What's it like, to visit Banner of Truth?

If you were to ask Pastor Ryan Day from Hazelton, PA that question, he'd talk about moving books, stocking shelves and unloading trucks. While not exactly the normal visitor's experience, that IS what happened for him. Ryan took his day off away from normal pastoral duties to drive several hours to help unload our most recent shipment from Scotland. But don't settle for my description of his experience; CLICK HERE and read it in his own words, with pictures, over at his blog.
And on the same day this week, we were also blessed to have Allen Mickle visit us from the Toronto Baptist Seminary. After numerous email conversations, it was good to finally meet Allen, and specially good to have him join our staff for lunch in recognition of the shipment's arrival, AND Austin's birthday (Austin does a great job with our warehouse manager, Jake, in keeping track of our inventory, packing the books, etc.). To read what Allen thought of his visit to Banner, CLICK HERE. And after leaving Banner, Allen went to his girlfriend's house and asked her to marry him! What an exciting day for a guy to have - visit Banner and get engaged to be married! I probably shouldn't ask which was the bigger highlight, right?
:-)

November Issue: The Banner of Truth magazine

The November 2007 issue of The Banner of Truth magazine is now available. Inside this issue, you'll find the following articles:

TITLE: Aspiring to Live a Quiet and Peaceable Life
AUTHOR: Tom Lyon
EXCERPT: "The value of a humble and unassuming life seems to have been eclipsed by this upwardly mobile 'dare to be a Daniel' brand of Christianity which elevates ambition above maturity and has seated the stable but unremarkable believer in coach class. Something is wrong here.... It is high time to stand up for the godly working-man: those less heroic who 'tarry by the baggage' (1 Sam. 30:24), the Christian who appears year after year at the church door, takes his seat - not the same man he was, but recognizable as the man he always has been - and, in doing so, is living proof of the reliability of grace and the evident blessing of living a quiet and peaceable life (1 Tim. 2;2)."

TITLE: Subtracting Through Addition: Galatians 6:14-15
AUTHOR: Allen Guelzo
EXCERPT: "In the roaring era of the Old West, an itinerant preacher crossed paths one evening with a group of cowboys herding cattle northward. They were a hospitable group and invited the preacher to eat with them, which he did. They were also a pretty uncouth group, as the preacher knew from having met cowboys in his travels. Their knowledge of how to cook was about on the same level as their appreciation for opera - which is to say, non-existent. The preacher had, accordingly, armed himself in advance with a bottle of hot pepper sauce. When the steaks were passed around the cooking fire, the preacher took the sauce from his saddlebag and gingerly sprinkled some of it so as to promote his steak's untapped potential. One of the cowboys, never having seen this before, stared at the preacher wide-eyed and asked to try some of the sauce. The preacher obligingly handed the bottle over, and the cowboy proceeded to empty the entire contents on his own meat. The cowboy ate ... and when the storm had passed sufficiently for him to breathe normally, he quickly concluded that the preacher must certainly believe in future punishment, for he carried a sample about with him in his saddlebag."
Don't you want to read the rest of this and its application to Galatians 6:14-15? :-)

TITLE: A Black Hen Lays a White Egg
AUTHOR: C.H. Spurgeon
EXCERPT: "Out of evil comes good, through the great goodness of God. From threatening clouds we get refreshing showers; in dark mines men find bright jewels: and so from our worst troubles come our best blessings."

Additional articles include: "Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Sign of God's Judgment?" by Chris Richards; "Conscience: A Voice of God," by Peter Barnes; and "Spectators of Divine Majesty: Habakkuk 3:3-16," by Walter J. Chantry. Plus the regular sections, including "News and Comments" and Book Reviews on the following books:
"This Little Church Went to Market," published by Evangelical Press
"Puritan Reformed Spirituality," published by Evangelical Press
"C.S. Lewis: Clarity and Confusion," published by Day One
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If you're not a subscriber, sign up for a 3-month trial subscription by emailing me - steve@banneroftruth.org. Or to subscribe to either the hard copy of electronic PDF copy, write to info@banneroftruth.org.

THEY HAVE ARRIVED: New for Children, from Banner of Truth!

Look what we unloaded yesterday here at the Banner of Truth warehouse in Carlisle, PA, USA! Banner is excited to be expanding our children's literature with three new releases, and just in time for Christmas.

First, A Bible Alphabet is a beautifully illustrated book that introduces very young readers to some of the great stories and characters from the Bible, including Noah and the ark, David and Goliath, and Daniel in the lions’ den.
Here's a taste of what you'll get in this book:
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A is for ark - God said there would be a terrible flood all over the earth because of man's sin. He told Noah how to build a huge ark or boat. All the people and animals who would go inside it would be safe.
B is for basket - A little baby called Moses slept in a bulrush basket. It floated on the river, near the bank. His mother had hidden him there. She didn't want the wicked king to find him.
C is for coat - When Joseph was a boy he wore a lovely coloured coat. No-one else had a coat quite like it. It was very special. His father gave it to him because he loved Joseph very much.
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And on it goes, through the alphabet.

Engage your children further when reading A Bible Alphabet by giving each child a copy of the companion book, A Bible Alphabet Activity Book. This large paperback with perforated pages contains 26 large format tear-out sheets which young children will enjoy coloring, filling in the blanks, etc.

And thirdly, we also received yesterday The Work of His Fingers, An Illustrated Rhyme in Praise of Creation. Here's a taste of how this new title begins:

When we pause to consider this wonderful earth,
we see some incredible sights...
a world full of beauty suspended in space,
with billions of twinkling lights!
Perhaps you have wondered just how it got there,
... perhaps you've been tempted to guess?
(It didn't explode from a cloud of hot gas;
explosions make only a mess!)
Instead it was lovingly made by our God,
whose power and great understanding
are far beyond anything thought of by man;
no problem was found too demanding.
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And on it goes!

All three of these new children's titles are authored and illustrated by Alison Brown, a former primary school teacher who lives with her husband and family in northern Ireland. As the back cover says, "While enjoying the privilege of spending years at home with her five growing children, she has continued to develop her drawing style. A deepening awareness of the need for every child to build his life on God’s Word, coupled with the pleasure of illustrating for children, has led to the creation of these pages...that they might set their hope in God. Psalm 78:7."

You will find them soon (I'm working on it!), at 25% discount, at www.banneroftruth.org, or call us (20% discount) with your order at 800-263-8085.
A Bible Alphabet, by Alison Brown
ISBN: 978-0-85151-9630; Large paperback; $8.00
A Bible Alphabet Activity Book, by Alison Brown
ISBN 978-0-85151-9647; Large paperback; $4.00
The Work of His Fingers, by Alison Brown
ISBN 978-0-85151-9654; Large paperback; $8.00

Praying For You in Southern CA

You've no doubt heard the news, if you don't live in southern California, regarding the wildfires in that part of the country. I've received several emails from that area which I thought I'd share as a reminder for all of us to pray.
Jared writes, "It is true, and from the sounds of it, it will only get worse before it gets better. We are fine. The fires are not directly around us, but pray for people in our church. There are several families that have been evacuated from their homes. We are supposed to have hurricane type winds until tomorrow night. Obviously not helpful when fighting fires."
And another email from Paul, "So far, so good. The air quality is gross, ash everywhere, fires about 10 miles out. No MANDATORY evacuations yet. Pray hard brother, for not just me but the firefighters as well."
Join me, please, in praying for our dear Christian brothers and sisters in that area, that they would shine in the midst of tragedy and remain faithful; pray also for those who are not of the "the fold." Grace and peace. Steve.

SNEAK PEAK: Another New Children's Book from Banner!

I am quite excited about the new children's titles that are about to "hit the streets." I already posted about the other two, "The Bible Alphabet Book" and "The Bible Alphabet Activity Book," engaging children all the more with coloring pages that they get to work on themselves.
And now, yet another children's title from Alison Brown. If you don't know, Alison is a former primary school teacher who lives with her husband and five children in northern Ireland. She loves to draw, in both ink and colored pencil, but takes great delight in taking the minds of children and turning them to the amazing truths of the Scriptures. Here's part of this book's description: "Keeping in mind the kind of questions inquisitive children often ask about their world, she has written and illustrated this beautiful book which will help them think about the wonders of God's creation."
I can't show you any more of the illustrations than what you see here on the cover, but let me give you some of the actual text.
"When we pause to consider this wonderful earth,
we see some incredible sights...
a world full of beauty suspended in space,
with billions of twinkling lights!
Perhaps you have wondered just how it got there,
...perhaps you've been tempted to guess?
It didn't explode from a cloud of hot gas;
Explosions make only a mess!
Instead it was lovingly made by our God,
whose power and great understanding
are far beyond anything thought of by man;
no problem was found too demanding.
What distance to set from the earth to the sun
was a very important decision,
For only God knew what that distance should be,
and he measured with careful precision....."
And on and on it goes. Isn't that great. Oh, I don't know when we'll be receiving these, but do keep on the alert. I'm so glad to see Banner increasing our offerings to children.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained, what is man that you are mindful of him? Psalm 8:3-4

Interview with Geoffrey Thomas

Andrew Roycroft, on the Men for Ministry Blog, recently posted an interview with Geoff Thomas that I think you'd be interested in reading. Banner of Truth books written by Pastor Thomas include the biography, "Ernest Reisinger: A Biography," and "Phillip and the Revival in Samaria." Roycroft introduces the interview with these words:

Geoffrey Thomas is Pastor of Alred Place Baptist Church, Aberystwyth, where he has served the Lord for over forty years. His preaching and written ministry are deeply appreciated by many of God's people around the world, and he is no stranger to Northern Ireland, having spoken in a number of contexts over the years. We are very grateful that Pastor Thomas has taken the time be interviewed by 'Men for Ministry' , and we trust that his reflections on the life and work of the preacher will prove a rich blessing to all.

Among other questions, Pastor Thomas was asked, "What would you advise those men who are just entering the Christian ministry to do before, during and after the act of preaching?"

He replied,

"[i] Before preaching. Search out for some role models, men in the ministry you admire, whose ministry and life moves you to emulation. Learn from them. You will quickly discover they have feet of clay. They will be colder people, not as smart as you hoped to answer your questions, but they will have insights and advice. Get men in the past to serve this end also, such as Whitefield, Spurgeon, Lloyd-Jones, M’Cheyne, Brainerd, Paton, Carey, Calvin and learn from them all. Lloyd-Jones’ Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, Pink’s Life of Elijah, Watson’s Beatitudes are the kind of books that model interesting popular systematic expository preaching. Even some of James Montgomery Boice’s sermons are useful examples of expository and pastorally responsible preaching, but they do not suit me too well. Go to websites like First Presbyterian, Jackson where you can hear and read the sermons of Derek Thomas and Ligon Duncan. You can also hear the sermons of Joel Beeke and Iain D.Campbell on their websites – find them via Google. This is an extraordinary phenomenon, that at the end of a Sunday in Europe I can hear the morning sermon as it was preached in Heritage Reformed in Grand Rapids. Go to my website and read my sermons.

"When I was beginning my ministry the task of preparing two sermons a week was utterly daunting. I had such high standards and little ability and no experience of relentlessly preparing sermons for a congregation, especially two a week plus the mid-week preaching service. The task was overwhelming with many, many falls. How I wish I had had a resource of written sermons to turn to in order to help me. Saul’s armour did not fit David, but Jonathan’s did. Spurgeon’s sermons don’t fit anyone preaching in the world today, but his whole spirit as he approached the work of the pulpit and the congregation, his ideas, application, entreaties and corrections are invaluable. The sermons of T.T.Shields were not my size either, but they helped make Paul Tucker the fascinating preacher he became. I found Al Martin and Donald Macleod invaluable helps in preaching in the 1970s. I preached their sermons and envied their clear outlines and passion in delivery. Such men helped me to build on the Doctor and my Welsh role models to form me. I have also had Iain Murray as my most consistently helpful counsellor, and consider his friendship and advice the most single blessed support. If there is one man whose books I must read as they appear it has to be the writings of Iain Murray. So all that in answer to your first division - before preaching.

"[ii] During preaching covet an ability to relax the congregation enabling them to sit back and listen carefully and enjoyably to what is to be said to them. I’ve been very struck with that grace as manifest in such men as Ted Donnelly, John Blanchard and David Norman Jones of Tasmania. It comes from a trust in God; a cultivation of that dependence on his enabling to bless the preparation during the proclamation. They have managed to learn to speak humbly and directly to their audience; they are not bullies; they don’t shout, but neither are they perennial smilers (which is just as irritating). They speak interestingly of their theme. They have in their minds a grasp of where this sermon is going and they are determined to take the congregation to that destination. They use judicious illustration, and their humour is safe. I believe that Ted Donnelly is the most excellent sermon illustrator in the UK, and in the USA it has been John Reisinger. I have learned from both of them about illustrating, and from the Puritans from Bunyan and Watson’s illustrations which are quite compressed (and when Owen illustrates, on those rare occasions, those illustrations of his coruscate). So the ability to settle a congregation down to listen to you during the sermon is the great gift to seek from God. It comes from loving familiarity with your theme, and a concern to communicate it to the people, and a determination to honour the Lord of the Word and the Word of the Lord.

[iii] After the preaching? What would I advise? Ernest Reisinger shared this aphorism with me years ago, “It is a sin to preach and not to pray.” Afterwards would be a good time for a group of people to meet, when preaching is over, to pray for God’s blessing on what has been proclaimed, but it is virtually impossible as there are people to welcome, visit with, and also drive home. The preacher longs for men to gather around him after a sermon, especially when he has struggled and found it a barren spiritual exercise, to find then his friends upholding him in thanking God for something they have learned. Alas, it does not happen. After the sermon the preacher is invariably discouraged, especially the older he gets, because he has known some help in exalting Christ and preaching the good news, but there are few sinners present, and those that are there are the familiar people who have been coming for years and remain untouched. Where were the unbelievers? How the preacher needs warm praying after both good and bad sermons, but he is left on his own and he must say, “Sorry, Lord, that I did not do well again.”

To read the entire interview, CLICK HERE.

This is just encouraging to us all here ...

I don't put this up here to be prideful at all, really I don't. This was just really encouraging to read and I simply wanted you to see it, too. I hope that's all right. It's taken from a blog called, "The Thirsty Theologian" ...
================================
"I love Banner of Truth! My bookshelves have filled to overflowing, and Banner of Truth is largely to blame. They are fast becoming the dominant publisher in my library. With works from the Reformers and Puritans to great Reformed authors still living today, Banner is one of the very few publishers today who really publish no bad books. I have just recently received my first Banner publication written by a living author, "David: Man of Prayer, Man of War" by Walter J. Chantry. Here is the first of what I am sure will be several quotes:

"It was the Lord who chose David to be king, not Samuel nor the people of Israel. Nothing that we can observe was decisive with God. He chose David for the unseen qualities of the inner man. God finds his servants in unexpected places: Joseph in a prison, David in a sheep pen, Luther in a miner’s cottage. At the lowest point of his life David was to cry, ‘Behold, you delight in truth in the4 inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart’ (Psa. 51:6). In Psalm 66:18 the Psalmist of Israel wrote, ‘if I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.’ David’s son by Bathsheba wrote ‘Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life’ (Prov. 4:23). The Lord searches your heart. What does he find?

—Walter J. Chantry, David: Man of Prayer, Man of War (Edinburgh, Banner of Truth Trust, 2007), pp. 13-14.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "Discovering God's Will," by Sinclair Ferguson

BOOK REVIEWED: "Discovering God's Will," by Sinclair Ferguson
REVIEWER: Slaves of Rightousness blog
REVIEW: "I don’t normally take a lot of notes when reading a book, but with this one I took a lot. The topic is an important one for believers. How can we know God’s will? Sinclair Ferguson puts forth the idea that God’s will is shaped by the big picture-God’s ultimate purposes for us and creation.
"Early on he advises us, “In the first place, we need to recognise that we do not find God’s guidance for our lives by reading a book on guidance!” What he is trying to say is, there is no easy answer. He warns us, “There is no avoiding and no substitute for, the sometimes long, arduous experience of discovering the will of God in our own lives.” This does not deny absolutes, but is stated for any who may be looking for simple formulas to apply. “We learn about guidance primarily by learning about the Guide.” (italics in original.)
"Once he introduces the topic, Ferguson starts to look at God’s ultimate purpose. He advises us that the idea God guides us implies God has laid down a path for us, our lives have purpose now, and destiny for the future. He then breaks these points down and looks at them biblically. In speaking of God’s purpose, Sinclair tells us, “There is, in fact, no more basic question for us to ask than this: Will this course of action tend to further the glory of God?” (italics in original) From here he digs into what it really means to imitate Jesus.
"Then the book looks at guidelines. He warns us against the illusion that God’s will can be learned overnight. I have come across many believers who want just that—to know exactly and to know now. But it doesn’t work that way. So Ferguson looks to the Bible and tells us how three ways scripture provides us with what we need to know about God’s character and wisdom. He looks into scripture himself and gives examples. He also outlines how scripture helps us
"After that come warnings about the heart, and our need to guard ours. Our motives may be suspect for starters. Ferguson addresses the conditions in the heart, particularly what we need to have.
"The book continues in this vein through our lifestyles, conduct, calling marriage, and waiting. He addresses the reader who may have been hoping this book would tell would provide all the answers and do it now. What can that reader do now that it is apparent this is not a self-help book or a simple list of “what to do.”
"I always seem to enjoy and profit from reading Sinclair Ferguson. He communicates clearly, and biblically. This is a breath of fresh air given a lot of what is written by contemporary authors. It is tempting to merely post a multi-part series summarizing this book, but instead I will recommend you get yourself a copy and devour it for yourself. I think you’ll learn more that way."
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For more information, or to purchase this book, CLICK HERE.

Are you REALLY into the Word?

It came to my attention just the other day that a number of you may not have yet discovered the "Let's Study" series from Banner of Truth. In all honesty, I'm not just out to push or sell books with what I'm about to say; this truly has met a need in my own personal spiritual life, and y'all (can you tell I've spent recent time in the south? I love it) need to know about this.
One of the best descriptions as to what this series is all about can be found in the introduction to "Let's Study Mark," written by Sinclair Ferguson. Sinclair writes that "this series is designed to meet a specific need in the church. While not technical commentaries, each volume will comment on the text of a biblical book; and while not merely lists of practical applications, they are concerned with the ways in which the teaching of Scripture can affect and transform our lives today. Understanding the Bible's message and applying its teaching are the aims.... The reader in view is not the person who is interested in all the detailed questions which fascinate the scholar, although behind the writing of each study lies an appreciation for careful and detailed scholarship. The aim is exposition of Scripture written in the language of a friend, seated alongside you with an open Bible."
That is SO TRUE ... through each book, you get "a friend, seataed alongside you with an open Bible." I used "Let's Study Acts" and "Let's Study Mark" in my teaching of adult Sunday School classes within the past couple of years. Currently, I'm using "Let's Study John" for my own personal Bible Study. "Let's Study Revelation" has certainly been a popular one. Every one of us needs to be in the Word, and not merely reading a chapter and getting on with the day. Instead, let's ask a Sinclair Ferguson, or Derek Thomas, or Mark Johnston, etc., to join us each morning over coffee and provide some insight into the Word of God.
Currently, the Let's Study series includes the following titles, with the eventual goal to include the entire New Testament:
"Let's Study Mark"
"Let's Study Luke"
"Let's Study John"
"Let's Study Acts"
"Let's Study 1 Corinthians"
"Let's Study 2 Corinthians"
"Let's Study Galatians"
"Let's Study Ephesians"
"Let's Study Philippians"
"Let's Study 1 & 2 Thessalonians"
"Let's Study Hebrews"
"Let's Study 1 Peter"
"Let's Study 2 Peter and Jude"
"Let's Study Revelation"

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "The Diary & Journal of David Brainerd"

BOOK REVIEWED: "The Diary and Journal of David Brainerd"
REVIEWER: Dr. Phil Ryken, Senior Pastor, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA
REVIEW: "Our friends at Banner of Truth have published an attractive new edition of a genuine classic: The Diary & Journal of David Brainerd. The book will be of special interest to anyone with a vested interested in missions and evangelism. In other words, it ought to be of interest to every serious Christian. A man of intense devotion to Jesus Christ, with a passion for reaching Native Americans (Indians, he called them) with the gospel, Brainerd died when he was still in his twenties. In coming weeks I hope to share a few excerpts from his writings, which have far outlived his all-too-brief (as it seems to us) ministry."
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To read this review on its original site, click HERE.
To see future comments on this book, as Dr. Ryken mentions, access the Reformation21 blog by clicking HERE.
For more information on this book, or to purchase it, click HERE.

SNEAK PEAK: New Children's Books Coming SOON from Banner!

I find this to be incredibly exciting!
With Christmas just around the corner, Banner of Truth is on the threshold of releasing several new titles that will further expand our children's offerings. A Bible Alphabet, by Alison Brown, is a beautifully illustrated book that introduces very young readers to some of the great stories and characters from the Bible, including Noah and the ark, David and Goliath, and Daniel in the lions’ den. Also coming from Banner is A Bible Alphabet Activity Book, containing 26 large format tear-out sheets which young children will enjoy coloring-in and completing. The author of both, Alison Brown, is a former primary school teacher who currently lives with her husband and family in northern Ireland. While enjoying the privilege of spending years at home with her five growing children, she has continued to develop her drawing style. A deepening awareness of the need for every child to build his or her life on God's Word, coupled with the pleasure of illustrating for children, has led to the creation of these pages, "that they might set their hope in God (Psalm 78:7).

You can expect to see both of these titles arriving in the next few weeks. And there's yet another new children's book that I'll tell you about after the weekend. Grace & peace. Steve.

Alabama/Georgia Trip Update

So far, so good! I had a great visit to Birmingham, AL Thursday and Friday, with stops at Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Hunter Street Baptist Church and Southeastern Bible College, where I sat in on several classes and met some students and professors. Thanks to KC Armstrong of The BookStore at Hunter Street (in Hoover, AL, just outside of Birmingham) for being a great host. Currently, I'm in Douglasville, GA, just west of Atlanta, where the Reformation Heritage Conference got underway last night at Grace Presbyterian Church. Dr. Carl Trueman of Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia) was excellent, introducing Luther, the main subject of the conference. The conference continues with lectures at 10:00 this morning and 12:45 this afternoon.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review - "David: Man of Prayer, Man of War"

BOOK REVIEWED: "David: Man of Prayer, Man of War," by Walter Chantry
REVIEWER: Randall J. Pederson, Bookstore Staff and Westminster PhD student in church history; http://www.wtsbooks.com/
THE REVIEW: "By far, the best spiritual biography of David that I have read, Walter J. Chantry’s David: Man of Prayer, Man of War is an exemplar of biblical depth, pastoral insight, and contemporary relevance. It will no doubt find a welcome home in the hands of busy pastors looking for fresh material on the life of David (and how properly to draw parallels for modern living), for teachers weary of hollowed encyclopedic treatments too prevalent today (Chantry makes David’s life come to life, as it were), and for lay readers who want to be challenged and instructed, who want to move from prayer to praise and back again.

In thirty-five short chapters, which first appeared in The Banner of Truth magazine, Chantry unveils David’s life—from God’s description of ‘a man after his own heart’ to his anointing by Samuel to rule over Israel to his tragic affair with Bathsheba and the subsequent crimes of passion to his fleeting moments with Solomon on the edge of eternity—and instructs us in their significance for our own time. It is more than just a life of David—it is an instructive use of David’s life, one worthy of the great Puritan tradition in which Chantry firmly stands.

Chantry shows us David’s zeal for the house of the Lord; he shows us David’s frailty and sinfulness. He unravels what it means to be ‘a man after God’s own heart’ and shows how David strived to live with God’s favor. With keen pastoral insight, Chantry finds in David’s life an example of what it means to live coram Deo (‘in the presence of God’) at every juncture in life—in times of crises, in times of prayer and praise, in times of need and plentitude. He does not hide David’s faults, nor does he exalt him beyond portion; rather, he shows us the heart of a man who lived in two worlds: a man of the earth, a man of the kingdom of heaven.

David’s life illustrates the immense importance of prayer and utter reliance on God in every circumstance; it also shows the clinging fear of mortality and all its woes, the brokenness that sin brings into the world, into relationships, into our very communion with God himself. Those who know the ups and downs of Christian living will find a kindred heart in David. Those who think that Christians can do no wrong will find no place for this book on their shelves as it is a lasting testimony to the greatness of God’s work in the life of the humble, the broken, the repentant, the restored.

Few biblical characters exceed David in artistic depictions throughout the centuries. The best known and perhaps most astounding is Michelangelo’s David, unveiled outside the Palazzo della Signoria in Florence on September 8, 1504. Majestic in stature, Michelangelo’s David is a tribute to David’s greatness and lasting influence. Chantry’s remarkable book is a tribute of a different sort: it is a tribute to David’s God and to the profundity of divine grace.

Back Home After "Desiring God" in Minneapolis

What to say about this year's "Desiring God" conference? It was my first ever. The Main Auditorium of the Minneapolis Convention Center was filled to capacity at nearly every session. Thousands of people with all ages had some representation, but by far a mostly younger audience. Most of my time was spent in the conference bookstore one level below the Auditorium so I didn't get to hear as many of the sessions as I would have liked. But from conversations with the attendees, they were frequently moved and challenged by what was taking place upstairs. It's always nice to see that a considerable number of those attending recognized the Banner of Truth name, but there were also others, as I had anticipated, who were not familiar with the Banner. It was again an enjoyable exercise to share just a bit of what the Lord has done, and how the Lord has blessed during the 50 years that Banner has been in existence. But also to let them know that Banner is very much in the active mode, strengthening the church and facilitating its revival! A number of Banner titles were available at the conference, from our first published, "Body of Divinity" by Thomas Watson to newer releases. Jerry Bridges plugged the Puritan Paperback series from the Main Auditorium pulpit which brought about the usual swarm after the closing hymn. Overall, I do solidly believe that it was good for me to have been there, and good for the Banner. And also, as is usually the case, the Lord provided ample opportunity to encourage and pray with some dear brothers in the Lord, in some cases through many tears. If you were among those, be assured of my continued prayers!
I'd write more but it's 4:00 a.m. and I just arrived home, 5 hours later than scheduled. And in case you ever wondered, it's a painful thing traversing cities and airports, on foot, with a newly broken toe! Wouldn't you know it?
:-)
Grace and peace to you now; more to come. Steve

ON THE ROAD - Banner Heads to Minneapolis!

Will any of you be attending the Desiring God National Conference at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, September 28-30? If so, I would love to have you stop in the bookstore area and say hello. You will find me there during these next few days, unless I'm able to hopefully sneak out once or twice to attend a conference session. I arrive Thursday morning and will be there through the weekend. If you're in the Minneapolis area but won't be at the conference, let me know. Perhaps we could get a group together for coffee or something. Grace & peace. Steve.

"Truth's Victory Over Error" - Why David Dickson's Book Is Important!

A brief article has just been posted on the Banner of Truth Web site (you do know about the articles section at http://www.banneroftruth.org/, don't you?). It is titled, "Truth's Victory Over Error - Why David Dickson's Book Is Important." It is just a little more than 500 words in length and was written by John R. deWitt, the one who transcribed and edited this volume. I do encourage you to follow the link and read this article.
To read the article, CLICK HERE.
For more information, or to buy this book, CLICK HERE.

WHAT?!?!?! IT'S HERE EARLY?!?!?!?

We just received three pallets of a brand new release from Banner! Wow, this is excellent. I'd tell you all about it, but I'm too busy reading and enjoying this new book! Stop back tomorrow for the details!
Steve
PS - sorry
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ADDENDUM, Later on the same day - My apologies for this post ... I have heard from you, loud and clear! Give me 15 minutes and you'll see something more ... I promise!

Let Me Tell You About The "Now" and the "Then" ---

The "Now" --
As you probably, currently our North American office of Banner of Truth has this HIDDEN TREASURES promotion underway, featuring a number of titles that are as "solid" as any Banner book, but may have gone unnoticed for a while, and we are offering them at 40%-45% off list price. The promotion only goes through October 15th. If you need more information, email me.


The "Then" --
October is fast approaching, which means another "wave" of new releases from Banner of Truth is about to arrive at our warehouse. I will begin filling this blog with "Sneak Peaks" in the very near future! If interested in what's coming, this is the place to read about it first so stay tuned.

I hope you had a great weekend and entered your week spiritually refreshed. Grace & peace. Steve.

Personally Speaking, May I Ask You To Pray?

It is easy for me to forget how some others are pressing on in the midst of very difficult circumstances for the cause of Christ. May I be personal with you and share an email from a very dear family friend? I got it today, from a very distant and rural village in central Africa, where she is a single missionary, the only one within hundreds of miles. I would be appreciative of your prayers. Her name is Wendy. Grace to you, and peace. Steve.
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Dear friends,
Greetings! This will be a short one since I'm still not up to writing too much. I've been quite sick with malaria since the middle of last Thursday night. I started meds right away but started vomiting a lot too, so I was not able to keep down any pills I was taking. Because of this, the medical folks here put me on an IV quinine drip for two days. Not fun! I was flat on my back in bed for four days. Just yesterday and today I've been feeling a little bit "human" again. Quinine has all sorts of "wonderful" side effects like crazy dreams, hearing loss, loss of appetite, etc.
So, I've been pretty sick for five days now. I take the last quinine pill today so hopefully in a few days the ringing and white noise in my ears will lessen. Today is the first day that I've really felt like eating anything although I've been forcing myself to eat egg custard, pudding, poached eggs, and whatever else I can manage to get down.
Since I was vomiting so much they did some other tests and I've got some internal parasite problems; nothing unusual out here but something I'll have to take care as well once I get my strength back. We aren't out of the woods yet, but each day I feel a couple of percentage points better! :)
One amazing thing in all this has been the care I've received from the folks here. I counted up 36 different people who came to see me during the first five days of my being sick. Some came to just shake my hand and smile, some to pray, some to give advice :). But all came to express their concern and love. The medical staff has been extremely helpful, even coming in the middle of the night to change the IV. I do feel that I'm in good hands.
The Lord has, of course, also been so very good to care for me. I've done some reading in Psalm 18 off and on during this time and been comforted by many verses there. One that I've been meditating on when I get a few moments of clear thinking is verse 19, "He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me." Pretty awesome to think that even when you are vomiting so that you wonder if you are ever going to be able to stand up again, the Lord delights in you!
:)
I know that the reaction some of you might have to this email is to worry. Please don't! I'm doing OK and as each day goes by and I progress from being able to keep down some egg custard to a poached egg to fish soup with macaroni, things are looking up!
One main prayer request is that I will have wisdom as I hopefully have some strength to restart some activities by the end of this week. The School of Music and the Bible may start one week late just to give me another week to rest and regroup. Please pray that once I start being active again that I won't overdo!
Doing email is a stretcher right now so if you have written I don't think I'll be able to get back to you before next week some time. You don't need to respond to this one - please just pray that I'll be completely healed.....SOON!
love,
wendy
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ADDENDUM, Monday, Sept. 24th - Thank you for your prayers and emails; I have not received anything from Wendy since this letter.

HIDDEN TREASURE FEATURE: John MacArthur's "classic example of what a good biography ought to be!"

FROM OUR CURRENT HIDDEN TREASURES PROMOTION
NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 15th - 45% OFF LIST PRICE
Available in clothbound or paperback

To receive the complete list of "Hidden Treasures" on sale, email me at: steve@banneroftruth.org

"William Grimshaw of Haworth," by Faith Cook

Of this biography, John MacArthur wrote, "A classic example of what a good biography ought to be!" With that testimonial fresh in my mind, I grabbed the clothbound copy of this book from our packing room shelf just last week and dove into it this weekend. You've heard of Grimshaw's contemporaries - Wesley and Whitefield; it's high time you learned more about the third part of that trio and what God accomplished in and through these men!

Just read how this book opens with paragraph #1: "If greatness is to be measured by usefulness to souls," wrote J.C. Ryle in 1866 as he looked back on the eighteenth-century Evangelical Revival, then, in his estimation, William Grimshaw would rank among the three greatest men in England during that period. The lives of the other two, George Whitefield and John Wesley, are well known, but many who rightly appreciate their importance know little of this man, whose zeal in the service of Christ led John Wesley to write, "A few such as him would make a nation tremble. He carries fire wherever he goes." Not surprisingly, it was William Grimshaw whom Wesley designated as his successor in the nation-wide organization of Methodism, should he and his brother Charles have died first."

Did you get that? William Grimshaw, in his zeal for the service of Christ, was described by Wesley as the one who "carries fire wherever he goes." Oh, how we need to be ever reading good biographies, filling our minds with the lives of godly saints who have walked before us, and the work and grace of God made visible in their lives to also encourage us and cause our faith to grow! There are few better places to start than this "classic example of what a good biography ought to be!" (John MacArthur).
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Clothbound lists for $36.00, but just $19.80 through October 15th
Paperback lists for $25.00, but just $13.75 through October 15th
For more information, or to purchase this book, click HERE for the paperback, and HERE for the clothbound. The 45% discount will be calculated at check-out.

HIDDEN TREASURES Promotion - Now through Oct. 15

We are getting a great response to the current HIDDEN TREASURES promotion. I guess that might prove that KC Armstrong at The BookStore @ Hunter Street in Birmingham, AL was right -
"Feature the Banner books that haven't been selling as well as others," KC told me one day. "Since there's no such thing as a 'bad' Banner book, there must be some that we've just forgotten about."
Those are the books we've labelled our HIDDEN TREASURES, and we're offering some of them at 40%-45% less than list price, from now through October 15. If you didn't receive the complete flier in the mail (pictured here), email me and I'll gladly send you an electronic copy. |
I hope your week is off to a grand start.
God is faithful!
Grace & peace.
Steve.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "Love Rules: The Ten Commandments for the 21st Century"

Here's a review of one of the newer releases to come from Banner of Truth. Thought you might like to read someone else's "take" on this book.
Steve
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BOOK REVIEWED: "Love Rules: The Ten Commandments for the 21st Century"
REVIEWER: Gregg Cantelmo, from KPXQ Radio, Chandler, Arizona
REVIEW: "The place of the moral law in relation to the gospel has become one of the most controversial issues for the evangelical church today. The result is confusion about important doctrines such as the nature of justification and sanctification. This small volume (118 pages), written by a number of contributors (all reformed), is offered as a contemporary introduction to the theological and ethical explanation of the Ten Commandments. The first three chapters form the introduction to the Ten Commandments as well as provide one of the finest overviews of the relationship between law and love. Anyone teaching a series on the Ten Commandments would do well to read these chapters. Subsequent chapters work through each of the Ten Commandments providing strong theological foundation as well as practical application. Each chapter ends with “The Bottom Line,” a summary of the main points covered in that chapter. The concluding chapters cover the topic of the flow of redemptive history and the Jesus’ teaching on the moral law. This is a wonderful overview of the Ten Commandments rich in theology and firmly grounded in the gospel.
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For more information, or to purchase, this book at 25% discount, click HERE.

INSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "The Forgotten Spurgeon," by Iain H. Murray

BOOK REVIEWED: "The Forgotton Spurgeon," by Iain H. Murray
REVIEWER: Thomas Chantry
EXCERPT FROM THE REVIEW (click link below to read review in its entirety): "The Forgotten Spurgeon is not a standard biography; rather, Murray concentrates on three important controversies which spanned Spurgeon's career - the confllicts with Hyper-Calvinism and Arminianism in the opening years of his London ministry, the dispute with Anglicans over Baptismal Regeneration in the mid 1860s, and the struggle for theological faithfulness and integrity that so marked the closing years of Spurgeon's life, the 'Downgrade Controversy' ....
The Forgotten Spurgeon also serves as an excellent example of the strengths of Iain Murray's historical writings - strengths which continue to be seen in the books he has penned since this one first appeared in the 1960s....
The author's style is easy and will be attractive to most Christian readers. Those who love the history of the church will find his books particularly helpful and enjoyable. If you have not read Iain Murray before, then The Forgotten Spurgeon is a good place to start. You will not be disappointed!"
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To read this review in its entirety, click HERE.
For more information, or to purchase this book, click HERE.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "Authority," by D.M. Lloyd-Jones

BOOK REVIEWED: "Authority," by D.M. Lloyd-Jones
REVIEWER: Brian Lievens on the Edifying Deaf Christians blog
REVIEW: "I was reading an used book I bought online written by D.M. Lloyd-Jones. Lloyd-Jones was an excellent expository preacher at Westminister Chapel in the 40s to 60s in England. He is a rare Evangelical pastor in England. Anyway, I have enjoyed several of his books that contained his sermons like Romans and Ephesians.
Anyway this book is titled, “Authority.” The book was about knowing our authority from the Bible, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The book was published in 1958. Lloyd-Jones to me was really ahead of his time because in 1958 he already see the philosophy that we are battling today since maybe 1970s. That is post-modernism philosophy. I am quoting him here now.
“Now I suggest that, as Evangelicals, that is the major position which we have to meet at this present time [Post-Modernism]. There was a time when we were confronted by absolute denials [Modernism, Liberalism]. The position today is not that. Instead we are told that the truth is so marvelous that you cannot define it. One man may say this and another may say that. We are asked to believe that they both are probably right. Everybody is right. There are many ways of getting to this summit. We must therefore welcome all approaches, and we must not say that a man has not the truth because he has not come to it our way. Such a school of thought claims that these are matters which, because of the very nature of truth itself, cannot be defined. Therefore we cannot confidently speak of right and wrong” (D.M. Lloyd-Jones 10,11).
That is how people think today. All truth is relative rather than absolute. That means that we must accept other person’s perspective that what he thinks is truth is truth to him. And we have to accept that as truth. And others have to accept our truth. That’s arrogance and prideful. God Himself is the only Person that has the full truth. We only can depend on God to give us understanding of what is right and wrong rather than let the people themselves decide what is right or wrong.
To me, Lloyd-Jones sees the problem of post-modernism already in 1958 and he wrote the book to encourage us to depend on the absolute authority of God!
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To read this review in its original location, click HERE.
For more information, or to purchase this book, click HERE.

On a Personal Note ...

My "little girl" is home ...
From college ...
For the weekend!
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ADDENDUM: It was a great weekend!

Hidden Treasure Feature: "An A-Z of Christian Truth and Experience"

FROM OUR CURRENT "HIDDEN TREASURES" PROMOTION:
To receive the recent mailer with a list of all titles at 40%-45% off, send me an email - steve@banneroftruth.org
In putting this promotion together, I, also, found some treasures that I didn't know much about, one of them being this book, An A-Z of Christian Truth and Experience by J. Graham Miller. This is a collection of quotations compiled by this pastor in New Zealand - a life's worth of work - clothbound and listed at $21.00, but available through October 15 at 45% off - just $11.55.
Of this book, Iain Murray, who made the initial discovery leading to its publication, wrote, "A handful of pure gold. The work of a lifetime. A wonderful overview of the Christian faith drawn from many of the classic authors of the church. I have found the contents humbling and inspiring. They require, it should be said, pondering and reflection more than consecutive reading. John Wesley's maxim is especially applicable, 'Read a little, pray and meditate much.'"
So what's the story behind this book? On a visit to Graham Miller in Australia in 1999, Iain Murray found 'bound volumes filled with my friend's firm and distinctive handwriting, containing memorable quotations gleaned from leading authors." An A-Z of Christian Truth and Experience is a selection of these, arranged alphabetically under subject headings, covering the entire range of Christian truth and experience. Check out some of the authors quoted in this resource, and then some of the topics covered! I can't believe this isn't on your shelf - truly a great resource but even more so, as Iain wrote, good thoughts to ponder and meditate on.

The book contains quotations from 124 authors, just some of whom include:
Augustine of Hippo, Richard Baxter, Loraine Boettner, Andrew Bonar, Horatius Bonar, Thomas Boston, John Bradford, John Brown, James Buchanan, John Bunyan, John Calvin, J.S. Candlish, Thomas Chalmers, Oswald Chambers, Stephen Charnock, John Chrysostom, William Cowper, Alfred Edersheim, Jonathan Edwards, John Flavel, Thomas Fuller, Henry Grattan Guinness, James Haldane, Charles Hodge, Ignatius, Irenaeus, Jerome, Justin Martyr, John Knox, Hugh Latimer, Robert Leighton, John Livingstone, D.M. Lloyd-Jones, Martin Luther, J. Gresham Machen, Henry Martyn, Robert Murray M’Cheyne, D.L. Moody, John Murray, John Owen, Blaise Pascal, Samuel Rutherford, J.C. Ryle, Philip Schaff, W.G.T. Shedd, George Smeaton, C.H. Spurgeon, Tertullian, William Tyndale, Benjamin B. Warfield, John Wesley, George Whitefield, Alexander Whyte, William Wilberforce, Ulrich Zwingli, and

These quotations are grouped into 176 different subject categories, just some of which include:

Adoption, Anger, Antichrist, Assurance, Backsliding, Baptism, Beauty, The Bible, Burial, Chastisement, Christian Ministry, The Church, Church History, Communion of Saints, Conscience, Conversion, Convictions, Courage, Creeds, Criticism, Danger, Death, Disunity, Doubt, Effectual Calling, Election, End Times, Eternity, Faith, Family, Fear of God, Free Will, Friendship, Gentleness, Gifts, Growing Old, Guidance, Happiness, Health, Heaven, Hell, The Holy Spirit, Hope, Humility, Imputation, Jesting, Jesus Christ, Judgment, Justification, Leaders, Literature, The Lord’s Day, The Lord’s Supper, Love, Meditation, Meekness, Memorizing Scripture, Miracles, Modesty, Murder, Music, Obedience, Occupations, Patience, Persecution, Praise, Prayer, Predestination, Pride, Prophecy, Propitiation, Providence, Regeneration, Repentance, Reproof, Resurrection, Reverence, Salvation, Sanctification, Satan, Sermons, Sickness, Sin, Slander, The Sovereignty of God, Study, Suffering, Temptation, The Trinity, Trouble, Trust, Truth, Unbelief, Unity, Wisdom, Work, World Mission, Worship, Zeal.
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For more information on, or to purchase, this book, click HERE. The discount price will be applied during the checkout process.

Signed Copy, Anyone? Plus a "24-Hour Only" Special Promotion ...

OK ... 24 hours ... starting at 12:00 noon ... which is - NOW!
This may be something I'm going to regret, but Walter Chantry and his incredible wife will be here at the North American office of The Banner of Truth tomorrow (Friday), Sept. 14th, for lunch with our staff. I don't get to see or visit with Walt very often; mostly it's been some time during the annual Banner of Truth Ministers' Conference. But given his impending visit, I thought I would offer - without his pre-authorized permission, I have to add - his signing of his most recent new release from Banner, "David: Man of Prayer, Man of War." If we receive your order, with a specific request for it to be signed, before we eat lunch or before he has to leave, I will get it done for you, and even give a 20% discount! Phone orders only for this one. List price: $18.00; Get this signed copy for $14.40 (free shipping on orders of $25+ within the continental U.S.).

And while we're at it, how about, instead of our Fabulous Friday Damaged Book List, we institute a 24-Hour Walter Chantry Book Promotion. Below is the list - any Walter Chantry Banner book, other than "David: Man of Prayer, Man of War," 35% off from now through tomorrow, Friday 9/14, at 4:00 Eastern time when our office closes. Call us today or tomorrow: 1-800-263-8085. Just remember, the signed copy of "David: Man of Prayer, Man of War" won't be available after lunchtime tomorrow. Spread the word quickly!
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Call the Sabbath a Delight - List: $7.50 --- 24-hour 35% off special: $4.88
God's Righteous Kingdom - List: $8.00 --- 24-hour 35% off special: $5.20
High Calling of Motherhood - List: $0.85 --- 24-hour 35% off special: $0.55
Praises for the King of Kings - List: $8.00 --- 24-hour 35% off special: $5.20
Shadow of the Cross - List $5.00 --- 24-hour 35% off special: $3.25
Signs of the Apostles - List: $9.00 --- 24-hour 35% off special: $5.85
Today's Gospel - List: $7.00 --- 24-hour 35% off special: $4.55

Please note: Some quantities are limited.
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ADDENDUM, Friday Sept. 14th, 1:30 p.m. - The Banner staff in Carlisle just finished a great lunch here in my office with Walt Chantry and his wife, Joie ... a combination of eating and signing books! A great way to end the week.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "The Life and Times of George Whitefield," by Robert Philip

BOOK REVIEWED: "The Life and Times of George Whitefield," by Robert Philip
REVIEWER: Randall J. Pederson, Westminster Seminary Bookstore Staff & PhD student-church history
THE REVIEW: "Robert Philip’s The Life and Times of George Whitefield was the first sympathetic biography, published in 1837, of the great transatlantic itinerant preacher. Comprised largely from Whitefield’s journals, letters, and sermons, this early biography presents Whitefield in all his evangelical glory—from his early years in Gloucester, England, his struggles at Oxford and the rise of the English Methodists, to his untimely death in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and the legacy of his felicitous preaching.
Overall, Philip’s biography is a decent and faithful depiction of Whitefield’s life and message. It is, as Iain H. Murray notes in his introduction, a work that reaches heart and soul and inflames devotion to Christ. It is not, as Murray equally notes, a work of ‘quiet scholarship’, which should be of no surprise as the work predates the so-called renaissance of ‘sociological enlightenment’.
Whitefield was, as readers will soon discover, a complex personality. He loathed himself but had boundless expectations of God’s grace. He forged relationships with prominent leaders, both political and religious, including Benjamin Franklin and the Countess of Huntingdon. Whitefield was not inerrant, nor did he pretend to be. He was called to be a vessel of the Holy Spirit during a time of intense complacency and was used alongside many other American luminaries, such as Jonathan Edwards, to breathe new life into the American religious scene of the eighteenth century. His influence spreads even to today, as new monographs and reprints of Whitefield’s sermons continue to issue from the press.
The Life and Times of George Whitefield is well-suited for pastors, seminary students, and lay readers who want to grasp Whitefield’s life and work but are weary of plowing through Arnold Dallimore’s two-volume George Whitefield: The Life and Times of the Great Evangelist of the Eighteenth-Century Revival (Banner of Truth, 1970, 1980).
Regardless of one’s personal interest in Whitefield, Philip’s work still remains the most complete, sympathetic, single-volume biography available today. More definitive biographies of Whitefield have been written. Luke Tyerman’s The Life of the Reverend George Whitefield (1876-77) was the standard reference until supplanted by Dallimore’s.
Critical scholars will find the work less useful, at times hagiographic, more an evangelical footnote to the ‘divine dramatist’ than an accurate description of what happened. This de-spiritualizing of Whitefield’s influence runs through Harry S. Stout’s The Divine Dramatist: George Whitefield and the Rise of Modern Evangelicalism (Eerdmans, 1991) and Frank Lambert’s ‘Pedlar in Divinity’: George Whitefield and the Transatlantic Revivals, 1737-1770 (Princeton, 1993)."
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To read this review on its original site, click HERE.
For more information, or to buy this book, click HERE.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "The Life of John Murray," by Iain H. Murray

BOOK REVIEWED: "The Life of John Murray," by Iain H. Murray
REVIEWER: Pastor Erik Raymond, Irish Calvinist blog
EXCERPTS FROM THE REVIEW: "John Murray’s commentary on the book of Romans has long been considered the answer book for biblical expositors when they come to study the grand epistle. So when I see a biography come along that introduces me to the man behind the works like his Romans commentary and Redemption, Accomplished and Applied, I am helplessly drawn in.
The Life of John Murray is what we have come to expect from Ian Murray (no relation to John). It is a well-written enjoyable chronicle of the life of a significant evangelical player. Ian Murray is able to give us many details without drowning us in peripherals....[see entire review for detail of the book].
This was an enjoyable, informative and encouraging read. I am truly thankful for Ian Murray’s careful and diligent work in producing this literary documentary of one of the church’s hard working and faithful laborers.
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To read the entire review, click HERE:
For more information, or to buy this book, click HERE:

Check Out Banner's "HIDDEN TREASURES"

OK, it's ready! As of yesterday afternoon, the Banner of Truth Web site will take your "HIDDEN TREASURES" order and charge you 40%-45% LESS than normal! What's this all about? Well, it all stems back to our friend at The Bookstore at Hunter Street (Birmingham, AL) asking for a list of Banner books that haven't sold as well as others. When I asked him why, he replied, "There's no such thing as a 'bad' Banner book, so those must be hidden treasures that we need to be reminded about." So, we designed a reminder with 40%-45% discount incentive! You can check out the list and place your order by clicking HERE, but to see the mailer, email me and I'll send to you. Just a note, this does apply to this North American office of Banner, here in Carlisle, PA, USA.