The Magazine Podcast

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...

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...

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, 1...

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 S...

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...

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: ...

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.    Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both)...

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. – Pa...

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...

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...

In this, the first of three episodes on the subject of dying in the Lord, we ask what the Bible teaches about death, and apply it to the case of the unbeliever and the believer.    Featured Resources:  - George Curry, Preparing Unbelievers for Death, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 317 (Ferbruary 1990). - Excerpt from 'The Christian Man's Calling' in The Works of George Swinnock, Vol. 3 (1672; rep...

Meditating on the Lord Jesus Christ is a high privilege of the Christian. It strengthens his faith, deepens his love, and calibrates his hope. The Lord Jesus Christ is the One in whom we, by the power of the Spirit, see the glory of the Father.  This week we take time not to pursue another aspect of Christian living, or another profile from church history, but to think about 'God the only Son, who...

New this summer from the Banner of Truth is a unique collection of lectures on revival from nineteenth-century Scotland.  In this brief bonus episode, we read a portion of the Publisher's Introduction by Banner trustee Donald John MacLean to see just why this collection warrants republication today.    Read the entire Publisher's Introduction: https://banneroftruth.org/resources/book-excerpts/2025...

Pastoral ministry isn't for everyone. Indeed, it isn't for the many. 'Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers', writes James, 'for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness' (James 3:1).  This week's readings spell out and explore some bad reasons for going into ministry, hopefully serving men considering the pastoral office, as well as those who advise and supp...

'He did not get up to talk about his party, his cause, his interest or his office', wrote J. C. Ryle of George Whitefield. 'He was perpetually telling you about your sins, your heart, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, the absolute need of repentance, faith, and holiness, in the way that the Bible presents these mighty subjects.'  This week we turn our attention to a man who, by God's grace, became a m...

Last year the Trust published W. Ross Blackburn's Unveiling the Cross: Beholding and Proclaiming the Whole Christ. Ross has a background in Old Testament studies, has pastored in the ACNA (Anglican Church in North America) and has been involved for many years with the pro-life movement in the USA. We sat down with Ross and found out a bit more about his own backstory, and also his burden in Unveil...

There is no such thing as 'neutral' history. All history is written from a religious standpoint, reflecting either an awareness of and reverence for God and his purposes and dealings, or an ignorance of the same.  Towards the end of the twentieth century, some Christian historians reacted to 'providentialist' history, that is, history that gives place to God, and sought to deal in strictly natural...

In 1868 Pope Pius IX issued a call to those who, in his words, 'glory in the name of Christian, yet do not profess the true faith of Christ, nor hold to and follow the Communion of the Catholic Church.' He wanted them to submit to and join with the Catholic church, and hoped that the forthcoming First Vatican Council would catalyse this. Grasping the need for a concise and clear response, grounded...

Weakness within and trials without. A constant battle against the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. This is the common lot of Christian believers in this life. This is the sober reality which ought to push us, each day, to apply for new supplies of the Holy Spirit's power for perseverance. The life of the gospel minister fits this pattern, too, and if anything, the intensity of the battle is greate...

We had the joy of sitting down with Paul Levy who pastors International Presbyterian Church in Ealing, a thriving district of West London. Paul spoke to us about a range of topics, including the joys and challenges of church growth and how he prays for the children of his church to have a ‘boring testimony’, and he also recommends a couple of the Banner’s more obscure publications. We trust you’ll...

This week we consider the Christian's relationship to revolution. In the first reading, we ask how the Christian is to relate to the 'spirit of Revolution' embodied in the French Revolution (a movement that is still with us, bearing fruit in our own politics and society). Towards the end of the episode we consider Francis Schaeffer and Samuel Rutherford in their arguments for civil resistance to u...

John Murray was one of the outstanding Reformed theologians of the 1900s. Earnest and serious, he was also deeply affectionate and much beloved of his students and colleagues. On the 50th anniversary of his death in 1975 we take time to consider his life, theology, and legacy to us today.   Featured Resources: – Excerpt from Iain Murray, 'John Murray: A Memorial with Tributes' in Banner of Truth M...

Robert Murray M'Cheyne died at the age of 29. Yet his life continues to inspire the servants of Christ today, and his passion for holiness, and sincere godliness, stand as a testament to the grace of God made effective in an otherwise weak man.  This week we look at M'Cheyne from three angles, taking in the shape of his life, the character of his labours, and finally the special love he had for th...

Christian believers will be tempted to sin. How are we to understand what goes on in temptation? Where is God when we are tempted? How do we lay hold of the resources to resist and come through these times of agony? These and other crucial questions are considered in this week's episode.   Featured Resources: – 'Lead Us Not Into Temptation', Sinclair B. Ferguson, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 14...

Described as 'perhaps the greatest British theologian of all time', John Owen was far more than a theoretician. As a pastor-scholar, Owen showed that his great concern was to promote holiness in his hearers and readers, to the glory of God and their lasting joy. This week's episode constitutes an introduction to Owen and many of his chief works which, it is hoped, will be of help to those new to h...