History
By Robert Oliver
In 1950 a group of young men led by Dr J I Packer approached the late Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones urging a conference for Puritan studies. Dr Lloyd-Jones readily acknowledged his debt to the Puritans. He also urged men to borrow their works from the Evangelical Library. Puritan books were only obtainable then through secondhand booksellers but men who could get hold of them soon realised that they contained hidden treasures that should be shared with others. In this enthusiasm the Puritan Conference was born. Its meetings presented rare opportunities for help. Not only did the papers open up new vistas of challenging thinking but they were always followed by discussions brilliantly dominated by Dr Lloyd-Jones, at times ably challenged by Ernest Kevan and a few other brave spirits. Those who established this Conference did so because they valued the teachings of the Protestant Reformation and the unique way in which the Puritans applied this to Christian experience and all areas of life.
They were not uncritical followers of the Puritans but saw them as outstanding Christian teachers whose challenges could not be ignored. The Puritans helped to establish an important tradition of Biblical thinking and pastoral theology which was often recovered in later times of revival. For these reasons, fairly early on, the interest was broadened beyond the Puritans and the Conference was advertised as being for “theological and historical study with especial reference to the Puritans.”
In the 1950s and early 1960s there was a resurgence of Reformed theology in Britain. Since those heady days this theology has been challenged from various quarters and the value of the Puritans teaching has been questioned, even by Reformed men. Dr Lloyd-Jones’ valued contributions ended with his death some twenty years ago. There were those who wondered about the continuance of the Conference at that time. It is therefore encouraging that attendances at the Conference have remained good and that these occasions continue to attract a number of younger people as well as a steady stream of visitors from abroad. Since 1951 the papers have been published and continue to be in demand. Renewed interest in the USA has led to the publication of a series of bound volumes. Although church life is very different the Conference has continued to be arranged because the organisers are convinced that the teaching of the Puritans continues to be relevant. The Puritans faced uncertain times as we do. They did so with a robust theology and a confidence in the living God. They understood the importance of faith in hard times and their theology taught them to take long term views. The truths that sustained our fathers are our delight as we seek to serve the same living and unchanging God.