The Pactum

No one goes to Heaven apart from sanctification. If this is true, how can salvation be by grace alone?

Justification is not only to be forgiven, but it is also to be declared perfectly righteous—just as if I never sinned and just as if I had perfectly kept the law, perfectly, personally, and perpetually!

Have you ever stopped to consider what God requires?

On this episode, Pat is joined by Justin Purdue to talk covenant theology, the law/gospel distinction, and the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus for sinners. Justin is the pastor of Covenant Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina and the President of the Grace Reformed Network.  

What comes to mind when you hear the word hope? Wishful thinking? What is biblical hope? Take a quick listen to this Compactum on hope.

What is faith? Many christians don't know what faith is, but it is something you need to know. Take a quick listen to this Compactum on faith.

In this episode, Pat is joined by Peter Sammons to talk about the doctrine of imputation and his new book, "What's Missing from the Evangelical Gospel?" Peter Sammons is Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of Academic Advancement at Founder's Seminary. He is also the author of several books, including "The Forgotten Attributes of God" and "Reprobation and God's Sovereignty."

On this episode, Pat is joined by Dr. Tom Gensler, a friend and dear brother in Christ. They talk about coming to faith later in life and the transforming power of the gospel.

On this episode, Pat and Mike dive into something we can't escape: technology. Our phones, our algorithms, our AI — are they helpful or are they harmful?

Pat and Mike step into one of the most important and unavoidable realities of human existence: death.

There are plenty of "hot takes" on Christian discipleship. Listen in as Pat and Mike address ten questions about discipleship.

Covenant Theology—It is hated, called heresy, critiqued, and despised. But on the Pactum we, along with countless thousands of Christians, find it to be quite grand. Listen to this week's episode as Pat and Mike bust ten myths about covenant theology.

Listen in as Pat and Mike talk about Charles Hodge and a great book about him, "Charles Hodge: Guardian of American Orthodoxy" by Paul Gutjahr.

What did the early church do before it had the New Testament? In addition to reading the Old Testament in a Christian way, the early church made and memorized theological summaries regarding Christ and the gospel! In this episode, Pat and Mike delve into the important matter of Christian confessionalism.

Have you ever heard someone say that God hates the sin, but not the sinner? Or that Jesus died to make everyone savable or God would never damn someone to an eternal hell because, after all, He is a god of love? These kinds of statements are fairly common in Christian circles and they are provocative. But are they true? On today's episode of the Pactum, we are engaging such statements and offering biblical insights.

In this Pactum Responsum episode, Pat and Mike answer listener and viewer questions about repentance, John Piper, prayer, children's church, warning passages, Law/gospel, and Israel.

Pat and Mike finish up the law and gospel series by talking about how we can recover the law gospel distinction.

Pat and Mike continue the law and gospel series by considering ten objections to the law gospel distinction.

In this episode, Pat and Mike continue the law and gospel series by talking about the perils of rejecting the law gospel distinction. Resources mentioned in this episode: - A Historical-Theological Response to John Piper's What Is Saving Faith? by J.V. Fesko

In this episode of the law and gospel series, Pat and Mike discuss the benefits of the law gospel distinction.

Pat and Mike continue the law and gospel series by talking about individuals, creeds, and confessions that highlight the law gospel distinction throughout history.

Pat and Mike continue their Law & Gospel series by talking about scriptural support for the law and gospel distinction.

Pat and Mike continue the Law & Gospel series by giving some definitions and talking about its meaning.

In this episode, Pat and Mike talk about the upcoming 2026 Pactum Conference on Covenant Theology.

In this episode, Pat and Mike begin a series on the important topic of Law and Gospel. Throughout the series they will be highlighting the meaning of law and gospel, biblical support for these categories, historical support, benefits, and so much more.

In this episode, Pat and Mike talk about seven compelling reasons to study the book of Jonah.

Everyone seems to have an opinion about Israel. And while that's all fine and good, it seems that as of late, some pretty amazing things are being said about Israel and the Jews, and by pretty amazing, we mean outlandish and crazy. On this episode, listen in as Pat and Mike talk about seven things to keep in mind regarding Israel, social media, and the news. If you are interested in joining The Pactum on a trip to Israel visit the trip website for more information.

In this episode, Pat is joined by Aaron S. to talk about gospel ministry in South Asia

Life is filled with heartbreak because of bad theology, infidelity, family fights, church conflicts, loss of loved ones, cancer, and on and on and on the list could go. The heartbreak is diverse and plentiful! On this episode, Pat and Mike talk about how to handle heartbreak with some guidelines that may prove helpful.

This episode comes from the Sunday sermon at the 2025 Pactum Conference, God's Great Gospel. Michael Beck preaches on Noah and the Gospel.

This episode comes from the third pre-conference session at the 2025 Pactum Conference, God's Great Gospel. Mike Abendroth speaks on sharpening your preaching skills.

This episode comes from the second pre-conference session at the 2025 Pactum Conference, God's Great Gospel. Pat Abendroth interviews Chris Peterson about pastoral counseling.

This episode comes from the first pre-conference session at the 2025 Pactum Conference, God's Great Gospel. Michael Beck speaks on biblical theology and preaching.

Listen in to this Q&A session from the 2025 Pactum Conference, God's Great Gospel.

This episode comes from the sixth session at the 2025 Pactum Conference, God's Great Gospel. Harrison Perkins speaks on repentance and the gospel.

This episode comes from the fifth session at the 2025 Pactum Conference, God's Great Gospel. Mike Abendroth speaks on sanctification and the gospel.

This episode comes from the fourth session at the 2025 Pactum Conference, God's Great Gospel. Michael Beck speaks on glorification and the gospel.

This episode comes from the third session at the 2025 Pactum Conference, God's Great Gospel. Harrison Perkins speaks on justification and the gospel.

This episode comes from the second session at the 2025 Pactum Conference, God's Great Gospel. Chris Larson speaks on R.C. Sproul and the gospel.

This episode comes from the first session at the 2025 Pactum Conference, God's Great Gospel. Patrick Abendroth speaks on the pactum and the gospel.

In this episode, Pat and Mike highlight insights about the Holy Spirit that can help you in evangelism.

This week on The Pactum we are giving you the inside look at all things Pat. Get to know Pat, what makes him tick, his heart for ministry, and more.

In this episode, Pat is joined by Mike Abendroth to talk about his latest book, "King: How the Sovereignty of God Changes Everything." Mike is the Senior Pastor at Bethlehem Bible Church in West Boylston, MA. He is the author of many books including Law & Gospel: A Primer and is the host of No Compromise Radio.

In this episode Pat is joined by fellow elder and friend, Todd Swift, to talk about friendship and life in ministry.

In this responsum episode, we answer listener questions on topics from covenant theology, good works, suffering and hope, and more. Resources mentioned in this episode: - The Giver of Life by J.V. Fesko - The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes - Be Thou My Vision by Jonathan Gibson - The Psalms: A Christ-Centered Commentary by Christopher Ash - More Than Heaven by T. Jeff Taylor - Review: More Than Heaven by Harrison Perkins

In this episode, Pat and Mike talk through some highlights of the book of Philippians

It's the 1700 year anniversary of the council of Nicaea, so Pat and Mike are talking about Christological heresies. Listen in as they talk through observations that can help christians. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Know the Heretics by Justin Holcomb - The Person of Christ: An Introduction by Stephen Wellum

Pat and Mike are back from a summer break and are re-entering the Pactumverse. Listen in as they talk about what has been happening over the summer, what's coming up for the Pactum, and details on the 2025 Pactum Conference.

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 books including Him We Proclaim, Walking with Jesus through His Word, and Journeys with Jesus.

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://lawgospelcatechism.com