The well-being of a church, as well as of a nation, is in jeopardy when, as in the day of the judges in Israel, every man does that which is “right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). The classic passage calling for good government in the church is I Corinthians 14:40, “But let all things be done decently and in order.”

church of our Lord Jesus Christ which He purchased with His own precious blood. In t his also, t here are books which those in church office cannot afford to be without, for example, The Revised Church Order Commentary by Van Dellen and Monsma. Recently, two valuable books have appeared to which attention should be called. Ministers, elders, and deacons will find it profitable to buy them, to read them, and also to consult them frequently. Does this mean that these books are only for those in church office? By no means. The more who get and read these books, the better.

1. The first volume to be recommended is the 1979 Manual of Christian Reformed Church Government by William P. Brink (Stated Clerk of the CRC) and Richard R. De Ridder (Professor of Church Polity at Calvin Seminary). 347 pages. Price $3.95. It may be ordered from the Board of Publications of the CRC, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49560.

Throughout the years, the CRC has made a host of decisions regulating her life, practices, and government. These decisions are recorded annually in the Acts of Synod. The value of this Manual is that it collates and interprets all these decisions and also places them immediately at one’s fingertips whenever the need for this arises. Under each of the 96 Articles of the Church Order the relevant decisions and their interpretation are presented. With the aid of the General Index, finding the material on any particular question is an easy matter. At the meetings of Consistory, Classis, and Synod, as well as for other occasions, one can locate at once whatever decision the church has adopted on the matter in question.

Authors Brink and De Ridder have been busy with the preparation of this Manual for three years. Because of the ongoing decision–making by the annual synods of the CRC, the writers grant that a manual of this kind becomes out-of-date as soon as or even before it leaves the press.

Due recognition is in order to Rev. John L. Schaver, Rev. Howard B. Spaan, Albert B. Lewen, and M. H. De Vroome for similar publications on church polity and compilations of decisions by Schaver and Spaan and Indexes of the decisions by Lewen and De Vroome. The works of these men have served the church well but they do not go beyond 1976.

To bring us as near up–to-date as possible this new Manual is a welcome contribution. Moreover, the authors inform us that: “Present projections call for revisions of the volume to appear every few years in order to keep the contents up–to–date. An annual, cumulative index incorporating decisions of intervening synods will be made available between editions.”

Frequently those in church office need to know how to deal with special circumstances that call for action. For example, how does one go about the organization of a new congregation? Or, what is the synodically approved form for the incorporation of congregations of the CRC? Or again, how should we deal with those who are caught up in the charismatic or neo–Pentecostal movement? What are we to say about the claim of some to a special “baptism with the Holy Spirit as a second blessing”? What are the proper forms to use for a Letter of Call, Transfers of Membership, Statements of Dismission, etc? Answer are immediately available in this Manual.

One of the questions to be asked in conducting annual Church Visiting is the following: “Does the consistory strive to become familiar with the Church Order and the Acts of Synod and act in accordance with t he Church Order and the decisions of Synod?” Suggestion: see to it that every consistory member is supplied with a copy of this Manual and set aside some time at each meeting or at a special meeting called for this purpose to discuss its contents. The time and cost will be well spent.

2. The other new book, also recommended, is The Elders Handbook (a Practical Guide for Church Leaders) by Gerard Berghoef and Lester De Koster. 303 pages. Christian’s Library Press, P.O. Box 2226, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501 in U.S.A. For Canada, Christian’s Library Press, Box 39, Norwich, Ontario NOJ  lPO. $12.95 plus $1.05 for postage and handling. Michigan residents add 52¢ per book (sales tax).

Dr. Lester De Koster, having served as Editor of The Banner for the past ten years and ow approaching retirement, is well–known throughout the CRC. About his fellow-author, Mr. Gerard Berghoef, the book informs us that he “is a native of the Netherlands, who emigrated to the United States early in the 1950’s. He is presently a furniture manufacturing executive, and has served the CRC as an elder for twelve years.”

It would be a mistake to assume that the style of this book may be too difficult for the average reader to understand. On the contrary, the style is actually so clear and simple as to remind one of the words of the prophet, “he may run that readeth it” (Hab. 2:2). Moreover, the contents are well organized throughout so that there is no difficulty in grasping the guidance the authors give. There is no having to guess at the meaning and no need at all for a too frequent use of the dictionary.

The aim of this Handbook is to serve elders in other denominations as well as those in the CRC. It is gratifying, however, to note that the authors are very much in line with CRC beliefs and practices in the guidance they offer. A disappointing exception to this is their comments about infant baptism. Although the grounds for baptizing infants are stated, it does appear to this reviewer that the authors err when in such a statement as the following they leave this a somewhat open-ended question: “Whether, then, baptism be administered to infants as well as to confessing adults, or only to confessing adults, will depend upon denominational or congregational decision. Know why, and participate in teaching others also.” Obviously, a weak passage in an otherwise valuable Handbook.

Regrettably, the authors also do an injustice to scholarly exegetes whose expertise in interpreting the Bible goes hand in hand with genuine, childlike Christian faith. John Calvin, to whom LDK regularly pays so much homage in his editorials in The Banner, is admittedly preeminent among the experts in his interpretation of Scripture. The outstanding commentaries of our own Dr. William Hendriksen should be found in the libraries of every CRC elder and minister to assist them in their understanding of Scripture.

A knowledge of the original languages in which the Bible was written, although secondary to a simple, Christian faith, is nevertheless a real asset for the interpretation of Scripture. In criticizing scholarship, the authors of this Handbook appear to be throwing the child away with the bathwater.

Even though there is plenty of reason for denouncing professional critics bent upon an outrageous violation of the Bible, one should always recognize the need of the elder as well as anyone else to be guided in his understanding of the Word by experts whose Christian faith as well as their scholarship is beyond dispute.

Although the authors will probably agree with the above, they should carefully avoid even the appearance of tarring all the experts with the same brush. It is no kindness to the elders and laymen to pit them over against “the self–appointed ‘priesthood’ of scholarship” without, at the same time, urging them to get to know and to study the right experts on Scripture and to benefit from their learning.

Paul’s advice to Timothy is valid also for the elder: “Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Even when he was a prisoner and the time of his departure had come, Paul still asked to have his books and especially his parchments brought to him. Obedience and saintliness, however essential they are for interpreting Scripture, are no substitute for reading and careful study in which believing scholars can be of constant help to those who may have no formal training in the original languages and in hermeneutics (the study of the interpretation of the Bible).

Notwithstanding the above strictures, it will be money well spent to furnish every elder with a copy of this Handbook. The work of the elders and the problems with which they have to wrestle are far greater than anyone who never served in this office, will be able to realize.

The Elders Handbook does merit the claim made in its subtitle, “A Practical Guide for Church Leaders.” The book is comprehensive in its coverage and a storehouse of information useful for both experienced and newly–elected elders. It is also Scripturally-based as a glance at the “Index of Scriptural References” reveals. Frequently elders are left groping for a suitable Bible passage when confronted with various situations and questions. The Handbook gives several pages of suggestions in “A Catalog of Useful Texts.” Handsome in its binding, supple for easy handling, with print that is easy to read, this publication is one that deserves a place among other works that church leaders should own. to consult again and again.