Simply Put
by Ligonier Ministries
Have you ever wished that someone would explain theology in a way that doesn't require a degree or a dictionary? Maybe you've listened to a sermon and it seemed like the pastor was speaking another language. Or perhaps you've thought that the notes in your study Bible could use a commentary of their own. From imputation to justification, theophany to theodicy, keeping all these concepts straight can be a challenge for any believer. This is a short podcast about long words. Every week, Barry Cooper sheds light on a different biblical or theological term, using helpful illustrations to apply it to your life. Listen to this week's episode to expand your understanding and deepen your faith, one word at a time.
Episodes
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The Five Solas
Can you summarize your faith in a few brief words? In this episode, Barry Cooper discusses the five solas of the Protestant Reformation and explains their relevance today. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/five-solas/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle...
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Canon of Scripture
How did the early church recognize the books of the New Testament as Scripture? In this episode, Barry Cooper examines four signs of a book's divine authority. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/canon-of-scripture/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle…
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General Revelation
Just as a painting reveals the qualities of its painter, God's world speaks powerfully of Him. On this episode of Simply Put, Barry Cooper considers God's general revelation in nature. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/general-revelation/ Study Reformed theology with a...
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Aseity of God
God depends on nothing and no one for His existence. On this episode of Simply Put, Barry Cooper considers the aseity of God. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/aseity-of-god/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries:...
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Satan
He's called the tempter, the accuser, the evil one, and the god of this age. On this episode of Simply Put, Barry Cooper looks at the biblical—and very real—figure of Satan. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/satan/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle…
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Imputed Righteousness
No royal wedding is more shocking than that of Christ and His church. On this episode of Simply Put, Barry Cooper explains why. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/imputed-righteousness/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries:...
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Justification
We can never be good enough to meet the demands of God's law. In this episode, Barry Cooper testifies to the One who met those demands on our behalf. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/justification/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier...
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Sanctification
On this episode of Simply Put, Barry Cooper considers what it means to be sanctified: to be set apart by God for a purpose. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/sanctification/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries:...
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Original Sin
Sin isn't just what we do; it's who we are. On this episode of Simply Put, Barry Cooper defines the term "original sin" and explains how it became our natural state. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/original-sin/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle…
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Universalism and Hell
Why do some people claim that hell will ultimately be unpopulated? Today, Barry Cooper contrasts this idea with the clear teaching of Jesus on who will inherit eternal life and who will not. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/universalism-and-hell/ Study Reformed…
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Preterism
Is it possible that the apocalypse has already happened without many of us realizing it? Today, Barry Cooper considers two related ways of interpreting the Bible's end-times prophecies. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/preterism/ Study Reformed theology with a free...
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Adonai
The name Adonai refers to God's absolute sovereignty over creation. Today, Barry Cooper explains the most exalted title used to describe God in the Old Testament. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/adonai/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from…
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Theophany and Christophany
If we're paying attention in our Bible reading, we'll find that the New Testament isn't the first place we meet Jesus. Today, Barry Cooper considers the Old Testament appearances of Christ and the Lord's heart to be present with His people. Read the transcript:...
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Biblical Theology
To make sense of the many details in Scripture, we need to get to grips with the overarching story of the Bible, following God's unfolding revelation chapter by chapter and book by book. Today, Barry Cooper introduces the important discipline of biblical theology. Read the transcript:...
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Biblical Theology
To make sense of the many details in Scripture, we need to get to grips with the overarching story of the Bible, following God's unfolding revelation chapter by chapter and book by book. In this episode, Barry Cooper introduces the important discipline of biblical theology. Read the transcript:...
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Anthropomorphism
When God wanted to reveal Himself in the most unmistakable way imaginable, He spoke with language that our minds can understand. Today, Barry Cooper explains why our Creator often uses human traits and characteristics to describe Himself in His Word. Read the transcript:...
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Impassibility
In His unchanging divine nature, God does not and cannot suffer. Does that mean He's unable to love us or to empathize with our pain? Today, Barry Cooper explains why the doctrine of divine impassibility is wonderful news for sufferers and sinners. Read the transcript:...
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Immutability
We live in a world that never stops changing. But there is One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Today, Barry Cooper spells out the security we have in knowing the unchanging God. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/immutability/ Study Reformed theology with…
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Postmillennialism
How optimistic are you about the future? Today, Barry Cooper examines one of the main views Christians have held about the end of the world, the glory of God's kingdom, and the reign and return of Christ. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/postmillennialism/ Study...
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Apollinarianism
When we read in John 1:14 that "the Word became flesh," we recognize that Jesus took on a human body. But did Christ take on a human soul too? Today, Barry Cooper discusses a fourth-century heresy that seems slightly off but actually makes a world of difference. Read the transcript:...
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The Second Coming
If you are a Christian, your best days are ahead of you and getting closer by the moment. Today, Barry Cooper considers how the promised return of Jesus calls us to steward our lives faithfully and look with hope to the moment we see Him face to face. Read the transcript:...
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Eschatology
What makes people so obsessed about the end of the world? Today, Barry Cooper considers what Christians should know about the "last days" and how we ought to live in light of the promise of Christ's soon return. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/eschatology/ Study...
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The Ascension
When we talk about the ascension, we aren't merely referring to Jesus' physical rising into the sky. Today, Barry Cooper explains that in this climactic moment, the victorious Christ rose to His throne as King of kings and Lord of lords. Read the transcript:...
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Lamentation
It can sometimes seem as if Christians don't have permission to be unhappy. Today, Barry Cooper reminds us that Jesus Himself was a "man of sorrows"—and our expressions of sadness are heard by our good God. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/lamentation/ Study Reformed...
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Abba
God tells us in His Word to address him as "Abba," the Aramaic word meaning "Father." Today, Barry Cooper considers God's unqualified goodness as our heavenly Father. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/abba/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from...
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Elders
How should a local church be organized? Does everyone in any given church have the same role, or do particular people have particular responsibilities? Today, Barry Cooper explores what Scripture says about leadership in the local church. Read the transcript:...
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Imago Dei
The fact that we are "made in God's image" sets us apart from every other creature on earth (Gen. 1:27). Today, Barry Cooper reminds us of the extraordinary privilege we have of being made in the image of the triune God. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/imago-dei/…
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The Fall
Though darkness and death entered the world through one man, so light and life has entered through another. Today, Barry Cooper considers the fall of man and the promise of the Savior. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-fall/ Study Reformed theology with a free...
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Being Filled with the Spirit
What does it mean to be "filled with the Holy Spirit"? Today, Barry Cooper turns to Scripture to help us grasp the truth behind this often-misunderstood question. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/being-filled-with-the-spirit/ Study Reformed theology with a free…
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Exegesis and Eisegesis
Our responsibility as Bible readers is to draw out the truth from the page open before us, not to try and make Scripture say whatever we'd like. Today, Barry Cooper highlights the importance of studying God's Word rightly. Read the transcript:...
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Selah
Have you ever seen something so beautiful, so awe-inspiring, that it left you breathless? Today, Barry Cooper ponders the meaning and significance of the Hebrew word "selah." Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/selah/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle...
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Quietism and Activism
How do we grow as Christians? Do we passively "let go and let God," or is it all about us and our hard work toward holiness? Today, Barry Cooper shows how the truth revealed in Scripture avoids both of these pitfalls. Read the transcript:...
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Supralapsarianism and Infralapsarianism
In eternity, did God choose to elect His people to salvation based on His decision to permit humanity's fall into sin, or was it the other way around? Today, Barry Cooper takes up this heady question and the two big words that seek to answer it. Read the transcript:...
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Demons
The New Testament is unapologetic about the reality and danger of demonic spirits. Today, Barry Cooper exhorts us to think soberly about these spiritual forces. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/demons/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier...
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Incarnation
The eternal Son of God took on flesh and died as a man, all so that death itself would die. Today, Barry Cooper speaks on an awesome reality, recorded in Scripture, that sets the Christian faith apart from all other religions. Read the transcript:...
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The Sufficiency of Scripture
Is the Bible all we need to live life well? Today, Barry Cooper explains that Scripture tells us everything we must believe in order to be saved and what we must do in order to please God. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-sufficiency-of-scripture/ Study Reformed...
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Abomination of Desolation
Jesus warned His disciples of an "abomination of desolation" who would defile the temple. Is this a figure we should still expect, or has he come already? Today, Barry Cooper turns to the context of Christ's warning to give clarity to this figure's identity. Read the transcript:...
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Sabbath
After completing His work of creating the world, God rested—but not because He got tired and needed a break. Today, Barry Cooper explains how the Sabbath reminds us to regularly rest in God and enjoy the ultimate rest that He has given His people in Christ. Read the transcript:...
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Irresistible Grace
When Jesus calls people to Himself, they come. Today, Barry Cooper shows how God puts His sovereign grace in display every time a lost soul is drawn to Christ. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/irresistible-grace-simply-put/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource...
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Unconditional Election
On what basis does God choose His people for salvation? Today, Barry Cooper explains that our eternal destiny doesn't ultimately depend on our free choice—and why that's a good thing. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/unconditional-election-simply-put/ Study Reformed...
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Penal Substitutionary Atonement
In order for our sin to be dealt with, someone must face the penalty our sin deserves. Today, Barry Cooper points to the only One who is qualified to take our sin upon Himself and reconcile us to God. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/penal-substitutionary-atonement/...
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King
Followers of Jesus seem to be at the mercy of earthly kings bent on destroying them. But each of these rulers will instantly fold at a single word from the mouth of Christ. Today, Barry Cooper invites us to take heart in knowing the King of kings and Lord of lords. Read the transcript:...
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Priest
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have full access to the Creator and can approach Him without fear of being destroyed. Today, Barry Cooper expresses how Jesus, our Great High Priest, has atoned for our sin and intercedes on our behalf. Read the transcript:...
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Prophet
While the prophets often did present God's revelation of the future, their calling had much more to do with how God's people were living in the present. Today, Barry Cooper observes how the prophets reminded God's people of their covenant obligations, culminating in the ultimate Prophet, Jesus...
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The Inspiration of Scripture
When we open the Bible, we can be sure that what we're reading has been breathed out by God. Today, Barry Cooper delves into the marvelous doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-inspiration-of-scripture/ Study Reformed theology...
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High Places
All of the world's idols demand that we make endless sacrifices for them. But only Jesus has accomplished the ultimate sacrifice we need. Today, Barry Cooper explains how the idols we encounter in the Old Testament are far more relevant than we realize. Read the transcript:...
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Ad Fontes
If you want the pure truth, you have to go back to the source. Today, Barry Cooper considers a rallying cry from the Reformation that calls us ever back again to God's Word, the source of true wisdom. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/ad-fontes/ Study Reformed theology...
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Sacrament
The sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper help the church to see spiritual realities that would otherwise be hidden from us. Today, Barry Cooper addresses how these visible depictions of the gospel stir up our faith in Christ. Read the transcript:...
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Perseverance
No one who is truly united to Christ can ever be snatched from the hand of God. Today, Barry Cooper examines an encouraging truth: when God gives someone the gift of saving faith, He will preserve that faith to the end. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/perseverance/...
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Hallelujah
This word of praise erupts out of the final chapters of the book of Psalms and of the book of Revelation. Today, Barry Cooper explores a word that calls us to marvel at the self-sustaining, eternally existing, utterly transcendent nature of God. Read the transcript:...
About this show
Have you ever wished that someone would explain theology in a way that doesn't require a degree or a dictionary? Maybe you've listened to a sermon and it seemed like the pastor was speaking another language. Or perhaps you've thought that the notes in your study Bible could use a commentary of their own. From imputation to justification, theophany to theodicy, keeping all these concepts straight can be a challenge for any believer. This is a short podcast about long words. Every week, Barry Cooper sheds light on a different biblical or theological term, using helpful illustrations to apply it to your life. Listen to this week's episode to expand your understanding and deepen your faith, one word at a time.
Hosted by
Ligonier Ministries
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