THE STRENGTH OF THE HILLS, Elswyth Thane, Christian Herald House, Chappaqua, New York. 219 pp. $6.95. Copyrighted 1950, 1976. Reviewed by Marian M. Schoolland.
Originally published under the title Reluctant Farmer, this charming book of Elswyth Thane has reappeared with a new title, one which at first blush suggests a devotional book. It is not that. In fact, there is little or no expression of Christian faith in the book, although two quotations from the Psalms are printed above the introduction. Nevertheless it is a book to inspire appreciation of God’s creation and lead one to “look to the hills.”
The author tells bow she, with the help of a faithful worker, restored an old Vermont farm. The farm was bought during the early days of World War II, as a substitute for trips to England, and as a restful place where she and her husband (the famous explorer William Beebe) might work on their manuscripts. To her surprise, country life grew on her. She became so fascinated by the farm activities that she found herself thoroughly enjoying taking part as much as s he could. First there was the maple sugaring, which turned out to be much more than painting pails and tapping trees. Then the haying. Every day there were experiences to be enjoyed.
Her view of life is positively refreshing. For example, after being startled by a bear crossing the driveway of the farm she comments, “The bears, it seems, are growing on us, and becoming a bit of a nuisance. It’s a nice cheery thought that the original New England wilderness is not irreparably tamed.” Rain during baying time inspires the remark that nothing so reduces you to your prop er size in the universe as your dependence on weather. She gives hours of her work time to save the life of a baby bird blown from its nest in a storm, feeding it with cut-up grasshoppers and teaching it to fly. Reflecting on this she asks, “Would I do better to anesthetize myself into a comfortable conviction that it was none of my business so long as I did not actually see him die?”—a question that has much more implication than appears at first glance. So The Strength of the Hills, if not a religious book, does have a message for Christians too wrapped up in material interests, in the hustle and bustle that easily stifles deeper appreciations. The book is interesting, well worth reading as wholesome entertainment.
THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: A COMMENTARY ON THE GREEK TEXT, by I. Howard Marshall. William B. Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 1978. 928 pp. $24.95. Reviewed by Rev. Jerome Julien, pastor of the First Christian Reformed Church of Pella, Iowa.
This is the first volume of an ambitious series of commentaries: The New International Greek Testament Commentary. The author, lecturer in New Testament exegesis at University of Aberdeen. Scotland, is one of the editors of this new series. The purpose of the series, and therefore of this volume, is to provide an up-to-date commentary on the Greek text of the New Testament. It has been some forty years since a commentary on the Greek text of Luke has appeared. Obviously, a new work will consider the scholarship of these intervening years.
This scholarly work would be best used by the minister or student who has an acquaintance with the Greek language. It is not meant to be a practical commentary which draws lessons and applications, though some will certainly be found as the exegesis is done. It is not a commentary meant to be of help for the studying of society and Bible study lessons.
Sad to say, this volume is marked by tradition criticism and redaction criticism. Not only are we told “that Luke used Mk. substantially . . . beyond reasonable doubt” in the writing of this Gospel (p. 30), but more unacceptable ideas are laid out. In commenting on the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in chapter 6:20–49, the author refers to the parallel passage in Matthew and writes: “It is generally accepted that one basic piece of tradition underlies the two Sermons and that both Evangelists (and possibly their predecessors in the transmission of the material) have expanded it and modelled it in accord with their own purposes. A greater degree of freedom has been shown by Matthew” (p. 243). In commenting on Luke 23:56b–24:12, the author writes: “The historical basis of the tradition is also much debated, but there are no compelling arguments against the view that certain women found the tomb of Jesus to be empty early on the first day of the week. The doubling of the angel in Lk. and Jn., and the variety of statements attributed to him (them) may indicate that the angelic message is a literary device to bring out the significance of the discovery, which the different Evangelists felt free to develop in different (and characteristic) ways; on the other hand, the possibility of angelic manifestations is not to be dismissed out of hand . . . , even if the nature of the sources make it difficult to establish exactly what happened” (p. 883).
While the discerning reader may certainly gain some insights from this enormous work. it will be disappointing in general since there is a different view of Scripture that underlies the work. One questions the stewardship of spending so much money on a volume like this and ultimately on the whole set if all the forthcoming volumes will represent the same view of Scripture.

COMPLETE IN CHRIST and LOVE’S LOGIC by C. H. Spurgeon. Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1978. 144 pages, $1.95, paperback. Reviewed by Rev. G. Vande Riet.
These two separate devotional gems, by that “prince of preachers,” are in one volume. Inspiring, spirit-lifting, praise-evoking. Eloquent and warmly personal.
The former is based on Colossians 2:10: “You are complete in Him.” Describes delightfully the fulness of our riches emanating from our oneness with Christ. A refreshing stimulus to sanctification. to “working out one’s own salvation.”
The second meditation draws from Solomon’s Song 1:4: “The upright love Thee.” As in any fruit of the Spirit, growth in grace is displayed also in the believer’s love for the Lord. This growth may be traced by the motives that underlie the Christian’s love. So the motives of such love are examined—again in a captivating way.
The entire book is highly recommended for group or individual meditation. Ideal for husband-wife devotions. Ruminate on it together, sentence by sentence and thought by thought. You’ll be glad you did!
THE JOURNAL OF PASTORAL PRACTICE, Jay E. Adams, Editor in Chief, Baker Book House, Vol. 1, No. 1, Winter, 1977, pp. 143, $3.50. Reviewed by Rev. Elco H. Oostendorp.
This is described as a “Professional Periodical for Ministers.” The opening editorial points out that while there are many academic and theoretical publications for ministers there is none devoted to practical aspects of the ministry. The book is divided into sections on Christian Education, Counseling, Evangelism, Management and Finances, Medicine and Health , Missions, Para-Christianity (cults), Pastoral Work, Preaching, and Book Reviews. Obviously, it is difficult to enlarge on each item of such a wide range of subject matter.
The content of most of the contributions may be characterized as both inspirational and practical. There is much appeal to Scripture. The section on counseling gives specific applications of Adams‘ nouthetic method. “God’s Blueprint for Marriage” by Wayne Mack could serve very well as an outline for a seminar for couples planning marriage. The articles by Dr. Bob Smith give some common–sense advice on matters of health. The section on the cults is devoted almost entirely to Mormonism, and has material that is very valuable for the minister who finds these zealous missionaries active in his community. Dr. Adams makes a very good point in his brief article on “Preaching with a Purpose.” No doubt, much preaching would improve if his suggestions were followed.
This is the first of what is projected as a Journal to be published quarterly, or possibly bi–monthly. The Editor and The Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation are to be commended for attempting this project. If the other volumes carry on in the spirit and position of this one, ministers subscribing to this Journal will be given many inspiring and helpful suggestions and much sound information.
A BOOK OF COMFORT FOR THOSE IN SICKNESS by P. B. Power. Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh. 1974. 100 pages, paperback. $1.65. Reviewed by Rev. Jerome Julien, pastor of the First Christian Reformed Church of Pella, Iowa.
Here is a very fine devotional book for those in armchairs or beds of illness. Many thoughts develop in the minds of those who are laid aside with sickness. The tempter comes with fears of being dependent on others, of being useless, about the future, of unworthiness of blessing and many more. When we are down, these feelings bring us even lower.
This little book is for those moments of quietness when we need some spiritual direction for our thinking. This might even be helpful for the young or inexperienced minister who sometimes struggles with what to say and how to say it.
There is one serious omission in the printing of this book. I find no answer to the question: Who is or wasP. B. Power?
THE ROLE RELATION OF MAN AND WOMAN AND THE TEACHING/RULING FUNCTIONS IN THE CHURCH, George W. Knight III, Privately printed by the author, Covenant Theol. Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri 63141,$1.00, 1975, Pampblet, 11 pages. Reviewed by Rev. Elco H. Oostendorp.
This short study of the teaching of the New Testament on the relationship of men and women with special reference to its bearing on whether women should be ordained to ruling or teaching offices takes the traditional position in exegeting especially three passages from Paul’s epistles. The author rejects interpretations that would blunt the force of these passages as time-or culture-conditioned. Anyone interested in a summary of the conservative position on this subject will find this paper by an Associate Professor of New Testament at Covenant Theological Seminary helpful. Dr. Knight does not address the question of how the biblical teaching here outlined should be applied in these days of changing roles for women.