Book Reviewslossians, like most of the NewTestament epistles, conta<strong>in</strong>smuch <strong>in</strong>struction about the:;Christian's walk - <strong>in</strong>structionbased on the doctr<strong>in</strong>al materialof the epistle. It is doubtful,however, that the ma<strong>in</strong> po<strong>in</strong>t ofColossians is preem<strong>in</strong>ence ofChrist <strong>in</strong> the walk o/the Christian.That shifts the emphasisradically from the placeofChrist<strong>in</strong> the counsel and works ofGod,to the place Christ has <strong>in</strong> the lifeof the believer. The danger isthen that the emphasis is on theChristian mak<strong>in</strong>g sure that hehas (makes?) Christ preem<strong>in</strong>ent<strong>in</strong> his own life.Sadly, that is exactly theapproach Dr. Gannett takes. Thefirst page of chapter one declaresthat ~'Godwants, throughthe Book ofColossians, to br<strong>in</strong>gus back to the centrality of ourLord Jesus Christ-who He is,what He did for us on the cross,and how He wants to live <strong>in</strong> andthrough us. In two words, Christpreem<strong>in</strong>ent." (My emphasis,RJD.)When the commentaryreaches the very verse thatspeaks of the preem<strong>in</strong>ence ofChrist (p. 37), there is but ashort paragraph ofexplanation,and then this tell<strong>in</strong>g question:"As far as you know, <strong>in</strong> the pres-ence ofGod, is Jesus Christ first<strong>in</strong> your lifeT' Even more obviousis the first oftwo questionswith which the book ends (pp.104-105) - HIs Christ first <strong>in</strong>your life? ... Will you nowhumble yourself, bow the knee,and crown Christ Lord?"That pathetic question <strong>in</strong>dicatesthe reason why Dr.Gannett cannot give Christ theproper preem<strong>in</strong>ence thatColossians does, namely, thathis theology is Arm<strong>in</strong>ian. Hegives numerous prayers that heurges upon the reader, add<strong>in</strong>gthe assurance that if the <strong>in</strong>dividualwill pray these prayers,<strong>in</strong> his words, "God will saveyou" (p. 44; similarly, see pp.40, 89, 105, for examples). Heis blatant <strong>in</strong> assert<strong>in</strong>g to the unconverted,~'Christdied for you,"cit<strong>in</strong>g, of course, John 3: 16 (p.47). He avers that Christ "longsto be your life, my friend" (p.88).With that theology, Dr.Gannett can only presenta Christwho is glorious <strong>in</strong> what He wantsto do and be for man, but whocan do noth<strong>in</strong>g until man allowsit. In such a system, who has thepreem<strong>in</strong>ence? Man does. Manholds the reigns of power, andmust be will<strong>in</strong>gto "crownChristLord"(!).November, 200181
Dr. Gannett's eschatologyalso effectivelyrules outthe possibilitythat he would ascribe toChrist the preem<strong>in</strong>ence givenHim by God. Dr. Gannett is apremillennial dispensationalist,await<strong>in</strong>g the Rapture (cf. pp. 17,37, and40). Admittedly, he doesnot speak of his view ofeschatology often <strong>in</strong> this book.Nonetheless, the premillennialdispensationalist believes that<strong>in</strong> the end of the earthly k<strong>in</strong>gdomofa thousand years. Christwill deliver up the k<strong>in</strong>gdom tothe Father, so that God will beall <strong>in</strong> all. Christ will no longerbe K<strong>in</strong>g. Christ will no longerhave the preem<strong>in</strong>ence.This work is misnamed <strong>in</strong>another way when it is subtitled~~A Commentary on Colossians."It is a commentaryonly <strong>in</strong> the sense that the commentsare loosely connectedwith and somewhat based onColossians. This book does notgive clear or <strong>in</strong>sightful exposi-tion ofthe text ofScripture. Theconcepts <strong>in</strong> the passages are noteven def<strong>in</strong>ed, as a rule, and theexplanationofthe text is skimpyat best. I would describe thismore as an anecdotal walkthrough Colossians. The workis short on explanation, long onstories more or less connectedwith the various passages ofScripture. It is evidently <strong>in</strong>tendedto impress upon thereader the importance of mak<strong>in</strong>gChrist first <strong>in</strong> his life.<strong>Reformed</strong> pastors shouldtake note that this is the k<strong>in</strong>d ofmaterial found <strong>in</strong> Christianbookstores. While thetitle mightbe attractive and give the appearanceofbe<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Reformed</strong>, itis mislead<strong>in</strong>g, and it will notbuild up the members of theirflocks <strong>in</strong> the <strong>Reformed</strong> faith.Even more seriously, this bookrobs Christofthe true God-givenpreem<strong>in</strong>ence even while itclaims to be sett<strong>in</strong>g forth thesame.•Sav<strong>in</strong>g Grace, by JohnCheeseman. The Banner ofTruthTrust, 1999. 136pp.+ viii.Paper, $7.99. [Reviewed byRussell J. Dykstra.]82This work is a revision ofThe Grace o/God<strong>in</strong> the Gospel,published <strong>in</strong> 1972. The bookarose out of the fact that theauthor was disturbed "by certa<strong>in</strong>man-centred emphasesPRTJ
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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
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ated grace and uncreated grace. Unc
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Bradwardine faces the question ofth
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the age, namely, that having set fo
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did not identify Thomas Bradwardine
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The first is that Bradwardine was a
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to Bradwardine as oneof"two pre-emi
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Gospels, Acts, and Revelation. Sir
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