The Whole Counsel

John Newton is best known today for his hymn, Amazing Grace. But in his day, he was better known for his letters. Christians, pastors, and others would write to him for pastoral advice. In our ongoing series about timeless letters from the past, we will spend a large percentage of our time reading his letters. In part because he was so prolific in his letter-writing. But lots of people have written lots of letters. The bigger reason we will spend so much time on his letters is that so many of them are incredibly beneficial to us. For our first letter, we are looking at correspondence between Newton and a young man training for ministry. The young man is concerned that he is growing in knowledge, but his spiritual maturity is not keeping pace. Newton encourages him, saying this is something to be worried about, and gives practical help in continuing his pursuit of Christ. Every week, we will spend some time introducing you to the author of the letter we are looking at. For Newton, we have a special opportunity. When creating our second study, Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty, two of the historical introductions covered the life of John Newton. To help you become better acquainted with him, we have posted those videos in the link below. Each week, we will post the letter of focus in next week’s episode to give you a chance to read ahead if you would like. Make sure to check below for that. Show Notes: John Newton Introductions from Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty https://youtu.be/m9riTq53Vg4 Next week’s letter, Grace in the Blade: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/grace-in-the-blade Letter to a Student of Divinity: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/extract-of-a-letter-to-a-student-of-divinity The Works of John Newton: https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/christian-living/works-john-newton/ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app #puritan #puritans #church #booktok #books #book #preaching #devotion #devotional #worship #Christian #Christianlife #letters #writing #missionaries #MartynLloydJones #amycarmichael #johnnewton #mediagratiae #johnsnyder #churchhistory #history #Christianhistory #seminary #ministrytraining #ministry #discipleship

We are beginning a new series this week on The Whole Counsel. It is a series our team has wanted to make for a long time, but we have finally decided on the best way to deliver it to you. For much of his Christian life, Dr. John Snyder has benefitted from the letters of Christians throughout history. These are far from historical curiosity or museum exhibits to be visited from time to time. They are living treasures sound in doctrine, rich in theology, and abounding in practical applications to the Christian life. For this introductory episode, John takes some time to give you reasons to read letters and briefly introduce you to some of the letter writers we will be pulling from. John Newton is one of the most prolific letter writers we have, so we will be reading several of his letters. Because we find these letters so helpful, we want you to be able to read them before we publish the episode discussing it. To that end, make sure you check the description of each episode where we will link to the next week’s letter for you. Show Notes: The Letters of John Newton ebook: https://www.monergism.com/letters-john-newton-ebook Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

This week we have Dr. Stephen Yuille in the studio again. During his last visit, he told us about a reading challenge through George Swinnock’s The Blessed and Boundless God. Today, Dr. Yuille and Dr. John Snyder have a broader discussion in mind. Because of his profession and experience, many people ask Dr. Yuille how they can read and benefit more from the Puritans. He sought to develop a concise, systematic, scalable answer to that question. Instead of trying to read as much of Puritan writings as possible, Dr. Yuille encourages us to approach these spiritual giants devotionally. Just read a few pages each day. Reformation Heritage Books Puritan Treasures for Today is a great place to start. These books have been edited and modernized to remove the language barrier so many find difficult to overcome. Dr. Yuille’s approach is to take six books and read them across six months. The goal is not quantity of reading but quality. Read the Puritans as they intended their books to be read. Read them with your heart, not just your mind. Meditate on what you read that day. We believe, as Dr. Yuille does, this is wonderful food for your soul and your will benefit by this practice. Each of the books Dr. Yuille suggests starting with are listed below with links to where you can find them. Want a great introduction to the Puritans? Check out our feature-length documentary Puritan: All of Life to the Glory of God - https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/puritan-all-of-life-to-the-glory-of-god-feature-edition-digital-streaming Show Notes: Month 1 - The Blessed and Boundless God by George Swinnock Physical: *https://heritagebooks.org/products/the-blessed-and-boundless-god-swinnock.html* Ebook: *https://heritagebooks.org/products/ebook-the-blessed-and-boundless-god-swinnock-puritan-treasures-for-today.html* Month 2 - *A Perfect Redeemer *****by William Perkins Physical: *https://heritagebooks.org/products/a-perfect-redeemer-perkins.html* Ebook: *https://heritagebooks.org/products/ebook-a-perfect-redeemer-perkins.html* Month 3 - All Things for Good (A Divine Cordial) by Thomas Watson Physical: https://heritagebooks.org/products/all-things-for-good-watson.html Month 4 - Triumphing Over Sinful Fear by John Flavel Physical: *https://heritagebooks.org/products/triumphing-over-sinful-fear-flavel.html* Ebook: *https://heritagebooks.org/products/ebook-triumphing-over-sinful-fear-flavel.html* Months 5  & 6 - The Fountain of Life by John Flavel Physical: https://heritagebooks.org/products/the-fountain-of-life-2-volumes-flavel.html Other Titles Mentioned: The Doctrine of Repentance by Thomas Watson https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/the-doctrine-of-repentance/ On the Holy Spirit by John Owen https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/the-holy-spirit/ The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-God-Updated-W-Tozer/dp/1622452968 The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/the-rare-jewel-of-christian-contentment/ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

This week, we are happy to announce a new project from the personal study of Dr. John Snyder. This study originated from a desperation within John’s own heart. It deals with the life of a person whom God trusts with leadership in his kingdom. Titled Studies for Christ’s Under-Shepherds, this 11-week study is a series of talks by Dr. Snyder to a group of ministers local to New Albany, Mississippi. This group has met together for several years to read, study, and pray together. John asked the men if he could take several weeks to focus on this topic, and they were eager to be a part. As of Friday, July 18, 2025, this study will be available to everyone for free. While it was taught with the pastor in mind, its application reaches much further. We believe that deacons, Sunday school teachers, parents, and anyone with the opportunity to disciple a young believer will benefit from this study. At the end of this podcast, we have attached the first several moments of session one to give you a sense of what the full study will be like. One notable difference between this study and others is its interactive nature. After each teaching session, the men who were attending had an opportunity to ask John questions. For a limited time, we want you to have a similar chance. While you are going through the study, you will be given opportunities to submit your questions to John. John may not be able to answer every question, but we will choose some we believe to be of the widest benefit and answer them in a future podcast episode. Show Notes: mediagratiae.org/studies-for-undershepherds Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

We spent the previous several weeks discussing Charles Spurgeon’s small work on the weighty responsibility of parents and Sunday school teachers. While we covered everything Spurgeon said in that series, we wanted to leave the topic with an example of how we can speak to our children about eternal issues. To that end, we pull help from a contemporary of Spurgeon, an Anglican bishop named J. C. Ryle. Dr. John Snyder is joined again by his wife Misty as they look through a book of sermons for children preached by Ryle. The book is published under several titles and it is linked below. But the particular sermon they focus on is called “Seeking the Lord Early.” In this sermon, we see many of the principles discussed during earlier weeks but applied in ways that make our appreciation of Ryle grow deeper. He utilizes the character of God, the promises and warnings of Scripture to draw children’s hearts to Christ. We pray the content of this episode is an encouragement to you to read the sermons and consider afresh how to help your children seek Christ early. Show Notes: J. C. Ryle Addresses to Children: https://www.christianbook.com/two-bears-and-other-addresses-children/j-c-ryle/9781583391051/pd/391052 Leading Little Ones to God by Marian Schoolland: https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/leading-little-ones-to-god-marian-schoolland-9780802851208 Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Stephen Yuille, Director of Puritan Publishing at Reformation Heritage Books, dives into the vital mission of sharing Puritan literature with modern readers. He unveils a new Summer Reading Challenge featuring daily chapters from George Swinnock’s accessible work. Yuille discusses strategies for making historical texts approachable and highlights the contributions of Puritan figures like John Cotton and Thomas Watson. The conversation also touches on a devotional series inspired by Puritan insights, aiming to deepen faith and understanding of Scripture.

Explore the weighty responsibility of teaching children about faith and the eternal impact of our words. Discover three crucial admonitions emphasizing the privilege of imparting God’s truth. Delve into the concept of ‘teaching the fear of the Lord’ and how it shapes young minds through humility and reverence. Gain insights into the awe of God's majesty and the serious consequences of sin. Ultimately, learn how instilling these vital truths early on lays a strong foundation for their spiritual journey.

Misty Snyder, wife of John Snyder and a devoted teacher, joins to discuss Charles Spurgeon's pamphlet 'Feed My Lambs.' They explore the delicate task of teaching children about God's warnings, emphasizing balance between grace and truth. Misty shares personal anecdotes, like childhood lessons on integrity, while highlighting the joyful role parents play in guiding faith. They stress imparting God's standards rather than mere behavior modification, reminding listeners that true spiritual awakening rests in God's hands.

Misty Snyder, a devoted mother and experienced Sunday school teacher, shares her insights on instilling faith in young hearts. She emphasizes the necessity of genuine love and personal experience in teaching children about God, inspired by Charles Spurgeon's principles. Misty discusses the importance of parents actively participating in their child's spiritual education, stressing that prepared, heartfelt lessons resonate more than mere words. The conversation encourages listeners to reflect on the transformative power of nurturing a close relationship with Christ while educating the next generation.

Misty Snyder, a dedicated teacher for young believers and co-creator of Behold Your God studies, joins her husband John to explore effective ways to present the gospel to children. They discuss the importance of communicating at a child's level, emphasizing clarity over simplification. Misty reflects on the need for churches to embrace children’s faith journeys without unrealistic expectations of maturity. They also critically examine baptism discussions, insisting that genuine spiritual transformation is vital, urging communities to nurture the little ones in their faith.