Podcast Summary: Doctrine Matters with Kevin DeYoung

Episode: What Are the Attributes and Marks of the Church?
Date: October 7, 2025
Host: Kevin DeYoung
Produced by: Crossway

Episode Overview

In this episode of Doctrine Matters, Kevin DeYoung unpacks the central theological concepts of the church by examining its classic attributes—unity, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity—as well as the essential marks that distinguish a true church from a church in name only. Drawing from scripture, church history, and Reformed tradition, DeYoung aims to clarify these foundational doctrines and their practical implications for believers today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Four Attributes of the Church

(00:45-07:45)

DeYoung begins with the four attributes found in the Nicene Creed—one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church—explaining each in detail:

• Unity

  • The church is unified because God is one, though it maintains diversity (languages, cultures, denominations).
  • Divisions aren't always schismatic; many reflect cultural or linguistic differences.
  • Quote:
    • "A good Presbyterian and a good Baptist can and often do believe 90% of the most important things the same... there is a real oneness in the body of Christ." (02:30)

• Holiness

  • Holiness is both a present reality (through union with Christ) and an ongoing pursuit.
  • The church's "indefectibility": Christ promises the church will ultimately not fail, even if particular congregations or denominations do.
  • Quote:
    • "Ultimately there is no institution except the Church that has given this promise that Christ will build it and she shall not fail." (04:45)

• Catholicity (Universality)

  • "Catholic" means universal—pertaining to the whole, not just one tradition.
  • The church transcends places, people, times, and boundaries.
  • Catholicity means allegiance to the faith once delivered, not to a particular hierarchy.
  • Quote:
    • "To be Catholic, small c, does not mean we are in allegiance to an ecclesiastical hierarchy, let alone to the Bishop of Rome. It means we are in allegiance to the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." (06:15)

• Apostolicity

  • The church is rooted not in a succession of bishops but in fidelity to the apostles’ teaching—the “apostolic deposit of truth.”
  • Quote:
    • "The New Testament is infinitely more concerned that the Church remain fixed to the Gospel handed down by the apostles." (07:10)

2. Attributes vs. Marks of the Church

(07:45-09:40)

• DeYoung distinguishes the attributes (what the church is called to be) from the marks (what makes a church a true church).
• Attributes refer to the essence; marks refer to identifying characteristics.
• He references contemporary perspectives (e.g., “Nine Marks” ministry) but focuses on a more historical, technical definition rooted in the Reformation.

3. The Reformers and the True Marks of the Church

(09:40-12:40)

• Debate on Marks:

  • Roman Catholic views: Submission to the Pope as the single mark (or up to fifteen by other theologians).
  • Reformed tradition: The true Church is marked fundamentally by right doctrine.
  • Main proposals in the Reformed tradition:
    • Three marks: Right preaching of the Word, right administration of sacraments, right exercise of discipline.
    • Two marks: Preaching and sacraments.
    • One mark: The pure preaching of the Word.

• Francis Turretin’s View:

  • The most essential mark: Pure preaching and profession of the Word; sacraments and discipline are important but depend on the Word.

• Patience with imperfection:

  • There must be some patience with churches lacking in discipline or correct administration of sacraments; only long-term abandonment compromises the church’s essence.
  • Quote:
    • “Sacraments and discipline depend upon the Word in a way that the Word is not dependent upon the sacraments and the discipline.” (12:10)

4. The Primacy of Gospel Preaching

(12:41-14:20)

• Historical and biblical roots:

  • The sermon is central to Christian worship, inherited from Jewish exegesis and expositional preaching.
  • Jesus’ ministry emphasized preaching above all, even miracles or healings.
  • Early church examples: The Didache, Justin Martyr, and others all highlight scripture reading and instruction as core worship acts.

• Theological Statement:

  • God is a revealing God who gathers, instructs, and rules his people by his Word.
  • Quote:
    • “Faithful gospel preaching is not an optional extra or a nice bit of the worship service that's secondary to the music. No, it is God's plan for the church. Indeed, there is no true church without it.” (14:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On unity amid diversity:
  • "Not all distinctions are schismatic. Many are caused by differences in language, culture, location." (01:45)
• On catholicity’s true meaning:
  • "The word Catholic is not found in the New Testament, but was used often by the Church Fathers to distinguish the Church that was bound by the Apostles’ teaching from various sects and heretical groups." (06:00)
• On the essence of the Church:
  • "The essence of the true Church, we can say in its simplest form, is its proclamation and profession of the whole counsel of God, that is the preaching of the Gospel." (12:55)
• On faithful preaching:
  • "There is never an instance where Jesus went into town with the purpose of casting out demons or setting up a healing clinic. He went from town to town, Mark 1 says, in order to preach." (13:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:45 — Introduction to the doctrine of the church and Nicene attributes
• 02:30 — Unity of the church explained
• 04:45 — Holiness and the church’s promise of endurance
• 06:15 — Catholicity defined and misunderstood
• 07:10 — Apostolicity: tradition vs. apostolic teaching
• 09:40 — Introduction to the marks of the Church and Reformation debates
• 12:10 — Turretin on the foundational role of preaching the Word
• 13:10 — Historical centrality of preaching in the life of Jesus and the early church
• 14:10 — The critical place of faithful preaching in God’s plan for the church

Tone and Conclusion

Kevin DeYoung’s tone is warm, clear, and didactic, combining academic rigor with pastoral care. He avoids polemics, instead inviting listeners to consider church doctrine in light of scripture and history for deeper faith and unity.

Summary Usefulness
This summary distills key theological points and practical implications for anyone seeking to understand what makes a true Christian church. It is especially helpful for laypeople, leaders, or anyone engaging with church tradition and ecclesiology for the first time.