Review of LEARNING TO KNOW THE LORD by Dr. Peter Y. De Jong. $1.25. Reviewer, Rev. Thomas C. Vanden Heuvel, pastor of the Central Ave. CRC, Holland, Michigan.
The Reformed Fellowship, Inc. has recently published a new catechism book for senior high classes which is both doctrinally and pedagogically sound.
In twenty-eight lessons, my friend and colleague, Dr. De Jong, opens up the Reformed faith in a warm and lucid manner so that both young people of the church and inquirers from the community can pro6t from it greatly.
This reviewer has used the book for the eleventh and twelfth grade catechumens, for individual study with a young Chicano family, and for an elderly lady who was brought into our church through the radio broadcast of our morning service. The response of all of these people to this book has been only favorable.
Each lesson in the book is arranged around the Scripture reading which appears on the top of each lesson. The author, in personal conversational style, shows how the truths of the Christian faith are born out of the Bible and applied to the life of the Christian today. The time-tested and pedagogically-sound principle of memorization is employed in well-worded, easy to remember questions and answers. Some of the answers are verses of Scripture and many of the answers have a Scriptural reference. There are an average of four questions and answers per lesson.
The last part of the lesson consists of written work. The student is encouraged to look up various passages of Scripture and the creeds to answer the thought-provoking discussion questions.
The book concludes with a warm and personal message to each student showing the beauty of the Christian faith and the privilege for and the duty of each student to profess that faith publicly.
This reviewer has used this book with great pr06t and heartily recommends each pastor and consistory to consider it for use in senior high catechism classes. The price for the pocket-size book is $1.25.
SPIRITUAL UNION AND COMMUNION by Arthur W. Pink. 8aker Book House, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1971; 100 pages; $4.95. Reviewed by Rev. John Kruis, pastor of the Christian Reformed Church of Sussex, New Jersey.
This book is another very valuable contribution from the pen of Arthur w. Pink. As the author beautifully and skillfully sets forth the Biblical teaching on Spiritual Union and Communion, he brings glory to God and gives valuable instruction to struggling Christians. At the same time he very effectively challenges and admonishes the faithful and warns the wayward. In this book, Dr. Pink gives food for the soul which is both nourishing and delightful.
The author first sets forth the teaching of Scripture on the union of the three Persons in the Godhead, and the union of the divine and human natures in Jesus Christ. Then he deals with the union of the church with Jesus alright and the union of believers in one mystical body, and what that means for God’s elect children in this life and the life to come.
Using Scripture profusely and skillfully, Dr. Pink shows that union with Christ is at the heart of our salvation, that it brings comfort, joy and victory to the believer. At the same time he challenges his readers to live In union with Christ and to reveal the fruits of that union established by the sovereign grace of God. Not only that, he also gives valuable instruction on how this can be done.
The chapter headings are: 1. Introduction. 2. Divine Union. 3. Mediatorial Union. 4. Mystical Union. 5. Federal Union. 6. Vital Union. 7. Saving Union. 8. Practical Union. 9. Experimental Union. 10. Glory Union. 11. Conclusion.
This is not “light” reading. Yet the average reader will not find it difficult to understand. If you arc willing to read with care and concentration, you will discover great riches in this book. There are paragraphs which you will want to read and reread because they are so rich in content. Pastors will find valuable material here to assist them as they prepare to feed their flock.
To whet your appetite just a bit allow me to quote a few lines from various chapters in this book. “The union between Christ and His Church is so real, so vital, so intimate that God has never viewed the one apart from the other. There is such an indissoluble oneness between the Redeemer and the redeemed, such an absolute identification of interest between them, that the Father of mercies never saw them apart; He never saw the Church apart from its Head.” “Though inseparably connected, faith and obedience are q1lite distinct. Faith is the principle, obedience is tile product; faith is the cause, obedience is the effect; faith is the root, obedience is the fruit. By faith we receive and own Christ as our rightful Lord; by obedience we regulate our conduct according 10 His command.” “True repentance also Rows from love. The warmer our love to God, the stronger will be our hatred of sin, as contrary to Him. The sweeter the fellowship of Christ to our hearts, the more bitter the realization of our offenses against Him. This is that ‘godly sorrow’ which worketh repentance to salvation ‘not to be repented of’ (II Cor. 7:10).” “To abide in Christ is to have our wills merged in His, as His was in the Father’s. Thus it is a combination of outward movement and inward repose; the feet acting, the hands busy, yet the heart resting in Him.” “. . . repentence is taking sides with Cod against sin. O how each of us needs to pray for a deeper repentance. Painful though the work of repentance be, yet it issues in pleasant fruits. As one of the Puritans said, ‘Groans unutterable make way for joys unspeakable.’ If we sorrowed more for sin, we would rejoice more in the Lord.”
JESUS AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES, by Everett F. HalTison. Published by Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1970, 251 pages. Price $2.95. Reviewed by Rev. Fred Van Houten, pastor of the Ninth St. CRC of Holland, Mich.
This book was first published in 1949 and was entitled The Sons of God among the Sons of Men. Meditations on the Gospel 0f John. The subtitle currently is “Biographical Preaching from the Gospel of John.” The author follows the Fourth Gospel in giving a biographical chapter on the following persons; John the Baptist, Andrew, Simon Peter, Nathaniel, Nicodemus, the Woman of Samaria, the Impotent Man, the Woman Taken in Adultery, the Man Born Blind, Lazarus, Martha, Mary of Bethany, Judas, Pilate, Mary Magdalene, Thomas, and John the Apostle. However, these are considered particularly with respect to their relationship to Jesus.
The author is professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary and is editor-in-chief of Baker’s Dictionary of Theology. He has succeeded in writing a readable book for the common man, while at the same time imparting good instruction from his knowledge of the manuscripts. In a commendable manner he discusses the textual difficulties with such passages as John 5:4 about the troubling of the waters at the Pool of Bethesda, and John 8 with the story of the woman taken in adultery.
Some of these biographies are better than others. Particularly stimulating is the one of Mary of Bethany. It is very obvious throughout that Dr. Harrison has a high conception of Scripture and docs not wander away from the Bible narratives, even though he makes relevant applications.
In this reviewer’s opinion tile book would he more stimulating and effective had the author indicated his logic by an outline of the teachings or lessons in each biography. It is good reading but could be somewhat more valuable for “biographical preaching.”
The Reformed Fellowship, Inc. has recently published a new catechism book for senior high classes which is both doctrinally and pedagogically sound.
In twenty-eight lessons, my friend and colleague, Dr. De Jong, opens up the Reformed faith in a warm and lucid manner so that both young people of the church and inquirers from the community can pro6t from it greatly.
This reviewer has used the book for the eleventh and twelfth grade catechumens, for individual study with a young Chicano family, and for an elderly lady who was brought into our church through the radio broadcast of our morning service. The response of all of these people to this book has been only favorable.
Each lesson in the book is arranged around the Scripture reading which appears on the top of each lesson. The author, in personal conversational style, shows how the truths of the Christian faith are born out of the Bible and applied to the life of the Christian today. The time-tested and pedagogically-sound principle of memorization is employed in well-worded, easy to remember questions and answers. Some of the answers are verses of Scripture and many of the answers have a Scriptural reference. There are an average of four questions and answers per lesson.
The last part of the lesson consists of written work. The student is encouraged to look up various passages of Scripture and the creeds to answer the thought-provoking discussion questions.
The book concludes with a warm and personal message to each student showing the beauty of the Christian faith and the privilege for and the duty of each student to profess that faith publicly.
This reviewer has used this book with great pr06t and heartily recommends each pastor and consistory to consider it for use in senior high catechism classes. The price for the pocket-size book is $1.25.
SPIRITUAL UNION AND COMMUNION by Arthur W. Pink. 8aker Book House, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1971; 100 pages; $4.95. Reviewed by Rev. John Kruis, pastor of the Christian Reformed Church of Sussex, New Jersey.
This book is another very valuable contribution from the pen of Arthur w. Pink. As the author beautifully and skillfully sets forth the Biblical teaching on Spiritual Union and Communion, he brings glory to God and gives valuable instruction to struggling Christians. At the same time he very effectively challenges and admonishes the faithful and warns the wayward. In this book, Dr. Pink gives food for the soul which is both nourishing and delightful.
The author first sets forth the teaching of Scripture on the union of the three Persons in the Godhead, and the union of the divine and human natures in Jesus Christ. Then he deals with the union of the church with Jesus alright and the union of believers in one mystical body, and what that means for God’s elect children in this life and the life to come.
Using Scripture profusely and skillfully, Dr. Pink shows that union with Christ is at the heart of our salvation, that it brings comfort, joy and victory to the believer. At the same time he challenges his readers to live In union with Christ and to reveal the fruits of that union established by the sovereign grace of God. Not only that, he also gives valuable instruction on how this can be done.
The chapter headings are: 1. Introduction. 2. Divine Union. 3. Mediatorial Union. 4. Mystical Union. 5. Federal Union. 6. Vital Union. 7. Saving Union. 8. Practical Union. 9. Experimental Union. 10. Glory Union. 11. Conclusion.
This is not “light” reading. Yet the average reader will not find it difficult to understand. If you arc willing to read with care and concentration, you will discover great riches in this book. There are paragraphs which you will want to read and reread because they are so rich in content. Pastors will find valuable material here to assist them as they prepare to feed their flock.
To whet your appetite just a bit allow me to quote a few lines from various chapters in this book. “The union between Christ and His Church is so real, so vital, so intimate that God has never viewed the one apart from the other. There is such an indissoluble oneness between the Redeemer and the redeemed, such an absolute identification of interest between them, that the Father of mercies never saw them apart; He never saw the Church apart from its Head.” “Though inseparably connected, faith and obedience are q1lite distinct. Faith is the principle, obedience is tile product; faith is the cause, obedience is the effect; faith is the root, obedience is the fruit. By faith we receive and own Christ as our rightful Lord; by obedience we regulate our conduct according 10 His command.” “True repentance also Rows from love. The warmer our love to God, the stronger will be our hatred of sin, as contrary to Him. The sweeter the fellowship of Christ to our hearts, the more bitter the realization of our offenses against Him. This is that ‘godly sorrow’ which worketh repentance to salvation ‘not to be repented of’ (II Cor. 7:10).” “To abide in Christ is to have our wills merged in His, as His was in the Father’s. Thus it is a combination of outward movement and inward repose; the feet acting, the hands busy, yet the heart resting in Him.” “. . . repentence is taking sides with Cod against sin. O how each of us needs to pray for a deeper repentance. Painful though the work of repentance be, yet it issues in pleasant fruits. As one of the Puritans said, ‘Groans unutterable make way for joys unspeakable.’ If we sorrowed more for sin, we would rejoice more in the Lord.”
JESUS AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES, by Everett F. HalTison. Published by Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1970, 251 pages. Price $2.95. Reviewed by Rev. Fred Van Houten, pastor of the Ninth St. CRC of Holland, Mich.
This book was first published in 1949 and was entitled The Sons of God among the Sons of Men. Meditations on the Gospel 0f John. The subtitle currently is “Biographical Preaching from the Gospel of John.” The author follows the Fourth Gospel in giving a biographical chapter on the following persons; John the Baptist, Andrew, Simon Peter, Nathaniel, Nicodemus, the Woman of Samaria, the Impotent Man, the Woman Taken in Adultery, the Man Born Blind, Lazarus, Martha, Mary of Bethany, Judas, Pilate, Mary Magdalene, Thomas, and John the Apostle. However, these are considered particularly with respect to their relationship to Jesus.
The author is professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary and is editor-in-chief of Baker’s Dictionary of Theology. He has succeeded in writing a readable book for the common man, while at the same time imparting good instruction from his knowledge of the manuscripts. In a commendable manner he discusses the textual difficulties with such passages as John 5:4 about the troubling of the waters at the Pool of Bethesda, and John 8 with the story of the woman taken in adultery.
Some of these biographies are better than others. Particularly stimulating is the one of Mary of Bethany. It is very obvious throughout that Dr. Harrison has a high conception of Scripture and docs not wander away from the Bible narratives, even though he makes relevant applications.
In this reviewer’s opinion tile book would he more stimulating and effective had the author indicated his logic by an outline of the teachings or lessons in each biography. It is good reading but could be somewhat more valuable for “biographical preaching.”