The Magazine Podcast

The first of three episodes inspired by David Campbell's mini-series on three remarkable brothers who ministered in 19th Century Scotland. This week we consider the life, ministry, and faithfulness of John James Bonar. Not as well known as his brothers Horatius and Andrew, his ministry unveils a steady commitment to parish ministry that eshewed distraction and worldly ambition.   Featured Content: – 'John James Bonar—The eldest of the three Bonar brothers', David Campbell, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 721, October 2023. – Excerpt from A Scottish Christian Heritage, by Iain H. Murray (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2006), pages 160-161. Purchase: https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/a-scottish-christian-heritage/ – 'Going Home', a hymn of Dr. John James Bonar, which appears in the Parting Memorial of John James Bonar, D. D., First Minister of Saint Andrew's Parish and Congregation, Greenock, Being some Record of Services in Connection with his Funeral (Greenock: James MacKelvie & Sons, 1892).   'Going Home'   'I'm going home!' the Saint exclaimed; Bright grew his closing eye; He thought of Jesus and his rest, And did not fear to die.   'I'm going home! I'm winged for flight To yonder peaceful clime; Prepared to go, I only wait My God's appointed time.   I'm going home, to dwell with Him Who bled and died for me; For He hath said that where He is There shall His servants be.   'I'm going home, transporting thought! Lord Jesus, quickly come, And bear my ransomed soul away To her celestial home!'   'I'm going home!' the Saint exclaimed; Bright grew his closing eye; He thought of Jesus and his rest, And did not fear to die.   We are grateful to Mr. Jack Adair for singing this hymn. The featured tune is 'Wallace'.   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

Confessions of faith, such as the Westminster Confession of 1646, play a celebrated role in Reformed, evangelical Christianity. This week we consider the value of such documents, and the way in which they often result from a period of pressure or crisis, which leads God's people to give fresh expression to their faith, in order to assist believers in its defense and propagation, and their unity in the truth.   Featured Content: – 'Loving the Westminster Confession and Catechisms', David B. Calhoun, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 651, December 2017. – Excerpt from B. B. Warfield, 'The Significance of the Westminster Standards as a Creed' in Princeton and the Christian Ministry, volume 2, pages 457—459 (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2012). – 'Confessions and Crises in Church History', John R. De Witt, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 50, September/October 1967.   Explore the work of the Banner: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

Andy Murray is a social worker and church deacon who blogs about leadership, the church, and the 19th Century Scottish gospel minister Thomas Guthrie, among other subjects. We sat down with Andy and talked about some of his passions, including the reunion, in the churches, of gospel passion and concern for the poor. We also asked him how the Highland game of shinty is played.   Resources Mentioned: – https://thomasguthrie.org/ (includes a link to Andy's booklet, A Mission of Mercy: The Life and Legacy of Thomas Guthrie) – http://raggedtheology.blogspot.com/ – 'Thomas Guthrie and the Ragged Schools', previous podcast episode: https://bannermagazine.podbean.com/e/he-was-all-the-father-i-ever-knew-thomas-guthrie-and-the-ragged-schools/     Explore the work of the Banner: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

How should we think of the Law of God? Is it all one, or are there distinctions to be made between different subdivisions of law? How does the way we think of the Law shape our Christian lives? These fundamentally important questions, and others, are addressed in this week's episode, with the help of Maurice Roberts and Samuel Bolton.   Featured Content: – 'Three Forms of Law', Maurice J. Roberts, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 519, December 2006. – Excerpt from The True Bounds of Christian Freedom, by Samuel Bolton (First pub. 1645; first Banner edition 1964; latest Banner of Truth edition: 2024), pages 51–53. Purchase: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/the-true-bounds-of-christian-freedom/     Explore the work of the Banner: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

Thomas Guthrie lived to share the truth and love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Living through a time of spiritual challenge and social transformation, he had eyes to see the poorest of the poor, a heart to care for them, and the organisational flare to set up a 'Ragged School'. Far from being the outworking of a 'social gospel', Guthrie's work was animated by a genuine love for these at-risk children, expressed supremely in teaching them the Scriptures, by which they could be made wise unto salvation through Jesus Christ. This week's episode introduces this remarkable man, and some of the ways in which he became a channel of God's grace to the most vulnerable.   Featured Content: – 'Thomas Guthrie: Preacher and Philanthropist', Andrew Murray, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 597, June 2013. – Quotes sourced from https://thomasguthrie.org/ragged-schools/   For more on Thomas Guthrie: – https://thomasguthrie.org/   Explore the work of the Banner: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

Meditation is to the Christian life what digestion is to the body: without it, the processes which sustain life are greatly hampered - even rendered impossible. The Puritans held an extremely high view of the necessity of meditation. They saw it as one of the primary means by which we take the great truths of the faith and appropriate them, applying them to our hearts in order that we might love and treasure God more.   Featured Content: – 'Kindling the Fire of Meditation', Dillon Thornton, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 591, December 2012. – Excerpt from Charles Bridges, Psalm 119 (First pub. 1827; latest Banner of Truth rep. 2024), pages 249–251. Purchase: https://banneroftruth.org/store/commentaries/psalm-119-5/ – Excerpts from The Golden Treasury of Puritan Quotations, compiled by I. D. E. Thomas (First pub. 1975 [Moody Press]; latest Banner of Truth edition: 2022). Quotes mainly sourced from entries on 'Meditation'. Purchase: https://banneroftruth.org/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/the-golden-treasury-of-puritan-quotations/     Explore the work of the Banner: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

Many errors of faith and life stem from focusing on just one part of the Bible's teaching, to the exclusion of other things clearly taught in Scripture. This week, with help from Stephen Clark and C. H. Spurgeon, we look afresh at the importance of pursuing a faith and a life that reflects all that the Lord has spoken.   Featured Content: – 'Context, Nuance and Balance: Why They are Essential to Christian Living', Stephen Clark, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 728, May 2024. – Excerpt from C. H. Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Practical Wisdom: Plain Advice for Plain People (Original 1869, Banner of Truth rep. 2024), pages 21–26. Purchase: https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/spurgeons-practical-wisdom/     Explore the work of the Banner: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

The Fourth Century was, theologically speaking, a century of conflict and clarification. Heretical teachings concerning the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Persons of the Trinity were widespread and backed by powerful churchmen. Faithful, biblically-rooted theologians contended for the truth, and two church councils (in 325 and 381) helped to clarify orthodox doctrine in the face of these onslaughts. This week's episode introduces one of the theologians who, from the mid to late 4th century, gave eloquent expression to orthodox Christology and Trinitarian theology: Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 329–390). As well as introducing this quiet, pensive man, we read a section from William Cunningham's newly republished Historical Theology on the question of how the Persons of the Holy Trinity are properly to be distinguished.   Featured Content: – 'Shapers of Christianity: Gregory of Nazianzus', Nick Needham, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 706, July 2022. – Excerpt from William Cunningham, Historical Theology (Banner of Truth rep. 2024), pages 309–312. Purchase: https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/historical-theology-3/     Explore the work of the Banner: 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 mortification and vivification? What role do they play in our Christian lives? How can we encourage men in the church to grow, in a cultural environment which in various ways undermines attempts to pursue godliness? These are questions about which the subject of this month's interview has thought deeply. Joe Barnard is Lead Pastor at Holyrood Evangelical Church in Edinburgh, and it was our great pleasure to sit down with him earlier this year to talk life, ministry, and books. We trust you'll be encouraged as you listen in.    Books and Authors Mentioned: Barnard, Joe, The Way Forward: A Roadmap of Spiritual Growth for Men in the 21st Century https://www.christianfocus.com/products/2863/the-way-forward Barnard, Joe, Surviving the Trenches: Killing Sin Before it Kills You https://www.christianfocus.com/products/3032/surviving-the-trenches Barnard, Joe, Hymn Workouts: 100 Exercises to Set Your Heart Ablaze https://www.christianfocus.com/products/3056/hymn-workouts Chalmers, Thomas, The Letters of Thomas Chalmers https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/letters/letters-of-thomas-chalmers/ Owen, John, Spiritual-Mindedness (available in Puritan Paperback or unabridged in Volume 7 of Owen's Works) https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/christian-living/spiritual-mindedness/ https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/owen-books/the-works-of-john-owen-7/ Ryle, J. C., Practical Religion: Being Plain Papers on the Duties, Experience, Dangers, and Privileges of Professing Christians https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/christian-living/practical-religion-2/   Helpful Links: Holyrood Evangelical Church - https://holyroodevangelical.org/ Cross Training Ministries - www.xtrainingministries.com   Watch the interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/wLuSaRRBtVY   Explore the work of the Banner: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast  

'It is good to give thanks to the Lord,     to sing praises to your name, O Most High;  to declare your steadfast love in the morning,     and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp,     to the melody of the lyre.' – Psalm 92:1–3   Evening worship on the Lord's Day is neglected by many churches today. This week's episode constitutes a case for and a call to the practice of evening worship, to the glory of God and for the good of souls. Note: if you haven't listened to our recent episode, 'Eric Liddell and the Freedom of the Sabbath', it would make a good prelude to this episode. Listen here: https://bannermagazine.podbean.com/e/eric-liddell-and-the-consecration-of-the-sabbath/   Featured Content: – 'Preserve Evening Worship Services!', Michael G. Brown, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 529, October 2007. Text: https://banneroftruth.org/uk/resources/articles/2024/a-call-to-preserve-evening-worship-services/ – 'Why Not Give Evening Worship a Try?', Mary Beth McGreevy, personal blog, July 2017. Read here with permission. Text: http://marybethmcgreevy.blogspot.com/2017/07/why-not-give-sunday-evening-worship-try.html     Explore the work of the Banner: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast