AN URBAN STRATEGY FOR AFRICA by Dr. Timothy Monsma, Published by William Carey Library, Pasadena, Calif. 175 pages, price $6.95. Reviewed by Harold De Groot, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Even though the research for the book was done in preparation for a doctoral dissertation, the author has succeeded in writing a very factual, readable, interesting book on a subject which must be faced as the church seeks to minister to urban dwellers in Africa.
There is a mass exodus from the rural areas to the cities. Many are educated: many are Christians; many are lost in the city. How is the church to evangelize? How are they to grapple with the complex problems of urbanization? How is the church to harvest this complicated, ethnic conglomerate? The “problem of the sheep that stray is the ‘Achilles heel’ of the church in Africa that cries out for attention.” Yet the church and missions have neglected this urgent challenge. The author deplores the fact that administration is receiving the priority over evangelism.
Not only does the author ably and interestingly state the many–faceted problems of the churches ministering to urban areas, he also offers some excellent solutions. Probably the most urgent plea is to train pastors adequately to meet the needs of the elite of the cities. A more meaningful worship service and good preaching are a must. Missionaries and Christian professionals are desperately needed for leaders hip training.
This book is a gem. Refreshing. New. The author has a grasp of the complexity of African urban areas with their many et hnic and language differences. His suggestions to churches and missions in meeting this complex challenge are realistic and attainable. This work should be in the library of everyone interested in missions and burdened for the church which must minister to city dwellers in Africa.
HAPPINESS IS NOT AN ACCIDENT by Richard W. DeHaan. 1971, Zondervan Publishing House. 176 pp. , paperback, 95 cents. Reviewed by Rev. Donald J. Negen.
The twenty–two chapters of this book are divided into four parts: Happiness is not an accident; Happiness in a changing world; Happiness in spite of adversity; Happiness with yourself and others. Although the first part reflects the title of the book , the concept does prevail through the succeeding chapters.
While the author’s understanding and interpretation of secular views are at times debatable, he does appropriately focus on the key to happiness. He correctly emphasizes that happiness originates with God. It cannot arise out of our circumstances which are frequently adverse , nor out of our world with its enticements to find pleasure in sin.
The reader will be reminded again, in simplified fashion, of some of the Biblical truths which govern our beliefs and our life style.
HOLINESS, ITS NATURE, HINDRANCES, DIFFICULTIES AND ROOTS, by J . C. Ryle, Published by Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506, 1979, 471 pages, $8.95. Reviewed by Rev. Simon Viss.
This volume contains twenty chapters, each of which is a subject in itself, but all related to the title. Each chapter is an exposition of a text. Every chapter contains a wealth of material on some aspect of Christian living. One can be edified and spiritually enriched by reading a chapter a day. Today, we tend to shy away from books of this size. Everything has to be compacted and summarized. We’re influenced by T.V. commentators who have to compress all the happenings from all over the world within thirty minutes.
The publisher is to be commended in reprinting this book which first came off the press a hundred years ago. Though it is a book of considerable length it is easy reading. The style is lucid and graphic. There is not a page that cannot be grasped by the average reader. And yet it is a book replete with profound truths, extremely relevant for our day.
Basically, the world hasn’t changed. The human heart is as sinful as ever. How must a Christian live in a sinful world? First, he must understand what sin is. Ryle’s first chapter is on the subject of sin. He holds before the reader the text, “Sin is the transgression of t he law” (I John 3:4). Without the knowledge of sin, justification, conversion, and sanctification have no meaning. A holy life is a life lived in conformity to God’s law. But we cannot live such a life in or by ourselves. It is only through Jesus Christ that we can attain unto the standard God demands.
Appropriately, the last chapter is entitled, “Christ is All” (Colossians 3:11). Here is what he says, “I purposely close this volume with a paper on this remarkable text. Christ is the mainspring both of doctrinal and practical Christianity. A right knowledge of Christ is essential to a right knowledge of sanctification as well as justification. He that follows after holiness will make no progress unless he gives to Christ His rightful place. I began the volume with a plain statement about sin. Let me end it with an equally plain statement about Christ.” Then follows a beautiful exposition of what it means that Christ is our all.
A number of chapters are character studies – Moses, Lot, Lot’s wife, the thief on the cross, etc. These chapters are a delight to read. The entire book has a wealth of doctrinal and devotional material. This book must be read to be appreciated.
Biblical discipline is synonymous with nurture and emphasizes both instruction and correction. Mr. Fennema points out for the reader how this biblical basis differs from the basis used by the behaviorists and the humanists. The biblical approach to learning and knowing is broader. It includes the total activity of the person thinking, feeling, and responding.
Instruction, or “preventive” discipline, which is primarily the responsibility of the parents, must be based upon God’s Word. Biblical instruction, whether “caught” informally, or “taught” in a more formal school situation, will develop respect and security. Chastening, or “corrective” discipline, which is needed to “redirect” the child. must also be based upon God’s Word and use the biblical description of authority.
This discussion of discipline is useful to the Christian educator. It returns him to Scripture as the basis upon which to build his approach to discipline. This gives the teacher a foundation upon which to develop his own methods of implementation. The author expresses the hope that the non-Christian educator, who is often seeking an academically reasoned foundation to discipline will also find this book useful. Reading this book can be a profitable experience for the Christian parent as well as for the teacher.
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GRACE, by Arthur C. Custance. Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Mich. 49506; 1979; 398 pages. Hardcover. $12.95. Reviewed by Rev. Fred Van Houten.
This is an amazing book. One who reads it would think that the author is a Professor of Systematic Theology in some great Calvinistic Seminary. However, he is a member of the Canadian Physiological Society and a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute. The scholarly book was spawned during a cold winter’s intense personal study of the Bible while the author was in complete isolation and only twenty three years of age.
It is most refreshing that such a sizeable production on the real issue of Calvinism could be published in 1979. The author excels in bringing to the religious world a book that is thoroughly historical and Scriptural almost to the extent of being encyclopedic. He begins by tracing the historical development of the doctrine of election in a very thorough manner , particularly with Augustine, but also demonstrates how it is taught explicitly in both the Old and the New Testaments. Appropriately, he devotes much space to the Reformers. It is like reading an excellent treatise on Church History.
Custance explains in detail and from various angles the five points of Calvinism. With compelling logic he points out inconsistencies in the Arminian position. However, with variable references to Common Grace, he could still be classified as an infralapsarian. His favorite text, discovered at that time, is “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you” (John 15:16). Such texts as this one, and other Scriptures such as John 6:37, 44, he quotes again and again. With respect to the way of salvation there is absolutely no synergism.
A few chapters are on preaching, and this reviewer is happy they were included. The author pleads for frank and honest proclamation of the Word in the language of the Bible. He has no toleration for such approaches as “God loves you” and “Christ died for you” but believes it is proper to say that Christ died for sinners, and “Open your heart to the Lord” and “Accept Christ as your Savior.”
This brief paragraph reads the five points of Calvinism voices the author convictions very well:
The only defense against Synergism is an unqualified Calvinism ascribing all the glory to God by insisting upon the total spiritual impotence of man, an Election based solely on the good pleasure of God, an Atonement intended only for the elect though sufficient for all men, a grace that can neither be resisted nor earned, and a security for the believer that is as permanent as God Himself (p. 364).
With the completely logical explanation and cogent defense of Calvinism as the virtue of this book, this reviewer felt something missing. It lacks a warm, fervent and urgent plea to preach the Gospel of God’s grace to a hell–bent world. Reminders of such Scriptures as Isaiah 45:22 and 55:6, 7 could well have been included. After all, Paul wrote a lot about the sovereign grace of God, but he also was a great missionary. However, this is a great book for our time. Thanks also to Bakers for an excellent job of publishing. Read it and rejoice! Custance sounds the trumpet for Calvinism! And it‘s not Taps!
THE PROPHET JONAH: HIS CHARACTER AND MISSION TO NINEVEH, by Hugh Martin. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1979 reprint, 460 pp. , S6.95. Reviewed by Rev. Case Admiraal.
This series of expository messages on the book of Jonah, first printed in 1866, adds to the growing number of books available to us on the minor prophets. The fact that his volume consists of expository messages explains both its strength and its weakness. It is not technical and can be beneficially read by all. At the same time, it lacks conciseness. Often the reader has to plow through long sections of tangentially related material in order to get to the heart of a chapter.
Although the author slips into moralizing a number of the episodes in Jonah‘s excursion (cf. ch. 5, e.g.), he does a fine job in developing the major themes of this prophecy. Especially helpful is the author‘s analysis of the times in which the book of Jonah was written and its major purpose.
A MODERN STUDY IN THE BOOK OF PROVERBS Charles Bridges’ Classic Revised for Today’s Reader) 752 pages, paper cover; also a study guide for use with t he book, both by George F. Santa. $17.95. Mott Media, Post Office Box 236, Milford, Mich . 48042 .
Of this book, first published in 1846, the renowned preacher Charles H. Spurgeon has said that it is “the best work on the Proverbs.” Cyril J. Barber in his The Minister‘s Library (a Baker publication, 1974) gives this evaluation:
“. . . this work has become a classic of Protestantism. Rich in thought and valued for its exposition. Provides valuable mater · ial for the preacher .”
Without tampering with Bridges’ mean· ing or intent, George F. Santa has served today’s Bible student well by revising and updating the language of this outstanding volume to make it readily understood. The Topical Index as well as the many Scriptural cross-references add to the value of the book. Proverbs is a treasure–trove of wisdom for Christ ian living into which this commentary gives abundant and precious insights.
J.V.P.
TULIP, by Duane Edward Spencer. Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Mich. 49506; 1979, 75 pages; Sl.45, Paperback. Reviewed by Rev. Fred Van Houten.
The subtitle of this book is “The Five Points of Calvinism in the Light of Scripture.” This is a reaction against what the author calls “the humanist theology of Erasmus and Rome.” Having bee n an Arminian preacher for nine years, such a reaction on his part is understandable.
Inclusion of the “Five Points” of Arminianism is a positive feature of the treatise, as is the clear description of the Arminian position, abundant use of Scripture, and a chart contrasting the Arminian with the Calvinist view. However, one who writes a book on this subject should do more to explain the Bible texts, particularly those listed under the Arminian view. The treatise defends Calvinism strongly and condemns Arminianism equally strongly, however this reviewer is left with the sad impression that the case is overstated, and that all anyone can do in t he way of salvation is to see whether or not he is elected by God. Some statements could be questioned because they are not explained adequately. On page 66 he writes, “Whosoever will may come‘ is not to be found in the Bible.” How about Revelation 22:17?
SEVEN WONDERS OF GRACE by C. H . Spurgeon, Baker Book House (Summit Books), Gr and Rapids, Mich . 224 pp. $2.95. Reviewed by the Rev. Harrison Harnden.
This book consists of seven sermons which are illustrative of the grace of God in the lives of seven biblica l characters. All of the ser mons are in the exemplary, rather than the redemptive–historical, homiletical perspective. In effect, they represent the best of efforts out of what is basically a poor preaching method. AU of the ser mons are textual and typical of the Spurgeon methodology. There are some explorations into the fields of speculation beyond what the text and context of the passage actually state, but these are not sufficiently offensive to greatly reduce the value of the messages. The applications are amazingly contemporary considering the material is nearly 100 years old. It still remains a truth that you cannot read Spurgeon without profit.
A BLADE OF GRASS, by Gladys and Gordon DePree. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Mich ., 1967, 189 pp. $2.95. Reviewed by Rev. Allen Bultman.
Here is a meaningful paperback of daily devotionals. Each devotional begins with a Scripture verse and is followed by a uniquely designed structure of free verse comment. The authors desire that their efforts be a small, quiet, alive blade of grass is modest. They very effectively direct the thoughtful reader to the living Word of God with its call to faith and obedience. This blade of grass is good food for the soul. Try it, you’ll like it!
VALLEYS AND VISTAS – AFTER LOSING LIFE‘S PARTNER by David Bogard. 94 pages. Baker Book House $4.95. Reviewed by John Vander Ploeg.
With his accustomed theological precision and clarity Professor Louis Berkhof has defined the believer‘s mystical union with Christ as “that intimate. vital and spiritual union between Christ and His people, in virtue of which He is the source of their life and strength, of their blessed· ness and salvation.”
In Valleys and Vistas, the late Rev. David Bogard (minister in the Reformed Church in America until his death in 1976) r elates his personal experience of this mystical union that continued and also became enriched after the loss of his life’s partner with whom he had spent forty–seven happy years in marriage. Bogard had the gift of recording the trauma and also the triumph he experienced as a believer in his bereavement, and he does so in a delicate, dignified manner and also with an exquisite choice of words.
In Valleys and Vistas the reader may en· joy and profit from close fellows hip with a devout man of God whose piety was so obviously healthy, whose heart throbs were so poignant but also so precious, and whose conquest over doubt is so well stated at the close of his book in this testimony for Christ:
“So I have come to an intellectual peace for which I searched so passionately in my youth, by a route I did not then know existed. I suspect that there are many whose intellect far surpasses mine who can tear to shreds what I have written here. I cannot help that. There comes a lime when electioneering is over and one must vote. I have cast my ballot for this matchless Teacher who is the truth.”
Valleys and Vistas After Losing Life ‘s Partner – a truly beautiful book both in content and in format—an outstanding gift for anyone who has experienced a similar loss—a book to read and also t ore· read in the time of bereavement to aid one to come to know the peace that passes all understanding.