The Whole Counsel

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

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

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

This week, Dr. John Snyder continues exploring classic Christian letters by focusing on one of the greatest Puritan letter writers, Samuel Rutherford. If you’re new to Media Gratiae, don’t worry—we welcome you! Samuel Rutherford was a Scottish Puritan pastor who endured intense persecution, the loss of several children, and the deaths of two wives. His letters on faith, holiness, and the beauty of Christ have been praised by contemporaries and modern readers alike, often called second only to Scripture. In this episode, we begin with a brief biographical sketch by Andrew Bonar, who highlights six types of readers who will find Rutherford’s letters especially helpful. If you see yourself in any of these categories, consider getting a copy of Rutherford’s letters from The Banner of Truth Trust (link below). Show Notes 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

This week, we conclude our journey through the letters of John Calvin, exploring the final days of the Magisterial Reformer. Dr. John Snyder shares the accounts of Calvin’s last words, showing his heart for the church, his love for Christ, and his enduring impact on the Reformation. Throughout his life, Calvin addressed disloyalty, royalty, the joys of marriage, and the sorrows of losing loved ones. In his final days, he reminds us that Scripture is the highest authority, even above his own teachings, and he meets with pastors in Geneva to guide the continuation of both local church work and the broader global Reformation. In these closing scenes, we witness Calvin’s devotion to his people, his unwavering faith, and his desire to see evangelism and discipleship thrive after his death. His words remain profoundly relevant for Christians today, inspiring us to make Christ known in our families, churches, towns, and nations. Join us for this moving conclusion to the series on John Calvin’s letters, and discover timeless lessons from one of the most influential figures in church history. Show Notes Michael Nelson article: https://credomag.com/2017/11/the-best-companion-of-my-life-john-calvins-search-for-a-wife-michael-nelson/ The Tracts and Letters of John Calvin - https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/collected-workssets/tracts-and-letters-of-john-calvin-8/ The Church Bible Study - https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/the-church 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 #JohnCalvin #QueenOfNavarre #ReformationHistory #ChristianLetters #FaithAndLeadership #BiblicalWisdom #WholeCounselPodcast

This week Dr. John Snyder continues our series on the letters of John Calvin, one of the most influential figures of the Protestant Reformation. In this episode, we take a different approach: instead of reading a single letter, we explore an article by Michael Nelson in Credo Magazine (link below) that sheds light on Calvin’s marriage and personal life. Nelson’s article traces Calvin’s search for a godly wife, his thoughtful approach to finding her, and how God graciously provided her. Through these events, we witness Calvin’s humanity, humility, and dependence on God—qualities that shaped both his personal life and his ministry. We also see Calvin’s pastoral heart become deeply personal as he faces the loss of children and eventually the death of his gentle bride. It is a story of tragedy and comfort, grief and solace, revealing how faith sustains a believer even through the heaviest trials. We pray this episode, unique in the series, gives you a deeper appreciation for John Calvin, his writings, and the faith he modeled in the midst of suffering. May it encourage you to read his letters and reflect on the steadfast God he followed through all circumstances. Show Notes Michael Nelson article: https://credomag.com/2017/11/the-best-companion-of-my-life-john-calvins-search-for-a-wife-michael-nelson/ The Tracts and Letters of John Calvin - https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/collected-workssets/tracts-and-letters-of-john-calvin-8/ The Church Bible Study - https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/the-church 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

What happens when a queen discovers Christ in the midst of wealth, luxury, and political turmoil? John Calvin’s letter to the Queen of Navarre offers timeless wisdom for every believer. In this episode of the Whole Counsel Podcast, Dr. John Snyder explores a 1561 letter from John Calvin to a recently converted queen. Learn how God’s mercy transformed her life and the lessons Calvin shares for all who seek to walk faithfully with Christ. This week Dr. John Snyder continues our series on the letters of John Calvin. We have seen him write to friends with both admonishment and encouragement, and we have seen him write to royalty to clarify matters of faith. But this time, Calvin writes to a recently converted queen of a bygone kingdom, offering guidance and counsel during a time of both personal and political upheaval. The Kingdom of Navarre existed from 834 to 1841, its former territory now divided between France and Spain. During Calvin’s lifetime, it was a small but vibrant kingdom, and its queen had come to faith in Christ. She possessed every human comfort: wealth beyond measure, endless distractions, and every luxury a princess could desire. Yet in the midst of worldly abundance, God revealed himself to her and rescued her. In a 1561 letter from Geneva, John Calvin reflects on the mercy of God that awakened her soul and called her to himself. He warns of how easily the gospel can be choked out by the love of the world and the busyness of life—a truth as relevant for a 16th-century queen as it is for us today. We all need rescue from our sins, focus amidst distractions, and the saving grace of Christ. The counsel Calvin offers this young monarch reminds us that God’s mercy calls each of us to treasure his truth, to walk faithfully, and to live fully for him. This episode offers a window into Calvin’s pastoral heart and the Protestant Reformation, showing how even royalty can be brought low and lifted up by God’s grace. It is a story of spiritual awakening, divine mercy, and a reminder that no throne, no wealth, and no worldly pleasure can replace the joy found in walking with Christ. Show Notes The Tracts and Letters of John Calvin - https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/collected-workssets/tracts-and-letters-of-john-calvin-8/ The Church Bible Study - https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/the-church 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

This week, the Media Gratiae team is back at work. We are grateful for the patience and kindness many of you showed as we navigated the aftermath of the recent ice storm. In this episode, we continue our series on the letters of John Calvin. Last time, we looked at a letter Calvin wrote directly to John Knox. This week, Knox again stands at the center of the discussion, though the letter itself is addressed to William Cecil, the chief advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, written in 1559. Knox had published a book forcefully opposing female monarchs during the reign of Queen Mary. Because of Calvin’s well-known friendship with Knox, the English court assumed Calvin shared Knox’s views. In this letter, Calvin carefully clarifies his own position regarding female rulers and explains why he believed Knox was unwise to publish the book at all. Writing with pastoral restraint and theological clarity, Calvin seeks to correct a serious misunderstanding without inflaming an already fragile situation. This letter provides a valuable example of how to address misrepresentation—whether directed at ourselves, our friends, or our beliefs. It also serves as a thoughtful case study in speaking truth without unnecessary offense, and in knowing when secondary matters should not be elevated to defining battles. Finally, it stands as a sober reminder to weigh our words carefully. Are the things we publish truly glorifying to Christ and genuinely edifying to those who read them? We pray this episode is a help and encouragement to you. Show Notes The Tracts and Letters of John Calvin - https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/collected-workssets/tracts-and-letters-of-john-calvin-8/ The Church Bible Study - https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/the-church 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

As we continue to recover from the winter storm that affected northeast Mississippi, we’re grateful for your patience and prayers. We didn’t want to leave you without encouragement this week, so we’re returning to the second episode in our series on John Owen’s Mortification of Sin, originally published on October 20, 2022. We trust the Lord will use it again to strengthen and steady your walk. Robert Murray M’Cheyne described the human heart as gunpowder and temptation as a spark that will ignite the heart in sin. The most careful practice we can have is to keep our hearts damp by gazing upon Christ. In this week’s episode, John Snyder and Jeremy Walker share how Owen encourages us to keep our hearts damp by the dual command to watch and pray. What must we watch for? How must we pray? John and Jeremy share some of the most practical help from Owen in this week’s episode. Check out Jeremy’s podcasts From the Heart of Spurgeon and A Word in Season here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts Temptation Resisted and repulsed by John Owen: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/ch... The Mortification of Sin by John Owen: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/ch... Volume 6 of the Works of John Owen: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/co... 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

You may have heard about the significant ice storm that has swept through northeast Mississippi. Like many in our area, the Media Gratiae team has been affected, and the disruption has made it difficult for us to release a new episode this week. Still, we didn’t want to leave you without encouragement. So this week we’re returning to one of our most well-received series, originally published on October 13, 2022, featuring a conversation between Dr. John Snyder and Jeremy Walker on John Owen’s Mortification of Sin. Our prayer is that the Lord would use these conversations to strengthen your faith and stir your hearts toward holiness, even in a week marked by disruption. We at The Whole Counsel love Puritans. We have benefited so much from their sermons, prayers, and books, it is our delight to discuss them and hopefully whet your appetite to read their words. In this new series of podcasts, Dr. John Snyder is going to walk through two books from the Puritan, John Owen, with our longtime friend Jeremy Walker. In this first episode, Jeremy and John are discussing Owen’s, “On Temptation” and they discuss how to define, identify, and deal with temptation and testing. What are the differences and how should we approach them differently? Check out Jeremy’s podcasts From the Heart of Spurgeon and A Word in Season here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts Temptation Resisted and repulsed by John Owen: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/temptation/ The Mortification of Sin by John Owen: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/the-mortification-of-sin/ Volume 6 of the Works of John Owen: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/collected-workssets/the-works-of-john-owen-6/ 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 Show Notes 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

In this week’s episode of The Whole Counsel podcast, Dr. John Snyder continues reading from the letters of John Calvin. As he noted in the previous episode, Calvin’s correspondence was addressed to an impressively diverse range of individuals—prisoners, pastors, fellow reformers, nobles, and monarchs. For those interested in church history and the Protestant Reformation, Calvin’s letters offer a rare window into the personal relationships, struggles, and pastoral concerns that shaped the movement from within. This episode focuses on a letter written by Calvin to the Scottish reformer John Knox. Both men were being greatly used by God to advance and strengthen the Protestant Reformation, and yet, through no deliberate fault on either side, tension arose between them. Dr. Snyder carefully explains the circumstances that led to this strain, providing historical context while allowing Calvin’s own words to reveal the spirit in which the letter was written. Rather than responding defensively or dismissively, Calvin models Christian humility and wisdom. He takes care to clarify a misunderstanding, to explain his actions, and to assure Knox of his continued affection and respect. At the same time, Calvin uses the opportunity to encourage Knox in his labors and to offer pastoral counsel regarding church reform, unity, and endurance under pressure—counsel that remains strikingly relevant for believers and church leaders today. This letter reminds us that faithfulness in ministry does not remove the possibility of misunderstanding or wounded feelings, but it does shape how such moments are addressed. Calvin’s careful, brotherly response provides a helpful example of how truth, patience, and love can preserve unity even in difficult circumstances. Show Notes The Tracts and Letters of John Calvin - https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/collected-workssets/tracts-and-letters-of-john-calvin-8/ The Church Bible Study - https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/the-church 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

This week we begin a new series of letters, this time reading directly from John Calvin. We often read about Calvin—about his theology, his controversies, or the defense of his legacy—but we wanted to slow down and listen to Calvin in his own words, particularly to see his pastoral heart. For our first letter, we read a piece Calvin wrote to Protestant believers imprisoned and persecuted in Catholic France. Dated February 18, 1559, the letter comes just before the most severe waves of persecution. But Christians in France were experiencing fear, suffering, and imprisonment. Calvin writes to men whose faithfulness to the gospel had placed them in chains, some facing permanent exile and others far worse. Dr. John Snyder provides not only the historical context of the letter, but the heart context as well. Calvin does not address these men as a distant reformer or detached theologian. He was well acquainted with suffering, physical weakness, and the cost of faithfulness. He grieves over the delay in writing and speaks to them as one who understands their fear and pain. That shared suffering gives weight to his words as he calls them to look beyond their present circumstances and fix their eyes on Christ. Calvin urges them to anchor their souls in the promises of God, to resist misreading their weakness as unbelief, and to follow the pattern Christ himself set in suffering—with humility, patience, and hope. Even in prison, they are reminded that their calling is not merely to endure, but to honor God and bear witness to the gospel. While most of us will not face magisterial persecution, the Christian life still includes seasons of hardship, opposition, and quiet faithfulness under pressure. In those moments, Calvin’s counsel remains deeply relevant. We pray this episode—and the series to follow—will be a help and encouragement to you as you seek to walk faithfully before God. Show Notes The Tracts and Letters of John Calvin - https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/collected-workssets/tracts-and-letters-of-john-calvin-8/ The Church Bible Study - https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/the-church 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

This week, Dr. John Snyder continues reflecting on spiritual weariness by returning to a lecture Charles Spurgeon delivered to ministerial students on what he called “the fainting fits” of a servant of God. Though Spurgeon addresses pastors directly, the wisdom he offers speaks to every Christian who has known seasons of exhaustion, discouragement, or the quiet temptation to lose heart. Drawing from Scripture and Spurgeon’s own hard-earned experience, we explore times when faithful servants are most vulnerable to weariness. Spurgeon reminds us that discouragement often follows seasons of great usefulness, precedes seasons of greater blessing, or settles in during long stretches of unbroken labor. He speaks candidly about the weight of criticism, the pain of betrayal, the sorrow of seeing others fall, and the unique loneliness that can accompany spiritual responsibility. Most searching of all, Spurgeon addresses seasons of darkness that seem to come without clear cause—times when resolution fails, human help feels insufficient, and the soul is tempted to turn inward in accusation rather than upward in faith. Yet his counsel is not despairing. Again and again, he points weary believers away from their own strength, moods, and feelings, and calls them to treasure even a single grain of faith more than a ton of spiritual excitement. If you are walking through a season where faithfulness feels costly and joy feels distant, Spurgeon’s words remind us that God does not waste the weariness of his servants, and that even in the dark, the safest place is still under the shadow of his wings. If you are in a season of joy and happiness, may we hope these words encourage you to pray for those around you, particularly your pastors, who bear a weight that may be hidden from your view. Show Notes Encouragement for the Depressed by Charles Spurgeon (Forward by Randy Alcorn) https://www.crossway.org/books/encouragement-for-the-depressed-tpb/ Scripture passages referenced: 2 Corinthians 3–4 1 Kings 19 2 Corinthians 12 Mark 6:31 1 Samuel 30 Additional Media Gratiae resources: Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/behold-your-god-series The Church study: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/the-church Through the Eyes of Spurgeon (documentary by Stephen McCaskill): https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/through-the-eyes-of-spurgeon-feature-edition-dvd-package From the Heart of Spurgeon: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts-1/from-the-heart-of-spurgeon

This week on The Whole Counsel, Dr. John Snyder continues a thoughtful discussion on seasonal depression—whether that season is influenced by winter’s effect on our mood and mental state, or by a particularly difficult chapter of life. In the previous episode, Dr. Snyder introduced this theme through a candid letter from John Newton. In this episode, he turns to pastoral wisdom from Charles Spurgeon, drawing from a series of lectures recently published in a new book from Crossway, “Encouragement for the Depressed.” Though Spurgeon originally delivered these lectures to vocational ministers, the gospel-shaped truths he presents are deeply relevant for every Christian. Spurgeon addresses a common misunderstanding in the church: faithful service to God should shield believers from fear, doubt, or sadness. Scripture and experience show otherwise. God may allow seasons of depression and weariness not as a sign of failure, but as a means of deepening compassion, sympathy, and patience. Spurgeon also speaks with unusual honesty about the isolating nature of faithful ministry. Pastors are often entrusted with heavy burdens that must be carried quietly and cannot be shared freely. While congregations may express love and appreciation, they cannot fully know the weight their pastors bear. This calling is a blessing, but it is also costly. For that reason, pray regularly for your pastors and to offer thoughtful encouragement whenever possible. Show Notes Encouragement for the Depressed by Charles Spurgeon (Forward by Randy Alcorn) https://www.crossway.org/books/encouragement-for-the-depressed-tpb/ Check out Jeremy Walker’s podcast on Charles Spurgeon: www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts

We often remember John Newton for his wisdom, joy, and enduring hymns. But like every Christian, Newton knew seasons of profound sadness and spiritual coldness. We know this because he wrote candidly to his close friend John Berridge—the author of “The Means of Grace are in My Hands”—confessing that he was experiencing what he called a “January inside and outside.” In this opening episode of our new series, Winter of the Soul, Dr. John Snyder reads from and reflects on this short but deeply revealing letter. Newton’s honesty gives hope to weary believers by showing that spiritual dullness and heaviness of heart are not signs that we have been forsaken by God, but common experiences even among the most faithful saints. In this episode, we consider how Newton diagnosed the condition of his soul, the distractions and pressures that contributed to it, and the prayer he asked his friend to offer on his behalf. Yet Newton offers little by way of immediate remedy. His letter exposes the problem more than it resolves it. For help in warming cold hearts and enduring seasons of spiritual depression, we will turn next to a lecture by Charles Spurgeon, where he addresses the causes and comforts for the believer’s inward winter. That discussion begins next week. Show Notes The Gospel Pedlar: The Story of John Berridge and the Eighteenth-century Revival https://www.amazon.com/Pedlar-Berridge-Eighteenth-Century-Revival-Biography/dp/0852342365#detailBullets_feature_div