What Did Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About Altar Calls and Invitations?

What was Lloyd-Jones' view on making altar calls or invitations at the end of a sermon?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, he did not practice altar calls or invitations at the end of his sermons. He objected to the practice for several theological and practical reasons. He believed it was "wrong to put direct pressure on the will" and that the will should always be approached through the mind and affections first. He stated: "As it is wrong to make a direct attack upon the emotions, so it is equally wrong to make a direct attack upon the will. We are to present the truth, and clearly this is something first and foremost to the mind."

When did altar calls first become common practice in church services?

Lloyd-Jones explains that altar calls and invitations came into church practice in the early 19th century with Charles G. Finney, who introduced what was called the "anxious seat." Prior to this, Protestant preachers generally did not use this method. Lloyd-Jones points out that even John Wesley, despite being "the great Arminian," did not make these kinds of appeals for people to come forward. According to Lloyd-Jones, this practice represented a significant shift away from earlier Protestant approaches to evangelism.

What theological concerns did Lloyd-Jones have about altar calls?

Lloyd-Jones had several theological concerns about altar calls:

1. It implies "that sinners have inherent powers of decision and of self-conversion"
2. It suggests "that the evangelist somehow is in a position to manipulate the Holy Spirit and his work"
3. It demonstrates "a distrust of the Holy Spirit and his power and his work"
4. It "raises the whole question as to the exact belief that people who indulge in this practice really have in regeneration"
5. He believed it contradicted the truth that "no sinner really ever decides for Christ" but rather "flies to Christ in helplessness and in despair"

What did Lloyd-Jones observe about the psychological factors involved in altar calls?

Lloyd-Jones observed that altar calls often rely on psychological conditioning rather than genuine spiritual conviction. He mentioned how music, lighting, and other environmental factors are often manipulated to produce responses. He cited an example where Billy Graham admitted that responses were diminished when a half-hour hymn singing came between his sermon and the altar call, which Lloyd-Jones saw as proof that "what produces the results is clearly not the truth or the work of the Spirit."

He also noted that this approach "tends to produce a very superficial conviction of sin, if any at all," with people responding for various psychological reasons rather than genuine spiritual conviction.

What alternatives did Lloyd-Jones suggest instead of altar calls?

Instead of altar calls, Lloyd-Jones suggested:

1. "The appeal must be in the truth itself and in the message" - making the appeal part of the sermon itself
2. Making yourself available after services: "The minister should always make an announcement in some shape or form that he is available to talk to anybody who wants to talk to him about the soul and its eternal destiny"
3. Trusting the Holy Spirit's work: "As the Spirit does the work, it is a real work. It's a solid work, and it will declare itself"
4. Only making a distinct appeal "when one is conscious of some overwhelming injunction of the Spirit of God to do so"

He emphasized that genuine conversion will manifest itself naturally without being forced or manipulated, saying: "The true work of conviction of sin and of regeneration, and the giving of the gift of faith and new life is solely the work of the Holy Spirit."