The third and final instalment of our mini-series on the three Bonar brothers who became ministers of the gospel in 19th-century Scotland. This week we consider the life of the youngest, Andrew Bonar, who ministered principally in Collace, Perthshire, and in Glasgow.

We consider the graces and gifts, weaknesses and witness of this humble, happy servant of Christ.

Featured Content:

– 'Andrew Bonar and Fellowship with Christ', Iain H. Murray, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 567, December 2010.

– 'Andrew A. Bonar—The Youngest of the Three Bonar Brothers', David Campbell, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 723, December 2023.

– 'I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say', a hymn of Horatius Bonar (public domain).

Featured Hymn: 'I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say'

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest; Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, Weary, and worn, and sad; I found in Him a resting-place, And He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give The living water; thirsty one, Stoop down and drink, and live.” I came to Jesus, and I drank Of that life-giving stream; My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, And now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light; Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, And all thy day be bright.” I looked to Jesus, and I found In Him my Star, my Sun; And in that light of life I’ll walk Till travelling days are done.

Amen.

We are grateful to Mr. Jack Adair for singing this hymn.

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This summer the Trust brought out a new, retypeset edition of William Cunningham's Historical Theology (1863). This week we read its new introduction by Banner Trustee Donald John MacLean, to find out why this work is of unique value to the 21st Century reader.

Read Material:

– 'William Cunningham's Historical Theology – An Introduction', Donald John MacLean, in William Cunningham, Historical Theology (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1960 and 2024). First edition 1863.

Buy the work (2 volumes): https://banneroftruth.org/store/theology/historical-theology-3/

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The second of three episodes inspired by David Campbell's mini-series on three remarkable brothers who ministered in 19th Century Scotland.

This week we consider Horatius Bonar (1808–1889), pastor, author, and hymnwriter. We read David Campbell's article on him, an excerpt from Iain H. Murray, and then read a piece by Bonar himself critiquing the idea of 'religion without theology'. We close with a rendition of Bonar's hymn, Everlasting Light.

Featured Content:

– 'Horatius Bonar—The second of the three Bonar brothers', David Campbell, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 722, November 2023.

– Excerpt from 'Horatius Bonar (1808–1889) and his Writings', Iain H. Murray, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 314, November 1989.

– 'Religion Without Theology' (taken from the preface of Catechisms of the Scottish Reformation, edited by Horatius Bonar, London 1866), featured in the Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 93, June 1971.

– 'Everlasting Life', a hymn of Horatius Bonar (public domain).

Featured Hymn: Everlasting Light

1 O everlasting Light! Shine graciously within; Brightest of all on earth that's bright, Come, shine away my sin.

2 O everlasting Truth! Truest of all that's true; Sure guide of erring age or youth, Lead me, and teach me too.

3 O everlasting Strength! Uphold me in the way; Bring me, in spite of foes, at length To joy, and light, and day.

4 O everlasting Love; Wellspring of grace and peace, Pour down Thy fullness from above, Bid doubt, and trouble cease.

5 O everlasting Rest! Lift off life's load of care; Relieve, revive this burdened breast, And ev'ry sorrow bear.

7 Thou art in heav'n our all; Our all on earth art Thou; Upon Thy glorious name we call: Lord Jesus, bless us now.

We are grateful to Mr. Jack Adair for singing this hymn.

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Dr Chad Van Dixhoorn has spent many years researching and teaching the theology of the Westminster Standards (comprising the Confession of Faith, with the Larger and Shorter catechisms). We sat down with him to learn more about the standards and the 'Assembly of Divines' that produced them, as well as asking him about his own upbringing in Canada, his conversion, and work. We finished by discussing his own exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith, 'Confessing the Faith', published 10 years ago by the Trust.

More about the Westminster Standards: https://westminsterassembly.org/about-the-project/

More about Dr Van Dixhoorn: https://rts.edu/people/dr-chad-van-dixhoorn/

Buy the Westminster Standards: https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/theology/westminster-confession/

Buy 'Confessing the Faith': https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/theology/confessing-the-faith/

Buy the Study Guide for 'Confessing the Faith': https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/theology/confessing-the-faith-study-guide/

Related video: 'What are Confessions?' with Jeremy Walker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcqSub_gtrU&t=13s

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Motherhood is a precious and unique gift of God. Yet faithful motherhood has perhaps never been under such sustained and serious attack as is it now. In such a context, Christians need to recover a respect for mothers and motherhood that reveals the Lord's goodness to a faithless world.

In this episode we consider the calling of a mother, and the beauty and necessity of her God-given role.

Featured Content:

– Her Husband's Crown: A Wife's Ministry and a Minister's Wife, Sara Leone, (Edinburgh, Banner of Truth, 2007, rep. 2021). Booklet, 55 pages (excerpt read from pages 10–15).

– 'A Mother's Work', article by Rebecca Vandoodewaard (originally published on her blog, now unavailable, and appearing at The Aquila Report: https://theaquilareport.com/a-mothers-work/). Used by permission.

– Excerpt from A Father's Gift: Lessons from Proverbs, by Kenneth B. Wingate (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2009), pages 155-163.

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

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The first of three episodes inspired by David Campbell's mini-series on three remarkable brothers who ministered in 19th Century Scotland.

This week we consider the life, ministry, and faithfulness of John James Bonar. Not as well known as his brothers Horatius and Andrew, his ministry unveils a steady commitment to parish ministry that eshewed distraction and worldly ambition.

Featured Content:

– 'John James Bonar—The eldest of the three Bonar brothers', David Campbell, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 721, October 2023.

– Excerpt from A Scottish Christian Heritage, by Iain H. Murray (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2006), pages 160-161.

Purchase: https://banneroftruth.org/store/history-biography/a-scottish-christian-heritage/

– 'Going Home', a hymn of Dr. John James Bonar, which appears in the Parting Memorial of John James Bonar, D. D., First Minister of Saint Andrew's Parish and Congregation, Greenock, Being some Record of Services in Connection with his Funeral (Greenock: James MacKelvie & Sons, 1892).

'Going Home'

'I'm going home!' the Saint exclaimed;

Bright grew his closing eye;

He thought of Jesus and his rest,

And did not fear to die.

'I'm going home! I'm winged for flight

To yonder peaceful clime;

Prepared to go, I only wait

My God's appointed time.

I'm going home, to dwell with Him

Who bled and died for me;

For He hath said that where He is

There shall His servants be.

'I'm going home, transporting thought!

Lord Jesus, quickly come,

And bear my ransomed soul away

To her celestial home!'

'I'm going home!' the Saint exclaimed;

Bright grew his closing eye;

He thought of Jesus and his rest,

And did not fear to die.

We are grateful to Mr. Jack Adair for singing this hymn. The featured tune is 'Wallace'.

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

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Confessions of faith, such as the Westminster Confession of 1646, play a celebrated role in Reformed, evangelical Christianity. This week we consider the value of such documents, and the way in which they often result from a period of pressure or crisis, which leads God's people to give fresh expression to their faith, in order to assist believers in its defense and propagation, and their unity in the truth.

Featured Content:

– 'Loving the Westminster Confession and Catechisms', David B. Calhoun, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 651, December 2017.

– Excerpt from B. B. Warfield, 'The Significance of the Westminster Standards as a Creed' in Princeton and the Christian Ministry, volume 2, pages 457—459 (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2012).

– 'Confessions and Crises in Church History', John R. De Witt, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 50, September/October 1967.

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Andy Murray is a social worker and church deacon who blogs about leadership, the church, and the 19th Century Scottish gospel minister Thomas Guthrie, among other subjects. We sat down with Andy and talked about some of his passions, including the reunion, in the churches, of gospel passion and concern for the poor. We also asked him how the Highland game of shinty is played.

Resources Mentioned:

– https://thomasguthrie.org/ (includes a link to Andy's booklet, A Mission of Mercy: The Life and Legacy of Thomas Guthrie)

– http://raggedtheology.blogspot.com/

– 'Thomas Guthrie and the Ragged Schools', previous podcast episode:

https://bannermagazine.podbean.com/e/he-was-all-the-father-i-ever-knew-thomas-guthrie-and-the-ragged-schools/

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

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