WHO WILL LEAD US, A Study of the Development of Biblical Offices with Emphasis on the Diaconate, by Leonard J. Coppes. Published by Pilgrim Publishing Company, Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Copyright 1977. 154 pages, paperback. $3.95
Reviewed by Rev. Harry G. Arnold , pastor, First CRC, Lansing, Illinois. According to the foreword, “this book consists ofa series of edited sermons which were delivered in the author’s pastoral charge (Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Harrisville, Pa.) in 1974.” His intention is to be both instructional and devotional in his writing. His concern is “to try to help fill a gap in reformed literature, namely the lack or contemporary devotional books.”
The author’s procedure is to search out the Old Testament roots for the New Testament offices. This gives a biblical-theological approach to his study. The subtitle tells us that the emphasis will be on the diaconate.
There is a careful tracing of Old Testament ideas, practices, and offices. There is a good correlation of Old Testament material with its New Testament counterpart.There is an excellent focus on the centrality of Christ and the unity of office in Him. All in all, there is a serious effort to let Scripture shine on the matter of office. The book is readable, in my judgment, for t he average lay person.
The author differs from our traditional Reformed approach in relating the work of the diaconate to the kingly office of Christ rather than to His priestly office. He t hen concludes “that the deacons assistants to the elders. The deacons are part of the ruling office in the New Testament, a subordinate and yet ‘separate’ office raised up by our Lord” (p. 112). He tends to view the church as “a kingdom with the elders as the rulers under Christ” (p. 98). It appears that the author views the New Testament offices as a hierarchy in the following order: minister, elder, and deacon (cf. p. 102).
The book would be greatly enhanced by some footnotes documenting sources of information. For example, on page 68 there is an interesting tracing of the concept of “apostle” to the Jewish “sheliakh” of the inter–testamental period, but no indication as to the source of this information. A select bibliography would also be helpful. While these items may have been omitted because of the sermonic nature of the material, they should be added in future editions of the book.
For those who are looking for biblical justification to have the church indiscriminately feed the world’s poor, this book is not their answer. The author clearly slates: “Since God limited His special benevolence to His covenant people and those in their midst, so today we are to limit our benevolence to His covenant people and those ‘in their midst’” (p. 151). Yet the author strikes a positive note for biblically oriented world benevolence when he writes: “Deacons ought to submit their ministry to t he larger ministry of the great commission” (p. 154).
There are a few minor typographical errors of non-importance. However, there is one on page 100, 16th line from top which completely changes the author’s meaning. The sentence should read: “No such command . . .” rather than “Now such command . . .”
The book is a worthy addition to the body of Reformed literature on the subject of offices. We trust the author will pursue the subject further and continue to apply his ideas concerning the diaconate more specifically to current programs of benevolence being carried on by Reformed churches.
COMMENTARY ON MARK by Henry Barclay Swete. Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, Mich. 1978. 554 pp. $2.95. Reviewed by Rev. Henry Vanden Heuvel, Bethel CRC, Sioux Center, Iowa.
This is another of Kregel‘s reprints. The book was published first in 1913. The Commentary on Mark is based on the Greek text and thus will find limited use among those who are not familiar with the Greek. It is appreciated, however, by the minister and teacher with access to the Greek lexicons.
Professor Swete was an Englishman who taught many years in King’s College, London. His Commentary on Mark is a very scholarly work which will challenge the serious student of the Gospel. He holds to the usual position among scholars regarding the book of Mark, namely that it was the first gospel, that Mark leaned heavily upon the testimony of Peter, and that the last 12 verses of the gospel are not genuine. Swete‘s reasons for these posit ions are carefully spelled out in the lengthy introduction to his commentary. It is a useful book to those with the ability to use the Greek
ISAIAH, SCROLL OF A PROPHETIC HERITAGE, by William L. Holladay, Eerdmans, 1978, 270 pages, 95 pb. Reviewed by Rev. Elco Oostendorp.
ISAIAH’S IMMANUEL, by Edward E. Hindson, Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1978, 100 pages, $2.95, pb.
These two books are both about the prophecy of Isaiah, but otherwise are at opposite poles in their approach to the Bible as the Word of God. Holladay is professor at the Andover Newton Theological School and represents a very liberal, higher-critical view of Scripture interpretation. Hindson is a teacher at Liberty Baptist College (Jerry Falwell) at Lynchburg, Virginia and writes from a conservative, fundamentalist stance. Both are very scholarly and have done extensive research as background for their books.
lsaiah Scroll of a Prophetic Heritage is described as a “study guide for lay people that explores the Old Testament book of Isaiah and its tremendous vision of God.” The author therefore tr ies to be popular and untechnical in language. He takes the position that Isaiah was not written by one man, the son of Amoz mentioned in 1:1 and elsewhere, but is the product of an evolution that lasted four centuries. After giving an overview of this process in an introductory chapter he discusses the book in four sections; the “First Isaiah,” “Second Isaiah,” “Third Isaiah” and “Other Isaiahs.”
Dr. Hindson’s book is a popularization of a thesis on the nature of Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 7 verse 14. He argues for the Messianic fulfillment of this promise as given by Matthew 1:23. He rejects a double fulfillment, one in terms of a “young woman” contemporary with Ahaz, and the other the virgin birth of Jesus from Mary. He argues that almah means virgin and that it is wrong to translate it as is done in the Revised Standard Version by “young woman.” Dr. Holladay also discusses this matter.at considerable length and comes to the opposite conclusion. He states, “It has become clear by this point in our discussion that the whole narrative of 7:1–17 is not that of the birth of a Messiah but the reassurance of a weak young king in the eighth century B.C. who was threatened by an invasion led by two kings from the north” (p. 73).
Both books give a list of writers on Isaiah, evaluating them in terms of their standpoints. Holladay has suggestions for “further reading” but his list doesn’t include a single conservative book like, e.g. Dr. E.J. Young’s books. On the other hand, Hindson does refer to many liberal scholars and points out their approach. Hindson’s book is a defense of the historic faith of the Church and he makes a strong case for it from a scholarly aspect. It is disturbing that Holladay’s book is published by Eerdmans, whom many will regard as an “evangelical” publisher, whereas this book expresses radical views of inspiration and prophecy. The only sense in which I can recommend it is that it is a very up–to-date and well written statement of the views of so-called “modern scholarship” on the book of Isaiah . It contains a lot of interesting information and also some helpful insights, but its basic thrust is contrary to that of historic Christianity as defended by Hindson.
THE MAGIC BOTTLE, by Lee Bryant . P ublished by G.R . Welch Co., Ltd., Toronto, Ontario. $5.75, 253 pp. Bibliography included. Reviewed by Helen Tangelder , Bacolod City, Philippines 6001.
Lee Bryant bas done it again! In her second book, she writes lucidly about her upbringing, her experiences with liquor, and her conversion. Since her childhood, the odds were against her becoming the mature, active Christian that she is today. Adopted, and accidentally stumbling upon this discovery, she felt keenly a sense of rejection. When her mother died, this was a further blow to her shattered ego, and it only augmented her previous dependence upon alcohol.
This is not merely another story on alcoholism. How she was able to hold a job, how she connived to get out of scraps and scrapes is a marvel. Neither is her story a simplistic run-of–the-mill conversion story. Steeped in alcoholism, with deep roots of rejection and hostility, only the love and the Grace of Jesus Christ could reach her . This did not come as a bolt out of the blue sky. The constant love and friendship of a friend started to crack through the barrier until she saw that ‘her eternal destiny was her major issue.’
Lee, a Canadian, has had cross-cultural experiences. She had first hand experience with the down and outer s at the Pacific Garden Mission, Chicago, where her main work was with the women alcoholics . Lee also gears her writing to the woman suburbanites, the rich, affluent, lonely women who have a cocktail circuit. Drinking is portrayed in the Twentieth Century media as one of the supreme joys of our culture and of our cultured. (p. 195)
Her writing style is not bland. In fact, the reader might find it to be sharp, and caustic at times. But she writes where it is all at, and she pulls no punches in describing a scene, or trying to hit home a point. Lee appeals to both the rich and the poor, the young and the old. Working with alcoholics? Never had any experience with alcoholics? Then, this is recommended reading.
THE FINAL CURTAIN, by John M. Bratt, Baker Book House, 118 pp. $1.95, paperback. Reviewed by Rev. Morris H. Faber.
This is a moderately priced book useful for two purposes. One is for a person to read all by himself, discussion questions included. The other is for a Bible study group to read and discuss . In either case the book will be found to be a Reformed, plain, Bible-oriented presentation of the last days (of individuals, nations, and the earth) and of the eternal state (of the godly and the ungodly) .
Highly recommended for either use!