GRUKology continues its Deep Dive on Ruth series looking at Ruth 1:1-6.

Four Act Structure (or prologue, epilogue, with 4 acts)

Act 1: Prologue and Problem (Chapter 1)

Scene 1: Prologue: Setting and Problem

Scene 2: Emptiness Compounded

Scene 3: Emptiness Expressed

Act 2: In the Fields of Bethlehem (Chapter 2)

Scene 1: Ruth Gleans

Scene 2: Ruth and Boaz Meet

Scene 3: Naomi Evaluates the Meeting

Act 3: At the Threshing Floor (Chapter 3)

Scene 1: Naomi’s plan

Scene 2: Ruth carries it out

Scene 3: Naomi Evaluates

Act 4: Redemption and Epilogue (Chapter 4)

Scene 1: Boaz acts

Scene 2: A Son is born

Scene 2: Epilogue: The Descendants*

Taken from various commentaries.

Darren and Andy talk with Mark Johnson a trustee for the Banner of Truth Trust and the minister of Groomsport Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

Mark helpfully discusses some of his experiences planting and pastoring thriving churches, but also what it is like to close a church as that ministry comes to an end.

This is an introduction to a new series of podcasts we’re doing over the next several weeks. We’ll take a deep dive into Ruth with different men involved in each episode.

Here are some useful resources if your interested in studying the book of Ruth. You’ll find these books and sermons very beneficial!

Ruth & Esther: There is a Redeemer and Sudden Reversals, by David Strain

Faithful God: An Exposition of the Book of Ruth, by Sinclair Ferguson

Unceasing Kindness: A Biblical Theology of Ruth, by Peter Lau and Gregory Goswell

Sinclair Ferguson Sermon Series on Ruth

Christ the Center Podcast on Ruth

During the Pandemic Darren interviewed Jeremy Marshall on the topic of his book, Beyond the Big C at Chelmsford Presbyterian Church. They discussed life with cancer and beyond. We are posting the interview here because we believe it will be of real benefit to you!

Beyond the Big C, by Jeremy Marshall (https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/products/25500/beyond-the-big-c)

Hope in the Face of Suffering, by Jeremy Marshall (https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/products/27164/hope-in-the-face-of)

Jeremy Marshall two-pack at a reduced cost (https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/products/27259/jeremy-marshall-2-pack)

In this Episode, Jim, Darren, and Andy discuss the War in Ukraine and specific biblical categories that are helpful in understanding a Christian response.

In this Episode, Josh and Andy discuss the recent hit podcast, the Rise and Fall of Mars Hill.

This is a more common question than you might expect in the English speaking church, historically.

Andy, Darren, and Josh discuss some of the biblical and historical reasons a Christian should celebrate Christmas

Augustine - Why Celebrate Christmas? (Abridged sermon 185 - https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/why-celebrate-christmas/)

Augustine unabridged sermon 185 and other Christmas sermons (https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=r3fYAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false)

Show Notes (and more resources you need to check out)

To learn more about the Southgate Fellowship: https://thesouthgatefellowship.org/

Articles by Flavien in Themelios publication of the Affirmations and Denials (link)

Flavien’s book, Paul Against the Idols: A Contextual Reading of the Areopagus Speech (available in paperback and kindle): Buy UK and US (Amazon)

Flavien’s academic publications on the topic (link)

Dan’s book we discussed Their Rock is not as our Rock. Buy UK and US (Amazon)

Also you should check out Plugged In and Making Faith Magnetic (new!)

Andy, Darren, Phil and Michael discuss coming out of pandemic restrictions. Is coming out of lockdown more complex than going into lockdown was? How do we navigate all the changes in church culture?

This week Michael, Andy, and Darren begin an apologetic discussion. The first question they tack is Why Doesn’t God make himself more obvious? We hope you’ll find this discussion helpful and it will whet your appetite for more.

This week we are pleased to be joined by Dr Donald John MacLean, the author of a new book, All Things are Ready: Understanding the Gospel in its Fullness and Freeness, released just this past month, by Christian Focus. Donald John, an elder at Cambridge Presbyterian Church, addresses the topic of the Free offer of the gospel from an incredibly pastoral perspective, defending this biblical mandate, but at the same time encouraging all believers to speak to others about Christ. We hope you’ll find this helpful and stimulating.

This week we are pleased to be joined by Revd Dr Mark Garcia of the Greystone Institute. Mark, a new professor at Westminster Theological Seminary, has worked with Phil Haines in providing educational opportunities through the Greystone Institute in Cardiff the last few years. Phil, Andy, and Mark sit down to discuss theology. What it is, why we need it, and how it’s useful to the church.

This is a special Easter episode. This Sunday churches all over the world will celebrate Easter and speak to the world about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. What is the significance of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ? One problem with our Easter celebrations is that sometimes we emphasise the cross, but neglect, or forget to emphasise the resurrection.

Does the Resurrection matter? … Why does it matter?

The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is a factual certainty. It is verifiable. And because of His resurrection, ours is also assured. Does this excite you? Do you want to share it? Darren Moore and Andy Young discuss the significance of the resurrection here. Listen for your own growth and encouragement, but also, pass this on to others.

Jesus and Other Religions with Dr. Rohinton Mody

Paul Levy’s blogpost on Eddie Izzard

We’re really glad to have Revd Jim Curtis working with us now at Gospel Reformation:UK. Today we’ll be introduced to Jim and he will have a discussion with Andy and Phil about a blog post he recently wrote on the Return of Christ.

A little while back Andy Young and Josh Rieger got together with a friend, James Horgan, to discuss reading. James is an avid reader and he discusses with them what we read, how we read, why we read and all other manner of topics that come up. This is the first of a two part discussion.

Darren Moore sits down for a discussion of Personal Evangelism with author and speaker Jeremy Marshall, Oak Hill Lecturer, Dan Strange, and the director of Speak Life, Glen Scrivener. They deal with a wide-ranging set of questions like how does one do it, what should should be said, and how can I even start a conversation. They also deal with the very important question of how we can be motivated to have a real passion to tell others of Christ.

A little while back Andy Young and Josh Rieger got together with a friend, James Horgan, to discuss reading. James is an avid reader and he discusses with them what we read, how we read, why we read, and all manner of other topics that came up. This is the first of a two part discussion. 

Josh and Darren sit down and talk to Jonty Rhodes (Minister of Christ Church Central, Leeds, IPC) about worship. What is distinct about Reformed Worship, what’s meant by the regulative principle and such like. Jonty has written a helpful little book called Reformed Worship, which we recommend.

Speak Life did a helpful podcast on “10 neglected Bible verses” that you can listen to here or watch here, the list is in the YouTube comments. We commend it to you.

Josh Rieger and Darren Moore thought of a whole load more and are quite happy to add some competition to Glen Scrivener and Paul Feesey at Speak Life to out do us, it’s a bit close to Christmas now, perhaps we can resume this next year.

The texts discussed in this podcast are:

·         Titus 2:11-14     

·         Titus 3:3-5

·         Romans 1:3

·         Romans 5:12-21

·         1 John 1:1-4

·         1 John 4:9-10

·         An advent series on Jesus as the bride groom: Genesis 3, Song of Sons 4, Psalm 45 and Ephesians 5:22-33

·         Then Josh got carried away and mentioned more than we could jot down, most of the OT basically

Over the last several months, Phil Haines, the minister of Ely Presbyterian Church in Cardiff, has written several blog posts on the book of 1 Peter, as he’s been preaching through that book. Andy and Josh have a discussion with Phil about the book of 1 Peter. We hope you find this helpful. 

Here are links to his 1 Peter blog posts:

Encouragements in Difficult Days, Part 1: https://www.gr-uk.org/vlogs/encouragement-in-difficult-days-part-1

Encouragements in Difficult Days, Part 2: https://www.gr-uk.org/vlogs/encouragement-in-difficult-days-part-2

Encouragements in Difficult Days, Part 3: https://www.gr-uk.org/vlogs/encouragement-in-difficult-days-part-3

Encouragements in Difficult Days, Part 4: https://www.gr-uk.org/vlogs/encouragement-in-difficult-days-part-4

Encouragements in Difficult Days, Part 5: https://www.gr-uk.org/vlogs/encouragement-in-difficult-days-part-5

Andy and Josh speak with Stephen Dancer. Stephen is the minister of Solihull Presbyterian Church. To begin, Stephen, a former engineer, tells us about how he came to change careers and enter the ministry, but then Stephen, Josh and Andy discuss church planting. Stephen is a veteran church planter in the EPCEW. They discuss what church planting is, how one plants a church, what is the role of preaching in church planting and evangelism, and many more topics.

Recorded several weeks ago, in this episode Darren sat down with two friends, Matthew Roberts, the minister of Trinity Church York, and Andrew Grey, the minister of Immanuel Church Brentwood. Darren, Matthew and Andrew all came up in, trained in, or ministered in the Church of England, but none of them are in the Church of England today. All three of them are now ministers in congregations where they subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith. They discuss their journeys and the biblical and confessional commitments that led them to be where they are now.

Michael and Darren have the chance for a conversation with Crawford Gribben. Crawford is a professor of history at Queen’s University in Belfast.

He has a new book out last month from Crossway, An Introduction to John Owen: A Christian Vision for Every Stage of Life.

You may have seen our GRUK emphasis on this book and on John Owen a few weeks ago in relation to this book’s release. Michael, Darren and Crawford have a fascinating discussion on John Owen and his life here.

Andy, Darren, Michael, and Josh discuss the process of emerging from Lockdown. What has that looked like? How should we think about this process.

Over the last several weeks there has been a lot of discussion of race. The murder of George Floyd in Minnesota in the US, but it has sparked conversations all around the world. We wanted to be able to have more informed conversations ourselves, and to help inform you, our listeners.

In today’s episode Darren and Andy get the chance to discuss this topic with two of our friends from Charleston, South Carolina.

Revd Dr Jon Payne is the minister of Christ Church Presbyterian in Charleston and he’s the Executive Coordinator for the Gospel Reformation Network in the US. Jon did a masters degree here in the UK at the University of Edinburgh, and he and the churches he has ministered in have a long history of supporting church planting and missions in the UK and on the continent.

Professor Gabriel Williams is a member of Jon’s congregation in Charleston. Dr. Williams is a professor in Physics and Meteorology at the College of Charleston. These two men have given much thought to these issues and have a fair amount of personal experience that informs their views. We hope you’ll find this to be a helpful discussion.

Gospel Reformation Network: https://gospelreformation.net/

Christ Church Charleston: https://www.christchurchcharleston.org/

Jon and Gabe’s Podcast, Between the Times: https://apple.co/3i1yoYB

Professor Gabriel Williams: http://williamsgj.people.cofc.edu/

Josh, Andy, and Richard Harris sit down for a discussion. Richard is the minister of Christ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, in Houston, TX. CEPC is the home of RTS Houston. Richard tells us about his congregations partnership with Grace Point Church, in Kikuyu, Nairobi and the work of the minister there, Harrison Mungai. He also talks about his own conversion and call to the ministry and how CEPC came to have an interest in gospel work in the UK.

Andy interviews GRUK co-founder, Michael Cochran, about the church-planting work in Gloucester.

Gloucester Church Plant on Facebook

Gloucester Church Plant on Youtube

To support Michael in his church-planting ministry click here.