George H. Lang

George Henry Lang, aka G.H. Lang (November 20, 1874-October 20, 1958), was a noted Bible teacher, prolific author, and biblical scholar of his time. [http://www.newble.co.uk/writers/Lang/biography.html] Of his Christian comtempories, Lang was influenced by the writings of G.H. Pember, C.H. Spurgeon, A.T. Pierson, and George Müller. Today, G.H. Lang is remembered as one of the few "Bible expositors" who, in the past 150 years, saw the 'ground of the church'. He pointed out that the ground of the church is essentially related to the practical oneness of all the believers in Christ. [G.H. Lang, "The Churches of God", London: The Paternoster Press, 1959.] [http://www.local-church-ground-testimony.org/]

Life and Belief

Lang was born in Southeast London, England. His mother died shortly after Lang's birth, and he was raised under the influence of his Christian father. Lang made a profession of the Christian faithVague|date=September 2008 and dedicated his life to Jesus Christ at 7-years-old.Fact|date=September 2008 Early on, Lang affiliated himself with the Exclusive Brethren; but later in life, he affiliated himself with the Open Brethren.Fact|date=September 2008 Lang held the belief that the only qualification for a believer was having made a sincere profession of faith. For this one belief, Lang is considered by some Brethren as the most controversial figure since Darby regarding the administration of the Church affairs. [Douglas W. Brealey, "The Witness," December 1958] Later in Lang's life and teachings, he challenged Darby's "federation view" of the church and stressed the local fellowship's autonomy and independence. [G.H. Lang, "The Churches of God", London: The Paternoster Press, 1959.]

Ministry and Work

Lang was essentially a man of faith, never looking to man for the means of his subsistence, but only to God, and Lang's faith grew with its' exercise. In Lang's words, [G.H. Lang, "Praying is Working", 1988, 4th ed.] [http://www.schoettlepublishing.com/bookpreviews/lang/prayingisworking/preview.htm]

"Praying is working, and not merely an adjunct to working. It is a form of working, and not simply a somewhat properly added to our efforts out of reverence to the Almighty; nor is it only an appeal for His blessing to prosper our labours. When a righteous man prays he works. For prayer in the spirit is one agency by which the Spirit of God effects through the believer His will, and is, indeed, a putting forth of His energy."

Lang was a very close student of the Holy Scriptures and an independent thinker.Fact|date=September 2008 He was not prepared to take traditional interpretations unless he was personally convinced that they were right. [Douglas W. Brealey, "The Witness," December 1958] Lang was also an active Gospel preacher and from time to time he was found in countries from the Arabian deserts to the Russian steppes preaching. Lang almost traveled and preached in the entire world in his missionary career. [Douglas W. Brealey, "The Witness," December 1958]

Lang once said, [ Schoettle Publishing Company, "A Short Biography of George Henry Lang"]

"No man should write a book until he is 40. He needs to prove his theories in practice before publishing."

Most of Lang's books were published after he was 50-years-old.

Death

Lang died at age 83, in Wimborne, Dorset, England. [Douglas W. Brealey, "The Witness," December 1958]

Books

Lang's writings include fourteen major books and many other booklets. Some of his works are noted below.
*"Anthony Norris Groves" - Biography of A.N. Groves
*"Atoning Blood"
*"The Unequal Yoke"
*"Firstfruits and Harvest"
*"Firstborn Sons -Their Rights and Risk"
*"The New Birth"
*"The Clean Heart"
*"Balanced Christianity"
*"Coming Events, An Outline of Bible Prophecy"
*"The Earlier Years of the Modern Tongues Movement"
*"Departure - An Appeal Addressed by one of Themselves Mainly to Christians Known as Open Brethren"
*"Divine Guidance - Its Reality, Methods, Conditions"
*"The First Resurrection"
*"God's Plan - Christ's Suffering and the Spirit's Power"
*"The History and Diaries of an Indian Christian - J.C. Aroolappen"
*"The Local Assembly"
*"An Ordered Life - The Autobiography of G.H. Lang"

References

ee also

*Robert Govett
*Watchman Nee
*John Nelson Darby
*Plymouth Brethren
*Local Churches

External links

* [http://www.local-church-ground-testimony.org/ Concerning the Ground of the Church] Bible expositors, those who over the past century and a half, have seen the ground of the church
* [http://www.schoettlepublishing.com/catalog/lang.htm Schoettle Publishing Company] - Books by G. H. Lang