John Murray was one of the outstanding Reformed theologians of the 1900s. Earnest and serious, he was also deeply affectionate and much beloved of his students and colleagues. On the 50th anniversary of his death in 1975 we take time to consider his life, theology, and legacy to us today.

Featured Resources:

– Excerpt from Iain Murray, 'John Murray: A Memorial with Tributes' in Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 143–4 (August/September 1975), Chapter 4, 'Glimpses of Work in the War Years', p. 45–49. N.B. Iain Murray's Life of John Murray (v. i.) represents an enlargement of this memorial with additional information.

– Tribute to Professor Murray by Geoffrey Thomas, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 143–4 (August/September 1975), p. 75–80.

– Murray, John, 'The Death of Christ' in The Collected Writings of John Murray: Volume 1, The Claims of Truth (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1976, 2024), p. 36–40.

Note:

Professor Murray's response to Geoff Thomas' question about whether the New Testament teaches that every Christian should witness for his Saviour:

'Later in the week he came to me after a lecture and gave me a piece of paper with these textual references written upon it: Acts 8:4; 18:26; 1 Cor. 1:5, 17; 1 Cor. 2:1–5; 1 Cor. 4:15; 1 Cor. 11:4, 5; 2 Cor. 3:8–12; compared with 1 Cor. 4:13; 2 Cor. 5:12, 18, 19; 2 Cor. 8:7; Eph. 4:15, 29; Eph. 5:11; Eph. 6:17; Phil. 1:14–18; 1 Thess. 1:8; Titus 2:3, 4; 1 Peter 3:15.'

Cover art: juxtaposition of a view of Loch Migdale, looking east towards Badbea (pron. 'Bad-bay'), and a picture of Professor Murray taken at a Banner of Truth ministers' conference in Leicester, c. 1965.

Further Reading:

Murray, Iain H., The Life of John Murray (Paperback, 240 pages)

Murray, John, Collected Writings of John Murray (4-volume clothbound set, 1224 pages)

— Volume 1: The Claims of Truth (Clothbound, 388 pages)

— Volume 2: Systematic Theology (Clothbound, 428 pages)

— Volume 3: Life, Sermons, Reviews (Clothbound, 404 pages)

— Volume 4: Studies in Theology (Clothbound, 400 pages)

Murray, John, The Free Offer of the Gospel (Booklet, 32 pages)

Murray, John, Redemption Accomplished and Applied (Paperback, 200 pages)

Digging Deeper:

Listen to Dr. Donald John Maclean's lecture on The Theological Method of John Murray (at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary).

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org

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Robert Murray M'Cheyne died at the age of 29. Yet his life continues to inspire the servants of Christ today, and his passion for holiness, and sincere godliness, stand as a testament to the grace of God made effective in an otherwise weak man.

This week we look at M'Cheyne from three angles, taking in the shape of his life, the character of his labours, and finally the special love he had for the Jewish people.

Featured Resources:

– David Campbell, 'Robert Murray M'Cheyne: The Beauty of Holiness', Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 700 (January 2022).

– Keith Walker, 'Robert Murray M'Cheyne: Saint and Preacher (2)', Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 247 (April 1984).

– Excerpt from Memoir and Remains of Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1844; repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2024), 'To Rev. R. Macdonald of Blairgowrie', from page 268.

Further Reading:

Andrew Bonar, Memoir and Remains of Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1844; repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2024). Clothbound, 664 pages.

Andrew Bonar, Robert Murray M'Cheyne (paperback edition of Bonar's Memoir as it appears in Memoir and Remains of Robert Murray M'Cheyne. Paperback, 192 pages.

Sermons of Robert Murray M'Cheyne. Paperback, 196 pages.

Old Testament Sermons of Robert Murray M'Cheyne. Clothbound, 183 pages.

New Testament Sermons of Robert Murray M'Cheyne. Clothbound, 321 pages.

Sermons on Hebrews, Robert Murray M'Cheyne. Clothbound, 198 pages.

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Christian believers will be tempted to sin. How are we to understand what goes on in temptation? Where is God when we are tempted? How do we lay hold of the resources to resist and come through these times of agony?

These and other crucial questions are considered in this week's episode.

Featured Resources:

– 'Lead Us Not Into Temptation', Sinclair B. Ferguson, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 145 (October 1975).

– Excerpt from William Bridge, A Lifting Up for the Downcast (1649; repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2024), Chapter 7, 'A Lifting Up in the Case of Temptation', p. 214–220.

Further Reading:

Bridge, William, A Lifting Up for the Downcast

Gurnall, William, The Christian in Complete Armour (single volume or abridged in three paperback volumes)

Owen, John, Temptation Resisted and Repulsed (abridged and made easy to read by Richard Rushing)

Owen, John, The Mortification of Sin (abridged and made easy to read by Richard Rushing)

Owen, John, Works, Volume 6: Sin and Temptation (includes full text of On the Mortification of Sin in Believers, Of Temptation, Indwelling Sin, and A Practical Exposition of Psalm 130)

Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org

Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine

Leave us your feedback or a testimony: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast