Language, Logic, and God, Frederick Ferre, Harper and Brothers, New York, 184 pages, $3.50.
Being a member of the Ferre family '(at least three of whom are now represented in print), this author is a popular speaker. He is often called upon to speak of the relationship between Christian theology and modern philosophy. Afterward, he tells us, he is frequently asked, "What is a good book on this subject?" Up until now he has had to confess that he knew of none.
About classical philosophy from Socrates down to Whitehead and Dewey we have plenty of witnesses, many of them distinguished theologians. And such works continue to appear regularly. But today, when those on the growing edge of this discipline speak of modern philosophy, they are referring to the tendency and method initiated by Ludwig Wittgenstein.
What is the Wittgenstein method? His followers may disagree, but I believe it is essentially true that Wittgenstein (and his method) "must be seen to be appreciated." But since he himself is long since dead, we must rely upon his students to teach us this new method of philosophizing. Two complicating factors arise at this point: (1) He didn't have very many students and (2) his method is difficult. So most of us are left with his books, one of which, Philosophical Investigations, is considered as some sort of "Bible" by many modern philosophers. But this book is difficult to understand. At this point the need for a simpler work (as mentioned by Mr. Ferre's listeners) becomes apparent. And Mr. Ferre has given us what we need.
One should not think this book is a substitute for Wittgenstein's own. But it is a valuable secondary source, and the first from the Christian viewpoint.
Philosophers today are talking about language. Theologians will be joining them during the next decade. If you want to understand the bearing of this trend on Christianity, this is a key book to read.
Linguistic philosophy should not be confused as a whole with its most widely publicized part, logical positivism. (Also connected with Wittgenstein's name in his younger days.) Ferre shows that the school as a whole has cut logical positivism down to size. He doesn't reject the contribution the posi-tivists have made. From our Adventist point of view it is well that he hasn't. We may find ourselves strangely allied with the positivists in discussions, say, about the language of Genesis.
Ferre distinguishes between some of the various views on the logic of theological language. He does not seem to me to be suggesting that these views are exclusively the property of any one theologian or school of thought. He closes his book with a preliminary essay on the kind of argument necessary to justify Christian theological language. He hasn't said the last word, but sometimes the (nearly) first word has to be said too! We hope he says (and writes) more.
Sydney Allen
Backgrounds of Dispensationalism, Clarence B. Bass, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1960, 184 pages, $3.50.
The book provides a careful account of the historical setting of dispensationalism and its implications, in contrast with the historical beliefs of the church. Dr. Bass, professor of systematic theology at Bethel Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, has made an intensive search for accuracy of detail. He enters into the major features of dispensationalism, and especially into the theology of John Nelson Darby. Darby not only introduced unique concepts into theology but also a new principle of interpretation. In his introduction the author states that when he began a doctoral program of research on J. N. Darby's doctrine of the church, he was a confirmed dispensationalist. As he began to understand what seemed to be the basic her-meneutical pattern of interpretation, he saw that it was broadly divergent from that of the historic faith. He claims that one should know Darby to understand dispensationalism. Because these sources are scarce, Dr. Bass has furnished illuminating material with reference to this eschatological system. For pastoral and student research, this book is valuable.
Louise C. Kleuser
Space-Age Sunday, Hiley H. Ward, The Macmillan Company, 1960, 155 pages, $3.95.
The reading of this interesting book would benefit every Seventh-day Adventist minister. Not that he would agree with everything in it, but a non-Adventist approach that destroys most of the arguments usually given by Sundaykeepers for worshiping on the first day of the week is not only novel but also stimulating.
After a logical presentation of present-day philosophy and conduct, the author poses the problem of observing Sunday and concludes: " 'Sunday' and 'Space Age' do not go together."
Mr. Ward contends that Sunday blue laws do not belong in this modern era. He says a study of the problems of shopping centers on heavily traveled highways reaches the conclusion that "Sunday shopping is the result of an exploding population."
His interesting discussion of the philosophy of rest leads into the study of spiritual rest. Here he contends that spiritual rest is possible even in activity.
In the author's outlining of the history of Sunday, the history of the week is presented, and the practice of the Jews, and of Jesus, in observing the Sabbath is fairly presented. Seventh-day Ad-ventists will find his reasoning of interest as he reviews John's use of the "Lord's Day" and its place in New Testament theology.
The writer of Space-Age Sunday traces the source of Constantine's Sunday law and the resulting disastrous union of church and state, but he advocates that church and state must be separate. In this book is advanced the idea that a balanced plural society "has roots deeper than restrictive prejudicial legislation."
Another quotation that will bear further development is this: "It was God in the Jewish times who hallowed the Sabbath, but now it is the corner policeman."
Chapter 5, "Alternatives to an American Inquisition," unfolds a logical appeal to respect the rights of minorities. The conclusion is that a fully committed life to Christ and dependence on "grace only" is the only alternative to an American Inquisition in the space age. The author develops the thesis that what the church is reaching for in this space age is not a cessation from labor but certain devotional and worship goals. He suggests that the proper framework in which to reach these goals would be the spreading of devotional activities over the three days of the coming enlarged American weekend.
Finally the question is posed, "Could it be possible that Sunday is an obstacle to faith?" This question can be answered decisively by a Seventh-day Adventist, but the author has advanced theories that may be difficult for some Sundaykeepers to answer.
M. E. Loewen
Brothers in Christ, Fritz Blanke (translated), Herald Press, Scottsdale, Pennsylvania, 1961, 78 pages, $1.25.
It is no simple matter to establish the origin of the Anabaptists and to separate the genuine from the various fanatical groups. Luther and other Reformers in their day indicated their disappointment that such fanatical elements, with their extreme interpretations of the Bible, would bring disrepute on the work of God. Historians have at times connected these Anabaptist believers with the Bohemian Brethren, but the author of this thesis produces evidence that both the "false prophets" Luther had to deal with in Germany, and the Bohemian Brethren as well, were not identified with the original group in Zollikon, Switzerland.
Because we today see strenuous efforts for "unionizing" the various Reformation groups into a National and World Council of Churches, such profitable research clears up much negligible information of earlier times. Connotations of their beliefs and practices were not always complimentary to Anabaptists' sincerity. But truth has a way of taking care of God's Word in history.
Fritz Blanke's translation by Joseph Norden-haug is a scholarly presentation, well organized and documented, easily read, and presented with no bias. It is more than a factual apologetic. These early Anabaptists had convictions that they saw more light on which to act. One discovers from the reading of this classic that human clumsiness in such times, and impatience with the more conservative elements, produced hardship to both sides. The "brotherhood" way of handling the situation eased off many a severe blow. Today we look back to see that their contention embraced but partial light.
Bible teachers in our colleges and seminaries, ministers and Bible instructors in the field, do not pass by this informative booklet. It is a sturdy, attractive paperback of rare worth.
Louise C. Kleuser
A Call to Faith, Rachel Henderlite, John Knox Press, Richmond, Virginia, 1955, 224 pages, $3.00.
This book is a call to a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ, and to make this faith a basis for daily decision and conduct. It might serve as a simplified systematic theology, revealing without a doubt the author's own faith of a first-century quality and certainty. Theology is translated by Rachel Henderlite into language understandable to the less theologically-minded Christian, with the challenge to face up to the genuine. The author is much aware of modern life but believes in Bible standards and orthodoxy. Her burden is to have Christians understand the doctrines to which they have committed themselves. Having received her Ph.D. degree from Yale Divinity School, Rachel Henderlite's educational interests have been associated with the young people of Christian colleges. She is professor of Applied Christianity and Christian Nurture, and the author of books on both the Old and New Testaments. Her philosophy is very sound.
The chapters on the Bible, the Trinity, Incarnation, and the Atonement indicate clear thinking. Those on Christian ethics, worship, and service are delightfully stimulating even to a well-weathered Christian. Stewardship and family living present more than the ordinary challenges of our modern authors. Miss Henderlite's book would be profitable reading for Bible instructors and ministers' wives. She and her helpful women's staff who made this book possible deserve the commendation of her Christian sisterhood.
Louise C. Kleuser
