Advertise on podcast: The Magazine Podcast

What is the Westminster Shorter Catechism? Who wrote it, and why? How can it help us? As we begin our journey through the Shorter Catechism, with a view to using it to enrich our Christian lives and equip us to teach others, we need to know a bit about the document itself and how it was shaped.  In this bonus Westminster Wednesday episode, Dr Chad Van Dixhoorn of Reformed Theological Seminary helps us go 'behind the scenes' at the Westminster Assembly, the historic gathering of Christian ministers who cared so much about the unity of Christ's church in the truth of Christ's word.  Dr Chad Van Dixhoorn is Professor of Church History and Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the editor of The Minutes and Papers of the Westminster Assembly, 1643-1652 (Oxford University Press, 2012) and author of Confessing the Faith: A Reader’s Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith (Banner of Truth, 2014). Chad is married to Emily, and they have five children.    N.B. For more on the catechist Thomas Lye and his 'Seven Rules for Catechizing,' see below:  https://banneroftruth.org/resources/articles/2026/seven-rules-for-catechizing/ Recommended Resources:  Chad Van Dixhoorn, Confessing the Faith: A Reader's Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/confessing-the-faith/  Emily Van Dixhoorn, Confessing the Faith Study Guide https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/confessing-the-faith-study-guide/ #WestminsterAssembly #WestminsterWednesdays #Catechism

The Shorter Catechism begins with an end—our end, in fact—where ‘end’ means our ultimate purpose or reason for being.  In the first instalment of Westminster Wednesdays we discuss Question and Answer 1 of the Shorter Catechism:    ‘Q. 1. What is the chief end of man? A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.’    With us to discuss this question and answer is Dr Chad Van Dixhoorn, Professor of Church History and Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina. Chad is the editor of The Minutes and Papers of the Westminster Assembly, 1643-1652 (Oxford University Press, 2012) and author of Confessing the Faith: A Reader’s Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith (Banner of Truth, 2014).    Be sure also to watch or listen to our launch-day bonus episode with Dr Van Dixhoorn:  https://youtu.be/oKeEJQQaPdw Recommended Resources:  Chad Van Dixhoorn, Confessing the Faith: A Reader's Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/confessing-the-faith/   Emily Van Dixhoorn, Confessing the Faith Study Guide https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/confessing-the-faith-study-guide/  Thomas Brooks, An Ark for All God's Noahs in a Gloomy Stormy Day https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/an-ark-for-all-gods-noahs/  Brooks opens up, for the instruction and comfort of the true Christian, what it means to have God himself as our portion.    #WestminsterWednesdays #Catechism #Purpose

This week we complete our reading of Iain H. Murray's article on Spurgeon's departure from the Baptist Union in the 1880s.  In the final part of the article, Murray notes Spurgeon's response to those who argued he might best serve the interests of orthodoxy by remaining within the Union, in spite of its aberrations.    Featured Resource:  Iain H. Murray, 'C. H. Spurgeon: The Downgrade and Denominational Loyalties,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 34 (July 1964).    Other Spurgeon-related Episodes:  C. H. Spurgeon: The Ministry the Churches Need — https://bannerpodcast.podbean.com/e/c-h-spurgeon-the-ministry-the-churches-need/  The Forgotten Spurgeon — https://bannerpodcast.podbean.com/e/the-forgotten-spurgeon/  Spurgeon's Pastoral Wisdom: Geoff Chang Interview — https://bannerpodcast.podbean.com/e/spurgeons-practical-wisdom-geoff-chang-interview/    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

As we begin an 80-week journey through the Westminster Shorter Catechism, today we read a segment from Eifion Evans on Christian nurture and its connection with catechesis.    Featured Resource:  Excerpt from Eifion Evans, 'Christian Nurture,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issues 82–83 (July–August 1970).    Help us spread the word about Westminster Wednesdays:  Article: What Can I Expect from Westminster Wednesdays?  Video: For the Christian who longs to grow... Video: Calling Christian Parents...

This week's reading continues Iain H. Murray's article on Spurgeon's treatment of the doctrinal 'Downgrade' in the Baptist Union in the 1880s.  In a context of doctrinal compromise, Spurgeon saw, most clearly, that denominational loyalty is not the same thing as the pursuit of true Christian unity.   Featured Resource:  Iain H. Murray, 'C. H. Spurgeon: The Downgrade and Denominational Loyalties,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 34 (July 1964).    Listen to the 'Lost Recording' of Martyn Lloyd-Jones' 1966 address: https://www.mljtrust.org/blog/evangelical-unity-an-appeal-recording-found/    Other Spurgeon-related Episodes:  C. H. Spurgeon: The Ministry the Churches Need — https://bannerpodcast.podbean.com/e/c-h-spurgeon-the-ministry-the-churches-need/  The Forgotten Spurgeon — https://bannerpodcast.podbean.com/e/the-forgotten-spurgeon/  Spurgeon's Pastoral Wisdom: Geoff Chang Interview — https://bannerpodcast.podbean.com/e/spurgeons-practical-wisdom-geoff-chang-interview/    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

Good Tidings of Great Joy is a feast for the soul that longs to know the Lord Jesus Christ better. From the pen of C. H. Spurgeon, this book of short meditations on the person and work, and especially incarnation, of Christ, draws our gaze upwards to the glory of the God-Man.  This week we read just one of the 38 meditations, and consider with Spurgeon the 'fullness' of Christ.    Buy the book: https://banneroftruth.org/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/good-tidings-of-great-joy/   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org  Leave us your feedback or a testimony: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

How ought the godly to respond when the church body, denomination, or union of which they are members becomes overrun by false teaching? Should unity be preserved at all costs, or is there a time to separate? If separation occurs, what are the implications for the unity of the true church?  These questions concerning the unity and purity of the church are not straightforward to answer.  This week, the Martyn Lloyd-Jones Trust will make publicly available the audio of an address given by Lloyd-Jones at Westminster Central Hall in October 1966. The address, 'Evangelical Unity: An Appeal,' treats of these themes.  With the topic of unity and purity on many minds, we turn this week to consider again the way in which C. H. Spurgeon faced these questions in the 1880s.    Featured Resource:  Iain H. Murray, 'C. H. Spurgeon: The Downgrade and Denominational Loyalties,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 34 (July 1964).    Listen to the 'Lost Recording' of Martyn Lloyd-Jones' 1966 address: https://www.mljtrust.org/blog/evangelical-unity-an-appeal-recording-found/    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's Friday Extra is a reading, by William Boekestein, of the entry for Psalm 13 in the new Banner title he has co-authored with Rob Ventura, God is Our Refuge and Strength: 150 Devotionals Through the Psalms.  The book releases in North America on 13 October, and will be available in the UK and World store from early December.    Buy the book/sign up for the Waitlist: https://banneroftruth.org/store/devotional-books/god-is-our-refuge-and-strength/   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org  Leave us your feedback or a testimony: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

We're delighted to announce a new series coming to the Banner Podcast and Youtube channel—Westminster Wednesdays—starting, Lord-willing, on Wednesday, 28 October.  In a Christian world saturated with discipleship resources, the Westminster Shorter Catechism has stood the test of time as an edifying summary of Christian truth, well adapted to use in churches and in the Christian home.  But how can we deepen our meditation on the truths of the catechism? How can we get ready to teach it to others?  For the pastor or Christian parent wondering how to unlock this treasury of truth for their congregation or children, or indeed for the Christian wanting to go deeper in the faith, we hope Westminster Wednesdays is a user-friendly way in to catechesis.  Joining Joshua to make this announcement is a special guest who has recently joined the work of the Banner of Truth Trust.    Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org  Leave us your feedback or a testimony: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

Jehovah's Witnesses claim to be Christians, but there are irreconcilable differences between the teachings of the Watchtower and the teachings of the Bible. We focus on three of these key differences for this week's Magazine Monday episode, as we read a letter from a former Jehovah's Witness who came to a real faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.    'Footnote':  As mentioned in the audio, here are further texts to prove that faith in Jesus Christ is the sole factor in salvation:  John 1:12; 3:14–18; 5:24; 6:35–40; 7:39; 9:35; 11:26; 12:44–46; 14:1; Acts 10:43; 13:39; 15:11; 20:21; Romans 3:26; 4:5; 9:33; 10:4.    Featured Resource:  J. B. Archer, 'The Differences Between Jehovah's Witnesses and Orthodox Christians,' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 98 (November 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

It's often helpful to know something of the backstory of a book. In this Friday Extra, Banner trustee Dr Donald John MacLean helps us get to grips with a church controversy that broke out in and around London in the 1690s.  One of the happy results of that unhappy conflict was a short book on salvation written by the Scottish Divine and survivor of the Bass Rock, Robert Traill (1642–1716). His little book Justification Vindicated teaches, against legalism and antinomianism, what he terms 'the good old way' of the Protestant doctrine of justification.    Buy the book: https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/justification-vindicated/   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org  Leave us your feedback or a testimony: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

We continue the remarkable story of Charlotte Geddie, whose witness to the gospel consisted in her brave, self-denying ministry as a wife, mother, and helpmeet to her missionary husband John.  This week we pick up the story as the Geddies, recently bereft of two of their children, continue making plans to minister in the New Hebrides.    Featured resource:  Joan Kingswood, 'From Island to Island: The Witness of Charlotte Geddie (2)' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 757 (October 2026).    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

David Bissett has served Clifton Park Community Church in upstate New York since 1995. We sat down with him at the East Coast Minister's Conference, where he was kind enough to commend three of his favourite Banner books.    Books mentioned:  Iain H. Murray, Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography Thomas Manton, Sermons on Psalm 119 (In volumes 6–9 of Manton's Works) Iain H. Murray, Revival and Revivalism: The Making and Marring of American Evangelicalism 1750–1858   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org  Leave us your feedback or a testimony: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

Charlotte Geddie was called to be a wife, mother, and helpmeet to her husband James Geddie in almost unimaginably difficult circumstances in the South Seas.  Joan Kingswood began to relate her remarkable testimony in the Summer double issue of the magazine. She writes that Charlotte's life of loving service proved to be a 'living introduction to the message of the gospel her husband proclaimed.'  We read the first instalment of her stirring story on this week's Magazine Monday. Why not listen, be encouraged, and share it with a young woman you know who is eager to follow the Lord's call on her life?   Featured resource:  Joan Kingswood, 'From Island to Island: The Witness of Charlotte Geddie (1)' Banner of Truth Magazine, Issues 755–756 (August & September 2026).    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 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