AMILLENNIALISM TODAY, by William E. Cox. Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, Phila., Pa., 1966, paper, 143 pp.
The author is a Baptist minister. who for some years preached the Scofield Bible “religiously,” then upon closer study turned from its dispensationalism and premillennialism.
He considers “amillennial” an unfortunate term, meaning literally “no millennium,” whereas we do believe “the thousand years” as we understand the Bible to teach it. He suggests “biblical millennialist,” and holds that this was the view of most all the church fathers and the Protestant Reformers, and is held by most reputable commentaries and seminaries.
He rightly insists that clear Bible passages must always serve to explain those more figurative and symbolic; and so Revelation 20 cannot rightly serve as the main basis for premillennial teaching.
Cox is convinced that there is far more “realized eschatology” than the “pre’s” admit; many O.T. promises having been clearly fulfilled, those conditioned on Israel’s obedience often met by disobedience, and some to be fulfilled spiritually in the church, of which Israel was the type and forerunner.
Amillennialism holds to but one spiritual body of the redeemed; to the now-present and progressing kingdom of God; to the one bodily and visible return of Christ; to the one resurrection and one judgment. The “last days,” or the millennium, started with Christ’s first advent and will end with his second coming.
When Christ suffered and died for man’s sin. Satan was bound, cf. Matt. 12:29. Col. 2:15. So Rev. 20 tells of his being chained “that he should deceive the nations no more” during the millennium. But that does not mean satan is now powerless entirely; he goes about as a roaring lion.
Author Cox frankly “disagrees with many of the presuppositions of covenant theology.” There are a few other adverse criticisms a1so. but the book, written in popular style, helpfully sketches the strong position of biblical millennialism.
CORNEAL HOLTROP
Rev. Corneal Holtrop is emeritus minister of the Christian Reformed Church.
A.T. Robertson: THE GLORY OF THE MINISTRY, 243 pp. Baker Book House, 1967 (price $2.95)
This is another volume in the Baker series entitled “Notable Books on Preaching.” Here one of the outstanding pastors and professors of the Southern Baptist Church of two generations ago addresses himself to Paul’s evaluation of the Christian ministry as contained in II Corinthians 2:12 through 6:10. Robertson shows himself to be not only a careful but also an inspiring student of the Greek New Testament, urging that every preacher make it his first duty to come to grips with the Biblical text. Excellent insights are provided into several of the passages here considered. Although the reader may question the validity of some of the applications made by the author, he cannot escape the stimulation and encouragement offered from the Word by one thoroughly acquainted with the pains and perplexities which so often accompany the commission to serve as God’s ambassador.
PETER Y. DE JONG
Dr. Peter Y. De Jong is Professor of Practical Theology at Calvin Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan.