The Magazine Podcast

The Puritans were a diverse group of evangelically-minded, confessionally reformed pastors of the seventeenth century whose great priority was to glorify God in their personal lives, in their families, and in the churches they served. This week we introduce two lesser-known Puritans from the north of England, Thomas Jolley (or Jollie) and Oliver Heywood, along with some of their brethren. In the crucible of affliction, these men proved the faithfulness of God to those who labour in His harvest fields, even when the harvest is hampered by temptations within and trials without.   Featured Articles: – 'Thomas Jolley of Wymondhouses', Iain H. Murray, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 49 (July/August 1967). – 'First Nonconformist Ordinations in Yorkshire', Roy Middleton, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 146 (November 1975).     Related Resources: – Text version of 'First Nonconformist Ordinations in Yorkshire': https://banneroftruth.org/resources/articles/2019/the-first-nonconformist-ordinations-in-yorkshire/ – Book: William Grimshaw of Howarth, by Faith Cook (clothbound, 368 pages – also available in paperback). https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/william-grimshaw-of-haworth-2/ – Book: Douglas Higgins: Autobiography of a Yorkshire Christian (paperback, 104 pages). https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/douglas-higgins/   Banner Borders Conference (serving the north of England and south of Scotland): https://conferences.banneroftruth.org/conferences/borders-conference/   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

'Religion was first hatched in families', wrote Thomas Manton, 'and there the devil seeketh to crush it.' It behoves us, then, as believers, to be watchful, and to guard the spiritual vitality of our families. This week's podcast episode is an extended encouragement to all fathers and mothers to pursue family piety.   Featured Resources: – 'Epistle to the Reader' by Thomas Manton, found in The Westminster Confession and Associated Historical Documents (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2018). – 'Letter to Pastors Regarding Family Worship', article by Dr. Joel R. Beeke, featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 582 (March 2012). – 'Family Worship', excerpt from sermon by J. H. Merle D'Aubigne, featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 582 (March 2012). – Excerpts from Chapter IV of The Lives of Philip and Matthew Henry (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1974). This title is currently out of print.   Other Episodes on Similar Topics: – When a Child Turns Away: https://bannermagazine.podbean.com/e/when-a-child-turns-away/ – The Home Under Christ: https://bannermagazine.podbean.com/e/the-home-under-christ/ – A Godly Father's Counsel to His Children: https://bannermagazine.podbean.com/e/a-godly-father-s-counsel-to-his-children/ – The High Calling of Motherhood: https://bannermagazine.podbean.com/e/the-high-calling-of-motherhood/   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

The hearts of Christian parents should long for the salvation of their children. This week, we read J Gary Aitken's digest of some of the letters of James Henley Thornwell (1812–1862). These touching letters manifest Thornwell's watchful concern for his children's eternal happiness, encouraging and challenging believing parents today.   Featured Article: – 'Readings from a Covenant Father's Heart', article by J. Gary Aitken, featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 172 (January 1978).   About the contributor: Dr J. Gary Aitken ministered at First Presbyterian Church, Clarksdale, Mississippi, and Covenant Presbyterian Church, Colombia, South Carolina.   Buy The Collected Writings of James Henley Thornwell: https://banneroftruth.org/store/collected-workssets/collected-writings-of-james-henley-thornwell/   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast  

'This book will make a traveller of thee...' So begins John Bunyan's classic The Pilgrim's Progress. Many Christians of the past four centuries would testify that it is indeed a book to stir up the heavenbound pilgrim – offering encouragement, challenge, warning, and hope to the man, woman, or child, who desires to attain to the life to come. But the book has its critics, even prominent ones, and can be a challenging read for modern Christians. With this in mind, we read John Muether's commendation of Bunyan's classic, and an excerpt from the Trust's recent paperback edition of C. H. Spurgeon's Pictures from Pilgrim's Progress.   Featured Content: – 'Why Evangelicals Don't Read Pilgrim's Progress (and Why They Should)', John Muether, originally published in a Reformed Theological Seminary publication. This was featured on the Banner website on Nov. 2, 2003: https://banneroftruth.org/resources/articles/2003/why-evangelicals-dont-read-pilgrims-progress-and-why-they-should/ – C. H. Spurgeon, Pictures from Pilgrim's Progress (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2024), pp. 145–153.   About the Contributors: John R. Muether joined Reformed Theological Seminary-Orlando as Library Director in 1989. Mr. Muether also serves as Professor of Church History, teaching core courses on education in the church, Christian engagement with culture and church government as well as elective courses on various topics. Mr. John R. Muether's faculty page: https://rts.edu/people/mr-john-r-muether/   C. H. Spurgeon was, for most of the second half of the 19th century, England’s best-known preacher, becoming converted to Christianity at the age of 15 in 1850. During the 1850s, London’s largest halls overflowed with people wanting to hear this youthful minister preach. During the 1860s, he founded the Metropolitan Tabernacle, along with a college for pastors and an orphanage, and he was already publishing sermons and a monthly magazine. He authored many books, with some of the most popular Charles Spurgeon books including Flowers From a Puritan’s Garden with its inspiring illustrations and meditations; A Defence of Calvinism, where Spurgeon explains and defends Biblical teachings about God’s grace in the Gospels; and the C.H. Spurgeon Autobiography, volumes 1 and 2. Volume 1 is subtitled “The Early Years,” while Volume 2 is “The Full Harvest 1860-1892.” The C.H. Spurgeon Autobiography is also available as a two-volume set.   Buy Pictures from Pilgrim's Progress: https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology-books/pictures-from-pilgrims-progress/   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

Many are the paradoxes of the Christian life. One such paradox is that it is often in times of suffering that we gain the most, from a spiritual standpoint. As we stand at the gate of the year, we must prepare ourselves for suffering. We have been told to expect it as a built-in feature of the heavenward life. Such preparation is an exercise of faith, as we trust that God is able to turn the worst circumstances to our good. This week's articles help us in this effort.   Featured Content: – Excerpt from a sermon by William Bridge, featured as 'Faith in Suffering Times' in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issues 70–71 (July–August 1969). – 'Abounding Hope', Letter by John Welsh, January 6, 1606, featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 171 (December 1977).   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

There are few, if any, earthly sorrows like the loss of a child. In Pain of a Particular Kind, Peter Barnes draws on his own experience to help parents (and grandparents) who have suffered such a loss. As he says in the Introduction, ‘This is not a work of apologetics, but a brief attempt to understand and work through grief, for myself, my family, and for any other readers. It has only heightened the sense of my own need to receive comfort myself. Such comfort can only come from the God who is our creator and our redeemer. The hope remains that God will use this book to minister to and bless any of his people who have suffered the agony of losing a child.’   Peter Barnes is the retired minister of Revesby Presbyterian Church, New South Wales, Australia. He written a number of books, including 'Abortion: Open Your Mouth for the Dumb' and 'John Calvin: Man of God's Word Written and Preached' with the Banner.   Buy Pain of a Particular Kind: The Loss of a Child (Small paperback, 88 pages), or sign up for Waitlist - expected in the UK in early January: https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/pain-of-a-particular-kind/   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

As 2024 draws to a close, we present a brief round-up of some of the most popular episodes of the first 12 months of the Magazine Podcast.   We then read W. J. Grier's account of the last months of John Calvin's life, an appropriate 'bookend' counterbalancing the account of Calvin's early ministry in our episode 'Calvin in France'.   We finish with a stirring meditation for a new year, also by W. J. Grier.     Featured Content: – Excerpt from W. J. Grier, 'The Life of John Calvin', (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2012), featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 567, December 2010. – 'On Toward the Goal: A Meditation for the New Year by the Late W. J. Grier', Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 244 (January 1984).     About the Contributor: W. J. Grier came to Christ while studying Classics at Queen's University, Belfast, through the witness of a Christian student friend and in a W. P. Nicholson mission meeting. He was a trustee of the Banner of Truth Trust, co-chairman of the Leicester Ministers’ Conference, a founding member of the British Evangelical Council (now Affinity), and served on committees of the Evangelical Fellowship of Ireland and the Evangelical Library in Belfast. He was a well-known and enormously respected leader throughout the international Reformed constituency. He retired in 1979 after a ministry of almost fifty-two years and went to be with the Lord on 6 August 1983. He was the author of many booklets, articles, tracts, Daily Readings and Calendar Notes, including The Momentous Event and The Life of John Calvin, published by the Trust.   Listen to 'Calvin in France': https://bannermagazine.podbean.com/e/calvin-in-france/ Buy The Life of John Calvin by W. J. Grier: https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/the-life-of-john-calvin/   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

The podcast dives deep into the astonishing theme of God's Incarnation, exploring the paradox of divinity embracing humanity. It reflects on the theological complexities and the profound implications of Christ's humble beginnings. Listeners are invited to consider Jesus as the 'Word of God' within the context of creation, underlining the significance of His divine and human nature. The discussion emphasizes the transformative power of knowing Christ, enhancing faith and fostering a closer connection with the Creator.

How should the bodies of deceased believers be treated? Are burial and cremation equally valid for Christians? Do the Scriptures speak to the issue at all, or is it merely a matter of preference? These questions are all addressed by this week's featured article, by S. M. Houghton.   Featured Content: – 'Earth to Earth', S. M. Houghton, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issues 70-71, July-August 1969. – Excerpt from Banner's booklet 'Burial or Cremation: Does it Matter?' by Donald Howard (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2001, recent edition ), pages 20-21.   S. M. Houghton was chief literary and editorial advisor to the Banner of Truth Trust from 1960 to 1987. His reminiscences are published in 'My Life and Books'. Buy S. M. Houghton, My Life and Books: https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/my-life-and-books/   Donald Howard is the retired minister of St. Peter's Church of England, Sydney, Australia. After experience in agriculture, The Royal Australian Air Force, and journalism, Donald Howard studied Theology at Moore College, Sydney and then served for many years in the pastoral ministry. While at St. Peter’s, his first wife, Diana, died of cancer at the age of forty-six in 1977, which occasioned the writing of his booklet Christians Grieve Too.   The Banner also publishes a booklet by Donald Howard, Burial or Cremation: Does it Matter?: https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/burial-or-cremation/   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

What are we to make of a book that has evidently been a blessing to many, contains truths vital for the church to recover, and which is yet unbalanced and problematic at points? Jeremy Walker shows the way with grace and discernment in his review of Dane Ortlund's Gentle and Lowly (2020). We read Jeremy's review, and then spend a little more time with Thomas Goodwin and his view of the heart of Christ.   Featured Content: – Jeremy Walker 'Precious but Flawed: A Review Article', Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 691 (April 2021). – Excerpt from Michael Reeves, 'Goodwin, Sibbes and the Love of Christ', Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 578 (November 2011).     About the Contributors: Jeremy Walker is pastor at Maidenbower Baptist Church, Crawley, West Sussex. He is the author of a number of books, including Our Chief of Days: The Principle, Purpose, and Practice of the Lord's Day. Michael Reeves is President and Professor of Theology at Union Theology (https://uniontheology.org/)     Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast