The Banner Podcast

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

 

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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 

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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). 

 

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Daniel Funke highlights the unique opportunities of the morning, and the value of sanctifying our waking hour for the glory of God. 

 

Featured Resources: 

Daniel Funke, 'Waking the Dawn with Praise,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 752 (May 2026). 

 

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org 

Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine 

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Featured photo in episode artwork by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash. 

This week we read a reflection on the unique, powerful ministry of A. W. Pink, particularly as it was expressed through his periodical, 'Search the Scriptures.' His writing combined great profundity with clarity and spiritual authority. This combination is shown in the second piece we read, a short meditation on 'The Godhood of God.' 

 

Featured Resources: 

(Presumed to be by Iain H. Murray), 'The Written Ministry of A. W. Pink,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 10 (February 1958). 

A. W. Pink, 'The Godhood of God,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 10 (February 1958). 

 

Banner Resources by or about A. W. Pink:

A. W. Pink, Gleanings from Paul: The Prayers of the Apostle

A. W. Pink, The Life of Elijah

A. W. Pink, Profiting from the Word

A. W. Pink, The Sovereignty of God

Iain H. Murray, The Life of Arthur W. Pink

 

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org

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Featured episode artwork of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis by Sergey Konstantinov on Unsplash

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

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Our forthcoming volume, Spurgeon's Pastoral Wisdom, has been compiled and edited by Geoff Chang. Composed of contributions from Spurgeon to the Sword and Trowel magazine on the topic of the church and ministry, it will encourage, inform, and challenge readers to love and serve Christ's church better. 

We sit down with Geoff to discuss Spurgeon as a pastor, some of his convictions about the church and ministry, and what readers can expect to find in this new volume. 

 

Geoff Chang is the Curator of the Spurgeon Library at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri, where he is also an Assistant Professor of Historical Theology. 

 

Some of Geoff's books (written, compiled, or edited): 

Spurgeon the Pastor: Recovering a Biblical and Theological Vision for Ministry

US Bookseller: https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/spurgeon-the-pastor-recovering-a-biblical-and-theological-vision-for-ministry-9781087747842?srsltid=AfmBOoo9J5OUv6iKNYdNQ05SK8nKra4Z_VcVFY6P_qp7hsBWwwfxcstd 

UK Bookseller: https://www.keithjones.co.uk/spurgeon-the-pastor-9781087747842/?cat=0 

 

The Army of God: Spurgeon's Vision for the Church

US Bookseller: https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/army-of-god-spurgeons-vision-for-the-church-9781527108738 

UK Bookseller: https://tabernaclebookshop.org/products/the-army-of-god?srsltid=AfmBOopOIuxDsNhJ2_gu4gm5jsXF14P3F8LBsd_xNcbJgkjktDsXPxLh 

 

Charles Spurgeon, Christ Our All: Poems for the Christian Pilgrim, compiled by Geoff Chang. 

US Bookseller: https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/christ-our-all-poems-for-the-christian-pilgrim-9781087772745?srsltid=AfmBOopoSbXzGU1EY2ntwroC3ZScvaXgG79V1nzZ4-NVZuHjMLXQRMNA 

UK Bookseller: https://icmbooks.co.uk/product/37235/Christ-Our-All-Poems-for-the-Christian-Pilgrim 

 

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org

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This year we have devoted quite a bit of time to considering the Scottish Covenanters (and yes, our fourth Covenanter video is still on the way!). The Covenanters, however, were not the only body of believers to suffer extreme persecution in the seventeenth century. This week we consider the plight of the French Huguenots, with excerpts from an article by Henry Martyn Baird, first published in the Presbyterian Review in 1888. 

 

Featured resource: 

'The French Synods of the Desert: 1,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issues 263–4, August–September 1985. 

 

About the author: 

Henry Martyn Baird (1832–1906) was an American historian best known for his scholarship on the French Huguenots. He is the author of Theodore Beza: The Counsellor of the French Reformation, published by the Trust. 

 

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org

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