Christian Book Notes

Murray, Ian H.  Lloyd-Jones, Messenger of Grace.  Edinburgh:  The Banner of Truth Trust, 2008.  267 pp.  $28.00

Note: I have republished this review as it 1)draws attention to one of my personal heroes and 2)gives me a chance to get caught up on a few things. This review was originally published in July 2008.

Iain Murray is perhaps best known for his biographies on men like Jonathan Edwards, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and John Murray.  However, he has written quite extensively in other areas of church history including Revival and Revivalism and The Puritan Hope.  In all, Ian Murray has written 20+ books for Banner of Truth Trust which he co-founded in 1957.

Of special interest to this particular volume is the fact that Ian H. Murray served with Martyn Lloyd-Jones for a season.  Because of this, Murray knows the rather private Lloyd-Jones unlike most people save Mrs. Lloyd-Jones and maybe a few others.  In this book, Messenger of Grace, we learn more of the “insider” knowledge Ian Murray possesses of the modern-day Puritan.

Summary of Messenger of Grace

This book is not like a biography in that it does not follow a chronological order of Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ (ML-J from here on) life.  Rather, the author takes a more thematic approach to the ministry of ML-J.  The book itself is separated into two parts.  The first part deals more with an apologetic and description of various facets of his ministry.  Part two has a pretty neat twist on it that lends to a quick synopsis of a few major “events” in ML-J’s ministry.

Part one consists of the legacy of ML-J and how some unfair tags were placed on the man because of the choice of what was published and what was not.  For example, many claim that ML-J was not evangelistic because of his Romans and Ephesians series that have been published.  Murray argues, and shows, that ML-J was probably more evangelistic in his speaking than expositional even though every sermon was expositional.  Murray says as much on page 231, “Through fifty years, he preached more evangelistic sermons than those of any other kind.”  ML-J rarely preached through a book, except in the case of Ephesians, but would rather preach through passages as directed by the Holy Spirit.

We are treated to a chapter on how ML-J prepared his sermons and how he went about constructing his message.  The amazing component of this process was that while it was a routine for him, he never allowed himself to become reliant upon this.  Chapter five, in my opinion, is worth the price of the book for those 10 pages.  There is also a valuable chapter where Murray compares Spurgeon and ML-J.  Interestingly, ML-J was not a great reader of Spurgeon even though he was a great admirer of the Prince of Preacher.

A couple other chapters in part one deal with key controversies that ML-J found himself involved with during his life.  Ecumenism was one of those controversies and Murray attempts, I believe he does an adequate job, of defending ML-J’s actions which included a split with J.I. Packer that saw their involvement together in the Puritan Conference come to an end.

Part two begins with the actual letter ML-J sent to Packer that resulted in the end of the Puritan Conference.  This letter is valuable in and of itself because much has been written against ML-J due to this letter.  This is the first time the letter has been made public.

Chapter ten is nothing but 19 pages of quotes in different doctrinal areas.  It will definitely be a resource for many young ministers who like to look for quotes from past saints.  Chapter eleven is a listing of many (it is not exhaustive) of ML-J’s sermons.  Chapter twelve is an exhaustive synopsis of all of the sermons that comprise the eight-volume series on Ephesians.  Finally, Murray concludes with a short review on the book Is the Reformation Over that was not favorable to ML-J.

Critique of Messenger of Grace

The first thing I will discuss I only discuss because it is quite humorous in my mind.  In the preface, on page xiii, Murray writes on the last line of the page, “…heard and I am thankful it can now be heard by so many more for…”  As I turned the page to xiv I read the same exact line.  I was reading the preface late at night and merely wanted to get past the preface before I fell asleep.  I bet I flipped back and forth three or four times before I realized the same line had been printed twice!  What made it even funnier to me is the last sentence in the preface where Murray says, “I am indebted to my wife for her close and necessary attention to the text at the proof stage” (xiv).  I know full well that she had nothing to do with this oversight, but since I was so tired, and I have a strange sense of humor in the first place, I found myself laughing out loud at the mistake in that context.

Anything else that is under the heading of critique is positive in nature.  For example, Murray’s personal anecdotes that are mixed in throughout this book are priceless.  He offers insight into this man that few can.  It is abundantly clear that this book was necessary to “clear the air” on a few issues because ML-J still speaks to us today.  There is a new generation just now learning about this man and the ministry God gave him.  I believe every young minister should learn from this man as though he was a contemporary of Edwards, Whitefield, or Spurgeon.

Conclusion

I have struggled with how to recommend this book.  I am not sure if it would serve best to read before you read the biography (a must read) or if you should read the biography first and then fill in the gaps with this book.  There is also the simultaneous problem of where should you read Preachers and Preaching (again, a must read)?  The one thing that is absolutely true is that this book is a must own and read.  Even if you only read chapters five and ten, you will be blessed beyond measure.

• Buy from Westminster Books

Murray, Iain H. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The Fight of Faith 1939-1981.  Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1990.  862 pp.  $39.00.  Purchase at Westminster books for $29.25.

Introduction

This is the second volume, and at 800 pages twice as long as the first, of Iain H. Murray’s biography on The Doctor.  Any biography that begins with an apology for its length is sure to be a marathon read.  Both volumes combined are a total of 1,200 plus pages and present not only a biography of one of the greatest preachers of the 20th century but also a synopsis of church history during the same period.  You can read my review of the first volume here.  Keep in mind that I am reviewing these as I am reading them for my own personal edification.

Summary

This volume comprises the majority of ML-J’s ministry at Westminster Chapel beginning with his official call to be the next pastor replacing G. Campbell Morgan.  It was interesting to note that he was not called with 100% of the vote even though his predecessor, Dr. Morgan, had originally invited him to come as his replacement.  As ML-J “got comfortable’ (my wording) in his new role as the pastor of Westminster, he continued his mid-week evangelistic preaching across Wales and England.

Before you realize it, you have joined ML-J in his confrontations with the ecumenical movement, the charismatic movement, and the establishing of ministries such as The Banner of Truth Trust and the Evangelical Library.  Furthermore, you will learn of his differences with John Stott and J.I. Packer and his work with the World Evangelical Alliance and the Inter-Varsity Conference.  His love for his family is unmatched and the letters he wrote while on holiday or traveling abroad preaching are countless and show the tender heart he possessed.

Upon his retirement from Westminster in 1968 due to health concerns, we see that he did not slow down.  In fact, without this retirement, chances are we would never have Preaching and Preachers–which was originally preached in the United States at Westminster Seminary.  It was during the final 14 years of his life is when he adapted his sermons into what we now know as his series on Romans and Ephesians.  While many more books have come out since his death in 1981, ML-J was very involved in the process and his wishes were kept by his daughter and those helping to bring his sermons into print.  I do believe the recently published Living Water–52 sermons on John 4–was the last of any new material to come from the collection of ML-J’s sermons.

Review

In a biography so expansive, there is too much to remember and even write regarding a review.  That being said, this biography has already impacted me.  I can only assume it will be one of those books I return to again in the future and say something like, “Oh! that’s where I got that from!”  A few things stood out as exemplary for me as a Christian, a pastor and a reviewer.

First, the fact that he continued praying uninterrupted while a bomb was dropped merely yards a way.  His zeal for the Lord and the worship of the Lord stands out above all else.  His love for preaching and need to help guide other pastors (young and old) is exemplary.  In a culture today where many pastors “play” at being a minister, much can be learned from ML-J.

Second, his love for books may be unmatched.  Because of ML-J, we now have the Banner of Truth Trust.  I gather from these pages that ML-J single handedly brought back the Puritans from the grave of modernity.  His love of those great divines is, in many instances, why his own pulpit ministry was successful.  He preached what the text said and did not worry about contextualization.  He believed the people did not need to hear a message that spoke to their felt needs; rather, he preached what the text said and allowed the Holy Spirit to apply it to the particular person.

Finally, his love for the God he served.  Everything he did was to that end.  His prayers, his song selections, and his sermons were centered on the glory of God.  From many accounts throughout the book, ML-J did not preach at or to the people in the congregation.  Instead, he preached to an audience of One.  Sadly, today this is done in word only.

I greatly appreciated Murray’s willing to take ML-J to task and show where he disagreed with what ML-J did or how he responded to certain situations.  Murray certainly painted a picture of ML-J that he believed what said and did even if he was later found to be wrong.  Murray also showed the humility in ML-J when he was shown to be wrong.

Recommendation

If you are a young pastor, I highly recommend picking up both volumes of this biography.  If you are a Christian, you will find much about 20th century Christianity interesting.  The book is aptly entitled The Fight for Faith.  As a Southern Baptist, I appreciated the interaction between ML-J and Billy Graham.  If I can be half the pastor, humanly speaking, as ML-J, I will have done more than I thought possible–I am just talking about his pulpit ministry.

There is much more I have left unsaid because of space restrictions, but trust me, anyone who calls on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will benefit from reading this biography.

Murray, Iain H. D.M. Lloyd-Jones: The First Forty Years 1899-1939. Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1982.  394 pp.  $36.00.  Purchase at Westminster for $25.20.

Introduction

Most readers here at Christian Book Notes will know that I am big fan of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.  One of the first books I ever reviewed was the new, at the time, biography by Iain H. Murray on the Doctor entitled Messenger of Grace.  I have also been extremely blessed to interview one of his grandchildren, Jonathan Catherwood.  I began reading this particular book as part of my “enjoyment reading” in which I had no intentions of writing a review.  I am planning on reading through everything that Dr. Lloyd-Jones has published.  Most of it is available here.

Summary

In essence, Murray takes the reader from birth to the call to become a minister at Westminster Chapel in London, England.  You will read about ML-J’s conversion experience–not unlike many who thought they were saved only to be shown that they truly were not.  You will learn of his time studying medicine–which is how he became affectionately known as the Doctor.  You will meet a young Bethan Lloyd-Jones who really wanted nothing to do with him…at first. Finally, you will see him wrestle with his call to the pastoral ministry.  Even though he fled from the public eye, the fact that he left medicine to become a pastor was an event that caught the eye of most in both Wales and London, England.

As you read about his first charge as a lay-preacher in Aberavon, Sandfields, you will see that he quickly became a much sought after itinerant evangelistic preacher. He would preach all over Wales in both Welsh and English sometimes in the same sermon.  You will discover early influences in his preaching ministry and pastoral convictions.  You will conclude with his believing his time at Aberavon was coming to an end even though he wanted to remain.  Sadly, for him at the time, he found that the Lord was calling him to London, England.  The volume pretty much ends with Lloyd-Jones accepting the call to join G. Campbell Morgan in the pulpit at Westminster on the same day that England entered into World War II.

Review

There is much to be learned from the life of ML-J.  Most do not get beyond his sermons available at OnePlace.com.  There were many interesting aspects that formed the ministry of young ML-J that lead to his later convictions of the way the ministry ought to be handled.  Perhaps for me, as a pastor, was the way in which he sought to exegete Scripture.  In essence, he did what I was taught in class despite never having any seminary “training.”  In that aspect, he and C.H. Spurgeon were one in the same.  His preaching of our sin and how horrible that is to God would be an excellent starting place for the church at large today.  His thoughts on revival–which he experienced some of while at Abravom–rival those of Jonathan Edwards.

Recommendation

As I stated above, I had no intentions of writing a review on this book.  While reading it, however, I felt that people need to know more about ML-J.  Young pastors today would do well to read volume one of Murray’s two-volume biography as they will see how a man of God goes about his work as a pastor.  For those who are not in the ministry, reading this biography will shed much light on pastors and theologians today like John Piper and Alister Begg as well as teachers like Don Whitney and Michael Haykin.  This is a fairly long, albeit, easy read and definitely one I would recommend you persevering through even though volume two is looming!