Theology

Standing Forth: The Collected Writings of Roger Nicole, by Roger Nicole, published by Fearn, Ross-shire, Mentor, 2002. Hardback, 492 pp., $24.99. Reviewed by David Whitla.

This valuable collection of 23 essays from the pen of Dr. Roger Nicole will be a useful volume for any pastor or serious student of theology. Nicole is professor of theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Fla. He has won the respect of theologians, pastors, and laymen within and without the Reformed community as a champion of orthodoxy, endowed with great clarity and precision of thought, coupled with a gracious and irenic style.

Following an introductory essay on polemic theology (a fitting opener for a volume of often-dense theological argument), the first section deals with the subject of Scripture. Nicole confronts a range of threats to the Reformed doctrines of canonicity, inerrancy, and inspiration, from liberalism to neo-orthodoxy, as well as discussing practical matters, such as the nature of Old Testament citations in the New. A number of these discussions are couched in historic contexts, as these recurring debates were handled by Calvin, Warfield, and Fairbairn.

In the second edition, six articles treat the atonement, particularly its nature, extent, and compatibility with a universal gospel call. Nicole defends the historic Reformed position with great precision against the objections of Arminianism, Amyraldianism, and universalism. Seven articles on miscellaneous topics conclude the collection, including a most helpful response to Greg Boyd and Clark Pinnock’s open theism, some thoughts on the perseverance of the saints, and biblical theology of marriage.

The author’s material is often heady. One must be prepared to carefully follow his well-defined logic as he dismantles opposing arguments, but Nicole always writes engagingly and with a twinkle in his eye. He possesses a persuasive passion for the Reformed faith, and is eager to keep it from being misrepresented and undermined, even if it means redefining some of our cherished traditional formulas (e.g., the “TULIP” acrostic) to make the doctrines of grace clearly understood in a post-Christian age.

Commentary

The Old Testament Explained and Applied, Gareth Crossley, Evangelical Press, 2002. Hardback, 864 pp., $39.99. Reviewed by David Whitla.

In an age of increasingly biblical illiteracy, Evangelical Press is to be commended for publishing several titles which, at a simple but by no means elementary level expound the Word of God, most notably the Welwyn and The Guide commentary series. The latest offering in this mold is a comprehensive overview of the Old Testament from the pen of a British scholar, Dr. Gareth Crossley. A hefty, but extremely readable volume, it is packed with helpful commentary, maps, tables, and illustrations, and is to be warmly welcomed as a balanced and reliable guide to this portion of Scripture.

The author seeks “to present a glimpse of the contents of each Old Testament book so that the overall plan and purpose of God might be clearly perceived.” This objective is achieved by introductory essays on the inspiration of Scripture and the central theme of the Old Testament (the unfolding plan for the coming of Christ), followed by chapters on each of the 27 Old Testament books. Crossley’s work is extremely “user-friendly”—each book study follows the same helpful format: introduction, authorship, historical setting, outline, Christ and His Church foreshadowed, application, and conclusion. The reader is thus brought to see the unity of the Old Testament message and purpose with great clarity. Several useful appendices and a helpful topical index complete the volume.

Having used the book profitably for a year in the classroom as a high school Bible teacher, I would especially commend it to students at this level or to new Christians. It will prove a valuable resource for Sabbath schools, church libraries, or homeschooling families. While not intended to be an exhaustive study, there is nonetheless sufficient depth here to enrich personal Bible study and a selected bibliography to encourage further study. More serious Old Testament scholars might be more at home with a deeper manual, such as Dillard and Longman’s Introduction to the Old Testament (Zondervan). As increasing numbers in today’s church see the Old Testament at best as a random collection of moral stories for Veggie Tales, this nicely presented handbook will help set the record straight.