The Whole Counsel

Lex Rex | Navigating the Classics

If you have listened to The Whole Counsel for any length of time or gone through the Behold Your God studies, you know that Dr. John Snyder has great appreciation and affection for Samuel Rutherford. But he doesn’t appreciate of Rutherford’s work equally. In fact, there is one book that he calls, “My least favorite book from my favorite Puritan.” That work is Lex Rex.
Lex Rex: The Law and the Prince, though John’s least favorite, is an incredibly important work by the Scottish minister. It was influential not just in his own day (published in 1644) but also in today’s legal realm. Many lawyers and legal practictioners have found the content to be incredibly helpful in defining, description, and developing the proper boundaries for government and individual liberty.
With John not being well versed in this book, we have called into two men who have both read, benefited, and used this work in their professions. Those who have followed The Whole Counsel have already met Steve Crampton. Steve is a lawyer who has argued cases before the Supreme Court. He specializes in religious liberty litigation and has worked with several organizations across his storied career.
But new to our listeners this week is Chris Green. Chris is a Professor of Law and Jame L. Whitten Char in Law and Government at the University of Mississippi. He was educated at Notre Dame, Yale, and Princeton. He is the author of several books focuses on constitutional law.
In this episode of Navigating the Classics, the trio walk through the historical setting of Lex Rex, the biblical philosophis that undergird the work, and lastly they bring this 500-year-old work into current events helping us see how we as contemporary Christians are to both submit to and, when necessary, stand against governing powers.
If you want to step into reading Samuel Rutherford, but aren’t quite ready to the giant work that is Lex Rex, we recommend “The Loveliness of Christ:” https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/the-loveliness-of-christ/
If you would like to read through Lex Rex:
Physical and ebook: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BHKNF88/ref=x_gr_bb_kindle?caller=Goodreads&tag=x_gr_bb_kindle-20
Free ebook: https://www.monergism.com/lex-rex-ebook

The Autumn of Life VI: Intentionality Before the Edge of the Grave

This is our final look at the five letters of Archibald Alexander written to those in the Autumn of Life. In this last letter, Alexander wants to teach his readers how to prepare to end their lives well and it perhaps the most applicable letter to those who are far from the grave.
Alexander starts the letter by saying we can be best prepared for death by living intentionally, walking closely to our Savior while we still have the vigor of health. He gives us some great help in how we walk the path Christ has set before us in confidence and holiness.
But there is another important point Alexander makes. When we know our end is coming near, it is easy to lose assurance that we are Christ’s and Christ is ours. Alexander points out that it isn’t assurance we should seek, but the face of Christ Himself. If we do that, not only will we gain assurance, we will obtain much more. A good test for our souls to see whether we are seeking assurance or Christ Himself is to note if we slacken our pace when we are certain, or if we press on.
While we had hoped to give away a biography of Archibald, it is currently unavailable. In its stead, we are giving away five pamphlets of the letters published by Log College Press: https://www.logcollegepress.com/shop/aging-in-grace-letters-to-those-in-the-autumn-of-life. You can sign up for the giveaway here https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway
You can read his “Letters to the Aged” online here: https://gracegems.org/26/letters_to_the_aged.htm
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

The Autumn of Life V: More Bitter than Death

Death is always a difficult topic for conversation. But Archibald Alexander focuses on the reality of death in this week’s letter to those in the autumn of life. John Snyder, using Alexander’s letters helps us see what can make death particularly bitter and how to seek comfort in times of intense distress.
Alexander also shares his pastoral wisdom with us regarding improper ways of dealing with those who have died in an unknown spiritual state. There are times we are not to pronounce them sainted or damned. We must trust the judgment of Christ and be careful with our wording. But he goes further to address the reality of deathbed conversions and how we are to think of them.
Lastly, Alexander points us to the One who is our only comfort in life and death. We can hold up the torch of Scripture on our path to the grave and be confident in our steps leading to our eternity with our Savior.
While we had hoped to give away a biography of Archibald, it is currently unavailable. In its stead, we are giving away five pamphlets of the letters published by Log College Press: https://www.logcollegepress.com/shop/aging-in-grace-letters-to-those-in-the-autumn-of-life. You can sign up for the giveaway here https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway
You can read his “Letters to the Aged” online here: https://gracegems.org/26/letters_to_the_aged.htm
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

The Autumn of Life IV: Duties Incumbent to the Aged

It is a common refrain, “That’s a young man’s work.” But the opposite is true in God’s economy. There is some work reserved for those who have had the Book of Providence (Letter One) opened to them. In this week’s episode, John Snyder is discussing Archibald Alexander’s third letter to elderly Christians focusing on the work God has laid before them.
Alexander says that time seems to be going by faster and faster. And while we see the signs of aging in the mirror, our minds want to believe we are still young and full of physical ability. We aren’t. We simply can’t do what we once could. While that could be a source of discomfort and even jealousy, to allow our souls to wallow in would be to miss the opportunity God has given for this specific time of life.
The elderly Christian has the opportunity to please God in obedience and prayer. While Christians today can often overlook these two simple offerings to God, Alexander says they are great gifts God is pleased to accept. He gives us specific things we can be doing and praying to be a blessing our families, our churches, and our world.
While we had hoped to give away a biography of Archibald, it is currently unavailable. In its stead, we are giving away five pamphlets of the letters published by Log College Press: https://www.logcollegepress.com/shop/aging-in-grace-letters-to-those-in-the-autumn-of-life. You can sign up for the giveaway here https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway
You can read his “Letters to the Aged” online here: https://gracegems.org/26/letters_to_the_aged.htm
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

The Autumn of Life III: God’s Advantages to Older Believers

As we age, the body becomes weaker and our sense of usefulness can wane. But this is a lie of the enemy. God has given older believers a gift not available to those young in years. The Book of Providence, as Archibald Alexander coins it, is the ability to look back over years of your life and see God’s hand moving you to where you are, even before you were a Christian.
In this week’s episode, John Snyder discusses Archibald Alexander’s second letter to those in the autumn of life. Archibald’s wisdom is not just for those who are in the twilight years of life. His words carry much practical application for the young as well. We pray it is a blessing to you.
While we had hoped to give away a biography of Archibald, it is currently unavailable. In its stead, we are giving away five pamphlets of the letters published by Log College Press: https://www.logcollegepress.com/shop/aging-in-grace-letters-to-those-in-the-autumn-of-life. You can sign up for the giveaway here https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway
You can read his “Letters to the Aged” online here: https://gracegems.org/26/letters_to_the_aged.htm
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

The Autumn of Life II: Your Pursuit Isn’t Over

 
This week we begin looking at the letters of Archibald Alexander to those in the autumn of their lives. We have an enemy who whispers many lies that can be effective in slowing down the Christian’s pace or cause us to turn our eyes away from Christ.
One such lie is that when the body becomes frail and weak, we have nothing we can offer the local church. Nothing could be further from the truth. Those in the later years have a great deal to offer their local congregations and Alexander gives us some examples to look for.
Another lie leads to ungodly introspectiveness and false repentance. We can somberly look back at our lives, at the time wasted or sins committed and feel regret. But there is hope even in those circumstances. Christ can redeem even that. Alexander, in a very pastoral way, puts our gaze upon our only Hope, Christ Jesus.
We are giving a copy of Archibald Alexander’s book away at the end of this podcast series. Make sure you are signed up to win the giveaway by clicking here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway
If you want to get a copy of book before the series is over, check it out here from The Banner of Truth: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/thoughts-on-religious-experience/
You can read his “Letters to the Aged” online here: https://gracegems.org/26/letters_to_the_aged.htm
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts

The Autumn of Life I: Archibald Alexander

Sign up for the giveaway here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway
Archibald Alexander was a pastor, theologian, and president of Princeton Seminary in the early-mid 1800s. He was deeply effected by the Great Awakening and was careful in his understanding and teaching of the theology of revival during his day.
While there are a great many of his writings we could spend time discussing, we want to begin a new series this week honing in on five letters he wrote while ministering to those “in the autumn of life.”
But before we get into the content of his letters, we want to introduce you to Archibald himself. He was a rare mixture of intellect and heart. That reality comes through in his writing and ministry.
For this series we will be doing two giveaways. The first will be this week where we are giving away one copy of Revival and Revivalism by Ian Murray. We have spoken of this book before. If you don’t have a copy, sign up to enter to win this one. If you already have a copy, sign up to win this one just to give it away to a friend. It is a very helpful work to explain the development of our current religious culture.
You can sign up for the giveaway here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway
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

Revival Documentaries with Dan Pugh

Dan Pugh has been a friend to Media Gratiae almost from our beginning. He is an independent director and filmmaker based out of Wales in the United Kingdom. Over the last few years, Dan has produced two feature-length documentaries focusing on the theme of revival. The first, Revival: The Work of God (https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/revival-documentary-dvd-streaming.html) was made in partnership with Reformation Heritage Books and covers the history and theology of revival. The second project, Welsh Awakenings: The Story of God’s Work in Wales (https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/welsh-awakenings-the-story-of-gods-work-in-wales?_pos=4&_sid=4bde9523e&_ss=r), was funded by donors and tells the story of the revivals in Wales. The tiny nation is well-known for its numerous revivals throughout the centuries. So if you have ever wanted to learn more about the theme of revival, or be exposed to what God did in Wales over the last few centuries in revival, we believe these two resources are a great place to start.
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

How to Begin with Puritans: An Interview with Dr. Stephen Yuille

Last year Dr. John Snyder spent a great deal of time in his personal study on Psalm 119. In looking for helpful resources in studying this psalm, he came across a modern book called Great Spoil by a writer he was unfamiliar with, Stephen Yuille. After reading Great Spoil and finding it particularly warm, helpful, and devotional, John decided to check out more of Dr. Yuille's work and was continually helped by his writings. We wanted to take an episode and introduce you to Dr. Yuille's writing, ministry, and the Puritans he has been most influenced by.
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

Fall 2023 Supporter Update

We are grateful for the Lord's provision throughout 2023. We have been blessed with very encouraging supporters and we have been able to invest in creating materials we pray God will be pleased to use in churches and families.
 
If you would like more information about becoming a supporter and helping us make careful, Christ-honoring material, visit https://www.mediagratiae.org/give