Philip Arthur Bence PhD Thesis - Research@StAndrews:FullText

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man who does not accept the Christian faith is to humble
him." e As the preacher declares the gospel, the Holy
Spirit reveals humanity's stalemate and the necessity of
Christ's intervention. "It is He (Jesus] alone who can
reconcile us to God, and enable us to see and know
God."
As the Holy Spirit speaks, the hearer must choose to
accept or reject the message.
In no sense of the word can the gospel as
preached by Christ be said to have been
comfortable to listen to; it never left men as
they were, it either thrilled them or else
infuriated them. . . . If you are not saved by
it, you are of necessity condemned by it. One
thing is certain, we cannot remain indifferent
to it.1°
Lloyd-Jones found the source of his preaching
content in a literal interpretation of Scripture. Since
Lloyd-Jones's views on Scripture regulate his theology,
they merit special attention. He gave wholehearted
approval to the following statement, "It (the Bible]
declares itself to be a God-given revelation. It does
not merely contain the Word of God [Lloyd-Jones perhaps
comparing his own position with others he considered more
'liberal'], but it is the Word of God."" Thus, all
Scripture portions in both Old and New Testaments are
equally authoritative."- The writers of Scripture
were "inspired . . . safeguarded from error."1
Lloyd-Jones resisted a dictation theory, but believed God
was an active partner in writing the words of Scripture.
"God has revealed Himself by speaking to certain chosen