Psalter

THE PSALMS FOR SINGING: A 21st Century Edition, Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, 2004. Reviewed by Rev. Tom Reid.

The publication of any psalter is of special interest to Reformed Presbyterians, but a psalter published in English by the RPCNA’s sister church in Ireland is deserving of particular attention.

Only 25 years after the appearance of the last Irish Reformed Presbyterian psalter, a 21st Century Edition has been produced. Why? The previous edition provided the Scottish Psalter of 1650 in its entirety, with alternative versions of 78 psalms at the back. This psalter provides new versions of all 150 inspired songs, with the Scottish metrical versions of 40 of them following immediately after the corresponding new metrical psalm.

Thus it is a transformed psalter, as the Irish RPC has broken with the Scottish psalter tradition, much as the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America did several generations ago. Obviously, the desire in the Irish Church was for a significant modernization of the content of its sung praise.

The words of the 21st Century Edition were constructed by “basic revision groups” around the church using various sources, especially the most recent psalters of the RPCNA, the Free Church of Scotland, and the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia. Their work was then revised by a second revision committee before being considered by the final editing committee, chaired by Pastor Norris Wilson, professor of Old Testament in the Reformed [Presbyterian] Theological College in Belfast.

The result is a modern version of the Psalms whose language is accessible to almost all Anglephones. Serious attempts have been made to find appropriate rhymes for the ends of lines, but rhyming has been dispensed with when necessary. This flexibility generally leads to more accurate renderings, and, of course, brings the practice of the Irish Church closer to its North American daughter.

Once again, the psalter is published in both staff and sol-fa notations; the latter is a way of writing music that has largely disappeared in North America but remains popular in the British Isles. Also, the psalter remains in “split-leaf,” with music at the top, words on the bottom, and the pages cut a little above the mid-point. This permits a wide variety of pairings of words and music.

The tunes are arranged by meter, then alphabetically by the name of the tune; 212 are either common meter (CM), long meter (LM), or short meter (SM); 88 are in other meters; and three unusual meters are connected to their words at the end. The type is larger; the words are no longer in two columns on the page but in one. As a result, the psalter is somewhat larger than its predecessor. Almost all the tunes would be familiar to those who usually sing from The Book of Psalms for Singing —although it is notable how few tunes were written in the last century—and the tunes have been adjusted so that the quarter note gets one beat, rather than the half note, as in the earlier Irish psalter.

The volume begins with an informative preface, “guidance for singing of the Psalms,” and a classification of the Psalms into 15 categories. It concludes with alphabetical and metrical indexes to the tunes, classified index of tunes, and (most helpful to precentors) psalm tune selections for each psalm or psalm portion. The 21st Century Edition has no index of first or familiar lines, no list of composers, and no subject index; nor are the many Irish Reformed Presbyterians who worked for up to 14 years on the project identified other than Dr. Hugh Mc- Cullough. Perhaps these lacunae can be rectified in future printings.

The result of these efforts seems to be a major step forward for the Irish RP Church in its attempts to provide a suitable psalter for the skillful and beautiful worship of God through singing His inspired songs.

Autobiography

AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY: Discovering Reformed Christianity, W. Robert Godfrey, P&R, 2004. Paperback, 150 pp., $9.99. Reviewed by David Whitla.

The genre of spiritual autobiography has long been a favorite among Christians as a means of presenting biblical truth in the context of real-life experience. Classics like Augustine’s Confessions, Bunyan’s Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, and C. S. Lewis’ Surprised by Joy offer many readers (especially those who prefer not to pick up a 1,000-page systematic theology) an easily-accessible format to be confronted by the claims of Christianity. Godfrey’s Unexpected Journey employs this method to present a gentle but unapologetic apologetic for Reformed Christianity.

Godfrey’s stated goal is “that some reflection on my experience in coming to Reformed Christianity from the outside might clarify Calvinism’s value and vitality on a personal level” (p. 11). He accomplishes this by recording his initial introduction to a Dutch Reformed church in high school, and then by charting his growing knowledge and appreciation for Calvinism throughout life’s experiences all the way to his present calling as president of Westminster Theological Seminary in California.

In reality, though, the biographical content of the book is incidental to the main thrust, which is to present a winsome endorsement of Reformed theology to an outsider. In 13 brief and easily digested chapters, aspects of the Reformed faith are illustrated from the author’s experience, but more importantly from the Scripture passage that heads each chapter. The Reformed understanding of topics such as the sovereignty of God, spiritual disciplines, assurance, callings, law and spirit, and worship are all attractively presented and persuasively argued; the latter containing a pleasant surprise in a warm commendation of psalm singing (including an honorable mention of the RPCNA).

Godfrey’s book will prove to be excellent “ice breaker” material to give away to anyone interested in the Reformed faith and is a good starting point for inquirers to stimulate further study. To that end, a suggested bibliography (in addition to reading materials mentioned in the text that impacted the author’s spiritual journey) might have been a useful appendix for newcomers wishing to take the next step.

Doctrine

REPENTANCE, by Richard Owen Roberts, Crossway Books, 2002. Reviewed by Ricky Kortyna.

More books on the topic of repentance are needed, Of 55 references listed in the bibliography of this book, only 16 were written after 1900. The majority of the referenced writers were Puritans.

Roberts, a pastor, contributor of 9000 volumes to the Billy Graham Center Library, and owner of his own publishing house, treats the topic of repentance encyclopedically in this 350-page book. The book is, for the most part, easy to read. Roberts, a firm believer in the number seven, attempts to fit most topics/chapters into seven divisions: at times this maneuver is forced, distracting from the flow of thought.

Nevertheless, by mixing biblical references with an occasional anecdote, Roberts has succeeded in making a book that is both enlightening and entertaining.

The first three chapters deal with the importance and frequency of the topic of repentance in the Old and New Testaments. The next four chapters cover the myths, maxims, marks, and motives of repentance. This section is followed by an additional seven chapters on the fruits and consequences of repentance, as well as a few other related topics. The final chapter, covering the meaning and use of “dust” and “ashes” in the Bible, is a great word study.

Since most of the books cited were by the Puritans, I felt comfortable with Roberts’ interpretation of his many subtopics.

This book may be read by laypeople without difficulty, and it also belongs on the pastor’s shelf because of the breadth of the material covered.

Christian Life

THE SOUL’S QUEST FOR GOD: Satisfying the Hunger for Spiritual Communion with God, by R. C. Sproul, P&R, 1992, 2003. Reviewed by Ricky Kortyna.

R. C. Sproul is probably the bestknown Reformed theologian alive today. He has an uncanny ability to connect with laypeople and so is able to spread the Reformed doctrines outside Reformed denominations. His background in philosophy and theology allow him to tackle and explain difficult topics. Most new Christians enjoy the combination of philosophy and theology, especially when they learn how the philosophers have erred.

Unfortunately, for those who have read a number of Sproul’s books, this particular volume adds nothing to his oeuvre. It is a rehash of familiar territory. Sproul has produced some outstanding works, but this is not one of them.

The question I would like to pose is this: Is it not time for R. C. to produce his magnum opus? We all know he has the knowledge and the wisdom to do so. A “deep” book on philosophy and theology, with obvious attention to the Reformed faith, is what is needed. R. C. Sproul should now produce a textbook for the very educated: He has given laypeople an incredible body of work to learn from. It is now time for him to turn his attention to seminarians and pastors.

Study Bible

THE DORT STUDY BIBLE, Volume I: Genesis-Exodus, Inheritance Publications, 2003. Hardback, 351 pp., $18.90. Reviewed by David Whitla.

Enter any Christian bookstore and it will be clear that there is a plethora of study Bibles for every age, temperament, profession, and theology. One wonders sometimes if the shiny cover and often erroneous or irrelevant notes are the real selling points rather than the Word of God. As the blurb for one such study Bible boasts, “This is not your grandparents’ Bible!” The subject of this review, more happily, is your grandparents’ Bible!

The Synod of Dort (1618-19) is perhaps best known for its formulation of the “Five Points of Calvinism” in response to the Arminian Remonstrants. However, it also provided the Dutch people with a translation of the Scriptures (the “Dutch States Bible”) and accompanying margin notes, known as the Dutch Annotations on the Bible. This massive work was translated into English at the behest of the Westminster Assembly of Divines in 1648. The present volume is the first of a projected 14-volume set offering these annotations to a contemporary audience.

The text of Genesis and Exodus is an English translation of the Dutch States Bible, and the annotations are interspersed with bold Scripture text, making the commentary more user-friendly than if reduced to margin or footnotes. The annotations are brief and concise, exegetical rather than expositional or practical. Most of them contain cross-references and observations from the Hebrew. Each book begins with a one-page overview of its message, and each chapter with a brief synopsis of its contents.

The usefulness of the Dort Study Bible lies in providing the contemporary church with a good example of historic Dutch Reformed exegesis. Many Bible students seeking a non-exhaustive reference tool will find it helpful. However, pastors preparing an exposition, while finding its comments suggestive, will want to look elsewhere for a more thorough treatment. Indeed, Spurgeon respectfully found them “too short and fragmentary to be of any great value.” The annotations do unfortunately make for very dry reading and are at times surprisingly sparse (e.g., two brief pages on the ten commandments).

As with most contemporary study Bibles, this one excels in presentation—most attractively presented as a durable hardback, and adorned with the gold coin struck in commemoration of the august assembly that produced it. Considering it is back in print after 350 years, its content will doubtless prove more enduring than most of its rivals’.

Bible Translation

TRANSLATING TRUTH: The Case for Essentially Literal Bible Translation, ed. by C. John Collins, Crossway, 2005. Reviewed by Ricky Kortyna.

This brief book began as original papers presented at the Evangelical Theological Society Meeting in 2004. The five authors speak in one voice that the best Bible translation to be used for self study or for use in the pew is an essentially literal one. Unfortunately, five consecutive essays stating this becomes a bit tedious.

Wayne Grunden’s essay is the longest and the best written. He uses plenty of Scripture examples to prove his point. Leland Ryken gives five counterarguments to those who are critical of the essentially literal translations. C. John Collins uses 1 John as a starting point and shows how different translations give widely different meanings to the text.

The most interesting point in the book was hinted at once or twice: different translations serve different audiences. My first exposure to the Bible was the paraphrastic work, Good News for Modern Man. I then advanced to the NIV version, a translation lying between dynamic equivalence and essentially literal. I now use the New King James Bible, an essentially literal translation. Like these authors, I believe that the essentially literal translation is the best. It just took me three decades to get there.

Commentary

THE GUIDE: JUDGES, by Peter Bloomfield, Evangelical Press, 2005. Reviewed by Ricky Kortyna.

The Guide is a new series of books that covers books of the Bible, in this case Judges, and also specific topics, such as Creation. The unique feature of this series is the online site where the reader can submit specific questions and have them answered, although not necessarily by the writer of the book.

The Guide: Judges is not a verse-by-verse commentary, but rather a topical commentary, as big issues are covered in a sweeping fashion. In this particular book, the chapters average 10–15 pages. Samson is given two chapters, as is Gideon. The book is geared towards a lay Bible study; each chapter ends with a series of questions.

This volume makes a wonderful introduction to the Book of Judges, one which should be read before picking up a more “serious” commentary. The Guide shines in giving a brief overview of a complex Old Testament book. Pastors should be familiar with this series, as it will undoubtedly become used for Bible studies.

The book is worth the $15.

Jonathan Edwards

JONATHAN EDWARDS: The Holy Spirit in Revival, By Michael Haykin. Evangelical Press, 2005. Reviewed by Ricky Kortyna.

As America’s foremost theologian, Jonathan Edwards has had many books written about him and his theological writings. This particular book is well written, very informative, and well researched. The main text is 150 pages. The author adds 34 pages of endnotes and appendices.

By limiting the topic to the Holy Spirit in revival and therefore concentrating on only a few works of Edwards, such as The Distinguishing Marks of the Works of the Spirit of God and Religious Affections, Haykin is able to delve deep into the topic.

The writing is superb, but this is not a book for laypeople. With the exception of the first chapter—a wonderful, succinct biography of Edwards that anyone can read—the rest of the book is very difficult to read without some familiarity with Edwards.

An extremely good chapter on the threefold work of the Holy Spirit explains Edwards’ view of the Spirit’s work in regard to sin, righteousness, and judgment, and how these works correspond to the work of Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King.

A chapter follows on “extraordinary works” of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues. Then comes a rather in-depth review of the work of George Whitefield and how he helped the revival in New England. Finally, there is a full chapter on Sarah Edwards and another on Edwards’ initiation of corporate prayer.

This is one of the best books on Jonathan Edwards I have read. Haykin has also written a book on John Sutcliff, and I look forward to reading it.

Marriage

BEING A CHRISTIAN HUSBAND: A Biblical Perspective, Colin Hamer, Evangelical Press, 2005. Paperback, 115 pp., $13.99. Reviewed by David Whitla.

In a culture of gender confusion and consequent masculine wimpiness, this slender volume is a welcome introduction to the biblical definition of husband. In 13 short chapters, the reader will find an overview of the Bible’s teaching on true masculinity and how it is expressed in marriage. While not an exhaustive treatment, Hamer covers all the important bases with remarkable thoroughness.

After beginning with some shocking statistics that illustrate the marriage crisis of our age, the author takes the reader on a biblical tour of the subject in both testaments. In a particularly bold chapter, he defends the patriarchal Old Testament society as God-established, not a mere cultural anomaly, despite the sinful shortcomings of many of its key figures. At the center of Hamer’s book is the example of masculinity: to love, to take responsibility, to have authority, and to be faithful. Hamer concludes by interacting with a host of common objections to his case in a question-and-answer format.

Though brief, the book packs quite a punch when addressing the distinctiveness of men and women in their respective roles as designed by God—a refreshing break from many of the politically correct treatments currently in print from Christian publishers. Hamer is confrontational with abdicating husbands and gentlemanly towards longsuffering wives, who should also read this book.

This book is recommended for a men’s Bible study group. The short chapters are not technical and are well suited for busy “non-readers.” You may also give this book with confidence to an unbeliever as a Christian primer on gender roles and marriage (the gospel is clearly presented). I would especially recommend it to young Christian men preparing for marriage as a thought-provoking overview of the high calling they seek. Unlike many such books, the treatment of sexual matters is modest and tactful, not marred by the crassness of many recent approaches. There are a few minor concerns with Hamer’s treatment of cohabitation and separation, which perhaps simply need qualification. These are minor concerns compared with the overall usefulness of this well-written book.

Old Testament

UNFOLDING COVENANT HISTORY, VOL. 1: From Creation to the Flood, by Homer C. Hoeksema, Reformed Free Publishing Association, 2000. Reviewed by Ricky Kortyna.

This volume is the first in a series of previously unpublished works by Homer Hoeksema and David Engelsma, which will cover Old Testament history.

I have never met Prof. Hoeksema, but judging by this work, I picture him as an avuncular, elderly gentleman, sitting in a rocking chair, pipe in hand, expounding on the Book of Genesis. The writing in this volume is not academic and sprinkled with footnotes and arcane references, although the reader can tell that Hoeksema has the information readily available. Rather, this volume reads as if someone were transcribing a home Bible study.

This is not a verse-by-verse commentary but rather a concept-by-concept commentary. Hoeksema tackles the larger issues and informs us why they are important. For example, after Adam and Eve found themselves to be naked and were clothed, first by themselves and later by God, Hoeksema reflects that the clothing God gave them was the skins of animals, animals killed to supply Adam and Eve—blood shed to cover sin. It is this kind of insight that reflects the four decades of teaching and preaching that Hoeksema had at his disposal when the notes for this book were collected.

This particular volume allows the reader to see the depth and relevance of some of the verses in Genesis that would ordinarily be rapidly passed over. Assuming that the volumes to follow will be of the same caliber, I am making room on my bookshelf for the rest of the series. You should too.

Doctrine

THE GLORY OF CHRIST, ed. by John H. Armstrong, Crossway, 2002. Reviewed by Ricky Kortyna.

This book includes essays by John H. Armstrong, Jim Elliff, Albert Mohler, Jr., and J. I., Packer from a Reformation and Revival Conference held in 2002.

Armstrong reminds us in the first essay that Christ is not a product of history, but rather history is a product of Christ. Armstrong then makes the point that reconciliation is to be worldwide, albeit not universal. He goes on to say that the crucifixion did not occur by happenstance, but was well thought out by God.

Mohler’s essay centers on the role of Christ as mediator, looking at its at multiple facets. It is probably the best essay in this collection.

In another essay, Armstrong discusses the glory of the crucifixion of Christ, especially the justice, power, holiness, faithfulness, and love of God as displayed in the planned death of His Son. Armstrong goes on to say that Christianity is not so much about concepts as about an event.

Mohler’s second essay is concerned about the glory of Christ’s Second Coming.

There are several other essays in this work. On the whole, the collection is uneven, with some essays very strong and interesting, and others weaker, with nothing new to offer. Nevertheless, the writing is clear in all, and the purchase of the book will be of benefit to the buyer. When the discussion of the glory of Christ comes up in conversation, there are plenty of nuggets here to help