Category Archives: Banner of Truth

Christianity. It’s who you know.

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“Christianity is all centered in a person” said Archibald G. (Archie) Brown, the great preacher who followed Spurgeon in London at the end of the 19th century. The quotation goes on to say this… 

“Conversion is not a mere change of human opinion; it is the devotion of heart to a person. A converted man is not a man who just changes his views concerning certain facts, or theories, or doctrines, but he is a man whose heart has become devoted to a living Christ. ‘He is altogether lovely.’ It is ‘he’.  Oh, may God take the impersonal pronoun out of our religion! All your religion, if it is worth anything, will just be centered in a living personal Jesus. Your doctrines will all come from him — your motives will all be found in him, our joys in him, your acceptance in him, your completeness in him.”

 

~ Archibald G. Brown (1844-1922), in “Love’s Exclamation”

This quote is at the front of a new book of Brown’s sermons called “The Face of Jesus Christ” just published by The Banner of Truth Trust.

The have also just published a fine new biography of the preacher, who’s so little known in our day. It’s written by Iain H Murray. I’ll have more to say on the biography in the days ahead. It’s so good, I can hardly put it down!

~ pdb

Banner of Truth Ministers’ Conference

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I was privileged to attend my 21st annual Banner of Truth Ministers’ Conference this past week in Pennsylvania with about 250 other men. Although it was held in a new venue (Elizabethtown College) the format was the same, and the majority of the faces were longtime friends. It did seem that a record number of “first time attenders” were present, and I thank God for the growing interest in historic, experiential Christianity.

The conference theme was “The Glory of Christ” and speakers included Dr Sinclair Ferguson (always worthlistening to), Fred Malone, Jonathan Master (professor at Philadelphia Bible Univ.), Ian Hamilton, Iain Murray (a co-founder of Banner, former pastor and superb author), and Dennis Prutrow (professor of homiletics at RPTS).

Highlights for me were Ferguson’s two addresses on the high-priesthood of Jesus Christ, and Iain Murray’s address on William Tyndale, very inspiring. Of course, my frequent visits to the Banner of Truth “book room” (and friends Rob Wiley, John Rawlinson, and the crew) were most enjoyable! My primary purchase was a long-awaited acquisition of the six volume Works of (puritan) John Flavel. I also profited from talks with author Jim Garretson and as a result picked-up his new “Princeton and the Work of the Christian Ministry” (in two-volumes).

These times of conference — with great worship, passionate preaching, fellowship, and time for reflection – are always useful in refreshing my spirit and strengthening my resolve for serving in the ministry. The long drive home was filled with much thanksgiving and praise to our Lord for His grace and blessing in my life, and for the opportunity to serve Him in Clifton Park, NY.

It is well with my soul.
pdb