Published July 18th, 2008
Preacher Biography
You might call his life a rise and fall. Through his preaching and writing, his popularity grew, but so did his opposition and detractors. When the door of public preaching finally closed to him, he poured all of his energies into his writing. Ironically, his writing is why we know who he was today. He also has more recognition and fame after his death than he did during his life.
Pink was exemplary in his discipline and study. He felt it was his job and that he should go about it as the farmer or banker to their tasks. His long hours and much study did cost him in the terms of fits of illness that sidelined him for periods of time. Once recovered, he would be right back at his work.
The last chapter of his life is a rather dark one. He sought seclusion in Scotland and seems to have had little personal interaction, fellowship, or relationships. His writing in those years is often characterized by a harsh tone and cynicism. This is especially seen in his correspondence of those later years.
This is a new edition of Murray’s biography that is expanded to include new material he did not have when he wrote the first one. It is certainly worth reading. Pink is a model in some ways and a warning in some others. I am thankful though, for I have certainly profited from his writing.
“‘I being in the way, the Lord led me’ (Genesis 24:27). The servant was actively following the Lord, and therefore the Lord directed his steps. ‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way’ (Psa. 37:23). ‘In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths’ (Pro. 3:6). The Lord leads along the path, a step at a time; but before He can lead us along the path, we must be on the path. When a man is doing God’s will, as best he knows it, and is willing to do His further will even before he knows it, then he will know His will as soon as he need to.” (Henry Morris, The Genesis Record, p.398).
