PUBLICATIONS

THE BURNING BUSH
 

Volume 16 Number 1, January 2010

A REVIEW OF DAVID FOUNTAIN’S CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH: E J POOLE-CONNOR, A "PROPHET" AMIDST THE SWEEPING CHANGES IN ENGLISH EVANGELICALISM

Joseph Poon

David G Fountain in his book, Contending for the Faith,¹ sets out to present some of the events, prevailing mindsets and reasons for the fall of main Nonconformist denominations of England into modernism, as seen through the eyes and writings of E J Poole-Connor (1872-1962). While the author quotes also from various other men, his focus is more on the discerning convictions and reactions of Poole-Connor whom he considers to be the role model both in his defence of the faith and pastoral life. The author cleverly interlaces the autobiography of Poole-Connor with his own astute analysis of the history and events of the time. He described this time as "a period in human history, during which the church was devastated by error of every kind, when Nonconformity lost its power, and once full chapels were found desolate and deserted ...".

Fountain strives to show a distinctive trait of Poole-Connor. This man, while a serious and unflinching contender for the faith, was not just a fighter but one who was rich in thoughtfulness, graciousness and kindliness even when provoked and tried. In addition, Fountain traces the progression of Poole-Connor’s theological pursuits that led him to being an industrious scholar who had a spiritual gift of penetrating exposition of Scriptures. Poole-Connor would address hundreds by the week at Talbot Tabernacle in London, while also organising a massive Sunday school for thousands of youngsters. Evidences of Poole-Connor’s pastoral wisdom are also supported through anecdotal quotes from his flock. But it was his focus on consistently addressing and warning of the spiritual decline in the United Kingdom amidst his pastoral life, while tending to the spiritual diet of his flock that Fountain finds most commendable. Fountain believes that God indeed raised Poole-Connor as a watchman, a calling to which he was faithful to the end. Fountain also traces Poole-Connor’s great admiration of C H Spurgeon’s conduct during the Down-Grade Controversy. On this, Fountain provided stirring abstracts from Poole-Connor’s passionate writings in support and defence of Spurgeon. Poole-Connor organised the "Spurgeon Centenary Mission" to break the ominous "conspiracy of silence" after Spurgeon’s death.

While Fountain covers Poole-Connor’s focus on evangelical unity, he highlights Poole-Connor’s loyalty to the inerrant Scriptures in combating Higher Criticism. Poole-Connor attacked the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Revised Standard Version (RSV) as he served on the International Council of Christian Churches (ICCC). He also was a strong defender of the King James Version (KJV) as his article, "Why I prefer the Authorised Version of the English Bible" in Truth Unchanged Unchanging (1984) illustrates. Here Poole-Connor states on page 287, "we have in the Authorised a truly Protestant Version without the least unfaithfulness to the original Scriptures." Fountain often quotes from Poole-Connor’s works to show how the latter was prophetic in his insight. Poole-Connor accurately foretold of the sure fall of evangelicalism because of tolerating Higher Criticism. Moreover, he warned the people of his time without mincing words or toning down the message. Poole-Connor simply and bravely pronounced it as from the Word of God without apology.

A noteworthy contribution mentioned was his involvement in the founding of the Evangelical Library, one of the first new agencies for promoting Puritan literature in 20^th century Britain. Fountain highlights Poole-Connor’s active aim to strengthen and unite faithful evangelicals that remained true in their doctrines and to strengthen their hands to separate from and combat against the compromisers. On this, he traces Poole-Connor’s efforts in setting up "The Fellowship of Undenominational and Unattached Churches and Missions" in 1922 which later became "The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches" (FIEC). Fountain explains Poole-Connor’s reason for doing so was because the latter believed that professing loyalty to a "secondary" issue as practised in a denomination has hastened doctrinal decline. Instead, joining arms to fight against modernism was the greater need instead.

Several noteworthy highlights of this book are firstly, Fountain’s spiritual discernment that the connection between defence of the Word of God and the blessing of the Holy Spirit was ignored during this period. People were seeking for revival of the dead church but yet were attacking God’s Word at the same time. Secondly, Fountain’s keen perception that the rapid momentum of the decline was largely due to "silence of good men" who were not speaking up against the deceptions of false brethren. This enabled the poison to spread because of the neutrality and tolerance of many. On this, Fountain shows Poole-Connor’s discerning view and reaction against teachers of Higher Criticism, modernism and friendliness to Rome. Thirdly, Fountain pointed out that the rapid decline was also due to the fact that many respected preachers, who were outwardly evangelical in their speeches, were really tolerant compromisers in their practices. He quotes Poole-Connor writing, "But let it be emphatically repeated—words are not enough. It is action that is demanded. ... Their leniency is eloquent advocacy; ...". Indeed many of such characters are still living today. And finally, his astute insight on how the pervading focus on evangelism, with little attention paid to doctrinal issues of those days (particularly biblical inerrancy and authority), was also a key problem. He named those who unwittingly helped promote this mindset, listing D L Moody, Ira Sankey, and R A Torrey among such and to some extent Andrew Murray.

Poole-Connor was unique in that he was careful not to blindly embrace even those evangelicals who were greatly used by God in his age. He would diligently examine their practices against the light of God’s Word, no matter the outward "achievements". Towards the end, Fountain gives a stirring account of Poole-Connor’s life in his final years. Poole-Connor never wavered nor faltered in his brave attacks on false trends. And he continued to do so even though it led him to loneliness because of the severe criticisms that were directed at him for his evaluation of the situation.

The warnings this book ring relevantly true in our times. It would have, however, lent even greater weight to itself if it included more Scripture passages to substantiate its views. Notably, it is the Postscript chapter by Dr Peter Masters that truly makes this book complete and updated for our day. This chapter was wisely requested for by Fountain through foresight. It honestly points out that while the idea of "unity on basis of essentials, laying aside non-essentials" was relevant and adequate in Poole-Connor’s day, it is not sufficient today. This is so based on the very point that Poole-Connor who did himself forewarn emphatically about; that at the end of the day, actions and practices are what count, not just stated beliefs. Creeds have little meaning when compromise continues to be present. Dr Masters rightly warns that the practices, not just the statements of their evangelical beliefs, that must be the yardstick of cooperation today. The common practices and experiences, resulting from contemporary Christian worship, charismatic practices and other unbiblical practices, continue to lead the way back to Rome.

This book has achieved what it has set out to do in giving the reader a picture of the events surrounding the period of spiritual disaster in England. It traced the causes and effects of compromise which Poole-Connor faithfully battled against. These are days when many Christians have succumbed to compromise and have tolerated errors. Many do so to please others and to promote self. Hence, this book has truly been an encouragement to this writer’s heart that God had raised and sustained Poole-Connor to remain true and faithful to his Master till his last breath.

May the above be an example and inspiration to all. For we must never falter in raising the banner of Truth, sword in one hand and trowel in the other, as we march faithfully on the Lord’s side.

¹ David Guy Fountain, Earnestly Contending for the Faith: E J Poole-Connor, a "Prophet" Amidst the Sweeping Changes in English Evangelicalism (London: Wakeman Trust, 2005), 174pp.

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