THE SPIRIT OF THE REFORMED TRADITION, by M. Eugene Osterhaven. Published by Wm. D. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Mich., 1971, 190 pages; $3.45. Reviewed by Rev. Fred Van Houten, pastor of the Ninth Street Christian Reformed Church of Holland, Michigan.
In unequivocal language the author of this excellent book claims that the essence of the Reformed tradition is Biblical Christianity. In the preface he states:
At the center of the Reformed tradition there is a profound sense of the presence of God and the consecration of life to him . . . The Reformed church does not claim to have a revelation from God that other churches do not have. It claims only that it believes it has by God’s grace a relatively clear insight into the revelation he has given the whole church . . . Its task today, as always, is not only to understand God’s Word in the midst of this world but to translate it into action (p. 7, 8).
The initial chapter is largely historical in reviewing the main tenets of the Protestant Reformation, and this is done in an interesting manner. Then follows a very fine treatise on the doctrine of the church in all phases of her life and task on earth. Proper credit is given the Holy Spirit for leading the Christian church throughout the ages. It is good to read this in a day when the church comes under severe criticism as “the establishment.”
In asserting the need for constant reformation of the church, Dr. Osterhaven declares plainly the necessity of the Bible for this. Chapter three is a refreshing review of the doctrine and adequacy of Scripture according to Reformed standards, and it reinforces the teachings of our creeds concerning Biblical authority.
In a convincing manner the author explains how Reformed teaching emphasizes the presence of God in the Christian life, and posits corum Deo [in the presence of God] as the constant call. Life has a meaning that is determined by God, and man has been given the high privilege to know this. Furthermore, this privilege involves real responsibility. Here is where the church is called upon to do better. Even though the Reformed church has been given a rich measure of grace in its history,
it appears that it docs not hold the lead in spiritual advance as it once did if missionary zeal, stewardship, witnessing, and growth are adequate criteria. Christians from other, less “solid, respectable” communions now lead the way (p. 117).
Osterhaven goes on to say that selfishness and complacency dim the fires, and therefore others will lead the way. The warning given the Ephesian church, which had lost its first love. is very much in place for us today. Our candlestick may be removed as the Holy Spirit passes by one part of the church in His application of Christ’s work of salvation.
The Western Theological Seminary professor joins many other voices today in declaring that there are social implications in living coram Deo, but he also points out how Calvinism has carried the day in this sphere. This is because the followers of Calvin found in him the teaching needed to erect a new social philosophy. Christians have a responsibility to the world outside the church.
In the section on “The Christian and the States the author asserts that the responsibility of the stale is to remember that all authority is derived from God, and therefore the state must honor the norms established by God. In another section on “The Christian and Education” he enlarges on the Murray-Schempp case and the lamentable U.S. Supreme Court decision outlawing prayer in public schools. The Court has taken a big step in establishing a “religion of secularism,” making the doctrine of the separation of church and state mean the separation of the state from God.
But does Dr. Osterhaven then appreciate the Christian day schools and their efforts to establish God at the center of education? Hardly! He e1aims that these arc not ideal because of social separation, which is never the ideal for Reformed Christianity. It seems to this reviewer that the professor could encourage those who try so diligently to keep God in the center of things. Certainly, our children must he a leaven in society, but then let us teach them in home, church, and school all the way how to be a leaven by developing consistent theocentric thinking and living.
Very aptly, the author quotes the words of Paul T. Fuhrmann in characterizing the spirit of the Reformed tradition:
Calvin’s true legacy is, indeed, not a system but a method, the method of striving to see everything—man, Christ, faith, the world, the Bible, religion, life—not from man’s point of view, but from the viewpoint of God (p. 167).
Reduced to minimums, the spirit of the Reformed tradition is a consciousness of being in God’s presence with a call to live unto Him.
This is a good book for our time. We thank the professor for writing it and we pray it may serve to perpetuate the true Biblical revelation. We wish the author had added a chapter on the new theology with the answer of true Biblical teaching.
There are three excellent features about this book which we appreciate greatly. One is that it is written for the common man. It deserves wide reading and can serve the church very well in stimulating thought and appreciation for our heritage. Another feature is the high respect shown the Reformed confessions. It is reassuring to read this from a Reformed scholar in our day. The third is the thorough respect for the authority of Scripture. The true church must ever be ecclesia semper reformanda by embracing the absolute authority of the Word of God.
FROM GRACE TO GLORY: MEDITATIONS ON THE BOOK OF PSALMS, by Murdoch Campbell. Bonner of Truth, London. 1970, 206 pages, paperback, $1.25. Reviewed by Rev. Jerome M. Julien, pastor of Faith Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
This little volume is worth the time of anyone who seeks a blessing through short meditations on the Psalms. The author shows adequately something that many forget these days: the Psalter is not dry and out of step with Christian experience. To the contrary, the Psalter expresses very beautifully the Christian’s experiences.
No meditation in this volume is too long. Instead, each one is short enough for reading either in the early hours of the day before the hurried trip to work, or for reading in the last minutes of a long day before we go off to sleep. Each Psalm is discussed, but some arc discussed together if they have a common theme or purpose. If you are looking for a discussion of the whole Psalm in !l short meditation you will not find it here, however. The author takes a verse or a portion of a verse and dwells on this. In an interesting way he draws the Psalms together by quoting from one as he deals with another.
Though this is a very fine book of meditations, it is characterized by a certain sameness throughout. If you read it straight through you will find that again and again the emphasis is similar and that the illustrations have a similar ring. Here and there, as it would be expected, the author’s doctrinal views stand out boldly. Though he is Reformed, at one point it is evident that he has a different view of the return of Israel than is commonly held in our circles.
Nevertheless, this book is worth the time of all of us. We are all on a spiritual pilgrimage. It will be enjoyed especially by the older members of the Body of Christ. But it would be worth the time of the young people, too, since they can learn from it that the Lord’s songs are very much the experience of His people. How wise He was to give us—weak and sinful as we are—these songs!
It might be added that after reading this book this reviewer can sec why this man’s books are said to be very popular and respected in Scotland. This one, too, breathes with spirituality.
In unequivocal language the author of this excellent book claims that the essence of the Reformed tradition is Biblical Christianity. In the preface he states:
At the center of the Reformed tradition there is a profound sense of the presence of God and the consecration of life to him . . . The Reformed church does not claim to have a revelation from God that other churches do not have. It claims only that it believes it has by God’s grace a relatively clear insight into the revelation he has given the whole church . . . Its task today, as always, is not only to understand God’s Word in the midst of this world but to translate it into action (p. 7, 8).
The initial chapter is largely historical in reviewing the main tenets of the Protestant Reformation, and this is done in an interesting manner. Then follows a very fine treatise on the doctrine of the church in all phases of her life and task on earth. Proper credit is given the Holy Spirit for leading the Christian church throughout the ages. It is good to read this in a day when the church comes under severe criticism as “the establishment.”
In asserting the need for constant reformation of the church, Dr. Osterhaven declares plainly the necessity of the Bible for this. Chapter three is a refreshing review of the doctrine and adequacy of Scripture according to Reformed standards, and it reinforces the teachings of our creeds concerning Biblical authority.
In a convincing manner the author explains how Reformed teaching emphasizes the presence of God in the Christian life, and posits corum Deo [in the presence of God] as the constant call. Life has a meaning that is determined by God, and man has been given the high privilege to know this. Furthermore, this privilege involves real responsibility. Here is where the church is called upon to do better. Even though the Reformed church has been given a rich measure of grace in its history,
it appears that it docs not hold the lead in spiritual advance as it once did if missionary zeal, stewardship, witnessing, and growth are adequate criteria. Christians from other, less “solid, respectable” communions now lead the way (p. 117).
Osterhaven goes on to say that selfishness and complacency dim the fires, and therefore others will lead the way. The warning given the Ephesian church, which had lost its first love. is very much in place for us today. Our candlestick may be removed as the Holy Spirit passes by one part of the church in His application of Christ’s work of salvation.
The Western Theological Seminary professor joins many other voices today in declaring that there are social implications in living coram Deo, but he also points out how Calvinism has carried the day in this sphere. This is because the followers of Calvin found in him the teaching needed to erect a new social philosophy. Christians have a responsibility to the world outside the church.
In the section on “The Christian and the States the author asserts that the responsibility of the stale is to remember that all authority is derived from God, and therefore the state must honor the norms established by God. In another section on “The Christian and Education” he enlarges on the Murray-Schempp case and the lamentable U.S. Supreme Court decision outlawing prayer in public schools. The Court has taken a big step in establishing a “religion of secularism,” making the doctrine of the separation of church and state mean the separation of the state from God.
But does Dr. Osterhaven then appreciate the Christian day schools and their efforts to establish God at the center of education? Hardly! He e1aims that these arc not ideal because of social separation, which is never the ideal for Reformed Christianity. It seems to this reviewer that the professor could encourage those who try so diligently to keep God in the center of things. Certainly, our children must he a leaven in society, but then let us teach them in home, church, and school all the way how to be a leaven by developing consistent theocentric thinking and living.
Very aptly, the author quotes the words of Paul T. Fuhrmann in characterizing the spirit of the Reformed tradition:
Calvin’s true legacy is, indeed, not a system but a method, the method of striving to see everything—man, Christ, faith, the world, the Bible, religion, life—not from man’s point of view, but from the viewpoint of God (p. 167).
Reduced to minimums, the spirit of the Reformed tradition is a consciousness of being in God’s presence with a call to live unto Him.
This is a good book for our time. We thank the professor for writing it and we pray it may serve to perpetuate the true Biblical revelation. We wish the author had added a chapter on the new theology with the answer of true Biblical teaching.
There are three excellent features about this book which we appreciate greatly. One is that it is written for the common man. It deserves wide reading and can serve the church very well in stimulating thought and appreciation for our heritage. Another feature is the high respect shown the Reformed confessions. It is reassuring to read this from a Reformed scholar in our day. The third is the thorough respect for the authority of Scripture. The true church must ever be ecclesia semper reformanda by embracing the absolute authority of the Word of God.
FROM GRACE TO GLORY: MEDITATIONS ON THE BOOK OF PSALMS, by Murdoch Campbell. Bonner of Truth, London. 1970, 206 pages, paperback, $1.25. Reviewed by Rev. Jerome M. Julien, pastor of Faith Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
This little volume is worth the time of anyone who seeks a blessing through short meditations on the Psalms. The author shows adequately something that many forget these days: the Psalter is not dry and out of step with Christian experience. To the contrary, the Psalter expresses very beautifully the Christian’s experiences.
No meditation in this volume is too long. Instead, each one is short enough for reading either in the early hours of the day before the hurried trip to work, or for reading in the last minutes of a long day before we go off to sleep. Each Psalm is discussed, but some arc discussed together if they have a common theme or purpose. If you are looking for a discussion of the whole Psalm in !l short meditation you will not find it here, however. The author takes a verse or a portion of a verse and dwells on this. In an interesting way he draws the Psalms together by quoting from one as he deals with another.
Though this is a very fine book of meditations, it is characterized by a certain sameness throughout. If you read it straight through you will find that again and again the emphasis is similar and that the illustrations have a similar ring. Here and there, as it would be expected, the author’s doctrinal views stand out boldly. Though he is Reformed, at one point it is evident that he has a different view of the return of Israel than is commonly held in our circles.
Nevertheless, this book is worth the time of all of us. We are all on a spiritual pilgrimage. It will be enjoyed especially by the older members of the Body of Christ. But it would be worth the time of the young people, too, since they can learn from it that the Lord’s songs are very much the experience of His people. How wise He was to give us—weak and sinful as we are—these songs!
It might be added that after reading this book this reviewer can sec why this man’s books are said to be very popular and respected in Scotland. This one, too, breathes with spirituality.