Ellicott’s Bible Commentary.
Pickering & Inglis. Price £4.20.
There was a pretty well-known Bible Commentary of quite a few volumes issued in bygone years. Dr Ellicott was the editor, and he had a number of helpers. This Commentary is now issued in an abridged form under the editorship of Dr. Bowdle, who had also a number of helpers in getting this One-Vol. edition issued. One ventures to remark that, if Dr. Ellicott had personally been able to attend to the Commentary under his name, then it would have had the spirit and outlook of his expository commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians, etc. His helpers appear to have had a free hand, and almost to have been sheltered by him.
(1) As to this One-Vol. Commentary, one need only turn to Psalm 51 to see how things are. On p. 426 it is admitted that it must remain one of the penitential Psalms, but the emphasis is really laid on its being “the voice of the people of Israel deploring, during the exile, its ancient errors and sins?” The comment on v. 4, is “This can refer to nothing but a breach of the covenant-relation by the nation at large.”
Over against this, anyone specially interested should endeavour to get Dr. Moody-Stuart’s book, “The Bible true to itself.” From p. 471-p. 504, he handles the Davidic authorship of the Psalm. This part of his book was issued as a pamphlet, and is likely now almost impossible to get. It might be well to consider a reprint of it.
(2) On p. 449, comments are given on Ps. 110, where it is stated that, at first sight, the authorship, etc., are even removed from the region of criticism, by the use made of its first verse by our Lord, and the emphatic manner in which He quotes it as divinely-inspired, etc. “…But it is now generally admitted, that in matters of literature and criticism, our Lord did not withdraw Himself from the conditions of His time, and that the application He made of current opinions and beliefs does not necessarily stamp them with the seal of divine authorization.”
The commentator thinks that the best period regarding the authorship of Ps. 110 is “that of the Asmonean Jonathan and his successors. (I Macc. 11:57)”. This One-Vol. Bible Commentary is not to be recommended. How the Song of Solomon is understood, and other portions, as the last chapter of the Book of Malachi, regarding the term “Sun of Righteousness,” can be ascertained by any who are specially interested in studying the volume.
D. A. MacF.
Commentary on Romans.
Charles Hodge. Banner of Truth Trust. 458pp.
The author of this recent addition to the valuable Geneva series of Commentaries requires no introduction to readers of the Magazine. He has long been acknowledged as a prince of theologians and commentators, and this volume bears this out. It is a monumental work, which will, however, bring its own reward to the diligent reader, for, as a reviewer, in a recent copy of the Magazine, remarked, in a similar vein, regarding a volume on Chapter 6 of this very Epistle, by another scholarly author—if he finds the going heavy, in perusing this book, let him persevere prayerfully. He will thus learn much that is invaluable about this great Epistle, whose doctrine, rightly understood, contributed so much to the success of the Reformation.
After a very useful Introduction, each chapter of the Epistle is thoroughly dealt with, under the following divisions:
1. Contents, which the author divides into parts.
2. Each part is then sub-divided into the following:
a. Analysis.
b. Commentary, verse by verse.
c. Doctrine.
d. Remarks.
Even such a brief description gives some idea of the scope of the work, but only a perusal of the book itself will give the reader a realisation of the thoroughness of the treatment of the text of this important New Testament book.
This Commentary is a scholarly work: the many quotations from other works give evidence of this. Much of the benefit of these quotations, however, for the reader without a knowledge of Latin, is lost, since the majority of these are left untranslated. This seems a pity, but one can understand this feature of the work, when we remember that it is a reprint of an edition of 1864. The modern reader, in this category, may well regret having to pass by such passages, especially when names like Owen and Calvin are often appended.
This apart, then, the work is one which deserves a place on the shelves of minister and people alike.
A. M. C.
Counterfeit Miracles
by B. B. Warfield. Banner of Truth Trust. Paperback. 327pp. Price 50p.
This is a reprint of a book first published in 1918. It deals with such subjects as—Cessation of the Charismata, Roman Catholic Miracles, Irvingite Gifts and Faith Healing, among others.
The author shows the fallacy of many of the arguments urged in favour of the “gifts” and comes to the conclusion “that the powers of working miracles was not extended beyond the disciples upon whom the Apostles conferred it by the imposition of their hands.” This chapter is particularly useful at a time when so many claim special gifts. The chapter on Roman Catholic miracles is very informative, and Warfield shows how “suggestion” plays a large part in the “miracles” at Lourdes and such places. It is to be regretted that he states in the chapter on Faith Healing that Mark 16:17-18 is a spurious passage. Warfield does grant that many learned men, such as Dean Burgon, have disputed its “spuriousness.” Apart from this point upon which he has laid a great deal of weight, the chapter is a helpful one.
In all, apart from the reference to Mark 16:17-18 indicated above, the book is timely and should prove helpful in confronting the claims made by Roman Catholics and some Protestant groups.
M. MacL.