The Church’s Witness to the World by DR. P.Y. DE JONG Pella, Iowa, 1960 $3.95

This volume is an exposition of the first fifteen articles of UIC Belgic Confession. A second is promised dealing with the remaining articles. When completed it will prove a valuable asset for anyone who takes the Confession seriously.

One could readily expect too much from this exposition. If he looks for a theological or scientific exposition he will be disappointed. Indeed, one might be inclined to regard it as a bit trite or commonplace. Also that judgment is erroneous. The origin and purpose of this book in a measure determines its contents. In reality this book is the reproduction of the discussions in the Couples’ Club in his church. We arc not surprised that the author speaks of sustained interest among its members over a period of three years. And for this purpose the book is heartily recommended to any organization interested in the truth upon which the church stands.

One of the mort valuable features is the Introduction. In a very fine historical sketch the author gives the background of this document, together with some valuable biographical material on de Bres. Each of the thirty-seven articles is explained. There is throughout a positive exposition over against many heresies, ancient and modem. De Jong is well at home in the intellectual climate of our day. He quotes Scripture profusely. He always lets the Bible speak. At the close of each chapter a number of questions arc posed to guide the discussion. And, in view of recent history in our church, the problem of revelation, both general and special, is thoroughly dealt with.

The book is heartily recommended.

C. HUISSEN

Matthew XXIV: An Exposition by J. MARCELLUS KIK Philadelphia, 1948. 115 pages. Price $2.00.

There are some commendable features in this volume. It is what the title declares it to be: an exposition. And as such it is true to the title, the text, and withal loyal to the Word of God. And it is also unique; at least this reviewer has not met with a comparable interpretation of the Olivet Discourse. The author has the courage of a Daniel to stand alone. While this is admirable, it could also be a weakness. Of that more later. Kik writes in a vivid and racy style. One’s interest and curiosity is aroused in his opening statement. “A storehouse to prophetic students, a perplexity to lay readers, and to others a labyrinth of errant eschatological notions—such are the reactions to Matthew Twenty-four,” p. 1. With a wave of the hand he brushes aside “double meanings,” “prophetic perspectives,” and “partial and complete fulfillments.” He sets aside the premillennial interpretation, disposes of the amillennial position with a scant reference and a rather left-handed compliment to Professor Berkhof (cf. pp. 14 and 58). Whether the author places himself in the camp of postmillennialism is not altogether clear.

The author stakes his life on two propositions: vs. 34 is the Time Text and vs. 36 is the Transition Text. “The key to Matthew Twenty-four is vs. 34.” And the key word here is “this generation.” That can have only one meaning: the generation then living. And that generation would be living at the destruction of Jerusalem in the year A.D. 70. And once this is discovered the rest is easy. Verse 36 then presents the transition and all that follows through chapter 25 refers to the parousia, the Second Coming. That division is absolute. And here the book breathes an air of cocksureness that is slightly irksome. Says he, “Thus the contrast between the two Sections is so vivid that one cannot help notice it. The two cannot refer to tho same event; the only logical explanation is that the First Section refers to Christ’s coming in judgment against the Jews, and the Second Section speaks of his second coming” (p. 13). But if it is as transparent as that, isn’t it a bit strange that this interpretation had not been discovered before?

But has the author proved his point? Hardly. That the term “generation” must be taken here in the restricted sense is disputed by such master exegetes as Calvin, Meyer, Stier, Crosheide. Derlchof, to mention but a few. Kik also admits that vss. 27–31 present some difficulties when these sweeping catastrophies are applied only to Jerusalem’s destruction. But there is a way out, says the author. Here we must use the apocalypticism of prophetic interpretation. However, it may be questioned whether this conforms to rules of sound exegesis. Here is a discourse that is factual throughout. And the fact that not tho slightest hint is found in the text itself that a change is introduced here which demands a different mode of interpretation makes the argument less than convincing.

An even more cogent objection must be raised against Kik’s interpretation of vs. 36. If here the transition is as radical as he contends, one would expect something in the language or sentence structure to indicate it. But the reading suggests no such contrast at all; rather the opposite. The one sentence introduced by “But” seems quite naturally to flow into the other. We conclude that this is an assertion that must be proved. It seems to this reviewer that Kik hangs a very weighty theory on a very flimsy thread. The days of the second coming are compared to those of Noah, characterized by eating, drinking, and giving in marriage. But now consider this: “What a contrast this is to the great calamities of famine, pestilences, and wars of the First Section! As the flood came without ‘signs’ even so would be the coming of the Son of Man,” p. 12. This is reiterated even more emphatically on p. 104. No more precursory signs of the Lord’s return! How can brother Kik maintain this position in the face of such chapters from Paul’s epistles as II Thessalonians 2, I Timothy 4, II Timothy 3, II Peter 3, etc.

The book makes pleasant reading. But if it is meant to clear up the “perplexity to lay readers” and to do away with the “labyrinth of errant eschatological notions”—then the book must be written off as a failure.

C. HUISSEN

When Hearts Grow Faint by REV. J.K. VAN BAALEN Reviewed by Rev. George W. Marston Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1960. $2.00

Here is a book of devotional meditation, which is not without merit hut a number of criticisms must be offered by a reviewer who would be faithful to his charge. There are instances of error in punctuation or grammar en pages 11, 61, 77 and 111. However, we shall concern ourselves with more weighty matters.

In reality, while this book is addressed wholly to Christians, it should contain a chapter for tIle faint of heart who are without Christ and therefore utter strangers to “a life of Joy.” WHEN HEARTS CROW FAINT has a definite structure, the meditations being grouped according to subject, which is commendable; but in some cases the author is not primarily concerned with the development of either tho text or the theme of the meditation.

The reviewer finds it necessary to take execution to a number of statements in chapter 2, which is entitled “When the Soul is in Agony.” On page 14 it is said that Christ in Gethsemane “sought to know the Father’s will.” that “God had momentarily withdrawn the presence of his Spirit’s guidance,” that Christ on this occasion was “one who seeks to mow the will of the Father but momentarily fails to discover it.” On page 16, the Christian feels that he is forsaken of God is advised to “ask for a firm conviction that a visit of God to your soul is imminent.” A “note” on page 17 might give the reader the impression that a “smoothing of circumstances” or “an unwavering conviction in the heart” are always indications of the Spirit’s guidance.

The objectionable statements ore not limited to the second chapter of the book. On page 34 the phrase “the saintly Kagawa” would seem to indicate approval of a man whose heterodoxy was clearly demonstrated by Dr. J. Gresham Machen. Forgiving our debtors is said to be Jesus’ “one and only condition towards peace of mind” for avowed Christians (page 55). The author tells us on page 60 that “prayer cannot be answered in tile affirmative unless it is offered in the name of Christ”; but see Mark 5:12–13. On page 73 this statement is found; “lack of faith and lack of love are the same thing.” The phrase “a minister long sainted in heaven,” found on page 116, would seem to imply that Christians do not become saints until they get to heaven; but see Romans 1:6.

This book does not represent J. K. Van Baalen’s real ability as a writer. Having read THE CHAOS OF CULTS, the TI)viewer was frankly disappointed with the factual and theological inaccuracies contained in WHEN HEARTS GROW FAINT. However, the book does contain some worthwhile devotional material, drawn from the Scriptures and illustrated from the life and ministry of the author, which makes it a source of comfort and strength to the saints as they pass through the valley of the shadow of death.

C. HUISSEN

The Christian Scholar by C. VAN TIL Philadelphia: Press of M. Jacobs, Inc. Reprinted from Westminster Theological Journal, Volume XXI, No. 2, May 1959. Now available in pamphlet form.

The title of the pamphlet is taken from The Christian Scholar, a quarterly publication of the commission on Higher Education of The National Council of Churches of Christ. Its issues are devoted to problems in Christian education. Dr. Van Til must have been inspired. Dr. Van Til writes as one who knows that the Reformed faith has much to contribute in the field of education. As such, he shows that educational problems are usually wrongly stated; he strikes at the root of the problems related to Christian education. Dr. Van Til maintains that we have to distinguish between Christians who are scholars and Christian scholars. The former continue to speak of education of the Mind, while the latter have learned to know Christian education as education of the Heart.

Dr. Van Til is critical of the contributors to The Christian Scholar and challenges them “to look into the foundations of their religious assumptions” (p. 174). He successfully shows the duality of their religious commitment in education.

Fortunately, professor Van Til has expressed himself on this and should be read. Unfortunately, he expressed himself in an abstract way. No doubt, it demands a scholarly mentality to follow his reasoning, but more so, it demands a Christian attitude to appreciate his convictions. Nevertheless, anyone who has profited from the author’s other writings on education will again be inspired. Anyone who will read his writings for the first time will be inspired to study his prophetic educational philosophy.

However, any Christian readcr will study this pamphlet with dclight and feel that the author is right.

I recommend this pamphlet to all who arc committed to Christian education.

PHILIP BOM Grand Rapids Philip Bom is a graduate student, who has just received his AM in political science.

The Pastoral Genius of Preaching SAMUEL VOLBEDA 85 pp. Zondervan, price $2.00

Preaching has lately come in for more than a modicum of attention. The market is Hooded with books on its why and when and how. Yet 100 often, especially in American Protestantism, the stress is on the functional. Technique has largely overshadowed content. Not infrequently how a preacher says things (communication) has been made to appear more important than what he says.

This book provides a healthy antidote, even though the medicine is strong and should be taken in small doses. The class lectures of the late Dr. Volbeda are presented in seven chapters, all embroidering the same theme.

Preaching is defined as to its essential nature. It in God’s revelation mediated orally by men from tho written Word. It has been ordained to nurture man’s spiritual life in such a way that it is both adequately sustained and properly developed in this present world. The rest of the book explicates this position. Every detail of the argument is solidly grounded in the Scriptures.

Especially noteworthy is Dr. Volbeda’s discussion of the nature of man’s life in covenantal relation to God. To his people God has given “eternal life…whose warp is natural life and whose woof is spiritual life” (p. 44). In the rebirth the integration of the natural and spiritual (mined by sin) is begun. “What the preacher must be out to do as he exercises his pastoral office in the pulpit, is to be a co-laborer with God in making God’s people more spiritual, so that their spiritual life may progressively dominate their natural life in all its earthly relationships” (p. 43). Here the genius of evangelical Reformed preaching is set forth in such a way that its contrast with fundamentalism, modernism, and Romanism should become crystal clear to the reader. Wide perspectives are opened for the minister of the word of God, since God in Christ is our pastor and his word is the pasture in which his people must graze. Dr. Volbeda warns against a purely professional and scholarly approach to the preacher’s work, much as he himself appreciated and exemplified the scholar’s contributions to the life of the church. The author concludes that the true preacher feeds and guides, protects and heals the spiritual life of God’s people in this world by proclaiming to them tile fulness of God’s truth in Christ.

This is not a book to be read on the nm. The compiler has demonstrated his ability to condense the class notes in such a way that the message of the late professor is clear. This deserves careful reading, so that its contents may be thoroughly digested. In the measure that preachers and people take heed to this thesis, great blessings will be experienced in the churches of our Lord Jesus, who is the shepherd and bishop of our souls.

PETER Y. DE JONG

Daily Manna Calendar, 1962 Edited by PROF. MARTIN MONSMA Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Mich. Price $1.95.

This calendar offers a leaflet for every day of next year. Each of the fifty-two writers provides seven consecutive meditations. In this way variety becomes one of the main features of this Calendar—a very acceptable feature, in our opinion. Special seasons and days are remembered. Most of the meditations are excellent in content and form. A cursory examination of the signatures reveals the fact that some new names have been added to the list of writers.

As we have stated before, this Calendar has been used in our home from the very beginning of its publication. We would feel lost without it.

H. J. KUIPER