As we reach the end of Peter’s list of qualities we are to add to our faith, we come to one that Paul described in another context as “the greatest of these” (1 Corinthians 13:13) – love. It is fitting for this to be the final trait, though not because it is the least important. As faith is the foundation upon which all of these others are added, love must be the motivation for all that we do in these areas.
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-8).
In the nineteenth century, religious journals were a common and effective way for those who were making the “restoration plea” to spread their message far and wide. Alexander Campbell’s Christian Baptist and Millennial Harbinger were two of the most prominent journals, yet others also received wide circulation, including Barton W. Stone’s Christian Messenger, Benjamin Franklin’s American Christian Review, and the Gospel Advocate, which was started by Tolbert Fanning.
Over the past few years, I have posted reviews for two books by Chris Martin: 
