John James Murray (1934–2020)

his is a look at the "rediscovery" of Reformed theology in Britain during the mid-twentieth century. It is very accessible and readable. It is however, rather a selective view. It is a hero view of history. There are a number of 'heroes' that are honoured. Most notably, Dr Martin Lloyd Jones, others that get honourable mentions are Jim Packer, Geoffrey Williams and the Evangelical Library, Iain Murray and the Banner of Truth and surprisingly, John Murray (not the author of the book), who was a Brit but who spent most of his time in the USA at Westminster Seminary. Others have bit parts: notably: E. J. Poole-Connor, A. W. Pink, W. J. Grier and J. Elwyn Davies.

The emphasis here is on the Calvinism that stems from the Puritans. No mention is made of Kuyperian Calvinism. Murray, the author (not the WTS Murray), held pastorates in Oban and Edinburgh, so one would have thought the Scottish influence would be to the fore, but that is not so. The part played by the Free Churches in Scotland seems to be minimised. Others absent are the Sovereign Grace Union and the Strict and Particular Baptists.

The roles of the English and the Welsh are well documented here and it provides a good overview of the roles played by Lloyd Jones, the Evangelical Library and the Banner of Truth. There is a useful timeline stretching from 1899 (the birth of DMLJ) to 1981 (the death of DMLJ) and a chronology of John Murray.… (mer)

It is the belief of the author that a significant change came about in the history of the church in the United Kingdom in the middle decades of the 20th century. It was by and large a recovery of something that had been a reality in the church in past generations. Step by step men were led to see what was missing in the type of Christianity that prevailed for the first half of the century and began to direct their minds back to the glories of past eras.It is instructive to trace the various strands which were woven together in the providence of God to bring about the recovery. In most cases it was the discovery of some treasure of Christian literature from a spiritually-favoured age that set the person on the course he took. We find in the unfolding of history how the flame that burned in the heart of a man of God at one time is years later re-kindled in another - as happened in the case of George Whitefield being directed to Scougal's Life of God in the Soul of Man, and in the life of the young C. H. Spurgeon to the writings of the Puritans.The purpose of this work is to trace these providential links in the men and in the books that set in motion a recovery of the vision - looking at figures such as W. J. Grier, A. W. Pink and E. J. Poole-Connor. The central place is given to the influences that shaped the message and ministry of the leading figure in the recovery, Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones.… (mer)

his is a look at the "rediscovery" of Reformed theology in Britain during the mid-twentieth century. It is very accessible and readable. It is however, rather a selective view. It is a hero view of history. There are a number of 'heroes' that are honoured. Most notably, Dr Martin Lloyd Jones, others that get honourable mentions are Jim Packer, Geoffrey Williams and the Evangelical Library, Iain Murray and the Banner of Truth and surprisingly, John Murray (not the author of the book), who was a Brit but who spent most of his time in the USA at Westminster Seminary. Others have bit parts: notably: E. J. Poole-Connor, A. W. Pink, W. J. Grier and J. Elwyn Davies.

The emphasis here is on the Calvinism that stems from the Puritans. No mention is made of Kuyperian Calvinism. Murray, the author (not the WTS Murray), held pastorates in Oban and Edinburgh, so one would have thought the Scottish influence would be to the fore, but that is not so. The part played by the Free Churches in Scotland seems to be minimised. Others absent are the Sovereign Grace Union and the Strict and Particular Baptists.

The roles of the English and the Welsh are well documented here and it provides a good overview of the roles played by Lloyd Jones, the Evangelical Library and the Banner of Truth. There is a useful timeline stretching from 1899 (the birth of DMLJ) to 1981 (the death of DMLJ) and a chronology of John Murray.… (mer)