in . ~ l ConunUl1l L.._ E UND EH E --EV.-LUTH. HOMILETIK TH OLOGJ--L T ~ Y·TH OLOGICAL MONTHL ~ 1- uth. yn d of CO OIIDI 1 r 'I ac t 1 U 2 Z7 7 304 Book Review Book Review All books reviewed in this periodical may be procured from or tbrougb Concordia Publisbing House, 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, Mo. The Concordia New Testament with Notes (Pocket Size). Edited and revised by John Theodore Mueller, Th. D. 798 pages. 6 maps. Price, $2.00. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. For many years this reviewer has had on his desk for ready reference The HoLy Bible, Self-Explaining Edition, published by the American Tract Society, edited by Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman. When his opinion was asked regarding the publication of the New Testament portion of this work, revised along Lutheran lines, in a handy pocket-size edition, he wholeheartedly endorsed the plan. First, because he honestly felt that it would be doing the brethren in the ministry a service; secondly, because he hoped it would help the layman to a more intelligent study of the Sacred Word. This work has now been accomplished by our Concordia Publishing House under the editorship of our esteemed colleague Dr. J. T. Mueller, and it is a work that can be recommended to clergy and laity alike. It will be well for the purchaser of the book to know how it was possible to offer a volume of almost 800 pages at so Iowa price, namely, by using the old plates. That is why the typography is not altogether up to the usual high standard of Concordia, though it is surprisingly good considering the circumstances. The task of revision meant that the reviser had to limit his changes to the number of lines devoted to a verse or a comment in the previous edition. That section of the plate then had to be cut out so that the revised matter could be carefully soldered into its place, a laborious and painstaking task, both for the reviser and the printer. As to the merits of this Concordia New Testament with Notes, this reviewer believes they will be appreciated by the careful Bible student in increasing degree with regular use. The introductions to the various books of the New Testament are brief but adequate, and they really lead the reader into the books by giving him the necessary information on questions of authorship, date of writing, and purpose, as well as by presenting the salient features of each book. The notes, always at the bottom of the page, are of necessity very brief, but they offer excellent help for the correct understanding of the. text. In addition to the notes there are frequently sections of instructions, designed to make a practical application of the truths of God. The pages are always carefully divided as follows: upper half, the Biblical text; lower half, the notes and instructions; in between, the Biblical references. This work has been so well put together that the reader does not have to turn to other pages for the notes on a specific text. In short, everything has been done to simplify the use of the book for all classes of readers. Book Review 305 At -the end of -the volume eight pages are devoted to a synopsis of Kerr's Harmony of the Gospels in the words of the standard American Revised Bible; five pages contain a chronological index of the entire Bible; one page has a table of Hebrew times and festivals; -three pages carry additional handy tables of weights, measures, money, etc.; and there are six maps in color. W. G. POLACK Christian World Action. By O. Frederick Nolde. Muhlenberg Press (United Lu-theran Church Publication House). Philadelphia, Pa. 113 pages, 5X7. Price, 40 cents. What can the Christian Church contribute towards bringing about a just and durable peace? Discussing -this question on -the basis of the findings of the Delaware Conference (held in 1942 under the auspices of -the Federal Council), our booklet declares that "it is -the function of the Church to preach -the Gospel at all times . . . and in so doing will issue a call to repentance." (P.36.) And that certainly is the Church's business and duty. Furthermore "the Church must accept -the responsibility of educating its own constituency so -that each church member will be equipped to make his contribution as a Christian citizen." (P.38.) That, too, is the business of the Church. That is good Lutheran doctrine. "Natuerlich hat auch die lutherische Kirche insofern eine 'aktive soziale Richtung,' als sie die Christen mit ihrem Dienste sehr energisch in die sozialen Verhaeltnisse hineinweist." (F. Pieper, Chr. Dogmatik, III, p.211.) And if the Christian businessmen, the Christian voters, and the Christian statesmen, whom the Church provides, live up to -their principles, their influence will be felt at the peace table. It will not effect a lasting peace, for there will never be a lasting peace, but it will help to bring about as just a peace as possible. Should -the Church sit at -the peace table? Our booklet says No. "It is an obvious fact that representatives of governments, not of churches, will draw and act upon peace proposals and make subsequent treaties." (P.39.) That is well. However, the Delaware Conference and Dr. Nolde want a place for -the representatives of -the churches next to the peace table. "Christian leaders must fashion some plan of procedure which will establish a point of contact wi-th national leaders as early as possible and maintain that contact until a satisfactory final decision has been reached. . .. Church groups or groups of churchmen may express to -the government the opinions held by a majority of -their constituencies .... " (P.39.) "Promote preparations for a more real world Christianity and for a meeting of -the World Council of Churches to be held in connection with any general peace conference." (P.101.) And that will never do. For one thing, the Church has no business and no time to regulate the temporal affairs of the world. "Die andern Artikel," says Luther, discussing the demands of the peasants, "befehle ich den Rechtverstaendigen. Denn mir, als einem Evangelisten, nicht gebuehrt, hierinnen zu urteilen und zu richten." (XVI: 67.) Read Dr. Pieper's article "Sind politische Pastoren ein Unding?" (Lehre und Wehre, 1896, p.193 ff.) And in the second place, who is going to give authoritative instructions on the many problems that will have to be settled at the peace conference to the delegates to 20 306 Book Review the World Council peace conference which is to give instruction to the political peace conference sitting next door? Here are some of these problems as listed in our book. "Many people are contending that tariffs for the protection of industry should be supplanted by free trade. Others claim that there must at least be some kind of international control over tariffs, in order to permit equitable adjustments." (P. 18.) How will the Christian businessman and the Christian statesman prove from the Bible that free trade is better than a protective tariff? "Should the colonies be administered on an international instead of a national basis?" (P.19.) The Delaware Conference is for internationalism on this point (p. 59), and it invokes international authority on various other points (p. 84 f.). Church leaders of England demand: "1. Extreme inequality in wealth and possessions should be abolished." (P.68.) How will the World Council peace conference decide this point? Another matter: "As long as inequalities continue to exist between the so-called 'have' nations and 'have-not' nations, a cause for irritation will remain." (P.21.) Are the preachers more competent to adjudge these matters than the statesmen? Calvin Coolidge once said: "I think most of the clergy today are preaching Socialism. None of us knows much about economics anyway, but some of the preachers seem to know nothing at all." (See CONe. Tm:OL. MTHLY., VI, p. 623.) How long will the peace negotiations go on if they have to wait till the church-peace-conference has come to an agreement? The question of a United Church enters into the discussion of what the Church can contribute towards establishing a just and lasting peace. "Must the churches be united in order to advocate a union of nations?" Answer: "There is some truth in the statement that the Christian Church is in no position to advocate a union among the nations of the world until it has effected a union of its own separate denominations." (pp.83, 86.) It will be interesting to hear what kind of union is here advocated. The Delaware Conference states: "We call upon our churches to enter seriously and immediately upon the task of breaking down the barriers that so easily divide us into opposing groups. . . . We would also call upon our churches to enter upon a new era of interdenominational cooperation." And Dr. Nolde adds: "It is not necessary for all communions to hold exactly the same beliefs or to worship identically the same way. . .. Real co-operation in specific church work and in community enterprises with a common purpose then becomes possible." (P. 98 f.) The union here advocated is a sham -"it is not necessary for all communions to hold exactly the same beliefs" -and cannot bring about lasting peace in the Church. And the more certain specific truths of Christianity are suppressed, the less influence the Church will have on the strife-torn, warring world. Will there ever be a just and durable peace here on earth? Yes; in the millennium. Dr. Nolde and the Delaware Conference declare: "As members of the Commission established by the Federal Council of Churches to study the Bases of a Just and Durable Peace, we have prepared this statement (13): Amid the darkness and tragedy of the world of today we are upheld by faith that the kingdoms of this world will Book Review 307 become the kingdom of Christ and that He shall reign forever and ever." (P. 56 if.) Dr. F. E. Reinartz calls this thirteenth thesis "the power point" in the Delaware Declaration and in Dr. Nolde's treatise. (See the Lu-theran, Oct. 28, 1942.) TH. ENGELDER The Call to Conversion. By Hyman Appelman. Fleming H. Revell Co. 128 pages, 5X7%. Price, $1.00. Fishing for Men. By H. W. Ellis. Zondervan Publishing House. 187 pages,5x7%. Price, $1.50. These two books have value for such pastors as are occasionally asked to give a brief characterization of Fundamentalism. Both books strikingly illustrate the special features of this type of Christianity. The belief in the inspiration of the Bible seems to be presupposed throughout, as is the vicarious atonement. But there is a weakness in quoting and applying Scripture passages, also an evident leaning toward Arminianism and unionism. On the other hand, both books contain passages of great power and beauty, which a Lutheran pastor will thoroughly enjoy. The second book contains some valuable suggestions for mission day sermons. P. E. KRETZMANN Russian Events in the Light of Bible Prophecy. By Louis S. Bauman, D. D. Fleming H. Revell Company, New York, London, and Edinburgh. 191 pages, 5X7%. Price, $1.25. It is a well-known fact that in times of great distress and tribulation people turn from the clear books and passages of Holy Scripture and turn to the less clear books and passages like Revelation in the New Testament and Ezekiel and Daniel in the Old Testament and try to find their hopes and fears prophesied or expressed in those books and passages. And such a procedure is not only confined to groups like "Jehovah's Witnesses," Adventists, Pentecostals, and others, but also to more sober-minded Christians, especially in Fundamentalist circles. That was the case in the days of the First World War, even with some in the Lutheran Church, and this is again coming true in the present days, and such articles and books are widely distributed and create quite an interest in many who still believe the Bible. If anyone would like to find out for himself, the book mentioned above serves such purpose. It is based on a series of articles that appeared in the Sunday-School Times during the cataclysmic events that have been taking place in the world since the autumn of 1939. They have been revised and brought up to date by the author and are published in book form at the insistent requests of hundreds of students of Bible prophecy. The author, Dr. Louis S. Bauman, is a widely known teacher in the field of prophecy and desires to malce difficult Bible sections clear. In the present book he deals with Ezekiel, chaps.38 and 39, describing the "onstorm" of Gog and Magog and his defeat. The chief purpose of the book is to identify Gog and Magog with Russia, a favorite idea with many since 1914. We cannot enter upon what we consider an absolutely wrong treatment of these chapters, resulting in all kinds of vagaries. We shall simply give the headings of a few chapters: 2. Gog "Inspected" 308 Book Review and Identified--Russia; 3. The Latter-Day Allies of Gog; 4. Gog's War on God; 5. Is Gog's Heart Softening? 6. Gog's War without Quarter; 8. Gog Wars on Morality; 9. Gog at the Door of Human Judgment; 10. Any American or British Alliance with Gog is Abnormal; 11. Has Gog been Converted? 13. Gog's Horses and Horsemen; 17. Gog Goes to Prey upon the Jews; IS. The Translation of the Saints and the Coming of Antichrist; 20. A Warning to America; 22. Antichrist, the Sword of God for the Judgment of Gog; 24. The Battle of Gog versus the Battle of Armageddon; 25. The Reign of the Antichrist and His Overthrow at Armageddon. If anyone would like to consider these matters from a sound 2.,1[1 sober Biblical standpoint, he may consult Dr. Graebner's War in the Light of Prophecy or an article in the CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL MONTHLY, "Gog and Magog," 8, 331. If only people would heed Luther's sound advice, given in his masterly exposition of Psalm 37 and very necessary in days' like the present. Luther discusses at some length the clearness and perspicuity of Holy Scripture, speaks about the less clear and obscure passages and their interpretation in the light of clear passages and closes with the words: "Und wer das Dunkel nicht verstehen kann, der bleibe bei dem Lichten." (St. Louis Edition V: 33S.) L. FUERBRINGER An Hour with John and Betty Stam. Martyred Missionaries to China. By T. W. Engstrom. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Mich. 29 pages. Price, 10 cents. Un-Americanism in ~ i g h School Textbooks. By Dan Gilbert. Same publishers. 67 pages. Price, 35 cents. Spurgeon's Sel'mon Illustrations. Edited by D. O. Fuller, Same publishers. 144 pages, 5JfzxS. Price, $1.00. More Power in Prayer. How to Pray Effectively. D. M. Dawson. Same publishers. 162 pages, 5JfzX73f4. Price, $1.00. Pen Pictures of Passion Week. By F. B. Wyand. Same publishers. 117 pages. 5Jfzx73f4. Price, $1.00. An HouT with John and Betty Stam is one of a number of attractive "spiritual biographies" published by Zondervans during the last years. It is a touching story that will provoke missionary interest in both young and old readers, especially because of the almost miraculous way in which little Helen Priscilla Starn was rescued from the Communist bandits who murdered her parents. "Ways past finding out!" Good reading material for Ladies' Aids and mission societies. Un-Amel'icanism in High School Textbooks. This is a book to be recommended especially to those who deal with young people. The data presented by the author, if correct, are indeed alarming. The chapter headings read: The Attack on Americanism; Pro-Soviet Propaganda; Making Radicals of Students; Cultivating Class Hatred in the Class Room; Falsifying History; Teachings That Make Criminals of Students. From the headings the reader may gather what the chapters contain. Lurid reading, but instructive! Book Review 309 Spurgeon's Sermon IlLustrations will be welcomed by such as look for illustrative sermon material. The book contains over 550 illustrations and direct quotations, alphabetically arranged. For example "some Christians live on Christ, but are not so anxious to live for Christ." "Sincere repentance is continual. Believers repent until their dying day." The illustrations, of course, are much longer. More Power in Prayer points out in simple, dignified language the way of effective prayer. Twenty serious chapters of devotional meditations based upon a fitting Scripture lesson immediately preceding. On the whole, helpful short studies in the Christian art of prayer. Pen Pictw'es of P[iSsion Week is a devout study of our Lord's last week on earth, following His works and sufferings from day to day. Chapter heads: The Day of Triumphal Entry; The Day of His Authority; The Day' of Conflicts; The Day of Fellowship; The First Day of Unleavened Bread; The Day of His Cup; The Day of the Sealed Tomb; The Day of His Resurrection. The book offers material for Lenten ad-dresses. J. THEODORE MUELLER Charles G. Finney. He Prayed Down Revivals. By Basil Miller. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids. 137 pages, 5%X71/2. Price, $1.00. In simple but fascinating language the author tells the story of the great revivalist Charles G. Finney. Coming from a non-Christian home, Finney, who had entered the legal profession, found in his legal books many references to the Mosaic code, bought a Bible, and learned the true way to salvation, by the grace of God through faith in Christ. As a result he became a Christian preacher, teacher, and writer. Many remarkable conversions are recorded. The fearless and powerful and incessant testifying by Finney, prompted by his faith and burning love for lost souls and his zeal to serve his Savior, ought to be an inspiration to soul winners, especially at this time, when the world is so much in need of a spiritual awakening. J. H. C. FRITZ Six Kings of the American Pulpit. By Clarence Macartney. The Westminster Press, Philadelphia. 210 pages, 5%X8Y4. Price, $1.50. A biography is always interesting. A biography of preachers is not only interesting to preachers, but instructive, stimulating, and uplifting. The reading of Dr. Macartney's Six Kings of the American Pulpit will bear out this statement. The well-written biographies are those of George Whitefield, Matthew Simpson, Henry Ward Beecher, Phillips Brooks, T. De Witt Talmage, and William Jennings Bryan (a layman). In 1909 Dr. Macartney wrote a volume of biographies, Sons of Thunder, featuring the following pulpit speakers: John Bunyan, Thomas Guthrie, Thomas Chalmers, Edward Irving, Peter Cartwright, James Waddel, Gilbert Tennent, Samuel Davies, Eliphalet Nott, and Lyman Beecher. Dr. Macartney is a prolific writer. He has written thirty-two books in twenty-six years. In 1927 he became pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh. J. H. C. FRITZ 310 Book Review The Empty Tomb. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. 64 pages, 61f4X91f4. Price, $1.00. The ten Easter sermons in this volume are presented by the following pastors: Lawrence Acker, J. W. Behnken, Arthur Brunn, L. B. Buchheimer, O. A. Geiseman, E. H. Heintzen, Otto P. Kretzmann, Erwin Kurth, Louis J. Sieck, Henry F. Wind. A diversity of gifts has entered into the make-up of this book of sermons, all of which breathe a unity of spirit in presenting the great truths of our Savior's resurrection for the assurance of the sinners' salvation. Such thoughts as the following are developed in these sermons: The historical resurrection fact; the resurrection of Jesus, the pillar which supports the entire structure of the Christian doctrine; the Christian and the fear of death; the resurrection of Jesus as the forepledge of our own resurrection; Christ's victory over sin, death, and hell makes possible victorious living, fearless Christian testimony, comfort in the hour of death, and a cheerful hope of eternal glory. The material presented can be used not only in sermons on Easter Sunday, but also in after-Easter and in funeral sermons. Since Paul says, "If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain, ye are yet in your sins," the preaching of the fact of Christ's resurrection should not be limited to the Easter season. J. H. C. FRITz The Concordia Liturgical Series for Church Choirs. The Introits for the Church Year. Edited by Walter E. Btiszin. Concordia Publishing House. 49 pages, 7X10. Price, 60 cents. The interest in things liturgical is growing in our circles and with it the interest in good musical settings for the various parts of the Morning Service, commonly called the Chief Service, or the Communion Service. In some cases the introits are read by the pastor, in some instances they are chanted by the liturgist. In this well-printed volume we have the music for all the introits of the church year in a form that can instantly be grasped by even a small choir and will require little practicing to be rendered effectively. The music is printed in modern form, but with the Gregorian tone indicated in each instance. The Introduction, by Professor Buszin, gives the most important information concerning the use of the introits in our Lutheran services. Choirmasters should by all means become acquainted with this excellent volume. Perhaps it will assist in bringing about a greater uniformity in the liturgy of our churches. P. E. KRETZMANN Proceedings of the Sixty-Sixth Convention of the Michigan District. 150 pages. Price, 22 cents. Proceedings of the Twenty-Fifth Convention of the Texas District. 101 pages. 16 cents. Proceedings of the Sixty-Fourth Convention of the Central District. 95 pages. 30 cents. Proceedings of the Twenty-Ninth Convention of the Oregon and Washington District. 56 pages. 17 cents. Proceedings of the Thirty-Sixth Convention of the California and Nevada District. 29 pages. 33 cents. Book Review 311 Proceedings of the Twenty-Second Convention of the Southern Illinois District. 79 pages. 11 cents. All these reports are published by Concordia Publishing House. Besides a quite detailed report on the business conducted at the various conventions, our synodical reports, as a rule, publish, either in full or in abbreviated form, the essays read at the convention. These doctrinal papers, particularly if they were not only listened to but discussed by those present, will be as helpful in our days as they have been in the past in keeping our: far-flung Synod in unity of doctrine and practice. If these reports are carefully studied by the members of the District as well as by the pastors of other Districts, their potential blessing will become an actual, living, increasingly important factor in preserving true Lutheranism in our midst in these times of sore distress. The essays read at the conventions are partly of a doctrinal, partly of a practical nature. Michigan offers on eighty-three pages a "Brief Sketch of Three Churches, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, with Practical Applications"; a paper on the "Government and Providence of God"; another on "Prayer"; and another on the "Order of Service in the Luthera.n Hymna.l." Texas on thirty-four pages publishes a thorough investigation of the term "Kingdom of God According to the New Testament" by Prof. F. E. Mayer. The Central District heard papers of a practical nature on "Personal Evangelism," a "Survey of Christian Missions from Pentecost to the Present Time," and on "Institutional Missions." The Oregon and Washington District published the essays on "Stewardship of Time and Talents" and the "Office of the Keys" on thirtyfour pages. The Southern Illinois District Report contains a thirteeen-page essay on "Creation" and a nineteen-page paper on "Christian Stewardship." The California and Nevada District did not publish the essays read at their convention. TH. LAETscH Proceedings of the Thirteenth Convention of the Northern Nebraska District, 1942. 85 pages., sold by the Rev. H. K. Niermann, Meadow Grove, Nebraska. 20 cents. Prof. A. M. Rehwinkel read an essay on "The Christian in the World Today," published on pages 20-53. TH, LAETscH My Communion. By Ottomar Kolb. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. 16 pages, 31/zx5¥4. Price, 5 cents, $3.00 per 100. This pamphlet offers a preparation during the week preceding Communion on the basis of the Christian Questions. Any means for proper preparation for the Lord's Supper ought to be welcomed by our people and our pastors. This little pamphlet serves its purpose well and ought to find wide use. Let the congregation distribute it to all its communicant members and ask the Lord to bless its use. THEo. LAETscH 312 Book Review Lessons in Religion for Part-Time Schools. Published under the auspices of the Board of Christian Education of the Ev. Luth. Synod of MissOUli, Ohio, and Other States. Teacher's Manuals and Pupil's Work Sheets. Children of the Bible, Part I: Old Testament. Teacher's Manual, 36 pages, 5X7%. Price, 25 cents. Pupil's Work Sheets 15 cents. God Our Father. Teacher's Manual, 31 pages, 5X'7%. Price, 25 cents. Pupil's Work Sheets 15 cents. Builders of a Nati01!', Part I: Pioneers and Leaders of Israel. Teacher's Manual, 40 pages, 5x71f2. Price, 25 cents. Pupil's Work Sheets 15 cents. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. As in the field of preaching, so in the field of religious education, it seems very difficult for educators to find time for working out material for the various educational agencies and teaching situations which are in use in their congregations. And yet such material is needed for Saturday schools, summer schools, released-time classes, and other institutions. For that reason the Board of Christian Education has prepared these manuals and work sheets. Every pastor in need of such helps will do well to examine this material well, for it is so arranged that it will be easily adjustable to conditions of every type. The use of this material should do much toward raising the standard of teaching in these agencies. P. E. KRETZMANN BOOKS ·RECEIVED From Fleming H. Revell Co., New York, N. Y.: Teachers' Guide to· the International Sunday-School Lessons. Improved Uniform Course for 1943. By Martha Tarbell, Ph. D., Litt. D. 416 pages, 5%X83f4. Price, $2.00, postpaid. The Call to Conversion. Have You Been Born Again? By Hyman Appelman. 128 pages, 5X7%. Price, $1.00. From Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, Minn.: Ships Will Sail Again. By Olga Guttormson. From The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, Pa.: The Practice of the Christian Life. By Edwin Lewis. 151 pages, 5%X7%. Price, $1.00. From Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, Minn.: Ships Will Sail Again. By Olga Guttormson. 96 pages, 5%X73f4. Price, 50 cents. From Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Bible Name Quiz. By F.H.Moehlmann. 61 pages, 5%X7%. Price, 35 cents. Talking Object Lessons. By Elmer L. Wilder. 119 pages, 5l/2X73f4. Price, $1.00. More Objects that Talk and Teach. By Louis T. Talbot. 110 pages, 5% X73f4. Price, 50 cents. A Govermnent Request In order to comply with the Government request to reduce the consumption of paper by 10 per cent, the "Concordia Theological Monthly" until further notice will contain 72 pages instead of the usual 80 pages. CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE