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Bringing to light the riches of the Banner of Truth Magazine archive for the encouragement of believers today.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
The practice of pastoral visitation in homes has fallen on hard times. For many of our forefathers in the faith, however, it was deemed an essential part of ministry, enabling effective oversight of the souls of the people of God.
This week, we 'revisit' the area of pastoral visitation, although for many of us, it may be the first time we've considered the nature and benefits of this practice for ourselves and those we may serve in the church.
Featured Resources:
– 'Pastoral Visitation—A Needed Revival', James Howard Lynch, featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issues 731–732 (August & September 2024).
– Excerpts from Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry, with an Inquiry into the Causes of its Inefficiency (1850; repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2018), pp. 344–360.
– Ian Hamilton audio taken from Pastoral Visitation
– Excerpts from 'The Directory for the Public Worship of God' in The Westminster Confession, with Associated Historical Documents (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2023), pp. 562, 574.
The artwork featured with this week's episode is Richard Norris Brooke's 'A Pastoral Visit' (1881, Public Domain, now at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D. C.)
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
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
This week's episode is a little different, as we bring you a conversation with a great friend of the Banner, Dr Sinclair B. Ferguson, ahead of the release of his latest contribution to the Let's Study series: Let's Study Romans.
We asked him about his own history with the Letter to the Romans, advice for pastors and preachers seeking to teach and preach the book, and what his hopes are as this new volume goes out to readers.
Let's Study Romans is available from 26 March, 2025.
Two hymns by James Montgomery Boice, inspired by Romans 8:
Hallelujah! (What can separate my soul...)
How Marvelous, How Wise, How Great
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
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
William Perkins, like Laurence Chaderton, was a Puritan of the Elizabethan age. As such, he lived before that golden generation of Puritans in which the likes of Flavel, Goodwin, Owen and Baxter ministered.
He was part of a pioneering generation that set to work applying the newly-recovered doctrines of the Reformation in the English context. Although he died at the age of 44, Perkins—a 'man of parts', as the Puritans might have said—would make contributions as a preacher, pastoral counsellor, theologian, and commentator that have stood the test of time.
Featured Resources:
– 'Art of Prophesying: William Perkins' Famous Book Reprinted', Sinclair B. Ferguson, featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 389 (February 1996).
– 'Perkins: Father of English Commentators', Edward J. Malcolm, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 462 (March 2002).
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
Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
The United Kingdom has a rich Christian heritage, a standing testimony to the Lord's saving mercy and transforming grace. How can visitors to the UK trace some of these movements of God's Spirit? What if the Banner were to put together a suggested itinerary?
Interestingly, the Banner did—back in 1978!—and it still makes for interesting and useful reading. We bring it to you this week as a podcast bonus, and also hear from Ben Virgo (Christian Heritage London), Jo Pinfield (Christian Heritage Cambridge) and Paul James-Griffiths (Christian Heritage Edinburgh) about the work they are doing today to share what the Lord has done in the UK.
N.B. At the time of podcast release, the address of The Evangelical Library is 5/6 Gateway Mews, London, N11 2UT.
Featured article:
– 'Suggested Eight Days' Itinerary for Visitors to UK', Iain H. Murray, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 182 (November 1978).
Helpful Organisations and Links:
Christian Heritage London (https://christianheritagelondon.org)
Walking tours of London and the British Museum
Three London highlights: St Mary Woolnoth (John Newton's church), Aldersgate Street (where John Wesley's heart was 'strangely warmed'), and the Shaftesbury Memorial (Anthony Ashley-Cooper, Lord Shaftesbury).
Contact Christian Heritage London | Ben Virgo's podcast interview with Iain H. Murray
Christian Heritage Cambridge (https://roundchurchcambridge.org/)
Visitor centre, walking tours of Cambridge, and historical events
Three Cambridge highlights: The Round Church (c. 1130), the White Horse Inn (plaque only - inn no longer extant), and Emmanuel College (seedbed of Puritanism, college of John Harvard).
Contact Christian Heritage Cambridge
Christian Heritage Edinburgh/Soul of Scotland Tours (https://soulofscotlandtours.com/)
Visitor centre, walking tours of Edinburgh
Three Edinburgh highlights: National Museum of Scotland (basement celtic crosses, etc.), Magdalene Chapel, Presbytery Hall at Edinburgh Theological Seminary (a National Covenant document, Disruption Painting, etc.)
Contact Christian Heritage Edinburgh
Other useful links and resources for planning your trip:
- Mayflower Pilgrims Tour from Pilgrims and Prophets/Bassetlaw Christian Heritage (https://www.pilgrimsandprophets.co.uk/tours/mayflower-pilgrims-highlights/)
The area around Retford and Worksop has many connections to the 17th century groups who moved to the Lower Countries and to North America as they sought to leave a godly legacy.
- England's Christian Heritage (https://englandschristianheritage.org.uk/)
- Wales's Christian Heritage (https://waleschristianheritage.org.uk/)
Two resource websites for tracing notable figures in church history by county, and determining places to visit.
Please note that the Banner of Truth cannot be held responsible for the content of third-party websites or the substance of third-party tours, events, and publications. Listing here does not necessarily equal endorsement.
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
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Many Puritans, even leading Puritans, did not proffer much for publication and thus remain little known today. One such (relatively) unpublished leader of the Puritan movement during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I was Laurence Chaderton (1536–1640). A gifted preacher, college Master, and Bible translator, his life and legacy repay careful attention.
Featured Article:
– 'Laurence Chaderton: Puritan, Scholar, and Bible Translator', Nick Lunn, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 537 (June 2008).
Christian Heritage Walks in Cambridge:
Listeners wishing to explore Cambridge's Christian heritage in the company of a guide are encouraged to look into the walks offered at the Round Church. The University Walk, which provides a general overview of Cambridge's history, with special attention to how it has been shaped by the Christian faith, often stops at Emmanuel College. Private walks are available on request.
For more info. and booking: https://roundchurchcambridge.org/
Watch 'Saints and Scholars', an overview of Cambridge's Christian connections narrated by David Suchet: https://youtu.be/txLJm2UjYZM?si=tiTFVmKyhHGbyh2-
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
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
In this short, encouraging meditation, David Campbell reminds us that the Lord is sovereign over all of our days, and that it may be in our latter years that we discover new avenues of fruitfulness for Christ's kingdom.
Featured article:
– 'God's Intriguing Timeframes', David Campbell, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 690 (March 2021).
David Campbell ministers at North Preston Evangelical Church, Lancashire, England. He is a trustee of the Banner of Truth, and author of Sanctification: Transformed Life (Banner mini-guides).
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
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Tarry any length of time with evangelical and Reformed Christians, and one is likely to hear the name of Martyn Lloyd-Jones. ‘The Doctor’ as he was affectionately known, had a ministry that was used by God in a quite unique way in the mid to late twentieth century.
This week’s articles provide a stimulus to engage with Lloyd-Jones through two distinct types of media: his letters and his books. Jeremy Brooks highlights the value of the volume of Letters published by the Banner in 1994 for our understanding of the Doctor, and Iain H. Murray offers a guide to Lloyd-Jones’ book output, with suggestions as to which volumes readers ought to prioritise.
Whether you’ve benefitted from Lloyd-Jones for years, or have just discovered him, these articles will provide valuable insights and encouragement to read the work of a wonderful servant of Christ.
Featured Articles:
– 'Revisiting Lloyd-Jones' Letters', Jeremy Brooks, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 736 (January 2025).
– 'Advice on Reading Dr Lloyd-Jones', Iain H. Murray, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 510 (March 2006).
Our thanks to Jeremy Brooks, pastor at Wellcome Hall Evangelical Church, Catshill, Bromsgrove, for reading the article he authored.
Resources by Lloyd-Jones:
The All-Sufficient God: Sermons on Isaiah 40
Authentic Christianity (Acts Set)
Born of God: Sermons from John Chapter 1
Knowing the Times: Addresses Delivered on Various Occasions 1942-1977
Letters of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Old Testament Evangelistic Sermons
The Puritans: Their Origins and Successors
Saved by Grace Alone: Sermons on Ezekiel 36:16-36
Resources about Dr. and Mrs Lloyd-Jones:
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Iain H. Murray (2 volume biography. Volumes can be bought separately: The First Forty Years, 1899-1939 and The Fight of Faith, 1939-1981)
Lloyd-Jones: Messenger of Grace, Iain H. Murray
Memories of Sandfields, Bethan Lloyd-Jones
The Life of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Iain H. Murray (1 volume, 'a re-cast, condensed and, in parts, re-written version of the author’s two volumes D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The First Forty Years (1982) and The Fight of Faith (1990). Since those dates, the life of Dr Lloyd-Jones has been the subject of comment and assessment in many publications and these have been taken into account. The main purpose of this further biography, however, is to put Dr Lloyd-Jones’ life before another generation in more accessible form. The big story is all here.')
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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Monday Feb 24, 2025
Monday Feb 24, 2025
The second instalment of our Puritan mini-series looks at John Flavel, the great evangelist and pastor-theologian of Devon, in England's southwest. A man who knew the Lord's blessing as a disciple, an evangelist, a pastor, and a writer, he also knew great hardship and government-sanctioned opposition.
See map of Devon (the county where Flavel ministered).
Featured Resources:
– 'John Flavel', presumed to be by Iain H. Murray, featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 60 (September 1968).
– 'The Character of a Complete Evangelical Pastor Drawn by Christ', John Flavel, sermon notes featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 8 (August 1957).
Works by Flavel
Binge Drinking (Pocket Puritans, 80 pages)
Facing Grief: Counsel for Mourners (Puritan Paperbacks, 136 pages)
Impure Lust (Pocket Puritans, 80 pages)
The Mystery of Providence (Puritan Paperbacks, 224 pages)
None But Jesus: Selections from the Writings of John Flavel (Pocket Puritans, 176 pages)
Preparations for Sufferings (Puritan Paperbacks, 176 pages)
Sinful Speech: Sins of the Tongue (Pocket Puritans, 96 pages)
The Works of John Flavel (6 Clothbound volumes, 3667 pages)
Second clip from Sinclair Ferguson used with the permission of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.
Original Clip: I've never read any Puritan books, where should I start?
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