Reformed Theological Seminary (with campuses in Jackson, Mississippi; Orlando, Florida; Charlotte, North Carolina; Washington, DC; Atlanta, Georgia; Houston, Texas; New York City; Dallas, Texas, and online at RTS Global—the world’s largest confessional Reformed theological graduate school) is partnering with The Gospel Coalition to offer “RTS at TGC” at the TGC23 National Conference in Indianapolis. Get a taste of the tremendous scholarly and pastoral resources available to RTS students, hear from outstanding professors, staff and other members of the RTS family.
ROUND 1 — MONDAY 1:00-3:00PM
Hope, in Confusing Times and Suffering
Christians dwell as “sojourners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11) in a world that is increasing complex to navigate while maintaining biblical convictions for faith and life. In this two-part session, James Anderson will begin by examining how to cultivate a biblically formed understanding of our present cultural realities—and how such an understanding helps us maintain a confident and hopeful witness when we might otherwise be tempted to despair. Ligon Duncan and Nancy Guthrie will then follow with a discussion of theological foundations and pastoral approaches for helping our fellow brothers and sisters as they walk through suffering.
Understanding the Times: How to Think about Worldview and Culture – James Anderson
Ministering to the Suffering: Seven Theological Misunderstandings that Rob Hurting People of Biblical Hope – Nancy Guthrie and Ligon Duncan
James Anderson
James Anderson is the Carl W. McMurray Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, and an ordained minister in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He specializes in philosophical theology, religious epistemology, and Christian apologetics. Before joining RTS Charlotte, he served as an assistant pastor at the historic Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh where he engaged in regular preaching, teaching, and pastoral ministry. He is married to Catriona and they have three children.
Round 1 — Hope, in Confusing Times and Suffering (Reformed Theological Seminary)
Ligon Duncan
Ligon Duncan (MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Edinburgh) is Chancellor and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary, chairman of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and a Council Member for The Gospel Coalition. He has authored, coauthored, edited, or contributed to numerous books, including Does Grace Grow Best in Winter? He and his wife, Anne, have two children.
Round 1 — Hope, in Confusing Times and Suffering (Reformed Theological Seminary)
Round 2 — Hope (and Help!), for Women’s Ministry (Reformed Theological Seminary)
Keynote 6 — God’s Covenant Confirmed in the Wilderness (Exodus 24)
Nancy Guthrie
Nancy Guthrie teaches the Bible at her home church, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Tennessee, as well as at conferences around the country and internationally, including her Biblical Theology Workshop for Women. She is the author of numerous books and the host of the Help Me Teach the Bible podcast at The Gospel Coalition. She and her husband founded Respite Retreats for couples who have faced the death of a child and are co-hosts of the GriefShare video series.
Round 1 — Hope, in Confusing Times and Suffering (Reformed Theological Seminary)
Round 2 — Hope (and Help!), for Women’s Ministry (Reformed Theological Seminary)
ROUND 2 - MONDAY 3:30-4:30PM
Hope (and Help!), for Women’s Ministry: Encouraging the Theological Development of Women in Your Church
A strong theological foundation plays a vital role in encouraging and sustaining hope. This session—led by Ligon Duncan, Nancy Guthrie, Leigh Swanson, and Melissa Kruger—provides practical advice and encouragement for pastors, elders, women’s ministry leaders, and others who desire to start and sustain biblically faithful and theologically rich women’s ministries in their congregations.
Ligon Duncan
Ligon Duncan (MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Edinburgh) is Chancellor and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary, chairman of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and a Council Member for The Gospel Coalition. He has authored, coauthored, edited, or contributed to numerous books, including Does Grace Grow Best in Winter? He and his wife, Anne, have two children.
Round 1 — Hope, in Confusing Times and Suffering (Reformed Theological Seminary)
Round 2 — Hope (and Help!), for Women’s Ministry (Reformed Theological Seminary)
Keynote 6 — God’s Covenant Confirmed in the Wilderness (Exodus 24)
Nancy Guthrie
Nancy Guthrie teaches the Bible at her home church, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Tennessee, as well as at conferences around the country and internationally, including her Biblical Theology Workshop for Women. She is the author of numerous books and the host of the Help Me Teach the Bible podcast at The Gospel Coalition. She and her husband founded Respite Retreats for couples who have faced the death of a child and are co-hosts of the GriefShare video series.
Round 1 — Hope, in Confusing Times and Suffering (Reformed Theological Seminary)
Round 2 — Hope (and Help!), for Women’s Ministry (Reformed Theological Seminary)
Melissa Kruger
Melissa Kruger serves as Vice President of Discipleship Programming for The Gospel Coalition. She’s the author of multiple books, including The Envy of Eve: Finding Contentment in a Covetous World, Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood, Growing Together: Taking Mentoring Beyond Small Talk and Prayer Requests, and Wherever You Go I Want You to Know. Her husband, Mike, is the president of Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte and they have three children.
Round 2 — Hope (and Help!), for Women’s Ministry (Reformed Theological Seminary)
Round 3 — For Women: Cultivating your Gifts of Leading and Teaching (Lifeway Women)
Round 6 — Shepherding Women in the Church (The Gospel Coalition)
Leigh Swanson
Leigh Swanson serves as executive vice president for RTS Orlando, where she oversees campus administration. She is responsible for community relations as well, heading up development efforts. Previously, Leigh served as associate dean of students from 2012 until 2017 when she was named vice president of community relations. In addition to her role at RTS, she speaks regularly at various events around the country. Leigh and her husband David (senior pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Orlando) have three grown children.
Round 2 — Hope (and Help!), for Women’s Ministry (Reformed Theological Seminary)
ROUND 3 - TUESDAY 1:00-3:00PM
Hope, in the Triune God, and his New Creation
The hope of Christian pilgrims is grounded in the truth that “Salvation belongs to the Lord” (Ps. 3:8), who is “making all things new” (Rev. 21:5). In the first part of this two-part session, Scott Swain surveys how the doctrine of the Trinity can help enrich our understanding of our salvation and enlarge our affection for the Triune Author of it. In the second part of the session, Greg Beale traces the theme of new creation through Scripture to illustrate how biblical theology helps equip us to appreciate and proclaim the gospel in all its beauty and fullness. Beale will also explain how the first Exodus and the prophesied second Exodus in Isaiah is part of new creation, and the second Exodus fulfilled in the New Testament is also a part of the inaugurated fulfillment of the new creation.
Blessed Trinity: How the Doctrine of the Trinity Enriches Our Biblical Theology of Salvation – Scott R. Swain
Salvation as New Creation: How Biblical Theology Helps us Preach the Gospel – Greg Beale
Greg Beale
Greg Beale is professor of New Testament at RTS Dallas. He has taught at Grove City College, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Wheaton Graduate School, and Westminster Theological Seminary. Before joining the RTS Dallas faculty in 2021, he served as Westminster’s J. Gresham Machen Chair and Research Professor of New Testament and Biblical Interpretation. He is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Dr. Beale is a native Texan and a graduate of Southern Methodist University (SMU), Dallas Theological Seminary, and Cambridge University.
Round 3 — Hope, in the Triune God, and his New Creation (Reformed Theological Seminary)
Scott Swain
Scott Swain is president and Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. His main research interests include the doctrine of God, theological interpretation of Scripture, and modern Protestant theology, and he has published a number of books and essays on these topics. With Dr. Michael Allen, he serves as general editor of two series: Zondervan Academic’s New Studies in Dogmatics and T & T Clark’s International Theological Commentary. Dr. Swain is an ordained minister in the PCA. He and his wife, Leigh, have four children.
Round 3 — Hope, in the Triune God, and his New Creation (Reformed Theological Seminary)
ROUND 4 — TUESDAY 3:30-4:30PM
Hope in Doubt: How to Face Our Own Questions about the Faith in a Skeptical Age
C.S. Lewis once said, “Don’t forget in the dark what you learned in the light.” The Christian life can be filled with dark times—doubts, fears, and questions about all sorts of things. Michael Kruger, will explore the role of doubt in the Christian life, what causes people to doubt, and how we can fight against it (and help others fight against it).
Michael Kruger
Michael Kruger is president and professor of New Testament and early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the author of numerous books, most recently Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church, and is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. He is married to Melissa Kruger, Vice President of Discipleship Programming for The Gospel Coalition.
Round 1 — Reliable: How We Got Our Bible, Part 1 & 2 (Phoenix Seminary and Text & Canon Institute)
Round 4 — Hope in Doubt: How to Face Our Own Questions about the Faith in a Skeptical Age (Reformed Theological Seminary)
Round 6 — Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church (The Gospel Coalition)