BOOK REVIEW:
Title of book: The
Passionate preaching of Martyn Lloyd Jones
Author: Steven J.
Lawson
Publisher:
Reformation Trust
Publisher’s Address
or address where book may be obtained: www.amazon.co.uk
Year of publication:2016
Number of Pages: 188
Hdbk or pbk: Hardback
Price: £11.33 (post
free)
ISBN-10: 1567696384
This book is a delight to read and its lessons are a
challenge to ponder. It concerns the great pulpit ministry of Martyn Lloyd
Jones who regularly preached the word of God to audiences of over 2,000 people
every week in the latter part of the 20th century in London. Sometimes,
when we see numbers like these, we are apt to wonder what it was that drew so
many people in. Was it the praise band? Was there (thinking of a quote from
Spurgeon) some form of amusement for the goats? Was the man on the stage given
to humour and became, even inadvertently, the best free entertainment on a
Sunday night in a city noted for its musicals and shows? Not at all. MLJ had none of these things. He simply gave his
whole self to the exposition of Scripture without any gimmicks. Those who came
saw a man in a pulpit expounding and applying the text of Scripture for between
40 and 60 minutes. Nor did he feed the sub evangelical desire for fancy
preaching on fancy texts and themes. For a different reason than that of the
wicked and careless Galileo, MLJ cared for none of these things. He preached
the great doctrinal themes with great depth and with great effect.
MLJ retired from the pastorate in 1968 and spent the
remaining 13 years of his life in editing his sermons, including his great
volumes on Romans and Ephesians. Drawing from these works, along with others,
Steven Lawson brings us great gems on what true Biblical preaching really is.
MLJ insisted on the necessity of the Spirit’s work, working through the preacher
who was obliged to give himself to the deep study of the Bible. MLJ was a preacher of Reformed theology and
due space in given to those parts of his sermons where he expounded the
Calvinistic Doctrines of Grace.
In the long history of great Protestant preachers, MLJ is
relatively recent. His sermons may be found on SermonAudio and you can “hear”
his distinct voice as you read the various quotes attributed to him in the
book. This well produced book is part of the “Long Line of Godly Men” series
which are mostly, though not exclusively, penned by Mr Lawson. It is well worth
buying.
It is a very good book. Also good (better even) are Iain Murray's bios of Lloyd-Jones. There is a 2-volume longer bio, and a shorter, abridged one. Both are well worth reading. The single book bio is good for those who would be daunted by a 2 volume set. Lloyd-Jones' ministry is a true encouragement to read for pastors and lay people alike; his trust in God and His Word and his faithfulness in preaching the gospel in season and out of season. we can tend to think that things "were different" back then but see that lo, there is nothing new under the sun. And to read of the fruits of his ministry too, the conversions, the revivals, and his influence in the resurgence of interest in reformed and puritan books as well. May the Lord give us more of these men!
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%. The funniest bit of the book is when MLJ decommissioned the Dramatic Society in his first church in Wales. This left the problem as to what to do with the wooden stage. MLJ suggested that it used it to warm the church :O)
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by.