The Singing of Psalms in the Worship of God by G.I. Williamson, B.D.
In this booklet, the Author sets out to prove, “that in the worship of God the inspired book of Psalms should be used to the exclusion of the uninspired compositions of men.” He goes on to show in a most satisfactory manner how scriptural his proposition is, proving all his arguments from the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
In an age when uninspired hymns are almost universally used in the worship of God, and the singing of the inspired Psalms of Scripture looked upon as something that belongs to the past, this pamphlet is timely. We recommend it to our readers and specially to our young people, as a convincing argument in establishing our own position as a Church regarding this question. Copies obtainable from:— The Scottish Reformed Fellowship, c/o Frankland, 3, Montpelier Terrace, Edinburgh. Price 10p., Postage extra.
L.M.
“God’s way of Reconciliation” — Studies in Ephesians ch 2 by D. Martin Lloyd-Jones.
This book consists of 33 sermons preached on successive Sabbath mornings at Westminster Chapel, London during Dr. Lloyd-Jones’ ministry there. As the author remarks in his introduction, ‘This is not a commentary as such but as every sermon should be it is exegesis, homiletics and application.’ Indeed we consider this a fair comment on the book though the continuous thread running through the book makes it more than just a book of sermons. The unmistakable message of the chapter from men’s desperate need as sinners ‘dead in trespasses and sin’ and their being ‘children of wrath’, the intervention of God’s grace and mercy in the sending of His Son, resulting in those who were far off being brought nigh by the blood of Christ is succinctly dealt with. The chapter on the “blood of Christ” is particularly edifying and the author does not mince words concerning the ‘bloodless theology’ so prevalent in the visible church in our day. On the plan of salvation he speaks boldly and Scripturally, ‘It is entirely God’s plan, it is entirely due to God’s grace, love and mercy and it is all through the Lord Jesus Christ.’ Having ably dealt with the plan of salvation he goes on to privileges of the children of God — Chapter 21. Peace with God, Chapter 22 Access to the Father through the One Mediator. This point is thoroughly emphasised but not unduly for he rightly so emphasises the One foundation. He clearly enunciates the Christians responsibility and dependence on grace alone. His chapter on ‘Praying in the Spirit’ is at once searching and instructive. On ‘Christian Unity’ he is again fundamental, and shows the falsehood of the prevalent notion of unity. “People who think you can discard the early chapters of Genesis and still have a Gospel are just displaying their ignorance ” the Author says. “Being a Congregationalist his concept of the Church is different from ours and this appears but without radically impairing the worth of the book.
We have no hesitation in heartily recommending the book as a valuable addition to the library of any serious student of the Scriptures. As the author says ‘In an age of confusion, turmoil, violent divisions and wars and at the same time a lingering belief in a false and superficial idealism which maintains that men and nations can be reconciled and peace and concord obtained by the best that is in man, the message of this second chapter of Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians is more needed than ever.’
The Book has 388 pages and is published by the Evangelical Press at £1.80.
D.J. MacD.