Matthew Henry: The Bible, Prayer, and Piety: A Tercentenary Celebration

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Description

Three hundred years after his death, Matthew Henry (16621714) remains arguably the best known expositor of the Bible in English, due largely to his massive six-volume Exposition of the Old and New Testaments. However, Henrys famous commentary is by no means the only expression of his engagement with the Scriptures. His many sermons and works on Christian piety including the still popular Method for Prayer are saturated with his peculiarly practical approach to the Bible. To mark the tercentenary of Henrys death, Matthew A. Collins and Paul Middleton have brought together notable historians, theologians, and biblical scholars to celebrate his life and legacy. Representing the first serious examination of Henrys body of work and approach to the Bible, Matthew Henry: The Bible, Prayer, and Piety opens a scholarly conversation about the place of Matthew Henry in the eighteenth-century nonconformist movement, his contribution to the interpretation of the Bible, and his continued legacy in evangelical piety.

Reviews

These excellent essays provide a more full-orbed picture of Henry than we have had to date. Henrys interpretation of the Bible, his theological discussions of prayer and prayers practical implications, along with his prescriptions for a vital Protestant piety in the Puritan tradition make Henry a very important figure in Protestant life. His enduring legacy continues as these pieces convey. This is an important work for understanding Henry and the implications and ongoing significance of his life and labors. Finally, very valuable is Philip Alexanders annotated bibliography of Henrys work. This is a fitting conclusion to this excellent volume on Henry. * Reading Religion *
Although Matthew Henrys six-volume commentary on the Bible is one of the most comprehensive and influential works of its kind, much less is known of the life, ministry and other writings of its author. But here in this collection of scholarly essays we have a concerted effort by a multi-disciplinary team to assess Henry in his historical context. Impressive in its range and depth, this volume provides a unique set of perspectives on Henrys work. * David Fergusson, University of Edinburgh, UK *
Matthew Henry is one of the most influential and yet least studied figures from the Puritan tradition and Early Modern period. Despite his significant worldwide impact on the evangelical church over the centuries, mainly through his Exposition, there has been very little scholarly analysis of his theology and piety, and especially the connections between them and his historical and cultural context. This welcome volume begins to fill that vacuum and I hope it will entice further scholars to take Henry more seriously, leading to a better understanding of both him and his times. * David Murray, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, USA *

Author Bio

Matthew A. Collins is Senior Lecturer in Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Judaism at the University of Chester, UK. Paul Middleton is Senior Lecturer in New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of Chester, UK