em m:us[egungen Diefer @5erie gciagt 1)aben. ~ie ftbetfetung ift unfets (.I;tad)tens bas Illiicf)tillfte an bern gansen Illied, unb bas gift fonbedid) bon bem etften lBud). mielcu bet m:llsfU1)tungen fiinnen mit leibet nicf)t beiftimmen, roie bet 3rocifellJaften lBe~ fd)teiliung bes m5unbers in 2 ~iin. 18, 19 (5. 14), bem ,iJinroeis auf einen 3 IU e i ~ ten @5ad)atja (5. 17), bet !!letmutung, Dail bas ~anUieb ~ona 2,3-10 cine fl>iitm (.I;infUgung fei (5. 109; bgl. 5. 199). ~m Ubtigen ift bie m:uslegung 3iem~ liel) annel)mbar. ~ies gilt in nod) 1)ol)erem small bon bem ~ommcutar .RriHerll. ~lbet aud) 1)ier ljaben mit aU1l3ufeten, bnb ber !!letfaffer mand)mal m:nfid)ten au ~a.pier bringt, bie fid)er1id) nid)t auf obieUiben statf ad)en unb nUd)ternem 5tu~ bium betufjen, roie menn et fagt, bab bet ,iJinroeis aUf ~f. 2 in m:.poft. 4, 25 aUf "einet falfdjen ftbet!iefetlln(l" beru1)e (5.7), menn er ~f. 40 nid)t o1)ne milif~a!t ag meffianifd) lJe1)anbert, roenn et ~f. 110 butd)aus mit cinet gefd)id)t!id)en 18eiJeben~ 1)eH in ~abibll ~eben berbinben roill, nnfiatt ilJn einfad) aIll cine Illicillfagung auf ben smeffiall au belJanbeln. m:bet ber aUfmedfame ~efer roitb biefe 5tellen balb ausmeqen fBnncn unD bann um fo melJr @eroinn bon ben guten steHen bet ~adegung ~a6en. ~. (.1;. ~ ret man n The Parables of the Gospels and Their Meaning for Today. By Hugh Martin. The Abbingdon Press, New York, Cincinnati, Chicago. 251 pages, 5X7ljz. Pri.ce, $2.00. May be ordered through Concordia Publishing House, 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, Mo. This discussion of the parables of our Lord my readers will find useful. In simple fashion the author, a Baptist minister trained in Scot- land and now living in England, a former assistant secretary of the Student Christian Movement, considers first the general subject of par- ables and their interpretation and then the individual parables. His object, as he says (p. 31), is to give a popular expository treatment of the parables. Their text is printed at the beginning of the chapters in which they are interpreted; the version there employed is that of Moffatt. while in general the Authorized Version is used by the author. In speak- ing of the exposition of parables, it is urged that the context, the central theme, and the teller of the parable be borne in mind - considerations which are extremely important. To quote but one sentence of a number of apt ones: "A parable has in it one truth and not necessarily every truth" (p. 27). I regret to see that the author does not rise to the heights of full appreciation of the Scriptures, acknowledging them as the inerrant Word of God (cf. p.35). W.ARNDT 394 Book Review - mtcratut ~d l.l2cue ~tftament :l:)eutfdi. l.l2eueB lMilttingcr l8ilidlUetf. ~n illerlJinbung mit anbetn ®e{e~tten ~etaufJgegeoen bon ~au{ i!l{t~aus unb :;So~annes me~m. 2. :teilfliinbd)en: :!l a 5 & ban g el i u m n a d) IDl a t q au 5 , lloetfett unb erfliitt bon :;suHull 5d)nietvinb. !l3anben~oect & lRullrcd)t, ®ottingen. 1937. 274 5eiten 6X9. ~teill: \}iitll i!lu!llanb RM.7.20; Dei 5uofftilltion RM. 6. ®Ctn oringen tvir bas &rfd)einen aud) biefell manbes in bem in bieler ~infid)t ttcfflid)en ®ottingct ~ommentat, bet ben 9lamen tragt ,,:!las I)leue :teftament S)eutfd)", 5Ut i!ln3eige. Wie unfetn ~efctn in &tinnetung fein tvitb, ~aoen tvir an nen Id)on erfd)ienenen mannen, bie mit bem ietigen ball ganae 9leue steftament umfalfen, bie il:oerfetnng gdoM, bie fetnill unb tvo~lf!ingenb ift, lobann bie Dei aUet .R'nallll~eit bod) ~od)grabige !l3oUftanbigfeit bet erlautetnben memerfungen. :!liefet mann rci~t fic!) feinen illor\langern tviirbig an unb 3eigt biefelben !l3ot3iige. IDlit ®enugtuung fie~t man, ball ber merfalfet nid)t bloll erfHiren tvill, fonbetn baB ell i~m batum 5U tun ift, bie groBen m.la~t~eiten, bie bas &bange" Hum ent9iilt, bem l3efer nalje3ubtingen. i!llS meifpiel fonnen tvir cine me" me dung 3U IDlatt9. I, 23 (bie Weillfa(lung bom ~mmanuel) anfii9ren: .Wie ell bon ~&fu ~rbenreoen gefagt tvirb, baB ®ott oeftiinbig mit i9m tvar (i!llloft. 10, 38; ~o(). 8, 29), fo ift et feloft in ~etfon bie ®egentvatt ®ottell flit unll IDlenfd)en; f. 2 .R'or. 4, 6; .R'ol. 2, 9; ~ebr. I, 3; ~09. 14, 6. 9; IDlatt~. 11, 4 f. (f. b.). m.liebetnm 9at nnll ~utljer biefe neuteftamentlid)e &rfenntniS bermitteft: ,\}ragft bu, iuer er ift? &r ljeillt ~&full (,);9tift, ber ~(hr 3eoaot9.' II :;sn bet ~inleitung tvirb angcnommen, ball cine befonbere QueUe (Q) bor" l)anben tvar, tvorauf ein :tcil unferll ~bangeHum!l 3urUct3ufllljren ift. S)od) tvirb 3ugegeoen, ball bie gan3e ~u~ot~efe Q oetreffcnb Itlacrelig ift, unb es tvirb oc~ 31lJeifelt, ball Q ein cinljeitlid)ell, aogefd)lolfenell muc!) tvar. wa~renb bet met" faffer burd)aus fonfetbatib fein tviU, ficljt man bod) mit We~mut, bat et, tvie bie meiften 3eitgeniif~fcljen ~rominenten :tljeofogen, fid) nid)t sut fr09cn 0.letviU" l)eU emporfd)tvingen fann, baB bie ~emge 5c!)rift ®otteil unfe9lbarell m.lott ift, unb ball er, bet illernnnft 3nliebe, annimmt, ~ier unb ba Itllltben uns in bicfem ~bangelium l3egenben Uoedicfert (f. befonbers 6.266). 50Uten nid)t bie mot" gnnge in Weft unb .Rird)e eine ernfte ~mal)nung fein an alIe tationalifietenilen :tf)eoiogen, 3Utllcf3Ufe~ren iU bem majeftiitifd)en ,,~s ftcljt gefc!)rieoenU ? .m.l. i!lt n b t The Divine Inspiration of the Bible. By Arthur W. Pink. Published by Bible Truth Depot, Swengel, Pa. Printed by Zondervan Publish- ing House, Grand Rapids, Mich. 90 pages, 5X7Jf2. Price; Paper, 65 cts.; cloth, $1.00. We have only one objection to this book, namely, that the author, in the chapter on "The Typical Significance of the Scriptures Declares Their Divine Authorship," goes into the realm of speculation. The fact that an earnest Bible student sees certain interesting parallels between Old Testament and New Testament sections does not yet prove the inspiration, except when the Bible itself declares such a parallelism to exist. But apart from this one criticism we recommend this book very highly, for the author, in a fearless and convincing manner, presents evidence for the perennial freshness of the Bible, for the unInistakable honesty of the writers, for the sublime character of its teaching, for the Book Review - 53iteratur 395 fulfilled prophecies of the Bible, for the wonderful unity of the Bible, for the marvelous influence of the Bible, for the miraculous power of the Bible, for its completeness, for its indestructibility, and for the inward confirmation of the veracity of the Scriptures. He has one entire chapter on "Verbal Inspiration," which alone is worth the price of the book. What the author says in the Introduction has been borne out in countless instances: "Grant that the Bible is a divine revelation and communica- tion of God's own mind and will to men, and you have a fixed starting- point from which advance can be made into the domain of truth. Grant that the Bible is (in its original manuscripts) inerrant and infallible, and you reach the place where study of its contents is both practicable and profitable." P. E. KRETZMANN Rec(Jlveries in Religion. By Ralph W. Sackman, D. D. Cokesbury Press, Nashville, Tenn. 284 pages, 5VzX8Vz. Price, $2.00. Dr. Sackman sees the need of recovery in religion, as far as a liberal theologian can see it. And we, too, need to emphasize much of what he says. He hails "the repudiation of recent Liberalism." "The older Liberalism is regarded as too shallow." "The paths of progress are blocked by tired Liberals." "It is a matter of record that those religious groups which stress their extreme individual liberty are making little headway today" (p. 32). "Science stands repudiated as redeemer" (p. 212) . While he believes in the social gospel, he utters the warning: "The crisis which our Protestant Christianity is facing today arises out of the fact that Christianity is shifting its center of gravity from the inner life to the social community (The Christian Century)" (p. 95). He does not quite agree with the writer who said: "The church is not attended today because it has nothing to offer which cannot be found in better form elsewhere" (p. 225). At the same time he castigates the preachers "who run their parishes quite as if there were no Holy Spirit" (p. 217), who "seek to attract hearers by announcing what the church has to offer, such as good music, cheering fellowship, interesting ser- mons" (p. 263), who, "to catch the public ear, draw on every best seller, fearing to stake their sermons on the Book of books" (p. 59) . "Many a so-called successful city preacher lifts his eyes unto the balconies whence cometh his strength. If they be well-filled, he feels that the kingdom is coming" (p. 116). Dr. Sockman tells these preachers t.hat "perhaps the pulpit might regain the public respect if the minister who realizes that he has no message on a given Sunday were to rise and frankly announce, 'Maybe next week, but not today'" (p. 254). The remedy which is prescribed for these and the many other ills of the Church by the liberal doctor will not effect the cure. The liberal doctor does not think enough of the Bible. He calls it indeed "the Book of books," but he refuses to accept it as "verbally inspired" and "infal- lible" (p. 61). It is not the ultimate source of the saving truth. Spiritual knowledge and strength must come from man's experience. "Convincing religious authority is an authority that uses personal experience, or the process of rediscovering the truth about God in ourselves, as its organ and instrument" (p. 39). Does he believe in the deity of Jesus? "Jesus 396 Book Review - mteratut made men aware of God. He had so completely surrendered himself to God that he felt the divine spirit had been surrendered to him" (p. 67) . That is not a confession of the deity of Christ. In fact, Dr. Sockman goes so far as to write: "Yet, authoritative as the centuries have found Jesus to be, what are nineteen hundred years in the life of the race? Can we say that the Christ of Nazareth has given us the final wisdom? May not the future outgrow him?" (p. 70). - The Church is undernourished. Dr. Sockman sees that. "In many a parish earnest ministers flay their people with social and moral challenges, but do not feed their minds with sufficient spiritual food to sustain their momle" (p. 59). But he has no use for the old-fashioned Gospel. He puts it this way: "There is danger that in the current revolt against the tyranny of the physical sciences and the vogue of Liberalism religion may revert to obscure orthodoxy" (p. 37) . The only remedy he knows of is the application of the Law. The specific is more practise of the social virtues. "Listen to Kagawa: 'Probably one reason why our Western friends do not under- stand redemption at the present moment is because of this lack of a full sense of human solidarity" (p. 97). Dr. Sockman is pastor of Christ Church (Methodist), New York, and Sunday morning preacher of the National Broadcasting Company. TH. ENGELDER The Clash. By Paul H. Andreen. MCMXXXVIII. Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, Minn. 152 pages, 5%X8. Price, $1.00. Order through Concordia Publishing House, 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, Mo. Just as soon as one reads the first chapter of this book, one will be bound to acknowledge that the author knows his subject and treats it with a warm sympathy. "The Clash" of which he speaks is that of the Church with various forces of our day and age, represented in the society in the midst of which the Church is trying to uphold the banner of the truth, of the salvation wrought by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. The trend of the whole book is given in the sentencP' "No one acquainted with the facts of the history of Christianity will fail to admit the intensity of the battle when Christ's teachings clash with the selfish- ness of man on all sectors - educational, economic, social, and spiritual." (P.4.) The subject is treated in six chapters: A World in Conflict; The Church and the Social Order; The Church and World Peace; The Church To-day; The Present Crisis; The Church's Contribution to the Social Order. The paragraphs on birth control and on atheistic com- munism are alone worth the price of the book. It should be read by every pastor who wishes to be informed on present trends in the rela- tion between the Church and the social order. P. E. KRETZMANN The Rise and Growth of English Hymnody. By Harvey B. Marks, M. A. Introduction by H. Augustine Smith. Fleming H. Revell Co., New York. 288 pages, 81j4X51/4. Price, $2.50. May be ordered through Concordia Publishing House, 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, Mo. In recent years various writers in our country have essayed to make up for a long neglect of one of the important branches of English litera- Book Review - ~itetatut 397 ture, English hymnody, following more or less in the footsteps of Dr. Louis F. Benson, who deserves the title of trail-blazer in this field. The book which the Rev. Harvey B. Marks here offers, presents the Anglican view-point. He sets high standards, and his judgments are sound. The difficult question "What is a hymn?" is carefully discussed in a satisfactory manner. We thoroughly agree with the author when he says: "It is much easier to say what is not a hymn than what is a hymn." That has been our own experience before classes at the Seminary. It is refreshing to read the author's verdict concerning "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere": "It is not much better than a song one might write and call 'Beautiful Isle of Nowhere.' It is a great pity that such a poor excuse for a hymn should become so popular with the unthinking multitude, because of its pleasing and sentimental type of music. It has been condemned alike by Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, and Protestant ministers as an unfitting song for the impressive office of the burial of the dead." On the other hand, it is disappointing to note that the author refers to Newman's "Lead, Kindly Light" as a hymn. It is inconsistent with his own standards. Newman himself did not consider it a hymn. Nor does it deserve that name for the reason that "it expresses the feelings or desire of many hearts," as that can hardly mean more that that such hearts are as unsettled in their religious convictions as Newman was when he wrote the words. The material offered in this volume is divided into three parts. In the first, after devoting several chapters to the study of hymnody, different aspects of it, to the definition of a hymn, and the evaluation of hymns, the author gives a fair summary of ancient and medieval and German hymnody. In the second, he presents English hymnody from the early psalmody to the hymn in America. In the last part, he enters the present century and discusses the work of the leading hymnists. The closing chapters are on carols (including spirituals) and the musical setting of the hymns. Subject, authors', and first-line indices are in the rear. Each chapter concludes with a list of books for addi- tional study. We recommend this book. W. G. POLACK God-Controlled Lives. By Sverre Norborg, Ph. D. Augsburg Publish- ing House, Minneapolis, Minn. 150 pages, 5lf2x8. Price, $1.00. Dr. Norborg is professor of philosophy at the University of Minne- sota and lecturer in theology at Augsburg Theological Seminary. A pro- lific, though still young (and theologically still immature), writer, he is known (as the blurb says) by sixteen volumes, of which the most recent are What Is Christianity? and Varieties of Christian Experience. In God- controlled Lives he delineates the characters, sensibilities, and expe- riences of such persons as Simon Peter, Matthew, Jairus, Nicodemus, and other sinners of the New Testament, showing how Christ's coming into their lives resulted in sweet fruits of faith and Christian piety. He follows in a general way the simple method of expounding the texts which present the Biblical characters, adding, as he goes along, such lessons as the cases suggest. The "lives" are conceived as biographical 398 Book Review -13iteratut: sermons, illustrating weighty practical truths which must still be ob- served by the modern follower of Jesus. It may be doubted whether the ordinary Christian will derive much benefit from reading the book; for the writer philosophizes more than he theologizes, and his paragraphs are directed to readers of college or at least high-school standing rather than to the common Christian folk. One great defect is lack of clarity as to the way of salvation. J. THEODORE MUELLER The Light in the Window. Funeral Sermons and Outlines by R. E. Golla- day, A. M., D. D. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Mich. 119 pages, 5%X7%. Price, $1.00. May be ordered through Concordia Publishing House, 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, Mo. Dr. Golladay of Columbus, 0., is the well-known author of sermons on the pericopal texts and on the Catechism. In this little volume he submits twenty-two outlines for funeral addresses. The ideal he has striven for is the preaching of "Scriptural funeral sermons; taking a text and adhering to it; using only such biographical and incidental matter as may be illustrative, comforting, or otherwise useful." He has also striven in his large ministry (he has buried nearly seven hundred per- sons in one congregation) "not to preach on the same text in the same circle of relatives or friends within the space of several years." He adds this interesting remark: "More than once, after a service was begun, ! changed my text and sermon because I saw in the audience those who had been present at a recent burial service. I was able to do this because I generally have the substance of several such texts, with an outline, pretty well in mind at all times." These printed outlines will prove of value in a busy ministry and in some difficult cases. THEODORE GRAEBNER The Lord's Prayer and Christian Life. By Prof. Martin Graebner. Con- cordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. 74 pages, 5%X7%. Price, 75 cts. We are happy to be able to ann01mce the appearance of this book. While its size is such that one can well understand why the author says on the page preceding the introduction: "This little book is not an exhaustive treatise on Ll).e Lord's Prayer, but represents a modest endeavor to set forth its chief implications for our sanctification," it is so stimulating that one is glad to read it and to ponder its contents. In dwelling on the various words and petitions of the Lord's Prayer, the writer correctly gives much attention to Luther's classic interpretation in the Small Catechism. After having stated and analyzed the thought as contained in the words of the Lord's Prayer and in Luther's exposition. Bible-texts are quoted in which the Scriptural evidence is presented. This, however, is not done in a mechanical manner, but discussion and proof are so interwoven that the argumentation gets to be live and interesting. Besides, the author does not forget the bearing which the contents of the Lord's Prayer has on our Christian life. In this manner the little volume becomes truly edifying to those who read it with care and in a devout spirit. May it find many readers! W. ARNDT Book Review - mtetatut 399 How Can the Lutherau Churches Effectively Serve with Word and Sacra- ment the Great Plains Area of Today and Tomorrow? By Dr. T. F. Gullixson. The Lutheran Book Concern, Colunlbus, O. 27 pages, 6X9. Price, 15 cts. We recommend this pamphlet to all our District Presidents, mission boards, and to the pastors in the stricken areas for careful study. The author offers a wealth of information and many practical suggestions toward a solution of the problems involved. TH. LAETSCH Does God Want Yau to Be a Lodge-Member? Tract No. 127. Concordia Publishing House. 19 pages, 3Y2X5l!2. Price: 5 cts.; dozen. 36 cts., and postage; 100, $2.50, and postage. These two tracts deserve to be widely read in our circles. Our mem- bers ought to be well informed on the lodge question, and Holy Com- munion ought to be held in much higher regard than statistics on attendance indicate. We recommend these tracts for mass distribution. TH. LAETSCH Goforth of China. By Rosalind Goforth. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Mich. 364 pages, 8lf4x51/z. Price, $2.00. A biography of the prominent Presbyterian missionary, who labored in the various parts of China from 1888 to 1936, written by his wife. W.G.POLACK What Should Admonish and Incite a Christian to Receive the Sacrament Frequently? By E. W. Koehler. Tract No. 128. Concordia Pub- lishing House, St. Louis, Mo. 32 pages, 4X6. Price: 8 cts.; dozen, 72 cts., and postage; 100, $5.00, and postage. The Multiplication of Usable Personalities. By C. F. Yaeger. Board of American Missions of the United Lutheran Church. 64 pages, 4%X7. This is a handbook on personal evangelism, personal soul-winning. While we have question-marked a number of statements, we recom- mend the booklet to our pastors for study and practical application. TH.LAETSCH Proceedings of the Sixty-First Convention of the Central District of the Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. 99 pages, 6X9. Price, 28 cts.- Nineteenth Convention of the Southern Dlinois District. 71 pages. Price, 14 cts. In the report of the Central District, Pastor Carl A. Eberhard dis- cusses in an interesting manner the ever timely doctrine, of special importance in our day, of the inspiration of Holy Scripture. He brings out clearly the Scriptural doctrine, answers a number of objections cur- rent in our day, and shows the importance of this doctrine for our faith and life. The report of the Southern Illinois District offers a paper by President J. W. Behnken, D. D., on "Leadership in the Church," and a paper in the German language on the doctrine of justification by Prof. W. Albrecht. Both papers deserve attentive reading, prayerful study, and grateful practical application of the divine truths to our private and congregational life. TH. LAETSCH 400 Book Review - \3iteratul Legal Aspects of Christian Science. By I. H. Rubenstein. Crandon Press, Chicago. 33 pages, 5%X8%. The author, a member of the Chicago bar, cites several court pro- ceedings in which "the legal rights and remedies of Christian Scientists have been questioned and even denied." Since the pastor will attack Christian Science from an entirely different angle, this brief treatise has little value for him. F. E. MAYER BOOKS RECEIVED From the Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Prophecy and the Tottering Nations. By Keith L. Brooks. 100 pages, 5x71;'2. Price, $1.00. Smoking and Other Habits. By Frank L. Wood, M. D. Price, paper, 25 cts. From the Bible Institute Colportage Association, 843-845 North Wells Street, Chicago: The Acts of the Apostles. With outlines, subdivisions, portions, and annotations, prepared by Norman H. Camp. 3X4%. From the Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, Minn.: emphasized 128 pages, My Lord the Shepherd Is a Westerner. By T. F. Gullixson, D. D., President Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. 36 pages, 51f4xH2. Price, 25 cts. From the American Tract Society, 7 West 45th St., New York: A Christian Layman's Handbook. By R. M. Kurtz, M. A. 72 pages, 411zX6lh. Price, 50 cts. From the Christian Action, Cincinnati, 0.: Studies in Christian Living. By James De Forest Murch. 112 pages, 31Jzx6. Price, 35 cts. NOTICE TO OUR SUBSCRILERS In order to render satisfactory service, we must have our current mailing-list correct. The expense of maintaining this list has been materially increased. Under present regulations we are subjEct to a "fine" on all parcels mailed to an incorrect address, inasmuch as we must pay 2 cents for every notification sent by the postmaster on a parcel or periodical which is undeliverable because no forwarding address is available or because there has been a change of address. This may seem insignificant, but in view of the fact that we have subscribers getting three or more of our periodicals and considering our large aggregate subscription list, it may readily be seen that it amounts to quite a sum during a year; for the postmaster will address a notification to each individual periodical. Our subscribers can help us by notifying us - one notification (postal card, costing only 1 cent) will take care of the addresses for several publications. We shall be very grateful for your cooperation. Kindly consult the address label on this paper to ascertain whether your subscription has expired or will soon expire. "May 38" on the label means that your subscription has expired. Please pay your agent or the Publisher promptly in order to avoid interruption of service. It takes about two weeks before the address label can show change of address or acknowledgment of remittance. When paying your subscription, please mention name of publication desired and exact name and address (both old and new, if change of address is requested). CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE, St. Louis. Mo.