The Banner Podcast

Martin Luther, like King David before him, knew what it was to battle for faith in the context of great opposition. It should not surprise us, then, that Luther found great solace in the Psalms.

Our article for this week, from our magazine Editor Mark G. Johnston, encourages embattled believers to look to God, whose word never fails. 

Featured Resource: 

Mark G. Johnston, 'A Very Lutheresque Psalm' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 749 (February 2026). 

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org 

Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine 

Leave us your feedback or a testimony: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

What is the Westminster Shorter Catechism? Who wrote it, and why? How can it help us?

As we begin our journey through the Shorter Catechism, with a view to using it to enrich our Christian lives and equip us to teach others, we need to know a bit about the document itself and how it was shaped. 

In this bonus Westminster Wednesday episode, Dr Chad Van Dixhoorn of Reformed Theological Seminary helps us go 'behind the scenes' at the Westminster Assembly, the historic gathering of Christian ministers who cared so much about the unity of Christ's church in the truth of Christ's word. 

Dr Chad Van Dixhoorn is Professor of Church History and Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the editor of The Minutes and Papers of the Westminster Assembly, 1643-1652 (Oxford University Press, 2012) and author of Confessing the Faith: A Reader’s Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith (Banner of Truth, 2014). Chad is married to Emily, and they have five children. 

N.B. For more on the catechist Thomas Lye and his 'Seven Rules for Catechizing,' see below: 

https://banneroftruth.org/resources/articles/2026/seven-rules-for-catechizing/

Chad Van Dixhoorn, Confessing the Faith: A Reader's Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith

https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/confessing-the-faith/ 

https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/confessing-the-faith-study-guide/

The Shorter Catechism begins with an end—our end, in fact—where ‘end’ means our ultimate purpose or reason for being. 

In the first instalment of Westminster Wednesdays we discuss Question and Answer 1 of the Shorter Catechism: 

‘Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?

A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.’ 

With us to discuss this question and answer is Dr Chad Van Dixhoorn, Professor of Church History and Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina. Chad is the editor of The Minutes and Papers of the Westminster Assembly, 1643-1652 (Oxford University Press, 2012) and author of Confessing the Faith: A Reader’s Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith (Banner of Truth, 2014). 

Be sure also to watch or listen to our launch-day bonus episode with Dr Van Dixhoorn: 

https://youtu.be/oKeEJQQaPdw

Chad Van Dixhoorn, Confessing the Faith: A Reader's Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith

https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/confessing-the-faith/  

https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/confessing-the-faith-study-guide/ 

https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/an-ark-for-all-gods-noahs/ 

Brooks opens up, for the instruction and comfort of the true Christian, what it means to have God himself as our portion. 

#WestminsterWednesdays #Catechism #Purpose

This week we complete our reading of Iain H. Murray's article on Spurgeon's departure from the Baptist Union in the 1880s. 

In the final part of the article, Murray notes Spurgeon's response to those who argued he might best serve the interests of orthodoxy by remaining within the Union, in spite of its aberrations. 

Featured Resource: 

Iain H. Murray, 'C. H. Spurgeon: The Downgrade and Denominational Loyalties,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 34 (July 1964). 

Other Spurgeon-related Episodes: 

C. H. Spurgeon: The Ministry the Churches Need — https://bannerpodcast.podbean.com/e/c-h-spurgeon-the-ministry-the-churches-need/ 

The Forgotten Spurgeon — https://bannerpodcast.podbean.com/e/the-forgotten-spurgeon/ 

Spurgeon's Pastoral Wisdom: Geoff Chang Interview — https://bannerpodcast.podbean.com/e/spurgeons-practical-wisdom-geoff-chang-interview/ 

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org 

Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine 

Leave us your feedback or a testimony: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

As we begin an 80-week journey through the Westminster Shorter Catechism, today we read a segment from Eifion Evans on Christian nurture and its connection with catechesis. 

Featured Resource: 

Excerpt from Eifion Evans, 'Christian Nurture,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issues 82–83 (July–August 1970). 

Help us spread the word about Westminster Wednesdays: 

Article: What Can I Expect from Westminster Wednesdays? 

Video: For the Christian who longs to grow...

Video: Calling Christian Parents...

This week's reading continues Iain H. Murray's article on Spurgeon's treatment of the doctrinal 'Downgrade' in the Baptist Union in the 1880s. 

In a context of doctrinal compromise, Spurgeon saw, most clearly, that denominational loyalty is not the same thing as the pursuit of true Christian unity.

Featured Resource: 

Iain H. Murray, 'C. H. Spurgeon: The Downgrade and Denominational Loyalties,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 34 (July 1964). 

Listen to the 'Lost Recording' of Martyn Lloyd-Jones' 1966 address:

https://www.mljtrust.org/blog/evangelical-unity-an-appeal-recording-found/ 

Other Spurgeon-related Episodes: 

C. H. Spurgeon: The Ministry the Churches Need — https://bannerpodcast.podbean.com/e/c-h-spurgeon-the-ministry-the-churches-need/ 

The Forgotten Spurgeon — https://bannerpodcast.podbean.com/e/the-forgotten-spurgeon/ 

Spurgeon's Pastoral Wisdom: Geoff Chang Interview — https://bannerpodcast.podbean.com/e/spurgeons-practical-wisdom-geoff-chang-interview/ 

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org 

Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine 

Leave us your feedback or a testimony: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

Good Tidings of Great Joy is a feast for the soul that longs to know the Lord Jesus Christ better. From the pen of C. H. Spurgeon, this book of short meditations on the person and work, and especially incarnation, of Christ, draws our gaze upwards to the glory of the God-Man. 

This week we read just one of the 38 meditations, and consider with Spurgeon the 'fullness' of Christ. 

Buy the book: https://banneroftruth.org/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/good-tidings-of-great-joy/

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org 

Leave us your feedback or a testimony: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

How ought the godly to respond when the church body, denomination, or union of which they are members becomes overrun by false teaching? Should unity be preserved at all costs, or is there a time to separate? If separation occurs, what are the implications for the unity of the true church? 

These questions concerning the unity and purity of the church are not straightforward to answer. 

This week, the Martyn Lloyd-Jones Trust will make publicly available the audio of an address given by Lloyd-Jones at Westminster Central Hall in October 1966. The address, 'Evangelical Unity: An Appeal,' treats of these themes. 

With the topic of unity and purity on many minds, we turn this week to consider again the way in which C. H. Spurgeon faced these questions in the 1880s. 

Featured Resource: 

Iain H. Murray, 'C. H. Spurgeon: The Downgrade and Denominational Loyalties,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 34 (July 1964). 

Listen to the 'Lost Recording' of Martyn Lloyd-Jones' 1966 address:

https://www.mljtrust.org/blog/evangelical-unity-an-appeal-recording-found/ 

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org 

Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine 

Leave us your feedback or a testimony: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

This week's Friday Extra is a reading, by William Boekestein, of the entry for Psalm 13 in the new Banner title he has co-authored with Rob Ventura, God is Our Refuge and Strength: 150 Devotionals Through the Psalms. 

The book releases in North America on 13 October, and will be available in the UK and World store from early December. 

Buy the book/sign up for the Waitlist: https://banneroftruth.org/store/devotional-books/god-is-our-refuge-and-strength/

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org 

Leave us your feedback or a testimony: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

We're delighted to announce a new series coming to the Banner Podcast and Youtube channel—Westminster Wednesdays—starting, Lord-willing, on Wednesday, 28 October. 

In a Christian world saturated with discipleship resources, the Westminster Shorter Catechism has stood the test of time as an edifying summary of Christian truth, well adapted to use in churches and in the Christian home. 

But how can we deepen our meditation on the truths of the catechism? How can we get ready to teach it to others? 

For the pastor or Christian parent wondering how to unlock this treasury of truth for their congregation or children, or indeed for the Christian wanting to go deeper in the faith, we hope Westminster Wednesdays is a user-friendly way in to catechesis. 

Joining Joshua to make this announcement is a special guest who has recently joined the work of the Banner of Truth Trust. 

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org 

Leave us your feedback or a testimony: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast