The Power of Revival: Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Baptism in the Spirit, and Preaching on Fire: An Interview with Dongjin Park

Dongjin Park is the author of The Power of Revival: Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Baptism in the Spirit, and Preaching on Fire. As part of the Studies in Historical and Systematic Theology series, Dongjin Park explores how Welsh minister Martyn Lloyd-Jones’s preaching (1899–1981) was kindled by his distinctly Reformed view of Spirit baptism. By tracing Lloyd-Jones’s writings and sources, Park shows how Lloyd-Jones’s theology of Spirit baptism was a reappropriation of Puritan emphasis on experiential faith. Lloyd-Jones’s revivalistic urgency, fueled by the Spirit’s power to ignite preaching and holy living, found its spark in Calvinistic revivalism. 

In our interview below, Dongjin Park shares how Lloyd-Jones’ doctrine stems from the Reformed doctrine and why he thought chapter six was the most fascinating to write. 

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Lexham Press: What is the story behind your book and what is your book’s basic thesis?

Dongjin Park: My book’s basic thesis is that Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ life-long aspiration for revival was the matrix in which his doctrine of Spirit baptism had been formed and developed. The matrix eventually led Lloyd-Jones’ doctrine of Spirit baptism and his understanding of true preaching to be distinguished from the Reformed tradition, influencing him to place more emphasis on the exceptional work of the Spirit (“outpouring of the Spirit”).

LP: What contribution do you hope to make with your book? 

Park: I hope that my book will contribute to prove that Lloyd-Jones’ doctrine of Spirit baptism stems from the Reformed doctrine related to assurance of salvation and revival, which had been propagated from the 16th to the 19th centuries, rather than being indebted to Pentecostal or Charismatic doctrines.

LP: Describe a particularly surprising or enjoyable aspect of writing your book.

Park: Personally, I was most fascinated to write chapter 6 in which I illustrated that Lloyd-Jones, even though he argues that his doctrine of assurance was inherited from the Puritan tradition, opens the possibility of the immediate witness of the Spirit apart from the Word of God, unlike the Puritans he quotes. 

LP: Share with us something surprising about yourself that only your friends would know.

Park: I’m really bad with directions, so even though I’ve been driving to my church for over a year now, I always rely on navigation. It’s a top secret!

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The Power of Revival: Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Baptism in the Spirit, and Preaching on Fire is out now! Read it today!