The Whole Counsel

Letters of Samuel Rutherford VIII: Make Your Choice

This week we continue our study through the letters of Samuel Rutherford by looking at the cost Rutherford paid for following Christ faithfully. Dr. John Snyder gives an overview of Rutherford’s turbulent life, including his imprisonment, exile from his congregation, work at St. Andrews, influence at the Westminster Assembly, and his final years under house arrest awaiting trial for treason.
From those seasons of suffering came some of Rutherford’s richest letters. In this episode, we read selections where Rutherford calls Christians to make their choice clearly: Christ or the world. Again and again, Rutherford compares the passing pleasures of sin and worldly comfort with the surpassing worth of Jesus Christ.
Rutherford’s words are not theoretical. They come from a man who lost family, freedom, reputation, and security, yet still testified that Christ was worth every sorrow. His counsel remains deeply relevant for believers today as we count the cost of following Christ in a world that continually calls us elsewhere.
Show Notes
Kingdom Life: Studies in the Sermon on the Mount: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/kingdom-life
The Life of Samuel Rutherford by Andrew Thomson: https://www.amazon.com/Samuel-Rutherford-Andrew-Thomson/dp/1164013874
Samuel Rutherford and His Friends by Faith Cook: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/ebooks/samuel-rutherford-and-his-friends/
Letters of Samuel Rutherford: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/letters/letters-of-samuel-rutherford/
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Letters of Samuel Rutherford VII: When Christ Comes with a Cross

Samuel Rutherford’s letters are filled with counsel for Christians walking through suffering, affliction, persecution, and grief. Having endured imprisonment, bereavement, sickness, and deep ecclesiastical conflict, Rutherford wrote not as a detached theologian, but as a pastor acquainted with sorrow.
In this episode of The Whole Counsel Podcast, we examine Rutherford’s teaching on Christian suffering and the believer’s union with Christ in trials. Looking at passages such as Matthew 5, Romans 5, and James 1, we consider how Scripture speaks of joy in tribulation, sanctification through affliction, and the temporary nature of earthly crosses.
Rutherford reminds believers that Christ often comes with a cross, but never without purpose. Trials loosen our grip on the world, expose remaining sin, and conform us to the image of Christ. Yet suffering is not permanent. As Rutherford wrote, “Christ and his cross part ways at heaven’s door.”
Show Notes
Kingdom Life: Studies in the Sermon on the Mount: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/kingdom-life
The Life of Samuel Rutherford by Andrew Thomson: https://www.amazon.com/Samuel-Rutherford-Andrew-Thomson/dp/1164013874
You can read the letter here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/blog/samuel-rutherfords-9-marks-of-a-true-christian
Life of Samuel Rutherford by Andrew Thompson
Sign up for the giveaway: https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway
Samuel Rutherford and His Friends by Faith Cook: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/ebooks/samuel-rutherford-and-his-friends/
Letters of Samuel Rutherford: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/letters/letters-of-samuel-rutherford/
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Letters of Samuel Rutherford VI: The Love and Loveliness of Christ

In this episode of The Whole Counsel Podcast, Dr. John Snyder returns to the letters of Samuel Rutherford to consider a central theme of his writings, the love and loveliness of Christ.
Drawing from The Life of Samuel Rutherford by Andrew Thompson, this episode highlights Rutherford’s emphasis on experiential Christianity, where truth is not only understood but lived.
Rutherford presents Christ as beyond comparison, infinitely full and endlessly satisfying. His letters illustrate both the greatness of Christ’s love and our incapability of expressing it. Yet Christ remains an inexhaustible well, never diminished by the needs of his people.
He also reminds us that Christ himself is the glory of heaven, the one who makes eternity desirable. As reflected in the hymn by Anne Cousin (The Sands of Time Are Sinking), the focus is not the crown, but the King.
Next week, we will consider Rutherford’s teaching on suffering and the cross in light of Christ’s surpassing worth.
Show Notes
Kingdom Life: Studies in the Sermon on the Mount: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/kingdom-life
The Life of Samuel Rutherford by Andrew Thomson: https://www.amazon.com/Samuel-Rutherford-Andrew-Thomson/dp/1164013874
You can read the letter here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/blog/samuel-rutherfords-9-marks-of-a-true-christian
Life of Samuel Rutherford by Andrew Thompson
Sign up for the giveaway: https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway
Samuel Rutherford and His Friends by Faith Cook: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/ebooks/samuel-rutherford-and-his-friends/
Letters of Samuel Rutherford: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/letters/letters-of-samuel-rutherford/
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Letters of Samuel Rutherford V: Am I What I Say I Am?

We appreciate you giving us time to prepare new studies and to let you know about the study with Dr. Stephen Yuille that we just released. You can find more information about that study in the show notes.
But this week Dr. John Snyder returns to the letters of Samuel Rutherford. As Dr. Snyder says, those we read can become lifelong friends and counselors who speak truth to us in times of need. This is particularly true of Samuel Rutherford. While he did write polemical works, he is especially remembered for his warm and compelling descriptions of Christ and for his helpful words regarding the sanctification of the Christian.
In this week’s letter, Rutherford presents nine evidences of saving faith. He is helping us answer the question, “Am I truly the Christian I say I am?” Every Christian experiences uncertainty in particular seasons, and many experience it without realizing how common it is. This letter is written for them.
Rutherford calls us to consider whether these evidences are present in our lives:
A willingness to prize Christ above all things
Obedience that is driven by love and not fear
Humility and self-denial
A profession of faith that is accompanied by good works
A desire to live for God’s honor in all things
A genuine hatred of sin
A careful commitment to biblical truth and worship
Conscientiousness in everyday calling and relationships
A life marked by habitual prayer
As we listen to or read this letter (linked in the show notes), we pray God uses these evidences to both encourage and convict us, strengthening true assurance and directing us again to Christ.
Show Notes
Kingdom Life: Sutdies in the Sermon on the Mount: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/kingdom-life
You can read the letter here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/blog/samuel-rutherfords-9-marks-of-a-true-christian
Life of Samuel Rutherford by Andrew Thompson
Sign up for the giveaway: https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway
Samuel Rutherford and His Friends by Faith Cook: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/ebooks/samuel-rutherford-and-his-friends/
Letters of Samuel Rutherford: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/letters/letters-of-samuel-rutherford/
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Kingdom Life: A New Study from Media Gratiae

For the past two weeks, we’ve mentioned an upcoming study with Jeremy Walker. This week, we’re pleased to announce that our new study with Dr. Stephen Yuille is now available.
Dr. Yuille’s study focuses on the longest recorded sermon of Jesus Christ—the Sermon on the Mount. In this episode, Dr. John Snyder asks Dr. Yuille about the personal impact this portion of Scripture has had on his life and why he chose to teach it. The conversation then turn to how God has used it in Dr. Snyder’s ministry in shaping the life of Christ Church New Albany over the years.
You can find more information about the study at the link in the show notes.
Show Notes:
Kingdom Life: Sutdies in the Sermon on the Mount: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/kingdom-life
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Praying Together III: Priming the Pump (Originally Published 4.10.25)

As we mentioned last week, Media Gratiae is currently producing a new study with Jeremy Walker. We’re excited about this project and will share more details with you in the coming months. This week we bring you the final conversation between Jeremy Walker and Teddy James on the corporate prayer service. While last week’s episode focused on preparing the heart for gathered prayer, this week turns to the practical side: How can a church begin a regular prayer service if it doesn’t have one? And once it exists, how can we participate more faithfully—whether leading out or following along? We pray this episode equips and encourages you, your family, and your church as you approach the throne of grace together.
Show Notes:
The Corporate Prayer Service Sermons:
Leading in Prayer: https://youtu.be/WjI_2I8O5Do
Engage in Prayer: https://youtu.be/pLCHOFliU7Q
Piercing Heaven - https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/piercing-heaven-prayers-of-the-puritans-9781683593348?variant=31497830793278
Valley of Vision - https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/
Prayer by John Bunyan - https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/prayer-by-john-bunyan/
A Way to Pray (A Method of Prayer) by Matthew Henry - https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/way-to-pray/
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Praying Together I: Digging the Well (Originally Published 03.27.25)

This week, we began work on a new Media Gratiae study by Jeremy Walker on the topic of killing sin. We always find Jeremy’s teaching careful, warm-hearted, and helpful. We are excited to start this new project with him.
Last year, Jeremy joined Teddy James on our podcast to discuss a sermon series Jeremy preached to his congregation at Maidenbower Baptist Church in England. The theme was the corporate prayer service. We are rebroadcasting the final few episodes we recorded with Jeremy on the topic. If you would like to hear more from this podcast series or the full sermons, we invite you to check the link in the Show Notes.
 
The Corporate Prayer Service Sermons:
Leading in Prayer: https://youtu.be/WjI_2I8O5Do
Engage in Prayer: https://youtu.be/pLCHOFliU7Q
How to ruin your spiritual life sermon series - https://www.sermonaudio.com/series/185833
A Word in Season - https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts-1/a-word-in-season
From the Heart of Spurgeon Podcast - https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts-1/from-the-heart-of-spurgeon
Some of our favorite books by Jeremy:
Life in Christ - https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/life-in-christ-becoming-and-being-a-disciple-of-the-lord-jesus-christ-walker.html The Brokenhearted Evangelist - https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/the-brokenhearted-evangelist-walker.html
Books by Jeremy Walker at Reformation Heritage Books: https://www.heritagebooks.org/Search.html#/Search.html?search=Jeremy+Walker
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Letters of Samuel Rutherford IV: Assurance of Faith

This week we continue reading from the prison letters of Samuel Rutherford. Though he was suffering under house arrest, Rutherford never lost his pastoral concern for his people.
Many in his day had been baptized into the national church and assumed themselves to be Christians. Yet Rutherford recognized that outward identification did not necessarily mean true conversion. As a result, many were left either with false assurance or deep uncertainty, and they turned to him for help.
In this letter, Rutherford offers careful and tender counsel on the nature of assurance. Drawing from 1 John, he points to evidences of grace within the believer, including a growing awareness of sin and a genuine grief over it. Importantly, he shows that such grief is not a sign of spiritual death, but may in fact be evidence of spiritual life.
At the same time, Rutherford is careful to direct the believer away from resting in these inward evidences. Our assurance is not grounded in the strength of our faith, the depth of our repentance, or the intensity of our feelings. It rests ultimately in Christ himself—his life, his death, and his resurrection on behalf of sinners.
This episode is both searching and comforting, reminding us to take sin seriously while fixing our eyes firmly on Christ.
Don’t forget to use the link below to sign up for our giveaway featuring books on Samuel Rutherford.
Show Notes
Sign up for the giveaway: https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway
Samuel Rutherford and His Friends by Faith Cook: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/ebooks/samuel-rutherford-and-his-friends/
Letters of Samuel Rutherford: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/letters/letters-of-samuel-rutherford/
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Letters of Samuel Rutherford III: Dark World, Fair Jesus

In this week’s episode, John Snyder continues exploring the letters of Samuel Rutherford. Rutherford is known for his poetic descriptions of Christ. Even when his life was difficult, he continued to speak of Christ’s worth and beauty.
In this letter to a young Christian, Rutherford gives counsel in two main areas. He urges him to seek Christ early. He also shows why Christ is worthy to be followed at any cost.
First, he tells the young man to give Christ his “virgin love.” This means giving Christ the first and best of his affections. His heart should not be claimed by lesser loves.
Then Rutherford explains why Christ deserves this kind of devotion. He points to the beauty of creation. He speaks of the sun, the moon, and the stars. Then he stops and corrects himself. Compared to Christ, even these are not truly beautiful. What once seemed bright is dark next to Him.
Rutherford’s goal is simple. He wants us to see Christ as He truly is. When we do, everything else changes.
We pray this episode lifts your view of Christ and helps you seek Him, no matter what you face today.
Show Notes
Samuel Rutherford and His Friends by Faith Cook: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/ebooks/samuel-rutherford-and-his-friends/
Letters of Samuel Rutherford: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/letters/letters-of-samuel-rutherford/
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Letters of Samuel Rutherford II: No Poison in Christ’s Cup

This week on The Whole Counsel, Dr. John Snyder continues our series on the great letterwriters in Christendom: Letters of Samuel Rutherford. After introducing the Scottish Puritan pastor last episode, we now focus on his deep friendship with Marion McNaught, a godly woman who encouraged her family, supported Rutherford during trials, and even mentored others amid persecution.
Marion traveled far to hear Rutherford preach because, as she beautifully put it: “Though other ministers show me the majesty of God and the plague of my own heart, Mr. Samuel does both these things, but he also shows me as no other minister ever does the loveliness of Christ.”
In one poignant letter from a time of intense trial (as Rutherford faces exile and separation from his flock), he urges her: “Swim through your temptations and troubles to be at that lovely, amiable person, Jesus.” These aren’t mere words, Rutherford lived upon this truth, finding Christ sufficient even in suffering and heaviness of heart.
If this stirs your soul for more of Rutherford’s Christ-centered comfort and the lives of those around him, pick up Faith Cook’s Samuel Rutherford and His Friends (Banner of Truth). It brings fresh insight into the people who received these treasures.
Show Notes
Samuel Rutherford and His Friends by Faith Cook: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/ebooks/samuel-rutherford-and-his-friends/
Letters of Samuel Rutherford: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/letters/letters-of-samuel-rutherford/
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app