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Theologians on the Christian Life
Lloyd-Jones on the Christian Life: Doctrine and Life as Fuel and Fire
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, commonly referred to as “the Doctor,” had a successful career in medicine before abandoning it all to become a preacher in London. His sermons―displaying the life-changing power of biblical truth―diagnosed the spiritual condition of his congregation and prescribed the gospel remedy. This study of Lloyd-Jones’s life will encourage and exhort readers to consider the role of the knowledge of God, the power of the Spirit, and the fullness of Christ in their daily lives, allowing them to discover the inseparable union of doctrine and the Christian life.
272 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2018
38 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Jason C. Meyer
16 books27 followersJason Meyer is pastor for preaching and vision at Bethlehem Baptist Church and associate professor of New Testament at Bethlehem College and Seminary. He daily thanks the Lord that he gets to be married to the love of his life, Cara. The Lord has blessed them with four children and they live in Roseville, Minnesota. Jason still can't get over the fact that the Lord saved him. He believes that being a Christian is the most wonderful thing in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 2, 2020
I wasn’t really familiar with Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones prior to reading this, but I’m definitely intrigued enough to check out some of his books. Apparently, as a medical doctor-turned-preacher he never actually wrote any books as such, but many of his sermons have since been compiled into books. Thankfully, Meyer provides an extensive bibliography of his works.
The Doctor (as he was commonly referred to) believed that the “Christian life is doctrine on fire.” He was a strong proponent of expository preaching, and being a very logical thinker by nature, his sermons often followed a pattern: Definition of the problem, Diagnosis, and Prescription. He stressed the importance of proper doctrine, but did not minimize the value of experience. Indeed, his views on the works of the Holy Spirit led some to wonder whether he was a closet Pentecostal. But he appears to have had a well-balanced view:
“It seems to me that we have a right to be fairly happy about ourselves as long as we have criticism from both sides...For myself, as long as I am charged by certain people with being nothing but a Pentecostalist and on the other hand charged by others with being an intellectual, a man who is always preaching doctrine, as long as the two criticisms come, I am very happy. But if one or the other of the two criticisms should ever cease, then, I say, is the time to be careful and to begin to examine the very foundations.”
I loved the book about CS Lewis in this series, but I remember thinking that it would be best appreciated by those already familiar with his works, rather than as an introduction. Perhaps the same is true with this book?
The Doctor (as he was commonly referred to) believed that the “Christian life is doctrine on fire.” He was a strong proponent of expository preaching, and being a very logical thinker by nature, his sermons often followed a pattern: Definition of the problem, Diagnosis, and Prescription. He stressed the importance of proper doctrine, but did not minimize the value of experience. Indeed, his views on the works of the Holy Spirit led some to wonder whether he was a closet Pentecostal. But he appears to have had a well-balanced view:
“It seems to me that we have a right to be fairly happy about ourselves as long as we have criticism from both sides...For myself, as long as I am charged by certain people with being nothing but a Pentecostalist and on the other hand charged by others with being an intellectual, a man who is always preaching doctrine, as long as the two criticisms come, I am very happy. But if one or the other of the two criticisms should ever cease, then, I say, is the time to be careful and to begin to examine the very foundations.”
I loved the book about CS Lewis in this series, but I remember thinking that it would be best appreciated by those already familiar with his works, rather than as an introduction. Perhaps the same is true with this book?
September 2, 2023
ML-J is one of my heroes of the faith, but I knew so little about him. Yes I had read tons of his sermons but I didn’t know the man. This book, while not a traditional biography, did help me to understand him better. This book, like the rest in the series, takes a giant of the faith and walks through their thinking and theology, while also giving some biographical information. This was an enjoyable book.
November 23, 2020
I have read a few things written by MLJ and have been blessed by the MLJ Trust Foundation that has 1,000 of his recorded sermons, but I have read very little about the man. This short book walks through the life of MLJ by highlighting how the great doctrines he proclaimed impacted his life. Is this a biography about his entire life? No. Is it a biography of how the doctrines of God shaped his life and teaching? Yes. A fantastic read that brings to life the man whom the Lord used to convict me of sin in his “Studies on the Sermon on the Mount.” A great book that I received 2 years ago at T4G that I did not think I’d enjoy. Oh how I was wrong. I highly recommend the chapter on prayer.
March 9, 2021
There was enough information given about Martin Lloyd-Jones to see that he was a man of God who finished well. The chapters gave me insight into his orthodox theology. Most of his sermons are now available in book form. In one chapter, Meyer wrote a synopsis of “Spiritual Depression: It’s Causes and It’s Cures” which I believe is much needed in the church and has been unfortunately little developed in recent times. This was a good read. Thx to B.
February 15, 2021
Livraço! Inclui uma sóbria avaliação do posicionamento de Lloyd-Jones sobre a doutrina do Espírito Santo.
September 16, 2024
Although less biographical than I had expected, I found it refreshing to think through some of the core doctrines from Martyn Lloyd-Jones' teaching.
April 27, 2020
I think we are in a desperate need of learning from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Jason Meyer does an excellent job of organizing this book in showing us the doctrine and method of application the Doctor demonstrated in his ministry. This books provides a profound insight into how doctrine is the fuel for life.
As I read this book, I see how much I’m indebted to the Doctor. From a recovery of expository preaching to establishing The Banner of Truth Trust, the Doctor has profoundly impacted me in many ways. Pick up this book and get to know the Doctor!
As I read this book, I see how much I’m indebted to the Doctor. From a recovery of expository preaching to establishing The Banner of Truth Trust, the Doctor has profoundly impacted me in many ways. Pick up this book and get to know the Doctor!
August 15, 2023
Lots of great nuggets of wisdom in this book on the great preacher MLJ but I did not care for the audio version as it was mechanical and dry in the reading. Really a 3.5. It’s not as good as his preaching and the other books in the series I have listened to have been much better. Still worthwhile but maybe reading would have been better.
August 16, 2019
Phenomenal. There are too many good quotes to pick just one. Meyer does a great job breaking down Lloyd-Jones’ theology, but what I enjoyed most was the raw quotes from the Doctor himself. I appreciate his reverence and awe of Scripture.
November 30, 2018
First sentence: Doctrine and life are fuel and fire, not oil and water. The combustible combination of doctrinal precision and experiential power creates an explosion called the Christian life. No theologian explains the explosion better than Martyn Lloyd-Jones. The thesis of this book is that according to LloydJones, the Christian life is doctrine on fire.
This book is one of the books in Crossway's Theologians on the Christian Life series. I have read a good many books in the series. This one is a GREAT addition to the series. I loved, loved, LOVED it. It wasn't a surprise I loved it. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is one of my favorite-and-best theologians.
Lloyd-Jones on the Christian Life would be an EXCELLENT introduction to his life and work. I can't sing its praises enough. I think what I loved most about this biography was how it lets Lloyd-Jones speak for himself. So many quotes!!!!!
Not that the author had nothing to do but cut and paste, I imagine it takes a lot of work--a good amount of wisdom--to organize, arrange, select, and layout everything so that it flows perfectly and does justice to the subject. His observations are also worth noting. "If Sherlock Holmes had been a pastor instead of a private investigator, he would have looked a lot like Martyn Lloyd-Jones... Both Sherlock Holmes and Martyn Lloyd-Jones exhibit fine-tuned diagnostic acumen. In fact, the preaching ministry of the one affectionately known as the Doctor reflected all the marks of a medical cast of mind. His preaching would start with symptoms in society and then diagnose the root disease (i.e., the sin) and prescribe a gospel cure."
The premise of the book is simple yet profound: Doctrine should start in the head, catch fire in the heart, and create a life aflame with true obedience in the will. The Christian life as doctrine on fire must have all three realities. The abundant life comes only from a fully baked “both–and” combination of head and heart, light and heat, doctrine and life.
How Lloyd-Jones defines doctrine: Biblical doctrines are “particular truths” that the Bible “wants to emphasize and to impress upon the minds of us all.
Why is doctrine so important? He writes, "Divorcing doctrine and life is not a minor misstep but a deadly departure from the Bible. There is nothing which I know of which is more unscriptural, and which is more dangerous to the soul, than to divide doctrine from life...Impure living flows downstream from polluted doctrine."
Five dangers of 'the great divorce' of life and doctrine:
1. We dishonor God. The great divorce of doctrine and life means we deny him with our lives and insult the living God. “There is nothing which is more insulting to the holy Name of God than to profess Him with your lips and deny Him in your life.”
2. We quench the Spirit and hinder the work of God. The great divorce of doctrine and life leads to a situation in which “the Spirit is always quenched” and the work of God “is always hindered.”
3. We destroy holiness and joy. The great divorce of doctrine and life not only dishonors God; it destroys holiness and joy. It destroys holiness because it removes the direct association of doctrine to life. Holiness is like a cut flower apart from the soil of doctrine. Lloyd-Jones says that there “is no holiness teaching in the New Testament apart from this direct association with doctrine; it is a deduction from the doctrine.”
4. We become flimsy and shaky. If only those who endure to the end are saved (Matt. 24:13), then Christians will put a premium on a pattern of life that will last and stand the test of time. The whole purpose of doctrine is to help us endure by making us unmovable and unshakable; “not merely to give us intellectual understanding or satisfaction, but to establish us, to make us firm, to make us solid Christians, to make us unmovable, to give us such a foundation that nothing can shake us.”
5. We are highly susceptible to disaster. A shaky Christian life is susceptible to disaster because of the high winds of false teaching and temptation. You cannot separate what a man believes from what he is.
The book first gives a brief overview or biography of Martyn Lloyd-Jones life. (The book ends by examining his legacy). But the heart of the book focuses on doctrines--specific doctrines essential to the faith--and how to apply them.
Meyer follows the same three-fold format for each chapter: (1) introducing the doctrine, (2) defining the doctrine, and (3) applying the doctrine.
This book is one of the books in Crossway's Theologians on the Christian Life series. I have read a good many books in the series. This one is a GREAT addition to the series. I loved, loved, LOVED it. It wasn't a surprise I loved it. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is one of my favorite-and-best theologians.
Lloyd-Jones on the Christian Life would be an EXCELLENT introduction to his life and work. I can't sing its praises enough. I think what I loved most about this biography was how it lets Lloyd-Jones speak for himself. So many quotes!!!!!
Not that the author had nothing to do but cut and paste, I imagine it takes a lot of work--a good amount of wisdom--to organize, arrange, select, and layout everything so that it flows perfectly and does justice to the subject. His observations are also worth noting. "If Sherlock Holmes had been a pastor instead of a private investigator, he would have looked a lot like Martyn Lloyd-Jones... Both Sherlock Holmes and Martyn Lloyd-Jones exhibit fine-tuned diagnostic acumen. In fact, the preaching ministry of the one affectionately known as the Doctor reflected all the marks of a medical cast of mind. His preaching would start with symptoms in society and then diagnose the root disease (i.e., the sin) and prescribe a gospel cure."
The premise of the book is simple yet profound: Doctrine should start in the head, catch fire in the heart, and create a life aflame with true obedience in the will. The Christian life as doctrine on fire must have all three realities. The abundant life comes only from a fully baked “both–and” combination of head and heart, light and heat, doctrine and life.
How Lloyd-Jones defines doctrine: Biblical doctrines are “particular truths” that the Bible “wants to emphasize and to impress upon the minds of us all.
Why is doctrine so important? He writes, "Divorcing doctrine and life is not a minor misstep but a deadly departure from the Bible. There is nothing which I know of which is more unscriptural, and which is more dangerous to the soul, than to divide doctrine from life...Impure living flows downstream from polluted doctrine."
Five dangers of 'the great divorce' of life and doctrine:
1. We dishonor God. The great divorce of doctrine and life means we deny him with our lives and insult the living God. “There is nothing which is more insulting to the holy Name of God than to profess Him with your lips and deny Him in your life.”
2. We quench the Spirit and hinder the work of God. The great divorce of doctrine and life leads to a situation in which “the Spirit is always quenched” and the work of God “is always hindered.”
3. We destroy holiness and joy. The great divorce of doctrine and life not only dishonors God; it destroys holiness and joy. It destroys holiness because it removes the direct association of doctrine to life. Holiness is like a cut flower apart from the soil of doctrine. Lloyd-Jones says that there “is no holiness teaching in the New Testament apart from this direct association with doctrine; it is a deduction from the doctrine.”
4. We become flimsy and shaky. If only those who endure to the end are saved (Matt. 24:13), then Christians will put a premium on a pattern of life that will last and stand the test of time. The whole purpose of doctrine is to help us endure by making us unmovable and unshakable; “not merely to give us intellectual understanding or satisfaction, but to establish us, to make us firm, to make us solid Christians, to make us unmovable, to give us such a foundation that nothing can shake us.”
5. We are highly susceptible to disaster. A shaky Christian life is susceptible to disaster because of the high winds of false teaching and temptation. You cannot separate what a man believes from what he is.
The book first gives a brief overview or biography of Martyn Lloyd-Jones life. (The book ends by examining his legacy). But the heart of the book focuses on doctrines--specific doctrines essential to the faith--and how to apply them.
Meyer follows the same three-fold format for each chapter: (1) introducing the doctrine, (2) defining the doctrine, and (3) applying the doctrine.
February 16, 2021
I thought it was pretty good! It was more of a theological discussion than it was a biography. I really liked one of the sections on the doctrine of the Church. I appreciate MLJ's Reformed theology that is not solely targeted at the mind. His ministry was marked by an emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit in supernatural ways that is not often addressed in Reformed circles. Overall good book.
April 21, 2018
I was excited to read this book as I’ve heard Martyn Lloyd-Jones quoted many times at church. Lloyd Jones believed that the Christian life is “doctrine on fire.” “Doctrine should start in the head, catch fire in the heart, and create a life aflame with true obedience in the will” (location 180). He believed that that order matters and it encouraged me to pray this for my family as we go to church and read our Bibles each week. He goes on to say that trying to separate doctrine and life is disastrous. We are always showing what we believe in how we live our lives.
This book looks at Lloyd-Jones’ life, his doctrine, the Christian life, and his legacy. I appreciated that this book didn’t present only the wonderful things about him. It also included some of his theology that the Meyer feels was wrong as well as a controversy that Jones was involved in.
Martyn was a medical doctor who became troubled as he realized he was “helping people get well so that they could simply go back to sinning with more abandon” (location 383). He later switched to his preaching ministry so he could treat the soul.
I was blessed and encouraged by Martyn’s high view of the gospel. This man LOVED Jesus and what Jesus did for us. He talked of people who wish they had been saved from terrible thing so that they’d have a more exciting testimony. He reminds us that, “the doctrine of regeneration proves that you do not have a boring testimony, because being raised from the dead is not boring” (location 1276). Amen.
This is a helpful, encouraging, insightful book. I would recommend it. Thank you to Crossway for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
This book looks at Lloyd-Jones’ life, his doctrine, the Christian life, and his legacy. I appreciated that this book didn’t present only the wonderful things about him. It also included some of his theology that the Meyer feels was wrong as well as a controversy that Jones was involved in.
Martyn was a medical doctor who became troubled as he realized he was “helping people get well so that they could simply go back to sinning with more abandon” (location 383). He later switched to his preaching ministry so he could treat the soul.
I was blessed and encouraged by Martyn’s high view of the gospel. This man LOVED Jesus and what Jesus did for us. He talked of people who wish they had been saved from terrible thing so that they’d have a more exciting testimony. He reminds us that, “the doctrine of regeneration proves that you do not have a boring testimony, because being raised from the dead is not boring” (location 1276). Amen.
This is a helpful, encouraging, insightful book. I would recommend it. Thank you to Crossway for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
June 26, 2023
Enjoyed this one. I haven't yet dug into the works of MLJ, but am looking forward to doing so as a result of this biography. MLJ was many things between a physical doctor and a spiritual doctor, had some odd doctrinal convictions, and held to some pretty conservative theological beliefs. But more than anything he was a pastor who gave his life to his congregation. While that may seem like the bare minimum for a pastor, many times that is all that is needed.
did-not-finish
August 2, 2023I’m sorry to say it, but I never could finish this book because it was just so dull. I was interested in the subject, and this series is overall quite good, but I guess the writing style just didn’t appeal to me.
July 11, 2018
"Just what is wrong with the world today? Using methods learned as a physician, Lloyd-Jones diagnosed the problem of man as fundamentally the problem of sin. The prescription is the Gospel—forgiveness offered and accomplished by the Son of God who was Incarnate and who took on himself the punishment for the sins of all who would believe in him. The result is a new life of increasing obedience and joy as the disease of sin is fought against and the healthy life that we were called to begins to flourish. That is the basic message of Lloyd-Jones On the Christian Life, and of the ministry of Lloyd-Jones as a whole."
Read the rest at:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/schaeffe...
Read the rest at:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/schaeffe...
January 10, 2020
Our time is valuable. More and more I believe the old saying is true: we need to find a few good books and read them well and let them shape us (over against reading many books and not truly absorbing them). This is one of those books a person ought to read and re-read and absorb.
Lloyd-Jones on the Christian Life is so much more than a biography. In fact, the biographical aspect to this book takes a helping role, in my opinion, to a well-rounded book on Christian Living. The title is an accurate portrayal of the contents. The cover is not. You get the impression you’re picking up a biography because of the big picture of MLJ on the front, but the reality is you are getting a master class in how to live the Christian Life from one of the greatest preachers and personal examples of how to live the life of Faith - Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones.
I highly recommend this book to those who want some practical advice on Christianity. This volume was a gift at T4G in 2018, but I hadn’t gotten around to it until now (2020). I wanted to know more about the man whose 14 Volume set on Romans arrived at my door for Christmas 2019. But I was very pleasantly given a gift of much more than an introduction to Lloyd-Jones. I was inspired and motivated in my personal walk with the Lord (particularly as it relates to prayer), and I was reminded again of the critical issue of unction in the life of a preacher.
Thank you to Jason Meyer for an outstanding arrangement and flow to this volume, and to God be the Glory for how Lloyd-Jones’ life, preaching and editing into books continues to shape people today.
Lloyd-Jones on the Christian Life is so much more than a biography. In fact, the biographical aspect to this book takes a helping role, in my opinion, to a well-rounded book on Christian Living. The title is an accurate portrayal of the contents. The cover is not. You get the impression you’re picking up a biography because of the big picture of MLJ on the front, but the reality is you are getting a master class in how to live the Christian Life from one of the greatest preachers and personal examples of how to live the life of Faith - Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones.
I highly recommend this book to those who want some practical advice on Christianity. This volume was a gift at T4G in 2018, but I hadn’t gotten around to it until now (2020). I wanted to know more about the man whose 14 Volume set on Romans arrived at my door for Christmas 2019. But I was very pleasantly given a gift of much more than an introduction to Lloyd-Jones. I was inspired and motivated in my personal walk with the Lord (particularly as it relates to prayer), and I was reminded again of the critical issue of unction in the life of a preacher.
Thank you to Jason Meyer for an outstanding arrangement and flow to this volume, and to God be the Glory for how Lloyd-Jones’ life, preaching and editing into books continues to shape people today.
February 19, 2019
Martyn Lloyd-Jones was one of if not the greatest preacher of the 20th century. In this volume from the On The Christian Life series Jason Meyer provides not only an overview of Lloyd-Jones teaching on the basics of the Christian life but also a wonderful introduction to the works and thought of Lloyd-Jones. This volume addresses an area in which the physician turned pastor was at his strongest.
The first section of the book provides and introduction into the life and work of Martyn Lloyd-Jones. The second section draws heavily from the teaching series Great Doctrines of the Bible which can be found in print form or in the original recordings. In this section Meyer demonstrates the foundational role these doctrines played in the Christian life. The third section provides an overview on Lloyd-Jones’s teaching on areas such as the Bible, prayer life, home and family, as well spiritual depression among others. The final section provides an overview of his ongoing legacy.
This is one of the best contributions to the series I have read thus far. It provides a rich synthesis and exploration of Lloyd-Jones’s teachings on some of the key aspects of the Christian life, allowing his ministry to continue as readers are impacted by his deep understanding of the Christian life. I would highly recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.
The first section of the book provides and introduction into the life and work of Martyn Lloyd-Jones. The second section draws heavily from the teaching series Great Doctrines of the Bible which can be found in print form or in the original recordings. In this section Meyer demonstrates the foundational role these doctrines played in the Christian life. The third section provides an overview on Lloyd-Jones’s teaching on areas such as the Bible, prayer life, home and family, as well spiritual depression among others. The final section provides an overview of his ongoing legacy.
This is one of the best contributions to the series I have read thus far. It provides a rich synthesis and exploration of Lloyd-Jones’s teachings on some of the key aspects of the Christian life, allowing his ministry to continue as readers are impacted by his deep understanding of the Christian life. I would highly recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.
April 23, 2024
Of all the 'on the Christian Life' books in this series, this one has been the most helpful to me. His section on prayer was more helpful to me than most of the chapters of books and articles I've read on the subject. In fact, it is the one section of the book that even now I remember with clarity, whereas most of the rest of the book I remember the impression and character of, though not the particulars. It was also fascinating to see how his background as a doctor formed his approach to diagonosing and then treating the sicknesses of the heart.
What's more, it is evident in his quoted words that he struck a truly laudable balance of doctrine and zeal, of orthodoxy and orthopraxy, of theoretical and experimental faithfulness. I was amazed to hear about how he was accused by some of being a wild pentecostalist, and by others of being a dry and stuffy intellectual. It reminded me of an idea I've heard elsewhere, which is that you should expect to be receiving slander from those on each side of you, and you should be worried if you're not.
What's more, he is a great example of a man whose theology was comprehensively trinitarian. He does an excellent job of showing how the threeness as well as the oneness of God is relevant to different aspects of theology and the Christian life. I would strongly recommend reading/listening to this wonderful and short book, and I'm convinced that it will bless many readers, and no doubt stir up much deserved interest in Lloyd-Jones' sermons themselves.
What's more, it is evident in his quoted words that he struck a truly laudable balance of doctrine and zeal, of orthodoxy and orthopraxy, of theoretical and experimental faithfulness. I was amazed to hear about how he was accused by some of being a wild pentecostalist, and by others of being a dry and stuffy intellectual. It reminded me of an idea I've heard elsewhere, which is that you should expect to be receiving slander from those on each side of you, and you should be worried if you're not.
What's more, he is a great example of a man whose theology was comprehensively trinitarian. He does an excellent job of showing how the threeness as well as the oneness of God is relevant to different aspects of theology and the Christian life. I would strongly recommend reading/listening to this wonderful and short book, and I'm convinced that it will bless many readers, and no doubt stir up much deserved interest in Lloyd-Jones' sermons themselves.
July 27, 2018
Lloyd Jones on the Christian Life by Jason C. Meyer is a book that checks a lot of genre boxes. Part of Theologians on the Christian Life series by Crossway, this book looks at Lloyd-Jones' life, his doctrine, the Christian life, and his legacy. Like many of the theologians in this series, you may have read many quotes by them in other works, but be unfamiliar with the scope of their ministry and how it continues to impact the world for Christ.
I had heard a little of Lloyd-Jones story before, the medical doctor who became a preacher, and while the biography portion of the book is concise, it brings into focus much of what shaped his ministry views. As for his doctrinal views, which were sometimes controversial, the book does a good job of outlining them and then supporting them with quotes or passages from a variety of Lloyd-Jones teachings.
This isn’t a fanboy book, the author deals honestly with areas of theology where he disagrees with Lloyd-Jones, and overall I felt it balanced and helpful. This is a good book for someone who would appreciate an overview of the life and influence of Lloyd-Jones as an introduction to the man and his ministry.
Read well (and widely) friends!
Thank you to Crossway Books for providing threeladiesoflit.com with a complimentary copy for review.
I had heard a little of Lloyd-Jones story before, the medical doctor who became a preacher, and while the biography portion of the book is concise, it brings into focus much of what shaped his ministry views. As for his doctrinal views, which were sometimes controversial, the book does a good job of outlining them and then supporting them with quotes or passages from a variety of Lloyd-Jones teachings.
This isn’t a fanboy book, the author deals honestly with areas of theology where he disagrees with Lloyd-Jones, and overall I felt it balanced and helpful. This is a good book for someone who would appreciate an overview of the life and influence of Lloyd-Jones as an introduction to the man and his ministry.
Read well (and widely) friends!
Thank you to Crossway Books for providing threeladiesoflit.com with a complimentary copy for review.
December 4, 2018
I’m not really sure what this book was supposed to be helpful for. There is only a chapter of biographical information (The first section), so it wasn’t really about the life of Lloyd-Jones.
The Second section of the book was a summery of Lloyd-Jones systematic theology as demonstrated through his own sermons and lectures. However, this is really just a summary of conservative evangelical theology... but in only 100 pages so it was devoid of much specificity.
A third section of the work was how Lloyd-Jones applied his theology to his own times. This was the most helpful section. If you are familiar to evangelical theology, I would recommend skipping the second section and skimming through this one.
In summary, I simply didn’t find the book that helpfull for anything in particular. If you are interested in understanding what Lloyd-Jones believed, read his printed sermons and lectures. If you’re interested in his life, read a biography. The current work treats both topics too quickly to really be helpful beyond what you could learn with a quick wiki search.
The Second section of the book was a summery of Lloyd-Jones systematic theology as demonstrated through his own sermons and lectures. However, this is really just a summary of conservative evangelical theology... but in only 100 pages so it was devoid of much specificity.
A third section of the work was how Lloyd-Jones applied his theology to his own times. This was the most helpful section. If you are familiar to evangelical theology, I would recommend skipping the second section and skimming through this one.
In summary, I simply didn’t find the book that helpfull for anything in particular. If you are interested in understanding what Lloyd-Jones believed, read his printed sermons and lectures. If you’re interested in his life, read a biography. The current work treats both topics too quickly to really be helpful beyond what you could learn with a quick wiki search.
March 22, 2020
As someone who knew little about Martyn Lloyd-Jones, this book has opened my eyes to one of the greatest pastor/theologians in the history of the Church. Jason Meyer unpacks Lloyd-Jones teaching in an organized thoughtful way. He expertly shows how Lloyd-Jones did not just simply teach doctrine for the sake of doctrine, but rather doctrine that informs and empowers the Christian life. Referring to the Christian life as "doctrine on fire."
Al Mohler states, "Martyn Lloyd-Jones was on of the titanic figures of twentieth-century Christianity. What now sets him apart is the fact that his writings, sermons, and other messages are even more influential now, more than two decades after his death, than when he engaged in such a massive ministry at Westminister Chapel and beyond." This book shows how Lloyd -Jones was one of the catalysts in the modern resurgence of Reformed theology, the reemphasis of expository preaching and the rediscovery of the Puritans. It has left me wanting to read, listen to and experience more of "The Doctors" work.
Al Mohler states, "Martyn Lloyd-Jones was on of the titanic figures of twentieth-century Christianity. What now sets him apart is the fact that his writings, sermons, and other messages are even more influential now, more than two decades after his death, than when he engaged in such a massive ministry at Westminister Chapel and beyond." This book shows how Lloyd -Jones was one of the catalysts in the modern resurgence of Reformed theology, the reemphasis of expository preaching and the rediscovery of the Puritans. It has left me wanting to read, listen to and experience more of "The Doctors" work.
March 1, 2021
This book is my first in the Crossway series and is an excellent introduction into the life and ministry of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Lloyd-Jones was a giant for his own part, a British evangelical pastor in the 20th century. Many consider him to be what Spurgeon was in the 19th century. I had little idea regarding Lloyd-Jones' ministry, so this book was a helpful first step.
I most appreciated how Meyer does an excellent job letting the "Doctor" speak for himself. Meyer largely takes a backseat in his description of what the Doctor believed in his theology and how he lived it out/exhorted others. Lloyd-Jones often called it "logic on fire", where he takes theological truths (which start from the mind), set it aflame (in the heart), and live it out (the will).
This book was personally edifying, particularly in how Lloyd-Jones identifies the root issue (sin) and the cure (the gospel). He then moves to apply that to each sphere of our lives. Convicting and challenging. I'll be referring to it again and heartily commend this book!
I most appreciated how Meyer does an excellent job letting the "Doctor" speak for himself. Meyer largely takes a backseat in his description of what the Doctor believed in his theology and how he lived it out/exhorted others. Lloyd-Jones often called it "logic on fire", where he takes theological truths (which start from the mind), set it aflame (in the heart), and live it out (the will).
This book was personally edifying, particularly in how Lloyd-Jones identifies the root issue (sin) and the cure (the gospel). He then moves to apply that to each sphere of our lives. Convicting and challenging. I'll be referring to it again and heartily commend this book!
April 7, 2018
Decent look at Lloyd-Jones' theology. Goes through the obvious points of doctrine and application. Format got a little repetitive (short exposition, description of errors related to subject at hand, Lloyd-Jones' "prescription" for rectifying said errors). MLJ was a preacher, and listening to his sermons is a far better way to get at his theology. But if you want a decent introduction to his thoughts on the Christian life, this is a good place to start (although I got really tired of Meyer referring to him as "the Doctor." So that's his nickname--who cares? You don't refer to someone by his nickname in a serious work of non-fiction).
Probably a good idea to relegate MLJ's views on charismatic gifts/baptism of the Spirit and on the secession controversy to the appendices. But the second appendix was so vague almost to be worthless.
Probably a good idea to relegate MLJ's views on charismatic gifts/baptism of the Spirit and on the secession controversy to the appendices. But the second appendix was so vague almost to be worthless.
January 8, 2024
This is the second book I’ve read in this series and I admit, I’ve been disappointed both times. I’ve come wanting a biography when this series is far from it. Though there was a short chapter at the beginning overviewing Lloyd-Jones’ life, the majority of the book is a historical theology, and read more like a systematic theology recounting Lloyd-Jones’ views on various topics like the Holy Spirit, the atonement, marriage, and suffering. While I think the theology presented was solid, it just felt more like a well written book on orthodox doctrine rather than really learning about Lloyd-Jones. However, this book did whet my appetite to desire to read Lloyd—Jones’ books, listen to his sermons, and read his biography.
April 24, 2022
This has been one of my favorite book reads ever! Almost every page I was underlining a sentence or two. Lloyd-Jones by God’s grace has made a huge impact on reforming the church back to its first love and this book shows how Lloyd-Jones diagnosed the problems of the present age. One of my favorite quotes of the book is: “If the church had been left to us, and to people like us, the story would have ended long ago.” The Doctor is always pointing to God’s grace and man’s reliance upon that grace. I cannot emphasize how much I love this book and how it has impacted my view of the Christian life.
June 4, 2018
Every book in this series continues to be done with excellence. Meyer’s take on Lloyd-Jones is no exception. The repetitive survey of the Doctor’s full-proved view of doctrine, heart, and life is the least bit boring. Whether it is on the person of God, the Church, or life lived in the home, Meyer beautifully lays out what Doctrine on Fire looks like. Great work, Jason!
January 6, 2020
This biography series On the Christian Life encapsulates the major theological positions and teachings of these great men of the faith. I am thankful for the rich doctrine and the return to expository preaching led by "The Doctor." Reading about his two major controversies in the appendix was fascinating and added more to understanding this great man of God, Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
August 6, 2020
A must read by every Pastor and Shepherd. While many Seminary’s make “Preachers and Preaching” by the Doctor required reading, this book also should be required reading. It gives the breakdown of what made Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones tick. I highly recommend this book. It’s a easy read and can be read in just a few days.
March 18, 2023
Knowledge of God leads to a passion for the Lord in our hearts, then which moves us to act. This book covers the doctrinal beliefs of Martin Lloyd-Jones. He was a spit fire, firm in preaching the Word of God, and his love for God is contagious in this book. It was a refreshing read to read about a hero of the faith and who’s love for the Lord is apparent while you read.
December 13, 2025
“The Christian life is doctrine on fire in which the glorious gospel takes up the whole person.”
Loving this series. Stirred by the life and teachings of MLJ, especially his emphasis on fire.
The Holy Spirit. Anointing. Unction.
“Without the Spirit, a preacher is only reading his notes or repeating words in reliance upon human oratory.”
Loving this series. Stirred by the life and teachings of MLJ, especially his emphasis on fire.
The Holy Spirit. Anointing. Unction.
“Without the Spirit, a preacher is only reading his notes or repeating words in reliance upon human oratory.”
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