‘Evangelical Holiness’ – A Review by Bob Thomas

Sometimes a book surprises the Christian as he reads. A smallish paperback, a modest cover, an eclectic name¹ might not at first glance cry: ‘Read me! Read me!’. But when the author’s name is Iain Murray, the Banner men will be eager enough to read it. They know that the modest presentation belies the strength and power of the message within. Others too will soon find blessing from the incisive insights of Mr Murray.

Here we have five addresses delivered at various conferences over the years, revised and brought into print. ‘Evangelical Holiness and Spirituality’, delivered at the 2010 Keswick Convention, underlines the great theme of Keswick and the conventions it has inspired all over the world: the need for holiness in the life of the Christian. Iain Murray asserts that

the means that God commonly uses to show the truth of the gospel message . . . is surely the evidence of changed lives . . . Christians are people very different from what they were, and very different from the society in which they live. They shine as lights ‘in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation’ (Phil. 2.15). Authentic holiness draws attention to God.

He goes on to draw out the implications of this for Christians living in an age of rampant evil in the world and rank apostasy in much of the church.

Four other addresses on ‘The Attack On The Bible,’ ‘Apostasy,’ ‘The Benefits and Dangers of Controversy,’ and ‘Rest in God’ are a bonus for the reader as they expand on the main theme of the first address, alerting us to pitfalls and problems but giving practical and positive advice as we seek to ‘live a quiet and godly life in Christ Jesus.’

Evangelical Holiness could not have been published at a more appropriate time to help and encourage faithful Christians perplexed by decisions of church courts and councils which are nothing less than departure from the clear teaching of the Word of God and compromise with the world, and to challenge those who lead the church into such compromise to repent and do the things the church did at first as it shone the light of Christ into the deepest and darkest corners of a lost and perishing world.

Praise God that in a day when much of the leadership of the church seems hell-bent on leading it astray and cutting loose from the clear and unequivocal teaching of Scripture, he has not left himself without faithful witnesses, whose faith we may follow. Thankfully we still have faithful shepherds to lead us and feed us in the green pastures of the Word of God.