In my doctoral work in seminary, I studied expository preaching. Out of the myriad of books I read during my time in seminary, the one book on preaching that still grips my heart perhaps more than any other is one written by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones titled, Preaching and Preachers. That book was my first real introduction to this bold preacher of the gospel. Although written over 40 years ago, it has a way of remaining current and contemporary in ways that other books do not. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was known by many as “The Doctor” since he was a medical doctor who became a “surgeon for souls.” It was in his book on preaching that originated as a series of lectures for preachers that he defined preaching as “Logic on fire.”
Matthew Robinson and his team at Media Gratiae have produced an excellent resource on the life and legacy of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones titled, Logic on Fire. In a professional and classy manner, they chart his early life, pre-ministerial life, and his ministry. During the documentary, you will hear from a great list of preachers (R.C. Sproul, Paul Washer, Anthony Mathenia, John Snyder, Jeremy Walker, Iain Murray, Kevin DeYoung, Conrad Mbewe, John MacArthur, Richard Owen Roberts, and Sinclair Ferguson to name a few). In addition to the preachers, you will likewise hear from family members of Lloyd-Jones such as Ann Beatt (the younger daughter of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones), Elizabeth Catherwood (the eldest daughter), Adam Desmond (the youngest grandchild), Christopher Catherwood (the eldest grandson) and Jonathan Catherwood (the middle grandson). As you can imagine, the story told through the lens of preachers and family who’ve been shaped by Lloyd-Jones and his preaching is captivating. You will be pulled in by the testimony of his daughters.
For those who don’t know D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and his ministry, he was trained as a medical doctor and later became a pastor. His early ministry was in Aberavon, Wales. Lloyd-Jones would eventually be called to serve the historic Westminster Chapel in London. Under the preaching of God’s Word, the Westminster Chapel would be filled with people who longed to hear from God. Lloyd-Jones’ no-nonsense style of preaching was used by God to pierce the hearts of unbelievers and to disciple the flock of God. Logic on Fire presents the story of Lloyd-Jones in such a manner that the Lloyd-Jones expert and novice would both walk away having learned something and been encouraged at the same time. For instance, one night recently, my wife watched the documentary with me for the first time and she loved it.
As I read the two volume work by Iain Murray on D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, I recall the being impacted by Lloyd-Jones’ absolute trust and confidence in the power of God in ministry. Upon arriving to serve the church at Sanfields, they immediately had questions about how to answer their growth problems. They had various activities going on within the church such as football, musical events, and a dramatic society. Some members approached D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and suggested that they could be successful if they majored on their children’s ministry. However, to their surprise, the new pastor wasn’t interested in using such things to attract people. In fact, the secretary was very surprised at Lloyd-Jones’ response to the question about the use of such means to attract people to the church. He was interested in the regular church services of 11am, 6pm, a Monday evening prayer service, a mid-week worship service on Wednesday, and a Saturday morning men’s meeting. In the words of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, all of the other things could go. When the Committee asked what they were to do with the wooden stage for the dramatic society, Lloyd-Jones shocked them by saying, “You can heat the church with it.”
Logic on Fire does a great job of documenting Lloyd-Jones’ emphasis on God’s Word, prayer, and his utter dependence upon the Spirit of God. Imagine if more preachers were focused on God’s Word, on their knees in prayer, and depending upon the power of the Holy Spirit. Where would the evangelical church be today if we had more men like The Doctor. Paul Washer described the ministry of Lloyd-Jones as the “unflinching tenacity to strip himself of every tool or armor of the flesh and to hold on to only the proclamation of the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of intercession.”
As you can imagine, the documentary is loaded with great insight into this man who was used by God to shake the United Kingdom and beyond with the gospel of Christ. As you will see, on the Logic on Fire website, the full set comes with 3 DVD discs, 5 printed postcard prints, a 128 page clothbound book, and it all wraps up in a neatly designed case for storage.
Who would benefit the most from this documentary?
- The pastor who labors in the Word of God each week.
- The church as a whole (a great tool for the church’s library).
- The man who has a desire to serve as an elder in the local church.
If you’re looking for a classy and professional gift for a pastor or seminary student – this is it.
- Where to purchase the documentary? Logic on Fire website.
- Cost: $39.95
- *Don’t overlook the “extras” in the set. You will hear many compelling stories and information that documents the ministry and work of Lloyd-Jones.
