'This book will make a traveller of Thee...'

So begins John Bunyan's classic The Pilgrim's Progress. Many Christians of the past four centuries would testify that it is indeed a book to stir up the heavenbound pilgrim - offering encouragement, challenge, warning, and hope to the man, woman, or child, who desires to attain to the life to come.

But the book has its critics, even prominent ones, and can be a challenging read for modern Christians. With this in mind, we read John Muether's commendation of Bunyan's classic, and an excerpt from the Trust's recent paperback edition of C. H. Spurgeon's Pictures from Pilgrim's Progress.

Featured Content:

– 'Why Evangelicals Don't Read Pilgrim's Progress (and Why They Should)', John Muether, originally published in a Reformed Theological Seminary publication, this was featured on the Banner website on Nov. 2, 2003:

https://banneroftruth.org/resources/articles/2003/why-evangelicals-dont-read-pilgrims-progress-and-why-they-should/

– C. H. Spurgeon, Pictures from Pilgrim's Progress (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2024), pp. 145–153.

About the Contributors:

John R. Muether joined Reformed Theological Seminary-Orlando as Library Director in 1989. Mr. Muether also serves as Professor of Church History, teaching core courses on education in the church, Christian engagement with culture and church government as well as elective courses on various topics.

Mr. John R. Muether's faculty page: https://rts.edu/people/mr-john-r-muether/

C. H. Spurgeon was, for most of the second half of the 19th century, England’s best-known preacher, becoming converted to Christianity at the age of 15 in 1850. During the 1850s, London’s largest halls overflowed with people wanting to hear this youthful minister preach. During the 1860s, he founded the Metropolitan Tabernacle, along with a college for pastors and an orphanage, and he was already publishing sermons and a monthly magazine. He authored many books, with some of the most popular Charles Spurgeon books including Flowers From a Puritan’s Garden with its inspiring illustrations and meditations; A Defence of Calvinism, where Spurgeon explains and defends Biblical teachings about God’s grace in the Gospels; and the C.H. Spurgeon Autobiography, volumes 1 and 2. Volume 1 is subtitled “The Early Years,” while Volume 2 is “The Full Harvest 1860-1892.” The C.H. Spurgeon Autobiography is also available as a two-volume set.

Buy Pictures from Pilgrim's Progress:

https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology-books/pictures-from-pilgrims-progress/

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

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

Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

Many are the paradoxes of the Christian life. One such paradox is that it is often in times of suffering that we gain the most, from a spiritual standpoint. As we stand at the gate of the year, we must prepare ourselves for suffering. We have been told to expect it as a built-in feature of the heavenward life. Such preparation is an exercise of faith, as we trust that God is able to turn the worst circumstances to our good. This week's articles help us in this effort.

Featured Content:

– Excerpt from a sermon by William Bridge, featured as 'Faith in Suffering Times' in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issues 70–71 (July–August 1969).

– 'Abounding Hope', Letter by John Welsh, January 6, 1606, featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 171 (December 1977).

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

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

Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

There are few, if any, earthly sorrows like the loss of a child.

In Pain of a Particular Kind, Peter Barnes draws on his own experience to help parents (and grandparents) who have suffered such a loss.

As he says in the Introduction, ‘This is not a work of apologetics, but a brief attempt to understand and work through grief, for myself, my family, and for any other readers. It has only heightened the sense of my own need to receive comfort myself. Such comfort can only come from the God who is our creator and our redeemer. The hope remains that God will use this book to minister to and bless any of his people who have suffered the agony of losing a child.’

Peter Barnes is the retired minister of Revesby Presbyterian Church, New South Wales, Australia. He written a number of books, including 'Abortion: Open Your Mouth for the Dumb' and 'John Calvin: Man of God's Word Written and Preached' with the Banner.

Buy Pain of a Particular Kind: The Loss of a Child (Small paperback, 88 pages), or sign up for Waitlist - expected in the UK in early January:

https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/pain-of-a-particular-kind/

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

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

Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

Featured Content:

– Excerpt from W. J. Grier, 'The Life of John Calvin', (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2012), featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 567, December 2010.

– 'On Toward the Goal: A Meditation for the New Year by the Late W. J. Grier', Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 244 (January 1984).

About the Contributor:

W. J. Grier came to Christ while studying Classics at Queen's University, Belfast, through the witness of a Christian student friend and in a W. P. Nicholson mission meeting.

He was a trustee of the Banner of Truth Trust, co-chairman of the Leicester Ministers’ Conference, a founding member of the British Evangelical Council (now Affinity), and served on committees of the Evangelical Fellowship of Ireland and the Evangelical Library in Belfast. He was a well-known and enormously respected leader throughout the international Reformed constituency.

He retired in 1979 after a ministry of almost fifty-two years and went to be with the Lord on 6 August 1983. He was the author of many booklets, articles, tracts, Daily Readings and Calendar Notes, including The Momentous Event and The Life of John Calvin, published by the Trust.

Listen to 'Calvin in France': https://bannermagazine.podbean.com/e/calvin-in-france/

Buy The Life of John Calvin by W. J. Grier: https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/the-life-of-john-calvin/

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

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

Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

The incarnation is the central event of our faith, making possible the consummation of the New Covenant in the saving death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is utterly unique, and, as made clear in this week's first piece, utterly incongruous with anything else in history, or in our experience. It is, then, to be an object of our contemplation and a stimulus to our worship of the Triune God: Father, Spirit, and incarnate Son.

Featured Content:

– 'An Incongruous Incarnation', Peter Sanlon, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 675 (December 2019).

– Excerpt from Sinclair B. Ferguson and Derek Thomas, 'Icthus: Jesus Christ, God's Son, the Saviour', (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2015).

About the Contributors:

Peter Sanlon has served as a minister in Tunbridge Wells since 2013. In previous years he has taught at Union School of Theology and Oak Hill Theological College. Today he trains presbyterian ministers via Westminster Seminary. His published books include 'Simply God' (IVP) and 'Augustine's Theology of Preaching' (Fortress).

Sinclair Ferguson has authored several books published by the Trust, of which he is a trustee, and a former editor. He retains his position as Professor of Systematic Theology at Redeemer Seminary, Dallas, Texas, and serves as a Teaching Fellow with Ligonier Ministries. He continues to preach God’s Word in churches and at conferences.

Derek Thomas, a native of Wales, is the Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary and also serves as Senior Minister at First Presbyterian Church (ARP) in Columbia, South Carolina.

Buy Ichthus: Jesus Christ, God's Son, the Saviour: https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/ichthus/

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

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

Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

How should the bodies of deceased believers be treated? Are burial and cremation equally valid for Christians? Do the Scriptures speak to the issue at all, or is it merely a matter of preference?

These questions are all addressed by this week's featured article, by S. M. Houghton.

Featured Content:

– 'Earth to Earth', S. M. Houghton, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issues 70-71, July-August 1969.

– Excerpt from Banner's booklet 'Burial or Cremation: Does it Matter?' by Donald Howard (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2001, recent edition ), pages 20-21.

S. M. Houghton was chief literary and editorial advisor to the Banner of Truth Trust from 1960 to 1987. His reminiscences are published in 'My Life and Books'.

Buy S. M. Houghton, My Life and Books: https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/my-life-and-books/

Donald Howard is the retired minister of St. Peter's Church of England, Sydney, Australia. After experience in agriculture, The Royal Australian Air Force, and journalism, Donald Howard studied Theology at Moore College, Sydney and then served for many years in the pastoral ministry. While at St. Peter’s, his first wife, Diana, died of cancer at the age of forty-six in 1977, which occasioned the writing of his booklet Christians Grieve Too.

The Banner also publishes a booklet by Donald Howard, Burial or Cremation: Does it Matter?:

https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/burial-or-cremation/

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

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

Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

What are we to make of a book that has evidently been a blessing to many, contains truths vital for the church to recover, and which is yet unbalanced and problematic at points? Jeremy Walker shows the way with grace and discernment in his review of Dane Ortlund's Gentle and Lowly (2020).

We read Jeremy's review, and then spend a little more time with Thomas Goodwin and his view of the heart of Christ.

Featured Content:

– Jeremy Walker 'Precious but Flawed: A Review Article', Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 691 (April 2021).

– Excerpt from Michael Reeves, 'Goodwin, Sibbes and the Love of Christ', Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 578 (November 2011).

About the Contributors:

Jeremy Walker is pastor at Maidenbower Baptist Church, Crawley, West Sussex. He is the author of a number of books, including Our Chief of Days: The Principle, Purpose, and Practice of the Lord's Day.

Michael Reeves is President and Professor of Theology at Union Theology (https://uniontheology.org/)

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

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

Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast

James Gilmour (b. 1843) laboured in Mongolia, seeing precious little external fruit in the form of conversions. He continued on, serving his Lord Jesus in trying and discouraging circumstances. In this historical address from the 2023 UK Borders Conference, David Campbell introduces us to Gilmour, a true stalwart of the faith, who laid down his life in service to the Mongols and for their salvation.

His testimony is a wonderful reminder that the Lord is often at work even when our best efforts seem to yield little in the way of tangible 'success'.

David Campbell is minister of North Preston Evangelical Church, Lancashire.

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

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

Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast