Jonah and Noah, Drawings by Friedd Steinmann, text by Dieter Kohl. 63 pages in each. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. $1.95 each. Reviewed by John Vander Ploeg.
Translated from the German by Cornelius Lambregtse, these two 63-page booklets by Dieter Kohl (text) and Friedd Stein· mann (drawings) retell the familiar Bible stories about Jonah and Noah in what is said to be “captivating, contemporary comic-strip language and pictures.”
Put me down as an oldster and a traditionalist if you must, but I am not ready to concede that these are the only reasons for reacting negatively to this method of handling any part of Scripture. Bible storybooks do not serve children well if they depict Bible characters as either stuffy or glamorous. But there is no excuse either for making them comical or ludicrous like half-wits or imbeciles with their over–sized noses and peculiar shapes.
As often as we take up the Bible, our children too must be made to be aware that we are on holy ground and that God’s Word should be handled only with reverence and with awe. Good, clean comics do have their place in portraying the foibles of the likes of us. but they certainly should be used sparingly, if at all, in our attempts to communicate the Bible’s “Thus saith the Lord.”
PREACHING THROUGH THE CHRISTIAN YEAR, Karl Barth. Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1978; 279 pp., $6.95. edited by McTavish & Wells. Reviewed by J. Tuininga.
The sub-title reads: “A selection of ex· egetical passages from the Church Dogmatics.” This book, according to the jacket, “offers a choice of some of the most significant exegetical passages that appear in the DOGMATICS.” The six chapter headings are God, Creation, Advent and Christmas, Epiphany, Lent and Easter, and Pentecost. In each chapter one finds a treatment of passages dealing more or less (sometimes less!) directly with the events of the Christian year. The editors tell us that most of this material was taken from the “fine print” in the Dogmatics.
Even though the editors tell us in the Preface that in arranging these passages their aim was “to facilitate sermon preparation,” I must confess that I have many books on my shelves that I consider a lot more helpful in this respect. In making sermons there are many volumes I can think of for which I would reach before reaching for this one.
The major weakness of the book is the philosophical/theological framework into which many of the exegetical comments are cast. In a sense one learns more about the thinking of Barth than about biblical interpretation. Of course, it’s beneficial to know something of Barth’s thinking, but that doesn’t exactly “facilitate sermon preparation.”
As one could expect, Barth‘s own peculiar theology comes through in much of his exegesis, with the result that at times one meets more eisegesis than exegesis. This is especially true when it comes to election and creation. Incidentally, reading what Barth says on election makes me think that some of the voices we hear on this subject in the CRC today are quite akin to those of Barth.
There are indeed helpful insights in this volume—! think of what the author says about love and sex and the man of God from Judah (I Kings 13)—, but for good sermon-making, there are better books available.
CONFESSING CHRIST by Calvin Knox Cummings. Gr eat Commissions 1974, 64 pages, 95e. Reviewed by Rev. Angus MacLeod.
This booklet is intended for use by those who are preparing to make profession of faith in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. In six lessons the author covers the main truths of Scripture and the Reformed faith.
It is an excellent pamphlet for instructing non–members in the basics of Christian belief. The entire booklet can be covered in 6 to 8 one-hour sessions. The review questions at the end of each lesson are directly related to the lesson material. The author clearly sets forth the differences between the Reformed faith and the teachings of other churches. Although a few pages deal with the specific history of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, the rest of the material could be used effectively in any church of Reformed persuasion.
A CHRISTIAN HANDBOOK FOR DE FENDING THE FAITH, by Robert A. Morey. Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, 1979. 45 pages. $1.50 paperback. Reviewed by Rev. Peter Vander Weide.
A clear, though sketchy, presentation of the Christian faith in a non-Christian world. Clear and concise arguments are presented to show that the Christian faith is more reasonable than the non–Christian view of creation and life. The twisted “Christian” view of Situation Ethics is also exposed and refuted.
The size of the book does not allow for a lot of information, but what is there is clear and to the point. For those who want a thumbnail sketch of the Christian Faith as it does battle with non-Christian philosophies t his book is helpful, but by no means exhaustive.
CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOLS: WHY AND HOW by D.L. Kranendonk . Published by Paideia Press, St. Catherines, ON. 1978. Reviewed by Rev. John R. Jackson, Waupun, Wisconsin.
This book should be read by all who have an interest and responsibility in educating our covenant youth. Kranendonk presents us with a rationale which demands that Christian day schools be established and maintained. Even the most ardent supporters of Christian education need this kind of reminder !rom time to time.
The value of this book li;s in its helpful organization of ideas familiar to most of us in the Reformed community. The author remains very practical throughout, even though he deals with truths which are pro· found. If one reads this book with an open mind, be will surely find helpful insight into the issues discussed, even though he may not agree with Mr. Kranendonk on every point.
The case for Christian day schools is presented persuasively by this author.
THE POLITICS OF JESUS by John Howard Yoder, Published by Wm . B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan 260 pages, price $3.45. Reviewed by Dr. Alexander C. DeJong, Oak Lawn, Illinois.
The present evangelical world, lately becoming more vigorous in the area of the social implications of the Christian faith, must come to terms with the issues raised by Dr. Yoder in this book. The author states his intention in these words.
- “I will attempt to sketch an understanding of Jesus and his ministry of which it might be said that such a Jesus would be of direct significance for social ethics. This is a task of New Testament research immediately within the concerns of Biblical scholarship.
- I will secondly state the case for considering Jesus, when thus understood, to be not only relevant but also normative for a contemporary Christian social ethic” (p. 23).
In accomplishing his task the author bases most of his exegetical considerations on the Gospel of Luke. The materials considered are many and varied. While r ealizing t he problems of higher critical analysis of the text, he avoids the technical and comes through loud and clear on basics. This basic thesis might have been buttressed more strongly had he ranged more widely in the New Testament. Mitigating factors for this observation are his consideration of Romans 13, Paul’s teaching concerning justification by faith and its social implications, (a la Markus Barth) and his concluding chapter entitled “The War of the Lamb.”
There are many provocative insights. Check page 132 on the section dealing with cross-bearing. It is more than worthwhile to study the section on page 157 entitled “The Pietistic Misunderstanding.” The ninth chapter “Revolutionary Subordination” should be read carefully at least t hree or four times. Note especially the discussion of the “Haustafelen” (p. 184 ff.).
Much more material could be cited to entice the reader to study this book. Obviously there will be areas of exegetical disagreement. In spite of this fact we are here presented with a work which deserves serious review and subsequent discussion. We remain in the author’s debt and hope that many will engage in fruitful discussion with Dr. Yoder and his contributions to t he contemporary scene of Biblical studies.
GOOD MORNING, LORD. DEVOTIONS ON FAVORITE TEXTS, by George Gritter. Baker Book House, 1975. 62 pp. $1.95. Reviewed by Rev. C. Vanden Heuvel.
These devotions are abridged from “Meditations” which appeared in The Banner, the official organ of the Christian Reformed Church.
The devotions are directed to comfort the bereaved, to encourage the downhearted ones, to instruct the seeking souls, to stimulate trust in our heavenly Father. The chapters are one page in length having a heading and a practical explanation of a Scripture text. You will enjoy reading these devotions. I recommend this booklet highly. May you be blessed by reading it.
A HOMEWORK MANUAL FOR BIBLICAL COUNSELORS. (Personal & Interpersonal Problems): Wayne Mack. $6.00. Presbyterian & Reformed Counselors. Phillipsburg, New Jersey. 1979. Review by Rev. Harold Bossenbrook, Leighton, Iowa.
The first book is simply a compilation of articles from the Journal which is a publication of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation. In the first article Dr. Adams presents a “Design for a Theological Seminary.” The gist of the article is that a Seminary training be for four years and that the (4th) year come at the beginning and immediately after college. The young man would spend a year under the supervision of a local consistory and congregation. The church then would make a judgment as to the suitability of the young man for the ministry. Dr. Adams wants all the subjects to be taught to prepare men for ministry and to that end he holds that there should be new teaching goals and methods. Among many articles on this and that there is a very good article on Brigham Young’s False Teaching that “Adam is God.” For some this article is worth the price of the book. The book ends with the second set of Hebrew Helps.
We believe the book is helpful for those who counsel others in our problem–ridden age. The Bible is to be the counselors guide and the true source of help for those in trouble.
The second book is a work book for Biblical Counselors to be used in the effort to help others. There are 38 lessons for that many difficulties problems and concerns. We believe that (or those willing to cooperate these lessons can be very helpful and in each lesson the Bible is the constant source of help.