Matthew Henry: The Bible, Prayer, and Piety

These excellent essays provide a more full-orbed picture of Henry than we have had to date. Henry’s interpretation of the Bible, his theological discussions of prayer and prayer’s 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 Alexander’s annotated bibliography of Henry’s work. This is a fitting conclusion to this excellent volume on Henry. * Reading Religion *
Although Matthew Henry’s 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 Henry’s 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 *