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The Old Evangelicalism: Old Truths for a New Awakening by Iain H. Murray
Sin, regeneration, justification by Christ's righteousness, the cross, and the love of God, assurance of salvation - these are the truths that once thrilled churches and changed nations. Yet, where evangelicalism continues to affirm these truths, without such results, it is often assumed that she must have needs that cannot be met without something new.These addresses by Iain Murray challenge that mindset. While the Bible not history is the textbook in these pages, Murray draws on the best authors of the old evangelicalism to confirm what a glorious message the gospel is.
Hardcover
First published April 30, 2005
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About the author
Iain H. Murray
60 books240 followersIain Hamish Murray is a British pastor and author. He was educated in the Isle of Man and at the University of Durham before entering ministry in 1955. He served as assistant to Martyn Lloyd-Jones at Westminster Chapel (1956–59) and subsequently at Grove Chapel, London (1961–69) and St. Giles Presbyterian Church, Sydney, Australia, (1981–84). In 1957 he and Jack Cullum founded the Reformed publishing house, the Banner of Truth Trust, of which he continues to serve as a trustee.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 21, 2021
I remember visiting with an older gentleman a couple of decades ago and he said (and I paraphrase), "You younger people, this generation of youth today, you are so arrogant and you all think that somehow you've come up with something new and innovative. You and the younger generation, in your arrogance, snub your noses at the older generations, believing that somehow, your worship, your approach to ministry, your theologial prowess, your ability to preach and teach and understand Scripture is so far superior than the days gone by. That's a tragedy." I had to confess to him that he is right. There is a problem. I was still in that younger crowd of people and admittedly, there were times when I thought of the older generation as being out of touch and the new ways of doing things were so much better. Now, certainly, there are things of modernity that even an older generation would have to admit are much better. But in fairness to him, his generation and the generations that came before him, they did many things remarkably well. They thought deeply. They studied hard. Many of them were theologically astute and would put many, dare I say, most of us to shame in knowledge of God's Word and doctrine. Not everything about modern times is helpful, superior, or better than the things of old. This was clearly seen as I read through Iain Murray's book, "The Old Evangelicalism: Old Truths for a New Awakening."
In this book, Murray begins by looking at the topic of Evangelism, Preaching and Teaching. Murray considers issues such as learning about God and, as one does, he becomes more concerned about himself, his spiritual condition, his eternal destiny, not in a self-centered way, but in a critical self-evaluating way. The reader is reminded that it is through the law that one learns of his/here helplessness. We really do need a Savior. Murray pushes the reader to understand that in evangelism, the initial need is NOT to win an acceptance for Christ. This point alone turns modern evangelistic approaches upside down. Also in this section, Murray explores the issue of Regeneration and Conviction. Woven throughout the pages are quotes---an abundance of quotes, sermon notes, and critical points made by godly men going back hundreds of years. All of these expound on points that we all would do well to consider.
The second section was excellent as Murray gave this chapter to writing about Spurgeon and his view of true conversion. This was a wonderful chapter as it focused much on the role of the law in the process of evangelism and leading up to conversion. Spurgeon also addressed preaching and the role that preaching has in conversion. Modernity seems to hold forth the idea that the law of God is somehow terrible, not necessary, and really, such to be avoided/ignored. How how tragic that mindset is in the role of true conversion. This neglect leads to immaturity of faith, false conversions, and a church gone adrift.
Chapters 3 and 4 were excellent. Murray wrote about God's Way of Salvation, an obvious contradiction to the way of salvation espoused by the natural man and religion. Murray brings out truth about mankind in darkness, the importance of the righteousness of Christ, the imputation, and the critical, absolutely critical doctrine of justification by faith and faith alone. Murray continues on this theme in chapter 4, speaking to the issue of the love of God. He points to the cross of calvary as the place where we learn of forgiveness and how it can be consistent with holiness. It was through the cross of Christ that the love of God is made known to all people. Godly men down through the chambers of church history wrote often of the love of God, both particular love and general love. The points brought forward from authors of yesteryear were helpful in sorting through some of these issues.
In chapter 5, Murray featured John Wesley and showed how one's upbringing and education can prejudice the mind against other beliefs. Though there was much to disagree with Wesley on in the doctrinal realm, Murray demonstrates that in some ways, there is much that we can learn from Wesley. We can learn about zeal for the gospel. We can learn about church government, the structure of such, the procedures and practices within the church. It was great to read that as one looks at Wesley, one can see that persuasion of the Love of God for humans actually makes churches truly evangelistic. Wesley likewise seems to challenge us on our beliefs about sanctification.
Last, Murray presents the old Evangelicals' thoughts on the Assurance of Salvation. He helps the reader see how the voices of old viewed and dealt with this absolutely critical doctrine and why it is so important to understand that they truly had a solid grasp on the doctrine. They weren't lacking or out of touch. They held strong biblical convictions, bolstered by intense study of the Scriptures.
Murray ends the book with looking at the issue of church unity and Christian unity, explaining the difference between the two, and showing why these are important for the reader to understand.
I thought Murray's book was very helpful to challenge the reader to consider that possibly, just possibly, the older generations truly did think deeply, think biblically, and truly do have much to offer the church of the 21st century. We would be foolish, arrogantly foolish, to not listen to the theological voices of the past, and consider deeply what they have to offer the church today---a church that seems to be greatly adrift and has lost its way.
In this book, Murray begins by looking at the topic of Evangelism, Preaching and Teaching. Murray considers issues such as learning about God and, as one does, he becomes more concerned about himself, his spiritual condition, his eternal destiny, not in a self-centered way, but in a critical self-evaluating way. The reader is reminded that it is through the law that one learns of his/here helplessness. We really do need a Savior. Murray pushes the reader to understand that in evangelism, the initial need is NOT to win an acceptance for Christ. This point alone turns modern evangelistic approaches upside down. Also in this section, Murray explores the issue of Regeneration and Conviction. Woven throughout the pages are quotes---an abundance of quotes, sermon notes, and critical points made by godly men going back hundreds of years. All of these expound on points that we all would do well to consider.
The second section was excellent as Murray gave this chapter to writing about Spurgeon and his view of true conversion. This was a wonderful chapter as it focused much on the role of the law in the process of evangelism and leading up to conversion. Spurgeon also addressed preaching and the role that preaching has in conversion. Modernity seems to hold forth the idea that the law of God is somehow terrible, not necessary, and really, such to be avoided/ignored. How how tragic that mindset is in the role of true conversion. This neglect leads to immaturity of faith, false conversions, and a church gone adrift.
Chapters 3 and 4 were excellent. Murray wrote about God's Way of Salvation, an obvious contradiction to the way of salvation espoused by the natural man and religion. Murray brings out truth about mankind in darkness, the importance of the righteousness of Christ, the imputation, and the critical, absolutely critical doctrine of justification by faith and faith alone. Murray continues on this theme in chapter 4, speaking to the issue of the love of God. He points to the cross of calvary as the place where we learn of forgiveness and how it can be consistent with holiness. It was through the cross of Christ that the love of God is made known to all people. Godly men down through the chambers of church history wrote often of the love of God, both particular love and general love. The points brought forward from authors of yesteryear were helpful in sorting through some of these issues.
In chapter 5, Murray featured John Wesley and showed how one's upbringing and education can prejudice the mind against other beliefs. Though there was much to disagree with Wesley on in the doctrinal realm, Murray demonstrates that in some ways, there is much that we can learn from Wesley. We can learn about zeal for the gospel. We can learn about church government, the structure of such, the procedures and practices within the church. It was great to read that as one looks at Wesley, one can see that persuasion of the Love of God for humans actually makes churches truly evangelistic. Wesley likewise seems to challenge us on our beliefs about sanctification.
Last, Murray presents the old Evangelicals' thoughts on the Assurance of Salvation. He helps the reader see how the voices of old viewed and dealt with this absolutely critical doctrine and why it is so important to understand that they truly had a solid grasp on the doctrine. They weren't lacking or out of touch. They held strong biblical convictions, bolstered by intense study of the Scriptures.
Murray ends the book with looking at the issue of church unity and Christian unity, explaining the difference between the two, and showing why these are important for the reader to understand.
I thought Murray's book was very helpful to challenge the reader to consider that possibly, just possibly, the older generations truly did think deeply, think biblically, and truly do have much to offer the church of the 21st century. We would be foolish, arrogantly foolish, to not listen to the theological voices of the past, and consider deeply what they have to offer the church today---a church that seems to be greatly adrift and has lost its way.
January 5, 2022
An excellent book, food for the soul!
June 22, 2021
Much of what evangelicalism is known for today (at least in the USA) is a great departure from what evangelicals were in the past. We need to truly be people who are known for their love of the good news that Jesus saves sinners. Murray's book captures this well and gives practical advice for pastors/elders. I would highly recommend this book.
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
"Because of abounding error and ignorance of Scripture there is danger today of ministers becoming engulfed in all kinds of controversies."
"...where there is hesitancy or uncertainty in preaching the death of Christ, there is bound to be a serious weakening, if not a nullifying, of the chief purpose of the gospel ministry."
"It is not the preacher's business to explain the unexplainable."
"By the last quarter of the seventeenth century in England the Puritan tradition was less attractive than it had been in earlier years. Puritan witness had been overtaken by internal controversies over doctrine, by an over-scrupulous regard for points of church government, by fragmentation into parties, and by too much engagement in politics."
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
"Because of abounding error and ignorance of Scripture there is danger today of ministers becoming engulfed in all kinds of controversies."
"...where there is hesitancy or uncertainty in preaching the death of Christ, there is bound to be a serious weakening, if not a nullifying, of the chief purpose of the gospel ministry."
"It is not the preacher's business to explain the unexplainable."
"By the last quarter of the seventeenth century in England the Puritan tradition was less attractive than it had been in earlier years. Puritan witness had been overtaken by internal controversies over doctrine, by an over-scrupulous regard for points of church government, by fragmentation into parties, and by too much engagement in politics."
November 22, 2019
Excellent chapters.
July 28, 2021
Another essential book by Mr. Murray (read anything he has written!) about the core foundational Truth of the Gospel, the Bible, the Christian life.
June 30, 2025
Excellent.
August 6, 2011
Iain Murray has subtitled his book "Old truths for a new awakening." His concern is that "on a number of fundamental truths, the evangelicalism of the last hundred years contrasts unfavourably with what went before." He cites William Booth, whose answer in 1901 to the question as to the chief dangers ahead for the twentieth century was: "Religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God and heaven without hell." Certainly liberals have long since abandoned the centrality of the cross, but how are modern Evangelicals doing? Are we preaching forgiveness without repentance, or salvation without regeneration?
Murray addresses some of the central subjects of evangelism, including conversion, Christ's imputed righteousness, and the love of God for sinners, by turning to Scripture but also by citing people who have been used powerfully by God in the past, such as C.H. Spurgeon. It was Spurgeon himself who said that "a respectable acquaintance with the opinions of the giants of the past, might save many an erratic thinker from wild interpretations and outrageous inferences."
To just say a few words on the chapter about conversion, Murray contends that this central doctrine of the Christian faith has been neglected, over-simplified, and pushed to the periphery in modern Christianity. Consequently, he says, our evangelistic efforts have suffered. A modern error is the belief that we can bypass the Law of God and go straight to the preaching of the gospel. But we are reminded that the law is the perfect expression of the character of God. It's purpose is not to save but to drive the sinner to Christ. The law is to be preached to lead to conviction of sin, a despairing of meeting God's requirements by oneself. In his own day, Spurgeon recognized the danger of "simplifying" conversion by removing from preaching any sense of awe and reverence before a holy God: "Today we have so many built up who were never pulled down; so many filled who were never emptied; so many exalted who were never humbled; that I the more earnestly remind you that the Holy Spirit must convince us of sin, or we cannot be saved" (page 67). Murray ends the chapter with the admonition that focus on evangelism and revival are all well and good, but following Spurgeon we must go back to first things with a renewed fear of God.
Murray addresses some of the central subjects of evangelism, including conversion, Christ's imputed righteousness, and the love of God for sinners, by turning to Scripture but also by citing people who have been used powerfully by God in the past, such as C.H. Spurgeon. It was Spurgeon himself who said that "a respectable acquaintance with the opinions of the giants of the past, might save many an erratic thinker from wild interpretations and outrageous inferences."
To just say a few words on the chapter about conversion, Murray contends that this central doctrine of the Christian faith has been neglected, over-simplified, and pushed to the periphery in modern Christianity. Consequently, he says, our evangelistic efforts have suffered. A modern error is the belief that we can bypass the Law of God and go straight to the preaching of the gospel. But we are reminded that the law is the perfect expression of the character of God. It's purpose is not to save but to drive the sinner to Christ. The law is to be preached to lead to conviction of sin, a despairing of meeting God's requirements by oneself. In his own day, Spurgeon recognized the danger of "simplifying" conversion by removing from preaching any sense of awe and reverence before a holy God: "Today we have so many built up who were never pulled down; so many filled who were never emptied; so many exalted who were never humbled; that I the more earnestly remind you that the Holy Spirit must convince us of sin, or we cannot be saved" (page 67). Murray ends the chapter with the admonition that focus on evangelism and revival are all well and good, but following Spurgeon we must go back to first things with a renewed fear of God.
April 19, 2014
Great questions are asked & discussed in this book entitled “The Old Evangelicalism: Old Truths for a New Awakening.” This book contains questions & issues Christians should talk about & spend time thinking about. Here are some that Ian Murray discusses in the book; Why does God command us to repent, yet also tell us that we are unable to? Shouldn't Christians be able to say when they were born again? Doesn't the righteousness of Christ imputed to us do away with the need for Christians to live godly lives? If Christ's work purchased salvation for a definite number only, how can God desire that all should come to repentance? Can God "so love the world", and then send anyone to Hell?
I believe that one of the best chapters is where he deals with conversion. Murray contends that conversion is the central doctrine of the Christian faith that has been neglected, over-simplified, & pushed to the periphery in modern Christianity. Consequently, he says, our evangelistic efforts have suffered. A modern error is the belief that we can bypass the Law of God & go straight to the preaching of the gospel. The Law’s purpose is not to save but to drive the sinner to Christ. The law is to be preached to lead to conviction of sin, a despairing of meeting God's requirements by oneself. Spurgeon recognized the danger of "simplifying" conversion by removing from preaching any sense of awe & reverence before a holy God. Murray ends the chapter with the admonition that focus on evangelism & revival are all well & good, but following Spurgeon we must go back to first things: a renewed fear of God.
Very good stuff.
I believe that one of the best chapters is where he deals with conversion. Murray contends that conversion is the central doctrine of the Christian faith that has been neglected, over-simplified, & pushed to the periphery in modern Christianity. Consequently, he says, our evangelistic efforts have suffered. A modern error is the belief that we can bypass the Law of God & go straight to the preaching of the gospel. The Law’s purpose is not to save but to drive the sinner to Christ. The law is to be preached to lead to conviction of sin, a despairing of meeting God's requirements by oneself. Spurgeon recognized the danger of "simplifying" conversion by removing from preaching any sense of awe & reverence before a holy God. Murray ends the chapter with the admonition that focus on evangelism & revival are all well & good, but following Spurgeon we must go back to first things: a renewed fear of God.
Very good stuff.
July 7, 2012
A recent work by one of the UK's most estimable theologians. While it
lacks cohesiveness, and is not convincing in every one of its assertions, it
is a solid volume. It reminds us that key biblical doctrines (e.g., God's love
for humanity through the cross-work of Christ) always accompany genuine
revival in the history of the Christian church. Particularly noteworthy is
the chapter on "What We Can Learn From John Wesley".
lacks cohesiveness, and is not convincing in every one of its assertions, it
is a solid volume. It reminds us that key biblical doctrines (e.g., God's love
for humanity through the cross-work of Christ) always accompany genuine
revival in the history of the Christian church. Particularly noteworthy is
the chapter on "What We Can Learn From John Wesley".
June 24, 2014
I've read this book before and I have classified this as really an "intellectual biography" of Iain Murray. I do not know if this was his intention, but Murray begins a lot of these chapters from a personal grounding on how these individual subjects have worked in his own life (especially the one on what we can learn from John Wesley). There are a lot of gems in this work and I highly recommend it.
February 4, 2014
If you are a preacher and have not read this, this precious book should be next on your list.
June 9, 2011
great book. an early contender for my favorite book of the year.
May 31, 2014
3rd Read: 05/30/2014
2nd Read: 04/13/2012
1st Read: 10/15/2008
2nd Read: 04/13/2012
1st Read: 10/15/2008
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews