Far Above Rubies: The Life of Bethan Lloyd-Jones

by Lynette G. Clark

The galleries of the great heroes of faith contain many inspirational women; although not always placed in as prominent a position for all to see, their service has been invaluable in God's kingdom. The wife of Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones was such a woman. Bethan Lloyd-Jones' portrait has long been hidden in a part of the gallery known only to her family and certain close friends. Lynette G. Clark brings this portrait into view, capturing the wit, wisdom and faith of a godly wife, mother and friend.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

261 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 13, 2015

About the author

Lynette G Clark has been a minister's wife for thirty-two years and has lived in different parts of Wales. She is married to Stephen and they have three children, and four grandchildren. During the last ten years, while caring for her parents, and her mother-in-law, she has found time to write, and speak at ladies' conferences.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really wonderful biography. I thoroughly loved learning about Bethan after recently reading Iain Murray’s biography of her husband, Martyn Lloyd Jones.

Bethan was an intelligent, beautiful, godly, loving, generous woman. How amazing to learn that she completed medical training just as her husband did. In fact, she was one of the first women admitted to that particular medical school. Martyn was a successful medical doctor. After they both left their medical practices for the ministry, he was often affectionately called “the doctor” throughout his decades of preaching.

It was amazing to learn that God used her husband and his preaching ministry to bring her to saving faith a few years after their marriage. She believed herself to be a Christian throughout her life until hearing his powerful explanations of saving faith. Amazing.

Bethan and Martyn had a devoted, loving, wonderful marriage. Their letters to one another reveal their devotion and deep affection. Beautiful. Their relationships with their two daughters and their families were equally beautiful.

Both of their daughters state that Bethan’s greatest gift was her wisdom and also share that it was often more challenging to be raised by “such a beautiful woman” than it was to be the daughters of Martyn Lloyd Jones.

I appreciated learning about Bethan’s life long struggle with anxiety and what I call “catastrophizing.” It was so encouraging to read about how she was determined to continually give that over to the Lord.

My four star rating is only because of the writing style at times. Highly recommend this biography but would definitely recommend reading a biography of Martyn first.

[Nick Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly a beautiful woman. She embodied “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward” in her undying support and love for her husband and his ministry.

[Bambi Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. I was sorry to turn the last page.

[Mathias Seiwert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! The LORD has blessed me mightily thru the preaching of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and it is encouraging to get to know his dear wife through this biography.

[Brenda Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 It was lovely learning of Bethan Lloyd Jones’ life. Though the writing sometimes lacked strength and flow, Bethan’s story is worth reading for the joyful and steadfast life she rather quietly led in the love and service of her Lord.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book, sometimes a little too formal in its style, that inspires to be like Bethan Lloyd-Jones. Some details I'd love to know more about, though I imagine those details would be hard to come by. For instance how she coped with her two daughters while her husband was away so much of the time. If these things are not what she wrote of in her letters, I guess they will remain a mystery!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonder biography and insight I to the life of an amazing couple.

[Lexi Zuo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my new favorite biographies...filled with such Gospel-centered encouragement for Christian women (especially Pastor's wives).

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely and godly woman. This book is a must read.

[Kyleigh Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely glimpse into the life of Bethan Lloyd-Jones. I do feel as though I got to know her, but also think the book had the potential to be so much better than it was, with better organization and a warmer writing style. Even so, I was encouraged and challenged by her life (and there were a number of amusing anecdotes), and as my husband is about to embark on full-time pastoral ministry, I'm sure I'll return to this volume in the coming years. I also hope to read her "Memories of Sandfields" for a fuller picture of Bethan.

Particular points of note:
* Bethan saw her work as a pastor's wife as "keeping [Martyn] in the pulpit," but it was far from limited to that as she taught and counseled and encouraged herself.
* The importance of hospitality
* Her struggles with fear and her courage to not let fear keep her from faithfulness. This was a thread throughout the book, starting with her grandfather's resolve to have no concern for his children while he was away, "because he knew God cared for them more than he could ever do so."

[Becca Rudy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, it could have been better. I did enjoy learning about this wonderful woman. The book wasn’t written chronologically, which made me feel disoriented the entire time. And her topics for each chapter were dubious at best, and overlapped constantly. I never felt like I had a handle on what really happened in her life and was often confused by references to times in her life or places she lived. I also felt that there were a few too many personal inserts by the author of her own assessments of modern sentiments, they distracted from the main point. Sorry to be so harsh, but my last qualm- she kept saying “as we’ll later see,” and I felt that too often I was never able to make the connection later on. I’d love to read more about Bethan, but hopefully as a chronological bio.

[Geneva Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, though a slow read, is greatly encouraging. Bethan is a saint of the Lord to know and emulate in the way she devoted her life to the service of her King and others. I was especially encouraged by Bethan’s consistent communication with those she was in community with…she wrote countless letters to her Bible study group, even after she moved away from them. She valued her family in the Lord so much!

“Godliness has its own beauty. Bethan’s beauty was to be seen and acknowledged to her last day…truly beauty is fleeting, but when God’s grace touches a life, it transforms everything. Grace refines nature…”

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at the life of the wife of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, whose books have been so influential in our lives. I enjoyed the glimpses into Bethan’s Welsh heritage, and her particular gifts, which she used to support him in ministry. I was surprised to learn she was converted AFTER their marriage! I felt the book could have been more objective - it suffered from a heavy dose of “hero worship.” Still, it is a valuable resource to understand the family behind one of the twentieth century’s greatest preachers.

[Kaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this look into Bethan Lloyd-Jones' life. At times I felt the author was sharing more info about other family members than was necessary and that became a little dry but I loved when she shared personal interaction Bethan had with others. Overall it was a good look at Bethan's life with input from her daughters and people who knew her well.

[ᴀᴍʙ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating account of Bethan's life as well as insight into her husband, David Martyn's. It is as if I know them! Kept me wanting to read more! Especially appreciated the thought-provoking application questions that helped me remember what I read about Bethan and how to biblically apply it. A book to keep coming back to, most definitely.

[Cyndie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely book that demonstrates God’s grace and guidance to Bethan throughout her life. I read this book out loud to one of my teenagers over the month and it was not the easiest books for her…even to listen to but it was a beautiful life told well.

[Kathy Penrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I had read a biography of Martyn Lloyd-Jones a few years ago and was happy to see there was now a biography on his wife Bethan. Very inspiring.

[Tom James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant biography of the woman behind the great Martin Lloyd-Jones. A life well-lived.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely biography of a godly woman.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Katrina Zartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read on its own, and the "Food For Thought" Questions in the back stimulate further reflection.

[Jessica Duff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading about Bethan’s life was inspiring and helpful to me. I want to read more biographies about the wives of great leaders.