The Magazine Podcast

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  A Taste of The Theology and Theologians of Scotland 18.09.2026 13мин

  The Scottish Church, or Kirk, has been blessed with an abundance of theologically-minded pastors and pastorally-gifted theologians in the centuries since the Reformation. Without a survey of these men and their works, however, it can be difficult to know where to start reading.  James Walker's The Theology and Theologians of Scotland can help in this area. The fruit of his 1870–71 Cunningham Lectures on the subject, this is a book which will help the interested reader prize open the treasure chest of Reformed, evangelical Scottish theology.  We read a couple of sections from Walker's first chapter, on John Knox and Thomas Boston, respectively. First published by T & T Clark, Edinburgh, in 1872, this new clothbound edition in a modern typesetting is based on the second (revised) edition of 1888. Readers will be interested to know that this edition includes seven sermons from the author, the Rev James Walker.    Buy the book: https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/theology-and-theologians-of-scotland/    Banner Trustee Donald John MacLean interviewed on The Theology and Theologians of Scotland:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP9gZ-GcHAQ 
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  A Son of Encouragement (Part II) 14.09.2026 10мин

  Many of us struggle with a critical spirit, and a lack of patience with the foibles and weaknesses of others. In such a context, how we need the example and challenge of Barnabas the encourager! This Monday we continue our consideration of Barnabas and his gift of encouragement with the help of Cecil Siriwardene's 2007 article.    Featured resource:  Cecil Siriwardene, 'Sons and Daughters of Encouragement,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 526 (July 2007).    Listen to Part I:  A Son of Encouragement   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
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  Why Do the Nations Rage? 11.09.2026 4мин

  What is God's response to a world that rails against him?  Rob Ventura, co-author with William Boekestein of our forthcoming devotional book on the Psalms, God is Our Refuge and Strength, reads the entry for Psalm 2.    Listen to the full author interview with Rob Ventura and William Boekestein:  https://bannerpodcast.podbean.com/e/interviewing-the-authors-god-is-our-refuge-and-strength/    Join the Waitlist for God is Our Refuge and Strength:  https://banneroftruth.org/store/devotional-books/god-is-our-refuge-and-strength/ 
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  A Son of Encouragement (Part I) 07.09.2026 11мин

  Barnabas, the 'son of encouragement,' was a man willing to give generously, advocate for the misunderstood, and bear patiently with the weaknesses of others.  Today's reading invites us to appreciate afresh those we know who have the gift of encouragement, and to seek to be encouragers ourselves.    Featured resource:  Cecil Siriwardene, 'Sons and Daughters of Encouragement,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 526 (July 2007).    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
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  Author Interview: God is Our Refuge and Strength 04.09.2026 41мин

  God is Our Refuge and Strength: 150 Devotionals Through the Psalms releases in October. Through brief, practical expositions of all 150 psalms, this volume proclaims, explains, and applies each one in light of the New Testament and the finished work of Jesus Christ the Lord. These reflections are designed to enlighten the mind, warm the heart, strengthen the hands, point to the Saviour, and encourage the soul. In this Friday Extra we discuss the book with its authors, William Boekestein and Rob Ventura. Among other things we ask the following:  — Why write another book on the Psalms?  — Why should we seek greater familiarity with this biblical book?  — What do we do with the 'imprecatory Psalms'?  — How can we read a Psalm with profit when we don't feel like we are connecting with it on an emotional level?   Join the Waitlist:  https://banneroftruth.org/store/devotional-books/god-is-our-refuge-and-strength/ 
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  The Indispensability of Prayer 31.08.2026 9мин

  Prayer is indispensable—it is the key ingredient in truly fruitful life and ministry. This week's Magazine Monday looks at a group of nineteenth-century Scottish ministers who knew this to be the case to an extraordinary degree.    Featured resource:  Jonathan Watson, 'John Milne of Perth and the Importance of Prayer,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 617 (February 2015).    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
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  What Unites Christians When it Comes to Eschatology? 28.08.2026 3мин

  This week's Friday Extra is a short snippet from David McKay, author of Last Things: Preparing for the Future in the Present. This volume is one of our Banner Mini-Guides, concise introductions to essential areas of Christian belief and life.    More on the book:  https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/last-things/ 
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  Rutherford the Reformed Pastor 24.08.2026 9мин

  What makes a Reformed pastor? Ian Hamilton draws out some lessons from the strengths and weaknesses of the seventeenth-century Scottish pastor, Samuel Rutherford.    Featured resource:  Ian Hamilton, 'Marks of a Reformed Pastor: Lessons from Samuel Rutherford,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 617 (February 2015).    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
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  To the Christian Afflicted with Melancholy 17.08.2026 26мин

  What do we need to know when melancholy comes knocking? Where do we turn when the darkness does not lift?  This week's Magazine Monday is a reading from the Edinburgh minister John Colquhoun (1748–1827). The October 1971 issue of the magazine included the following excerpt from Colquhoun's Treatise on Spiritual Comfort (1814).    Featured resource:  John Colquhoun, 'Directions to Christians Afflicted with Melancholy,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 97 (October 1971).    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
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  Rufus Burton Recommends 'Confessing the Faith' 14.08.2026 4мин

  In this Friday Extra, Rufus Burton, Minister at First Presbyterian Church, Martinsburg, West Virginia, recommends Chad Van Dixhoorn's Confessing the Faith: A Reader's Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith.    Buy the book:  https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/confessing-the-faith/   Study guide, authored by Emily Van Dixhoorn:  https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/confessing-the-faith-study-guide/ 
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  The Virtue of Self-Control 10.08.2026 19мин

  'Endeavour with all your might to make a conquest of all those enemies that be within you.' So wrote the Puritan Thomas Brooks (Works, vol. 6, p. 385).  This week we take a closer look at the virtue of self-control, without which we are left vulnerable to all of the predations of Satan and sin. Heaven-bound saints cannot afford to neglect self-control.    Featured resource:  Mark J. Larson, 'The Virtue of Self-Control,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issues 515–516 (August–September 2006).    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
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  Jeff Kingswood Recommends 'William Grimshaw of Howarth' 07.08.2026 5мин

  In this Friday Extra, the Chair of the Banner board, Rev. Jeff Kingswood, recommends one of our more obscure biographical titles, Faith Cook's William Grimshaw of Howarth.    Buy the book: https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/william-grimshaw-of-haworth-2/ 
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  Dr. Beardsworth on the Pastor and His Health 03.08.2026 1ч 34мин

  The subject of health, and what is now called 'mental health,' comes up a great deal today, even in connection with ministry. While the treatment of the subject may sometimes leave much to be desired—biblically, theologically, or medically—it is at least firmly on the agenda.  That was not the case when Dr Brian Beardsworth was asked to speak on the topic of 'The Pastor and His Health' at the 1992 Leicester Ministers' Conference in England.  The substance of this address was published in two parts in Issues 358 and 359–60 (July and August–September 1993) of the magazine. Rather than read these, we have included Dr Beardsworth's address in its original form in this week's instalment of Magazine Mondays.    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  
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  Jeff Kingswood Recommends 'The Mysteries of Christianity' 31.07.2026 6мин

  In this Friday Extra, we explain a little bit about some exciting new podcast developments at the Banner of Truth. Following that 'service announcement' we hear from the Chair of the Banner board, Rev. Jeff Kingswood, about a little-known but highly significant title published by the Trust.    More info. on T. J. Crawford's The Mysteries of Christianity:  — Short review by David Campbell — Excerpt: 'The Mystery of God's Oneness' — Excerpt: 'The Mystery of the Trinity'   Buy the book: https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/the-mysteries-of-christianity/ 
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  Church History: A Neglected Help to the Preacher 27.07.2026 19мин

  We readily accept that preachers need to be familiar with the Scriptures and with theology. But church history? Surely it is a matter of indifference whether or not a preacher has much knowledge of the often-complicated history of the church?  Peter Barnes disagrees, and lays out the case for the studied and accessible use of the church's history in evangelical preaching and teaching.    Featured Resources:  Peter Barnes, 'The Use of Church History in Preaching,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 287–8 (August–September 1987).    Books noted in the article: J. C. Ryle, Five English Reformers J. C. Ryle, Christian Leaders of the Eighteenth Century   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
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  'Christ Glowed in the Man' 20.07.2026 22мин

  This week we read a gripping article on a man whose ministry, despite sorrow and ill-health, was faithful and blessed—in Perth, Scotland, as well as Calcutta, India.    Featured Resources:  David Campbell, 'John Milne: "A flower of rare beauty and sweetness of odour"' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 754 (July 2026).    Buy the book:  Horatius Bonar, The Life of John Milne of Perth   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
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  Kenneth A. MacRae on Preaching 13.07.2026 23мин

  A title which many have appreciated and which is, for the moment, still out of print, is the The Diary of Kenneth A. MacRae, edited by Iain H. Murray. MacRae had a long ministry in the highlands and islands of Scotland. This week we read a collection of his candid and spiritual reflections on the topic of preaching. We trust they will be helpful to preachers and hearers alike.    Featured Resources:  'Thoughts on Preaching from 'The Diary of Kenneth MacRae,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 415 (April 1998).    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
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  Waking the Dawn With Praise 06.07.2026 13мин

  Daniel Funke highlights the unique opportunities of the morning, and the value of sanctifying our waking hour for the glory of God.
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  The Written Ministry of A. W. Pink 29.06.2026 23мин

  A reflection on the unique, powerful ministry of A. W. Pink.
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  The Importance of Seriousness 22.06.2026 26мин

  Does seriousness matter in a pastor? Rev. Daniel Dana, an American Presbyterian writer of the 19th century, argued that it does—profoundly so. This week we read his meditation on the subject which was featured in the eighth issue of the magazine.    Featured Resource:  'The Importance of Seriousness to the Christian Minister,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 8 (August 1957).    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