BOOK NOTES

Recent Reprints

PSALMS, by Charles Haddon Spurgeon. A one volume edition of a condensation of “The Treasury of David” by David Otis Fuller. Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1976. 703 pp. $14.95.

This edition of Spurgeon’s Treasury . . . contains quotations collected by Spurgeon and quotes from the “Prince of Preachers,” himself; on each of the 150 Psalms. Names like John Calvin, J. A. Alexander, Andrew Bonar, David Dickson, Jonathan Edwards, Wm. Cumall, Matthew Henry and many more appear here. This is a fine volume of quotations. On some Psalms it is more helpful than others However, it will not take the place of The Treasury of David, which incidently is in print once again.

SIGNS OF THE APOSTLES: OBSERVATIONS ON PENTECOSTALISM OLD AND NEW, by Walter J. Chantry. Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh. Second edition, revised, 1976. 147 pp., paper. $1.95

This book was first published in 1973 and reviewed in the October 1974 issue of THE OUTLOOK. This new edition has some minor additions and corrections. It also contains a brief but excellent discussion of I Corinthians 12, 13 and 14, a discussion of the Holy Spirit and revivals. The writer contends that miracles are “extraordinary works of God’s power” with the emphasis on God. Unfortunately, he docs not want to make a distinction between “miracles” and “acts of extraordinary providence.” Here is a valuable book which answers the very current dilemma brought about by neo-pentecostalism. Hopefully, it will be used of the Lord to bring us back to a true Biblical view of revival.

THE STILL HOUR, or COMMUNION WITH GOD, by Austin Phelps. Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh. 91 pp., paper. $1.65.

First printed in 1859, this book of 14 devotional chapters on prllyer is the outgrowth of a sermon on prayer given by the author in the chapel at Andover Theological Scminary. In a day when almost countless books appear on the subject of prayer—usually from a sentimental and extra-Biblical point of view—this book is a helpful antidote. It calls us back to a sane approach to prayer. Though the book sounds like the nineteenth century, it is a thoughtful, devotional, helpful and encouraging publication on prayer. For a spiritual treat read it. You will be glad you did!

LETTERS OF GEORGE WHITEFIELD, FOR THE PERIOD 1734–1742. Introduction by S. M. Houghton. Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh, 1976. ix, 570 pp. $10.95.

This is a facsimile of Whitefield’s worb, volume I, published in 1771, including 497 letters to various well-known and little-known people. Also included are 34 other letters not published in the original collected works and notes on all the letters published in this volume. As other letters of that age written by Christians, so these, too, arc full of beautiful devotional thoughts. The letters to John Wesley are particularly revealing of the tensions existing between these two leaders of “Methodism.” The period of history covered is the exciting one of revivals in the U.S., England and Scotland. It is a beautiful volume—a credit to the Trust. You say that letters don’t interest you? Well, read these. They will! You will find them to be a spiritual treat.

DIVORCE, by Loraine Boettuer. Presbyterian and Reformed, Nutley, N.J., 1972. 38 pp., paper. $ .75.

This short booklet on divorce first published in 1960 gives a discussion of adultery as a Biblical ground for divorce. Boettner also explains that this breaks the marriage bond thus opening the door for remarriage. He further gives both sides of the desertion-as-Biblical.grounds-for-divorce issue, taking a position that it can be permitted.

MALACHI’S MESSAGE FOR TODAY (The Morgan Library), by George Campbell Morgan. Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1972. 131 pp., paper. $1.95.

Originally printed with the title Wherein? the six chapters here reprinted were given as lectures to the student body of the Moody Bible Institute many years ago They are not sermons, but lectures. They do not give a verse by verse commentary, but rather a discussion of the themes which nm through this last book of the Old Testament. He shows us how this book is very applicable to today. A study of Malachi would be illumined through a reading of these studies by a world famous Bible expositor. When you read this book you will soon sense the author’s views on the return of Christ, though, thankfully they do not stand out.

Books about the Ministry and Preaching

(Note: The books that follow are all reprints of earlier well-known works in . this area by Baker Book House. Baker is to be commended for making these, and many others available in the “Notable Books on Preaching” series, all with introductions by Ralph C. Turnbull.)

THE CRAFT OF SERMON CONSTRUCTION, by William Edwin Sangster. Baker, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1972. 208 pp., paper. $2.95.

The well-known minister of London’s Westminster Central Hall (Methodist) who served during the trying years of World War II gives us a llelpful little book on the sermon. Presented in an interesting manner are thoughts on kinds of sermons, how to begin and conclude a sermon, and his method of preparation. The last chapter on “Mistakes Commonly Made” is one every preacher should read, simply to refresh our memories.

IN CHRIST’S STEAD. BEING THE WARRACK LECTURES ON PREACHING FOR 1925, by Arthur John Gossip. Baker, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1968. 247 pp., paper. $2.95.

Another great preacher and teacher of preaching speaks about the love of his life: preaching. Students who heard these lectures in the Colleges of the United Free Church of Scotland could not help but have burning hearts to preach. These lectures Jay before the reader the sermon and, really, the whole spectrum of worship. His thrust is “preach Christ.”

THE HEART OF THE YALE LECTURES, by Batsell Barrett Baxter. Baker, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1971. xiii, 332 pp., paper. $3.95.

Beginning in 1871, and continuing to the present, lectures on preaching have been given at Yale Divinity School. Many eminent preachers have been asked to speak on preaching, including Henry Ward Beecher, Wm. M. Taylor, Phillip Brooks, John A. Broadus, James Stalker, John H. Jowett, to name only a few. Of course, the men invited represented every theological camp available, with very few exceptions. Professor Baxter has done us a service in organizing the more valuable thoughts of the lectures along the lines of introductory thoughts including the definition of preaching, the preacher, his qualifications and attitudes, the sermon as to style, delivery, its setting and its types and the congregation and how the preacher must approach the flock. Here is a helpful book full of food for thought, well outlined so it is easy to read at short settings.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD, by George Campbell Morgan. Baker, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1970. 252 pp., paper. $2.95.

The minister who for many years served at the famous Westminster Chapel (Congregational) in the heart of London and who published many volumes of Scriptural expositions gave these lectures in the early part of the 20th century. They develop tIle whole idea of the ministry of the Word from a Scriptural perspective. After the lectures on the Biblical perspective there follow some applicatory lectures which discuss the present day situation, the obligation which is ours, preparing for the ministry and the actual work of the ministry. Last, but not least, is a short chapter on the necessity of prayer.

THE CRAFT OF SERMON ILLUSTRATION, by William Edwin Sangster. Baker, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1973. 124 pp., paper. $1.95.

The much abused use of i!lustrations in sermons might be rectified through a study of this delightfully easy to read book. The author gives some direction as to the general use of illustrations in sermons. He gives a rundown of types and sources of illustrations and how to keep track of what we have found. All the way through and especially in the last chapter are warnings regarding the use of illustrations which ought to be taken to heart. The value of this “however” book would have been increased if more emphasis had been given to the Bible as a source of illustrations.

EXPOSITORY PREACHING: PLANS A.ND METHODS, by Frederick Brotherton Meyer. Baker, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1974. 127 pp., paper. $1.95.

Written by a well-known English Baptist (1847–1929), the purpose of this book is to encourage much needed expository preaching. Meyer correctly contends that this method of preaching feeds, nourishes, and inspires the flock. By these chapters he attempted to encourage ministers to try exposition. Along with the six chapters there are six expositions of Scriptural passages. While we may not follow Meyer’s method, the expositions give some insight as to “how-to” while the chapters explain and challenge to this very rewarding method of preaching.

LECTURES ON PREACHING: THE YALE LECTURES ON PREACHING, 1877, by Phillips Brooks. Baker, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1969. 281 pp., paper.

Certainly a preacher known as “a prince of preachers” throughout the English-speaking world cannot he ignored when he speaks on preaching. His famous definition of preaching has come llOder fire by many homileticians: “Preaching is the communication of troth by man to men. It has in it two essential elements, truth and personality.” In these well-known lectures he deals with the preacher, his work, the sermon, the congregation and the value of the human soul. Perhaps this volume would be good to read when times of discouragement come. No, you will not like all that Brooks has to say, but you will benefit by a few hours with this book.

HOW TO PREACH TO PEOPLE’S NEEDS, by Edgar Newman Jackson. Baker, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1972. 191 pp., paper. $2.95.

The purpose of the Rev. Mr. Jackson, pastor of a Methodist congregation in New York state and President of the New Rochelle Guidance Center is to show how the sermon can be used to speak to specific needs of the 20th century people. His main emphasis is on “the healing Word.” Guilt, sorrow, fear, alcoholism, insecurity, loneliness, anger, doubt, inferiority, agedness, immaturity, family problems, and more are dealt with. The idea of the book is good. We preach in an age of great problems what age is different? Whether he has come to the core of the problem and, therefore, the cure, is the question. A bibliography containing recommended books by Karen Homey, Seward Hiltner, Carrol! Wise and Leslie Weatherhead is included.

(From the James Stewart Library Series)

A FAITH TO PROCLAIM, by James S. Stewart. Baker, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1972. 160 pp., paper. $1.95.

This is another volume of Yale Lectures on Preaching (1952) This well-known Scottish minister outlines the grand and broad themes of evangelical preaching; the incarnation, forgiveness, the cross, the resurrection and, of course, Christ Himself. What we believe we are to proclaim, he contends!

HERALDS OF GOD, by James S. Stewart. Baker, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1972. 222 pp., paper. $1.95.

The author begins the preface: “I have chosen the title of this book to stress one fundamental fact, namely, that preaching exists, not for the propagating of views, opinions and ideals, but for the proclamation of the mighty acts of God.” What follows in these Warrock Lectures (1946) are chapters dealing with sermon construction and delivery. The last chapter is a much needed one on the preacher’s inner life. It is an easily read book full of references to history and literature. Perhaps this volume along with others noted here would be good to include in a reading program—one book a year on the subject of the ministry or homiletics.

A HALF CENTURY OF THEOLOGY, G. C. Berkouwer, Translated and edited by Lewis B. Smedes, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publ. Co., Grand Rapids, Mich., 1977, 268 pp., paperback, $6.95. Reviewed by Rev. Elco H. Oosteodorp of Hudsonville, Michigan.

This is a translation of Een Halve Eeuw Theologie: Stromingen en Motieven van 1920 tot Heden published in 1974 by J. H. Kok. We are thankful to Dr. Smedes for making this book available to those who do not read the Dutch. It is a brief review of Dr. Berkouwer’s theological journey from his student days in the 1920s. One can hardly say it reveals where the author stands on any given subject, hut rather it traces how his thinking has changed over the years. The sub-title “Movements and Motives” uses the word motives not in the sense of personal motivation, but refers to prevailing tendencies and themes that can be traced in modem theology.

The eight chapters of the book cover such a wide variety of subject matter that one cannot begin to do justice to them in a brief review. Using copious references and mentioning many names Berkouwer traces the changes that have taken place in theology as theologians wrestled with the impact of science and modern philosophy on Christian dogma. He includes Roman Catholic as well as Protestant writers and movements, reflecting his experience in ProtestantRoman Catholic dialogue and at the Second Vatican Council.

Although he mentions Herman Hoeksema and C. Van Til the author‘s concern is almost exclusively with European theology, and most of the writers quoted are German. Fundamentalism and developments among evangelicals are hardly mentioned. Most prominent is Karl Barth, to whom he devotes an entire chapter. It is obvious that Barth has greatly inRuenced Bcrkouwer, and that over the years he has become increasingly sympathetic to him. In the index there are 120 references to Barth; the next highest is H. Bavinck with 53. Mollmann and Pannenberg receive a lot of attention also.

One illustration of Barth’s influence can be found on page 101 where Berkouwer says of H. N. Ridderbos’ view of predestination: “In this ‘predestination gospel’ we encounter a view totally different from that which has played—particularly in connection with Romans 9—so great a role in traditional predestination doctrines.” The review of the decisions of the Synods of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands should be of special interest to members of the Christian Reformed Church who will be studying Dr. H. Boer’s gravamen about reprobation. This is a book that in a learned way raises many important questions and elaborates on many difficult problems, but doesn’t give many positive answers.

JOHN CALVIN – A REFORMATION DEBATE – JACOPO SADOLETO. John C. Olin (ed.) Baker Book House, 1976. Reprint. Reviewed by Rev. John H. Bratt, head of Religion and Theology at Calvin College (retired).

John Calvin was evicted from Geneva in 1538 in a dispute with the City Council over the liturgy. In his absence (a three year pleasant interlude at Strassbourg) an eloquent, scholarly Roman Catholic apologist, Jacopo Sadoleto by name, sought to win back Geneva to the Roman Catholic cause. This bishop of Carpentras (later elevated to the cardinalate) wrote a 20-page letter in March of 1539 to the Geneva City Council urging them to return to the bosom of the Church. The missive was relayed to Calvin in Strassbourg and in September of 1539 he penned his reply. Both of these letters are reproduced in this paperback along with an appendix containing Calvin’s views on justification as opposed to the position on it taken by the Council of Trent. Lester De Koster, noted Colvin scholar, wrote a foreword to this monograph.

Sadoleto’s letter contains Battery, accusation and argumentation. He praises the Genevans for their “noble city” and the virtues of its citizenry, especially that of showing hospitality to strangers; he casts suspicion on the Reformers, calling them “crafty men, enemies of Christian unity and peace,” “men seeking dissension and novelty,” who “boasted of certain hidden interpretations of Scripture” and “sowed wicked seeds of discord.” Then he launches his argumentation, advancing the thesis that the primary goal of salvation is preparing the soul for heaven, and that the Roman Catholic Church, by virtue of its antiquity, universality, unity and inerrancy, is proved to be the only true church. (This fourfold argument has been used since time immemorial). The Protestants, says he, are a new sect who teach a new doctrine of faith, namely that of “mere credulity and confidence in God” and are hopelessly fragmented. This fragmentation, he continues, is a sure indication that they are espousing falsehood because “Truth is only one; error is varied and multiform.”

In a magnanimous reply twice the length of Sadoleto‘s letter, Calvin acknowledges purity of motivation on the part of Sadoieto, defends himself against the charge that frustrated ambition led him to cast in his lot with the Protestants, makes passing reference to his “sudden conversion,” and counters Sadoleto’s arguments step by step. He defends the key doctrine of justification by faith alone, charges the Roman Catholic Church with wholesale corruption in doctrine and in life, asserts the meaning of salvation to lie not only in guarantee of eternal destiny but in service here to the Lord, and vindicates the Reformation as an attempt to restore “That anCient form of the Church, faithful to the Scriptural Word.” Luther praised his reply saying, “This answer has hands and feet, and I rejoice that God raises up men who will give the last blow to Popery, and finish the war against Antichrist that I began.”

The upshot of this debate is that Sadoleto failed to win the Genevans back. The City Fathers determined to remain Protestant and this confrontation served hut to point up anew the crucial issues that separated Protestantism from Roman Catholicism in that 16th century historic break.