Recommended Reading

Monthly book reviews

Monthly book reviews by various authors

 

THE APOSTLES

Donald Guthrie, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1974, 422 pages, $8.95.

Here is a companion volume to Donald Guthrie's Jesus the Messiah. It is arranged in a similar pattern of daily readings, designed for a period of six months. Each reading lists a Scripture passage on which the two or three pages of comment are based; thus, the reader may conveniently cover the New Testament from Acts to Revelation and also obtain much helpful information about the Biblical text.

The New Testament order of the books is not strictly followed, however. The author's concern is to present the deeds and words of the apostles in the context of early Christian history. Accordingly, the basic outline is the history provided by the book of Acts, interspersed as appropriate with the New Testament Epistles. Thus, after following the history of Acts up to chapter 15 (the Jerusalem council), Guthrie takes up Galatians and then James before returning to the Acts outline.

Guthrie writes from a firmly conservative stance and does not enter into critical questions concerning the New Testament documents. His style is straight forward and readable, and the approach he has adopted results in a lucid work easy to follow.

This volume has much to benefit the minister and interested layman.

William G. Johnson

UNDERGROUND MANUAL FOR MINISTERS' WIVES

Ruth Truman, Abingdon Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1974, $4.95.

This manual is a down-to-earth, practical presentation of the minister's wife's calling. The author, herself a minister's wife, writes: "Put succinctly [and she does it repeatedly in her book] a minister's wife—or any wife for that matter—needs to be aware of her husband's burdens, and your husband probably carries more than his fair share. Not only is he in a position to know and take leadership about most of the social problems of our society, but he deals with those problems among the members of the very same families he preaches to— and that is what he has been doing when he comes home to you" (page 44).

In handling the many hard and difficult human-relations problems of the minister and his wife, the author uses humor and practicality. "Desire to love, to be joyful, to like all people, to rise above the vicissitudes of life, above all be yourself—but not your baby self," she counsels.

Some of the chapter titles illustrate the fact that she tells it as it is: "In Sickness and in Stealth," "The Insufferable Little Children," "Parsonage Roulette," "The Hostess With the Leastest." Ruth Truman, Methodist minister's wife, also has some interesting titles for seminary courses: "Coping With the Cantankerous or Means of Changing Century-Old Attitudes"; or how about a mini-course in telephone diplomacy entitled "For Whom the Bell Tolls" (page 163). If you have ever asked the question "Is this what life should be about?" and, in spite of a constant flurry of activity and an occasional spurt of excitement, you have discovered that you feel empty, drained of the real you—then this book is for you!

Barbara Peterson

THIN PROM WITHIN: VALUES CLARIFICATION AND DIETING

Jack Osman, Ph.D., Hart Publishing Company, Inc., New York, New York, 1975, $9.95.

There are many books written today on weight control. It would seem that this subject has been approached from every angle possible. Thin From Within is different. Within the pages of this book there are innumerable suggestions that will undoubtedly motivate the majority who would need that kind of help.

Jack Osman is at present associate professor of health science at Towson State College in Baltimore, Maryland. He has con ducted research, taught classes, and lectured about weight control, nutrition, and sex education.

This book could really be used as a workbook, for there is a variety of interesting psychological strategies in every chapter. All through the book Dr. Osman gives clear evidence that he not only understands the overweight problem but also meets it with a balanced, logical, and optimistic approach for solution.

There is no question but that this book would be very helpful for the overweight pastor, or actually any pastor, since he could use the ideas from it not only for himself but in helping his church members. It would be an excellent teaching aid for a Wa-Rite pro gram leader. This would also give excellent help especially with motivational ideas to those leading weight-management pro grams.

It is refreshing to find a book of this caliber, prepared by a health educator who uses an intelligent, balanced approach to healthful living.

Ella May Stoneburner

FREE FOR THE TAKING

Joseph R. Cooke, Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, New Jersey, 1975, 190 pages, $5.95.

The author's subtitle, "The Life-Changing Power of Grace," adds meaning to his title. This is a book on God's grace. Even more, it is the outgrowth of an experience.

Cooke emphasizes the practical life-changing influence of grace in the home relationships, decision making, feelings, church life, and social experiences.

Law and grace are beautifully established. "So grace is not something that frees us to go on sinning to our heart's content." "Law by itself cannot produce the fruits that law demands. It can only kill. But grace, by its very nature, produces both the desire and the power to do what the law requires."

Cooke sees grace as a transformation that comes "through the grace-revealing work of the Spirit."

Free for the Taking is theologically balanced and practical in its application to everyday living. We put grace to the test in our daily relationships with others.

I found it stimulating and challenging, as well as easy to read and enjoy.

Gordon Hewlett

THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION

Arthur W. Pink, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1975, 164 pages, $5.95.

This posthumous publication of essays was originally prepared by Arthur W. Pink (d. 1952) as a series in the journal Studies in Scripture. The volume is laid out in a very easy-to-grasp for mat, with each section discussing major aspects of the doctrine of salvation (such as "Regeneration," "Repentance," "Coming to Christ").

Pink's approach is more popular than theological, though he works through a great deal of theology in the process. In my judgment, the first three sections are the best, for here in print are subjects rarely commented upon by theologians or ministers. Where, for example, have you recently seen a discussion of the fact of deliberate sin in the life of a Christian (pp. 114, 115)? Chapter 14, too, goes beyond an ordinary intellectual knowledge of Christ to a consideration of how to love Him with the affections. Though the author does believe that "none is saved from sinning in this life" (p. 127), this concept does not color the book as a whole. On the whole, it seems, Pink has succeeded in developing the facts of salvation on a solid, Biblical base.

I can see valuable use of this volume as a source for sermons on the plan of salvation, particularly for the minister who is anxious for his congregation to be led beyond the theoretical to the experimental level. Pink's studies would be ideal as background for a prayer meeting series dealing with Christian living.

Jerry Gladson

IF IT'S SO SIMPLEWHY IS IT SO HARD?

Marjorie Lewis Lloyd, Review and Herald Publishing Assoc., Washington, B.C., 1976, 59 pages, $.95.

In a day when theological quibbling seems to be confusing so many over the issues involved in the doctrine of righteousness by faith, a book that helps us under stand the practical way it operates in everyday life is certainly needed and greatly appreciated. As the author succinctly states, "Righteousness by faith is not a catch phrase or a slogan or a status symbol. It is simply knowing Christ."

Among reasons given as to why some find this teaching difficult to experience she lists the following:

1. Thinking of righteousness by faith as only a theory.

2. A proud heart.

3. Some idol that you love more than God.

4. Something that you are unwilling to make right.

5. Unwillingness to make a complete surrender.

As we have come to expect with Marjorie's books, this one is filled with delightful gems that make you pause, sometimes chuckle, and always think. Among such gems are the following: "Rebels, sooner or later, come to the end of their hope!" "A Man who was born to be crucified." "You can toss a bottle of whiskey into the baptistry and it will still be whiskey. There is no magic in the water!" "In that leather-bound Book, underneath all the information, all the history, all the counsel and prediction and re proof, there's a heart that is beating. Jesus is that heart!" In describing the wonder of righteousness by faith, she concludes, "It doesn't stop with wiping out the past. It actually changes us. It not only washes us. It irons us!"

Leo R. Van Dolson


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Monthly book reviews by various authors

January 1977

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