“Mark’s Sketchbook of Christ” by Helen C. Tenney. (Banner of Truth Trust, 60p.)
This publication is called a workbook, a term better known to teachers than others, but its purpose is plain. It is intended to help young people obtain a good knowledge of Mark’s Gospel. The Gospel is gone through section by section, questions are asked and space is provided on the large pages for writing in the answers which are obtained simply by reading and thinking about the words of the Gospel itself. Explanatory notes throw light on certain passages, and there are useful maps. Conscientiously used, this book would be of great help to young persons wishing to study this Gospel.
Perhaps a better title could have been found for the workbook. To single out one Gospel as sketchy, carries the risk that some young readers may think of the shortest of the Gospels as less valuable than the others. The author’s explanation of the title, given on p. XI, speaks not of a sketch at all, but of a full portrait done by a rapid technique in chalk rather than paint. The result is not a rough or faint outline, such as a sketch is, but a finished picture. And this, notwithstanding the differences between it and the other Gospels, is what Mark’s book really is.
On p. 14 it is said that the Sabbath should be man’s slave and not his master. Surely this is an extreme manner of describing what God calls “a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable”! On p. 29 the faith of the woman with the issue of blood is spoken of as imperfect because of trust in the magic of touching Jesus. A better comment in our opinion is: “If she had looked to the garment for healing, it would not have been faith, but superstition.” Christ says she had faith, so magic is excluded. On p. 78, 79, in connection with Mark 13, the followers of Christ are given three do’s. The first two should be omitted. All Christ’s followers are not to preach the Gospel, and “speaking in the power of the Holy Spirit” would be the better of being explained before being urged on all and sundry. These few blemishes apart, the book is excellent value for money, and should be helpful to many users.
A.McP.
Sermons (Vol.III) by Pastor J.K. Popham. Price: £1.40.
J.K. Popham was pastor of ‘Galeed’ Chapel, Brighton, England 1882 – 1937. Volume III of his sermons reveals a deep, Spirit-taught, experimental knowledge of vital religion.
For regenerate believers those sermons are fresh, edifying and encouraging. Well acquainted with temptations in his own soul’s experience he shows much spiritual art in helping believers passing through similar fiery trials. While he was not ignorant of Satan’s devices, he knew well the joy of the Lord and His love shed abroad in the heart.
Characteristic of Strict Baptist preaching, he frequently uses the term “the coming sinner” and tenderly encourages such. It appears from his sermons that he would not invite, as our Scottish ministers in better days would, a sinner as a sinner, “dead in trespasses and sins,” to Christ. Judging by the tenor of his sermons, it is doubtful if Popham would agree with Dr. Owen, the eminent Puritan divine, where he writes in “The Word of the Holy Spirit” that “to will to believe is to believe”. His sermons markedly lack the solemn note of warning pervading Alleine’s “Alarm to the Unconverted.”
Though we miss these important matters from his sermons, it is evident that he sought the Glory of God and that he loved precious immortal souls.
Volume III of J.K. Popham’s sermons is a beautifully printed book containing 25 sermons – well bound, price £1.40. Obtainable from:
Mr. O.G. Pearce, 15a Park Avenue South, Harpenden, Herts. England.
Angus Mackay, Tarbert.