a balanced view from one of the most foremost authorities on the book of Romans. His books, although, reflecting another time, are still loved, cherished and valued by student and scholar alike. His work is both readable and technical. One will not go wrong investing in this book.
David Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a Welsh Protestant minister, preacher and medical doctor who was influential in the Reformed wing of the British evangelical movement in the 20th century. For almost 30 years, he was the minister of Westminster Chapel in London. Lloyd-Jones was strongly opposed to Liberal Christianity, which had become a part of many Christian denominations; he regarded it as aberrant. He disagreed with the broad church approach and encouraged evangelical Christians (particularly Anglicans) to leave their existing denominations. He believed that true Christian fellowship was possible only amongst those who shared common convictions regarding the nature of the faith.
Lloyd-Jones is one of my favorite preachers of the last 100 years and his Romans series is not only worth collecting, but worth reading! However, this volume was weaker than some of the others. About 300 pages (68% of this volume) was spent on Romans 8:14-17. 'The Doctor' often blurs the works of the Holy Spirit into one, confusing the issue for readers. In other instances he posits that the work of the Spirit in us can be known and felt by certain experiences.
Wow! Talk about verse by verse exegesis!! I have been studying Romans for over a year now, part of they study has been listening to John Piper’s 255 sermons on Romans. I thought Piper went slow, but having read this volume by Lloyd-Jones, in which he spends 125 pages on Romans 8:16 and over 400 pages on the twelve verses of Romans 8:5-17 I feel Dr. Piper is actually going rather fast. Read this to savor what the Holy Spirit taught through Paul! Highest recommendation!
My affection for Lloyd-Jones runs deep, and I owe a great debt to his writings. This volume contained much of value. I did, however, struggle with a couple of his major points: (1) the “spirit of slavery to fall back into fear” (8:15) is actually the Holy Spirit, and (2) the Spirit only “bears witness with our spirit” (8:16) in certain Christians and not all, therefore meaning not all will know this measure of the assurance of salvation. While his argumentation is (quite) thorough, I remained unconvinced.
Despite these misgivings, there is still much else to commend here, and his Christ-centered, Scripture-affirming approach to this series on Romans continues to make this work one of high quality and worthy of reading.
I’m amazed how an expository preacher can keep my attention and interest for hours at a time just from reading his books. I own MLJ’s Romans chapter 3-8 book series. My spiritual growth has greatly benefited from the knowledge of this man. “Logic on Fire” is a great description of Martyn Lloyd Jones. This review will serve as my review for his other Romans books. Just amazing. A must read for any Christian wanting a deeper dive in the all critical book of Romans.
Again, another great volume in D. Martyn Lloyd Jones' Romans fourteen book series.
For the Christian who struggles with the assurance of their salvation, this is a highly recommended volume. In many of the latter chapters, Lloyd-Jones brings out in his unique style of exposition all the wonderful examples of how a child of God may know that his or her salvation is sure and that God's love is upon them.
So looking forward to reading book eight on 'The Final Perseverance of the Saints.'
This section of Romans 8 typically is overlooked in anticipation of what comes next or what just came before, but MLJ emphasizes the importance of how the Spirit ought to be working in the life of believer. As always, more pastoral than scholarly, but helpful all the way through.
Gave up shortly after an unconvincing argument that the "spirit of bondage to fear" is the Holy Spirit. Reflects the bizarre polarity of the book -- sometimes Lloyd-Jones is dead-on, but sometimes he slavishly maintains a high Calvinist line in a way that seems unwilling to be shaped by the text.