The Magazine Podcast

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/the-revival-of-religion-publishers...

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 support them. 

Featured Resources

– R...

'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 means in the salvation of thousands ...

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 Unveiling the Cross. We trust you'll enjo...

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 naturalistic terms, explaining and conject...

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 in the biblical teaching recovered...

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 greater. Satan has a particular loathing ...

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 enjoy the conversation.

Further ...

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 ungodly authority. Is it right to op...

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 Magazine, Issue 143–4 (August/Septe...

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 the Jewish people.

Featured Resourc...

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 145 (October 1975).

– Excerpt from ...

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 him, as well as to confirmed and sea...

We caught up with Geoff Thomas at the recent Banner Ministers' Conference in Staffordshire. Geoff, who ministered at Alfred Place Baptist Church for over fifty years, has been a faithful friend of the Banner of Truth Trust. It was a joy to talk with him about his varied associations with the Banner, his friendship with Iain Murray, preaching through Romans, and pastoral visitation, among other topics. 

Geoff Thomas' Sermon Archiv...

David Dickson (1583–1663) was a living testimony to the grace of God in Christ. In bearing suffering (he was deprived of his living and exiled for a time), in counselling convicted sinners, in preaching, and in writing he demonstrated the gifts and graces of a true under-shepherd of Christ's flock. This week we explore some of the details of his life, and hear a contemporary appreciation of his value as a Christ-centred commentator...

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...

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.

Buy...

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 s...

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...