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A Look at Books

GEORGE WHITEFIELD; THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE GREAT EVANGELIST OF THE EIGHTEENTH-CENTUBY REVIVAL, Volume 1, by Arnold Dallimore. The Banner of Truth Trust, 78b Chiltern St., London, WIMI PS, England. 1970, pp. 598, $7.50. Reviewed by Rev. Jerome Julien, pastor of the Faith Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Are the events of the early seventeen· hundreds of any value to us who live in the last part of the twentieth century? Or are they simply to be labeled “ancient history”? Whether we realize it or not, we can learn from the past events of history; history has its lessons. And here is a book that we call all read with profit. The problems that we face today in the Church were already present in those days. There was a real deadness among those calling themselves Christians. There was a theological battle developing. There was an apathy toward the truth revealed in God’s Word.

This volume is the story of the first twenty-six of the life of the great evangelist, George Whitefield. As we read it we see him in his early years and during his first and second visits to America. We meet Whitefield in the days of the Holy Club and in the open air preaching to anxious hearers.

Dallimore has done a very fine job of revealing something of the greatness of Whitefield. He should be commended for using the abilities God gave him so that this work would be done. Thankfully, he realized that, in order for these first twenty-six years of Whitefield’s life to be fully treated, much more was necessary than a simple understanding of what Whitefield, himself, did. The theology of Whitefield must be understood; the changing theological views of England and America must be evaluated and explained; church life and everyday living must be known. To this reviewer it seems as if this volume is very thorough in all these respects! In order to present this very readable volume to us, Dallimore must have spent countless hours reading in volumes we would have preferred to leave dust-covered. Not only did he read in the Journals and sermons of Whitefield. He also read in the works of Wesley and others connected with Whitefield. History books also were opened so that he could glean the other necessary information. It will be interesting to read the bibliography when it is published at the end of volume two.

The purpose of this review is to ex· pose this book to a wider readership. And it is hoped that many will seek to spend some delightful hours with it. This does not mean that this reviewer would dare to endorse all of Whitefield’s theological views. It can be said that he is generally Reformed, but here and there are some grave and troublesome inconsistencies—at least in this reviewer’s eyes.

Indeed there is a need for this kind of study. Dr. M. Lloyd.Jones tells us something abo1lt this in the Foreword which he writes. Only too often the lives of men who have served in other ages are forgotten—not to the enrichment of the people of God.

And this enriching study is a balanced one, too. Often someone who studies the life of a certain man will begin to see only the good points and forget the bad. Dallimore has not done this. We see Whitefield defended, but we read him criticized well. We learn that he is not to be considered a golden hero but rather a mall of like passions with us.

May volume two appear very soon!!

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FOR SINNERS ONLY, by Jacob D. Eppinga. Published by William B. Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1970, 142 pages; $3.95. Reviewed by Rev. Frank De Jong, Christian Reformed pastor-emeritus of San Jose, California.

For Sinners Only by Pastor Jacob Eppinga is like the car its manufacturer speaks of, “If you get your hands on it you’ll never let it go.” If you begin reading this precious little gem you can’t lay it down until you have finished reading it.

In each of the twelve chapters the author uses some phase in the life of the apostle Paul to guide those approaching the Lord’s Table with counsel and encouragement. The entire book is refreshingly original. Of the Master’s teaching we read, “The common people heard him gladly,” and of this book it, too, can be said, “The common people will read it gladly.”

Ministers at a loss what to preach for a “Preparatory Message” on the Sunday before Communion can profit by reading these messages. Each chapter gives wise guidance for those who would partake of the Holy Supper “in a worthy manner.” Chapter 12 is outstanding in spiritual richness.

DAILY MANNA CALENDAR 1972. Edited by Rev. Timothy Monsma; Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, $2.50.

A belated but hearty recommendation of this annual series of daily meditations by “fifty-two busy pastors and teachers from various churches around the world”—belated because it did not reach my desk on time for an earlier insertion, hearty because of my long acquaintance with this calendar that always commends it at our home for continued use. There arc nuggets and gems here to regularly enrich family devotions and personal devotions.