Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899–1981) and 20th Century Evangelicalism (Studies in Evangelical Thought and History)

by John Brencher

Publisher:

Paternoster

, 2002

Overview

Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) and 20th Century Evangelicalism is a rigorously researched, thematic study of Martyn Lloyd-Jones. John Brencher considers the significance of Lloyd-Jones’ life for post-war British evangelicalism, critically examining the many events, persons and issues surrounding one of the leading and most controversial preachers in modern Protestantism. He studies Lloyd-Jones’s background and upbringing, his love of his Welsh heritage, and explores how these influenced his ministry. His preaching at Westminster Chapel figures prominently, as does his understanding of the nature of the church. Also examined is the way that his Reformed evangelicalism led him in a separatist and anti-ecumenical direction. The book closes with an evaluation of Lloyd-Jones’s leadership and the extent of his influence.

Contents

Top Highlights

“The real business of a church is prayer, preaching and Bible study and this is what he meant by a ‘God-centred’ church. Churches which ‘became the centre of social life’ with ‘all sorts of cultural clubs’ or ‘organized games’, as many had been in ‘the pre-1914 period’, were man-centred.” (Page 66)

“He had the ability to make people feel that to believe any other word than his was spiritual and intellectual suicide.” (Page 39)

“ ‘the true preacher does not seek for truth in the pulpit; he is there because he has found it’.^{1” (Page 31)}

“To use Lloyd-Jones’s own definition of preaching, it was ‘Logic on fire! Eloquent reason!’” (Page 31)

“‘Left Riches and Fame to Become Poor Pastor’, was not far off the mark.” (Page 12)

Endorsements

The book, in other words, should be read by anyone who takes seriously the important work of unusually blessed preachers, but who also wants to move beyond either simple praise or blame in assessing the long-term impact of such ministry.

—Christianity Today

An evaluation of perhaps the greatest British preacher of the twentieth century. [Brencher] analyzes the distinctive ecclesiology, the widespread influence and (very illuminatingly) the Welshness of this outstanding Reformed Evangelical.

—David Bebbington

Dr. Brencher’s admirably researched study—sometimes sympathetic, sometimes trenchant, but always fare-minded—provides us with a much-needed scholarly assessment of one of the last century’s most inspirational evangelical preachers.

—Richard Carwardine, University of Sheffield

Brencher has bravely provided a much-needed and more dispassionate biography of Martyn Lloyd-Jones than has existed up to now. Much fresh light is shed on one of the twentieth century’s biggest pulpit giants. Lloyd-Jones is portrayed as fallible as well as fruitful and this book is very revealing about the story of British Evangelism.

—Derek Tidball, London Bible College

Product Details

• Title: Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) and Twentieth Century Evangelicalism
• Author: John Brencher
• Publisher: Paternoster
• Print Publication Date: 2002
• Logos Release Date: 2008
• Pages: 267
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Evangelists › Wales--Biography; Evangelicalism › Great Britain
• ISBNs: 9781842270516, 1842270516
• Resource ID: LLS:MARTYNLLOYD
• Resource Type: text.monograph.biography
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-08-01T16:26:37Z

About John Brencher

John Brencher studied art and history at the University of Leicester, the University of York, and the University of Sheffield. He has also studied ministry at London Bible College. He served Bethel Church, Liverpool. Now retired, he continues to lecture and write in history.