David Martyn Lloyd-Jones the First Forty Years 1899-1939 (v. 1) [Hardcover]

Iain H. Murray (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 394 pages
• Publisher: Banner of Truth; 3rd edition (December 1, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851513530
• ISBN-13: 978-0851513539
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #486,422 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stirring Account of Evangelical Leader, May 20, 2000

By 

Brian G Hedges (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: David Martyn Lloyd-Jones the First Forty Years 1899-1939 (v. 1) (Hardcover)

First volume of Murray's substantial biography on Martyn Lloyd-Jones stands head and shoulders above every biography I have ever read. What a great man of God was Lloyd-Jones, and what a great God he served. From the account of his childhood in Wales, to his prominence in Harley Street as a physician, to his conversion and subsequent ministry in Aberavon, this is a wonderful book. Not a story full of dramatic happenings, but rather the quiet obedience of a man who shunned publicity, but was honored by the God of heaven, and saw the mysterious and sovereign movings of the Spirit upon his hearers. Well documented with numerous sermon excerpts, newspaper quotes, and personal interview with the "Doctor" and his wife themselves, this was a fantastic book with which to end 1997. I shall treasure this volume always, and make a point to read it more than once more in the years to come. I thank God for this book and the inspiration it has been to me.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Portrait of a Great Man, July 27, 2003

By 

Jacob Aitken (Pineville, LA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: David Martyn Lloyd-Jones the First Forty Years 1899-1939 (v. 1) (Hardcover)

The First volume of this work by Murray shows the dynamism of a man who strived for Christ-Exalting Power. After reading the is biography I can only ask myself, "Can such men live again?" What made Dr. Lloyd-Jones so used by God?

I suggest at least three factors:
1) He placed the origin of revival at the proper source, God. His theology of revival was supremely theocentric. He knew that true revival is when a Sovereign God awakens the hearts of his people. Such a revival proves real conversion.
2) Second to his power was the need for holy study. At a time when the academia in Britain were denying the sacred text, and with no conservative alternative, Lloyd-Jones filled the gap and held high the Scriptural banner. What was said of Edwards could be said of him: "He put fidelity to the Word of God above all else." Also was his constant study of great theologians like the Puritans, Jonathan Edwards, and Warfield.
3) Although this theme is brought out more in the second volume, he was more concerned with pleasing God than appeasing men. This is seen in him giving up a medical career for a pastorate. Would to God that there were more preachers who lived before an audience of one!

At times his theology will challenge one. His view on Baptism in the Holy Spirit is worth dialouging and debating. And for some, he will appear odd in that he was a Calvinist evangelist, a model for men to come. His message is desperately relevant for us today.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Goldmine of Spiritual Help!, October 15, 2009

By 

J. L. Green "BroJ" (Decatur, AL USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: David Martyn Lloyd-Jones the First Forty Years 1899-1939 (v. 1) (Hardcover)

This book, along with its companion volume has become more precious and helpful to me than any other volume in my library. I was introduced to Lloyd-Jones through a foot note in a John MacArthur book and 'the Doctor' has now become THE desert island author of my life. In just a few short years the written versions of his sermons have had more influence in shaping my own understanding of the Scriptures and the true method of expository preaching than anything else. Oh, how the church needs more men like Martyn Lloyd-Jones! The two volume biography by Iain Murray proves both the skill of Iaian Murray as a biographer/historian (read everything he writes!) as well as the man of a great God Lloyd-Jones was.

Volume 1 covers, obviously the early years of the great preachers life, covering his career in medicine, conversion, call to preach and ministry at Sandfields. Reading this books is to witness the magnifying of GOd in a young mans heart as the world is totally eclipsed by the grandeur of the Gospel of Christ. Murray's account of Lloyd-Jones years at Sandfields is a clinic for pastors. It was a great encouragement to me to see that he faced in rural Wales the same types of issues that a young Reformed-minded pastor faces in rural Alabama!. I truly get caught up in the spiritual growth and revival experienced in that church during Lloyd-Jones ministry there. It is truly the building of a CHURCH.

Vol. 2 begins with the acceptance of Lloyd-Jones acceptance of G. Campbell Morgans request to him to co-pastor Westminster Chapel in London. The struggles Lloyd-Jones faced in this decision present great lessons on discerning the will of God for the believer. The wisdom of the young pastor as he leads this great church through the war and the retiring of Morgan shines forth. The rebuilding of that great congregation coupled with the wider ministries that opened up for the Doctor in the 50's and 60's point to his influence. No one else stood as he did for the truth during a very tumultuous time for the evangelical world. Against the tide of liberalism and ecumenical compromise he stood as a rock, and often alone!

To read the life of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is to read of the life of GOd pulsatint through an obedient vessel caught up in glory of the Master he serves. God is the hero of this amazing story. All Christians, and certainly all pastors will be greatly encouraged and strengthened by reading Iain Murrays masterpiece of grace in the life of this preacher/pastor. And as always with Murray, the subject of his book 'lives' through the pages. No biographer is as thorough in his research and as faithful in his interpretation of his subject as is Murray. The books are so chock full of Lloyd-Jones' own words that they almost read like autobiographies.


The inside cover of my copies have written in them the dates of my first readings of the books, followed by the comment: 'And constant companion thereafter.' Enough said.