“Plain Mr Knox” by Elizabeth Whitley; Paperback 45p. Scottish Reformation Society
The 24th November, 1972, will mark the 400th anniversary of the death of John Knox and this book, first published in 1960, has been reprinted by the Scottish Reformation Society as part of their contribution towards the commemoration of that event. As might perhaps be gathered from the title the author has not written an exhaustive and detailed biography comparable to McCrie’s “Life of John Knox”, but she nevertheless shows that she is master of her subject and, clearly after much research, has striven to present a true, factual, account of Knox’s life and labours. She writes throughout in a most sympathetic manner and with a literary style that grips the attention of the reader and sustains his interest from beginning to end. While not necessarily agreeing with the author’s sentiments in every respect we have no hesitation in recommending it to all who read this brief note. We heartily wish her book a wide circulation. J. MacL.
The Grace of God in the Gospel: Banner of Truth; Paperback 137 pages, 30p.
This paperback, written by four Oxford under-graduates, makes informative and heart-searching reading. The aim of the authors is to present and expound what they believe are the basic truths of the Christian Gospel, demonstrating these from the teaching of Scripture, and showing some of the ways in which these truths are being diverted and misapplied. They have effectively achieved their aim. The Introduction to the book states that the idea of being saved from wrath has been lost in the polite re-wording of much Biblical truth. The Church is much given to talk of unity, but the authors believe that there can be no real unity without Truth as a basic presupposition. The book ‘is the restating of a very old, well-formulated doctrine, which finds expression, for instance, in the 39 Articles and the Westminster Confession’. Our final authority, says the book, must be the Scriptures alone, which contain many warnings against false gospels. The authors are convinced that much modern preaching which purports to be evangelical falls short of Scriptural teaching, and has little in common with the example of the Master Evangelist, the Lord Jesus Christ.
With the Lord’s blessing, this little book could be the means of correcting some of the mistaken views held among many professing Christians, and of informing them of the Truth as it is in Jesus.
M. MacL.