The Epistles of Paul — Fergusson, and Hebrews — Dickson. Banner of Truth Trust.
During the glorious period of the Second Reformation, when Scotland was as a field which the Lord had blessed, a number of God’s labourers in that field agreed on a plan to furnish short commentaries on the whole Bible. Initiated by David Dickson, the project was to have included Samuel Rutherford on Isaiah and Hosea, George Hutcheson on the other Minor Prophets and John, and Dickson himself on the Psalms, Matthew and Hebrews. Although the scheme was never completed, the volumes which were produced form as valuable a legacy of practical exegesis as can be found in any age since Calvin.
James Fergusson’s contribution, consisting of expositions of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 and 2 Thessalonians, led Spurgeon to describe him as a “grand, gracious, savoury divine”, while Rutherford informed Dickson from Aberdeen where his commentary was first printed: “Yours on the Hebrews is in great request with all who would be acquainted with Christ’s Testament”.
Fergusson’s treatment of Paul’s Epistles is systematic, theologically profound, and rich in experimental and practical comment. A lucid summary, both of each epistle in general and of each chapter in
particular, precedes a verse by verse commentary, followed by excellent practical observations. A sample of Fergusson’s gems may whet the reader’s appetite for the whole volume: On Galatians 1:5, he remarks: “There is no less required than a succession of ages to ages; yea, and eternity’s leisure, to ascribe glory to God . . . The glory of the Redeemer, and of God who sent His Son to do that work, shall be the long-lasting and never-ending song of the redeemed ones through millions of imaginable ages, even to all eternity.” From Ephesians 5:2 he exhorts: “This love of Christ to us ought to be a pattern and copy to which we are to be conformed in our love towards others: and therefore our love ought to be free, for so was His (John 15:6); it ought to be fruitful, for so was His (Gal. 1:4); it ought to be constant, for so was His (John 13:1); it ought to be discreet, not encouraging or humouring the person beloved in sin, for so was His (Matt. 16:23).” Timothy’s zeal, commended in Phil. 2:20-22, evokes the comment: “So near is the relation betwixt Christ and the Church . . . that both their concernments are one; what concerneth them concerneth Him. So the undertaking of so long a journey for the advantage of the Church at Philippi, which all declined except Timotheus only, is here called a “seeking the things of Jesus Christ”. The danger of heresy and how to avoid it are beautifully set forth in his remarks on Col. 2:8-9: “Christians are Christ’s flock, and the doctrine of the Gospel a sheep-fold, wherein so long as they remain, they are safe . . . There is nothing more effectual for making us adhere to Christ and truth, than the consideration of that worth and fulness which is in Him.” Happy parishioners of Kilwinning, to have had such a Christ-exalting pastor!
Dickson’s commentary partakes of the same deep theological learning and rich spiritual unction as those of his brother minister, though with characteristic humility he describes his own style merely as a “short and plain manner of writing”. His deliberate conciseness aims at presenting the great truths of this epistle as “grains of seed, to get their fruit” in the reader’s mind “by meditation”. Such grains as the following would yield a good harvest in both sermons and lively believers under the blessing of the Holy Spirit: “As the Son is above the servants, so is Christ above the prophets.” “The glory of the Gospel is greater than the glory of the law” (1:2). “There are two evils which attend the children of God to annoy them — to wit, troubles and sin . . . Christ hath experience . . . of temptation to sin, and of suffering of trouble”; therefore, he concludes, “No bearing out under trials, or standing in temptations, but by succour and help from Christ” (2:18). “As Melchizedek was first King of Righteousness and then King of Peace in the type, so is Christ in truth,
in this order: first, King of Righteousness to His subjects, to take away their sins and to give them righteousness; and then King of Peace, because He giveth them His peace, as the fruit of righteousness. This is the order of His kingdom: righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (7:2).
The present edition is a photo-litho reprint of the 1841 edition, and is very well bound. £6.00 is little to pay for such a treasure of the best Scottish divinity. The commentary is obtainable from the Church Book-room.
J.M.B.
Notes and Comments
Anarchy
A tidal wave of anarchy appears to be sweeping over the nation. One section after another of workers have been striking in support of higher pay claims. The damage done to the country, the inconvenience caused to millions of their fellow-countrymen and even in some cases, the danger to human life seems to have weighed little with those who are militantly pursuing their own ends. The strike weapon, which was supposed to have been a means of righting gross injustice, has now become a potent means to national self-destruction. The cause of all this is not far to seek. It is to be found in the human heart.
How is the situation to be remedied? It is by a return to the Word of God. It is only when the nation will return to the Bible and take the Bible as its guide in all departments of national life that we can hope for a change for the better. When that time comes men will find in the Bible a divinely-given blue print for labour relations. What clear statements on this issue we find in Ephesians 6:5-9 and in Colossians 3:22-25 and 4:1. Until then, that blue print lies there unused and disregarded while men in their folly try to devise better schemes of their own. What a reflection on the wisdom of this generation is its inability to provide any alternative means for the settlement of pay disputes besides the destructive weapon of the strike.
Devaluation of Human Life
Many factors have been at work in recent years bringing about a greater and greater disregard for human life. It does not seem so very long ago when a callous attitude, especially to the sick and the dying, would bring a feeling of revulsion and indignation to the minds of ordinary people. The actions and attitudes of ordinary people such as
ambulance men and hospital porters in recent industrial troubles show how far things have declined in a very short time.
Why should this be? We think the root cause of it is the humanistic philosophy that has become prevalent in our day. According to this philosophy man is no longer regarded as accountable to God but only to himself. On the basis of this philosophy new attitudes have been developed and a humanistic morality (if it can be called morality) has been substituted for the divine law. As it is founded on a lie — that man was not created by God, that man is the maker of his own destiny and that man after death will cease to exist — it need come as no surprise to us that such a philosophy has produced many monsters. Some of these are already on our Statute Book in the Acts of Parliament abolishing the death penalty, legalising sodomy, legalising abortion, permitting divorce on grounds not sanctioned by Scripture, and similar measures. The question of legalising euthanasia is being pursued vigorously by the holders of this philosophy, as well as an attempt made to have a new and revolutionary attitude adopted towards crime and punishment which would eliminate any concept of guilt. In these matters they are not without having some success.
What is the remedy to turn this tide of atheistic unbelief? Nothing short of the power of the Holy Spirit will do it. When He, the Spirit of truth, is come “He will convince the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment”. When that takes place the sinner can no longer deny responsibility and accountability because he has the witness of the convicting arrows of the Almighty in his own soul assuring him that there is a God and that he is under condemnation. May such a day of God’s convincing and converting power come to this sin-darkened land of ours.
Kiltearn School Case
The case of Mr Ian Macdonald, the headmaster of Kiltearn School aroused nation-wide interest. The fact that it arose out of Mr Macdonald’s refusal to give time within school hours for pupils to rehearse for a carol concert makes the case of very great importance for teachers and headmasters holding similar views to Mr Macdonald. The case also raises important issues so far as the conscientious rights of individuals are concerned as well as the question of the extent of the headmaster’s authority. The decision of the Committee which will hear Mr Macdonald’s appeal is awaited with deep interest.
Scottish Referendum
A matter profoundly affecting Scotland’s future will be decided on
March 1st when the people of Scotland will go to the polls to decide whether or not a Scottish Assembly should be set up. If the answer to the Referendum is Yes, it will involve a constitutional change of considerable magnitude, even although it stops short of total independence. It could even be a stepping stone to outright independence.
The question of importance to us is how this change will affect the Church in Scotland, if it should come about. Will it ensure the continued national recognition of the Protestant religion in Scotland or will it put it more in jeopardy than ever? It is our firm belief that in the event of the Scottish Assembly being set up, the Roman Catholic Church will more and more exert its influence upon the Assembly and throughout the nation at large. At present the R.C. Church is able to exert considerable influence in the high places of the land although the percentage of Roman Catholics in Britain as over against the rest of the population is comparatively small. The percentage of Roman Catholics in Scotland is much higher than that for the whole of the British Isles and Roman Catholic influence will increase many fold.
So far as the Protestant Church in Scotland is concerned, there is the danger that it will succumb to the subtle influences of ecumenism and Romanist intrigue and return to the arms of the Harlot of Rome. Protestant sentiment has become so weak that it has little power to resist the blandishments of Rome. When that time comes — and it may not be very far distant — where will the true Church of Christ be? No doubt, harried upon the mountains as in Covenanting times, its followers meeting in secret places at the peril of their lives.
This may appear today too exaggerated an account of the dangers facing the true Church in Scotland. Future events, however, may reveal, unless God in His mercy will intervene, that these apprehensions of danger were very mild in comparison to what actually will take place should Rome re-assert her dominion, even for a short season, over Scotland of the Covenants.
Islamic Revival
The resurgence of Islam in many nations in the Middle East is a factor that can no longer be overlooked. In recent times Pakistan and now Iran or Persia have set up Islamic States. This cannot but have a detrimental effect on Christian Mission work in those lands. The religion of the false prophet which has been quiescent for a long period of time, seems to be girding on its armour again to extend as it did in Mohammed’s day and for centuries afterwards by fire and sword Mohammed’s kingdom.
This revival of Islam ought to make us more earnest in pleading for the downfall of this part of Satan’s kingdom. How many souls are benighted under the influence of the religion of Mohammed and the Koran. Only the Gospel of God’s grace can rescue them from their plight. May the day be hastened when the Gospel will liberate these sin-darkened souls from the blight of a false religion.