Lessons from the Doctor: Opposition

I am reading Iain Murray’s seminal biography (second volume) of Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The Fight of Faith. I have always found twentieth century church history dull, but my mind is being changed. ‘The Doctor’ was an eloquent voice crying against the fakery of theological liberalism. Appointed to Westminster Chapel to minister alongside Dr Campbell Morgan before the second world war, there were many in that congregation who did not care for his preaching. There is even some evidence that certain deacons and more liberalistic members would have removed him when the older man retired in 1943. He was arguably the greatest British preacher of the century, yet certain regulars stayed away when it was his turn and grumbled when they attended.

Even our greatest preachers have their critics; even the finest leaders their detractors. I wonder that Satan leaves many of us well alone, because many church folk are already doing his work, and need neither instruction nor supervision.