Tuesday 28 February 2012

The LLoyd-Jones 31st Anniversary

1st March will be the 31st anniversary of the arrival of Dr David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) in glory.  This eminent servant of Christ lived for and served the Lord while in this world and glorified Him in his ministry.

I had the privilege of hearing him preach in the flesh at a midweek service in Leeds while studying there, and what an honour it was.  To hear the greatest preacher in 20th century Britain was something I will never forget.

For forty-plus years I have been a student of DMLJ and have benefited greatly from his books.  I have prepared a personal appreciation of the Doctor which has now been made available to the wider reading public.  You can get your copy of the book at this link.

In addition to the personal appreciation, I have appended a section which runs to about half the book, detailing DMLJ's understanding of the Gospel.  For many, DMLJ was viewed as an Owenite, as a preacher who held to Westminster theology.  Nothing could be further from the truth, however.

You will discover things about DMLJ's theology, or soteriology, that will surprise you.  In fact, what you will discover about DMLJ's soteriology is that it is authentically Calvinistic.  He preaches the same Gospel as did John Calvin.  Calvin's ministry was so blessed by God that many were savingly converted to Christ and the city of Geneva and St Peter's church thoroughly reformed according to the Word of God.  DMLJ saw many sinners converted to Christ over many years of faithful ministry.  Both these ministers are reminiscent of Richard Baxter of Kidderminster who evangelistic labours saw that entire town transformed by the grace of God. 

In stark contrast stands the ministry of Anglican-turned-congregationalist, Dr John Owen.  He is not now to have had any conversions during his long ministry.  To some people, lack of conversions is a mark of a faithful ministry.  How wrong can a person be!  DMLJ's preaching exhibited a biblical balance that is nit just admirable but to be copied by every Gospel preacher in the church. 

The book demonstrates clearly, and in the Doctor's own words, what it was he preached - and it was a message that God honoured. 

As the 31st anniversary of his death approaches, why not get your copy of this book and read, in his own words, the Gospel he declared for six decades.

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