This 8-page pamphlet has recently been issued by the Trinitarian Bible Society. It has been prepared by Andrew J. Brown and is in reply to an article by Prof. D. MacLeod which appeared in the February issue of the Evangelical Times on the question of the received text. A similar article by Prof. MacLeod appeared in the January issue of the Free Church Record.
Copies of the pamphlet may be obtained from the Trinitarian Bible Society, 217 Kingston Road, London, SW19 3NN.
D.B.M.
The Way of Life by Charles Hodge. Banner of Truth Trust. £1.25.
In an age when there is no small degree of confusion regarding the nature of true religion, the reproduction of this invaluable paper-back, is a most welcome and timely contribution to our bookshelves. A better
book on the subject of Christian belief and experience could hardly be found. To any, seriously enquiring after the way of life we heartily recommend this sane — safe — sound — solemn and instructive work. It was evidently written by one deeply taught of God, and endowed with a capability to arrange his thoughts on his subject with clarity, precision, and spiritual poise. In Hodge’s treatment of this intricate yet basic topic relating to the faith and experience of the child of God, we find nothing extreme or superficial, but much that is decidedly searching, helpful and edifying. The very arrangement and sequence of the chapters give ample indication of a compound of gracious fidelity, tenderness, and spiritual expertise, on the part of the author. Such a composition from the pen of this great theologian and humble servant of God and the Church, merits prayerful perusal, and the widest possible circulation. What a mercy there is a ‘Way of Life’ to write and read about!
F.M.
Hebrews by Geoffrey B. Wilson. Banner of Truth Trust. £1.25.
With no less than one hundred works of reference consulted, the author of this Digest of Commentary on Hebrews might well be expected to distil the best wine for the spiritual palate. Some would no doubt concede that he has succeeded in doing so. Personally, we hesitate to give G.B. Wilson this encomium. That does not mean that the book is not worth reading. Naturally, with such a superfluity of authors to quote from, there are excellent and most enlightening comments even on extremely difficult passages. The frequency with which Dr. Owen’s name appears, speaks for itself, but there seems to be a lack of fluency in the attempt to fuse the varied comments together. It may well be that the nature and structure of this Epistle does not lend itself to this kind of welding of thoughts from so many different minds. Quite frequently the reader is left puzzled after reading what is ostensibly the best comment on a certain verse. Perhaps it would have been better if the paragraph rather than the verse had been taken as a unit, and commented upon. Whatever the reason, we feel that the skill to weave the diverse strands of thought has eluded the writer as far as Hebrews is concerned.
F.M.
Galatians by Geoffrey B. Wilson. Banner of Truth Trust. £1.25.
The closing sentence of the author’s Introduction seems to sum up the design and tone of this Digest of Reformed Commentary. Speaking of
Paul’s care for the purity of the Gospel, and the safety of his readers, he aptly concludes in the following words — “In days of widespread doctrinal decline, one would do well to remember that there can be no pastoral concern for the souls of men without a similar zeal to maintain and defend the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” The writer’s attitude thus expressed determines and explains the polemical quality of select comments skilfully woven together into one, insofar as that is possible. Galatians is not an easy Epistle to understand, and requires prayerful and careful study. To be acquainted with the contents of this miniature Commentary will no doubt help to elucidate the meaning of the Epistle as a whole, and shed light on the more difficult passages. While the proper connotation of specific terms and phrases increases the value of the book, perhaps the most pleasing feature is the devotional element. Any disagreement with the author, we found more adapted to make us think again, than to foster a spirit of criticism and alienation. The use of Authorised Standard Version and other versions is not intended to call in question the peerless superiority of the Authorised Version. At least, this is our impression. It is never the author’s intention to use a translation subversive of the truth, or calculated to pander to falling contemporary tastes and standards.
F.M.
1st Corinthians by Geoffrey B. Wilson. Banner of Truth Trust. £1.50.
The extensive range of the varied doctrines and topics dealt with in this Epistle is well known to those who study the Word of God. The subjects treated are of vital importance and of abiding relevance for the church in every age. With the arrival and preference for situational ethics, the need for, and the value of this Epistle is increased rather than decreased. The comments on the Epistle culled from so many different sources are replete with good matter, and provide us with a mine of information in very small compass. With such a diversity of subject matter and authors, this book makes interesting reading. A useful synopsis at the beginning of each chapter, is followed by the rich spoils of terse and diversified comments from well-known Theologians, Commentators and Greek Scholars. These are not only linked together by the author, who has the peculiar gift of finding the proper blend, but interspersed with his own contributions. We do find a certain degree of ambiguity in places, but this deficiency is rare, and should not deter us from a fair-minded reading of a Digest that contains so much that is stimulating, edifying and instructive.
F.M.
2nd Corinthians by G. B. Wilson, Banner of Truth Trust. £1.50.
This little book on 2nd Corinthians follows the pattern of the work previously reviewed. It has intrinsic worth as part of the Canon of Scripture, and special interest, because of its relation to 1st Corinthians. The comments strung together are suggestive and thought provoking. Contributions from Calvin perhaps deserve special mention for soundness and solidity. A most pleasing feature is the amount of light cast on difficult verses so often abused by errorists and modernists, to form a basis for some erroneous theory. On the other hand we found some startling comments. In some ways the book is academic, yet never beyond the average intelligence of the earnest reader. To purchase and possess a copy of G. B. Wilson on 2nd Corinthians, is to have easy access to a wide and varied range of thoughts on the Epistle.
F.M.