The Banner Podcast

Does what we believe about the Bible really matter? Isn't it enough simply to embrace Christ? This week, we spend some time with two articles that address, in different ways, the relationship between our faith in Christ and our trust in the Scriptures. We begin by thinking about the Lord Jesus's own attitude towards the Scriptures...

Featured Content:

– 'The Bible of our Lord', entry for January 31 in Robert Macdonald, From Day to Day: Helpful Words for the Christian Life (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2024). Originally published in 1856.

– 'Inerrancy Matters... to the Man in the Pew', Ian Hamilton, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 618 (March 2015)

Purchase 'From Day to Day: Helpful Words for the Christian Life' by Robert Macdonald: https://banneroftruth.org/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/from-day-to-day/

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

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Are we saved by grace, or by faith? Does it matter? If these questions have ever exercised you, then Paul Helm's article 'A Bad Habit' may be of help. Revisiting some of B. B. Warfield's thoughts on the subjects of grace and faith, Helm shows that how we think and talk about the ground of our salvation matters enormously.

Featured Content:

– 'A Bad Habit', Paul Helm, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 128 (May 1975). 

– The prayer 'Amazing Grace' from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett. https://banneroftruth.org/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/the-valley-of-vision/

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

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Matthew Roberts joined us at the Banner Ministers' Conference 2024 to discuss the vital importance of a biblical understanding of sin, the challenge of the sexual revolution, and the Greater Love Declaration, which articulates an orthodox Christian position on marriage and sexuality in a spirit of self-sacrificing love.

More Info. on the Greater Love declaration:

www.greaterlove.org.uk

Resources Referenced:

Calvin, John, Institutes of the Christian Religion (1539 edition), Clothbound, 920 pages.

https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/theology/institutes/

Flavel, John, Preparations for Sufferings (Puritan Paperback), 176 pages.

https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/christian-living/preparations-for-sufferings/

Owen, John, Searching our Hearts in Difficult Times (Puritan Paperback), 160 pages.

https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/christian-living/owen-searching-our-hearts-in-difficult-times/

Roberts, Matthew, Pride: Identity and the Worship of Self, paperback, 184 pages.

https://www.christianfocus.com/products/3074/pride

The godly governance of the home is a subject of vital importance in any age, and has special resonance in our troubled times. To help us consider it, this week we read A. W. Pink on the Christian home, and Don Stephens on the neglected privilege of family worship.

Featured Content:

– 'Christian Homes', A. W. Pink, reprinted in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 7 (June 1957)

– 'Family Worship: A Neglected Privilege', Don Stephens, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 651 (December 2017)

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

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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

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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

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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

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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