The Whole Counsel

Letters That Continue to Speak VI: Thoughts on the exercise of Social Prayer

Public prayer, whether it is praying in a corporate setting or simply asking a blessing over a meal with friends, can cause many Christians to feel uncomfortable. It may be easy to think we are the only ones who feel awkward in the practice, but this has been a reality for much longer than we think. In this week’s letter from the past, Dr. John Snyder reads a helpful correspondence from John Newton on five principles to keep in mind when we have the opportunity to exercise social prayer. Far from making us wooden in our prayer or afraid to lead out in praying, these are to help us make the most of our opportunity to both glorify Christ and edify the body in which we are praying alongside. Newton’s concluding advice is helpful to have in mind as you begin this episode: “I shall be glad if these hints may be of any service to those who desire to worship God in spirit and in truth.” May it be so for us today.
We are running a giveaway this week for Select Letters of John Newton. If you already receive weekly emails from Media Gratiae, there is nothing for you to do. You are already entered. If you would like to be entered to win, you can sign up for the Media Gratiae email list below.
https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway
You can read this week's letter here:
https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/thoughts-on-the-exercise-of-public-prayer
You can read next week’s letter here:
https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/first-leter-to-mrs
Show Notes:
Watch other episodes of our letter series here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW0xuCgknPDMzuC301aRv8v3tga_psAcK
The Works of John Newton:
https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/christian-living/works-john-newton/
John Newton Introductions from Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty
https://youtu.be/m9riTq53Vg4
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
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Letters That Continue to Speak V: The Full Corn in the Ear

Dr. John Snyder has spent the last two weeks looking at John Newton’s seasons of the Christian life, which he likens to a growing stalk of corn. The Christian life starts as a blade sprouting from the soil. Then there is a small, immature, but very real fruit showing. Lastly, the season we are discussing this week is the mature Christian life. Each stage has its distinguishing marks, and this season is marked by contemplation.
The mature believer learns and grows not only by studying Scripture and applying it to his life but also by looking at how God providentially moves, convicts, and grows other believers. This growth of wisdom and maturity comes with a warning. The mature believer must beware the temptation to think of himself as more powerful in himself. It is actually the opposite. The believer is more dependent on Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
We are running a giveaway this week for Select Letters of John Newton. If you already receive weekly emails from Media Gratiae, there is nothing for you to do. You are already entered. If you would like to be entered to win, you can sign up for the Media Gratiae email list below.
https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway
You can read this week's letter here:
https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/the-full-corn-in-the-ear
You can read next week’s letter here:
https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/thoughts-on-the-exercise-of-public-prayer
Show Notes:
Grace in the Ear:
https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/grace-in-the-ear 
Grace in the Blade:
https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/grace-in-the-blade
Letter to a Student of Divinity:
https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/extract-of-a-letter-to-a-student-of-divinity
The Works of John Newton:
https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/christian-living/works-john-newton/
John Newton Introductions from Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty
https://youtu.be/m9riTq53Vg4
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 That Continue to Speak IV: Grace in the Ear

We are doing a giveaway. You can sign up for it here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway The book we are giving away can be seen here: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/letters/select-letters-of-john-newton/
If you have been following The Whole Counsel for the last few weeks, you know we are looking at helpful letters throughout Christian history. We aren’t taking the letter chronologically. Dr. John Snyder has instead opted to jump straight to the letters he has benefited most from in his life and ministry. To that end, we have begun with three letters John Newton wrote describing three phases of the Christian life: Life in the Blade, Life in Ear, and Life in the Full Corn.
This week’s episode focuses on Newton’s second letter and details the particular blessings and challenges of the “Ear” season of the Christian life. This is the time where feelings become more unreliable, and the believer is led to a deeper reliance on the objective realities of the gospel. This reliance feeds our humility, grows our prayer life, and teaches us to set the eyes of our heart on Christ and not on ourselves.
Next week’s letter:
The Full Corn in the Ear
https://www.gracegems.org/Newton/108.htm
Show Notes:
John Newton Introductions from Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty
https://youtu.be/m9riTq53Vg4
Grace in the Ear:
https://www.gracegems.org/Newton/108.htm
Grace in the Blade:
https://www.gracegems.org/Newton/108.htm
Letter to a Student of Divinity:
https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/extract-of-a-letter-to-a-student-of-divinity
The Works of John Newton:
https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/christian-living/works-john-newton/
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 That Continue to Speak III: Grace in the Blade

We are doing a giveaway (that we will announce next week). You can sign up for it here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway The book we are giving away can be seen here: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/letters/select-letters-of-john-newton/
Last week we looked at a letter from John Newton to a student studying for ministry work. This week’s letter is also from Newton, but it is general in its focus. Titled Grace in the Blade, Newton displays his shepherding heart to a young believer. He described the experience of many Christians who are babes in Christ, including the doubts, fears, encouragements, and victories.
This is not the season when a Christian is, as he says, “laden with ripe fruit,” but he rather “has a peculiar beauty in blossom.” The fruit is not fully present as it will be, but the beginnings of that fruit are being produced. The young Christian may be discouraged by this reality, but Newton says it should be encouraging because there is currently life where before there was only death. There is an interest in and a love of God where previously there was only apathy, disdain, or enmity.
For those who are further down the path of walking with Christ, Newton also offers some sweet and practical advice for walking alongside these baby Christians and helping them grow in grace.
Next week we will read the second letter of this three-installation communication letter titled Grace in the Ear. You can find the text of all the letters we have discussed in this series at the links below.
Show Notes:
Grace in the Ear:
https://www.gracegems.org/Newton/108.htm
Grace in the Blade:
https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/grace-in-the-blade
Letter to a Student of Divinity:
https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/extract-of-a-letter-to-a-student-of-divinity
The Works of John Newton:
https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/christian-living/works-john-newton/
John Newton Introductions from Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty
https://youtu.be/m9riTq53Vg4
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 That Continue to Speak II: Letter to a Student of Divinity

John Newton is best known today for his hymn, Amazing Grace. But in his day, he was better known for his letters. Christians, pastors, and others would write to him for pastoral advice. In our ongoing series about timeless letters from the past, we will spend a large percentage of our time reading his letters. In part because he was so prolific in his letter-writing. But lots of people have written lots of letters. The bigger reason we will spend so much time on his letters is that so many of them are incredibly beneficial to us.
For our first letter, we are looking at correspondence between Newton and a young man training for ministry. The young man is concerned that he is growing in knowledge, but his spiritual maturity is not keeping pace. Newton encourages him, saying this is something to be worried about, and gives practical help in continuing his pursuit of Christ.
Every week, we will spend some time introducing you to the author of the letter we are looking at. For Newton, we have a special opportunity. When creating our second study, Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty, two of the historical introductions covered the life of John Newton. To help you become better acquainted with him, we have posted those videos in the link below.
Each week, we will post the letter of focus in next week’s episode to give you a chance to read ahead if you would like. Make sure to check below for that.
Show Notes:
John Newton Introductions from Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty
https://youtu.be/m9riTq53Vg4
Next week’s letter, Grace in the Blade:
https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/grace-in-the-blade
Letter to a Student of Divinity:
https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/extract-of-a-letter-to-a-student-of-divinity
The Works of John Newton:
https://banneroftruth.org/uk/store/christian-living/works-john-newton/
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
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Letters That Continue to Speak I: How to Benefit from Reading Letters

We are beginning a new series this week on The Whole Counsel. It is a series our team has wanted to make for a long time, but we have finally decided on the best way to deliver it to you. For much of his Christian life, Dr. John Snyder has benefitted from the letters of Christians throughout history. These are far from historical curiosity or museum exhibits to be visited from time to time. They are living treasures sound in doctrine, rich in theology, and abounding in practical applications to the Christian life.
For this introductory episode, John takes some time to give you reasons to read letters and briefly introduce you to some of the letter writers we will be pulling from. John Newton is one of the most prolific letter writers we have, so we will be reading several of his letters.
Because we find these letters so helpful, we want you to be able to read them before we publish the episode discussing it. To that end, make sure you check the description of each episode where we will link to the next week’s letter for you.
Show Notes:
The Letters of John Newton ebook: https://www.monergism.com/letters-john-newton-ebook
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

Overcoming Obstacles to the Puritans

This week we have Dr. Stephen Yuille in the studio again. During his last visit, he told us about a reading challenge through George Swinnock’s The Blessed and Boundless God.
Today, Dr. Yuille and Dr. John Snyder have a broader discussion in mind. Because of his profession and experience, many people ask Dr. Yuille how they can read and benefit more from the Puritans. He sought to develop a concise, systematic, scalable answer to that question.
Instead of trying to read as much of Puritan writings as possible, Dr. Yuille encourages us to approach these spiritual giants devotionally. Just read a few pages each day.
Reformation Heritage Books Puritan Treasures for Today is a great place to start. These books have been edited and modernized to remove the language barrier so many find difficult to overcome. Dr. Yuille’s approach is to take six books and read them across six months.
The goal is not quantity of reading but quality. Read the Puritans as they intended their books to be read. Read them with your heart, not just your mind. Meditate on what you read that day. We believe, as Dr. Yuille does, this is wonderful food for your soul and your will benefit by this practice. Each of the books Dr. Yuille suggests starting with are listed below with links to where you can find them.
Want a great introduction to the Puritans? Check out our feature-length documentary Puritan: All of Life to the Glory of God - https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/puritan-all-of-life-to-the-glory-of-god-feature-edition-digital-streaming
Show Notes:
Month 1 - The Blessed and Boundless God by George Swinnock
Physical: *https://heritagebooks.org/products/the-blessed-and-boundless-god-swinnock.html*
Ebook: *https://heritagebooks.org/products/ebook-the-blessed-and-boundless-god-swinnock-puritan-treasures-for-today.html*
Month 2 - *A Perfect Redeemer *****by William Perkins
Physical: *https://heritagebooks.org/products/a-perfect-redeemer-perkins.html*
Ebook: *https://heritagebooks.org/products/ebook-a-perfect-redeemer-perkins.html*
Month 3 - All Things for Good (A Divine Cordial) by Thomas Watson
Physical: https://heritagebooks.org/products/all-things-for-good-watson.html
Month 4 - Triumphing Over Sinful Fear by John Flavel
Physical: *https://heritagebooks.org/products/triumphing-over-sinful-fear-flavel.html*
Ebook: *https://heritagebooks.org/products/ebook-triumphing-over-sinful-fear-flavel.html*
Months 5  & 6 - The Fountain of Life by John Flavel
Physical: https://heritagebooks.org/products/the-fountain-of-life-2-volumes-flavel.html
Other Titles Mentioned:
The Doctrine of Repentance by Thomas Watson
https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/the-doctrine-of-repentance/
On the Holy Spirit by John Owen
https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/the-holy-spirit/
The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer
https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-God-Updated-W-Tozer/dp/1622452968
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs
https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/the-rare-jewel-of-christian-contentment/
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
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Studies for Christ’s Under-Shepherds I: Introducing a New Study

This week, we are happy to announce a new project from the personal study of Dr. John Snyder. This study originated from a desperation within John’s own heart. It deals with the life of a person whom God trusts with leadership in his kingdom.
Titled Studies for Christ’s Under-Shepherds, this 11-week study is a series of talks by Dr. Snyder to a group of ministers local to New Albany, Mississippi. This group has met together for several years to read, study, and pray together. John asked the men if he could take several weeks to focus on this topic, and they were eager to be a part.
As of Friday, July 18, 2025, this study will be available to everyone for free. While it was taught with the pastor in mind, its application reaches much further. We believe that deacons, Sunday school teachers, parents, and anyone with the opportunity to disciple a young believer will benefit from this study. At the end of this podcast, we have attached the first several moments of session one to give you a sense of what the full study will be like.
One notable difference between this study and others is its interactive nature. After each teaching session, the men who were attending had an opportunity to ask John questions. For a limited time, we want you to have a similar chance. While you are going through the study, you will be given opportunities to submit your questions to John. John may not be able to answer every question, but we will choose some we believe to be of the widest benefit and answer them in a future podcast episode.
Show Notes:
mediagratiae.org/studies-for-undershepherds
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
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J. C. Ryle Children’s Sermon: Seeking the Lord Early

We spent the previous several weeks discussing Charles Spurgeon’s small work on the weighty responsibility of parents and Sunday school teachers. While we covered everything Spurgeon said in that series, we wanted to leave the topic with an example of how we can speak to our children about eternal issues. To that end, we pull help from a contemporary of Spurgeon, an Anglican bishop named J. C. Ryle.
Dr. John Snyder is joined again by his wife Misty as they look through a book of sermons for children preached by Ryle. The book is published under several titles and it is linked below. But the particular sermon they focus on is called “Seeking the Lord Early.”
In this sermon, we see many of the principles discussed during earlier weeks but applied in ways that make our appreciation of Ryle grow deeper. He utilizes the character of God, the promises and warnings of Scripture to draw children’s hearts to Christ. We pray the content of this episode is an encouragement to you to read the sermons and consider afresh how to help your children seek Christ early.
Show Notes:
J. C. Ryle Addresses to Children: https://www.christianbook.com/two-bears-and-other-addresses-children/j-c-ryle/9781583391051/pd/391052
Leading Little Ones to God by Marian Schoolland:
https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/leading-little-ones-to-god-marian-schoolland-9780802851208
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

Reformation Heritage Book and a Puritan Reading Challenge

On this week’s episode of The Whole Counsel, Dr. John Snyder is joined by Dr. Stephen Yuille. Dr. Yuille has been with us before when he produced a study on the book of Galatians (https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/gospel-realities-lessons-from-galatians).
He is in the studio this week with us because he just filmed a new study focusing on the Sermon on Mount. Make sure you are following us for updates on that study. But for this episode, we wanted to have him on to discuss his role with Reformation Heritage Book and a new summer reading challenge they started on June 30. This reading challenge consists of a chapter of George Swinnock’s The Blessed and Boundless God every day. The chapters are short and approachable. The book has been slightly edited with updated language to make it accessible to everyone. We highly encourage you to visit the link below and participate in the reading challenge.
Show Notes:
Reformation Heritage Books: https://heritagebooks.org/
Blessed and Boundless God by George Swinnock: https://heritagebooks.org/products/the-blessed-and-boundless-god-swinnock.html
Summer Reading Challenge: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PV73J_bsiy7Zd5wV9_fYlcjXPUeea99Udg8TRV07chI/edit?gid=0#gid=0
Puritan Treasures for Today: https://heritagebooks.org/PuritanTreasures
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