The Whole Counsel

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

Merry Christmas from Media Gratiae. In this special episode, Jordan and John conclude their series on meditating on the incarnation of Jesus. They explore what it means that Christ took on our flesh without sin, how the incarnation shapes our reconciliation with the Father, and much more. Of particular focus is a practical application that has been especially meaningful to Jordan: how the incarnation of Jesus equips us to wage war against and mortify our own sin. Christ is the only human to fully experience the weight of temptation, yet He never yielded. He endured to the very end, glorifying the Father fully. We pray that this episode, along with the linked Scriptural meditations and the series as a whole, nourishes your soul this Christmas season and strengthens you in the year to come 25 Meditations on the Incarnation: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/pages/advent-meditations Good Tiding of Great Joy by Charles Spurgeon https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/good-tidings-of-great-joy/ Jordan recommends this Christmas Devotional: https://grace-ebooks.com/library/J. C. Philpot/JCP On The Sacred Humanity of The Blessed Redeemer.pdf Christ Our Treasure: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/christ-our-treasure-enjoying-the-preeminence-of-jesus-in-the-local-church-dvd-streaming 00:00 – Welcome & Overview 01:00 – Incarnation in Life 03:30 – Fighting Sin Through Christ 06:00 – Christ Our Example 10:00 – Beholding and Being Transformed 13:30 – God’s Humility 17:00 – Identifying with Sinners 20:30 – God Takes Our Name 24:00 – Stooping to Save 27:30 – Historical Hope 30:00 – Emmanuel: God With Us

The incarnation is one of the most familiar doctrines in Christianity—and yet one of the most overlooked. This week, Dr. John Snyder is joined again by Jordan Thomas to slow down, look closely, and recover the awe that Scripture invites us to feel as we consider the eternal Son taking on human flesh. Last week they walked through key biblical passages on the incarnation. This week they turn to the profound reflections of Isaac Ambrose in his classic work “Looking Unto Jesus.” The book can be difficult to find today, but we’ve linked an ebook edition and a print-on-demand copy in the show notes. You can also monitor the Reformation Heritage Books website and sign up for updates when it comes back into print. Ambrose is deeply helpful here because he lifts our eyes to the person of Christ Himself—and to all the benefits that flow from Him into the life of every believer. As we move through this Advent season and fix our hearts on the incarnate Christ, we pray that this episode—and the timeless insights of Isaac Ambrose—will strengthen your faith and warm your soul. Show Notes: 25 Meditations on the Incarnation: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/pages/advent-meditations Isaac Ambrose Looking Unto Jesus ebook: https://www.monergism.com/looking-unto-jesus-book-1-ebook physical: https://www.amazon.com/Looking-Unto-Jesus-Everlasting-Gospel/dp/1166391787 Good Tiding of Great Joy by Charles Spurgeon https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/good-tidings-of-great-joy/ Jordan recommends this Christmas Devotional: https://grace-ebooks.com/library/J. C. Philpot/JCP On The Sacred Humanity of The Blessed Redeemer.pdf Christ Our Treasure: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/christ-our-treasure-enjoying-the-preeminence-of-jesus-in-the-local-church-dvd-streaming

25 Meditations on the Incarnation: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/pages/advent-meditations   This week, Dr. John Snyder is joined by Jordan Thomas, a familiar voice to longtime Media Gratiae listeners. Jordan contributes to the Behold Your God study series, is the author of Christ Our Treasure: Enjoying the Preeminence of Jesus in the Local Church, and has appeared on the podcast several times. In this episode, Jordan and John explore the mystery of the incarnation of Christ. To guide your reflections this Christmas season, Jordan has chosen 25 Scripture passages for meditation. We pray both the podcast and passages serve as helpful resources for you. The passages Jordan has selected are available as a free Media Gratiae Online course. The link is below.   Show Notes: 25 Meditations on the Incarnation: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/pages/advent-meditations Good Tiding of Great Joy by Charles Spurgeon https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/good-tidings-of-great-joy/ Jordan recommends this Christmas Devotional: https://grace-ebooks.com/library/J. C. Philpot/JCP On The Sacred Humanity of The Blessed Redeemer.pdf Christ Our Treasure: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/christ-our-treasure-enjoying-the-preeminence-of-jesus-in-the-local-church-dvd-streaming

In this week’s episode, Dr. John Snyder welcomes pastor and author Jeremy Walker to discuss his new devotional, A Word in Season: 50 Days of Hope for Hard Times. Many of you will know Jeremy from his two Media Gratiae podcasts—From the Heart of Spurgeon and A Word in Season. In this conversation, Jeremy shares the story behind both projects, the pastoral concerns that first prompted the daily A Word in Season recordings during the uncertainties of 2020–2021, and how these brief meditations have continued to encourage believers across the world. He also reflects on the process of shaping those recordings into a written devotional and the unique value books offer for Christian growth. If you are new to Jeremy’s preaching and writing, we commend him to you wholeheartedly. You can find links to all those below. Show Notes: – A Word in Season: 50 Days of Hope for Hard Times https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/a-word-in-season-50-days-of-hope-for-hard-times – A Word in Season podcast 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 – Sermons by Jeremy Walker on SermonAudio https://www.sermonaudio.com/broadcasters/mbc/ – Weekly Walkthrough / Daily Doctrine https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLydzd6kZnPWdDUP1Dj9CIV_hSp42WEeMb&si=oTsh0cRj5BK0G76j Subscribe to the podcast - Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-whole-counsel/id1439465486 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F7FovDzhh7Mi2Fe0xgQBC?si=tGk_NWu3QTqMatauGVAxJg&nd=1&dlsi=bc847f4a2de64f49 See other Media Gratiae materials, including resources for small group studies and family worship: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/all-products-1

In recognition of the upcoming 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, we are presenting a special episode from our Navigating the Classics series. Dr. John Snyder is joined by attorney and elder Steve Crampton and pastor Jamie Crampton to discuss Athanasius’s classic work On the Incarnation. Together, they trace the historical context of the writing, the theological debate that prompted it, and its influence on the Nicene Creed and the broader Christian tradition. They also walk through the content of the work itself, considering Athanasius’s central arguments concerning sin, the incarnation, redemption, and the defeat of death. This episode is for listeners who want to understand why On the Incarnation has endured for centuries as one of the most important works in Christian literature. We pray it is a blessing to you this Thanksgiving season. To read the book and C. S. Lewis' introduction online: http://www.onthewing.org/user/Athanasius - On the Incarnation.pdf To purchase the book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/673655.On_the_Incarnation Subscribe to the podcast - Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-whole-counsel/id1439465486 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F7FovDzhh7Mi2Fe0xgQBC?si=tGk_NWu3QTqMatauGVAxJg&nd=1&dlsi=bc847f4a2de64f49 See other Media Gratiae materials, including resources for small group studies and family worship: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/all-products-1

As this year comes to a close, we want to present to you a report on what the Lord has guided Media Gratiae to accomplish over the course of 2025. This week, Dr. John Snyder highlights new Bible studies, books, and expanded translations of our material. He also discusses the relaunch of our Media Gratiae Online and our growing podcast reach. We are grateful for your prayers and support. With every podcast we want to point you to Christ and our annual update is no different. John closes this year’s update with a phrase that has become precious to him. In Matthew 15, a Syrophoenician woman comes to Jesus asking him to heal her daughter. She is discouraged by the apostles and seemingly discouraged by Jesus himself. But her response is, “Yes, Lord, but…” That is a sweet response available to every Christian right now. 📌 Highlights From This Episode New 2025 releases: Gospel Realities: Lessons from Galatians — Stephen Yuille - https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/gospel-realities-lessons-from-galatians-workbook A Word in Season: 50 Days of Hope for Hard Times — Jeremy Walker - https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/a-word-in-season-50-days-of-hope-for-hard-times Kingdom Life: Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount — Stephen Yuille (coming soon; includes streaming) - https://www.mediagratiae.org/kingdom-life New digital platform: Media Gratiae Online (MGO) now fully in-house - https://www.mediagratiae.org/online Expanded homeschool & Christian school resources for Behold Your God: Seeking Him Early - https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/childrens-curriculum New distributors: Banner of Truth, Amazon, Westminster Bookstore, and more Translation work: Spanish complete; Portuguese, Dutch, German, Russian in progress New potential translations: Italian and Albanian Upcoming 2026 studies: Jeremy Walker, Joel Beeke, Hugh Morrison, and Dr. Snyder   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

It’s one of our favorite episodes of the year—sharing new Christian books worth reading and giving. In this 2025 edition, Dr. John Snyder highlights an updated commentary, a missionary biography, a devotional from Jeremy Walker, and more. Perfect for Christmas gifts or planning your 2026 reading list. Find links to every book below!   Every year around this time, we take a look at recent Christian book releases and share our top recommendations for reading or giving. Whether you’re building your 2026 reading plan or searching for thoughtful Christmas gifts, this list is a great place to start. You might even send this episode to someone who’s shopping for you! But this conversation goes beyond book suggestions. John reminds us that our reading life, like our eating life, needs balance. We can read lazily or we can read wisely—stewarding our time and shaping our minds. Read widely, but let Scripture remain central. Read books that stretch both your heart and your understanding—balancing the objective truths of God’s Word with the personal experiences of His people.   A Word in Season https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/a-word-in-season-50-days-of-hope-for-hard-times Good Tidings of Great Joy https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/good-tidings-of-great-joy/ Cardiphonia https://www.amazon.com/Cardiphonia-Utterance-Correspondence-Complete-Unabridged/dp/1789876036/ref=pd_lpo_d_sccl_1/143-1962832-2492564?pd_rd_w=yF1Zs&content-id=amzn1.sym.4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_p=4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_r=MVP80S95F6QV77PV7B2N&pd_rd_wg=dJlLA&pd_rd_r=d9ee057f-9582-4291-aefb-ff0a4c6acd69&pd_rd_i=1789876036&psc=1 John G. Patton autobiography https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/history-biography/john-g-paton/ Harmony of the Gospels https://www.prpbooks.com/book/the-gospel-of-jesus J. C. Ryle Expository Thoughts on the Gospel Box Set https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781783974801/expository-thoughts-on-the-gospels-modernised-boxset

John Newton’s final letter to Mrs. — reminds believers that suffering is never wasted. Dr. John Snyder explores Newton’s insights on sanctification, God’s glory in affliction, and Christ’s inexhaustible compassion.   In this final episode on John Newton’s Letters to Mrs. —, Dr. John Snyder explores Newton’s tender counsel to a believer walking through prolonged difficulty. Newton reminds her — and us — that though human compassion is limited, the compassion of Christ is infinite: deeper than every sorrow and sufficient for every need. Drawing from this sixth letter (1772), we hear Newton explain that the believer’s suffering is never meaningless. Every trial is woven by God for two great purposes: the sanctification of His children and the glory of His name. Even in affliction, the Christian’s contentment and quiet trust adorn the gospel. This letter also offers a glimpse into Newton’s weekly rhythms — his Saturday evening walks through Olney, spent praying for the ministers and congregations who would gather the next day. It closes with one of his most beautiful meditations on the inexhaustible riches of Christ, who can fill and satisfy all His people without measure. The remaining letters Newton wrote Mrs. — are about topics we have already discussed so this will be the final letter between that we will discuss. But if you want to read the text of all the letters he wrote her, you can find them below. We pray they are a blessing to you.   You can read this week's letter here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/sixth-letter-to-mrs Read all eight letters to Mrs. First Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/first-leter-to-mrs Second Letters to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/second-letter-to-mrs Third Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/third-letter-to-mrs Fourth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/fourth-letter-to-mrs Fifth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/fifth-letter-to-mrs- Sixth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/sixth-letter-to-mrs Seventh Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/seventh-letter-to-mrs Eighth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/eighth-letter-to-mrs Watch all the episodes of this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW0xuCgknPDMzuC301aRv8v3tga_psAcK What all Whole Counsel episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW0xuCgknPDMtoTMNlcPdqOqkg0vuNlYG See Media Gratiae Original Project: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW0xuCgknPDPqcYtQL-uT7Dx4OcprVlik

Dr. John Snyder continues the Letters that Continue to Speak series with John Newton’s Letter 5. In this pastoral letter, Newton teaches how God uses trials to cultivate humility, Christlikeness, and dependence on Him alone. He warns that comforts can quietly divide our hearts, but through trials, Christ—the perfect Teacher—draws us back to Himself. Newton closes with four exhortations: gratitude for Christ as Teacher, attentiveness to daily lessons, obedience on the path of duty, and drawing strength from prayer and Scripture. This episode is a reminder that God’s kindness is never absent, even in our hardest seasons.   You can read this week's letter here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/fifth-letter-to-mrs You can read next week’s letter here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/sixth-letter-to-mrs Read all eight letters to Mrs. First Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/first-leter-to-mrs Second Letters to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/second-letter-to-mrs Third Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/third-letter-to-mrs Fourth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/fourth-letter-to-mrs Fifth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/fifth-letter-to-mrs- Sixth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/sixth-letter-to-mrs Seventh Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/seventh-letter-to-mrs Eighth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/eighth-letter-to-mrs Watch all the episodes of this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW0xuCgknPDMzuC301aRv8v3tga_psAcK What all Whole Counsel episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW0xuCgknPDMtoTMNlcPdqOqkg0vuNlYG See Media Gratiae Original Project: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW0xuCgknPDPqcYtQL-uT7Dx4OcprVlik

In this week’s episode of The Whole Counsel, Dr. John Snyder continues our series on Christian letters from the past, focusing on Letter 4 to Mrs. —, written by John Newton. These letters, though centuries old, still speak powerfully into our lives today. This week’s letter reveals Newton’s pastoral heart as he guides a friend through illness and spiritual struggle. He addresses a question many believers wrestle with: Why does God allow difficulties in the life of a Christian? Newton doesn’t offer simple answers or platitudes. Instead, he points to the sovereign wisdom and tender care of our Shepherd, reminding us that even the most painful trials can serve our spiritual growth. Newton encourages Mrs. — to see her hardships in light of God’s greater purposes. He reminds her that God’s love is both merciful and wise, allowing what is necessary to purify, teach, and strengthen His children. And when life feels bleak, he offers hope: God is always present, His ear always attentive, and His power sufficient to sustain us. Whether you’re walking through illness, disappointment, or other trials, this episode offers practical insight and encouragement for leaning on God in every season.   You can read this week's letter here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/fourth-letter-to-mrs You can read next week’s letter here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/fifth-letter-to-mrs Read all eight letters to Mrs. — First Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/first-leter-to-mrs Second Letters to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/second-letter-to-mrs Third Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/third-letter-to-mrs Fourth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/fourth-letter-to-mrs Fifth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/fifth-letter-to-mrs- Sixth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/sixth-letter-to-mrs Seventh Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/seventh-letter-to-mrs Eighth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/eighth-letter-to-mrs   Watch all the episodes of this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW0xuCgknPDMzuC301aRv8v3tga_psAcK What all Whole Counsel episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW0xuCgknPDMtoTMNlcPdqOqkg0vuNlYG See Media Gratiae Original Project: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW0xuCgknPDPqcYtQL-uT7Dx4OcprVlik 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

Last week, we introduced “Mrs.. —.” She is a lady whose name is lost to history, but John Newton’s “shepherding through the post,” as Dr. John Snyder phrased it in the first episode of this series, is timeless to her.  Newton wrote a series of eight letters to Mrs.— and this week is the second letter. In it, John Newton helps her see the battle of the Christian life. New believers may be surprised that conviction doesn’t end after conversion, but can often feel even worse. As we draw nearer to God, two things are brought more into focus: his holiness and our sinfulness. So how do we continue drawing near to him while it feels so uncomfortable? As Newton said, “It becometh the Lord's people to be thankful; and to acknowledge His goodness in what we have received, is the surest as well as the pleasantest method of obtaining more. Nor should the grief arising from what we know and feel of our own hearts, rob us of the honor, comfort, and joy, which the word of God designs us, in what is there recorded of the person, offices, and grace of Jesus, and the relations He is pleased to stand in to His people.” We pray this letter is as much of a blessing to you as it has been to us. You can find all the letters to Mrs.— in the links below. You can read this week's letter here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/second-letter-to-mrs You can read next week’s letter here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/fourth-letter-to-mrs Show Notes: Watch all the episodes of this series here: Read all eight letters to Mrs. First Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/first-leter-to-mrs Second Letters to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/second-letter-to-mrs Third Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/third-letter-to-mrs Fourth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/fourth-letter-to-mrs Fifth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/fifth-letter-to-mrs- Sixth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/sixth-letter-to-mrs Seventh Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/seventh-letter-to-mrs Eighth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/eighth-letter-to-mrs 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 return to our series of Christian letters from history. Previously, we have looked at letters John Newton wrote about stages of the Christian life and a letter he wrote concerning corporate prayer.  This week, we begin looking at a series of eight letters Newton wrote to a “Mrs. . —.” We do not have her name, as Newton removed most identifying information from the letters when he published them. But we do know some things about her. She lived in London and wrote to Newton early in his pastoral ministry. She was bothered about the indwelling nature and influence of sin in her life. Newton’s counsel to her applies to every Christian who grieves their sin and desires a closer walk with Christ.  As we work our way through this series, we will not discuss every letter he wrote to her. However, we will have the text of each letter available on our website for you to read. You don’t have to wait week to week to see the letters. All eight letters are linked below for you to read and consider before listening to John discuss them week by week. You can read this week's letter here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/first-leter-to-mrs You can read next week’s letter here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/second-letter-to-mrs Show Notes: Watch all the episodes of this series here: Read all eight letters to Mrs. First Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/first-leter-to-mrs Second Letters to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/second-letter-to-mrs Third Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/third-letter-to-mrs Fourth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/fourth-letter-to-mrs Fifth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/fifth-letter-to-mrs- Sixth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/sixth-letter-to-mrs Seventh Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/seventh-letter-to-mrs Eighth Letter to Mrs.: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/eighth-letter-to-mrs 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 is our final week of previewing studies Media Gratiae has produced through the years. If you have been through Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically, or Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty, you have seen Jordan Thomas. He contributed to the interview segments of those two studies. When we started producing smaller studies, we knew we wanted Jordan to make one. We approached him and asked for a topic or passage he felt was needed in today’s church. He unhesitatingly answered that a study on treasuring Christ corporately would be the topic of his choosing. The resulting study is Christ Our Treasure: Enjoying the Preeminence of Jesus in the Local Church. Jordan wanted to create this study based on the belief that many Christians in our modern, individualistic culture have lost their grasp on the value of the local church. Through this eight-week study, he aims to teach congregations —the local expressions of Christ’s bride —how to treasure Christ as a body. As with our other studies, Christ Our Treasure consists of video sermons and a workbook. The workbook is the heart of this study. To learn more about the study, follow the links below: Show Notes: Christ Our Treasure: Enjoying the Preeminence of Jesus in the Local Church https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/christ-our-treasure The Nature and Practice of True-Hearted Discipleship https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/true-hearted-discipleship Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/behold-your-god-the-weight-of-majesty-media-gratiae-online-course Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty Workbook https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/behold-your-god-the-weight-of-majesty-workbook

We are continuing our special series highlighting studies Media Gratiae has produced through the years, and this week, we are presenting to you one of our newer studies. Published in 2024, The Nature and Practice of True-Hearted Discipleship was written and taught by Dr. Ian Hamilton. If you are unfamiliar with Dr. Hamilton, we highly encourage you to seek out his books and preaching. His style is simultaneously direct and disarming. As with our other studies, there are two components: a workbook and eight video sermons. In each chapter, Dr. Hamilton guides us back to Scripture to examine what Jesus says about what it means to be his follower. The life of a disciple begins with a radically transformative new birth, and from that birth flows a life of following Jesus in obedience. We pray that this first session and the entire study may be a blessing to you. You can learn more about the study at the link below. Show Notes: The Nature and Practice of True-Hearted Discipleship https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/true-hearted-discipleship Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/behold-your-god-the-weight-of-majesty-media-gratiae-online-course Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty Workbook https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/behold-your-god-the-weight-of-majesty-workbook 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

We are taking a break from our series on letters from Christian history to give Teddy James and his family a short break while they care for their new addition, Jack. During this time, we are presenting to you the first session from several studies that Media Gratiae has produced over the years. This week’s special is Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty, which is a follow-up to our first study. After people went through the first Behold Your God study, they asked if we could recommend a study specifically focused on the attributes of God. These requests led us to create a 12-week multimedia study on God’s attributes. These attributes are discussed in a specific order, allowing them to build upon one another. The study begins with God’s incomprehensibility, self-existence, and independence, and then moves on to His holiness, wrath, and love. The order is intentional, as the beginning attributes add weight to the later ones. We have heard from many who have watched the videos and been blessed by them. When we asked for their thoughts regarding the workbook, they revealed they were unaware that the workbook existed. That reality is heartbreaking to us because the workbook is the heart of the study. It is where participants work through passages of Scripture and see how God’s attributes are not just found in the Old Testament or the New Testament, but that he is the same throughout the entirety of Scripture. If you have been through Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty before, we pray this first session may remind you of the things God taught you through it. If you haven’t been through the study, you can learn more about the videos and accompanying workbook at the link below. Show Notes: Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/behold-your-god-the-weight-of-majesty-media-gratiae-online-course Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty Workbook https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/behold-your-god-the-weight-of-majesty-workbook Learn more about Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically - https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/behold-your-god-series See the workbook here: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/behold-your-god-workbook 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

We are celebrating an addition to the Media Gratiae family over the next few weeks. If you have listened to The Whole Counsel for a long time, you may remember Teddy James. His family is welcoming their newest addition, Jack. To give Teddy some time to focus on his home needs, we are running a series of special episodes highlighting some of the studies produced by Media Gratiae over the years. First in this series, we are highlighting the study that started Media Gratiae, Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically. This 12-week study seeks to help you deepen in your knowledge of God. Of all our studies, Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically has reached the widest audience. It has been translated into multiple languages and has been used in churches across the globe. We have heard from many who have watched these videos and been blessed by them. But so often, people are unaware of its accompanying workbook. That is sad to us because the workbook is the heart of the study. It is where you work through the Scriptures, wrestling over the truths taught in the video material. If you have never completed the workbook, our prayer is that this first session will encourage you to consider doing so. You can learn more about it at the link below. Show Notes: Learn more about Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically - https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/behold-your-god-series See the workbook here: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/behold-your-god-workbook 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

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 You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

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