Open Book with Stephen Nichols

Expecting academic dryness in the writings of John Calvin, readers are often surprised by his pastoral warmth and memorable insights. Today, Stephen Nichols and Augustus Nicodemus Lopes discuss Calvin's Institutes. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/augustus-nicodemus-lopes-on-calvins-institutes-of-the-christian-religion/

When Christians come to understand the doctrine of election, they're often awakened afresh to the wonders of the gospel. Today, Augustus Nicodemus Lopes joins Stephen Nichols to discuss a sermon that changed his mind about Calvinism. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/augustus-nicodemus-lopes-on-spurgeons-new-park-street-pulpit/

A new season of the Open Book podcast begins April 25. Listen to the trailer to discover which special guest is joining Stephen Nichols to share the books that have influenced their faith. Follow the podcast so you can hear each Thursday’s episode.

Derek Thomas saw R.C. Sproul as a brilliant theologian. Years later, they met and became friends. Today on the Open Book podcast, Stephen Nichols and Derek Thomas share stories about the founder of Ligonier Ministries and look at one of his most cherished books. Get R.C. Sproul's book Chosen by God: https://www.ligonier.org/store/chosen-by-god-paperback Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/derek-thomas-on-sprouls-chosen-by-god/

J. Gresham Machen's book Christianity and Liberalism may be even more urgent now than when it was published 100 years ago. Today on the Open Book podcast, Stephen Nichols and Derek Thomas discuss this 20th-century classic. Stream Stephen Nichols' 12-message teaching series on Christianity and Liberalism: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/christianity-and-liberalism Watch messages from Reformation Bible College's 2023 Winter Conference, Machen's Christianity and Liberalism: 100 Years Later: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZjnVlXGsQDA2OgTS5OtSkEK69_P7nbJu Read the February 2023 edition of Tabletalk magazine, "Christianity and Liberalism": https://tabletalkmagazine.com/print-issue/#christianity-and-liberalism Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/derek-thomas-on-machens-christianity-and-liberalism/

Preaching from the book of Job, John Calvin said, "It is a great thing to be subject to the majesty of God." Today on the Open Book podcast, Derek Thomas tells Stephen Nichols about the collection of sermons that captivated him for seven years. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/derek-thomas-on-calvins-sermons-on-job/

John Murray was a towering figure for the advancement of Reformed theology in the 20th century. Today on the Open Book podcast, Stephen Nichols and Derek Thomas look at Murray's influential commentary on Romans and theological writings. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/derek-thomas-on-murrays-the-epistle-to-the-romans-and-studies-in-theology/

Generations of preachers have been influenced by the ministry of Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Today on the Open Book podcast, Derek Thomas discusses his favorite book on preaching with Stephen Nichols. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/derek-thomas-on-lloyd-jones-preaching-and-preachers/

Presbyterians and Baptists both have the same Bible, but at times they reach different conclusions. Today on the Open Book podcast, Stephen Nichols is joined by Derek Thomas to discuss several writings that led to his becoming a paedobaptist. The books addressed in this episode include Baptism: Sacrament of the Covenant of Grace by Pierre-Charles Marcel and Christian Baptism by John Murray. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/derek-thomas-on-marcel-murray-and-infant-baptism/

As a young man, Derek Thomas would meet with his mentor early in the morning to read the writings of John Owen. Today on the Open Book podcast, Stephen Nichols and Derek Thomas reflect on this intellectual giant of the 17th century. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/derek-thomas-on-owens-the-grace-and-duty-of-being-spiritually-minded/

Through all the hardships of life, we must always remember our unshaken identity in Christ. Today on the Open Book podcast, Stephen Nichols and Derek Thomas discuss a cherished Christian classic and its emphasis on the assurance of salvation. Learn more about Derek Thomas' 19-message teaching series, The Pilgrim's Progress: A Guided Tour: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/pilgrims-progress-guided-tour Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/derek-thomas-on-bunyans-the-pilgrims-progress/

God is immeasurably more majestic than our minds can imagine. Today on the Open Book podcast, Derek Thomas tells Stephen Nichols about a book that greatly influenced him as a student preparing for ministry. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/derek-thomas-on-packers-knowing-god/

During a difficult time of life, a young Welshman received an unexpected book in the mail. Within three days, he was converted to Christ. To begin season four of the Open Book podcast, today Stephen Nichols visits the library of Derek Thomas to hear his story. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/derek-thomas-on-stotts-basic-christianity/

The Open Book podcast returns with a new season starting April 27. Whose library will Stephen Nichols visit in season four? Hear the trailer today to find out, and subscribe to the podcast to stay up to date on each week's episode. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/coming-soon-season-four/

What can we learn from the father of the English Puritans? Bringing the third season of Open Book to a close, Joel Beeke and Stephen Nichols discuss William Perkins, whose writings have helped generations of Christians apply the truth of God to their everyday lives. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/joel-beeke-on-william-perkins/

What is one of the most precious yet underestimated doctrines in Reformed theology? In this episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and Joel Beeke speak on the strength and comfort we receive from Jesus' heavenly intercession for His people. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/joel-beeke-on-thomas-goodwin/

Christians want to dedicate their lives to the glory of God. But how do we do that? In this episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols is joined by Joel Beeke, who introduces the best book he has ever read on sanctification. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/joel-beeke-on-teellincks-the-path-of-true-godliness/

More than mere head knowledge, theology transforms the way we live in this world. In this episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and Joel Beeke consider the richly devotional theology that Wilhelmus à Brakel wrote to encourage Christian families. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/joel-beeke-on-a-brakels-the-christians-reasonable-service/

Christians are not meant to be lone rangers traveling to eternity. We have fellow believers as our companions and the Scriptures as our map. To begin season three of Open Book, Stephen Nichols enters the library of Joel Beeke to discuss John Bunyan's beloved classic on the Christian life. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/joel-beeke-on-bunyans-the-pilgrims-progress/

Open Book is returning for a third season. Whose library is Stephen Nichols visiting this time? Listen to the trailer to find out today, and subscribe to the podcast so you can hear the first episode of season three on April 28.