Customer Reviews

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The Fight of Faith 1939-1981 (v. 2)

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After twice reading this second volume of Murray's wonderful biography on Martyn Lloyd-Jones, words still fail to describe how much it has meant to me. Lloyd-Jones was perhaps the greatest preacher of the 20th century, leaving a legacy worthy of the eight hundred pages in this book! He restored expository preaching to the modern pulpit, recovered the theology of the Reformation for a new generation, fostered a hunger for the reviving work of the Holy Spirit, revived an interest in historical Evangelical literature, and labored for true unity among Evangelicals. All of this and more is documented in this very readable and instructive book. Pure delight!

A giant of our times such as Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones surely merits a two-volume appreciation as magnificent as that which Iain Murray has penned. The factual details recounted in this biography are not only of the most crucial significance in understanding evangelicalism in the twentieth century; but they make compelling reading. At the same time, the character of the man shines through in every page. Reading the account of the final few days of his life, I almst felt as though I were losing a dearly-beloved grandfather. But the pages of this book do not speak so much of the activity of man as of the activity of God, who raises up leaders in every generation. Those who sense a true spiritual calling into the ministry should most certainly read and reread this account of a preacher who should be reckoned as a worthy successor to George Whitefield and Charles Haddon Spurgeon; the greatest British preacher of the twentieth century.

I bought this book (together with vol 1)almost 8 years ago & I remembered that I literally devoured the book. He was one the Christian who made greatest contribution in my spiritual life.

Murray portrays him as the great man of God he was & the many contributions he has made to Christendom. No one can read this biography without gaining some benefit. Although the book is bulky, it never seem the case to those who are acquainted with the subject.

Now I am going for round 2 of this book which should attest to the value I have with regard to this book.

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is not a household name today, even though he died a relatively short time ago. I knew of him as a brilliant thinker, a physician who became a pastor of Westminster Chapel in London near Buckingham Palace. I've heard and appreciated some of his sermons, and I have some of his books. It wasn't until I heard Tim Keller continually refer to him that I decided to learn more.

The result is a deep appreciation for an incredible ministry. Reading biographies of great men is inspiring, and this one is no different. I benefited from seeing accounts of Lloyd-Jones as he pastored a church in London during the worst of World War II, with bombs exploding nearby; as he dealt with difficult deacons and patiently pastored a church while allowing God to change hearts; as he became known for his preaching ministry and began to speak all over the world; and as he dealt with controversies that continue today. You can't help but read all that he went through without learning as you think through the issues and weigh what you would have done.

But what really struck me as I read this volume is the benefits of being out of step with the times. It's popular today to say that we live in a new day, and that everything has to change. But things weren't all that different when Lloyd-Jones was alive. Many within the church were arguing for new approaches. For example, one person argued in 1976 that his method of preaching was out of date:

"What one must question, however, is this: is our age ever going to accept monologue again? Does it not seem that our generation is demanding, and insisting on the right of talk-back?...One way communication may have been sufficient in the past. Nowadays there is feed-back, and right of reply, and letters to the editor: must the preacher be the sole exception to this general trend?"

Lloyd-Jones, however, never lost confidence in the power of the Word proclaimed, and the results were profound.

Other trends in his day included increased reliance on business methods and entertainment in an effort to become more effective. Lloyd-Jones resisted these trends. As a physician, he had diagnosed the problem differently, and more entertainment and better methods would never be enough. "The modern church was bypassing her primary need," writes Iain Murray. "She was adopting 'methods of big business and advertising' instead of praying for a visitation of God." His focus was not on new methods, but on preaching and applying the gospel and relying on God's power.

Iain Murray's biography is not hagiography. You do get a sense of where Lloyd-Jones struggled, and he seemed to be aware of these areas as well. But I can't tell you how much I appreciated reading of his life and ministry, and how much I learned as a result. Every pastor could benefit from reading these books.

For full review see my comments on Vol. 1. I cannot express how important this book is to me spiritually. It is rare for a biography to do so much in bringing one nearer to God. One thinks of Spurgeons autobiography and Dallimore's Whitefield volumes. But Murray's volumes on Lloyd-Jones are my 'desert island books.' Both books have been constant companions of mine for two years. Today reading through chapter 13 again I felt a Jeremiah-like fire in my bones to preach. I can't wait until Sunday! Preachers: you need to read this book. Believer: learn what to look for in your pastors. Okay, I must quit because I want to read chapter 14!