Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit by C. H. Spurgeon. Vols. 32-37.
Banner of Truth Trust. Price 25/- per volume. (Also available in leather binding at 42/- per volume.)
The Banner of Truth Trust, which republished the first six volumes of Spurgeon’s Sermons in 1963/4 under the title of “New Park Street Pulpit”, have now embarked on a more ambitious project — the republishing of the volumes of the “Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit”. They begin with the last six volumes of Spurgeon’s lifetime as they consider that these contain some of his finest work.
We would say of Spurgeon what Spurgeon himself says of Luther — “He needs no trumpeter.” His sermons have been issued and re-issued so often that the total number of copies can be estimated not in tens or hundreds of thousands, but in millions. Their popularity, in this instance, is an indication of their quality and usefulness. They have an abiding usefulness which a century of use has by no means exhausted.
The volume sent to us for review (Vol. 32) is a sizeable book of over 700 pages and contains excellent sermons on a great variety of topics. Titles such as — The Dying Thief in a New Light (Luke 23 : 40-42) — The problem of the Age (Mark 8 : 4) — The Three Hours’ Darkness (Matt. 27 : 45) — Zealous, but Wrong (Rom. 10 : 1-3) — The Great Sin of Doing Nothing (Num. 32 : 23) — Our Sympathizing High Priest (Heb. 5 : 7-10) — may give an indication of what one may expect to find in this volume. The sermons are awakening, searching, edifying and eminently practical. There is much here for both the saint and the sinner. We gladly recommend this volume and also the other five volumes, which we understand to be of a similar quality.
Volumes 32 and 33 were issued in November 1969; Volumes 34 and 35 are to be issued in February 1970; and Volumes 36 and 37 in April 1970 (D.V.).
Galatians by Dr William Hendriksen. Banner of Truth Trust. Price 21/-.
We are deeply indebted to Dr William Hendriksen for this very well written Commentary on Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians. The name of William Hendriksen should now be sufficient to secure for any of his works a favourable reception in evangelical circles.
Here is a book especially for those who, while fully recognising the need for scholarly and erudite productions of this kind, are so often disturbed and disappointed with the irrelevant and irreverent speculations of the majority of contemporary pseudo-commentators. In this Commentary, real scholarship and untainted orthodoxy equip the writer for the task of expounding the contents of this great Epistle, in a reverent, lively, and devotional manner. The way in which the author faces, and explains, the difficulties of language, criticism and exposition, manifests his skill and ability in these fields.
The actual verse by verse commentary is preceded by a most thorough, informative and interesting Introduction, written in a refreshing and up-to-date manner. As well as dealing with such questions as the importance — theme — date — and authorship, it includes a condensed but lucid statement of the main theme of the Epistle. This in turn is followed by an attractive and well-divided summary of the content of the Letter.
The writer’s own translation of the Greek text indicates an extensive knowledge of that language, and enables him to bring out the original nuances and emphases otherwise veiled to the ordinary reader. His erudition is evident, but never obtrusive.
We think that there are three features which call for special mention.
- (1) Dr Hendriksen’s peculiar ability to anticipate, propound and answer the kind of questions likely to occur to the thoughtful reader. This he accomplishes, without pandering to idle curiosity and conjecture.
- (2) The gift of applying the Apostolic teaching and its lessons to present day circumstances in the church and in the world. This he does in a most helpful, and elucidating way.
- (3) The author’s uninhibited use of simple and happy illustrations, suggestions, and contrasts.
These are merits which at once serve to facilitate the reading of the Commentary, and greatly enhance its value.
The prayerful and proper use of the Commentary should, under the blessing of the Holy Spirit, enable ministers and interested laymen to penetrate more deeply into the meaning of Scripture, and share with the author the precious treasures of the Lively Oracles.
FRASER MACDONALD.
Commenting and Commentaries by C. H. Spurgeon. Banner of Truth Trust. Price 15/-.
This useful reference book, like other Banner of Truth publications, is well produced. The first 32 pages contain two lectures by Spurgeon, one on Commentaries and the other on Commenting. The main body of the book, consisting of 165 pages, gives a catalogue of Biblical Commentaries and Expositions, while the remainder of the book is taken up with a complete textual index to Spurgeon’s sermons.
The catalogue is not meant to be an exhaustive list of the Commentaries available in Spurgeon’s day, but a sufficiently comprehensive one to meet the needs of the average minister of the Gospel. The selection of books on which Spurgeon gives his judgment amounts in all to a total of 1,437 volumes. The books most heartily commended are printed in large dark type, second quality works in medium size light type and third quality in small light type, so rendering it possible to read off at a glance which commentaries are the best. It is heartening to notice that Scottish commentators, in general, have fared very well at Spurgeon’s hands.
We warmly recommend this reference book to ministers, divinity students and all Bible students as a worthwhile purchase.