BIOGRAPHY SKETCH (from "Romans")
However, that which gives an unusual and particularly
endearing value to this commentary is the history that lies behind it. In 1816
Robert Haldane, being about fifty years of age, went to Switzerland and to
Geneva. There, to all outward appearances as if by accident, he came into
contact with a number of students who were studying for the ministry. They were
all blind to spiritual truth, but felt much attracted to Haldane, and to what
he said. He arranged, therefore, that they should come regularly twice a week
to the rooms where he was staying, and there he took them through and expounded
to them Paul's Epistle to the Romans.
One by one they became converted, and
their conversion led to a true Revival of religion, not only in Switzerland,
but also in France. They included such men as Merle D'Aubigne, the writer of
the classic "History of the Reformation;" Frederic Monod who became the founder
of the Free Churches in France; Bonifas, who became a theologian of great
ability;, Louis Gaussen the author of "Theopneustia," a book on the inspiration
of the Scriptures;(Re-printed as "Divine Inspiration of the Bible") and Cesar
Malan.
There were also others greatly used of God in the revival. It was at
the request of such men that Robert Haldane decided to put into print what he
had been telling them. Hence this volume. And one cannot read it without being
conscious of the preacher as well as the expositor.
What . . . Dr. Reuben
Sailens says of what has become known as "Haldane's Revival" can be applied
with equal truth to this commentary: "The three main characteristics of
Haldane's Revival, as it has sometimes been called, were these: (1) It gave a
prominent emphasis to the necessity of a personal knowledge and experience of
grace; (2) It maintained the absolute authority and Divine inspiration of the
Bible; (3) It was a return to Calvinistic doctrine against Pelagianism and
Arminianism.
Haldane was an orthodox of the first water, but his orthodoxy
was blended with love and life.
May God grant that it may produce that same
love and life in all who read it.
D. MARTYN LLOYD-JONES
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