Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones was born in Cardiff, Wales in 1899. He trained at St Bartholomew’s Hospital – one of the greatest medical institutions in Britain. He studied under Sir Thomas Horder – one of the most brilliant medical men at St Bartholomew’s.

As a young man, Dr Lloyd-Jones came under the conviction of sin and saw his need of a Saviour. Although a brilliant medical man, he saw that mans real problem was spiritual not medical. Man needs to be reconciled to God. The conviction of Dr Lloyd-Jones that mans major problem is spiritual led to a major decision – he would leave medicine with all its privileges and honour and become a preacher of the gospel.

His first pastorate was in the poverty-stricken town of Port Talbot, Wales in 1927. The same year he married Bethan Phillips – herself a medically qualified professional. God greatly blessed this ministry in Port Talbot and many were brought to faith in Christ. The biography details many amazing conversions from drunkenness, profanity and the like.

In 1938 Dr Lloyd-Jones became minister of Westminster Chapel in London alongside Campbell Morgan.

Volume 2 “The fight of faith” continues the story. World War 2 created trying circumstances for the ministry at Westminster Chapel. Reduced church numbers and reduced church funds meant it was difficult to sustain two ministers. Eventually Campbell Morgan retired and Dr Lloyd-Jones became the sole minister until 1968.

After World War 2, Dr Lloyd-Jones main priority was to build up the congregation at Westminster Chapel. He did this through doctrinal and expository preaching. He upheld the authority of the Bible believing it is “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb 4:12).

Dr Lloyd-Jones also ran a Friday evening fellowship where he encouraged people to carefully think through doctrine and also practical aspects of Christianity. However in 1952 he changed the format and gave a series of lectures on Bible doctrines which were a blessing to many. These lectures have been formatted into a book “Great Doctrines of the Bible” (Crossway Books) which are highly recommended. He followed this with his powerful lectures on the book of Romans.

Chapter 13, Sunday mornings in the 1950’s gives an insight into how Dr Lloyd-Jones led the worship services. Dr Lloyd-Jones used a traditional Reformed liturgy which gave coherence to the whole service. Scripture readings, prayers and hymns were just as important as the preaching of the scriptures.

In 1959 Dr Lloyd-Jones preached his classic services on Revival. He held to the classic view of Revival, namely that Revival is a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit, not something created or “worked up” by man.

Dr Lloyd-Jones retired as minister at Westminster Chapel and carried on an itinerant pastoral and preaching ministry until 1980. He died in London in 1981 and was buried in his beloved Wales.

The final chapter, “the best of men” summarises the significance of Dr Lloyd-Jones as a man and also why his ministry was so effective. He was a very gifted man with a mind of enormous capacity and energy. Often men see issues in fragmented parts but Dr Lloyd-Jones was often able to see the whole and put details in their proper perspective. Divine providence also guided him so that he continued to promote the sovereignty of God in his ministry and steer people away from error. Finally and very importantly, Dr Lloyd-Jones was a spiritually mature and godly man – indeed a spiritual giant.

The book contains 6 appendices containing various theological issues plus guidance on reading Dr Lloyd-Jones sermons.

This is an outstanding biography and will have a tremendous blessing on the readers theological and spiritual understanding. To get maximum benefit from it, one should read it multiple times. It is worth it!! Dr Lloyd-Jones sermons are highly recommended and can be found at the Martyn Lloyd-Jones Recordings Trust – the official website for the Doctor’s sermons http://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/

Maybe you have read a couple of books of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and you wonder why he emphasizes this or that topic. In volume 2 you can read in what kind of fight he was engaged, a fight of faith. What struck me the most while reading this book, is the lonely position of Lloyd-Jones in his own time. He stood, where many fell. And we still reap the benefits of his standing for the Truth. I think this is one of the reasons why John MacArthur says: “When the final chapter of church history is written, I believe the Doctor will stand as one of the greatest preachers of all time.”

Iain Murray and Martyn Lloyd-Jones came to be voices I could trust as I began to wade my way through the initially overwhelming world of Protestantism and Evangelicalism and sort out the trustworthy from the noise. That was last summer, a year ago. How very much has taken place in my soul since then, during the past year. I’m now halfway through Dr. Lloyd-Jones’ series on Romans, which has changed everything for me.

My degree is in literature, and I have a particular and critial interest in biography. I’ve now read several of Rev. Murray’s biographies and books and am eager to read everything he has written. They have opened up an entirely new world for me, a world of which I was completely ignorant as a Roman Catholic. I am also a subscriber to Banner of Truth magazine and am now delving into the Puritans, which has opened up another entire new world for me of which I was completely ignorant as a Roman Catholic.

Rev. Murray’s biography of Dr. Lloyd-Jones has given me a fuller, more rounded appreciation of the man as I read his expositions of Romans, Ephesians, and other written works and listen to his sermons. Rev. Murray is a gifted biographer, and his talents have produced much fruit for the church. He has a penetrating, perceptive, discerning, sensitive, and yet critical insight, and I have come to trust his judgment very deeply. I’ve heard him speak, and I appreciate his quiet way, but there’s a backbone behind that quiet voice, a deep conviction.

I cannot recommend Martyn Lloyd-Jones highly enough to readers, and this biography is a wonderful introduction to the man. Rev. Murray well blends theology, spiritual insight, and just the right telling anecdote or personal detail to bring to life Dr. Lloyd-Jones for those of us who never had the opportunity to meet him or hear him. Dr. Lloyd-Jones’ life has been a blessing and a guidepost for me. I just cannot recommend this biography highly enough.