VAN TIL – DEFENDER OF THE FAITH by William White, Jr. 233 pages. Thomas Nelson Publishers; $4.95. Author White says of Dr. Cornelius Van Til: “He has been praised, condemned, quoted, misquoted, represented, misrepresented, understood, misunderstood, loved, hated, explored, ignored. Above the lightning, thunder, wind and hail he has stood his ground coolly and calmly; inflexible in his stance . . .”
THE CONCEPT OF BIBLICAL AUTHORITY by Gordon H. Clark. Paper. 24 pages. Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., Box 817, Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08865. $0.75.
BIBLICAL REVELATION AND INSPIRATION by Harold S. Bender. Herald Press, Scottsdale, Pennsylvania. 20 pages. $0.35.
DE PLAATS VAN RET LOVEN AND VAN RET BIDDEN IN RET OUDE TESTAMENT by Prof. Nic. H. Ridderbos. J . H. Kok N. V. 39 pages. Concerning Psalm 50:14, 15.
TO BE NEAR UNTO GOD by Abraham Kuyper. 1979 paperback edition. 679 pages. Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Mich. $8.95.
NURTURING CHILDREN IN THE LORD by Jack Fennema. 162 pages. Baker Book House. Paperback, $4.95. A study guide for teachers on developing a biblical approach to discipline.
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GRACE by Arthur C. Custance. 398 pages. Hardcover. Baker Book House. $10.95.
TULIP – THE FIVE POINTS OF CALVINISM IN THE LIGHT OF SCRIPTURE by Duane Edward Spencer. Paperback. 75 pages. Baker Book House. $1.45.
THEOLOGICAL ETHICS – FOUNDATIONS (Volume 1) by Helmut Thielicke. Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Mich. Paper· back, 697 pages. $10.95.
“Thielicke is the most thorough Protestant ethicist of our time, with wit, finesse, versatility, and depth.” – Journal of the American Academy of Religion.
THEOLOGICAL ETHICS – POLITICS (Volume 2) by Helmut Thielicke. Eerdmans, 696 pages. Paperback. $10.95.
“Volume 2, Politics, considers political ethics in the modern world, the nature of the state, and the theological debate on church and state. The major part of this volume takes up the borderline situations of resistance to state authority and war, in· eluding discussions of revolution, military obedience, nuclear war, pacifism, and conscientious objection.” – From the Cover.
THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT (TO BELIEVERS AND UNBELIEVERS, by C. R. Vaughn. Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh, 1975. 415pp. $8.95. Reviewed by Rev. Jerome Julien, pastor of the First Christian Reformed Church of Pella, Iowa.
This volume, first published in 1894, is by the man who succeeded Robert Dabney as Professor of Theology at the Union Seminary, Richmond, Virginia.
The first part of the book is about the Holy Spirit’s gifts to unbelievers: restraint of depravity, awakening, conviction, repentance, faith and regeneration. The second part, and largest, is about the Holy Spirit’s gifts to believers: sealing, unction, witness, earnest, leading, intercession and comfort among others.
While certainly not all will agree with what Vaughn writes, he should be read. However, if you are looking for easy reading Vaughn should not be your choice.
KNOW YOUR SELF, Sub-title, “A Unified Self Is the Key to Inner Harmony.” David Hugh Freeman, Publisher: The Craig Press, Nutley, New Jersey. Price: $3.95. Review by Rev. John J . Byker.
This little one hundred page volume can be added to the long list of books which seek to answer man’s question: “Who am I?”
The question is especially pressing to men of this century because contemporary man has no personal God. It is to this hunger of man seeking identity, that the author addresses himself. The preface states that aim: “What is it that gives unity to an individual, that constitutes you, that makes you the same amidst bodily changes and changing circumstances?”
This little volu me is well worth the time spent in reading. It will definitely be helpful to some, difficult for those who are not familiar with twentieth–century man’s problem.
THEOLOGICAL ETHICS – SEX (Volume 3) by Helmut Thielicke. Paperback. Eerdmans, 338 pages. $6.95.
“Volume 3, Sex (previously published under the title The Ethics of Sex), considers the duality of man, Eros and Agape, marriage, divorce, and remarriage . Also discussed here are such currently controversial issues as the equality of the sexes, homosexuality, artificial insemination, and abortion” – From the Cover.
BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH, a Synopsis of Reformed Doctrine for Advanced Catechism Classes, Study Groups, and Personal Enrichment by Remkes Kooistra, D. Th. 172 pages. K. Knight Publishing Limited, 99 Niagara Street, St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada L2R 4L3.
THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIA. Fully revised. In four volumes. Volume One A–D. 1006 pages. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Mich. Pre-publication price through 12-31-’79. $27.50.
DREAMS AND VISIONS. Herman Veldkamp. Paideia Press. St. Catherines, Ontario. 1978. 251 pp. $4.95.
UP WITH CREATION!, edited by Duane T. Gish and Donald H. Rohrer. 1978. 341 pages, paper. Creation–Life Publishers, San Diego, CA 921151. S3.95. Reviewed by Rev. Henry Petersen.
Acts and Facts is the monthly publication of the Institute for Creation Research. This book contains most of the articles published in Acts and Facts during 1976 and 1977, plus the 24 “Impact” articles published during these two years.
The “Impact” articles are the most valuable part of this book. They deal “with the scientific evidences that either support creation or refute evolution on any given topic or discipline.” These articles are very well done and are a tribute to the members of the Institute for Creation Research of which Dr. Henry Morris is Director. The Institute is expanding its activities in the face of growing opposition by evolution· ists.
In the Preface we are told: “For additional information on the work of the Institute or to receive a free subscription to Acts and Facts, write to ICR, 2716 Madison Avenue, San Diego, California 92116.”
THE DEEPER FAITH, by Gordon Girod. 1978 Reprint. 135 pages, paper. Baker Book House. $1.95. Reviewed by Rev. Henry Petersen.
The subtitle gives the content of this book: An Exposition of the Canons of the Synod of Dort. In addition to a chapter on each of the “five points” of Calvinism, there is one with the title: “Is It a Terrible Faith?” The author’s conclusion is a resounding No! This is the faith “once for all delivered to the saints.” Refresh your knowledge of the Canons and your appreciation of what they teach and you believe by reading this book.
THE GREAT AWAKENING: A HISTORY OF THE REVIVAL OF RELIGION IN THE TIME OF EDWARDS AND WHITEFIELD, by Joseph Tracy. The Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh, 1976. 433 pages. S9.95. Reviewed by Rev. Jerome Julien, Pastor of the First Christian Reformed Church of Pella, Iowa.
Written some one hundred years after the great revival of 1740 which began in New England, this volume presents a fair appraisal of the good and bad aspects of that important era of church history. The author , a congregational minister, was a historian. Carefully be worked through source material to present this rather definitive work. As the subtitle indicates, the prominent figures in the great revival, Edwards and Whitefield, are seen in relation to their contributions and impact.
Tracy unravels Old and New School Presbyterianism as he lays out the beginnings of the revival. He points out the emphasis on preaching—an important ingredient. He notes that in the more wholesome development of the revival there was a remarkable lack of visions, trances, and revelations. However, where emotional excitement prevailed over the sound exposition of Scripture there was trouble. One example of this is the work of the Rev. James Davenport, outlined in chapter 14.
The last chapter is a discussion of the results of the revival as Tracy saw them. It had its effect on education and even the formation of the United States.
The republication of this volume, first published in 1842, is a real service to the understanding of this portion of the history of the Church.