God-given genius

THE PASSIONATE PREACHING OF MARTYN
LLOYD-JONES
By Stephen J Lawson
Reformation Trust. £11.30
ISBN 978 1 567 696 387

Few would argue with descriptions of Lloyd-Jones as ‘the greatest preacher the English-speaking world has seen in the 20th century’ (Eric Alexander), ‘one of the greatest preachers of all time’ (John MacArthur), or even ‘the greatest preacher in Christendom’ (Wilbur Smith).

These are all quotes used by Steven Lawson to set out his stall in introducing us to the physician turned preacher, claiming that ‘More than any other individual, Lloyd-Jones is most directly responsible for the recovery of biblical preaching during the latter half of the 20th century, and the effects of his ministry continue to this day.’

Godly Men series

This book is the latest in the excellent ‘Long Line of Godly Men’ series, many of which are also written by Lawson. They are not straight biographical accounts of key Christian leaders down through the centuries, rather they attempt to highlight key aspects of their lives and ministries which still have much to teach us in these generally spiritually impoverished days.

I had the privilege of hearing ‘the Doctor’ as he was affectionately known, just once, but have listened to many recordings of his preaching and read most of his published works.

In fact, it was, in many ways, through reading his series on Romans and Ephesians that I learned how to preach, though that shouldn’t be interpreted as a claim to preach like him!

Lloyd-Jones’s life

Steven Lawson gives us a biographical overview of Lloyd-Jones’s life, tracing the journey from his roots in Wales to a glittering and promising medical career which he then left in order to follow God’s call on his life to preach. He began his ministry back in Wales, where his church saw remarkable growth under his preaching, before moving to Westminster Chapel, London, first as assistant to Campbell Morgan and then as the minister for 25 years, exercising an influence that would reach around the globe and well after his own lifetime.

Explaining ML-J

In the following chapters, Lawson considers several factors that explained Lloyd-Jones’s ministry, describing it, for example, as Biblically Based, Distinctly Expository, Divinely Focused and Spiritually Empowered. He not only shows that these were the secrets of the Doctor’s fruitfulness, but gives copious quotations from his preaching and writing by way of instruction and exhortation to those who are also called into this greatest of all works.

Lawson writes: ‘No man’s preaching can rise any higher than his view of God. The sheer genius of Lloyd-Jones’s preaching was based in the towering knowledge of God he possessed and proclaimed.’

True preaching

This book is not just an inspirational account of Lloyd-Jones’s life and ministry, it is a study in what true preaching is and what faithful preachers should and need to be. ‘There must be a decisive return to preaching that is Word-centered, God-exalting, Christ-centred, and Spirit-empowered. We need men who are committed to the difficult and laborious work of exposition.

‘We need men who take apart Scripture, verse by verse, and preach it as a demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit for the growth and holiness of God’s people. In short, we need Lloyd-Joneses again to stand in pulpits across our land and unapologetically proclaim the Word of the living God.’

Catalyst

What a fitting tribute it would be to the Doctor, some 35 years after his death, if the Lord would see fit to use Lawson’s book as a catalyst for just such an outcome.

For review purposes, I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publishers, but I was under no obligation to write a positive review.