Authority

by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr Lloyd-Jones expounds the divine authority of Christ, of his Word, and of his Spirit.

Genres: Theology, Christian

96 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1958

About the author

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.

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones was married to Bethan Lloyd-Jones

Books about D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: https://www.goodreads.com/characters/...

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ biblical exploration of the topics of the authority of Jesus, the authority of the Scriptures and the authority of the Holy Spirit. It is evident in Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ clear and powerful style of communication that he is someone with a deep respect for the authority of the Word of God. Some noteworthy points on each topic in turn summarised below:

1. When we as Christians evangelise, we should preach the authority of Jesus, rather than how He can make our lives better.

2. The doctrine of apostolic succession (or the belief in the office of modern day apostles), most notably practiced by the Roman Catholic Church, has no basis in Scripture.

3. Implying some kind of conflict between Scripture and the Holy Spirit (as is the practice in many Charismatic or Pentecostal churches today) is a false antithesis which we must refuse to entertain. The Holy Spirit primarily speaks to us through Scripture.

[David Pulliam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed this book, hoping to deal with our postmodern problem of authority. I found Lloyd-Jones deals with the modern problem of authority. This doesn’t mean he’s wrong, far from it, but I think it hasn’t aged well, our problem authority is now different in that people say now that the individual is supreme authority and you judge the Christ to be your authority because YOU decided it. I don’t think he addresses this problem head on, hence it is a book that hasn’t aged well.

[Sophie Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great short book on the Authority of Jesus Christ, the scriptures and The Holy Spirit. “But the trouble is that we always start with ourselves and our efforts and ask God to bless them. When did you last hear anyone praying for revival, praying that God might open the windows of heaven and pour out His Spirit?”

[Luke Watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lloyd-Jones can be very strong in his approach on many issues, but on this topic, there are few others I’d rather listen to than him. Strong, direct, and unapologetic, if we are trust God, we must accept his authority on all things. Very helpful little book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant exposition of “not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord”.

Lloyd-Jones is not a supporter of evangelism based on “dignity” (i.e. intellectual attainments leading to pride in knowledge and worldly acceptance), pure science and/or reason (“by your own efforts you will never arrive at this ultimate knowledge”), or marketing (“here is a great instrument and a great source of power”).

He makes a great case against the false evangelism of pragmatic, results-driven Christianity. “The cults can give you ‘results’. Christian Science can tell you that if you do this and that you will sleep well at night, you will stop worrying, you will feel healthier, and you will lose your aches and pains.”

He’s scathing about the Higher Critical movement and it’s man-centric basis. When one makes man the measure of all things, the measuring stick is too short to do any good. “In other words, the modern position amounts to this, that it is man’s reason that decides…man is still the authority who decides what is truly the Word of God and what is not.”

What are we to do, then?

Stop worrying about loss of face and influence, and start engaging in the means of grace. Not for results, but because Jesus is our Authority, and that’s what He says to do. Believe that His Word, handed down by the prophets and apostles, is true. Believe that the apostles were granted authority because it was given to them. Believe that the Holy Spirit is alive and active, and will bring revival at the time and place where He chooses (but ask for it). Declare Jesus as Lord like you mean it, not like you’re being an advocate of the cause of niceness.

This is a power-packed little book. I wish longer tomes had half the clarity that this one does. When I grow up, I’d like to write half as well as this author.

[Brandon H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book on the authority of Jesus Christ, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit. Excellent!!

A couple quotes that stuck out to me -

"You can be an advocate of Christianity without being a Christian. You can be an advocate of these things without experiencing them. If you have intelligence, if you have been rightly trained, you can understand the scriptures in a sense, and you can lay them out before others. You can present all the arguments, you can put the case for a kind of Christian philosophy. And it may sound wonderful. But you may be standing outside the true experience of it the whole time. You may be talking about something that you do not really know, about someone you have never met. You are an advocate, perhaps even a brilliant advocate. But note what the Lord said to the apostles: 'Ye shall be my witnesses.'" Page 82

"Let us go on with our practical efforts and let us go on with our study, but God forbid that we should rely upon them...Let us go on, however, and seek knowledge and equip ourselves as perfectly as possible. But, in the name of God let us not stop at that. Let us realize that even that, without the authority and the power of the Spirit, is of no value of at all...It does not matter who I am or what I'm a do: it will get me nowhere. It is the authority of the Spirit that alone avails." Page 92

[James Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a remarkably short book, less than 100 pages! But I much enjoyed this adaptation of several of Lloyd-Jones sermons he gave on the subject of authority, namely - the authority of Christ, the authority of the Scripture and the authority of the Holy Spirit. I much enjoyed this book(as I enjoy almost all of Lloyd-Jones' writings!) and it encouraged my soul. Oh how we should more often remember that our faith does not come from within us and is not founded on the shifting sands of our moods or the ever changing tides of the wisdom of this world...but our faith is in Christ Himself, as revealed through the external witness of the Holy Scriptures and the internal witness of the Holy Spirit. Oh might we rejoice in this thought and take heart. Too easily do I get discouraged by my circumstances and by the trials and tribulations I find myself in. Let me more oft consider the God whose son I am.

[Paul Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

Some sections are definitely more of a strong emphatic exhortation to devotional life and to much prayer, particularly the section on the authority of the Holy Spirit. You don't walk away from that saying "I learned something more", I think it is more f a matter of I have been stirred to pray fervently.

he starts off with a premise that if the overarching view of men can be "I can't state with confidence, such a view is right or wrong" and what you are left with is something more synergistic, then you ultimately will run into a problem of authority, which is the case today. The aim is to give room at the table for all. In such a case it is rather difficult to look to one authority or to have objective authority, and so the Church's authority can be challenged on multiple levels (as laid out in each chapter of this book). Very Relevant today still.

[Scot Bellavia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll want to return to this book periodically over my life, I’m sure. Though it was written in 1958, its statements are timeless.
Jones argues what is at the basis of what has gone wrong with the church in its separation from Scripture in effort to please more people and grow larger. As the title says, it is the authority of the Bible in our lives. I’ll do some more thinking, but I now adhere to this position as well.

[Jonathan Hart · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know this is a short book written from a very specific theological perspective, and it does a good job of explaining authority within the reformed tradition. However, I found it rather lacking in understanding the objections to this perspective and did an awful job at understanding how other traditions may come to their conclusions. This made the book rather inadequate at being conclusive within its account of the theology around authority. Maybe I expected too much from this book.

[Dr. Jon Pirtle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Lloyd-Jones book, like every other book of his I have read and learned from, expresses clearly, thoroughly, and winsdomely the issue(s) at hand. Here again he demonstrates wisdom regarding the past, the current state, and how fidelity to truth demands we herald Scripture and the Christ of Scripture, faithfully. That's the only wise way. Read the good Doctor.

[Jorge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro vigente y necesario hoy como en el tiempo en que se publicó originalmente.
Entender la autoridad de Jesucristo, las Escrituras y el Espíritu Santo es de suma importancia para vivir la fe plenamente.

Encontré y leí la primera edición en español, publicada en 1959 por Ediciones Certeza.

[Michial · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent primer on authority in the Christian life. Lord Jones discusses the authority of Jesus Christ, the scriptures and the authority of the Spirit. He shows how men and the church seek to supplant these truths. Excellent read.

[Justin Ruszkiewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book! The timeless words of Jones speak volumes on what real revival in the church should look like, what the preaching of the Gospel should sound like.

[Michael Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book expounding upon the inherent authority found in the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit, and the Lord Jesus. Very short read as well.

[Ravi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timeless truth.

[Cameron M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 1958, but it's more of a time bomb than a time capsule.

[Helen Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful book divided into the Authority of Christ, the Authority of scripture and the Authority of the Holy Spirit. Comprehensive and clear treatment of the subject.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chapter on the Holy Spirit is worth the price of admission.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who or what has authority in a Christian’s life? This is the issue at hand in this book, originally a series of three addresses given by Lloyd-Jones. He considers Christ, the Scriptures, and the Spirit, giving a brief survey of the claims made about (and by) them concerning their authority. Although short in length, Lloyd-Jones provides helpful discussions about the true authority of the Church and the trappings of trying to substitute anything in its place.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't actually remember this book very much. At the time I thought it perfectly orthodox on the subject and I've no reason to doubt that now since I think he limits himself to Scriptural authority and doesn't deal with the more difficult subject of ecclesiastical authority (both local and historical).

Liked it.

[Ryan Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even when he seems to just touch the surface of a topic, the insights Loyd-Jones provides still leave deep impressions. It is no different as he comes to the theme of authority, something he asserts rather than defends, witnesses to rather than advocates for. Essential reading for the contemporary Christian.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Glory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very simple, to the point, and sobering. This book is a must-read for ministers.

[Becky Pliego · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. Strong foundations on this matter are essential.

[Philip Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenally sick.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has 3 parts, the authority of (1) Jesus Christ, of (2) the Scriptures, and of (3) the HOly Spirit. The first two parts were four stars. Part 3 demonstrated Lloyd-Jones's lack of experience and narrow definition of the work of the HOly Spirit. For instance, he appears to regard "revival" as the main sign of the HOly spirit's work. "Revival" is an extremely small part of what the HS is doing in the world today, and not the most important part. Miracles of power that result in Muslims, Hindus, and atheists coming to know Christ are not "revival" but something more powerful and more in tune with the Lord's agenda for planet earth.