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The old evangelicalismProfound and positiveTHE OLD EVANGELICALISM This book is a collection of seven talks given by Iain Murray over the last 30 years. Although there is overlap between some chapters, there is a real coherence and passion about the book. The author touches on a wide range of themes: evangelistic preaching, regeneration, justification, assurance and unity, which he sees as exemplifying some of the major concerns of what he terms ‘the old evangelicalism’. Murray does not mention that evangelicalism in previous generations was without fault, but draws attention to the significantly greater level of theological understanding that characterised evangelicalism in the past than is generally the case today. There are two primary reasons why this book deserves to be read. Firstly, the book is something of a theological education in itself and is likely to deepen the understanding of all who read it. Secondly, it has a profound sense of history and of the contribution of those who have preceded us. I lost count of the number of gems in this volume — quotations from the famous and the not-so-famous — who express so eloquently their convictions and insights. This book contains a positive feast of good things to dwell on and to pass on. Pulling down and building upOne central feature is a passionate call to gospel preaching, not as a simplistic summary, but as a searching and winning exercise. On the one hand, Murray calls us back to understanding the place of preaching the law, to convict the conscience before our hearers can understand the message of salvation. To quote Spurgeon: ‘Today we have so many built up who were never pulled down; so many filled who were never emptied; so many exalted who were never humbled.’ On the other hand, the book is even more strongly a call to recognise the love of God expressed to all mankind in the gospel, and the fact that ‘persuading men of God’s love is the great calling of the Christian ministry’. This has profound implications for those who declare this gospel. ‘Let him speak of love that is taken with love, that is captivated with love, that is carried away with love . . . These are the men that sweeten churches and bring glory to God’ (John Bunyan). While Murray writes from a Reformed theological position, the book displays a real generosity of spirit (and a warm appreciation of John Wesley). I believe that Iain Murray has done a service to us all. Read it! Rupert Bentley-Taylor,
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