John Wesley, Francis J. McConnell, Abingdon Press, New York and Nashville, Apex paperback, 355 pages, $1.75.
In almost any list of the world's twelve greatest men the name of John Wesley appears. There was only one John Wesley, and therefore anything purporting to be in the nature of a biography of this outstandingly great servant of God is likely to attract a great deal of attention.
Wesley's life practically spanned the whole of the eighteenth century, and few men have ever had the awareness of God, the devotion to the divine will, or the talent and administrative genius that belonged to this son of the manse.
The late Francis McConnell has presented in these pages an eminently readable story of the life of the man who referred to himself as "the brand plucked from the burning," which phrase was coined after he had been rescued by a neighbor from a fire in the famous Epworth Rectory.
If, as we Adventists believe, biography is a fruitful ground for the accumulation of sermon material, here is the rich story of an unusually full life that will stand for all time as one of the most remarkable of all contributions to the Christian story.
Here we enter into the inner life of the remarkable Wesley family, the development of the Methodist movement, the story of Wesley's strength and endurance in fighting the battles of the Lord, his part in supporting the spread of social righteousness, and even the story of his experiences with certain women who crossed his path. Engrossed in his work, spending most of his time in work for average people, he probably had little to do with outstanding women of the type that would appeal to him.
This is an interesting story, objectively and sympathetically written, and a minister could hardly find better value for such a small sum.
H. W. Lowe
Primer on Roman Catholicism for Protestants, Stanley I. Stuber, Association Press, New York, 276 pages, $3.50.
In the light of current events, this 1960 revision of the 1953 volume is timely. Its author lists it as "An Appraisal of the Basic Differences Between the Roman Catholic Church and Protestantism." This is exactly what the book is, for in five parts and twenty-three chapters all of the major facets of Roman Catholicism are presented in contrast to the general principles of Protestantism. Mr. Stuber has presented the sectional reviews of the subject with marked precision and clarity. Any Seventh-day Adventist minister can quickly survey any one of the Roman doctrines, church functions, and practices, grasping at a glance, so to speak, the desired information. Seldom has so much valuable information been so compactly organized in so usable and understandable a form. The statistical material contained in the volume is worth the price of the book.
Section One surveys in three chapters the historical background of the church from the apostolic age to our own, while Section Two examines the church as an organization and surveys its functions from pope to layman. In Section Three the beliefs of Roman Catholics are reviewed in bold relief to Protestant thinking theologicaliy. The six chapters in this portion of the book emphasize Roman beliefs that should be clearly understood by every Adventist preacher. In Section Four the author examines the practices of Catholics, among them the purpose and power of the confessional. One can better understand why Romanism holds such power over its adherents when he reads this section. Section Five is devoted to an examination of the areas of conflict between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, discussing the world power of the Vatican, its attitude toward democracy as well as toward church union. You will find the chapter on education succinctly informative. The writer concludes his study by an examination of the differences between Protestantism and Catholicism.
We recommend this treatise as positively enlightening and clarifying in its handling of the entire subject. It will prove a ready reference—an encyclopedic brief of information that we all need to know and have at hand. It may disabuse one of misconceptions of Roman Catholicism as well as inform one anew of the basic concepts of Protestantism in general. We commend this volume to you for your reference library. It is most readable.
Raymond H. Libby
Revelation and the Bible, General Editor, Carl Henry; Publishers, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 413 pages, $6.00.
Twenty-four competent authorities from Europe and the United States have contributed to this fine compilation. Its central theme can be seen in the sentence from page 7: "The authority of Scripture is the watershed of theological conviction."
General divine revelation is usually regarded as that which is displayed in nature and in the witness of human personality. But this per se is inadequate to satisfy man's questions and to lead him the whole way to God. If it had been adequate, then the ancient pagan religions of Egypt, Babylon, and Rome, with their similar outlook on nature as that of modern Mohammedanism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, would have satisfied the longings of man. Stellar vastnesses with their suggestion of omnipotence are impressive, but they can only lead mankind part of the full journey Godward, despite notable exceptions.
"The heavens declare the glory of God" to a man who believes in "the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob," but this, to an unbeliever, needs augmenting by special revelation.
Special revelation, as we have it in Scripture, is rational, historical, personal, objective, satisfying. Almost every phase of revelation is here dealt with in a manner that is reverent, scholarly, and interesting. The treatments are readable without being superficial, solid without being overtechnical.
Contemporary ideas of revelation, our Lord's use of Scripture, the canon, prophecy, and miracle, principles of interpretation, archeological confirmations, reversals of Old and New Testament criticisms—these and hosts of other questions are here dealt with by men who know their field.
I regard this as my best book purchase of 1960.
H.W. Lowe
