--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones taught that the…" description: "\"“D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones taught that the gospel emphasis on grace could be lost in several ways. A church might simply become heterodox — losing its grip..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee9/timothy-keller-240_christianity_d-martyn-lloyd-jones-taught-that-the-gos_763758.jpg" --- # D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones taught that the gospel emphasis on… ![“D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones taught that the gospel emphasis on grace could be lost in several ways. A church might simply become heterodox — losing its grip on the orthodox tenets of theology that under-gird the gospel, such as the triune nature of God, the deity of Christ, the wrath of God, and so on…” quote by Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee9/timothy-keller-240_christianity_d-martyn-lloyd-jones-taught-that-the-gos_763758.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee9/timothy-keller-240_christianity_d-martyn-lloyd-jones-taught-that-the-gos_763758.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee9/timothy-keller-240_christianity_d-martyn-lloyd-jones-taught-that-the-gos_763758.jpg) > ““D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones taught that the gospel emphasis on grace could be lost in several ways. A church might simply become heterodox — losing its grip on the orthodox tenets of theology that under-gird the gospel, such as the triune nature of God, the deity of Christ, the wrath of God, and so on. It may turn its back on the very belief in justification by faith alone and the need for conversion and so move toward a view that being a Christian is simply a matter of church membership or of living a life based on Christ’s example. This cuts the nerve of gospel renewal and revival.2 But it is possible to subscribe to every orthodox doctrine and nevertheless fail to communicate the gospel to people’s hearts in a way that brings about repentance, joy, and spiritual growth. One way this happens is through dead orthodoxy, in which such pride grows in our doctrinal correctness that sound teaching and right church practice become a kind of works-righteousness. Carefulness in doctrine and life is, of course, critical, but when it is accompanied in a church by self-righteousness, mockery, disdain of everyone else, and a contentious, combative attitude, it shows that, while the doctrine of justification may be believed, a strong spirit of legalism reigns nonetheless. The doctrine has failed to touch hearts.3 Lloyd-Jones also speaks of “defective orthodoxy” and “spiritual inertia.”4 Some churches hold to orthodox doctrines but with imbalances and a lack of proper emphasis. Many ministries spend more time defending the faith than propagating it. Or they may give an inordinate amount of energy and attention to matters such as prophecy or spiritual gifts or creation and evolution. A church may become enamored with the mechanics of ministry and church organization. There are innumerable reasons that critical doctrines of grace and justification and conversion, though strongly held, are kept “on the shelf.” They are not preached and communicated in such a way that connects to people’s lives. People see the doctrines — yet they do not see them.”” [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Lloyd‑Jones warns that strict orthodoxy can become legalistic, hindering gospel impact; doctrine without heart fails to transform lives. **In simple terms:** Doctrine without heartfelt application becomes empty and legalistic. Key Takeaway Prioritize gospel compassion over mere doctrinal correctness. Themes theology church health grace legalism spiritual inertia orthodoxy Mood reflective critical hopeful Type theological expository When to use this quote - church leadership - teaching - personal faith formation - community outreach - doctrinal education Key Concepts doctrinal balance heart‑centered preaching spiritual vitality Questions to Reflect On - How can churches keep doctrine alive and relevant? - What practices prevent legalism from taking root? A Different Perspective Focusing solely on doctrine may neglect relational discipleship. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Church membership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church-membership/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Justification by faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justification-by-faith/) [Nature Of God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-god/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Spiritual gifts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-gifts/) [Spiritual growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-growth/) [Strong spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-spirit/) [Wrath of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrath-of-god/) ## Related quotes > [The orthodox doctrines of economics which were dominant in the last quarter of the nineteenth century had a clear message. 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Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [The doctrines of grace humble man without degrading him and exalt him without inflating him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hodge/the-doctrines-of-grace-humble-man-without-degrading-him-and-exalt-him/) [Charles Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hodge/) > [The doctrines of grace stand or fall together, and together they point to one central truth: salvation is all of grace because it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-montgomery-boice/the-doctrines-of-grace-stand-or-fall-together-and-together-they-point/) [James Montgomery Boice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-montgomery-boice/) > [I wish that those who believe in the doctrines of grace would be more gracious. That's all I'd say... I'm an evangelical. I believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/i-wish-that-those-who-believe-in-the-doctrines-of-grace-would-be-more/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [“the truths of sovereign grace emboldened these men to further the cause of Christ on the earth. This fact should not surprise us, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson-2/the-truths-of-sovereign-grace-emboldened-these-men-to-further-the/) [Steven J. Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson-2/) > [A man can be saved and not believe in the Doctrines of Grace...but he must be a very proud man. 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He's either all of your righteousness or none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/christ-will-do-everything-for-you-or-nothing-he-s-either-all-of-your/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [If we give God things in hope that they'll earn us blessings, we're really not doing anything for him. It's for ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-we-give-god-things-in-hope-that-they-ll-earn-us-blessings-we-re/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) [Explore all 843 Timothy Keller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) ## More Christianity quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. 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Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) [Browse all 14,385 Christianity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones taught that the gospel emphasis on grace could be lost in several ways. A church might simply become heterodox — losing its grip on the orthodox tenets of theology that under-gird the gospel, such as the triune nature of God, the deity of Christ, the wrath of God, and so on. It may turn its back on the very belief in justification by faith alone and the need for conversion and so move toward a view that being a Christian is simply a matter of church membership or of living a life based on Christ’s example. This cuts the nerve of gospel renewal and revival.2 But it is possible to subscribe to every orthodox doctrine and nevertheless fail to communicate the gospel to people’s hearts in a way that brings about repentance, joy, and spiritual growth. One way this happens is through dead orthodoxy, in which such pride grows in our doctrinal correctness that sound teaching and right church practice become a kind of works-righteousness. Carefulness in doctrine and life is, of course, critical, but when it is accompanied in a church by self-righteousness, mockery, disdain of everyone else, and a contentious, combative attitude, it shows that, while the doctrine of justification may be believed, a strong spirit of legalism reigns nonetheless. The doctrine has failed to touch hearts.3 Lloyd-Jones also speaks of “defective orthodoxy” and “spiritual inertia.”4 Some churches hold to orthodox doctrines but with imbalances and a lack of proper emphasis. Many ministries spend more time defending the faith than propagating it. Or they may give an inordinate amount of energy and attention to matters such as prophecy or spiritual gifts or creation and evolution. A church may become enamored with the mechanics of ministry and church organization. There are innumerable reasons that critical doctrines of grace and justification and conversion, though strongly held, are kept “on the shelf.” They are not preached and communicated in such a way that connects to people’s lives. 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