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A Look at Books

THE PHILOSOPHY OF REVELATION by Herman Bavinck. Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan. 349 pages, paper. $7.95. Reviewed by Rev. Jerome Julien.

Originally given as the Stone Lectures for 1908–09 at Princeton Seminary, this volume has as its purpose to set forth the philosophy of revelation. Such a philosophy traces “the idea of revelation, both in its form and in its content,” and correlates “it with the rest of our knowledge and life.” Bavinck insists that with the reality of revelation “Christianity stands or falls.” He develops the importance of revelation as it is seen in relation to philosophy, nature, history, religion, Christianity, experience, culture and the future.

Even though the lectures refer to theologians who were prominent some seventy years ago, the principles outlined in them are still very important and will prove to be rich to the believer as he seeks to live in the light of God’s truth, faithfully to Him.

THE BIBLE AND ISLAM: Sharing God’s Word with a Muslim, a Basic Guide by Bassam M. Madany. The Back to God Hour, 6555 West College Drive, Palos Heights, IL 60463. 1981. 92 pages, paperback. Reviewed by the Editor.

The worldwide attention being given to the Arab world with its costly oil, new wealth and power and political instability is prodding Christians and churches to give renewed attention to the religion of Islam and their Christian missionary responsibility to bring the gospel of Christ in the Islamic world. The barriers to missionary efforts among Muslims (or Moslems) have often been very high, but radio is proving to be one means by which they can be surmounted. And among radio missionary preachers few if any have bad a more strategic opportunity or are coming to see more of a response in the Arab world than Rev. Bassam M. Madany of the Back to God Hour. In this little booklet he, out of a deep commitment to the Biblical Reformed Faith and out of very extensive (28-year) experience, shows us how to reach Muslims with the gospel. His thorough knowledge of and use of the Bible and his close acquaintance with Muslim teachings and culture as well as his direct, clear style of writing should make this a very valuable help to all who want to understand and fulfill their Christian missionary responsibility to Muslims. Some today suggest we stress formal similarities between Islam and Christianity, minimize differences and try to establish a common ground in order to facilitate such missionary effort. Rev. Mr. Madany, while deeply sympathetic with the Muslims, points out that their religion lacks a real sense of sin and of man’s inability to save himself, and lacks a Savior. Only the gospel of Christ gives us these. Faithfulness to the Lord and love for the lost compel us to say that as plainly as possible. The reader of this little book will better understand how to approach an Arab. He may also get a better understanding of his own Christian faith.

SCOTTISH THEOLOGY: IN RELATION TO CHURCH HISTORY SINCE THE REFORMATION by John Macleod. The Banner of Truth Trust, E dinburgh, 1974. 350 pages. $6.50. Reviewed by Rev. Jerome. Julien.

In 1943 these lectures given at the Westminster Theological Seminary at Philadelphia were first published. Again this valuable book has been made available to students of theology and church history.

The late Dr. Macleod, known for his years of service in the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, has done a good job of a very difficult task. Beginning with the Reformation he has traced the development of theology down to the end of the nineteenth century. To trace the development of theology in t he Church through a succession of centuries is never a simple and uncomplicated task. To narrow it down to a church existing in the confines of a nation does help to a certain extent. However, there are always outside influences on theology and even in what seems to be a unified movement within the church there are countless variations.

The book has great value for the student of theology and the minister of the Word. It introduces us to the men who helped to shape the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Sometimes we of the Dutch Calvinist tradition are woefully ignorant of our Calvinist brethren in the British Isles. From these men we could learn much—if we only knew what they once wrote. ln this volume we read about David Dickson, Samuel Rutherford, the John Browns, William Cunningham, Robert Candlish, the Erskines and others. And we learn where they stood in relation to that faith once and for all de· livered unto the saints.

This is not a book for someone who does not know something about Scottish Church history. The author takes much for granted. He assumes that all the movements and their nicknames are very familiar to the reader. This should not detract from the value of the book. It is worth studying. It will teach the reader much.

THE FORGOTTEN SPURGEON by lain Murray. Banner of Truth Trust, London. 1973. 254 pages, paper. $1.45. Reviewed by Rev. Jerome Julien.

Normally notice would not be called to a volume which in its earlier edition was re· viewed favorably in these pages. However, this second edition contains some new features which will be of interest to those who study Spurgeon or who want to understand something more of the falling away from the Calvinistic faith. Besides a few pictures and some quotations from press releases of Spurgeon’s day there is a new chapter on “The Aftermath at the Metropolitan Tabernacle” and a new Appendix—a reprint of a very rare pamphlet of protest written about the downgrade in the days following Spurgeon’s ministry.

The chapter on the Metropolitan Taber· nacle affords an insight into how American Fundamentalism and its evangelistic methods bring the Calvinistic faith to crumble. A worthwhile contribution in this day of emphasis on anything which some want to call evangelism.