JONAH, A Study in Compassion by O. Palmer Robertson.
Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh. 64 pages, £1.50.
The author is presently pastor of Wallace Memorial Church, Hyattsville, Washington, U.S.A. He previously held chairs in Old Testament in three American Theological Seminaries, one of which it should be noted, was Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, U.S.A. The booklet claims to be a study in compassion based on the parallel between the work of Christ on earth and the life of Jonah.
In the reviewer’s opinion that book is totally lacking in reverence to God the Father and to God the Son. For example, on page 42, we read in reference to Jonah 3: 1, “God says, let’s go at it again.” Again on page 61, “Remember that instead of a dead gourd, your Lord had the discomfort of a dead tree.”
One wonders what this one time Professor of Old Testament thinks was happening on the Cross of Calvary.
Another example is to be found on page 24, “Rather than creating trouble for others, Christ bore the judgment of God for sinners.” Further there are numerous pieces of American slang which are best left unquoted.
There is nothing in this booklet which will be of instruction or give spiritual pleasure to true believers — rather the contrary will be the case in view of the language used. There is a stark contrast between this work and that of Dr. Hugh Martin on the same subject where the parallel is treated with the reverence and scholarship required. We commend Dr. Martin’s book on Jonah to the readers of our Magazine. Your reviewer was saddened by reading this book both in view of the comments above, and also by the strong Arminian flavour in many of its pages. One wonders how a former Professor of Old Testament could write in this way, but perhaps such is the American scene in theology.
One was further disappointed by the fact that The Banner of Truth Trust, once noted for its publication of sound Puritan works, should think it appropriate to market such a book in the U.K.
R.K.M.
THE AUTHENTIC GOSPEL by Jeffrey E. Wilson.
Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh. Price 75p.
The author of this twenty page booklet is stated on the cover to be in a leadership role in Grace Christian Fellowship, Saint Charles, Missouri, U.S.A. He states in the preface of the booklet was born out of a deep conviction that modern-day Christianity, as it is in evidence in most places, is far removed from biblical roots. With this statement we would agree. The popular message calls people to receive Jesus as Saviour, and then a second appeal is made later to submit to Jesus as Lord. A division is made between Christ as a Prince and Christ as a Saviour. This is basically the old antinomian heresy. However in the reviewer’s opinion the author’s own theology is highly suspect by Biblical and Westminster Confession standards. He repeatedly refers to making decisions to commit oneself to Christ, and on one occasion turning ourselves over to Christ’s control. In writing of Christ’s meeting with the rich ruler the author writes — “Rather than try to encourage him to make a false decision — Jesus let him leave and did nothing to persuade him.”
The booklet is sadly deficient in its presentation of the moral law and the Ten Commandments. Indeed they are not mentioned at all as such, and there is no discussion with respect to their obligation on the believer in his daily life. There is no reference to purity of worship or observance of the Lord’s Day. The booklet makes no real contribution to the subject addressed.
R.K.M.