book reviews
Most books reviewed may be obtained by mail from the Biola Book Room, Mail Order Dept., 560 South Hope Street, Los Angeles 17, Calif.
By Arnold D. Ehlert, Th.D. Librarian and Professor of Library Science at Biola
reprint of an earlier publication the truth is just as timely now as when it first appeared. 221 pages; cloth; Baker Book House, Grand Rapids; $2.50. Cooperative Evangelism By Robert O. Ferm Are Billy Graham’s inclusive poli cies right or wrong? Are they sup ported by Scripture and the great evangelists of history? Some straight-line evangelicals are spending hundreds of dollars to op pose Evangelist Graham not privately to his face, as the Scripture enjoins, but in broadcast literature and public sermons for the world to see. In Cooperative Evangelism Author Ferm, dean of students, Houghton College (N.Y.), shows conclusively from the life of Jesus Christ, the Apos tle Paul and six of the world’s most famous Christian evangelists since the reformation, that there appears to be no way that the cooperative policy of Billy Graham can be shown to be inconsistent with that established by the conduct of Christ and the teach ing of the Bible. Dr. Ferm exposes the superficial knowledge of history exhibited by an exclusivist who challenged Graham obliquely in an editorial: “ I ask you to line up with Moody, Torrey and Billy Sunday who would stand in doctrine and practice.” Ferm shows how these and three other noted evan gelists conducted their campaigns, even how Moody cooperated with Roman Catholics and b o u g h t an organ for their new church in North- field, Mass. No evangelist has pleased every body in his era. “We shall do well,” says Dr. Stephen W. Paine, Hough ton’s president, in his foreword to the bo ok , “ to read this small book thoughtfully and ask the Lord to align our thoughts in these matters with his own.” 99 pages; paper; Zon- dervan Publ. House, Grand Rapids; 75c.—Reviewed by Norman B. Rohrer. An Introduction to the Apocrypha By Bruce M. Metzger The very apocryphal nature of the Apocrypha has kept some from read
Church Music for the Glory of God By Gunnar Urang
ing or studying these books which are the body of literature next re moved from the inspired Scriptures. The Dead Sea Scrolls have brought an increased interest in, and study of, the apocryphal and pseudepigraphic books. The first requisite to a criti cism of these books is to understand their background, teachings and pe culiarities. Every body of literature presents problems of its own. The author is a member of the committee which prepared the Revised Standard translation of the Bible and of the Apocrypha. He makes no attempt, of course, to elevate these books to the level of Scripture, but does attempt to enable one to understand them more perfectly. 274 pages; parchment over boards; Oxford Univ. Press, New York; $4.00. Principles of Conduct Aspects of Biblical Ethics By John Murray This is a much more closely rea soned book than Carl Henry’s Chris tian Personal Ethics and deals with considerably fewer problems, but anyone with a philosophical turn of mind and appreciation will derive much benefit from the insights and sound biblical reasoning exhibited. Marriage, labor, the sanctity of life and truth, law and grace — these are the chief subjects. The chapter on “Creation Ordinances” will enliven and deepen one’s understanding of the Genesis ma t e r i a l on origins. While the author sees the importance of the Decalogue in the ethical scheme he sees the basic principles of the biblical scheme of ethics both antedating and surviving the Mosaic system. He takes dispensationalism to task for too strong a contrast between law and grace, but would rather like to understand law as “within the sphere of grace.” 272 pages; cloth; Wm. B. Eerdmans Publ. Co., Grand Rapids; $3.50. Inspiration and Canonicify of the Bible By R. Laird Harris This book won the third Christian textbook contest conducted by the publisher. The storms of doubt have
Music plays a larger part in the effectiveness of a church than many people realize. The amount of money paid out by even some small churches for the services of musicians makes it imperative that there be some under standing of the needs of a church in the way of music and the methods of best providing it. The author takes up the elements of worship, congre gational singing, music in Christian education, the choir, special music, and the pastor’s relationship to the music program of the church. Some analytic studies complete this helpful volume by the dean of Trinity Sem inary in Chicago who is also a mem ber of the Hymns Committee of the National Church Music Fellowship. 272 pages; cloth; Christian Service Foundation, Moline, 111.; $3.00. Advancing the Smaller Local Church By W. Curry Mavis The great majority of churches in America are among what the author calls the smaller churches. With proper attention to planning and training of its members these church es can be vigorous centers of activity for the evangelization of the lost and the development of believers for vic torious Christian living and leader ship. Matters such as morale, organi zation for action, finances, worship, Christian education and evangelism are dealt with. An extensive rating chart and index make the book most useful. 179 pages; cloth; Light and Life Press, Winona Lake, Ind.; $3.00. Twelve Great Questions About Christ By Clarence E. Macartney One could start off with a no more crucial question than, “Was Christ bom of the Virgin Mary?” The question and answer method has al ways been one of the best methods of teaching. Dr. Macartney goes down the list of 12 questions, discussing Christ’s fulfillment of prophecy, mir acles, atonement, resurrection and the second coming. While the book is a
The King's Business/July 1958
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