Digital Logos Edition
What is the proper place of symbolism and ritual in the Church? What is the role of the clergy? According to the Plymouth Brethren in the nineteenth century, ritual has no place in the church, and the very notion of clergy—in the words of John Darby, one of the movement’s founders—is heretical. Their skeptical assessment of scripture and tradition raised the ire of not a few church leaders, among them A. H. Strong. After Strong penned a damning indictment of the Plymouth Brethren movement, H. A. Ironside weighed in on the controversy at the request of a congregant, and, in doing so, brought needed clarity to a hotly debated topic.
In this volume, Ironside examines each of Strong’s sixteen objections to the Plymouth Brethren movement, using Scripture as his model and tradition as his guide. Although the controversy has subsided—thanks, in part, to Ironside’s thoughtful engagement—the core issues still remain, and the relevance of Ironside’s analysis continues to address issues the modern church faces. Decades later, this important book still has the capacity to teach, guide, and inspire.
H. A. Ironside, one of the twentieth century’s greatest preachers, was born in Toronto, Canada on October 14, 1876. Though his education stopped with grammar school, his fondness for reading and a retentive memory put his learning to use. His scholarship was recognized in academic circles when he received honorary degrees from Wheaton College and Bob Jones University and was invited as frequent lecturer at Dallas Theological Seminary. Dr. Ironside was appointed to the boards of numerous Bible institutes, seminaries, and Christian organizations. He also served as director of the Africa Inland Mission. Ironside preached widely throughout the United States and abroad. He served as pastor of Moody Memorial Church from 1930 to 1948, and during his lifetime, he preached more than 7,000 sermons to over 1.25 million listeners.
“Men were ordained to serve tables and ordained as elders, but where were they ordained as ministers of the gospel?” (Page 20)
“ The Sabbath was for Israel; the Lord’s day for the Church.” (Page 14)
“It is not that Christ wrought out a righteousness to cover us as a cloak, but that His death has met every claim that was against us, and God imputes righteousness apart from any works on our part; even as it is written of Abraham: ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for [as] righteousness’” (Page 11)
“Real ministers are men called of God, gifted by Christ, and sent forth by the Holy Spirit” (Page 9)
“Brethren’ teach that ‘the righteous requirements of the law are fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.’ We are not under law (Rom. 6:14). We are neither saved by the law, nor under it, as a rule of life; we are not lawless, but ‘under law (enlawed) to Christ.” (Page 13)
1 rating
Gary Crossman
12/30/2013