SCIENTIFIC STUDIES IN SPECIAL CREATION, edited by W. E. Lammerts. The Presbyterian and Reformed Press. Price $6.95. Reviewed by Sidney J. Jansma, Sr. of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
This book is a follow-up of the book Why Not Creation? It consists of thirty-one articles previously published in the C.R.S. Journal and touches on many scientific disciplines. It is authoritative in that each writer is expert in his own field of endeavor and at the same time puts his faith in the written words of Scripture.
The book begins with the philosophy of science in the first chapter and touches on such men as Freud, Lamarck, Lever, et al. It continues with the question of creation ex nihilo, the appearance of the cosmos, and the problems involved. The next article should be of interest to those who are not too well acquainted with the so-called Gap Theory. It then appraises the New Darwinian Concept and the laws of thermo-dynamics. The next article is on the dating of inorganic and organic matter, historical geology, and straitgraphy and continues with such subjects as the Genesis flood, the mysteries of the earth’s red beds, the fossil problem, and man’s appearance. The book then touches on the immorality of natural selection, land-dwelling vertebrates, homology, adaption, and rose horticulture in following articles. Another article is about experimentation with various seeds that could have survived the flood while much of the original flora disappeared. Still another poses the difficulties involved in the evolution of wild flowers. The book continues with problems of chemical analysis, involving such topics as the DNA molecule, spontaneous generation, and Social Darwinism. The next to the last article (worth the price of the book by itself) is entitles “Scientific Alternates to Evolution.”
Not many years ago it seemed that the theory of evolution was all-prevailing and that no scientist opposed it publically. This is no longer the case. In the U.S.A. and in the world at large there are now thousands of scientists who have pronounced the concept of evolution a fairy tale for grownups. Many non-Christians scientists, while still hoping for proof, are in doubt about its scientific soundness.
It seems to me, that although they should not neglect theology, it is the conservative, scientifically uninformed theologians who have fumbled the creationistic ball. If the Scripture was man-made science it would be subject to continuous change, but its scientific guidelines such as laid down in Genesis and Job, for example, have withstood the ages without factual scientific contradictions. This book is for those who want a better understanding of scientific problems as they appear in nature today based on scriptural guidelines.
STUDIES IN DOGMATICS – SIN by Dr. G.C. Berkouwer. W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan 1971, pp. 599 $9.95. Reviewed by Rev. Johan D. Tangelder of Wellandport, Ontario, Canada.
This volume is a translation by Philip C. Holtrop of the Dutch works, De Zonde I: Oorsprong en Kennis der Zonde. (Part I: The Origin and Knowledge of Sin), De Zonde II: Wezen en Verbrieding der Zonde. (Part II: The Essence and Spread of Sin.) Dr. Berkouwer discusses in depth the awfulness of sin and the magnitude of God’s grace. In this study he does not want to get bogged down in speculative problems. He says “that a right concern for this topic of sin cannot inspire us to speculate on sin’s origin but only to confess our guilt” (p.65). Sin can never be explained or casually interpreted but can only be confessed (p. 242). We can find a host of reasons for the existence of sin. But we can never talk about the origin of sin apart from man himself. “Man is designated as the ‘seat of sin’” (p. 24). Scripture shows our own involvement in sin. I appreciate this emphasis on our responsibility and our sinful condition in the sight of the Holy God. Throughout the Scriptures we hear the accusing words, “You are the man.” We cannot look outside ourselves for “the first and deepest cause of our sin . . . We can only prayer for God’s renewal of our lives and His blessing on the lives of others.” Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Ps. 51:7) (p. 19).
Many insights are to be gained through the reading of this volume. Dr. Berkouwer writes with real pastoral concern about “the sin against the Holy Spirit” (chapter 10). “The real gravity of the sin against the Spirit is evident in the unbroken harmony of comfort and warning. This is a theme that is constantly underscored in the preaching of the New Testament . . . we need not be indifferent, on the one hand, or try to persecute ourselves, on the other.” The blood of Jesus . . . cleanses us from all sin . . . If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (l John 1:7, 9) (p. 353). The study on the relationship between law and gospel is very helpful. We cannot discuss the law as the source of sin apart from the gospel and we cannot discuss the gospel apart from the law, Dr. Berkouwer emphasizes that you cannot preach the law and repentance before or apart from the gospel (p. 198).
“When we bear in mind the relation between sin and the Gospel we can also appreciate why the unity of the law and gospel is of decisive import for the knowledge of our sin” (p. 186). Is there a conflict between c«rs wrath And God’s love? Certainly not! “God’s justice, in fact, in the Gospels, is seen his wrath against man’s sin, and his condemnation of man’s sin, and his utter intolerance for man’s sin. Exactly in that intolerance the act of his mercy is “When we bear in mind the relation between sin and the Gospel we can also appreciate why the unity of the law and Gospel is of decisive import for the knowledge of our sin” (p. 186).
Is there a conflict between God’s wrath And God’s love? Certainly not! “God’s justice, in fact, in the Gospels, is seen as his wrath against man’s sin, and his condemnation of man’s sin, and his utter intolerance for man’s sin. Exactly in that intolerance the act of his mercy is revealed. Therefore we celebrate God’s justice and his mercy—and our celebration is but one” (p. 408). Is there an antithesis between the covenant of “works” and “grace”? The way we treat this subject we are indeed strongly leaning towards this view. Bcrkhof says, “The promise in the covenant of works was not unconditional. The condition was that of implicit and perfect obedience” (p. 216; L. Berkhof, Systematic Theology.) Berkouwer says that we can burden “the so-called ‘covenant of works’ with the notion of achievement” (p. 208). God’s original relation to man was not strictly “legal,” neither was the structure of that relation determined by man’s merit. “In that case, we lose sight of the fact that man’s obedience to God’s command can never be different from a thankful response to God’s own fellowship . . . Man participates in God’s favor, communion and love already at the very beginning” (p. 207).
I appreciate Dr. Berkouwer’s strong accent on the holiness of God, the depth of man’s sin and the glory of the cross of Jesus Christ. Though I see the full import of this study in dogmatics, I do have a few problems with some of the views expounded. I am not too impressed with the term “the corporate personality” of Adam. Berkouwer states, “It seems obvious to us that Paul had a ‘corporate’ idea in mind when he looked at both Adam and Christ” (p. 516). This concept of “corporate personality” is rather in vogue today, but it does not do sufficient justice to the unique historical character of Adam.
The author also takes issue with the forensic nature of Romans 5:19. “ . . . When we utilize this term forensic in our explanation of Romans 5:19 we are suggesting a parallel to the doctrine of justification which can lead us to confusions” (p. 499 ). Berkouwer prefers those modern translations of Romans 5:19 that speak out about “the idea of ‘becoming sinners’ as a consequence or effect of Adam’s first sin” (p. 498). Dr. Herman Ridderbos disagrees with Berkouwer. In reply to Berkouwer he says that Romans 5:12–21 can only be understood in a forensic way. There is It definite parallel between Adam and Christ in connection with the doctrine of justification (see p. 103. Herman Ridderbos, Paulus Ontwerp Van Zijn Theologie.)
Berkouwer’s volume on Sin should be in the library of every pastor and Bible student. The index of principal subjects, persons and Scripture references is very helpful. It is certainly one of the best of Berkouwer’s works, the eleventh translation of this total series.
This book is a follow-up of the book Why Not Creation? It consists of thirty-one articles previously published in the C.R.S. Journal and touches on many scientific disciplines. It is authoritative in that each writer is expert in his own field of endeavor and at the same time puts his faith in the written words of Scripture.
The book begins with the philosophy of science in the first chapter and touches on such men as Freud, Lamarck, Lever, et al. It continues with the question of creation ex nihilo, the appearance of the cosmos, and the problems involved. The next article should be of interest to those who are not too well acquainted with the so-called Gap Theory. It then appraises the New Darwinian Concept and the laws of thermo-dynamics. The next article is on the dating of inorganic and organic matter, historical geology, and straitgraphy and continues with such subjects as the Genesis flood, the mysteries of the earth’s red beds, the fossil problem, and man’s appearance. The book then touches on the immorality of natural selection, land-dwelling vertebrates, homology, adaption, and rose horticulture in following articles. Another article is about experimentation with various seeds that could have survived the flood while much of the original flora disappeared. Still another poses the difficulties involved in the evolution of wild flowers. The book continues with problems of chemical analysis, involving such topics as the DNA molecule, spontaneous generation, and Social Darwinism. The next to the last article (worth the price of the book by itself) is entitles “Scientific Alternates to Evolution.”
Not many years ago it seemed that the theory of evolution was all-prevailing and that no scientist opposed it publically. This is no longer the case. In the U.S.A. and in the world at large there are now thousands of scientists who have pronounced the concept of evolution a fairy tale for grownups. Many non-Christians scientists, while still hoping for proof, are in doubt about its scientific soundness.
It seems to me, that although they should not neglect theology, it is the conservative, scientifically uninformed theologians who have fumbled the creationistic ball. If the Scripture was man-made science it would be subject to continuous change, but its scientific guidelines such as laid down in Genesis and Job, for example, have withstood the ages without factual scientific contradictions. This book is for those who want a better understanding of scientific problems as they appear in nature today based on scriptural guidelines.
STUDIES IN DOGMATICS – SIN by Dr. G.C. Berkouwer. W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan 1971, pp. 599 $9.95. Reviewed by Rev. Johan D. Tangelder of Wellandport, Ontario, Canada.
This volume is a translation by Philip C. Holtrop of the Dutch works, De Zonde I: Oorsprong en Kennis der Zonde. (Part I: The Origin and Knowledge of Sin), De Zonde II: Wezen en Verbrieding der Zonde. (Part II: The Essence and Spread of Sin.) Dr. Berkouwer discusses in depth the awfulness of sin and the magnitude of God’s grace. In this study he does not want to get bogged down in speculative problems. He says “that a right concern for this topic of sin cannot inspire us to speculate on sin’s origin but only to confess our guilt” (p.65). Sin can never be explained or casually interpreted but can only be confessed (p. 242). We can find a host of reasons for the existence of sin. But we can never talk about the origin of sin apart from man himself. “Man is designated as the ‘seat of sin’” (p. 24). Scripture shows our own involvement in sin. I appreciate this emphasis on our responsibility and our sinful condition in the sight of the Holy God. Throughout the Scriptures we hear the accusing words, “You are the man.” We cannot look outside ourselves for “the first and deepest cause of our sin . . . We can only prayer for God’s renewal of our lives and His blessing on the lives of others.” Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Ps. 51:7) (p. 19).
Many insights are to be gained through the reading of this volume. Dr. Berkouwer writes with real pastoral concern about “the sin against the Holy Spirit” (chapter 10). “The real gravity of the sin against the Spirit is evident in the unbroken harmony of comfort and warning. This is a theme that is constantly underscored in the preaching of the New Testament . . . we need not be indifferent, on the one hand, or try to persecute ourselves, on the other.” The blood of Jesus . . . cleanses us from all sin . . . If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (l John 1:7, 9) (p. 353). The study on the relationship between law and gospel is very helpful. We cannot discuss the law as the source of sin apart from the gospel and we cannot discuss the gospel apart from the law, Dr. Berkouwer emphasizes that you cannot preach the law and repentance before or apart from the gospel (p. 198).
“When we bear in mind the relation between sin and the Gospel we can also appreciate why the unity of the law and gospel is of decisive import for the knowledge of our sin” (p. 186). Is there a conflict between c«rs wrath And God’s love? Certainly not! “God’s justice, in fact, in the Gospels, is seen his wrath against man’s sin, and his condemnation of man’s sin, and his utter intolerance for man’s sin. Exactly in that intolerance the act of his mercy is “When we bear in mind the relation between sin and the Gospel we can also appreciate why the unity of the law and Gospel is of decisive import for the knowledge of our sin” (p. 186).
Is there a conflict between God’s wrath And God’s love? Certainly not! “God’s justice, in fact, in the Gospels, is seen as his wrath against man’s sin, and his condemnation of man’s sin, and his utter intolerance for man’s sin. Exactly in that intolerance the act of his mercy is revealed. Therefore we celebrate God’s justice and his mercy—and our celebration is but one” (p. 408). Is there an antithesis between the covenant of “works” and “grace”? The way we treat this subject we are indeed strongly leaning towards this view. Bcrkhof says, “The promise in the covenant of works was not unconditional. The condition was that of implicit and perfect obedience” (p. 216; L. Berkhof, Systematic Theology.) Berkouwer says that we can burden “the so-called ‘covenant of works’ with the notion of achievement” (p. 208). God’s original relation to man was not strictly “legal,” neither was the structure of that relation determined by man’s merit. “In that case, we lose sight of the fact that man’s obedience to God’s command can never be different from a thankful response to God’s own fellowship . . . Man participates in God’s favor, communion and love already at the very beginning” (p. 207).
I appreciate Dr. Berkouwer’s strong accent on the holiness of God, the depth of man’s sin and the glory of the cross of Jesus Christ. Though I see the full import of this study in dogmatics, I do have a few problems with some of the views expounded. I am not too impressed with the term “the corporate personality” of Adam. Berkouwer states, “It seems obvious to us that Paul had a ‘corporate’ idea in mind when he looked at both Adam and Christ” (p. 516). This concept of “corporate personality” is rather in vogue today, but it does not do sufficient justice to the unique historical character of Adam.
The author also takes issue with the forensic nature of Romans 5:19. “ . . . When we utilize this term forensic in our explanation of Romans 5:19 we are suggesting a parallel to the doctrine of justification which can lead us to confusions” (p. 499 ). Berkouwer prefers those modern translations of Romans 5:19 that speak out about “the idea of ‘becoming sinners’ as a consequence or effect of Adam’s first sin” (p. 498). Dr. Herman Ridderbos disagrees with Berkouwer. In reply to Berkouwer he says that Romans 5:12–21 can only be understood in a forensic way. There is It definite parallel between Adam and Christ in connection with the doctrine of justification (see p. 103. Herman Ridderbos, Paulus Ontwerp Van Zijn Theologie.)
Berkouwer’s volume on Sin should be in the library of every pastor and Bible student. The index of principal subjects, persons and Scripture references is very helpful. It is certainly one of the best of Berkouwer’s works, the eleventh translation of this total series.