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there is room for both positionsin the Reformed faith. Both describethe decrees of God ineternity. Hence, both positionsmaintain sovereign, double, unconditionalpredestination ineternity, a predestination not inany way based on man or hisworks. Historical prooffor thatis that the Canons ofDordrechtare infralapsarian, but severaldelegates to the Synod ofDordrecht were supralapsarianand their position was not condemnedby the synod.Colossians 1 gives powerfulsupport to the supralapsarianview of God's decrees. For instance,Colossians 1: 16 teachesthat not only were all things inheaven and earth created byChrist, all things were also createdjhr Him. The word translated/oris the Greek word El so,which in many instances inScripture has the meaning of"with a view to." That all thingswere created with' a view toChrist supports the view thatthe decree ofcreation andprovidenceserve the decree ofChrist.In addition, Colossians1;20 teaches that God throughChrist reconciles all things inheaven and earth to Himself.Christ is presented as the goalofGod's plans, the one in whomheaven and earth will one daybe made one (as stated explicitlyin Ephesians 1:9-10).In these and other ways,Colossians exalts Christ and assignsHim the God-ordainedpreeminence.* The title of thebook by Dr. Alden A. Gannettis, therefore, most appropriate.The book, however, is mostdisappointing. In plain words, itdoes not present the glorioustruth that the title implies thatthe book will give. In the Preface,Dr. Gannett indicates hispurpose for writing the book. It"is not primarily to provide anothertechnical and scholarlywork on this timely epistle.Rather, my aim is to set forth apractical word by expoundingthe theme of the epistle-thepreeminence of Christ in ourdaily walk."Dr. Gannett's presentationofthe theme ofColossians givesan indication where he is going,and where, in my judgment, hewent wrong. No doubt Co-* For those interested in a morethorough exposition ofColossians1and ofthe preeminence ofChrist,I recommend Herman Hoeksema'sChapel Talks on Colossians, availablefrom the Protestant ReformedSeminary.80PRTJ