The Magazine Podcast

'The Shakespeare of the Christian Heart'

Archibald Alexander (1772–1851) was the first Principal of Princeton Theological Seminary. A preacher and a theological educator par excellence, his commitment to scholarship and to the preparation of men for ministry made his contribution foundational to the long season of fruitfulness that Princeton enjoyed in the decades after his death.

Alongside of his classroom teaching and preaching ministry, Alexander constantly counselled those who came to him in spiritual distress or need. His wise, spiritual counsel and sanctified commonsense led one onlooker to describe him as the 'Shakespeare of the Christian Heart'. These qualities are on full display in this week's second selection, from his Thoughts on Religious Experience.

 

Featured Content:

– The Rediscovery of Old Princeton, David B. Calhoun, featured in The Banner of Truth Magazine: No. 365, February 1994

– Extract from Archibald Alexander, Thoughts on Religious Experience (Chapter 8, pages 105–109). Buy the book: https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/thoughts-on-religious-experience/

 

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Thomas Goodwin: The Evangelical Puritan

This week we hone in on Thomas Goodwin, 'The Atlas of Independency', and read Ian Hamilton's recent article, Thomas Goodwin: The Evangelical Puritan, before turning to an extract from Goodwin's own Christ Set Forth, As the Cause of Justification and as the Object of Justifying Faith (Puritan Paperback).

 

Featured Content:

– Thomas Goodwin: The Evangelical Puritan, Ian Hamilton, featured in The Banner of Truth Magazine: No. 725, February 2024

– Extract from Thomas Goodwin, Christ Set Forth, As the Cause of Justification and as the Object of Justifying Faith (Chapter 3, pages 15–26). Buy the book: https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/christ-set-forth/

 

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J. I. Packer on Puritan Evangelism, Pt. 2

We continue this week with J. I. Packer's piece 'Puritan Evangelism'. Having outlined 'modern evangelism' as it was pioneered by Charles G. Finney, Packer proceeds to shine a light on the better way pursued by the Puritans. Convinced that salvation was, from first to last, the sovereign and gracious work of God in the souls of men, the Puritans sought to shape their practice of evangelism accordingly.

 

Featured Content:

– 'Puritan Evangelism', J. I. Packer, Banner of Truth Magazine Issue 4, February 1957. (Part II).

 

Listen to Part 1:

– 'J. I. Packer on Puritan Evangelism, Pt. 1'

 

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J. I. Packer on Puritan Evangelism, Pt. 1

Among those who rediscovered the power of Puritan faith and piety in the 20th Century, the name of J. I. Packer stands out prominently. This week, we read Ian Hamilton's editorial 'The Essential Packer', and proceed to the first portion of a probing article from Packer on 'Puritan Evangelism'.

 

Featured Content:

– 'The Essential J.I. Packer', Ian Hamilton, editorial of Banner of Truth Magazine Issue 685, October 2020.

– 'Puritan Evangelism', J. I. Packer, Banner of Truth Magazine Issue 4, February 1957.

 

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The Compromises of Lot and the Faithfulness of the Lord

This week's selections take us to Genesis, and the account of Lot's deliverance from the Lord's righteous judgement of Sodom. There is much that we can learn here, particularly through a consideration of what the text teaches us about Lot's compromise and sin, and the incredible grace and faithfulness of God towards him. God's unconditional election of Lot shines brightly, even as the text witnesses clearly against Lot's wavering, lukewarmness, and disobedience, which had dire consequences for him.

 

Featured Content:

– "Remember Lot": The Fruits of Compromise in the Sodom Narrative, Joonas Laajanen (First published at TruthScript (https://truthscript.com/family/remember-lot-the-fruits-of-compromise-in-the-sodom-narrative-2/) and featured in The Banner of Truth Magazine: No. 725, February 2024)

– Exposition of Genesis 19:15–21 from John Calvin, Commentary on Genesis (Originally published 1554, Banner of Truth edition, 1965). To buy: https://banneroftruth.org/store/commentaries/genesis/

 

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Coming Events and Present Duties – J. C. Ryle

'The suddenness of the Lord’s second advent', wrote J.C. Ryle in the present piece, 'is a truth that should lead every professing Christian to great searching of heart.' This week's episode is a reading of Ryle's exposition of Matthew 25:1–13, often called the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins.

With crystal-clear explanation and earnest calls both to hell-bound sinners and perilously sleepy Christians, Ryle expounds the crucial truth that the Lord Jesus will come again, and will come at an hour we do not expect.

 

Featured Content:

– "Coming Events and Present Duties", J. C. Ryle (Banner of Truth Magazine: No. 3, October 1956)

 

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A Godly Father’s Counsel to his Children

Godly fathers are marked by concern for their children's wellbeing, and especially their spiritual condition. This week's first selection offers a number of compelling examples of this concern in faithful men of the past, from Jonathan Edwards to Charles Spurgeon. The second selection, from Martyn Lloyd-Jones's 'Raising Children God's Way', takes us to the practical and vital topic of how we may best serve the spiritual needs of our children.

 

Featured Content:

– "A Godly Father's Counsel to His Children" by Richard Brooks (Banner of Truth Magazine: No. 364, January 1994)

– Excerpt from Chapter 5, "Godly Upbringing", of Martyn Lloyd-Jones's Raising Children God's Way (Banner of Truth: 2007). Excerpt can be found between pages 80 and 85. Buy the book: https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/raising-children-gods-way/

 

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William Childs Robinson: Stalwart of the Faith

A professor, preacher, and stalwart believer, William Childs Robinson was a key witness to gospel truth at a time when his denomination, the Southern Presbyterian Church, was sliding into liberalism. This week's episode features an introduction to his life and work, as well as a short piece by him on the doctrine of justification by faith.

 

Featured Content:

– "William Childs Robinson (1897–1982)" compiled by Editor (Banner of Truth Magazine: No. 604, January 2014)

– "Justification by Faith" by William Childs Robinson (excerpted from Pleading for a Reformation Vision: The Life and Selected Writings of William Childs Robinson (1897–1982) by David B. Calhoun, Banner of Truth, 2013).

 

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