The system of false teaching known as Socinianism proved a thorn in the side of the Reformed churches for more than two centuries. Even today, the essential tenets of Socinianism are still with us, and aspects of it pop up in the teaching of such movements as Unitarian Universalism, 'Oneness' Pentecostalism, Christadelphianism, and among the Jehovah's Witnesses. 

As such, it is well for us to take a closer look at this movement, its key commitments, and how it emerged in the context of Reformation-era Europe. 

Banner resources relevant to Socinianism:

– The Works of John Owen, Volume 12: The Gospel Defended (Clothbound, 639 pages)

– The Works of Andrew Fuller (1 Volume, 1012 pages)

– William Cunningham, Historical Theology (Clothbound, 1408 pages)

John Owen's (tragically amusing) presentation of John Biddle's Socinianism, in the form of a satirical catechism, can be found on pages 588 to 590 of The Works of John Owen, vol. 12: The Gospel Defended. 

This week's podcast artwork features an image of a plaque in the Sozzini's palace in Siena which depicts Fausto and Lelio Sozzini. The etching on the plaque claims that 'During ages of fierce despotism, with their new doctrines they awoke the free thought'. 

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As summer turns to autumn in the northern hemisphere, we do hope this note finds you doing well. This week we bring you an audio recording of Iain H. Murray speaking on 'John Knox' at the 2003 Youth Conference in Leicester, England. 

More resources on John Knox:

– The Select Practical Writings of John Knox (Clothbound, 336 pages)

– The Works of John Knox (6 Volumes, 3824 pages)

– D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, John Knox and the Reformation (paperback, 144 pages)

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This week we bring you a conversation with Rev Jim McCarthy of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Statesboro, Georgia. Jim is the author of a new exposition of the two (yes, two) minor prophets who were sent by God to Nineveh, a leading city (and later capital) of the Assyrian empire. Join us as we consider what these two biblical books have to say to us today. 

The Two Prophets To Nineveh (paperback, 120 pages) will be released on October 6. You can join the waitlist to be informed when the title is available for purchase. 

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This week we read some words of comfort and counsel suitable for all weary believers, and especially for pastors who feel stretched beyond what they can bear. 

Featured Resources: 

– C. H. Spurgeon, 'The Minister's Fainting Fits,' in The Minister's Self-Watch & The Minister's Fainting Fits (booklet), (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2025), p. 40–42. This lecture also appears in Lectures to My Students by the same author. 

– Robert Murray M'Cheyne, 'To the Rev. Dan. Edwards' in Memoir and Remains of Robert Murray M'Cheyne (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1966, 2024), p. 282. 

– Robert Murray M'Cheyne, 'To the Rev. W. C. Burns' in Memoir and Remains of Robert Murray M'Cheyne (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1966, 2024), p. 216. 

– Robert Murray M'Cheyne, 'To the Rev. W. C. Burns' in Memoir and Remains of Robert Murray M'Cheyne (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1966, 2024), p. 289. 

New from the Banner: 

The Minister's Self-Watch and The Minister's Fainting Fits (booklet)

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Arnold Dallimore's name has long been associated with the Banner of Truth. Noted for his biographies of Spurgeon and Whitefield, Dallimore (d. 1998) was an Ontarian 'small-town pastor' whose writing labours took place against a backdrop of financial pressure and ministerial responsibility, and without the advantages of local research facilities. We take time this week to go 'behind the scenes' and find out more about this patient servant of the Lord, and his beloved wife May (d. 2015). 

Featured Resources: 

– Michael A. G. Haykin, 'Remembering Arnold Dallimore and His Books,' The Banner of Truth Magazine, Issues 707–708, August & September 2022. 

– Ian Hugh Clary, 'Remembering Arnold and May Dallimore,' The Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 621, June 2015. 

– Walter Chantry*, 'Supporting Arnold Dallimore', The Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 510, March 2006. 

*Author unknown. Walter Chantry was magazine editor at the time. 

Books by Arnold Dallimore:

George Whitefield: The Life and Times of the Great Evangelist of the 18th Century Revival (2 volumes)

Spurgeon: A Biography

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This week on the podcast we focus on the contents and impact of one particular Banner book: Iain H. Murray's The Forgotten Spurgeon. First published in the Banner of Truth Magazine, and then in paperback in 1966, it has proved valuable in teaching many about the central importance of the doctrines of grace, and underscoring the need for a theologically rich gospel witness. 

Featured Resources: 

– Ian S. Barter, 'The Forgotten Spurgeon', You Must Read: Books That Have Shaped Our Lives (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2015, 2025), pp. 251–256. 

– Iain H. Murray, The Forgotten Spurgeon (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1966, 2023), pp.  

Of note: 

Spurgeon's Catechism: https://www.princeofpreachers.org/uploads/4/8/6/5/48652749/apuritancatechism.pdf 

Iain H. Murray, Spurgeon vs. Hyper-Calvinism: The Battle for Gospel Preaching: https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/spurgeon-vs-hyper-calvinism/

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4 August 2025 marks three-hundred years since the birth of John Newton: pastor, author, and hymnwriter. This week we depart from our usual format to supply an audio recording of Iain H. Murray speaking on 'The Life of John Newton' at the 2007 Ministers' Conference in Leicester, England. 

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To learn the backstory of a hymn can be a richly rewarding exercise. The same applies with hymnwriters. This week we consider the life and faith of two wonderful hymnists of yesteryear: Isaac Watts (1674–1748) and Frances Ridley Havergal (1836–1879). 

Featured Resources: 

– Mark S. Shuttleworth, 'Isaac Watts: The Man Behind the Hymns', The Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 221, February 1982.

– Pamela D. Bugden, 'Sweet Singer and Poet of Worcestershire', The Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 503, August–September 2005. 

Worthy of note: 

The Havergal Trust has been set up by David Chalkley to make the complete works of Frances Ridley Havergal available to the body of Christ in our own day. To date, a number of the titles have appeared as paperbacks, and there is a strong desire to see all volumes published in due course. If you would like to browse the books, or find out more about the project, see below: 

https://www.havergaltrust.com/about/about-the-havergal-trust/ 

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There is, writes the Preacher of Ecclesiastes, 'a time to die' (Ecclesiastes 3:2). The believer in Christ is called to be mindful of this time, to prepare for it, and then, when it comes, to commit his or her soul to a faithful Heavenly Father. 

Featured Resources: 

- Toni Saad, 'Life at all Costs?', The Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 738, March 2025.

- Excerpt from Iain H. Murray, David Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The Fight of Faith 1939–1981 (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1990, 2024), Chapter 35, 'Dying ... He Worshipped', pages 746–748. 

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How can a Christian prepare for death? It is a question pertinent to us all, and yet it is asked earnestly by so few.

This week we seek guidance on this question from the work of the seventeenth-century minister George Swinnock and the nineteenth-century pastoral theologian Archibald Alexander. 

Featured Resources: 

- Excerpt from 'The Fading of the Flesh' in The Works of George Swinnock, Vol. 3 (1672; repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1996), pages 466–471. 

- Excerpt from Archibald Alexander, Thoughts on Religious Experience (1844; repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1978, 2024), pages 277–280. 

Related resources: 

The Works of George Swinnock (5 volumes, 2526 pages, clothbound)

The Works of George Swinnock, Volume 3 (source of today's excerpt from The Fading of the Flesh, a work contained in volumes 3 and 4 of Swinnock's Works)

Archibald Alexander, Thoughts on Religious Experience

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