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Tuesday, July 10, 2007

My top ten Christian biographies

I have counted two-volume biogs as one choice. The order reflects my personal preference.

1. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The First Forty Years 1899-1939 (Banner of Truth Trust, 1982) & The Fight of Faith 1939-1981 (Banner of Truth Trust, 1990) by Iain H. Murray.

2. Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography (Banner of Truth Trust, 1987) by Iain H. Murray.
3. Daniel Rowland and the Great Evangelical Awakening in Wales (Banner of Truth Trust, 1985) by Eifion Evans.
4. George Whitefiled: The life and times of the great evangelist of the 18th century revival (Banner of Truth Trust, Volume 1 1970, Volume 2 1980) by Arnold Dallimore.
5. Here I Stand: Martin Luther (Lion, 1978) by Roland Bainton.
6. Spurgeon: A New Biography (Banner of Truth Trust, 1984) by Arnold Dallimore.
7. John Calvin (Lion, 1975) by T.H.L. Parker.
8. William Grimshaw of Howarth (Banner of Truth Trust, 1997) by Faith Cook.
9. Howell Harris: From Conversion to Separation 1735-1750 (University Press of Wales, 2000) by Geraint Tudur.
10. Wilberforce (Lion, 1977) by John Pollock.
On compiling this list, I see that I'm especially partial to biographies of men who were prominent in the 18th century Evangelical Revival. Also, the Banner of Truth Trust is to be congratulated for publishing so many excellent works of Christian biography. Which Christian biographies have you most enjoyed?

9 comments:

Sam said...

Have you read George Mueller's autobiography? I've just finished a shortened version of it and been utterly blown away.

His faith and joyful dependence on God in every aspect of his life, every day, is amazing.

Guy Davies said...

No I haven't I'm afraid. From what you say, it looks like a good read.

David Reimer said...

From your list, I have also read ## 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7. Great reading!

Also among my favourites are the Howard Taylor biog of J Hudson Taylor, George Marsden's Jonathan Edwards (a terrific read), Peter Brown's Augustine, and Elisabeth Elliot's biog of Amy Carmichael.

I'm a bit surprised Iain Murray's John Murray biog isn't on your list! Another great read....

Guy Davies said...

Thanks for those suggestions, David. I've just read Iain Murray's biog of JM for a book review. It was a good read, but it was not in the same league as his work on Ll-J and Edwards. Considering JM was primarily a theologian, the book contained very little by way of assessment of JM's theological lagacy. The review will be published later this year in the Protestant Truth Society magazine. After the review been published there, I'll probably post it on the blog.

Guy Davies said...

David,

By the way, why don't you unlock your blog profile so we can see who you are?

David Reimer said...

Guy wrote: "By the way, why don't you unlock your blog profile so we can see who you are?"

It's sort of historical -- blame it on Blogger2. I make it a point not to be "anonymous", but when I'm usually in "blog-comment-mode", I'm in my "other" Google account which discloses more details. But if I just want to leave a quick note, and am feeling too lazy to sign out of gmail, sign back in under a different account, etc., I just leave a note from "David".

I'll try to do better in future! :)

David Reimer
Edinburgh

dp23 said...

Been meaning to comment on this but keep getting distracted! Have read 1,3,4,6,8 on your list, just bought 2.

What about (in no particular order apart from the first two, which I recommend strongly!):-
1. From Death into Life (Autobio of William Haslam - converted by his own preaching!)
2. William Tyndale ( D. Daniell)
3. Life of David Brainerd (author ?)
4. Andrew Bonar, Diary and Life (ed. Bonar)
5. Billy Bray (F. Bourne)
6. Henry Martyn, Life and Letters (Sargant)
7. James Hudson Taylor (Taylor)
8. Christmas Evans (Ramsbottom)
9. R M McCheyne (Bonar)
10. He gave us a valley (Helen Roseveare)

Guy Davies said...

Nice list, DP. The M'Cheyne biog is a real classic. Jonathan Edwards wrote a life of Brainerd, it's in Vol 2 of his works.

Anonymous said...

Another good biography is of John G. Paton.