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Book Reviewsof dynamic equivalencedominated in the preparationof the NIV. HH) and JohnBeekman.This is completely destructiveof biblical hermeneutics.In fact, it makes any study oftheBible an exercise in futility anddenies that Scripture is the infalliblerecord ofthe revelationof God in Christ. Kraft proceedsfrom the assumption thatno full communication is possibleeven between people fromthe same culture (p. 248). TheBible, from a vastly differentculture, can communicate anythingonly in a very approximateway. We get, I guess, asort ofvague notion ofwhat theBible is saying. We can neverbe sure we understand what itteaches. Everything is to beinterpreted in the context oftheculture in which it was written,and that culture is forever beyondour understanding.If this were indeed true, Iwouldn't spend any more timewith Scripture than I do withDante's Divine Comedy. Butthis is what happens when weopen the door to a "human element"in Scripture. I challengeanyone to point to a single textin all Scripture where the originofScripture is explainedin termsof the men whom God used towrite it. The classic texts in IITimothy 3: 16, 17 and II Peter1:21 make no mention of a humanelement, and, as a matteroffact, Peter specifically deniesit: "prophecy came not in oldtime by the will ofman." Whatright do so-called evangelicalshave to introduce into Scripturethat which Scripture itself deniesis there? This is an inexcusable,God-denying caricatureof His holy Word which leadsthousands on the path to destruction.Must such views betolerated? I would be furious ifanyone did this to my letters tomy wi fe, or hers to me. ButScripture is from God! Do thesescholars have no sense ofGod'srighteous indignation againstthose who deliberately mutilateHis Word and pull it out of thehands ofGod's people to whomGod gave it?The book is marred by poorediting. Mistakes are frequentlypresent. For a few see pages 86,160, 166, 177. •November, 200173
Guilt, Grace and Gratitude,Lectureson theHeidelberg Catechismby George W. Bethune.First published by Sheldon &Company, New York, 1864.Reprinted bythe BannerofTruthTrust, 3 Murray Field Road,Edinburgh, United Kingdom.Two Volumes. Hardcover.$49.99. [Revie~ed by AriedenHartog.]I have owned a much olderedition of these two volumesfora numberofyears. They weregiven to me by a fellow ministerof the Word. I have read thesevolumes through several timesin c'Onnection with preparationof Heidelberg Catechism ser..;mons. The work of Bethune isoutstanding. Ever since I saw aBanner of Truth advertisementindicating that the Truth Trustwas in the process ofrepublishingthese volumes, I have beeneagerly awaiting their appearance.Myoid edition is disintegrating,held together by booktape, with many pages fallingout. Ever since I began to readin them I have wonderedwhy noone has ever reprinted them.Anyone who preaches onthe HeidelbergCatechism regularlywill greatly benefit fromreading these volumes. Thosewho are not preachers and knowthe preciousness ofthe HeidelbergCatechism will deeply appreciatethe works of GeorgeBethune. Ministers who preachthrough the Heidelberg Catechismover and over again, asdo ministers in the ProtestantReformed Churches, are alwayslooking for good commentarieson the catechism. The commentaryby Bethune definitely ranksamong the best I have everread.Bethune's lectures'are fullof deep and rich and newthoughts on the Heidelberg Catechism.BethUlle is often quotedby the followers ofthe Puritans.Faithful preaching on theHeidelbergCatechism in the Reformedchurches has done agreat deal to help with systematicdoctrinal preaching in thechurches. Such preaching is oneofthe greatest strengths oftrulyReformed churches. Doctrinalpreaching must, however, bedone from a living, personal,spiritual and experiential perspective.The excellence oftheHeidelbergCatechism is exactlythis perspective, reflected especiallyin its opening questionand answerconcerning the onlycomfort of the Christian in lifeand death. It is a tragedy when a'preacher presents the Heidel-74PRTJ
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ProtestantReformedTheologicalJourna
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EDITOR'S NOTESProf. Russell J. Dyks
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For there are many, even l unruly,
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happen to hold unwittingly to some
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tion oftheir false teachings. II Pe
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est, they are very weak, at worst,
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truth~' (see I Tim. 4: 1 - 4). Ever
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Thomas Bradwardine:Forgotten Mediev
Page 17 and 18:
ated grace and uncreated grace. Unc
Page 19 and 20:
Bradwardine faces the question ofth
Page 21 and 22:
the age, namely, that having set fo
Page 23 and 24: did not identify Thomas Bradwardine
Page 25 and 26: The first is that Bradwardine was a
Page 27 and 28: to Bradwardine as oneof"two pre-emi
Page 29 and 30: Gospels, Acts, and Revelation. Sir
Page 31 and 32: power of the papacy in Bradwardine'
Page 33 and 34: The Serious Callof the Gospel -Is t
Page 35 and 36: elieve th~s proclamation with uprig
Page 37 and 38: to bring good news with their "fig
Page 39 and 40: nation, we read of Melchisedek, the
Page 41 and 42: official activity ofa monarch's her
Page 43 and 44: 8): "Calling is ofthose elect and r
Page 45 and 46: ut all his posterity unable to obey
Page 47 and 48: alone, and He saves whom He will. E
Page 49 and 50: have moved away from the notion oft
Page 51 and 52: every member ofthe visible, institu
Page 53 and 54: fulfilling this calling is their pa
Page 55 and 56: contingent. Further, Calvin did not
Page 57 and 58: ofacceptance in terms of merit, ins
Page 59 and 60: covenant ofgrace and works, or it i
Page 61 and 62: Spiritual, Suffers Them to DefileTh
Page 63 and 64: the gospel is preached" (p. 212).In
Page 65 and 66: "They do not hold that JesusChrist
Page 67 and 68: II Corinthians 3:6 that "the letter
Page 69 and 70: is to oppose and to repulsethat sec
Page 71 and 72: Rightly Divided: Readings inBiblica
Page 73: is necessary speaks volumesabout th
Page 77 and 78: 76ted under the new? If it wererigh
Page 79 and 80: er to keep himself holy; forthe Sab
Page 81 and 82: there is room for both positionsin
Page 83 and 84: Dr. Gannett's eschatologyalso effec
Page 85 and 86: that, but man has a corrupt nature(
Page 87 and 88: the love of God is "universal"(p. 5
Page 89 and 90: ever, throughout the book thereis n
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