Psalmody

SING THE LORD’S SONG: Biblical Psalms in Worship, by John W. Keddie, Crown & Covenant, 2003. Paperback, 74 pp., $6. Reviewed by David Whitla.

John Keddie’s excellent little book on exclusive psalmody is now available to a North American audience. Sing the Lord’s Song provides an eminently readable treatment of what God’s people ought to employ for song in His worship. Keddie adopts a positive, conciliatory, and irenic tone, while not sacrificing an unflinching commitment and passion for psalmody. His primary concern is to win true worshipers, not win points.

Keddie is systematic and thorough in his treatment, answering questions such as: May we use Scripture paraphrases in sung worship? Doesn’t the New Testament give greater liberty than the Old in worship practices? Are all hymns wrong? Is the regulative principle binding on New Testament believers?

These and other concerns are answered convincingly and are followed by a thorough exposition of biblical teaching for the use of psalmody and by a scriptural defense of the regulative principle.

This updated edition also responds ably to more recent criticisms of exclusive psalmody, such as that of Iain Murray. There is a most helpful chapter on psalmody in church history, offering helpful testimonies from nearly two millennia of psalmody to refute the claim that this is a “minority practice.” Keddie also provides an excellent annotated bibliography for further study.

Here is an excellent tract for the times, when the Church at large is embroiled in the so-called “worship wars.” Our form of worship ought to be neither “traditional” nor “contemporary” but biblical. The book is highly recommended as a reliable introduction to those interested in the RPCNA’s position on worship and may be of particular use in church membership classes.

Calvinism

What Is a Reformed Church? Stephen Smallman, Presbyterian & Reformed, 2003. Paperback, 28 pp.

What Is a True Calvinist? Philip Graham Ryken, Presbyterian & Reformed, 2003. Paperback, 32 pp., $3.50. Reviewed by David Whitla.

Basics of the Reformed Faith is an excellent new series of booklets from P&R intended as simple primers on Reformed distinctives. Unapologetically Reformed and Presbyterian, they are attractively presented, easily read, and yet not lacking in substance.

The first in the series answers the question, “What is a Reformed church?” Written by veteran pastor Stephen Smallman, this booklet is surprisingly comprehensive. Beginning with the roots of the Protestant Reformation, the author traces the historical journey of the movement to America, before explaining Reformed distinctives on Scripture, divine sovereignty, the covenant, the law of God, the Church, and the kingdom of God.

Particularly well handled is the treatment of God’s sovereignty in providence and salvation, the covenantal structure of Scripture, and the three uses of the Law. It is also most welcome to find such an explicit explanation and defense of Presbyterian church government and infant baptism. The concluding call of semper reformanda gives a healthy reminder that Reformed believers live in a changing world and look to the future rather than live in the past. The only improvement to the booklet’s overall usefulness would be a list of suggested reading for inquirers wishing to take the next step in their study.

The second booklet in the series is from the respected pen of Philip Ryken and addresses the question of what it is to be Calvinist. In a day when the term is berated by many within and without the church, Ryken’s treatment is refreshing. Rather than delve into a controversial study of the Five Points, he draws Calvinism inductively from an exposition of Scripture, particularly Isaiah’s encounter with the sovereign grace of God in Isaiah 6. Ryken shows that a true Calvinist is characterized by a God-centered mind, a penitent spirit, a grateful heart, a submissive will, a holy life, and a glorious purpose.

Conceding that many of the stereotypes of Calvinists are accurate, due to the sometimes “narrow, parochial, and uncharitable” attitudes of so-called “TRs” (the “Truly Reformed”), Ryken helpfully debunks such a posture as sub-Calvinistic. The true Calvinist is characterized by “humility, holiness, and thankfulness, with a passion for prayer and evangelism … not narrow and unkind, but grounded in God’s grace and therefore generous of spirit” (p. 6).

These booklets will prove helpful for membership classes in the RPCNA or to give away to those interested in the Reformed faith. While there is nothing in the content that is in conflict with RP standards, supplementary materials will be needed for RP distinctives within the Reformed tradition. Also newly available in the series are What Is True Conversion? by Stephen Smallman and What Is the Lord’s Supper? by Richard D. Philips.

Religions

The Dark Side of Islam, R. C. Sproul and Abdul Saleeb, Crossway, 2003. Reviewed by Ricky Kortyna, RPTS student.

This little book (100 pp.) fills a void in the flurry of books published about Islam. R. C. Sproul is a well-known Reformed teacher and writer. Abdul Saleeb, a pseudonym, is a Christian who has recently converted from Islam. The book is set in a dialogue format, with the bulk of the writing done by Saleeb.

The first seven chapters compare Islam and Christianity on the topics of Scripture, the fatherhood of God, the Trinity, sin, salvation, and the death and deity of Christ. The final chapter discusses the violence associated with Islam and how that is being downplayed in the media.

What makes this book such a joy to read is Saleeb’s explanations on how Muslims view the doctrines of the Bible. For example, Muslims deny both Jesus’ death on the cross and His deity while believing that He was a great prophet. This makes witnessing to Muslims difficult, since they already believe much about Jesus. Saleeb gives pointers throughout the text on how a Muslim would debate certain doctrines, what the Qur’an implies about these doctrines, and how to refute the writings of the Qur’an.

The writing is fluid, and the book is a quick read. But it is the practicality of the book that is its greatest asset: An hour or two with this volume should prepare most Christians to capably handle a debate with a Muslim and possibly convert him. It is this practical aspect that so many recent books lack.

Apologetics

Standing for Christ in a Modern Babylon, Marvin Olasky, Crossway, 2003. Paperback, 160 pp., $12.99. Reviewed by David Whitla.

In post-9/11 America, evangelical Christians are increasingly becoming targets of the liberal media. In this book from journalist Marvin Olasky (editor-in-chief of World magazine), Christians will find a wealth of ammunition to defend themselves against media bias and misrepresentations.

Olasky begins by describing today’s culture as a “liberty theme park” where the “god-words” of freedom, diversity, and tolerance are the vocabulary of the masses. He helpfully debunks many media misunderstandings of evangelicalism, while conceding that many of us have invited valid press criticism with “over-the-top” reactions to issues and zeal without knowledge. Olasky contends that listening to our detractors may lead to healthy self-evaluation and a more loving and shrewd response.

Liberal journalists will hate this book. With surgical precision, Olasky unravels the clever rhetoric of dozens of syndicated columnists (whose quoted columns spitting venom at evangelicals as the “Christian Taliban” make for downright scary reading). He highlights some particular areas of contemporary journalistic ignorance—specifically, the positive impact of Christianity on American society, and the truth about the nature of Islam. In the former, the author cites many examples of “compassionate conservatism” in action; in the latter, he demolishes the notion that Islam is essentially a “religion of peace.” There is much here to equip the culturally engaged believer in responding to an increasingly hostile environment, which Olasky compares to Daniel in Babylon.

A better journalist than exegete, Olasky’s biblical rationale will leave a few readers cold in places (e.g., using the Old Testament theocracy as an argument for strict separation of church and state), and his vision is certainly far removed from a traditional Covenanter understanding of how church and state should relate. That said, this is a book filled with up-to-date information and timeless wisdom for our age. It will be of immense help to Christians “contending for the faith once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3). This is timely, insightful, and valuable.

History

2000 YEARS OF CHRIST’S POWER, PART ONE: The Age of the Early Church Fathers, by N. R. Needham, Grace Publications, Revised Edition 2002. Paperback, 400 pp., $24.99. Reviewed by David Whitla.

Church histories that cover the two millennia since Pentecost have the tendency to be either exhaustively long or extremely brief. The former invariably become dipped-into reference books, rarely read cover to cover. The latter are lightweight introductions to the subject, necessitating further study. 2000 Years of Christ’s Power accomplishes a happy medium between these two extremes: a history that is comprehensive enough to satisfy the student or scholar and yet easy-to-read and user-friendly for the layman.

Dr. N. R. Needham accomplishes this goal in a four-volume paperback collection (volumes 1-3 are now available). This first book outlines the series’ goals clearly and establishes a high standard. In 12 chapters, Needham skillfully tells the story of the fledgling church’s battles with Rome without and heresies within, establishing herself with the councils and creeds, and all against the backdrop of the unfolding drama of the decline of the Roman Empire. Needham “tells it well,” making often-difficult concepts readable (there is a particularly fine chapter on the Arian Controversy), and is reliable both in historic facts and commentary, only very occasionally missing the mark.

Many tools make this history user-friendly. Each chapter concludes with selected primary sources from the writings of both church leaders and heretics. There are maps and illustrations (mostly icons), though surprisingly no timelines. The reader gets a most useful 16-page glossary of terms and a bibliography for further study (containing, among many resources, an annotated list of web sites).

Here is church history at its most accessible, thorough, reliable, and affordable. It should be on every church library’s bookshelf.

Biography

The Pigtails and Chopsticks Man, Jim Cromarty, Evangelical Press, 2002. Paperback, 206 pp., $14.99. Reviewed by David and June Whitla.

Jim Cromarty is becoming increasingly known and appreciated for his books for use in family worship, especially for families with young children (e.g., Food for Cannibals: The Story of John G. Paton, The Book of Family Worship, and a collection of books for family reading). This is a niche that is sadly neglected by many Christian publishing houses today, and Evangelical Press is to be commended for seeking to fill the void.

The Pigtails and Chopsticks Man is the story of J. Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission. This is no weighty, biographical study, but an easily read introduction to the life of this remarkable saint, who dedicated his entire life to see the peoples of China’s inland provinces reached with the gospel. It is an inspiring story of adventure, joy, tragedy, romance, and great faith, overcoming apparently insurmountable obstacles.

Cromarty writes in a simple, storytelling style. The illustrated chapters are short, enough for five- or ten-minute daily readings that would be ideal to supplement any family’s Scripture reading and prayer. Each chapter concludes with a few simple questions to facilitate discussion with younger children. Some parents may wish to skip a few of the gorier descriptions of the horrific Chinese civil wars.

It sometimes seems that the writer is attempting to condense a much larger book into a small paperback, resulting in somewhat choppy reading at times. However, these are minor criticisms of an otherwise excellent book that will find a place on many family bookshelves and, more importantly, perhaps inspire children to consider missions from an early age.

James Martin, Pioneer Medical Missionary to Antioch: A Thrilling Account of Faith and Courage, Isobel Lytle, Cameron Press, 2004. Reviewed by Tom Reid.

Dr. James Martin served for half a century as a pioneer medical and preaching missionary in the New Testament city of Antioch, Syria. He and his family (his first two wives, as well as several of his children, died on the field) worked sacrificially to preach the true gospel to people whose souls were blighted by Islam and Eastern Orthodoxy.

Dr. Martin was trained both as a pastor and medical doctor in his native Northern Ireland and then was sent in 1871 to Syria as a missionary of the Reformed Presbyterian churches in Scotland and Ireland. He established a church, medical clinic, and schools in Antioch, although his ministry extended throughout the area bordering Turkey and Syria. Dr. Martin worked in tandem with the missionaries of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, based in nearby Latakia; his second wife was Rebecca Crawford, a Covenanter missionary from Philadelphia. His life was threatened many times, and some native believers died a martyr’s death. Dr. Martin retired to his home province in 1924.

The author of this book is the wife of retired RP pastor Robert Lytle, whose parents served as missionaries in Syria and Lebanon before the mission was closed. The author has culled extensively from the letters that the Martins sent to the denominational periodicals, which gives the account a needed vitality. Photographs and three appendices add to the value of the work, but an index is lacking and additional editing would have been desirable.

The literature on Reformed Presbyterian missionary work from the British Isles is a little thin, and this informative, even inspiring, volume is a welcome addition.

Sermons

Growing in God’s Spirit: Jonathan Edwards for Today’s Reader, T. M. Moore, ed., P&R, 2003. 144 pp. Reviewed by Ricky Kortyna.

Jonathan Edwards has often been called the greatest intellect that America has produced. Edwards’ rich writings often go unread outside of seminaries, mainly because of the work required of the reader. T. M. Moore, in this series of Edwards’ works, succeeds in bringing Edwards to the layperson.

This thin book contains only three of Edwards’ sermons: “A Divine and Supernatural Light” (Matt. 16:17), “Christian Knowledge” (Heb. 5:12), and “The Christian Pilgrim” (Heb. 11:13-14).

In the first sermon, Edwards is concerned with the reality and excellency of Scripture. Those who have received the divine light are able to appreciate the truth of God and benefit from that truth.

In his exposition of Hebrews 5:12, Edwards shines. Edwards informs us that divinity is not seen in nature, but is revealed in the Bible; that, while some of us are called to be teachers, we are all called to be students; that knowledge of God is enriching to all aspects of life; that any idle time should be delegated to the direct study of Scripture, reading of commentaries, and Christian conversation.

The final sermon dovetails into the second: Having acquired knowledge, we must be prepared to seek the Lord by living a life of holiness. The way to heaven is upwards—a difficult, lifelong journey, but one that has incomprehensible rewards.

The only fault in this book is Moore’s persistent interruptions of the sermons with questions for the reader to ponder. These would be better collected at the end of the book. Having said that, this is an excellent book to give to those who are interested in tasting Edwards without having to read his collected works.