Book Reviews

This is a glorious book on a glorious subject. The prince of preachers Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) outlines seven great achievements that Jesus Christ won for us. Christ, he explains, is the end of the law, the conqueror of Satan, the overcomer of the world, the maker of all things new, the spoiler of principalities and […]

John Flavel was a 17th century puritan preacher and writer. This small book consists of nearly 400 brief extracts from his works. It is a wonderful hors d’oeuvres—full of tasty titbits. To whet your appetite here are some quotes: How soon would faith freeze without a cross? Bear your cross therefore with joy. If I […]

As one who a number of years ago greatly enjoyed and benefitted from reading the biography of Benjamin M. Palmer,1 it is a great treat now to be able to read this selection of his popular writings,2 originally written for The Southwestern Presbyterian (1869-70). Palmer’s is the kind of writing that does not quickly date, […]

The Presbyterian Church in Scotland is heir to a rich theological tradition, and one of the glories of that tradition is its passion for the doctrine of the atonement. There were several reasons for this. One was that our preachers took with deadly seriousness Paul’s directive, ‘we preach Christ crucified’. Another was the nature of […]

Reading Benjamin Morgan Palmer is like finding a rare jewel. His gripping style, theological acuteness, pastoral brilliance, and warm sympathy with sinners combine in a way that makes his kind scarce, even among great authors. He is in the list of my top four ‘mighty men’ in the faith whom we should prioritize reading above […]

Dr. William Robinson was a minister and theologian whose life spanned most of the 20th century. He was a professor at Columbia Theological Seminary from 1926 to 1982. As a staunch believer in the doctrines of grace as set out in the Westminster Confession of Faith, Dr Robinson fought a long but ultimately unsuccessful battle […]

‘Murray’s writing encourages the reader to be a thinking Christian, discerning the signs of the times. As a good historian he not only educates us about the past but applies to the present. As a good preacher he not only teaches us but also challenges us. As a good author he is not only clear […]

Church historian Prof David Calhoun is well known as the author of a significant two-volume history of Princeton Seminary1, 2 and now is the biographer of Dr William Childs Robinson, a man who had a great influence for good in the Southern Presbyterian Church as Lecturer in Historical Theology at Columbia Seminary (1926-67).3 A 126-page […]

This is an excellent addition to Banner of Truth’s “Let’s Study” series. Like all the others this book seeks to combine explanation of the text with application. Mark Johnson admirably succeeds in this clear and concise commentary. He shows that Paul was writing to a relatively young church that was being destabilised by a mixture […]

Dr Nick Willborn, editor of the Trust’s recent new title Selected Writings of Benjamin Morgan Palmer, is interviewed by William Hill on the Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary podcast Confessing Our Hope.

Book Review: Beginning Biblical Hebrew: A Grammar And Illustrated Reader, John A. Cook and Robert D. Holmstedt [Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013], 324 pages, paperback, ISBN 978 0 80104 886 9. Of the writing of Hebrew textbooks there is no end, and each new production requires explanation and justification. The authors claim that what sets […]

Sometimes a book surprises the Christian as he reads. A smallish paperback, a modest cover, an eclectic name1 might not at first glance cry: ‘Read me! Read me!’. But when the author’s name is Iain Murray, the Banner men will be eager enough to read it. They know that the modest presentation belies the strength […]

This book consists of five recent addresses given by Iain Murray the veteran preacher and co-founder of Banner of Truth. The messages cover a wide range of issues: evangelical holiness, the Bible, apostasy, controversy and the fourth commandment. Mr Murray shows in each message how important the subject is and carefully and clearly teaches using […]

Surely the best books are those that keep close to Scripture, and we have never known a book that keeps closer than this. The Christian’s Great Enemy1 opens up, explains and applies 1 Peter 5:8-11 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may […]

In this small book the author makes the argument for teaching children the catechism regularly from a young age, quoting many well-known theologians as he goes along. The author discusses the history and strengths of the catechism (specifically the Westminster Shorter Catechism), but it is when he writes about its structure and the way it […]