The similar phrase 'Worldly Christianity' is one used by Bonhoeffer. It's J Gresham Machen that I want to line up most closely with. See his Christianity and culture here. Having done commentaries on Proverbs (Heavenly Wisdom) and Song of Songs (Heavenly Love), a matching title for Ecclesiastes would be Heavenly Worldliness. For my stance on worldliness, see 3 posts here.

DMLJ 25 Jones on Shadow of Aran

This brief foreword from 1976 is I think the last that Lloyd-Jones wrote. It was for Mari Jones first book of illustrations In the Shadow of Aran.


Foreword


The writer of this little book is well known to many of God's people in Wales, and, indeed, to many in England too.
I think of her essentially as a Christian with a great love for her Saviour, and as one who seeks to show this by unfailing kindness to His people. The hospitable open door at Pantyneuadd is well known, and now, for years, Mari and her genial husband have been keeping up the same tradition at Brynychaf, Llanymawddwy. Dozens, if not hundreds of us have received physical and spiritual refreshments in their company, and that in one of the most beautiful spots in Wales. Spiritual, certainly, as well as physical, for you cannot be long in the company of this writer, without hearing some striking account of spiritual experiences.
Mari belongs to the same spiritual lineage as Ann Griffiths. In the most natural way, she sees spiritual pictures and lessons in almost everything around her, and especially, of course, in shepherds and sheep and dogs. At the same time, she would be the first to say that the first glimpse of some of these things come through the eyes of the shepherd himself!
And now, here are some of these things, that some of us have had the privilege of hearing over the years, in print, giving an opportunity for all to read them. I rejoice in this and pray that God may bless this little book abundantly. Indeed, I'm sue that it will be a blessing to all who read it - enlightening the mind, awakening the imagination and moving the heart. We thank the gentle authoress, and we thank God who endows his children with such a variety of spiritual gifts.
D M Lloyd-Jones
London

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