HAPPILY EVER AFTER: LOVING YOUR CHILD TOWARD EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH
Joy Wilt, Word Books, Waco, Texas, 1977, 203 pages, $6.95.
"Once upon a time, a long time ago, there was a little girl. She was an ordinary girl with freckles on her nose and long, brown hair. Her favorite thing in the world was fairy tales—especially the ones that ended with, '. . . and they lived happily ever after.' She wanted more than anything else to live happily ever after, just like all the characters in the fairy tales."—Page 7. Hence the title of Joy Wilt's book in which she does a real service to parents, children, and any who work with either group.
Topics include self-concept, meeting a child's needs (basic, physical, emotional, creative and intellectual, and spiritual), discipline, decision-making, handling feelings, coping with trauma, sex (education, roles, and identity), and socializing with children. Each chapter includes a concise outlined summary for quick reference and review.
Her humor in the text is evidenced in the chapter titles—"The Bible . . . Rated 'R' "; "Talking About You-Knbw-What"; "Mommy Mows the Lawn While Daddy Washes Dishes"; "Let 'Em Learn the Hard Way." The format is a blend of case studies, dialogs, narratives, theory, poetry, and diagrams, making it easily readable.
In a few places the author's views of human nature and destiny may not coincide with the reader's views, but in general her points are well-made, and her approach is logical, sound, and practical. The book is fun reading and stands out as a sensitive, responsible view of parenting.
Darold Bigger
FALLACIES OF EVOLUTION
Arlie J. Hoover, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1977, 85 pages, $2.50 (soft cover).
Fallacies of Evolution is a brief, nontechnical, well-written treatment of the case for equitable presentation in public schools of both evolution and Creation explanations for origins. Dr. Hoover argues effectively for a rigid application of the principles of the scientific method and sound logic to each of these explanations. His discussion of Social Darwinism and the church-state issue will be of particular interest to many individuals who are concerned over the teaching of creation in public schools.
In its class, this book is remarkably free from scientific error. However, six pages of the text contain statements that should be noted with caution by individuals who may wish to utilize material from the book. The reference on page 56, footnote number 1, is to Darwin Retried (not Retired). The last clause in the paragraph ending on page 35 is incorrect, but the principle involved is correctly stated at the end of the last paragraph on page 37—new species may and probably do arise from microevolution.
To say that a complete geological column "would be about 100 miles deep," and that "geological layers are often all scrambled up with each other" (page 39) are gross overstatements, but the remainder of the discussion on the geologic column is correct. The Big Bang cosmological model does not involve the contradiction of uniformitarian presumptions that is claimed at the bottom of page 41, any more than a volcano contradicts uniform behavior of molecules in volcanic soil. Rather than being blind to chemical changes that may have taken place over the history of a mineral, as implied on page 42, modern radiometric dating techniques often provide identification of such changes. It is not the validity of radiometric age determinations that is at issue, but the reliability of their conversion into real time.
Fallacies of Evolution should be a valuable addition to any collection of material on topics related to creationism.
R. H. Brown
DEVOTIONAL COMMENTARY ON PHILIPPIANS
F. B. Meyer, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501, 1979, 261 pages, $3.50.
This is another welcome reprint by Kregel Publications of a volume that has blessed and inspired countless ministers of a past generation. London-born F. B. Meyer is well-known for his devotional approach to verse-by-verse commentaries and for his biographies of Biblical characters. His Devotional Commentary on Exodus has also been reprinted by Kregel Publications.
While this verse-by-verse commentary on Philippians is both scholarly and exegetical, it speaks in a very practical way to Christians seeking to live the victorious life amid trials and pressures. The twenty-seven chapters are short and packed with inspiration and encouragement. The study qualities of the work are enhanced by marginal references and headings. The minister should find a wealth of sermonic ideas and illustrations in this volume.
Orley Berg
