PIERRE AND HIS FRIENDS by W. G. Vandehulst. Paideia Press, St. Catharine&, Ontario, Canada. S3.95. Translated from the Dutch by Johannes De Viet. Reviewed by Mrs. Leonard Greenway, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Pierre was a happy boy living with his father, mother, and grandfather in Flanders.

It was a sad day when his father bid his family good–bye and went to war never to return.

One night the enemy dropped a bomb on the home in which they were living. Pierre’s mother was killed and Pierre was seriously injured losing both of his legs.

His grandfather moved to Ravensburg with Pierre and took good care of him.

Pierre, who was confined to his bed, looked out of the window and saw four boys coming down the canal, which ran behind his home. These boys happy in their play noticed this sickly looking boy behind the green curtain.

A close friendship developed between Pierre and the boys. During a holiday celebration the boys made a surprise visit to Pierre.

Several days later, as the boys came down the canal and looked up at the window, Pierre was not there. He had gone to be with Jesus, whom he loved and longed to see.

Davey, one of the boys, after searching for some time finds the grandfather. The grandfather takes him to his home and gives him a gift and a gift for each of the other boys, which Pierre had asked him to do.

The grandfather, after the death of Pierre and his visit with Davey, returns to his home in Flanders.

This is an inspiring story, well written, and both young and older ones will read it with spiritual profit.

COMMENTARY ON REVELATION, by Henry Barclay Swete. Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids. 1978. lntroduetion 220 pp. Commentary 338 pp. $12.95. Reviewed by Rev. Henry VandenHeuvel, Bethel CRC, Sioux Center, low:~.

Kregel Publications offers another of its series of reprints, this one by the author of a great many books, Professor H.B. Swete. It is a scholarly work based on the Greek text of the book of Revelation. Because the author concentrates on every word in t he text, he tends to miss the forest for the trees. This is seen in a failure to present an overall interpretation of the meaning of the book of Revelation. Dr. Swete in a lengthy introduction traces the history of the interpretation of Revelation, and then concludes that his approach will be taking the best of all the previous commentaries. This may be all right for one who will preach on just one verse in Revelation, but it leaves one without much of a foundation in an overall treatment of the book.

However, Swete’s treatment of the individual text is helpful for the student of Greek and Latin. The prolific quotations in Greek, Latin, and other original languages of his sources make the book of limited use. For the careful scholar it is, however, a good addition to the library of books on Revelation.

TRUTH ON FIRE: The Message of Galatians, by Clark H. Pinnock. Baker Book Hou se, Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1972. 94 pp. $1.95. Reviewed by Rev. Henry Vanden Heuvel, Bethel CRC, Sioux Center, Iowa.

This is a beautiful little paperback. Itis a commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians written by Professor Pinnock who teaches at Trinity Evangelical Seminary in Deerfield, Illinois. The book‘s main helpfulness is its relevancy to the modern scene. The author constantly applies the message of the epistle to our current situation. And he achieves this application admirably. For a brief but thorough treatment of the message of the book of Galatians for preaching or society lesson, this book is very helpful. It is recommended.

JESUS CHRIST TODAY, by Neil R. Lightfoot. Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Mich. 1976. 274 pp. $8.95. Reviewed by Rev . Henry Vanden Heuvel, Bethel CRC, Sioux Center, Iowa.

This is a commentary on the book of Hebrews. The author explains the title Jesus Christ Today in his introduction. “Jesus Christ Today is chosen as a title for Hebrews because Jesus Christ is its main subject and because ‘today’ emphasizes particularly what the epistle emphasizes—Jesus is now enthroned with the Father and as High Priest He intercedes for His own. ‘Yesterday’ He lived on earth as man, died and rose again; ‘today’ He lives in God’s presence and ‘holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.’ ‘Today’ as a descriptive title for Hebrews asserts that this masterful, first-century exhortation is also a contemporary exhortation.”

The author of this commentary is Professor of Bible and Biblical Languages at Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas. He offers a very readable commentary on Hebrews, making it useful to the average reader with no knowledge of the original languages, but giving additional notes for the benefit of the more advanced reader. Lightfoot’s position is clearly evangelical, showing a high regard for the inspiration and infallibility of Scripture. The commentary is recommended.

   

THE NEWBERRY REFERENCE BIBLE, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, Mich., xxiii and 1064 pp., 1977; wide margin $59.95, regular $49.95 and $39.95. Reviewed by Rev. Henry J . Boekhoven, Th.M., Pastor of the First Christian Reformed Church of Kalamazoo, Mich.

In the late 19th Century Thomas Newberry developed a simple, easily mastered, system of symbols which opened up the original languages of Scripture to those unfamiliar with Hebrew and Greek. Very consistently he has applied to the King James text small signs which indicate a verb’s tense, a noun’s article, a pronoun’s use, etcetera. In addition, numerous marginal and foot notes make this Reference Bible an outstanding tool, aiding the sincere student in gaining good understanding of Scripture.

The Bible, reprinted by Kregel, contains helpful introductions to both Old and New Testaments, 127 pages of Aids to Bible Study, and 14 maps. It features an overview of some Jewish, Greek and Roman coins with their values converted into the British Pound , as well as tables of measures and weights converted into current designations.

The interpretations of Jehovah being a Hebrew combination of was–in–past, is–inpresent, and is–to-come, is ingenious, but incorrect. The earlier sacred name of God, Jahweh, was withdrawn in the 6th Cent. B.C. for fear it would be profaned . The vowels of Adonai, Lord, were then added to the consonants of Jahweh, and the artificial name Jehovah came thus into being.

This Reference Bible is a store–house of data. It should find a place in every pastor‘s study and private libraries of all serious Bible students. The wide margin Reference Bible supplies ample space for a life long collection of personal notes by its owner. The Bible is bound in leather . The letter types used are all very readable. Highly recommended.

THE REFORMATION OF JOURNALISM: A CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO MASS COMMUNICATION by Jon R. Kennedy. 1972, 130 pages. Published by The Craig Press. Reviewed by Rev. Jack Gray, South Holland, Illinois.

Jon R. Kennedy has written an interesting book on Abraham Kuyper‘s use of the media. In clear, lucid style he explains the success of Kuyper in terms of his ability to write and publish effectively.

Kennedy‘s premise is that the real power of Kuyper lay in his pen. His writings captivated the people, built his spiritual and political base, and are the way he is still influential today. Certainly the endurance of Kuyper’s written “Stone Lectures” verify that concept of the power of the press.

Though Kennedy‘s primary concern is journalism, his background material on Kuyper and his relationship with Dooyeweerd and Groen van Prinsterer is as lucid as any I have seen. In a few pages he sketches the events that shaped their lives and the complexities of their thoughts and actions. Certainly one of the bonuses of the book is that it gives a good introduction to their way of thinking and helps one understand their motivation.

Another bonus of the book is Kennedy’s excellent distinction between Fundamentalism and the Reformed faith. I especially appreciated his contrast between two con· temporaries –William Jennings Bryan in this country and Abraham Kuyper in the Netherlands. He points out well bow Bryan‘s Fundamentalism never gave him the vision Kuyper received from his Calvinism, and how Kuyper‘s concept of Christ as Lord in all of life made him influential in so many areas. That comparison makes one really appreciate the Reformed faith, a faith we must keep in the fundamentalistic atmosphere of our contemporary culture.

The weakness of the book is its age. It was printed in 1972 and Kennedy repeatedly talks about the challenges of the seventies, and now we are on the threshold of the eighties. Visions he saw then have either collapsed or come true. In the aftermath of Vietnam and Watergate, the media’s role in the rise and fall of Jimmy Carter, have made many people question the moorings and motives of journalism. The thoroughly Christian perspective that Kennedy promotes could be made much more convincing if put in the context of the eighties.

In order to truly speak to the eighties, or to any decade, Kennedy has to do some more thinking about the vast differences between the Netherlands and the United States and Canada. He recognizes that many of the things Kuyper did are not possible here, but he does not clearly explain how the principles can be applied to our cultural setting. His focus blurrs because he cannot make the jump across the Atlantic.

And that may be the hidden strength of the book. When we see how Kuyper used the media in a Christian way, we are all challenged to be Christianly creative in bringing that concept into practice on our continent. Kennedy tells us where to begin; now we need to move forward.

MY FAVORITE STORY BOOK by W. G. Vanderhulst. Translated from the Dutch by Marian Schoolland, Paideia Press, $10.95 . St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Reviewed by Mrs. Leonard Greenway, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The book contains thirty–two exciting adventures, animal tales and Bible Stories to be read to children in the four to eight age bracket.

Each story is illustrated with lovely pictures, some of them humorous, all of them aimed at the child’s level.

The Bible Stories are true to Holy Writ.

THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE GOD’S BUSINESS, Chuck Murphy, Abingdon Press, 201 Eighth Ave. S., Nashville, Tenn. 37202. 1974, pp. 128, price $2.95. Reviewed by Rev. L.W. Van Dellen.

Interested in evangelism and growth in the Spirit for your church? Read this book which makes Christianity an exciting business. Basic facts of the Bible remind one of the presentation in “Evangelism Explosion” by D. J. Kennedy.

The main theme introduced and repeated in various ways is the free gift of God’s grace. The “works idea” is the subject of constant attack. We find the outline of the Heidelberg Catechism: sin, salvation and service or man‘s predicament, God’s solution and the abundant life of service as underlying truths of the book.

With humor, simplicity and sincerity, the author cuts to the heart of false ideas about salvation in Jesus Christ. He speaks against the idea of a “heavenly scoreboard” or the pharisees’ teaching of heaven as a reward, instead of thankful response in love to God who had already proved His love for them.

Chuck Murphy was a successful nightclub entertainer, TV personality and recording artist when he felt called to serve God in a richer, fuller way. He completed college and seminary, having begun at the age of 35. His book grew out of the numerous teaching missions, held in churches throughout the country. His theology is Reformed, although he is a rector in an Episcopalian Church. The author’s purpose of freeing the reader from the prison of self to glorious new possibilities in God’s business, will inspire all who read it.

THE GROWING LOCAL CHURCH, Donald J. MacNair, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1975, 200 pp. Price $7.95. Reviewed by Rev. Elco H. Oostendorp.

This book is a sequel to the same author’s The Birth, Care, and Feeding of a Local Church. There are fr equent references to that book in this one, and no doubt one would get the most benefit out of either by using both. The author is a minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, and these books are the fruit of many years of experience as Executive Director of that denomination’s National Presbyterian Missions.

In my opinion this is a good book for three reasons: it is Biblical, it is Reformed and it is practical.

Rev. MacNair begins by positing acceptance of the Bible as God’s inspired and inerrant Word, and as such the rule of faith and practice in the church. In developing his ideas he makes much use of Scripture and insists upon basing programs on the teachings of Scripture. His first concern is not with techniques that may have proved successful, but with asking what the Bible teaches as to the will of God for his church. His definition of the church and its offices is derived from Scripture and there is considerable quotation of texts to substantiate his positions.

Although he allows for other theories and practices in church government and tries to make his book useful to other than Presbyterian programs, the author comes out strong for the rules of elders as the scriptural pattern for the local church. His discussion of the function of the pastor or minister as a teaching-elder, of the elders as the ruling body of the church, and of the deacons as primarily agents of mercy rather than trustees and managers of finances is very good. He says many things that need repeating in these when the functioning of the offices is often endangered by the use of “experts” and “specialists.” In this respect this book is very well suited for use in Christian Reformed Churches also since many of the things that the author says have been taught in such books as the Church Order Commentaries of Van Dellen and Monsma.

The book is not a theoretical discussion of church growth, but born out of personal experience and therefore contains suggestions that are workable and practical. There is much material that can serve as a pattern for local congregations in planning and implementing their church programs. Throughout all the discussion of practical plans and programs runs the emphasis that the real secret of growth is dedication and hard work. There is a very strong spiritual emphasis on prayer and devotion. But it is also pointed out that the best of intentions will not be successful if practical considerations are neglected and there is no planning. In his chapters on goals and guidelines the author does not lose himself in all kinds of “how to” details, but goes down to the basics in terms of what the Bible teaches a church should be and how it should carry out its program.

A very helpful and necessary emphasis of the book is that on the importance of the local church and the organized church as being Christ’s instrument to do His work both of evangelism and spiritual growth of Christians. In these days of so many extraecclesiastical programs which tend to take over the work of the church at both the local and denominational levels, this book carries a message that needs to be heard and applied.

The Growing Local Church would be an excellent textbook to be used by consistory members in equipping themselves for their work as ministers, elders and deacons and then reorganizing the program of the congregation for more effective work as the body of Christ.

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP, Jay E. Adams. Baker Book House , Grand Rapids, Mich. 199 pp. $3.75. Reviewed by Rev. Garrett H. Stoutmeyer, CRC minister emeritus.

Pastoral Leadership is the third volume of the author’s series, Shepherding God ‘s Flock. The first two volumes in the series are The Pastoral Life and Pastoral Counseling. The reader cannot help but be gratefully impressed with the author’s avowed Scriptural approach to the subject of Church administration or Church management. He makes a strong case for Spirit-directed planning, organization and management in the local church as the necessary and principal means of achieving God’s purposes.

The format of the book is that of an instruction manual which would primarily assist seminary students, young ministers and elders, and “experienced” ministers w ho have failed to organize their managerial responsibilities. Exercises appear at the end of each chapter which the student’ and/or reader is expected to do. A sizeable Appendix is also added on “Evangelism and the Pastor,” which in the nature of the subject matter is another “how to do” manual.

The book is easy to read and contains numerous practical suggestions on setting up the church program, etc. Most of the suggestions are not new; some have been tried, tested and have proven acceptable; others, will have to be very carefully weighed and evaluated. Recommended reading, however, for seminary students and interns, pastors and elders!

THE SHAKING OF ADVENTISM by Geoffrey J. Paxton. 1977 – Reprinted 1978. 132 pages, paperback. $3.95. Published by Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Mich., 49506. Reviewed by Rev. Fred M. Huizenga, Emeritus CRC minister, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Paxton, the author of this book, is an ordained Anglican. He was educated for the ministry at Moore Theological College, Sydney, Australia, and the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. Presently he is the director of the Theological Education Program of Australia. Paxton maintains that a “terrific tussle” is going on in Adventist circles over the doctrine of justification by faith and the nature and way of salvation.

Paxton divides his subject into three major parts as follows: Part I: Adventism and the Reformation; Part II: Adventism before 1950; Part III: Adventism after 1950.

The Conclusion of the book bears the same title as the book itself: The Shaking of Adventism. Thus, in the final ten pages or so one finds the heart of the book.

Paxton has nothing to say about t he roots and origins of Adventism. He is silent about the Millerites and their unfortunate and false attempt to predict the coming of Christ in 1843. Paxton focuses attention on the ferment in present-day Adventism. In his final chapter the author states: “Contemporary Adventism, especially in the 1970‘s is in conflict over the nature of the gospel according to Paul and the Reformers. Two contrasting elements (Protestant and Roman Catholic) have always been present in the Adventist articulation of the gospel. But in the period they have emerged as two full-grown, distinct theologies.”

Paxton states, “In the years of my investigation into Adventism, I have encountered a zeal for the doctrine of justification by faith barely matched anywhere else. Many of the rank and file Adventists I have met are completely ‘sold’ on the gospel of free justification in Christ.” Yet there seems to be no unanimity regarding the true nature of the gospel and of justification through free grace in Christ.

Paxton states, “When I interpret Mrs. White (i.e. Ellen G. White) at her best, I hear her calling the Adventist community back to the Bible as the final norm in all matters of controversy.” The Bible is to be presented as the Word of the infinite God, as the end of all controversy and the foundation of all faith. Man is fallible, but God’s Word is infallible. Instead of wrangling with one another, let men exalt the Lord. Let us meet all opposition as did our Master, saying ‘It is written.’ Let us lift up the Banner on which is inscribed, The Bible, our rule of faith and discipline.”