The Magazine Podcast

This week we continue our reading of R. B. Kuiper's sermon, 'Present-Day Antichrists' from his series of sermons on the 'signs of the times' contained in While the Bridegroom Tarries.  We follow this with a reading from Professor John Murray on Kuiper's final (and unfinished work) The Bible Tells Me So.    Featured Resource:  'Present-Day Antichrists' in While the Bridegroom Tarries (1919, repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2010).    Other R. B. Kuiper Books Published by Banner: The Glorious Body of Christ God-Centred Evangelism   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

A sermon-driven survey of movements claiming Christ's name. Short definitions of Antichrist as opponent and counterfeit. A historical sketch of types leading to a future Antichrist. Close critiques of Romanism and Christian Science and why they are seen as false Christs. A promise of a follow-up installment and further biographical context.

Many listeners will know that John Rawlinson, Banner of Truth General Manager since 1999, is soon to retire. John was recently asked to give an address summing up lessons he has learned over the years in Reformed publishing and resourcing.  On reflection, we felt that John's address, which has the character of a 'final charge' and exhortation, might be of interest to our podcast listeners and so share it as a 'bonus episode' this week.    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

Few maladies are more common among Christians than 'too many books, not enough time!' What we often lack, however, is not time so much as the will and the strategy to read the books we have. Maurice Roberts helps us remedy this, and makes a number of excellent suggestions for the struggling reader.    Featured resource:  Maurice Roberts, 'Preparing a Methodical Assault on our Unread Books,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 331 (April 1991).    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    

The third instalment of The Covenanter Story tells of the martyrdom of John Brown at his home at Priesthill, Ayrshire. In this bonus episode we talk a little more about the place itself, and read a beautiful poem from George Paulin (1812–1898) which reflects on John Brown's life, death, and heavenly home-going as the poet himself conducts a visit to Priesthill.    Watch John Brown of Priesthill | The Covenanter Story, Part 3 Read J. H. Thomson's The Martyr Graves of Scotland (Internet Archive version) Read Poets and Poetry of the Covenant, Compiled, With An Introduction by the Rev. David McAllister (1894, Internet Archive Version)   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

This week, as our host recovers from a time of illness, we read a short selection from Adolphe Monod's Farewell (currently out of print). In this excerpt, Monod recalls a special time of Bible reading which caused him great humiliation as he pondered the use he had made of the inspired Scriptures.    Featured resource:  'On Reading the Bible,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 221 (February 1982). This is an extract from Adolphe Monod's Farewell.    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  

In The Principle of Readiness and Acceptance, James Bruce III describes a pattern in God's dealings with us that is gracious and encouraging to all believers, and perhaps especially to those who, in the Lord's providence, are unable to do all that they would like for him.    Featured resource:  James Bruce III, 'Neglecting the Soul,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 491—492 (August–September 2004).    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

Are you neglecting your soul?  The Scriptures make it plain that it is possible for us to do the outward works proper to the Christian—and to look impressive in doing them—while our hearts are far from God.  This is a perilous place to be. In this week's piece, with prophetic precision and pastoral encouragement, Maurice Roberts calls us from neglect of soul to an earnest tending of 'God's acre' within us.    Featured resource:  Maurice Roberts, 'Neglecting the Soul,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 491—492 (August–September 2004).    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

Puritans and Covenanters alike have garnered a reputation for being austere and glum. Sometimes that reputation is deserved, but often it is a most unjust caricature.  In this week's bonus episode we meet a jovial Covenanter - a man who, although serious and earnest in ministry, was approachable and joyful. He was also not averse to casting a fly.  William Guthrie of Fenwick was cousin to James Guthrie, who is the subject of the first episode in our four-part series, The Covenanter Story, which is now available to watch.    Featured resource:  Blaikie, William G., The Preachers of Scotland: From the Sixth to the Nineteenth Century (1888, repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2001), pages 122–129.    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

The Lord has given fathers and mothers a solemn responsibility in relation to their children. It is their high calling and great privilege to hold out the word of life to their sons and daughters by their gospel-sharing words—crucially—and in their gospel-displaying deeds, their example and personal piety.  This week's meditations from John Flavel and Ernest Reisinger awaken us to the gravity of this call, and highlight some practical ways we can work it out in our own families.    Featured Resources:  John Flavel, The Works of John Flavel (1820, repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1968, 2023), Volume 4, pages 373–5.  Ernest Reisinger, 'The Family and Evangelism,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 298 (July 1988) and 491 (August–September 2004).     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