The Puritan Hope

by Iain H. Murray

A study of the biblical and Reformed teaching on the Christian's hope in this world, in the prospect of the triumph of the gospel.

Genres: Theology, History, Christian, Church History, Nonfiction, Biography, Evangelism

326 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Iain 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.

Reviews

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing.

[Samuel G. Parkison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Murray seems to be a little generous to postmillennialism with some of his citations and proofs--many of the "evidences" of postmillennialism he cites don't quite get you that far (i.e., the theological position that specifically claims that Christ will return AFTER a golden-age of flourishing; a kind of "earthly millennium"). Most of the statements simply affirm that the Great Commission will be victorious, and that Christ will have the nations he purchased with his blood, and that this final state of affairs will be brought about by the faithful work of missionaries, without any direct reference to a precise time of Christ's return in relation to this eschatological "sea-to-sea" enjoyment of Christ's kingly rule. As an amillennialist, I gladly affirm and celebrate the vast majority of the block quotes Murray offers in this book. That said, Murray does show convincingly that the novel emergence of dispensational premillennialism did radically impact the missiological landscape (and I would agree with Murray, that this impact was for the worse). On this point of mission, it is striking how connected the history of eschatological hopefulness (i.e., the hope that the gospel will steadily advance for the glory of Christ and that the eschaton will enjoy the fruit that was sewn in this life) is with the history of missions, and also how connected the traditional Reformed interpretation of Romans 11 is to both of these topics. Murray could have easily titled this book as "Puritan Missiology" or "The Puritan Hope of Jewish Re-Ingrafting" or something like that.

Last comment. While this book did not tempt me to postmillennialism, it most certainly make me more hopeful and confident in the Holy Spirit's ministry of revival. A major takeaway is that I ought to pray for the Spirit's outpouring of revival--he's done it before, he will do it again.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was extremely helpful in giving a history of eschatological views, missionaries, and revivals in centuries past. Murray shows that many (if not the majority) of the Puritans held to the Reformed postmillennialist position, the only position that gives hope for a Christian future, as opposed to trying to save as many people before the big bang happens. It's a hope that provides a trajectory and purpose for current cultural work. See Plodcast, Episode #11.

For related books see Gentry's He Shall Have Dominion, Mathison's Postmillennialism, Wilson's Heaven Misplaced, and Sproul's The Last Days According to Jesus. Greg Bahnsen once called the-tendency-to-be-generally-pessimistic-based-on-the-most-recent-headlines "newspaper exegesis." Ken Gentry expands on this theme in a four-part series: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Mentioned positively here.

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read. I think the most important message the book communicates is that your interpretation of the second coming of Christ does have profound effects on the rest of your Christian walk: day-to-day living, preaching the Gospel, social justice etc. This is displayed in the book largely through Murray's recounting of the takeover of Dispensationalism in the 19th century.

Murray isn't making a case for Post-Millenialism, but rather showing how the Puritans eschatology affected their preaching and living and resulted in the Great Awakenings modern-day Christians look back upon with fondness and long to see happening again.

The question I'm left with after reading the book (and the one I had largely while reading it) is if an optimistic view of the future of church is limited to a Post-Millenial eschatological view, or can there be such a thing as an optimisic pre-millenial view. Or does one have to dodge the subject, like the essay in the Appendices portrays Spurgeon as doing.

[Joel Davison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gospel will prevail. This book has made me think more than any other book I’ve ever read so it has etc anol

[Ben Zornes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I forget how exactly, but a few months ago I ran across this book and bought it on impulse.After reading just the first couple pages, I knew I had met, as it were, a dear friend. There are few books that I have run across that double for windows to let in heaven’s air, but this little volume was such a book. In light of a generation of Christians growing up with the understanding that things are going from “bad to worser,” the Puritans’ interpretation of prophetical matters that this book presents might seem obscure and foreign. Iain Murray, the author, makes a compelling case that the Puritans’ view of the future was far more biblical, hopeful, and optimistic than our most common modern viewpoints.

The main takeaway for me from this book is summed up by the Spurgeon quote that concludes the book: “Oh! Spirit of God, bring back thy Church to a belief in the gospel! Bring back her ministers to preach it once again with the Holy Ghost, and not striving after wit and learning. Then shall we see thine arm made bare, O God, in the eyes of all the people, and the myriads shall be brought to rally round the throne of God and the Lamb. The Gospel must succeed; it shall succeed; it cannot be prevented from succeeding; a multitude that no man can number must be saved.” Murray, by and large, lets the voices of the Puritans themselves do most of the talking, and while they weren’t entirely uniform in all their beliefs, they were profoundly united in their optimistic view of the success of the Gospel in the earth, aided by powerful Spirit-born revivals that would bring about large numbers of converts. They believed that “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Is. 11:9). Read the rest of my review here.

[Peter Bringe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sixth book I’ve read by Iain Murray and they have all been very good, edifying and inspiring. I would highly recommend reading this book. It includes the history of a doctrine and its application, but it is not just interesting on a historical level. He also convincingly presents the biblical arguments of the Puritans and their successors for their doctrine of the future.

[Becky Pliego · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the world throws pessimism at you, you get up and pick up a book that reminds you of the hope that is ahead. #Postmilhope

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Puritan Hope is a refreshing read. We should be praying for and working toward revival and reformation in our own time. This book clearly shows that the Reformation was a time of massive Revival. Our Puritan fathers cast a vast vision for the gospel’s work throughout the world. This book will fill your sails with a fresh hope for the global work of Christianity. Here you will find example after example of men who lived in the light of that reality. All the big names we look back to–David Livingstone, William Carey, Thomas Chalmers, George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, Isaac Watts–were postmillennial. This book will shape your prayer life, your Sunday worship, and your vision for the world.

“Pray for reformation by the power of the word preached.”-Thomas Cartwright, pg 8

“It may be hoped that then many of the Negroes and Indians will be divines, and that excellent books will be published in Africa, in Ethiopia, in Tartary.”-Jonathan Edwards, pg. 97

“So the prayer that St. Stephen made for his persecutors took place in Saul when St. Stephen was dead.”-Thomas Goodwin, pg. 102

“There are bottles of tears a-filling, vials a-filing to be poured out for the destruction of God’s enemies. What a collection of prayers hath there been these many ages towards it! And that may be one reason why God will do such great things towards the end of the world, even because there hath been a great stock of prayers going for so many ages, which is now to be returned.”-Thomas Goodwin, pg. 103

“Scriptural preaching, accompanied by the power of the Spirit of God, is the divine means for extending the kingdom of Christ. -pg. 127

“[Christ] must reign, till Satan has not an inch of territory.”-William Carey pg. 141

“The work, to which God has set His hands, will infallibly prosper. Christ has begun to besiege this ancient and strong fortress, and will assuredly carry it.”-William Carey on India, pg 140

“Christian education, more than anything else, has prepared a large body of the people for a wide rejection of Hinduism, and for a reception of Christ as the Saviour, should it please God graciously to pour out the His Spirit from on high on that land. All history proclaims that this is the way in which God generally works. There are long seasons of preparation; the truth is spread; obstacles are removed out of the way, and then God comes in His power and turns the people to Himself. A nation is then born in a day.”-Rev Alexander Campbell, pg 180

“Missionaries do not live before their time. Their great idea of converting the world to Christ was no chimera: it is Divine. Christianity will triumph. It is equal to all it has to perform.”-David Livingstone, pg. 183

“Our want of faith has done more mischief to us than all the devils in hell, and all the heretics on earth. Some cry out against the Pope, and others against agnostics; but it is our own unbelief which is our worst enemy.”-Charles Spurgeon, pg. 231

[Scott Guillory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing!

[Luke Deacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glorious. I rarely claim this, but that’s a must-read for every Christian.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pick up this book and read it. What an absolute delightful read, thank you Lord for so many saints who had a faith that moved mountains. The Church would do well today, go read the testimonies of these saints of the past to be spurned to greater faith, greater hope, greater expectations for the Kingdom of God to cover the earth. I commend this great book!

[Brent Pinkall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not so much a Biblical defense of postmillennialism (though it does contain some exegesis). Rather, it is a historical survey showing how postmillennialism motivated the great feats of the Puritans. I especially appreciate that Murray doesn't simply provide his own thoughts and conclusions but gives the reader a treasure trove of quotes from the Puritans themselves, demonstrating how their eschatology informed their preaching and mission. If you want a book that lays out point by point, scripture by scripture the case for postmillennialism, this is probably not the best book for the job. But if you want to understand how postmillennialism influenced the lives of the Puritans (and how it should influence ours), this is an invaluable resource.

[S. Paterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book and was encouraged by it. I don’t often imagine re-reading books but I expect to do that with this one. The missionary Bible translator on our church staff saw it on my desk and said how much he marked his copy up years ago. Likewise the pages of mine are covered in green underlining and stars.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started to read Reformed theology in my (late) teens, I eagerly devoured several books by Iain Murray. One of these was The Puritan Hope, which introduced me to a whole new way of looking at biblical prophecy. Uncharacteristically for me at that age, I reserved judgment about its conclusions, as I had only ever heard arguments for modern premillennialism before reading it. Having become more conversant with eschatological debates and various positions on the subject, I reread the book a couple of years later and heartily concurred with its conclusions.

Revisiting it all these years later, I think it is fair to say that The Puritan Hope is stronger as a work of theology than as a work of history. The author's treatment of Romans 11 and the future conversion of the Jews is truly masterful and his answers to common objections to postmillennialism are largely convincing. Mr Murray also helpfully points out that postmillennialism can encourage ardour in the midst of suffering for Christ's sake and did a lot to encourage the modern missionary movement. Even if you are not a postmillennialist, you should at least admit that the missionary endeavour that it inspired was praiseworthy.

The book is somewhat problematic as a work of history. Mr Murray's thesis about the postmillennialism of the Puritans is oversimplified and some of the people whom he cites in favour of this position, such as Thomas Goodwin and Increase Mather, were historical premillennialists. (One could argue, however, that their views were a mixture of pre- and postmillennialism.) Having heard him speak on this subject at a conference some years ago, I think that Mr Murray would now argue that the Puritans generally had an optimistic hope that the gospel would advance more in history than it has currently, and it is this view, rather than postmillennialism per se that he is seeking to promote.

Given that Banner of Truth originally published it in 1971, it is somewhat dated now, being over fifty years old. The author has probably missed a lot of relevant material, as it was written before many sources were digitised (he admits to the problem of widely dispersed sources). Mr Murray cannot be faulted for this point, but it does serve to highlight how the field has moved on since he wrote it. Furthermore, he does an excellent job of highlighting many lesser-known authors and their writings, which are worth pursuing in greater detail. In conclusion, if you have not read this book before, you will likely profit from reading it as long as you remember the above caveats.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Puritan Hope is a much-needed book that undergirds postmillennialism historically--a doctrine that if believed, is done so biblically. But in an age when historical optimism is so quickly dismissed by those within the church, it is helpful, indeed liberating, to be reminded that postmillennialism was once the dominant and assumed position of Reformed believers. But even more than that, it is the driving force behind the missionary movement and the Great Awakening--two historical events that were foundational to the modern world.

The book is more historical than theological, but there is naturally some exegesis and discussion of important texts--particularly Romans 11 concerning the Puritan belief in the conversion of the Jews. I was hoping for more theology, but that wasn't Murray's purpose in writing the book. Murray is primarily concerned with reminding the contemporary church, especially those that already look up to the Puritans, that they were almost entirely postmillennial in outlook--that is to say they believed the gospel would bear fruit in history--that the nations would be converted and take root and bear fruit before the return of the Lord.

This belief propelled the massive missionary movement that we take for granted today. There is even a difference in missionary activity that was observed as postmillennialism began fading. Previously, missionaries went to win a nation to Christ, and believed it would happen--not through their persuasiveness, but because Christ had promised and would perform his word. But as postmillennialism faded, missionaries went not to win the nation to Christ, but some within the nation to Christ. Our aim was lower, and is it any wonder our results have been less?

This is an important work to remind the church of her mission, but also of her faith in the Lord to perform his Word. We have lost the conviction that God would perform his Word, keep his promises, and be victorious over his foes in history. May we once again return to trust in our Lord and pursue his victory today!

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The puritan hope is an extraordinary hope, as shown in this book. The concepts explained by Iain Murray are fundamental to Christianity and have significant importance in culture - both in the way we view it and the way we approach it. There are several chapters dedicated to church history and an entire chapter explaining Romans 11:25-27. Throughout the book the idea of hope is built steadily so, by the end of it, you have a thorough view of hope and the impact of the gospel.

Murray begins with the revival in England and Scotland where we see that the "seeds sown in tears was indeed reaped with joy." Following this we see the basis for this hope, the Puritan's beliefs and the prophecies found in scripture. Finally the books ends with a quote from Spurgeon which summarizes the importance of this hope,

"...I see no reason why we should not have a greater Pentecost than Peter saw, and a Reformation deeper in its foundations, and truer in its upbuildings than Luther or Calvin achieved. We have the same Christ, remember that...The Gospel must succeed; it shall succeed; it cannot be prevented from succeeding; a multitude that no man can number must be saved."

In a time when so many Christians take the hopeless approach, it's refreshing to read something quite the opposite. The Puritan Hope is not only well researched and informative, but truly life changing as well.

[Benjamin Glaser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first real "Puritan" book I ever read and it completely set my worldview and theology on fire and changed the way I viewed a number of issues. It also opened up for me reading the Puritans in general and led me to become more consistently Reformed and Biblical.

[Jonah Twiddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When reading the Puritans, I have always been struck by their confidence in the efficacy of the preached Gospel, their intimate and sweet communion with Christ, and their tears shed over sin both in the world and their own hearts. The answer to why they all share this same zeal is answered, in part, by this book: hope. They truly believed that by the declaring of Christ in this age and to the full extent of the promise, "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea". It's impossible not to find this vision compelling, and equally impossible to deny that God used these men to bring this vision closer to fulfillment than it may ever have been both in Europe and abroad. Reading this book makes it hard not to feel a sense of loss over that bold spirit, rich with the splendor of Christ, that has largely faded into a tragic, hunkered-down hopefulness for Christ to pluck only a few branches from the fire. Nevertheless, Murray's conclusion remains true: "The church, being united to him in whom the Spirit dwells without measure, will be built; she can no more be deprived of the Spirit's aid than can the finished work of Christ - upon which the mission of the Spirit proceeds - be undone."

[Mark Christenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal. Must read. Many great quotes to share but this one might provide the best summation: “Ages when there is outpouring of the Spirit of God are ages marked by faithful use of the Word of God... They knew that times and seasons are ordered by God and observed that every era of great advance have generally been preceded by the establishment of firm doctrinal foundations through years of patient sowing, accompanied not infrequently by suffering... Christians in their successive generations are but one agency in the hands of God, and for the Puritan, with his long-term view, it concerned him little whether he was called to sow or to reap; what mattered was that the final outcome is certain.”

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful!

[Christine]

This book has long chapters of church history, full of people's names and dates. It is a little overwhelming. Other parts that deal more specifically with theology and specific scripture keep me up reading at night. Very good!

Now that I am done:
The parts regarding actual puritan theology, the zeal for missions, and their desire to see the Jews know Christ were fantastic. Certain parts actually kept me up reading like a mystery or thriller would. I do recommend it, but I also think I need to reread it for maximum understanding/retention.

[Jacob Aitken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is something of an embarrassment for the Reformed establishment. Nobody can question Murray's holiness and scholarship. And this is a classic work on a key period in the Reformed development. Unfortunately, it is unashamedly postmillennial and documents the evidence. Postmillennialism, however, is condemned in the Reformed establishments.

Great work on Scottish theology.

[Stephen Mccollum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very useful overview of the Puritan position on the topic (revival and how to interpret prophecies concerning the time between Christ's first and second comings) and how this position rose and declined. The hope that is warranted by the Scriptures, for this time period, has almost been completely lost in the Reformed Church today - to our detriment.

[Jason Sixsmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author seems to have done some impeccable research as to the eschatology of the early Puritans.

[Dayo Adewoye · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful call to the Christian church to recover a vision for the global triumph of the gospel, such as was characteristic of the Puritans and their spiritual successors.

[Stephen Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a common expression among certain conservative evangelicals that the old Calvinism of the stripe of the 16th and 17th century confessions—though many are unfamiliar with these specific documents—is no obstacle to evangelism and to missions, but rather can be a boon to such endeavors. However, this work by Murray reveals that the extraordinary historical examples adduced to prove this claim were in fact greatly emboldened specifically by their view of unfulfilled prophecy, with which their Calvinist soteriology easily harmonized. In particular, these men and women possessed a great hope in the unfulfilled prophecy of the OT prophets and Romans 11, which outline a profound outpouring of the Spirit and advance of the kingdom of God to cover the whole earth prior to the second advent.

In a moving historical account of missionary zeal, Murray sketches the development of a missionary movement fueled by theological recovery. Anyone who claims that a focus on theology necessarily undermines ministry or love should be forced to read this book, because it is demonstrated to be false on nearly every page. The hope of the Puritans and their heirs was in the work of God promised in the pages of the Scriptures they studied diligently, and they went to great lengths at even greater costs to build institutions and implement plans for a kind of visible success in ministry that they knew they would not see in their lifetime. They loved much and gave much because of their love for the Lord and because they looked to the heavenly reward.

It seems to me that this book is mostly used currently to advocate for postmillennialism, but this connection is superficial and anachronistic. Of the three major eschatological schemes, the views in these pages perhaps fit most naturally with postmillennialism, but it is not clear to me that this is the only scheme which can be harmonized with the Puritan hope. The only view exceptional in this regard is dispensational premillennialism, which Murray regards as chiefly responsible for the present obscurity of this hope among Christians. This novel view regards the period before the second advent as one of decline, a pessimistic outlook with respect to the ministry of the Church and its increase. Theological views do have consequences. In many cases, the strategic and long-term approach of the older missionaries was lost and their institutions along with it. Instead, because of a view of an imminent rapture before the hopeful promises of the gospel take place, short-term thinking is the rule in many cases among dispensational premillennialists. There are some glad exceptions, but evangelicals would do well to at least consider how their deviations from their theological fathers may have affected them and their ministries, for better or for worse.

I'm grateful for the work Iain Murray has done over the course of his life. He is a gift to the Church. His love of the gospel and his hope for revival are a great encouragement, especially in this book.

[John Weichel · Rating 5 out of 5]

In typical Murray style, the presentation of both the history and theology contained in this volume is done in a remarkably winsome and engaging manner. From the outset, Murray's goal is to outline a characteristic hope the mainstream Puritans maintained in their life for the prospect of the work of the church and the influence of the Holy Spirit in the world before the second advent of Jesus Christ. Much of this work is not Murray's own, but relies heavily on the Puritans themselves. Murray is primarily critical of two main suppositions that ran contra to the Puritan hope. Namely, pre-millenialism and humanistic progress of the human race. This book was by no means a complete eschatological work, and left relatively no answers on how Murray himself interprets many passages of Scripture that are difficult within the eschatological debates, however, by employing both significant weight to Puritan explanations and Scriptural support, Murray makes clear the hope for this world before the second advent of Christ is by no means a position that should be written off without detailed study. Another wonderful and helpful work on historical eschatological perspectives.

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike in our day where study of the end times either is ignored or overinterpreted, the Puritans and those that followed in England in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries reveled in Christ’s return. But rather than produce complacency, their postmillennial expectation (the majority view) resulted in ambitious missionary endeavors—especially after the 1790s with the rise of various missionary societies—that also made room for Jewish conversion as an aspect of unfulfilled prophecy. By 1892 with Charles Spurgeon’s death (though he was a premillennialist), this optimistic “Puritan hope” was eclipsed by a more pessimistic outlook, one that saw Christ’s return as imminent and therefore, apart from “saving souls,” there was little reason to engage in other labors. I think Murray is probably overly skeptical about premillennialism in the 20th century, but it’s hard to not see his point.

[ThePrill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. Slightly apprehensive going in, having heard from several people and read several reviews that called it 'life-changing'. What I like about this book is that it does not attempt to be a history of eschatology nor sets out to convince its readers of one eschatological view or another. The facts in the book speak for themselves. The Puritan were post-mil, and that made all the difference for their outlook on life. Some very interesting pieces in here on what the post-mil attitude ought to be towards the Jews (timely for every age, it seems) and how the surety of Christ's victory looked practically in the mission and lives of the Puritans. As an aside, a great resource for those unfamiliar with church history of the 1600s-1800s in (mostly) Britain.