Recommended Reading

John Wesley

Stanley Ayling, Abingdon, Nashville, Tennessee, 1979, 350 pages, $10.50. Reviewed by B. Russell Holt, executive editor, MINISTRY.

Among the numerous biographies of /Wesley, Ayling's must be considered in some respects a "revisionist" view of Methodism's founder. The publisher calls the author's portrait "vivid and objective." It is that, but it borders as well on the unsympathetic. Wesley comes across in this biography as a rather joyless, tactless, contradictory, and opinionated creature. Yet, Ayling gives his subject his due at times, as well. All in all, worth reading.

Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament

R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer, Jr., Bruce K. Waltke, editors, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1980, 2 volumes, 1124 pages, $34.95. Reviewed by Jerry Gladson, associate professor of religion, Southern Missionary College.

Serious students of Scripture who have been denied opportunity for study in the original languages long for insights that can only be gained thereby. The Theological Wordbook, created to fill that need, is the first full lexicon of the Hebrew Old Testament, designed for use by those unskilled in Hebrew. This represents a real breakthrough in practical lexicography and places the results of advanced study in the hands of all who wish it.

The work is divided into three main sections. The major portion, occupying the lion's share of the two volumes, consists of a Hebrew lexicon. Then follows an Aramaic lexicon for use with Daniel and Ezra, and a concluding index for correlating the Wordbook with Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. Because of the deficiencies in Strong's lexicography, this index was a necessity for use in the Wordbook in conjunction with Strong, but it enables the student to locate the Hebrew word behind the English in Strong, and then profit from the up-to-date discussion in the Wordbook.

Each Hebrew entry is alphabetized according to its Hebrew consonants and transliterated for the English reader. A cross-indexing system permits one to locate the root cluster from which the word is believed to have been derived. Also, under the introductory section, "Suggestions for Use," may be found a full discussion of Hebrew phonology, particularly valuable for one unfamiliar with the language. A small amount of time spent here will enable anyone to learn how to pronounce transliterated Hebrew words with a reasonable degree of accuracy.

Definitions come in two "sizes." Words determined to be of major importance are treated in extended articles, which survey Biblical usage, etymology, cognates, ancient versional translations, synonyms, antonyms, theological significance, and generally conclude with a bibliography. All other words are given one-line definitions.

Although words gain their significance from the context in which they are found, not from a lexical definition or root meaning, this work is still an exciting tool for the study of the Old Testament. Here the Hebraist will find a lexicon with an extended analysis of key theological words from a conservative perspective that may profitably be compared with the more technical Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament. The pastor or other serious student of Scripture (with or without a knowledge of Hebrew) will find it a veritable treasure house of exegetical surprises. With proper use, many a sermon could be enriched with the rich deposit of easily accessible lexical study contained in the Wordbook, It can only be hoped a similar work for New Testament Greek will soon be produced!

Students, Churches, and Higher Education

R. T. Gribbon, Judson Press, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1981, $6.95, paper. Reviewed by Richard E. Barren, associate youth director, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

The congregation that has a sense of mission for college students will find this book an invaluable source of ideas and suggestions for ministry. Gribbon provides interesting insights into today's college students that will help the church to understand them better. He then helps a church plan for campus ministry and includes descriptions of what other pastors and their congregations have done and are doing to reach students and faculty.

O Come, Let Us Worship: Corporate Worship In the Evangelical Church

Robert G. Rayburn, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1980, 319 pages. $8.95. Reviewed by Gordon Bietz, pastor, Colkgedale, Tennessee.

If the service of worship in your church seems to be dry and perfunctory, failing to bring the congregation to a glorious experience of worship, and you don't really know what to do about it, Robert Raybum's book O Come, Let Us Worship will stimulate your creativity. You won't agree with all his suggestions (especially on the sacraments), but you will be more thoughtful about what it means to gather as the body of Christ for worship. The book briefly outlines the theology of worship, and then each portion of the worship service is assessed.