I was sent a copy if this new book by Philip Eveson in the hope I might be able to commend it and give it some publicity. Having now read it I am happy to do what I can. It is a Mentor Christian Focus publication and costs around £17. it is a 421 page paperback.
Philip Eveson first heard Lloyd-Jones as a boy and as a fellow Welshman ministering in London got to know this leading minister of an older generation quite well. Since then he has listened to many of the recordings of Lloyd-Jones ad read more tha fifty of his publications. He is well placed therefore to present the leading elements in Lloyd-Jones's theology and pastoral practice. In this book he looks particularly at his Calvinistic Methodism, his understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer, in Revival and in preaching. Some sujects, such a shealing, are more briefly touched upon,
Mr Eveson is concerned to present Lloyd-Jones in the best light and to bring some clarity to the way his system is understood. It has often been misunderstood. He successfully defends Lloyd-Jones from the oft-heard claim that he was a closet charismatic rather than a mainline Reformed man and points out the importance of context when reading Lloyd-Jones and his tendency to use hyperbole in some instances.
I would guess Mr Eveson is happy with nost of the various nuances of Lloyd-Jones' theology. He was what we could call today an experiential Calvinist. He came to Baptist views but would speak of adult baptism and did not think the mode important. He was a creationist, a big fan of revival and held distinctive views about the baptism and sealing of the Spirit. It is good to have all that laid out very clearly. I would want to depart from his teaching on some things myself but one greatly admires his motives in teaching as he did and most of it was spot on. His approach was always very much a spiritual one in a good sense. His godliness shones through, as it does in the two volme biography by Iain Murray.
The book contains two appendices of previously unpublished material - a message on Evan Roberts and two entries in a journal made when he was in his early thirties. Rightly or wrongly I found comfort in the realisation that even Lloyd-Jones struggled with daily prayer and Bible reading. He was clearly a man of the same flesh as me but a brilliantly man, greatly used of God and a great guide for all who seek to serve the Lord faithfully..
It is great to know that tis very thorough piece of work is now in print. Let's hope it will be read and do much good.
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