Heaven Opened: Biblical Theology in the Gospels and Acts
June 25, 2026 · 56:24 · with Adam York, Camden Bucey, Randy Lee
Scripture discussed
In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey welcomes Adam York and Randy Lee back to the Reformed Forum classroom for the second part of a conversation on global theological education and OPC foreign missions. Whereas the previous discussion focused especially on Uganda and faith-centered finance, this episode turns to York’s recent teaching trip to Ethiopia and the biblical-theological material he taught on the Gospels and Acts.
The conversation traces major themes from John 1:51 and Jacob’s ladder to Matthew’s genealogy, Jesus as true Israel, the Sermon on the Mount, the parables of the kingdom, Peter’s confession, Matthew 24–25, the Great Commission, and the book of Acts. Along the way, York shows how the hope of heaven opened in Christ, the end of exile, the gift of the Spirit, and the church’s missionary calling all belong together in the unfolding work of the risen and ascended Lord.
Chapters
- 0:00 Introduction from the Reformed Forum classroom
- 0:57 Review of OPC foreign missions and the previous conversation
- 1:51 Focusing on Adam York’s Ethiopia teaching trip
- 3:32 Christianity and the Reformed church in Ethiopia
- 5:36 Ethiopian Mercy Reformed Church and local pastors
- 7:08 Joyful worship with few earthly comforts
- 9:09 Travel, Addis Ababa, and cross-cultural observations
- 10:35 Teaching the Gospels and Acts
- 11:20 John 1:51 and heaven opened in Christ
- 13:39 Why begin with Nathaniel and Jacob’s ladder?
- 15:24 Heaven, creation, exile, and the hope of God’s presence
- 18:47 Matthew’s genealogy and the fulfillment of Jubilee
- 21:02 Teaching biblical theology through translation
- 26:02 Jesus as true Israel in Matthew’s temptation narrative
- 30:21 The Sermon on the Mount and access to God’s presence
- 31:57 The Transfiguration and mountain theology
- 33:30 Parables, mystery, judgment, and the two-age structure
- 38:04 Peter’s confession and the keys of the kingdom
- 42:14 Matthew 24, partial preterism, and biblical prophecy
- 45:17 Watchfulness, imminence, and the blessed hope
- 47:25 Heaven opened, the Great Commission, and Christ’s authority
- 49:17 The Spirit, Acts, and embracing the cross
- 50:15 Teaching Acts while serving in Ethiopia
- 52:13 Praying and serving in foreign missions
- 53:31 Reformed Forum resources and upcoming events
Resources mentioned
Participants: Adam York, Camden Bucey, Randy Lee