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

Henry, Matthew. Revised and edited by O. Palmer Robertson. A Way To Pray: A Biblical Method for Enriching Your Prayer Life and Language by Shaping Your Words with Scripture. Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2010. 420 pp. $24.00. Purchase at Westminster for $16.80.

Introduction

Matthew Henry is no stranger to evangelical Christianity. His 6 Volume devotional commentary is second to none in terms of use and practicality. What many do not realize is that he actually stopped the writing of that commentary so he could write A Method for Prayer, with Scripture Expressions Proper to be Used under Each Head which was published in 1710.

O. Palmer Robertson is a graduate of Belhaven College and Westminster Theological Seminary.  He has pastored congregations in Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Maryland. He has taught in Westminster, Knoxe, Reformed, and Covenant Seminaries in the United States and is currently the Principal and Director of African Bible University in Kampala, Uganda.  He has written numerous thought provoking books. It has been in his dream to update Matthew Henry’s monumental work, A Method for Prayer.

Summary

A Way to Pray consists of nine chapters offering major categories with numerous sub-categories for which to guide one’s prayer time. These categories include praise, confession, petition, thanksgiving, intercession, prayers for particular occasions, how to conclude our prayers, an expanded look at the Lord’s Prayer, and shorter forms of prayer. Also included is a short and expanded summary of prayer topics as well as a very helpful subject index.

Review

If you are not familiar with Henry’s A Method for Prayer, then you really have no idea what gold you are missing. Quite honestly, I had only heard of it in passing and did not give it a second thought until the Pocket Puritan edition Sampler from A Way to Pray came across my desk for review. As soon as I checked that out, I was immediately hooked. Having been taught the art and discipline of praying through Scripture by Donald S. Whitney, I was immediately drawn to the book.

It is important to note that while Robertson did update the language of Henry, he very much did his own translation which is more dynamic (thought for thought) rather than the literal translations so many are using today. This helps with the flow of the prayer as one reads through the topical verses under each category. He did, however, painstakingly make sure that each prayer that is offered comes from a text that is significant for that particular topic in its original context.

Recommendation

Just as the Valley of Vision has been a number one seller for The Banner of Truth Trust, I believe A Way to Pray will become the next number one. Both are biblically saturated and both works seek to glorify God in one’s prayer life. A Way to Pray simply has the text of Scripture on its side which will allow it to become the best selling book on prayer in Banner of Truth’s warehouse.

I would recommend getting both the full book and the Sampler. You can carry the sampler around with you wherever you go while the larger book can sit close at hand in your house. To have a topical prayer guide of Bible verses is invaluable. I fully believe that if you use A Way to Pray as it is meant to be used, your prayer life will not only greatly increase, but your communion with God will do so as well.

Fraser, James. Am I a Christian? Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2009. 88 pp. $6.00. Purchase at Westminster for $4.20.

Introduction

James Fraser (1639-1698) was a Scottish Puritan who was Parish Minister of Culross, Bass Rock, Blackness, and New Gate Prisoner.  His biography is found in the 2-volume set, The Scottish Puritans.  This Pocket Puritan is extracted from his book Memoirs where he wrote of his sufferings of doubts as to his salvation.

Summary

Fraser discusses twenty grounds by which Satan will attack the believer thus causing him to doubt his salvation.  In all twenty, Fraser provides a biblical response that is both satisfying and loving.  The “secret” (for lack of a better term) for assurance of salvation is to look to Christ at all times.

At the end of the book is a choice excerpt from Alexander Whyte explaining Fraser’s understanding of biblical conversion.  You can actually find this article here.

Review

In a day when we are told we are Christian because of a prayer we read or said or an aisle we walked, Fraser’s dealings with doubt is a breath of fresh air.  I cannot think of anyone who, when being honest, has not struggled with their assurance of salvation.  Fraser offers biblical answers to twenty of the most common “disqualifications” for our salvation.  While the language may be old (it was written in the 1600′s), it is certainly worth reading.

Recommendation

I recommend this book to any who call on the name of Christ as both Lord and Savior.  There will be times when you doubt.  Fraser helps you to answer the challenges and to look to Christ through it all.  He alone will enable you to persevere through those dark days.

Bunyan, John. The Works of John Bunyan, 3 Volumes. Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2009. $99.00. Purchase at Westminster for $69.30.

Introduction

I read the book Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners in the first volume of the three volume complete works of Bunyan shown above in the picture. You are able to purchase this title as a separate volume for $15.83 at Westminster books though I would highly recommend purchasing the set.

Summary

Grace Abounding is John Bunyan’s (1628-1688) spiritual autobiography that was published in London in 1666. In this spiritual biography, Bunyan shows in great detail his wrestling with God for salvation. He lists how he often thought he was saved yet would willingly shun the Scriptures and correction by God in order to continue in his sinful ways. At one point, he actually began attending church because of the great name he was gaining within the village as a man changed by the workings of God.

After writing much of his false faith, he gloriously details his conversion and how he was changed, quite literally, overnight. Soon after, he was called to preach. While pastoring, he began writing. Bunyan is most well known for his The Pilgrim’s Progress which he wrote while in prison for preaching the gospel. Though that is his most famous book, he wrote many, many others all of which can be found in the three volume works.

Toward the end of this biography, Bunyan offers an apologetic (defense) against the charge of sexual immorality. I honestly do not know why he felt the need to address this particular topic in his spiritual biography (if anyone has insight, please comment!), but he does so at length. Also, toward the end of the book, he offers an account of his imprisonment which is when he wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress.

Review

Reading this spiritual biography was of great encouragement and blessing to me. It was a great encouragement for me personally as I read how he came with no Christian heritage or pedigree yet God saw fit to save his soul. I, too, came from no real Christian heritage (nominal Catholicism at best) nor do I have much of a spiritual pedigree in my family beforehand. To see how Bunyan, through Christ, was to live out his faith and come to grips with the sovereignty of God was refreshing to my souls. Many times I found myself thinking that I could relate to what Bunyan had written.

Bunyan is quite open with his life both before and after his conversion. He especially spends much time detailing his false faith leading up to his true salvation. This alone is worth the price of whichever book you purchase. There are many in the church today who, though they think they are Christian, are, in fact, anything but Christian.

Recommendation

Every Christian needs to read Grace Abounding not just for their own edification, but for their spiritual well-being as well. Bunyan tells it straight and in so doing, challenges everyone to take a hard look at their own standing in Christ. We need more testimonies like Bunyan’s (and I fear that there are many out there waiting to be told–Mt. 7:21) in today’s Americanized, apathetic Christian churches. Be sure to pick up a copy of Grace Abounding and rediscover the genius of Bunyan through his own eyes.