Scottish Theology in relation to Church History since the Reformation. John MacLeod D.D. Banner of Truth Trust and Knox Press.
These Lectures were delivered in 1939 in the Westminster Theological Seminary, U.S.A., and were first published in 1943. A reprint came later, and now we have the third edition of this well-known volume of Lectures. The Lectures were highly appreciated at the time of their delivery, and onwards. They are known by those most competent to judge as being readable, and informative. If some portions are more difficult than other portions, an endeavour should be made to grasp, as far as one is able, the substance set forth.
We may note a few of the subjects which in a special way caught our attention. Dr. MacLeod in dealing with the life and labours of Samuel Rutherford shows Rutherford’s evangelical experience of the covenant of grace in portions quoted at length from “Christ Dying and Drawing Sinners to Himself,” and from “The Trial and Triumph of Faith.” Thomas Halyburton is described as an outstanding Theological teacher (p 117). Dr MacLeod supplies a lengthy quotation from Halyburton’s own account of his conversion, and adds, “It is a pity to have to abridge a document so sane and so well-balanced. I refer you to its unabridged form.”
It is needless here to give any shortened account of the “Marrow” controversy. The best course is to follow Dr MacLeod’s account. It is pointed out that the “Marrow” teaching was vulnerable, although not intended to be so. Principal Hadow of St Andrews, the leader in the attack on the teaching of the “Marrow” did not come well out of the controversy. Dr MacLeod refers to Rev. D. Beaton’s article on the “Marrow Controversy,” in the Proceedings of The Scottish Church History Society. He states that the article was a competent one. We recall that Mr Beaton, who was himself a recognised authority in the sphere of Church History, was much pleased with these Lectures of Dr MacLeod.
In pointing out a few other cases, we may not overlook the account, given of Dr John Duncan. The reproduction in full of one of his table addresses is supplied by Dr MacLeod. Then there is the subject of Dr R. S. Candlish’s Cunningham Lecture. Dissatisfaction was inevitably expressed with his view of the adoption of true believers. While Dr Candlish went doctrinally astray, likely in manifesting more zeal than knowledge, yet, Dr MacLeod gives him the place of being “a fine evangelical in his preaching (p. 272).”
It is not needful to mention more concerning these well-known Lectures. May the perusal of them be beneficial to those who are not already familiar with them. There is an excellent Index.
D. A. Macf.
The Reformed Pastor. Banner of Truth Trust. Price 65p.
The Banner of Truth have republished this classic in paperback form and in doing so have made readily available what has been called “the best manual of the clergyman’s duty in the language.” As may be gathered from the Introduction written by J. I. Packer, Richard Baxter, in his day, earnestly and zealously laboured for the conversion of souls under his own pastoral care and his way of doing so is commended, in this book, to fellow labourers. It would be well if all in our day who profess to be called to the ministry would deeply imbibe the spirit of this book. We have no doubt that it would have the effect of producing ‘reformed’ pastors indeed!
We heartily recommend it to all who value their own souls, and the souls of others, and whose desire is that they, and others, would be more deeply impressed by the solemn realities of eternity.
J. MacL.
The Nonsuch Professor by William Secker. Zoar Publications. 150 pp. Price 85p.
This book is written in an epigrammatic style and therefore must be given careful attention if its valuable contents are to be appreciated. The subject matter deals with the nature of genuine Christianity as distinct from that which is merely superficial. Secker, one of the Puritans, gives the characteristic and thorough treatment of his subject that one expects from this era.
Although this book is written with all classes of Christians in view, true believers as well as nominal, there is no doubt that the book will be read and appreciated by the serious minded, by those well instructed and the more mature Christian. The searching nature of much of the book, though not so popular in this superficial age, nevertheless follows the Scriptural exhortation, “Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith.” 2 Cor. 13:5. Thus on the subject of repentance Secker says, “It is an unfavourable symptom if you can wipe away your tears from your eyes before God has washed away guilt from your conscience. It is better to travel to heaven sadly, than to hell securely,” (P. 49).
The book has, however, much to say that exalts the glories of the Redeemer, to gladden and cheer God’s afflicted and poor people; e.g., “It was his going into the furnace which keeps us from the flames,” (P. 65) and “Though Jesus Christ has altered his condition, yet he hath not changed his affection.” (P. 56).
There is also much wise counsel and much exhortation to arouse the believer to his responsibilities. “What could Jesus do more than die for us? and what can we do less than live to him?” (P. 106). This sums up the real aim of the book. What could be more relevant to this lukewarm generation?
E.R.
Rome — Our Enemy by Clifford Smyth (Obtainable from UPIB, 65 Martinez Avenue, Belfast BT5 5LY at 45p including postage).
Within the compass of a small book the author sketches the history of Ireland, with more than half the book given to the period 1916-74.
He begins with what, on the face of it, seems a startling statement — “The fact is that the church of Rome is behind the present unrest (in Ulster), the murders, the bombings and the shootings.” By the time the reader has laid down the book, he is left in little doubt that the author has proved his point. Quoting mainly from Roman Catholic sources, he exposes the blatant “bloody hand” behind the smooth words of the Romish hierarchy from the Pope downwards. We have presented to us the strange spectacle of dedicated Communists, who are also “good” Roman Catholics, even to the extent of a member of the IRA receiving the Apostolic blessing from the Pope while engaged in “gun-running” from a Communist country.
One of the sinister facts brought to light is the millions of pounds spent on Roman Catholic schools in Ulster — schools in which history is taught by bigoted Jesuit priests assisted by nuns with such a Roman Catholic bias as cannot escape notice. Bernadette Devlin he sites, on her own confession, as a typical product of these schools where sedition and terrorism are openly taught, and where the solution of the “Irish problem” is taught to be a complete take over of Ulster for the church of Rome by terrorism, intimidation and murder.
The author brings clearly to light the anti-Protestant bent of the mass-media. The IRA receive maximum publicity while Protestant extremists (so called), are given but scant opportunity to speak on TV or radio in defence of their principles. The difference between “official” and “provisional” IRA is exposed as the myth that it is. One quotation from a Roman Catholic source will prove this — “Even if the provisionals were wiped out tomorrow by the British Army, another army is standing in the shadows ready to pursue the battle.”
The author quite rightly castigates the British governments of both parties for their so called “neutral” attitude. Considering that, up to the time of writing, 231 British soldiers have been killed by Roman Catholics and one by Protestant extremists, it is not strange that he should do so.
The following quotation from an RC source brings to light their real attitude. “The woes of Ireland are due to one single cause — the existence of Protestantism in Ireland. The remedy can only be found in the removal of that which causes the evil.”
Much the same sentiments are expressed by a “Father” Watson, quoted by the “Spectator” as saying, “How do you bring a Unionist government to its knees unless you bomb them out?”
The only solution to the problem of Ulster in the eyes of the author, is a spiritual one. “Ireland needs God-fearing men of vision, who are well read in the scriptures and ready to engage the enemy of souls.”
Much of the blame for the passive attitude to Roman Catholicism he lays at the door of the ecumenically minded churches — “The modernistic teaching in the theological colleges, has sponsored many clerical ‘brethren’ who are out of sympathy with basic Protestant principles.”
As in the rest of the UK there are in Ulster also “evangelicals” who profess salvation and the new birth, temporising with the priests of Rome.
The author traces the connection between Scotland and Ulster at the time of the reformation. “Ulster was part of that larger Protestant triumph, but many have grown weary. There has been a falling away from the faith.” The whole conflict in Ireland is summed up well, “The partition in Ireland is a fundamental partition; the partition between the open Bible and a pure evangelical faith, and the power that would draw us back again into a dense darkness from which there has been merciful deliverance.”
He concludes with the hope that God will once more arise to plead His own cause, not only in Ulster, but world-wide. I have failed to find any trace of bias or extremism in this book. It is a startling little book, but the facts of our spiritual decadence as a nation are startling, and this is a timely reminder that Rome is still our enemy.
D.J.M.