Showing results by narrator "Jonathan St. John" in All Categories

Leland Ryken provides a clear pathway to understanding the "Great Works" through this engaging series of short guidebooks. Beginning with "why the classics matter" and "the nature and function of literature," listeners will find a helpful path to understanding and analyzing influential works in the Western canon. This volume leads listeners through John Bunyan’s classic Christian allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress, offering insights into the nature of faith, the reality of temptation, and the glory of salvation.

Encounter Jesus in the pages of Scripture with these easy-to-use 10-minute daily devotions for families.

The analogy of Christ as the vine and His children as the branches has been referenced and quoted so many times that it has become a common Christian household phrase and inspirational quote. However, it is not often lived out or truly understood and experienced. Andrew Murray details how exactly to live as a part of God’s vine. He expands on what it means to rely on the Father for strength, power, growth, and life. Composed in a style that breaks up into daily meditations, this wealth of information on how to live connected to God is an invaluable resource.

A Confession is a beautiful and thorough dive into that timeless question, “What is the meaning of life?”. After fifty-one years of life and during the height of his fame, Tolstoy began to question everything. Through a creative and insightful analogy, Tolstoy depicts the crisis of reality that emerges when one questions the existence of God. An existence that he had been taught since childhood and had followed along with his whole life. He uses deduction and logic, rationality and reason, then allows for emotions and reactions and is ultimately able to land on the answers to his questions.

A comprehensive explanation of Martin Luther’s most crucial and controversial beliefs on salvation, The Bondage of the Will is a critical resource in understanding the theology of free will and the gift of faith. Facing criticism even from others who had disagreements with the Catholic church, Luther’s strong and absolute beliefs on the gift of salvation were truly revolutionary. This work contains the full amount of research, discussion, and debate on Luther’s ideas on free will as it pertains to individual Christians and to their understanding of God.

Jonathan St. John expertly tackles the Christian threads woven into this beloved fairy tale that has inspired many famous works throughout literary history. A wonderful tool for homeschoolers, book clubs, teachers, parents, and more, this Christian Readers' Guide walks through the many layered characters, themes, and plot points and carefully reveals the nature of God, Christ’s sacrifice, and the relationship between The Father and his beloved children as portrayed in George MacDonald’s work.

After learning to wait on God and after growing a healthy and fruitful relationship with Him, the next step is putting in the work for His kingdom. This collection of 31 daily devotions emphasizes the good work required of God’s children. Andrew Murray reveals not only how important working for God is, but also how to lean into individual giftings from God and how to submit to His laws and ways when working to expand the Kingdom.

This unique collection includes four sermons by C.H. Spurgeon on Jesus and Christmas. The reading provides a beautiful and thoughtful devotional narrative for each week of Advent. All delivered originally in December by Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, the message and hope of Christmas shines clear and strong throughout each sermon. Dive into the rich fullness of the gospel and of Christ’s love for His children as eloquently expressed by the "Prince of Preachers."

Are you dying? If not, then you have not yet begun to live. The Bible teaches us that when God forgives a person by the death of Jesus Christ, He starts a process in him of dying daily putting his sinful habits to death as he lives in union with Christ. Though being born again brings fundamental changes in a person's soul, every Christian has sin remaining in him. Pastor Geoffrey Thomas explains how Christians can fight and conquer sin in their lives by the grace of Christ so that they grow to be more like Jesus, living wholeheartedly for the Lord one day at a time.

John Newton's life was full of adventure, danger, travels, exotic places, and romance. Young listeners will encounter each of these things in Simonetta Carr's carefully narrated book. But more importantly, listeners will come to appreciate the way Newton's life was changed for good, even when he was attempting to run as far as possible from God. In spite of Newton's rebellion and sin, God's grace finally won—a grace that Newton recognized as amazing, invincible, and completely undeserved.

John Owen was a great Puritan preacher who lived in England. In this book, Simonetta Carr informs listeners about Owen's life, revealing some of the things that interested him while in school, the care he showed to people when he became a pastor, and the influential books that he wrote. Listeners will also come to understand the difficult times in which Owen lived, and how he handled the terrors of war and religious persecution.

Anselm is probably the greatest theologian who lived during the time between Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas. His compelling yearning to know and love God as He is revealed to us in Scriptures shaped his life and permeates all of his writings. He found the greatest joy in communion with God, but was thrusted into the difficult political scene of the 11th-12th centuries. He didn't work well with kings and, at one point, he had most of the English leaders against him.

Simonetta Carr introduces young listeners to the story of John Bunyan, from his rebellious youth to preacher of the gospel and prisoner for the sake of Christ. His example of faithfulness to God will inspire listeners as they learn about this important figure of church history.

The name St. Patrick is associated with three-leaf clovers and leprechauns, but what was his life really like? Simonetta Carr tells the inspiring story of how Patrick's suffering as a slave opened his eyes to the mercy of God and prepared him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Get to know the real Patrick of Ireland as young listeners learn that the joy of the Lord will sustain them through difficult times and strengthen them to share the gospel.

Charles Spurgeon is considered one of the greatest preachers in the history of Christianity. In this book, Simonetta Carr informs us how young Charles learned to look to Christ alone for salvation, and how he never tired of point others to his savior. See how God used this young country boy to preach to thousands, provide training for pastors, start orphanages, and stand against those who denied basic teachings of the Bible. Interesting facts and a compelling story combine to introduce young listeners to this important British preacher.

From armed bodyguard to galley slave, from loving husband and father to fiery preacher, John Knox was moved by a relentless passion for the honor of God and the purity of His truth and worship. Yet when he was a schoolboy growing up in the small Scottish town of Haddington, he could never have imagined that he would become a major leader of the powerful movement that transformed Scotland into one of the most committed Protestant countries in the world.

An Honest, Well-Experienced Heart introduces us to the life and writings of Puritan preacher and author John Flavel (1627-1691). In his brief introductory biography, Adam Embry discusses Flavel's background, ministry, and theology of keeping the heart, which, for Flavel, is the great business of a Christian's life. Centuries ago, Flavel wrote, Above all other studies in the world, study your own hearts. Embry guides us through forty-two short passages from Flavel's writings that acquaint us with this dedicated Puritan minister's piety.

Jonathan Edwards lived at a time when many people were seriously questioning long-accepted ideas about the world, life, and God, and his answers to these questions have left a mark on the way we think today. While he is often remembered as the preacher of a scary sermon about a spider dangling over a fire, he remains significant as one of the greatest thinkers America has produced.