Open Book with Stephen Nichols

Mar 11/2023

The Puritans understood the high calling of a pastor: devotion to Christ and to the care of His sheep. Today, Stephen Nichols and Augustus Nicodemus Lopes examine a classic book on pastoral ministry by the Puritan Richard Baxter. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/augustus-nicodemus-lopes-on-baxters-the-reformed-pastor/
Chosen by God, the beloved book by R.C. Sproul, has helped many Christians understand the Lord's sovereign grace in salvation. Today, Augustus Nicodemus Lopes speaks with Stephen Nichols about the impact of this book on his life. Read the transcript: https://openbookpodcast.com/augustus-nicodemus-lopes-on-sprouls-chosen-by-god/
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:[...]
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[...]
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[...]
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[...]
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.
On this final episode of season two of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and John MacArthur discuss a collection of Puritan prayers that reflects true, pure, elevated worship. Read the transcript.
There’s no book more precious to us than the Bible. On this episode of Open Book, John MacArthur joins Stephen Nichols to share his favorite Old and New Testament books. Read the transcript.
On this episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and John MacArthur discuss ministry role models, including a man so faithful to his pulpit that not even a Nazi air strike could prevent him from preaching. Read the transcript.
On this episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and John MacArthur discuss a near-blind secretary, a foiled fortune-teller, and how to interpret the Bible with the Bible. Read the transcript.
On this episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and John MacArthur discuss the Sermon on the Mount, misinterpreted parables, and a pastor known as “the Doctor.” Read the transcript.
On this episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols asks John MacArthur to share his favorite word to describe a preacher. Read the transcript.
On this episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and John MacArthur discuss spiritual growth, burnout, and a pastor who struggled to make ends meet. Read the transcript.
On this episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and John MacArthur discuss the rich analogies and spiritual charm of the Puritans. Read the transcript.
How would you describe God? On this episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and John MacArthur discuss the vast, unfathomable, transcendent nature of God. Read the transcript.
For season two of Open Book, special guest John MacArthur joins Stephen Nichols to discuss the books that have had the greatest impact on his life and ministry. On this first episode, they discuss a book like a jigsaw puzzle and a church with 900 ministers. Read the transcript.
Who will be our guest on the next season of Open Book? Listen to a sneak preview today. Please encourage your family and friends to subscribe so they don’t miss an episode. Season two is coming soon.
On this final episode of season one of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and R.C. Sproul discuss Martin Luther’s “monkery,” sacred stairs, and a biography R.C. Sproul read over and over again. Read the transcript
On this episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and R.C. Sproul discuss Princeton’s theology textbook, “elenctic” theology, and the precise logic of the scholastics. Read the transcript
Moby Dick is rich in theology. On this episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and R.C. Sproul discuss shark attacks, the whiteness of the whale, and our shallow view of God. Read the transcript
On this episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and R.C. Sproul discuss Puritan theology, “feathery” Christians, and what it means to worship the true, living God. Read the transcript
On this episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and R.C. Sproul discuss a book peddler, the “second gift,” and two people who claimed they never sinned. Read the transcript
On this episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and R.C. Sproul discuss classical Christian theism, a crisis in theology, and the word that gives R.C. Sproul goosebumps. Read the transcript
On this episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and R.C. Sproul discuss a collection of 42 masterful sermons that resulted in at least one burst blood vessel. Read the transcript
Stephen Nichols and R.C. Sproul discuss the apologetics of Thomas Aquinas, including single truth and the five ways. Read the transcript
Stephen Nichols and R.C. Sproul discuss the person of Christ, Dutch pronunciation, and a page that took 12 hours to translate. Read the transcript
On this first episode of Open Book, Stephen Nichols and R.C. Sproul discuss a tattered book, the Council of Trent, and an unlikely pair of roommates. Read the transcript
Learn about Stephen Nichols’ new podcast, and preview season one which features never-before-heard moments with R.C. Sproul in his home library.

This podcast is about the power of books and the people they’ve shaped. Stephen Nichols joins R.C. Sproul and other teachers in their personal libraries to discover the books that have left a mark on these men and their ministries.

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