Encountering Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones 3

Biblical principles

It was not unusual, if I remember correctly, for preaching in the 1940’s and 50’s to be very prescriptive at times. Young people, in particular, were told what not to do and what they should do. I can remember hearing preaching against women wearing lipstick and it was generally considered worldly to go to the cinema or dancing. The old taboos have gone now amongst Christians – probably the pendulum has swung far too far in the other direction. The Doctor’s preaching searched the heart but when it came to behaviour it was thoughtful, biblical principle that was the guide. More than that; his ministry brought you near to God so that it was not just a case of what was right or wrong, but what would promote godliness and the enjoyment of grace.

Encountering Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones 2

The natural is God-given and good

It was a great privilege to listen to the Doctor preaching his series of sermons on marriage from Ephesians 5 – even better than reading the book; both I and my wife to be found them enormously helpful at the time. Marriage and family life became a calling from God; bringing up children a sacred obligation and privilege. Against a background in which self-sacrifice was rightly highly thought of among Christians, it was important to be reminded that there are many natural blessings that are gifts of God. As someone who went to boarding school when my parents returned abroad as missionaries after the Second World War I am still unable to determine in my own mind exactly the principles which should apply in such cases. Once again, though, the Doctor brought a whole new perspective into view which was surely beneficial.

Encountering Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones

This Christmas I received a copy of the recent book Engaging with Martyn Lloyd-Jones. So far I have only glanced at it and it will not be for some days yet that I can get down to serious reading. Already, however, it has brought back memories of Westminster Chapel during student days and the limited personal contact that I had with the Doctor. I want to start by noting some reasons why some of us found his ministry different and particularly helpful; reasons which I think are important but perhaps easily overlooked.

Jack Sprat and his wife

The important thing about Jack Sprat and his wife, according to the Doctor, is that they were quite different from each other. It was no use trying to get Jack to eat fat, nor to get his wife to eat lean meat: in that respect they were opposites. So the Doctor stressed that we are all individuals and our personalities and temperaments differ. This may not seem earth-shattering news, but the tendency amongst evangelicals at that time seemed to be that Christians should all be much the same, conforming to some norm that was best seen in the most dedicated of Christians – usually missionaries. The Doctor’s preaching, while it was often searching, seems to me also to have been liberating. God has made us individuals and he uses us as the persons he has made us to be. We are to pursue holiness of life but that does not make Christians clones. A Christian church should be a wonderfully variegated collection of people.

Glory Night

Glory night

That was a night like none that earth had known –
nor could those shepherds in their wildest dreams
have fathomed what it is when glory streams
from heaven, and angels from before the throne
of mighty God sing out in joyful tone.
For us, on looking back with awe, it seems
to overturn all our religious schemes,
when thus the saving love of God was shown.

‘Fear not,’ the angel said, ‘glad tidings know,
in David’s town a new-born Saviour lies.’
‘Glory to God above,’ filled all the skies,
‘peace and God’s favour to the earth below.’
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem,
let us too, in our hearts, now follow them.

The fulfilment of the law

I have just downloaded the article referred to in January’s Banner of Truth magazine: Eschatological Fulfilment and the Confirmation of Mosaic Law: 9A Response to D. A. Carson and Fred Zaspel on Matthew 5:17-48) written by Greg Welty and reviewed by Walt Chantry. I haven’t read Carson on the subject but a few months ago I was looking at the passage in question. Having read verse 18 ‘For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law until all is fulfilled’ I read on until I came to what our Lord says about murder. And I thought: ‘Yes, that law will never be fulfilled in me until heaven and earth pass away and I am made fully like my Saviour.’

Visitation, Divorce & the Good Samaritan

Last Wednesday some of us met in the fraternal that alternates between Lancaster and Kendal. I gave a basic address on Pastoral Visitation. In discussion the question of divorce came up – especially in view of violence against a wife (or husband). Two or three years ago I gave a brief paper on Divorce at the West Lancs Reformed Baptist Fellowship. I have put both of these addresses on my other blog, Writings and Ramblings.

I have recently read John Legg’s article on the parable of the Good Samaritan in the latest edition of Foundations (on line from Affinity). Although I am not sure about all the details this is a very worthwhile effort to explain a very difficult parable (don’t think it’s difficult? – read what John has to say). He certainly addresses the key question – why did Jesus bring a Samaritan into the parable at all? For what my recommendation is worth, I think anyone will benefit from thinking through the parable in the light of what John has to say.

Corruption in the UK

According to a report Britain has failed to be listed among the ten least corrupt countries in the world. A spokesman has said, “It is clear that there is systemic complacency about corruption in the UK, even if the problem is not endemic. The Government needs the courage to admit that many checks and balances have failed,” he added. “Instead of a proliferation of inquiries we need urgent action to put in place policies that will prevent such a crisis from happening again and restore public trust in our key institutions.” Well, perhaps; more important is the integrity, honesty and trustworthiness of the population. Without high moral standards in any organisation or country, corruption becomes inevitable. Members of Parliament and Governments only reflect the general moral atmosphere of a country. Why else would we have an expenses scandal?