfalls of premillenialism and theonomy. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

Nate returns to the home of Dr. Edgar this week to continue their discussion of the role of persuasion in Christian Apologetics. This time they are talking about the point of contact, where the rubber meets the road. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

In this episode Brandon McLean Smith sits down with Timothy Brindle again to discuss the concept of Definitive Sanctification. Typically we think of sanctification as a long slow process of becoming more mature in our faith and more like Jesus. That's not a problematic way to understand sanctification, but behind that idea is what we call definitive sanctification. Definitive because in our union with Christ there was a definitive break with our sinful nature. There has been a breach with sin once and for all such that we are no longer ruled by our sin. We dive into the exegetical rationale for this concept as well as it's practical implications in the life of the believer. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

Joshua Jacobs is an alumnus of Westminster Theological Seminary currently serving as a missionary in France. He sits down with Nate to discuss his ministry and how hospitality is a key element to the proclamation of the gospel in a society as "secular" as France's. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

This week Nate is joined by Tom and Damaris Otremba. They discuss their path from Eastern Europe, to Westminster and plans for proclaiming the Gospel in Poland. Sign up for the Preaching conference here ⁠⁠https://wtspreachingconference25.rsvpify.com⁠ If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

Nate Shannon and Dr. Bill Edgar continue their discussion on one of his most influential books, Reasons of the Heart. They discuss a somewhat overlooked aspect of apologetics, Persuasion. Sign up for the Preaching conference here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wtspreachingconference25.rsvpify.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Nate Shannon and Dan Schrock explore the themes of certainty and assurance in faith as articulated by Hermann Bavinck in his book 'The Certainty of Faith.' Dan has recently translated and edited this work which will be available through our very own Westminster Seminary Press. Grab yourself a copy here. They discuss the historical context of Bavinck's writing, the impact of the Enlightenment and modernity on theological thought, and the pastoral relevance of Bavinck's insights for contemporary Christians facing uncertainty. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of grounding assurance in the authority of Scripture and the objective truth of faith, rather than subjective experiences. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

Nate Shannon is invited into the home of Dr. Bill Edgar to discuss one of his most influential books, Reasons of the Heart. They discuss a somewhat overlooked aspect of apologetics, Persuasion. Sign up for the Preaching conference here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wtspreachingconference25.rsvpify.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

James Beevers is a PhD student at Westminster and he has an interesting personal history. He comes from a WTS family in that his father is an alumnus from the PhD program and his mother from the MAC program. But his reformed roots go potentially so deep that he may be related to Theodore Beza himself. Lineage aside, Nate and James also chat about his dissertation topic, the warning passages in Hebrews, as well as various other topics. Sign up for the Preaching conference here ⁠⁠⁠https://wtspreachingconference25.rsvpify.com⁠⁠ If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

Nate is joined by Westminster's new Dean of Online Students, Paul Wolfe. They discuss his experience in seminary at Westminster, his battle with cancer, his heart for pastoral ministry, and many other things. Sign up for the Preaching conference here ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wtspreachingconference25.rsvpify.com⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

In this episode Nate and Dr. Jerry McFarland discuss ministering in contexts where death and suffering are near. Dr. McFarland has, until recently served as Dean of Online Students and is now enjoying retirement. Sign up for the Preaching conference here ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wtspreachingconference25.rsvpify.com⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

This week Nate Shannon and Brandon Crowe wrap up their series on the Book James by covering the final chapter of James. This discuss the themes of James as well as some translational issues. If you've enjoyed this series, don't fret at it's conclusion. Dr. Crowe will be back on the podcast soon! Sign up for the Preaching conference here ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wtspreachingconference25.rsvpify.com⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

Hey everybody. It's been a while since the last episode of The Scottish Tempest because I really dove deep on this one, as you may be able to tell by the run time. There's a lot of ground covered in this one and a lot of details that I just couldn't overlook. I know it's a long one, but... that's kind of the point of this podcast. I'm trying to leave very few stones un-turned here and I hope that shows in the finished product. Don't be afraid to reach out to us on Twitter, (or X, or whatever we're calling it these days) or Facebook to let us know what you think about the series so far. Thanks for listening! *** Update: The audio has been updated since 9/2/25 to fix an issue where the intro was muted*** Sign up for the Preaching conference here ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wtspreachingconference25.rsvpify.com⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.