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Francis Turretin of Geneva, if he is known at all, is often thought of as a Protestant 'scholastic', where this is shorthand for an ivory tower theologian given to excessive hair-splitting. Such a caricature, however, does not do justice to the man himself. An earnest preacher, and a devoted disciple, Turretin placed his scholarship at the service of the church. While he was a thorough and careful theologian, Turretin sought to go only as far, and no further, than the Scripture warranted, and to do his theology in a spirit of charity.
This week's episode introduces us to Turretin the man and theologian, and to Volume 1 of his Institutes of Elenctic Theology, which has been published by Presbyterian and Reformed Publishers since 1992.
 
Featured Content:
– 'Shapers of Christianity: Francis Turretin (1623–87)', Nick Needham, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 716, May 2023.
– 'Francis Turretin's Institutes in English', Robert Sheehan, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 368, May 1994.
 
Resources Mentioned:
- The Institutes of Elenctic Theology, Francis Turretin (1992–1997, Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing)
Volume 1 (surveyed above): https://www.prpbooks.com/book/institutes-of-elenctic-theology
Three-volume set: https://www.prpbooks.com/book/institutes-of-elenctic-theology-3-vol-set
 
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The Revoice Conference was founded in 2018 in order to 'support and encourage gay, lesbian, bisexual, and other same-sex attracted Christians—as well as those who love them—so that all in the Church might be empowered to live in gospel unity while observing the historic Christian doctrine of marriage and sexuality.' (Revoice, Mission Statement).
A year after the initial event, aware that the movement was only just beginning, Dr. Jonathan Master wrote a 'Letter from America' in the Banner Magazine. With the help of the analysis of David Wells, he notes the weakness of the postmodern vision of spirituality that informs Revoice's commitments. He points us back to classical Christian spirituality, founded on a commitment to the holiness of God and a seriousness about sin which is well reflected in our second selection, from Geoff Thomas, entitled 'Take Sin Seriously'.
 
Featured Content:
– 'Letter from America: The Revoice Conference', Jonathan Master, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 667 (April 2019).
– 'Take Sin Seriously', Geoff Thomas, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 678 (March 2020).
 
Resources Mentioned:
- 'When Christians Adopt Sinful Identities' (segment from Matthew Roberts interview): https://youtu.be/QmFkWDCixXg?si=PecUoJdy5vTIAbsp
 
Explore the work of the Banner: www.banneroftruth.org
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Much has been written and said about how sermons are to be prepared and delivered. Little, by contrast, is said about how sermons are to be heard and received. This is a gaping hole in our practical instruction, since the very best sermons may be heard without profit.
This week's selections are from Peter Barnes (Revesby Presbyterian Church, NSW, Australia), who writes about hearing sermons, and Paul D. Wolfe (New Hope Presbyterian Church, Fairfax, VA), who decribes how the steady, faithful teaching of God's word over many years prepared him for the horror of a cancer diagnosis. Heard together, we trust they'll encourage and equip you to receive the preached word of God with fresh expectation and renewed focus, to the glory of God and the good of your soul.
 
Featured Content:
– 'Hearing a Sermon', Peter Barnes, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 653 (February 2018).
– Excerpt from My God is True!: Lessons Learned along Cancer's Dark Road, Paul D. Wolfe (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2009).
 
Buy 'My God is True!: Lessons Learned along Cancer's Dark Road': https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/my-god-is-true/
 
Explore the work of the Banner: www.banneroftruth.org
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Between the Banner Youth and Ministers' Conferences we had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Ligon Duncan, Chancellor/CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary. We discussed his early years, training for ministry, the mission of RTS, and some of the Banner books he has benefitted from over the years.
 
Ligon's Banner Picks:
Brooks, Thomas, Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices
- https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/precious-remedies-against-satans-devices/
Bucer, Martin, Concerning the True Care of Souls
- https://banneroftruth.org/store/church-ministry/concerning-the-true-care-of-souls/
Marlorat, Augustin, Prayers on the Psalms: From the Scottish Psalter of 1595 (Pocket Puritans)
- https://banneroftruth.org/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/prayers-on-the-psalms/
Warfield, B. B., Faith and Life (note especially the address 'The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:16, 17)
- https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/faith-life/
Warfield, B. B., The Saviour of the World
- https://banneroftruth.org/store/sermons-and-expositions/the-saviour-of-the-world/
 
Other Resources Mentioned:
Blair Smith, D., and Miller, Matthew, eds., From Generation to Generation: Writings in Honour of Douglas F. Kelly (Christian Focus, 2023).
- https://www.christianfocus.com/products/3162/generation-to-generation
Cunningham, William, An Introduction to Theological Studies (edited and introduced by J. Ligon Duncan III)
- www.abebooks.co.uk/9781884416026/Introduction-Theological-Studies-Lectures-William-1884416020/plp
Garretson, James, ed., Princeton and the Work of the Christian Ministry: A Collection of Addresses and Articles by Faculty and Friends of Princeton Theological Seminary (2 Vols, in Vol. 2 of which can be found Warfield's 'The Religious Life of Theological Students').
- https://banneroftruth.org/store/church-ministry/princeton-and-the-work-of-the-christian-ministry-3/
Witsius, Herman, The Character of a Genuine Theologian (some of the lecture, but not all, accessible here):
- https://books.google.com/books?id=MVQAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA158&dq=witsius+character+theologian&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1)
 
For more information:
Dr. Ligon Duncan: https://ligonduncan.com/
Reformed Theological Seminary: https://rts.edu/
 
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Ernest Kevan is not likely to be mentioned in a list of the most significant British evangelicals of the 20th Century. Yet, as a pastor and then as the first principal of London Bible College, he exercised a profound and wide-reaching influence on those who worked and studied with him. Earnest, hard-working, and disciplined, his could be an intimidating presence. But those closest to him saw clearly his tremendous love for the Lord and genuine care for the students in his charge. In this week's episode we take a closer look at Kevan's life and labours and uncover something of how this retiring man became 'Uncle Ernie' - a guide and inspiration to so many.
 
Excerpt taken from Paul E. Brown, Ernest Kevan: Leader in Twentieth Century British Evangelicalism (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2012).
 
Paul Brown's biography of Ernest Kevan: https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/ernest-kevan/
 
Coupon code to get 30% off Paul Brown's biography (valid to June 12th, 2024): Ernest24
 
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Does what we believe about the Bible really matter? Isn't it enough simply to embrace Christ? This week, we spend some time with two articles that address, in different ways, the relationship between our faith in Christ and our trust in the Scriptures. We begin by thinking about the Lord Jesus's own attitude towards the Scriptures...
 
Featured Content:
– 'The Bible of our Lord', entry for January 31 in Robert Macdonald, From Day to Day: Helpful Words for the Christian Life (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2024). Originally published in 1856.
– 'Inerrancy Matters... to the Man in the Pew', Ian Hamilton, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 618 (March 2015)
 
Purchase 'From Day to Day: Helpful Words for the Christian Life' by Robert Macdonald: https://banneroftruth.org/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/from-day-to-day/
 
Explore the work of the Banner: www.banneroftruth.org
Subscribe to the magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine
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