What is the Essence of the Christian Experience According to Lloyd-Jones?

What did Lloyd-Jones identify as the central problem in modern religious life?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, there is great confusion today about what it means to be a Christian and what constitutes the authentic Christian experience. He states that "there's greater confusion, perhaps concerning the term Christian and the Christian experience as to what it really does mean to be a Christian than there is perhaps with regard to any other subject." This confusion is compounded by the many new religious movements emerging, particularly in the United States but increasingly in Britain as well.

Why does Lloyd-Jones emphasize the importance of being alone in the Christian experience?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the authentic Christian experience must be personal - it happens when we are alone, as when "Jacob was left alone." He believes this personal dimension is being neglected in modern times where everything is organized around masses and large gatherings. He says, "No man is a Christian unless he's faced this matter like Jacob alone." The true test of faith isn't what we do in a crowd but "what the man does when he's absolutely alone." Lloyd-Jones warns against being carried by the "momentum of the movement" rather than having a personal encounter with God.

What does Lloyd-Jones mean by being "dealt with" by God?

Lloyd-Jones explains that a genuine Christian experience involves being "dealt with" by God - it's not just what we do, but what God does to us. He says, "There wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. It wasn't what Jacob did. It was what was done to Jacob." He argues that true conversion isn't about "taking up religion" or "making a decision" but about God "erupting into our lives and interfering with us." He describes it as an awareness that "God has come in and will not let you go."

How does Lloyd-Jones describe the change in priorities that occurs in genuine conversion?

In genuine conversion, according to Lloyd-Jones, there is a dramatic change in priorities. Using Jacob as an example, he explains how Jacob went from being concerned about his possessions and schemes to realizing that "the one thing that matters is to be blessed by God." Lloyd-Jones states that "if God isn't first and above and beyond everything in our lives, we have no right to regard ourselves as Christians." The person becomes desperate about receiving God's blessing, realizing that "nothing matters but that I have God's blessing."

What does the "lameness" of Jacob symbolize in the Christian experience according to Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones explains that Jacob's lameness after wrestling with God symbolizes the humility that comes with authentic Christian experience. He says, "When God deals with us, there's a kind of laming. There's a kind of limping." This represents being permanently reminded of "weakness and inability and of entire dependence upon God." Lloyd-Jones criticizes what he sees as excessive "healthiness" in modern Christianity, stating that true experience of God "always humbles and it lames us." The Christian has "a joy which is unspeakable and full of glory" yet "is never flippant" and approaches God "with reverence and godly fear."