Denney and Lloyd-Jones

One of the formative influences on the life and ministry of Rev. Dr D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was the writings of Rev. Prin. James Denney, the Scottish Presbyterian theologian (1856-1917).  Two others were Dr. P. T. Forsyth (1848-1921) and Dr R. W. Dale (1829-1895), both Congregationalist theologians.

It is not believed by many reformed people that Dr Lloyd-Jones did not believe in, nor did he teach, limited atonement.  As a study of his published sermons will indicate, the Doctor preached a full Gospel to the whole world because he has a message that would benefit the whole world even only it believed in Christ alone for salvation.  Denney, Dale and Forsyth all influenced Lloyd-Jones to a more biblical understanding of the Gospel.

There is a great story about how this book had a profound impact on D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the great Welsh pastor/preacher/author. John Stott tells the story that after preaching one Sunday, a minister told Lloyd-Jones that the cross and work of Christ appeared to have little place in his preaching. Lloyd-Jones went immediately to his favourite used bookstore and asked the owner for the two leading works on the Atonement. The owner brought out James Denney's The Death of Christ and R. W. Dale's, The Atonement.

Lloyd-Jones hunkered down and studied, eschewing all food and causing his wife considerable anxiety that she called her brother and asked if a doctor should be called. Lloyd-Jones emerged later and claimed to have found "the real heart of the gospel and the key to the inner meaning of the Christian faith." That was 1929. After that time, his preaching changed forever. (See Stott, The Cross of Christ, IVP, 1986, pages 9-10.)

My faith and ministry in no small part was shaped by Lloyd-Jones' masterful sermons.  I am forever indebted to Lloyd-Jones and now, to Denney as well.

That's why I entered numerous quotations from Denney on how he understood the atonement.  For him, it was obviously something that God did for the whole world.  Christ died for all, and tasted death for every man.  When Lloyd-Jones preached this heart-stirring messages, many were won to Christ through them.