The Magazine Podcast

This week's selections are powerful reminders of the importance of ongoing and focused study in the lives of pastors and teachers in Christ's church. Far from being a luxury, ministerial study is a necessary part of a fruitful, growing ministry that feeds Christ's sheep. While this episode concerns pastors primarily, it is for all of us, as we all have a role to play in facilitating and supporting the ministry of those who teach us the word of God.   Featured Content: – 'Ministerial Study', J. W. Alexander, The Banner of Truth Magazine: Issue 8, August 1957. – 'The Pastor as Attorney', David A. Sherwood, The Banner of Truth Magazine: Issue 369, June 1994. – Quote from J. C. Ryle can be found in a brief address entitled 'Ministerial Duties', given before a large ministers' meeting in Western-Super-Mare in 1858. The address can be found here [N.B. The Banner of Truth cannot be held responsible for content on third-party websites]: https://www.gracegems.org/Ryle/ministerial_duties.htm   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (Print/Digital/Both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Tell us your thoughts on this episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

The churches today have no greater need than an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the glorious Divine Person who proceeds from the Father and the Son and who creates and sustains all true spiritual life. This week's selections come from J. W. Alexander (1804–1859) and John Owen (1616–1683) and point us to the Holy Spirit as one whose help and presence we cannot be without.   Featured Content: – 'Pray for the Spirit', J. W. Alexander, The Banner of Truth Magazine: Issue 127, April 1974. – 'The Spirit of God', Chapter 2 in The Holy Spirit by John Owen, abridged and made easy to read by R. J. K. Law (Puritan Paperback).   Read Owen's excerpt 'The Spirit of God' on our website: https://banneroftruth.org/uk/resources/book-excerpts/2024/the-spirit-of-god-john-owen-excerpt/   Buy John Owen, The Holy Spirit (Puritan Paperback): https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/christian-living/the-holy-spirit/ Buy the Works of John Owen, Volume 3, The Holy Spirit (comprising Owen's Pneumatologia, Or, A Discourse Concerning the Holy Spirit): https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/owen-books/the-works-of-john-owen-3/   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (Print/Digital/Both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Tell us your thoughts on this episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

This week we examine the grace-exalting teachings of the great Anglo-Saxon Monk, Bede, and Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, who influenced him so much.   Featured Content: – 'The Calvinism of the Venerable Bede', Nick Needham, Banner of Truth Magazine (Issue 727, April 2024). – 'Augustine: Theologian of Grace', Banner of Truth Magazine (Issue 138, March 1975).   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (Print/Digital/Both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Tell us your thoughts on this episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

What is true Christian spirituality? This week's episode explores this question with an editorial from Maurice Roberts, 'Why Spirituality Comes First', and an excerpt from John Owen on 'How to Meditate on Heavenly Things'.   Featured Content: – 'Why Spirituality Comes First', Maurice Roberts, The Banner of Truth Magazine: Issue 367, April 1994. – 'How to Meditate on Heavenly Things', in John Owen, Spiritual-Mindedness (Puritan Paperbacks).   Buy John Owen, Spiritual-Mindedness: https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/spiritual-mindedness/ Buy the Works of John Owen, Volume 7, Sin and Grace (which includes 'The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually-Minded'): https://banneroftruth.org/store/owen-books/the-works-of-john-owen-7/   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (Print/Digital/Both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Tell us your thoughts on this episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

Last year the Banner of Truth Trust republished Alexander Moody Stuart: A Memoir, with the encouragement of Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson. Banner editor Sam Cunnington, who worked on the project, sat down with Dr. Ferguson to discuss why it is worth reading about this remarkable Scottish pastor today.   Buy the book: https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/alexander-moody-stuart/ Buy The Three Marys By Alexander Moody Stuart: https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/the-three-marys/   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (Print/Digital/Both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Tell us your thoughts on this episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Mark Dever, pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church (Washington, D. C.), to discuss books, ministry, and reading in the local church.   Mark's book recommendations: Samuel Prime, The Power of Prayer: The New York Revival of 1858 (https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/power-of-prayer/) Andrew Bonar and Bennet Tyler, Asahel Nettleton: Life and Labours (https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/asahel-nettleton/) C. H. Spurgeon, The Greatest Fight in the World (https://banneroftruth.org/store/church-ministry/the-greatest-fight-in-the-world/) John Bunyan, All Loves Excelling (https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/all-loves-excelling/) Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed (https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/the-bruised-reed/) Thomas Boston, The Crook in the Lot (https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/the-crook-in-the-lot/) William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour (3 vols: https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/christian-in-complete-armour-5/ 1 vol: https://banneroftruth.org/store/sermons-and-expositions/christian-in-complete-armour/) J. C. Ryle, Thoughts for Young Men (https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/thoughts-young-men/) Iain Murray, The Forgotten Spurgeon (https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/forgotten-spurgeon/) Jonathan Edwards on Revival, especially The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God (https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/jonathan-edwards-on-revival/) Iain Murray, Evangelicalism Divided: A Record of Crucial Change in the Years 1950 to 2000 (https://banneroftruth.org/store/church-ministry/evangelicalism-divided/) J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on Mark (https://banneroftruth.org/store/commentaries/expository-thoughts-on-the-gospels-10/) The Works of Richard Sibbes (7 vols: https://banneroftruth.org/store/collected-workssets/the-works-of-richard-sibbes/) J. C. Ryle, Light from Old Times (https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/light-from-old-times/) Iain Murray, The Life of Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1 vol: https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/the-life-of-martyn-lloyd-jones/) C. H. Spurgeon, The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit (Vol 38, 1892), (https://banneroftruth.org/store/sermons-and-expositions/metropolitan-tabernacle/) Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry (https://banneroftruth.org/store/church-ministry/the-christian-ministry/) Iain Murray, Revival and Revivalism: The Making and Marring of American Evangelicalism 1750–1858 (https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/revival-and-revivalism/) Iain Murray, ed., The Reformation of the Church (https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/reformation-of-the-church/) J. H. Merle d'Aubigné, The Reformation in England (https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/the-reformation-in-england-3/) John Calvin, Sermons on Ephesians (https://banneroftruth.org/store/sermons-and-expositions/sermons-on-ephesians/) The Works of Jonathan Edwards (https://banneroftruth.org/store/collected-workssets/the-works-of-jonathan-edwards/) The Works of John Bunyan (https://banneroftruth.org/store/collected-workssets/the-works-of-john-bunyan-4/) C. H. Spurgeon's Autobiography (https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/c-h-spurgeon-autobiography/)   Links from this week's episode Capitol Hill Baptist Church: https://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/ 9Marks: www.9marks.org Connie Dever's Children's Ministry: https://praisefactory.org/ Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (Print/Digital/Both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Tell us your thoughts on this episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

Reformer John Calvin (1509–1564) is principally associated with Geneva, where he pastored and preached for 23 years. It is easy to forget that he was French, and that he fostered and maintained a great love for his homeland and people throughout his life. This week in the podcast, we read a selection from W. J. Grier's Life of John Calvin, getting a sense of Calvin's early work in France, before turning to Paul Wells' account of how Calvin's Institutes has fared in the country of his birth.   Featured Content: – Excerpt from The Life of John Calvin, by W. J. Grier (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2012) – 'Remaking Calvin's Institutes in Modern French', Paul Wells, The Banner of Truth Magazine: Issue 606, March 2014.   Buy Grier's The Life of John Calvin: https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/history-biography/the-life-of-john-calvin/ Buy 'Institution de la Religion Chrétienne [Relié]': https://www.xl6.com/articles/9782755000870-institution-de-la-religion-chretienne   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (Print/Digital/Both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Tell us your thoughts on this episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

Paul confessed, 'The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.' (Galatians 2:20). Paul knew that Christ Jesus not only loved Paul personally, but that he had given himself on the cross to save Paul individually. Developing and extending this biblical idea, we come to understand that the Lord Jesus did not die for a 'category' of persons who, of their own free will, would appropriate salvation for themselves. No. The Lord Jesus died for real people on a personal, definite basis. He died for those whom the Father had given him (John 6:38–40). This week's two selections help us better to understand, and rejoice in, this definite atonement made for all those the Lord has appointed to salvation.   Featured Content: – For Whom Christ Died, Charles H. Spurgeon, featured in The Banner of Truth Magazine: No. 5, April 1957. – Extract from Particular Redemption: The End and Design of the Death of Christ (Sermon 1, pages 10–17). Buy the book: https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/particular-redemption/   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (Print/Digital/Both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Tell us your thoughts on this episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

This week's episode delves into the mysterious world of Freemasonry, and addresses the important question of whether its practices, beliefs, and oaths are consistent with the Christian confession.   Featured Content: – Freemasonry, A. W. Rainsbury, featured in The Banner of Truth Magazine: No. 273, June 1986. – The Conversion of a Freemason, from Personal Reminiscences of the Life and Times of Gardiner Spring, Volume 1, 1966, pp. 186–93. Featured in The Banner of Truth Magazine: No. 273, June 1986.   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (Print/Digital/Both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Tell us your thoughts on this episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast    

Archibald Alexander (1772–1851) was the first Principal of Princeton Theological Seminary. A preacher and a theological educator par excellence, his commitment to scholarship and to the preparation of men for ministry made his contribution foundational to the long season of fruitfulness that Princeton enjoyed in the decades after his death. Alongside of his classroom teaching and preaching ministry, Alexander constantly counselled those who came to him in spiritual distress or need. His wise, spiritual counsel and sanctified commonsense led one onlooker to describe him as the 'Shakespeare of the Christian Heart'. These qualities are on full display in this week's second selection, from his Thoughts on Religious Experience.   Featured Content: – The Rediscovery of Old Princeton, David B. Calhoun, featured in The Banner of Truth Magazine: No. 365, February 1994 – Extract from Archibald Alexander, Thoughts on Religious Experience (Chapter 8, pages 105–109). Buy the book: https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/thoughts-on-religious-experience/   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (Print/Digital/Both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Tell us your thoughts on this episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast