The Banner Podcast

By Banner of TruthReligion & Spirituality Christianity

The Banner Podcast episodes

September 23, 2024 The Bonar Brothers (2/3): Horatius
The second of three episodes inspired by David Campbell's mini-series on three remarkable brothers who ministered in 19th Century Scotland.
This week we consider Horatius Bonar (1808–1889), pastor, author, and hymnwriter. We read David Campbell's article on him, an excerpt from Iain H. Murray, and then read a piece by Bonar himself critiquing the idea of 'religion without theology'. We close with a rendition of Bonar's hymn, Everlasting Light.

Featured Content:
– 'Horatius Bonar—The second of the three Bonar brothers', David Campbell, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 722, November 2023.
– Excerpt from 'Horatius Bonar (1808–1889) and his Writings', Iain H. Murray, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 314, November 1989.
– 'Religion Without Theology' (taken from the preface of Catechisms of the Scottish Reformation, edited by Horatius Bonar, London 1866), featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 93, June 1971.
– 'Everlasting Life', a hymn of Horatius Bonar (public domain).

Featured Hymn: Everlasting Light
1 O everlasting Light!
Shine graciously within;
Brightest of all on earth that's bright,
Come, shine away my sin.

2 O everlasting Truth!
Truest of all that's true;
Sure guide of erring age or youth,
Lead me, and teach me too.

3 O everlasting Strength!
Uphold me in the way;
Bring me, in spite of foes, at length
To joy, and light, and day.

4 O everlasting Love;
Wellspring of grace and peace,
Pour down Thy fullness from above,
Bid doubt, and trouble cease.

5 O everlasting Rest!
Lift off life's load of care;
Relieve, revive this burdened breast,
And ev'ry sorrow bear.

7 Thou art in heav'n our all;
Our all on earth art Thou;
Upon Thy glorious name we call:
Lord Jesus, bless us now.

We are grateful to Mr. Jack Adair for singing this hymn.

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54 min
September 16, 2024 The Chad Van Dixhoorn Interview (BONUS)
Dr Chad Van Dixhoorn has spent many years researching and teaching the theology of the Westminster Standards (comprising the Confession of Faith, with the Larger and Shorter catechisms). We sat down with him to learn more about the standards and the 'Assembly of Divines' that produced them, as well as asking him about his own upbringing in Canada, his conversion, and work. We finished by discussing his own exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith, 'Confessing the Faith', published 10 years ago by the Trust.

More about the Westminster Standards: https://westminsterassembly.org/about-the-project/
More about Dr Van Dixhoorn: https://rts.edu/people/dr-chad-van-dixhoorn/

Buy the Westminster Standards: https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/theology/westminster-confession/
Buy 'Confessing the Faith': https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/theology/confessing-the-faith/
Buy the Study Guide for 'Confessing the Faith': https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/theology/confessing-the-faith-study-guide/

Related video: 'What are Confessions?' with Jeremy Walker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcqSub_gtrU&t=13s

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org
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54 min
September 09, 2024 The High Calling of Motherhood
Motherhood is a precious and unique gift of God. Yet faithful motherhood has perhaps never been under such sustained and serious attack as is it now. In such a context, Christians need to recover a respect for mothers and motherhood that reveals the Lord's goodness to a faithless world.
In this episode we consider the calling of a mother, and the beauty and necessity of her God-given role.

Featured Content:
– Her Husband's Crown: A Wife's Ministry and a Minister's Wife, Sara Leone, (Edinburgh, Banner of Truth, 2007, rep. 2021). Booklet, 55 pages (excerpt read from pages 10–15).
– 'A Mother's Work', article by Rebecca Vandoodewaard (originally published on her blog, now unavailable, and appearing at The Aquila Report: https://theaquilareport.com/a-mothers-work/). Used by permission.
– Excerpt from A Father's Gift: Lessons from Proverbs, by Kenneth B. Wingate (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2009), pages 155-163.

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
28 min
September 02, 2024 The Bonar Brothers (1/3): John James
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
25 min
August 26, 2024 Loving the Confessions
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
28 min
August 19, 2024 The Andy Murray Interview
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
39 min
August 12, 2024 The Threefold Division of the Law
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
40 min
August 05, 2024 Thomas Guthrie and the Ragged Schools
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
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25 min
July 29, 2024 The Bountiful Blessing of Biblical Meditation
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
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34 min
July 22, 2024 All That God Has Spoken: Balance in the Christian Life
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
23 min