Atonement and Justification, 3:20, 4:25 (Romans Series)

Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the greatest Christian classic of the 20th century!
Review: First published in 1970, this collection of 17 Bible studies on Romans 3:24 through 4:25 was first preached at London's Westiminster Chapel in 1957. Welsh teacher and evangelist Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds the text (although he uses the King James Bible, he is using the Greek original) not only verse-by-verse, but word-by-word, extracting all the deep theological meaning and also all the wonderfully edifying spiritual truth from these difficult, but most rewarding verses. In the first half of the book Lloyd-Jones takes the reader through Paul's teaching on atonement, redemption and justification, clearly explaining what the Apostle meant, examining and comparing parallel passages, quoting support from evangelical theologians (including from some of the 'Puritans' of the 17th century) and refuting the 'modernistic' views of certain 20th century theologians, of whom C. H. Dodd seems to come off worst. But Lloyd-Jones wouldn't have been Lloyd-Jones if he hadn't made sure that all this theological 'meat' had not been seasoned with plenty of practical application. And it is this practical aspect which dominates the second half of the book, where Lloyd-Jones expounds Romans 4, considering it first and foremost to consist of illustrations of what it means to live the life of faith as a person justified before God. This leads to some superb teaching on faith in connection with Abraham and how he believed God for a son despite being himself impotent and Sarah beyond the age of childbearing: here is genuine miracle-working faith in God's promises, the kind of faith that brings forth a whole supernatural people of God!

Perhaps what I have written sounds difficult. Let me say that reading Lloyd-Jones is not difficult, although one should take one's time over his words and mull them over before reading on. Personally, I have read this book any number of times and consider it to be perhaps the greatest Christian classic of the 20th century. It certainly helped me to understand the very basics of my faith, giving me the kind of 'firm foundation' which every Christian needs in time of trial. Very highly recommended indeed!